{September} Photo Round-up

I really have not meant to let this blogging thing get away from me.  :)  One of my New Year's resolutions is to do weekly updates like I did for 2012.

Anywhoooo…. Here is September (in photos… because I don't really remember much of it.) ;)

We {finally} have our dog!  Piper Maxine Sheets joined our family at the beginning of September.  She is a miniature schnauzer from south of Glasgow.

We love her!

Gideon started playing "fitba" for his school team.  Go Meethill Sharks!

It's starting to feel more like home now that we have our own stuff… and our photos… and a new sofa. :)

Naomi and I are taking advantage of some inexpensive canvases here in town and having craft days.  These are our unicorns. 

Claudia sent me PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE!  Let the autumn commence!

I have a whole post dedicated to Gideon's Baptism!!!!

School photos (which I thought was the day before… the day I had them all in their best uniforms and their hair done… momma-fail)

We didn't order any, but these are the proofs. ;)

More Piper as she grows from a tiny puppy into a dog.  (She's massive now!)

She didn't like the little pen we made for her.

Annie and Tanja took some photos of the kids while they were at Club on Monday nights.

We celebrated CJ and Megan's birthday...

goofed off...

Had a girls' night with the teens and young adults...

We celebrated Sam's Birthday...

More Monday Night class photos...

The church Social...

And Jr and I didn't make a fuss about our Anniversary or his birthday, because we headed to Rome at the beginning of October… but that's a different post.
~Daisha

The Adventures of Gideon: Baptised--Chapter 1

I interrupt the monthly reporting with this important post:  Gideon put on Christ in baptism 22 September, 2013!!!

Gideon started talking about being baptised when he was 5.  We have been having conversations with him for years about how important this decision is.

Our friend, Jared King, worded it beautifully in an e-mail response when we informed some friends and family of Gideon's decision.  Jared wrote to Gideon:

Gideon,

I think of when I first met you at the grad school. You were just a little guy, full of energy and excited for life. You, like many kids at your age, were crazy, funny and often picked fights you knew you couldn't win (like the countless times you basically asked Kevin and I to pin you down, hold you upside down and tickle your feet til you burst!). But there was something about you that I saw from the moment I met you. At an age that most people don't think a child has the ability to understand and love the Lord, you did. It was nothing that you had to tell me. I could see it through the way you interacted with your friends, with adults, and by the things you said and talked about. I was impressed with your heart from day one.

Gideon, the first time your dad and I talked about you being baptized was when you were 5 years old. We talked about how many people didn't think that a 5 year old could understand what baptism was and why a person needs to be baptized. Your dad told me that he believed that you knew. You understood. Your life was showing fruit that many adult believers had never produced. And I believed your dad because I could see it in you myself. You are a man of God. Let that sink in...a man of God. I am so proud of you Gideon. But it doesn't matter as much that I am proud. Your father in Heaven is proud of you! He is filled with joy in the man you have become and will continue to develop into. My heart is bursting with joy Gideon. I am excited for the ways you are and will continue to impact the Kingdom of God. God is using you. And he will continue to use you to bring him Glory and Honor! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. But know this...we will be celebrating with you in Nashville. Love you kid. 

Friday night as Gideon, Naomi, and I walked home from G's fitba practice, Naomi started talking about how wonderful Heaven will be and how she just wants to "hug Jesus forever and ever".  This prompted Gideon to talk about how sin separates us from God.  He told me that he was really worried about his sin, and that he constantly asks God to forgive him and not reject him.

So I asked Gideon if he knew what he had to do to be washed clean of his sins.  He said that he hoped that praying was enough.  I gave him the prompt for his memorised verse of Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He quoted the verse to me.  And I asked him if he knew HOW to be "in Christ".  That's when he said he wanted to be baptised.

I texted JR while he was at Friday Night Club to let him know that we were going to have a conversation with Gideon about this when he got back.  And we sent, back and forth, several excited texts. :)

While Gideon and Naomi and I sat around and cuddled before Play Night, I asked Gideon WHY he wanted to be baptised.  As best as I can remember I will try to relay what he said.

-"Unlike when [he] was 5", he didn't want to be baptised just so he could partake in communion. ;)

-He broke down crying when he tried to talk me through the Gospel and how Jesus died on the cross for HIM.

-He talked about how he has read his Bible cover to cover many times.

-(This really impressed me.)  He said, "Jesus IS my Lord."  (Not, I want Jesus to be my Lord.)  He said that he had made that decision when he was 5.  That's why he lives his life to glorify God.  (And, mom-commentary here:  I think that is why he is able to stand up to the persecution he faces at school for being different and not swearing and getting flack for it.)

Even before JR got home that evening, I was pretty convinced that he was ready.  He was verbalising more at 7 than I did at 14 when I was baptised.

JR got home and we had a big family meeting while cuddling on the couches.  Naomi was so proud of her brother!  Her excitement was a joy to watch as well.

Gideon told us that he wanted to be baptised in the North Sea instead of the church building and he wanted it to take place SOON!

So we e-mailed a few family and friends to let them know that we planned to baptise him on Sunday right after morning worship service.

Saturday, Gideon went about his routine, but every hour or so, he would get this beaming smile on his face and say, "I'm getting baptised tomorrow!"

JR and I spent the day with Stephanie and George Doolan in Aberdeen, and when we got in at 10:30 Saturday evening Gideon was still awake.  When I went in to kiss him, the first thing he said to me was, "I'm so glad I'm getting baptised tomorrow."

I asked him why and he replied, "I've been really worried about my sins.  But now I know God won't reject me!"  His face was beaming!

