A Goodly Heritage

March was a VERY busy month at our home church.  Everyone was gearing up for the California Christian School Competition that our church hosts.  It is an exciting time as the students prepare events to enter in the competition.  This kids were thrilled to get back to the states right in time to be a part.   We had been working on their events for many weeks while we were still in Estonia.   

One of my greatest desires is that my kids will serve the Lord with the talents that God has given them.  This competition challenges the students to develop and use their talents for His honor and glory.

Shortly before the competition, the students have a chance to practice their events at the annual school Talent Show.  Grandparents, other family members, church members, and friends are invited to attend.  It is also a fundraiser for the school to help pay for the students to attend the competition.

Our kids entered these events:

40 yard dash (Andrew)

Chess (Daniel)

Checkers (Sarah)

Art (Daniel, Sarah)

Spelling (Andrew, Sarah)

Piano Solo (Daniel, Andrew, Sarah)

Poem (Daniel, Andrew)

Ensemble (Daniel - Jr. High / Andrew, Sarah - Junior)

Hand Chimes - (Daniel - Jr. High / Andrew, Sarah - Junior)

Preaching - Daniel

All of the kids did an outstanding job!

I'll take a quick minute to share how the kids did (big smile)....if you don't mind

Daniel (Jr. High)

Preaching - 3rd place, Hand Chimes - Honorable Mention

Piano - 1st place, Poem - 1st place, Ensemble - 1st place

Andrew (Junior)

Poem -1st place, Hand Chimes - 1st place

Ensemble - 1st place, Piano - 1st place

Sarah (Junior)

Hand chimes - 1st place,  Ensemble  - 1st place

The Junior Ensemble did an awesome job!

What a joy it was to hear them sing I Love the Old Bible with such zeal and enthusiasm.

During the several days the students are gathered for competition, there are several preaching sessions as well. This year the older students were privileged to hear Pastor John Goetsch of Yuma, Arizona.  Stephen Benefield, Missionary to Cambodia, preached to the younger group.

the awards rally

young ladies from our school

students from Sequoia Baptist Academy

Junior Ensemble receiving their medals

Sarah is pleased with her medal

Andrew receiving an award

Daniel receiving his 3rd place ribbon for preaching

My parents, Pastor and Kathy Benefield, had 8 grandchildren involved in the competition this year.  How exciting to serve the Lord as a family and then to be on furlough and continue serving the Lord with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.  This was a special time for the kids.....and grandpa and grandma too.

Three of the grandchildren sang A Goodly Heritage.  The judges thought it was so good they wanted them to sing it at the award rally.  It was a touching and special memory.

Elizabeth Farrell, Candace Benefield, Austin Farrell

my parents listening to their grandchildren sing

I am so thankful for my heritage.  What a blessing it is for my kids to see their grandparents still faithfully serving the Lord.

Beginning our furlough

March 5, 2012, we left Tallinn, Estonia to begin furlough.

Early mornings are not my favorite time of day. However, once I got my eyes open and forced myself outof bed, I felt pretty good.  We got to the airport plenty early and everything went smoothly with check-in and getting through security.  After just a short wait at the gate, we got on the plane for our first flight and began our trip to America.

Leaving in the morning was perfect timing to see the sunrise from the air.  Isn't it gorgeous?!!!

Of course, the kids liked having personal t.v. screens in front of their seats.  It sure helps entertain them on that long flight over the ocean.  They also spent some time reading, playing games, and coloring.

Since our flight was during the day, no one slept much :(

Toward the end of the flight, the stewardess passed out cups of ice cream.  

Such a refreshing treat made a big hit!

Ron's parents picked us up at the airport and took us to their house in Lancaster.

Welcome to the desert!

The next afternoon we drove to Visalia where our sending church is located and my family lives.

Pizza, family, and fellowship made for a great evening.

Cuddle time with grandma was a great way to end the day.

The time difference and all the excitement caught up with Caleb and sleep took over.

We praise the Lord for His protection as we traveled.

*          *          *          *          *

Announcing the winner of the 

huge chocolate candy bar from Estonia!

#7 said,

"been following your blog now for almost 2 years I think.  Met you in Lithuania in June of 2010. :) had a blast with your kids!"

CONGRATULATIONS to Barrie G.

Please contact me (with the email me button on the right hand side of my blog) with your mailing information so I can send you your chocolate.

Chocolate Anyone?

I'm guessing I have your attention, right?

Well, hang on just a minute and I'll explain.

First I'd like to share some pictures with you....

Caleb loves to play outside in the snow!

At the end of 2011 we had very little snow. 

The kids were anxious to get some so they could build snowmen, forts, have snowball fights, etc.

Sarah can usually hold her own with her brothers

Well, the new year brought snow.

Not as much as last year, but still plenty to play in. 

so strong!

After playing outside for awhile, the kids come in

covered in snow,

rosy cheeks, 

and red noses.

 We don't see the sun much in the winter, but when we do it is beautiful.

A few weeks ago, Ron took all the kids tubing.

Caleb was concerned about me staying home all by myself.

I quickly explained that I did not mind at all.

Andrew and Caleb getting ready to go down the hill

 I rode down this hill last year....it's a blast!

Remembering the fun they had last year, the kids were estatic to get to go again.

I'm so glad God gave my kids such an awesome dad!

A very fun day!

I think this is one of those things that will be a yearly tradition.

Now....back to the chocolate!

