Lest We Forget – Remembrance Day Resources

Lest We Forget – Remembrance Day Resources

Next week, we make time to remember veterans and the sacrifice of those who fought in various wars.  I’ve already started talking about this with my children.  I’m seeing their amazement as they consider the cost of our freedoms.
 
If you are looking for some ways to bring that into lessons or activities with your family, here are some of the sites I’ve referenced with my kids:

This page is full of Remembrance Day videos:
http://www.teachingelementaryandbeyond.com/2016/11/remembrance-day-assembly-videos.html

This page is full of Remembrance Day videos:
http://www.teachingelementaryandbeyond.com/2016/11/remembrance-day-assembly-videos.html

Postcards for Peace.  This is a pretty neat idea.  Not sure if we’ll do it from here, but came across it and thought you might like it:  https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/classroom/postcard-for-peace

Plus we read LOTS of good books. In Flander’s Field is a classic we’ve already read this week.

Hopefully this gives you some helpful resources to use as we head into this Remembrance season.

Renée

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

How are you doing? I hope you have an amazing weekend!

As for us, much of our time goes to producing the weekly livestreams and VABC classes right now, plus we get to re-open the church to in person gatherings October 18th

For Thanksgiving, we’ll have chicken and pumpkin pie for lunch, then go swimming in the afternoon with friends…I’m excited already…I haven’t had pumpkin pie since Christmas!!!

But before Monday arrives, we wanted to take a moment to let you know we are so grateful for you.  What a blessing to have such an amazing community of family and friends!

Not only is your support reaching into Southeast Asia, but you’re giving a group of students the opportunity to rise to their destinies!  So incredible! 

Thank you!

Have a great weekend & Happy Thanksgiving!

Renee

Lessons from Dad

Lessons from Dad

For as long as we can remember, Dad was the first one up in the morning. 
 
His breakfast staple: 2 eggs with toast and a cup of coffee. Then he’d dash to work before any of us could catch up.  
 
At some point in time, we joined him for breakfast…it wasn’t hard to convince him to make us eggs too. 
 
And so became the breakfast norm!
 
Today, all the grandkids fondly look forward to ‘Grandpa Eggs’ because no one else knows how to make eggs just like Grandpa!
            
I’m grateful for my dad and the impact he makes in my life.  Although, he’s not perfect, what he taught me still influences me today.

As we approach Father’s Day,  I’d like to share with you some of the things he taught me. I hope they bless you as much as they’ve guided me around the globe!

Here they are.  Lessons from Dad:

When you borrow something, always return it in better condition than when you received it.

Always help a neighbor in need.

Don’t seek revenge, but rather stay honest in your actions.
 
Be generous, even in difficult times. 
 
Always tell the truth. 
 
Always be on time.
 
Keep your word even when it costs you.
 
Do what is right – even when no one is watching.
 
Work hard and don’t make excuses.
 
Always speak the best of others, expecting to see the good in them.

I’m amazed at how well those lessons have served me everywhere I go! 

Praise God for dads!

Have a blessed Father’s Day, and if there’s anything I can come alongside in prayer with you, please write me back or comment below!

Happy Father’s Day!
Renée

The message of the cross

The message of the cross

Easter greetings!  It’s a time of new life, redemption, new beginnings, a day of resurrection and more!

While Easter 2020 might look different for you than in years past, I pray the message of the cross is just as powerful to your family as ever!

May this be a time of reflection of the price Jesus paid, as well as a tremendous time of rejoicing for all the freedoms we have!  

And boy do we have plenty to be thankful for!

A time of thankfulness for

  • those who are faithfully serving our countries worldwide that we might have health
  • those providing access to clean water, food and sanitation services
  • those behind the scenes keeping our countries in motion in a race against Covid-19

And so much more!  At my house, this list goes on and on! 

What about you?  What are you thankful for this Easter?  I’d love to hear from you!
 
From our family to yours, Happy Easter!
Renée

Navigating Covid-19

Navigating Covid-19

Wherever you are in the world today, it is likely that your neighborhood is learning how to respond & adapt to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Surrounded by so much uncertainty, and social distancing, it’s easy to become fearful & reactive, but we can have a different mindset.

