Broken

As I write, a dear friend here is undergoing extreme persecution because she has decided to follow Jesus. My heart breaks for her...and yet I am so encouraged by her faith in this time of trial. Let me tell you about her:

She has followed the Way for a year, boldly sharing how He has changed her life. He has stirred her heart for her family who is hindu and she wrote a letter to them this week explaining why she is following the Way. Her brother and 2 other men from her family tracked her down 4 nights ago and forced her to return home, against her will. They said she would be better off dead than to follow the Way and shame her family. She texted from her phone that she is locked in a room at her parent's house where she is praying and fasting. She testified that even though they had taken her Bible, the Word was her food and she felt His presence closer than ever before. Outside her room, her extended family gathers, plotting how to force her to return to hinduism. Several times they have taken her to the witch doctor who uses magic to make her forget who Jesus is. This morning she sent this text from her phone:

"At the moment when I am broken, my thoughts are on only one thing: ONLY THE LORD JESUS, ONLY THE LORD JESUS. There is no other. There is nothing else on my mind other than Lord Jesus. I love you so much Lord. Nothing and no one can separate my love from Lord Jesus. Even death!"

How about you? Is your love for Him this deep? Please pray for K right now to stand firm in her faith.

Materialism

The last we saw of Jordan's parents, they were headed back to America without us.

We went to Singapore for a visa run and I was confronted with the materialism of a first world country for the first time since leaving America 6 months ago when we visited the mall.

It gave all of us "the wants" for things we don't really need. I don't want my child to grow up materialistic. I want her to be content to play outside in God's creation and not have to have lots of stuff. So, we didn't buy her anything! Here are pictures of Cadence with the toys she cannot have!

Summer time

This summer Cadence has really enjoyed getting reconnected with familiar faces. Jody's mom and brother arrived today and we had so much fun with Jordan's parents in June.

She enjoyed making new friends, who are her age, with the children of some of our close friends.

We enjoyed the beauty of the Island where we live.

Jordan and her mom enrolled in cooking school in June!

They made delicious local dishes.

Our little girl is growing up!

Tea Party

For Cadence's first birthday party, we had high tea with Jordan's parents.

We also invited some dear friends who have a daughter Cadence's age.

Cadence got her first cupcake...

and shared half of it with her friend Alana.

The girls had so much fun playing with the balloons, that we wondered why we even bothered to buy gifts!

So we sent one home with everyone as a party favor!

More fun with Honey and Bee

We found out in June just what a funny Honey we have!

She enjoyed giving Cadence a bath each evening. Thanks Aunt Kk for the bath toys!

We enjoyed making (and eating) key lime pie together...twice!

Cadence and Honey Bee went to see the neighbor's puppies each day. "Dog" is her favorite word and favorite animal.

Cadence introduced her grandparents to her little friend...
but I'm not sure they will be friends for long if Cadence keeps pinching her!

She loved having Honey Bee push her in her new wagon.

More fun with grandparents

Jordan's parents were delighted to witness some of Cadence's first steps.


We had fun introducing Jordan's parents to our friends here.


Can you spot the proud Grandmothers?

We also enjoyed getting to show them the beauty of this island.

Adventures with Honey and Honey Bee

While Jordan's parents were here we took a boat out to an uninhabited island for a day of snorkeling, hiking and picnics.






On the way home, Jordan and her mom were held hostage by a hostile group of wild monkeys!

The guys were exhausted after all that fun!

Honey and Honey Bee

This June we were graced with a visit from Jordan's parents, "Honey" and "Honey Bee". Cadence took right to them and loved all the attention. They were such a blessing to us as they could hang out with Cadence so that we could focus on all of our summer volunteers.

Slam Dunk in Rain

Cadence had just learned how to let go of the ball in April. She loves the water and the rain, and being naked. Sorry for the obscene view of the dad with his shorts hiked up. Mom was strictly asked to video above the waist but thought it too priceless not to get it all on video. What a fun mom she is!