A while back a blogging friend of mine had a give away on her blog as she was heading back to the states on furlough.  Someone had the oportunity to win something special from her field.  Since I thought it was such a neat idea, I decided I would do the same thing.

How would you like to win a CHOCOLATE CANDY BAR from Estonia?

10" x 5" milk chocolate candy bar with almonds

All you have to do is leave me a comment.  That's it!  Just leave a comment about anything at all.  What I would be interested in mostly is something about yourself, how long you have been following my blog, and how you heard about my blog.

If you do not yet follow my blog, but you start following, you can let me know in a seperate comment for another entry for the candy bar.

For those of you who LOVE chocolate and want another opportunity to win, this is what you can do - leave a seperate comment with the promise to pray daily for at least one of these special requests:

safety as we travel to America on March 5th

safety as we travel through many states while on furlough

to raise additional support

our ministry we are leaving behind

new ministries we would like to start when we return

the salvation of Olga, Tonya, Valodia, Sylvia and others we are working with

Caleb's salvation

a family to help us reach the people of Johvi, Estonia

One more thing you can do that will give you an extra entry is add my new button that is on the right hand side of the blog. Now, I just did the button and I'm hoping it works. Please let me know if something isn't right.  Just to let you know, I may still experiment with the button when I have time.  If you have any tips or advice, I'm listening =)  Make sure you leave me a comment letting me know that you have added my button.

So, that is four possible ways that you can enter to win the CHOCOLATE CANDY BAR. 

The giveaway will end on March 5th at 9 p.m. (Pacific Time)

I will ship it to anyone that wins where ever you live.

Update:

I am also adding another chance to enter....if you put this giveaway on facebook.

Make sure you leave a seperate comment for each thing you do. 

Getting Ready!

The countdown has begun.

In just 8 days we will fly to America to begin our furlough.

I am thrilled with all the things I have been able to mark off my list.  It has been nice to decluter, deep clean, and organize our apartment.    

We have one or two days of school left to finish up.  (I'll be glad to have that behind me.)  The kids have been working hard in school since July of 2011 so that they could be done by the time we  leave for the states.  The last couple of months they have also been working on specific things that they will enter in the   California Christian School Competition.  Our home church (Sequoia Baptist Church in Visalia, California) hosts this competition.  Our kids will be participating in piano, poem, spelling, singing, hand chimes, and Bible quiz.  This is a wonderful opportunity for them to develop their talents for the Lord.  They are excited to be involved.

I still have a couple of projects I need to finish before we leave.  One is personal and it's not big deal if I get it done or not....I would just like to if I have time.  The other project is something special for the children in the churches as we travel.  I'm off to a good start, I just need to sit down and finish.

Other than those projects, I should be able to focus on getting our stuff packed and ready.  We sure would appreciate your prayers this week as we finish getting ready to leave.  Your prayers would also be coveted as we travel.  Sunday, March 4, we will have a service and fellowship.  Then we will drive in to Tallinn and stay with fellow missionaries there.  Early (and I mean EARLY.....especially for me) Monday morning we leave for America.  So, Sunday evening (California time), if the Lord brings us to your mind, would you pray for safety as we travel?  We would be grateful. 

Caleb getting ready for church

With so much thought of "getting ready" to go to America, God spoke to my heart about "getting ready"for Home (Heaven).  Let's make sure our lives are clean and clutter free so we don't take a bunch of baggage with us.  It's so easy for "things"and the world to sneak in and clutter our mind, heart, and life.  Even if the "things'are not bad, they may be keeping us from serving the Lord with our whole heart.

What about people who are not ready for life after death?  Are we doing all we can to help them get ready?  Are you a faithful witness to those around you who are lost and without Christ?  Can you imagine going on  a trip without packing, planning, and preparing?  Of course not!  Yet life is a journey and so many are not prepared.  It's our job, Christians, to help the lost prepare and get ready for eternity.  

L*O*V*E

Doesn't it feel good to be loved?

God has placed so many people into my life that pray for me, encourage me, and love me.  Of course, my hubby has a tender, passionate, and deep love for me that touches the depths of my heart.  I also have the unwavering love of my children that is so precious to me.  But that is not all...God loves me!  As I stop and consider God's love, I'm amazed that a holy, perfect, and righteous God could love a sinner like me.  He knows everything about me, yet He loves me.  Amazing! 

When our Ladies Tea was scheduled for February, just shortly after Valentines' Day, I felt that it was the perfect time to focus on God's love.  I want these ladies to hear and know that God loves them.  How sad that so many people don't know that.  My devotional dealt with God's love for us and that He wants us to love Him in return.  My heart's desire is to share God's love with my mouth and show God's love with my life.

"Thank you" to all of you who prayed for our activity.  God blessed with a good attendance.  Let's keep praying that God will work in the hearts of the ladies that attended.

yummy food to eat

fellowship

making crafts

The ladies really enjoyed our craft - covering jars with silk rose petals. 

When a candle is lit in the jar the petals are illuminated. 

Beautiful!  

Each lady was also given a dish towel that says "God is Love". 

craft and gift

 Sylvia is a sweet lady that has attended all three of our ladies activites.  Although I continue to invite her to our Sunday services, she has not yet attended.  My prayer is that she will come to at least one service before we leave for our furlough. 

happily posing with her craft and gift

Total attendance: 13

First time guests: 6

Returning guests: 3

 faithful church ladies: 4

Ladies Tea ~ February 2012