In the midst of it all, we do not need to fear because our peace does not come from our circumstances.  Jesus bore the cost of your peace, so you can walk with peace of mind – free from all mental stress: depression, anxiety, fear and worry.

As a church, we need to continue bring the peace of the Gospel to those around us.  But how do we do that?  I mean the church down the road put up a sign and said church is closed.  Should that be our response? It doesn’t have to be.

How do we continue to reach out with the light of Jesus, when all around us it can seem so dark?

I’d love to hear how you’re adapting during this time, just comment below and let me know.

Here’s a bit of what we’re doing for our community:  

First, we decided to move our church service ONLINE.

Our “normal things” (like church services, Lifegroups, discipleship classes) can’t continue as normal.  With new government regulations in place, our public social gatherings must change.

We are doing this week by week, but we could still be doing this for quite a few months. 

In all honesty, this is not ideal. But this is the current reality.  We’ve heard it before.  ‘We are the church, not the building.’  So let’s do it!

If people are in their homes, we will reach them in their homes. And we need your help to do it.

Would you consider giving a special donation to help us reach Thailand ONLINE?

Right now we’re taping with my Iphone 7.  A real camera would be a HUGE game changer.  Here’s the list of the equipment we plan to buy. We’ve had a vision for this for a long time.  We researched and compiled this list last year. Now is the time to take action.

Have a look at what we need.  Let me know if you can help us purchase something on this list.  We are pouring our hearts into this!

Join us as we make disciples and raise up leaders in Thailand.

And Second, we’re creating a daily online coffee time.

It will be a place for our community to check into daily to encourage each other.  People can join for a few minutes or the whole hour ONLINE…sure it can’t replace face to face socials, but it will certainly help out!

We may be less mobile than usual, but praise God for the internet! That’s where we shine. We CAN do this! Keep dreaming. Maybe re-invent some of your old dreams.

Use this season as a catalyst to create something even better!

Have a great weekend and I’ll touch base again soon!

Renée

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All About Chai

All About Chai

We all have cherished moments that we revisit over and over again in our minds’ eye. 

Moments that remind us of home. Moments that remind us of who we are.

For me, one such memory is Mom and her daily dose of tea.

For as long as I can remember, Mom had a special cup just for tea. And she kept special cups for each of us too! Our kitchen housed teacups of all shapes and sizes – each with its own story. 

Mom had her ways with tea, but most important was that it be served piping hot and enjoyed by all around.

So it’s only natural that I’m a social tea drinker. I drink heaps of it in the company of others. I’ve grown up loving and appreciating a good cup of tea!

When I travel, I love to try the teas that flavor the nations.

Here in India is no exception. Not only do they make amazing tea, it’s an integral part of culture.

If you walk in any local Indian district, you’ll find tea vendors with steaming pots of Chai (the national tea).

Chai is this delicious blend of tea infused with spices, milk and sugar. Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and more. It’s joy and comfort in a cup.

The memories around our daily dose of Chai in India will fill my heart for years to come. Those who’ve shared in tea-time with me throughout the years, have forever left their influence in my life.

This is what happens across our platform in Asia: a friendly cup of tea becomes the birthplace of dreams, visions, comfort and joy. 

It’s the stories we share as we sip our Chai. It’s the encouragement we receive as we open our hearts in a simple cup of culture. 

Chai – It’s all these little moments that together carry you through not only your day, but a lifetime. It makes you pause, gently reminds you to slow down, and gives perspective.

Just one cup together empowers us and moves us ahead.

I hope one day we can share a cup together.

In the meantime, here is a video of us in India learning to make Chai. (For the record, our first attempt failed, but our second try was delicious!)

Try it at home or stick to what you know and brew your favorite pot of tea. 

While you’re at it, invite a friend to join in – you never know how much your cup of tea may imprint hope and inspire greatness in another.

What about you? Do you have a cherished habit you’ve carried into adulthood that connects you to others? Message me and let me know.  I’d love to learn from you!

From India,
Renee