Indeed, Gideon, God will not reject you.  Your sins have been washed away by the precious blood of Jesus, OUR Saviour!

Sunday morning finally came!!!

Here's the video I pulled together of his confession in front of the congregation and his baptism in the North Sea.  Annie and Tanja told G that in Germany, you pick out a verse from the Bible that really speaks to you, and that is your "Baptismal verse".  Gideon chose Psalm 1.  (He can quote the whole thing too... which I didn't know until he did it yesterday.) ;)

 This is where G is telling JR that the water was "way colder than he thought!" ;)

 Look at the pure joy on JR's face!

After we got him in a warm shower to bring back up his core temperature, we ate McDonalds (his choice) and enjoyed the rest of our Sunday.

 JR and I are so blessed to call our first-born, "brother". As I told Annie and Tanja, this is what you pray for for your children even more that you pray for their future spouse.

We are feeling rather blessed. :D

~Daisha

 ***Special thanks to CJ Cowie and Annie Waschke for taking photos and Tanja Raveling for taking the video.***

23 April- 23 May {has it really been a month!?}

When last I blogged, Naomi was home after throwing up.  (lovely)  Well... we get on with life...

The weather continues to be rather crazy here.  We had a hail storm 25 April:

26 April, Naomi came home with a "Golden Ticket".  She was "chuffed"!

And Gideon lost his second tooth!

One evening while the Strachan's were over visiting, Holly, Hannah, Gideon, and Naomi were "doing their thing".  So much so that these were the best photos I could get of their shenanigans.

29 April I got new glasses.  (I hadn't had my eyes checked since right after Naomi was born!)  

I have started doing a discipleship class with the Young Ladies at church (ages 18-25).  We are working through this "book" right now.  

4 May JR and I were invited to John and Michelle Campbell's home with other couples from church.  We had a great time playing games and eating Chinese! :)  It was great to social with our brothers and sisters outside of our "church context".

6 May the kids had another day off school.  Since we were car-less we just stayed around the house.  These are just shots of downtime with our kids.

I had just gotten Gideon better (after a 2nd trip to the dr.) and then Naomi comes down sick!

(Oh, BTW... Since G had the antibiotic here, he has not broken out in hives nor has he needed to take his allergy meds to keep them from breaking out!)

Between both kids, I had not had both kids in school for a full week since we moved!  And I missed 3 Wednesday night services in a row... and I was supposed to be teaching the 10-14 yr olds!

Despite Naomi being slightly sick, JR and I took a much-needed date into Aberdeen on the 10th.  We hopped on the bus and went to Union Square.  We ate at a WONDERFUL latino restaurant and saw Star Trek:  Into Darkness!!!!!  Great Night.  And Billy and Fenella had our kids over for a sleep-over.

However, after the fun of the weekend, Naomi's fever spiked and she stayed in bed for 3 straight days.   We were finally able to get her an antibiotic and within 30 min. she was sitting up.  (a big improvement)

After her being so lethargic for so long, it was a great sight to me when I found her like this: 

Gideon has been busying himself with the few legos he has with him.  (the rest of our earthly possessions are sitting in customs still)

Here's some random shots of the kids being themselves:

Naomi's preschool from VA put together a care-package for us when they were studying the letter "M".  We got it in the mail on 17 May and the whole family could not have been more excited!

I participate in the Ladies Class on Monday afternoons here in Peterhead.  This past Monday we had a Day Out.  Here I am snapping a photo of some of the ladies as we got out to shop in Dundee.  We had a nice, relaxing day out.  And they almost got me back to the building in time to help out with the Monday Night Kid's Club.  (I was only 30 min. late. ;)

Tuesday we received letters from the FXCC 3rd Grade class.  We are so encouraged when we open up these letters from home. :)

In the midst of our culture adjustment and frustrations with getting set up over here, reading cards from 9 yr. olds that say, "To the ones who share the Word of God"... it helps us keep our focus.  Thank you.

Yesterday JR and Billy flew over to FXCC to be part of the mission's conference going on there.  They will be teaching and sharing about the work here in Peterhead.  We are excited about what God is doing to connect the Peterhead congregation and the Fairfax congregation!

It is a shame, however, that after weeks of waiting, our new car wasn't ready for us to buy until JR was out of the country. :(  But the plus-side is:  WE HAVE A CAR!!!

Since we have no Scottish credit built up yet, we discovered that we did not qualify for any loans. :(  So, JR scoured the used cars and found this 2008 Jetta semi-automatic for us.  I don't know all the specs like horse-power and engine stuff... but I can tell you this:  it is fast!  and smooth, and quiet...  And the kids and I were so happy to have it this morning since it was raining and the wind was knocking us off our feet!

Yesterday afternoon, I invited Fenella to join me for the kid's "Jammin' Fitness" program at school.  The kids gathered in the gym and did a fitness routine for us.  It was hilarious.  As expected G was totally into each and every move with a HUGE grin on his face, and Naomi became a statue. ;)  It was only when they invited the parents to join in the dancing that she loosened up and danced with me.  I wasn't allowed to take photos, but there was a school photographer capturing the event.

I heard from JR last night and he was safely in Fairfax.  While we were chatting (at 9:30 last night) I looked out my window and saw this view.  

BLESSED!

Today 23 May is a big day!  Gideon is on his first out-of-town field trip... but even bigger...  Elijah Brady Porche is scheduled to be born today over in Seattle!  (my last nephew to be born... ever --according to everyone's plans) ;) His birth really highlights how far away from "home" we really are over here.  Thank God for the internet!