Lummi 2007

This is our 2nd trip back to visit the Lummi Tribe in WA state. Thank you so much to all those who prayed for us and gave financially. You were a part of what God was doing in and through the Lummi Tribe. And He definitely was at work in opening their hearts closer to Himself. It has been 12 years since MTW (Mission to the World) has been sending volunteers to help w/ clean-up/house projects to be able to do more relational ministries. Last year was the first time, we were able to share the gospel with their children whom they used to hide from foreigners,due to their horrible history w/ white missionaries.

I think what was different this time around was that we were able to observe and be a part of many of their traditional ceremonies. We were asked to help out w/ their elder dinner which was considered a real honor for us. Lummis are known to be a very private tribe. We also saw them film a movie called the "Shadow of the Salmon" which will be in the Smithsonian in the fall. And we witnessed some of their traditional dances and songs and watched them prepare for their huge canoe journey where many tribes will be gathering at the Lummi Nation. They expect about 10,000 Native Americans whom they will feed for several days. This gave a new meaning to "feeding the masses." Huge tribal gatherings and eating meals together are a normal part of life for them. 

Here are a few things that we did while we were there. We cleaned the Wexlum community building that they use for most of their tribal gatherings: weddings, funerals, elder dinners, etc. We gave this place an extreme make-over.

We steamed cleaned their entire building and it's pretty big! We scrubbed all their industrial appliances, walls and floors and repainted the kitchen. Some of the guys dusted all the tall poles and beams that have never been dusted in years.

We also made massive crafts in preparation for their elder lunch, which was our focus for our week. Up to 500-600 elders would gather from nearby states inside the community building. The Lummis highly esteem their elders.

We made about 150 corsages, 150 boutonnieres, and many more things in this tiny little room with very little ventilation. They called me the "sweatshop boss" b/c I was in charge of this project. I think I went to Wal-Mart everyday we were there to get supplies.

We visited the house we worked on last year. It's still looking good and Ed still has flowers growing in the green pot we gave him and even added 2 flower baskets on his porch.

The natives cooked most of our meals and they sure know how to be hospitable. We ate all-you-can-eat dungeness crabs, smoked salmon, fried clams and halibut for 2 nights. Not bad for a mission's trip, eh?

The area the Lummis occupy is absolutely gorgeous, especially in the summer time. The 1st picture is where we walked down to the water in order to play and relax from our hard day's work and try to talk with the natives. The sunsets were breathtaking and the sun doesn't go down until 10pm in the summertime.

This is our 2007 team. As a family we really had a wonderful time doing God's work together and showing our children what it's like to serve one another b/c of what Jesus has done for us.

So until next time!

Jen and Nate's Wedding

This past weekend was Jen and Nate's wedding. I never saw them so happy, especially Nate. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful.

This along w/ the next was taken by my daughter, I was really impressed. I thought John took the one of the bench (below) and he thought I did, but our little girl was out there taking all sorts of pictures on her own.

Gardening 101

I've always wanted to garden and now I have a front yard that I can experiment on. I was never a green thumb so it's nice when things actually grow for me.

The bright pink and red bushes are azaleas, we moved in after they had bloomed so we never saw how beautiful they could get. The yellow and white ones are pansies. I planted them in Nov. '06 and thought the snowed killed them but they are blooming so well now. We'll see how long they last. And the fern like ones behind the pansies are hostas. I separated the hostas on the right into 3 other parts and replanted them, they're actually still growing!

My other gardeners who love to dig and plant. They would give me daily progress reports: "Mom your tulips are coming in, Mom your hostas are dying....."

I love orchids. I thought this one died on me last year when we went on vacation, but it came back! The petals are flawless.

Birthdays Done for 2007

Nathan had finally turned 10 years old on January 29  and Emily 8 years on March 18. Here are some pix from their party.

Nate wanted a small party w/ 2 of his buddies at a playcenter playing laser tag and arcades. We continued the celebration at Bennigan's. Look at Emily so proud of her BIG brother.

Emily's party was just the opposite. She wanted it at home getting all dolled up and doing little crafty things w/ her girlfriends. After their make-over, they made jewelry and shrinkedinks. The girls loved making these little creations and watching them shrink in the oven.

DDR contest! Next time no eating on the sofa! 

Emily enjoyed her birthday party and it was a very fun day for all of them.

Motherhood

I’m currently reading the book by Elisabeth Elliot, “The Shaping of a Christian Family”.   I wanted to share some quotes about the importance of motherhood.

“There is no nobler career than that of motherhood at its best. There are no possibilities greater, and in no other sphere does failure bring more serious penalties. With what diligence then should she prepare herself for such a task. If the mechanic who is to work with “things” must study at technical school, if the doctor into whose skilled hands will be entrusted human lives, must go through medical school… how much more should the mother who is fashioning the souls of the men and women of tomorrow, learn at the highest of all schools and from the Master-Sculptor Himself, God. To attempt this task, unprepared and untrained is tragic, and its results affect generations to come. On the other hand there is no higher height to which humanity can attain than that occupied by a converted, heaven-inspired, praying mother.”

                                                                                               -anonymous writer

Just powerful to be reminded that I am shaping souls!

“…doing the work no one would notice or thank her for-no one, that is, except Him to whom it could be offered as a daily sacrifice of love.”

                                                                                                  -Elisabeth Elliot

Being a mother now for 10 years, has been my greatest joys and my greatest hardships. There is no way I can do this w/o God nor w/o being on my knees.  It’s easy to get into the routine of taking care of the family and forgetting what a high calling it is to be the biggest shaper of their souls. Most of my life-changing lessons have come from raising our children. I must always remember they are my highest human priority next to my husband.

What parent likes to see their child go through a tough struggle in life? Today God reminded me to seek not necessarily their “happiness”, which is temporary, but their holiness, which is eternal.

  my precious souls