Sunday, June 26, 2016

What a week...



It has been such an emotional week this week. A busy week too! Jake and I were blessed to do the Missions time at our church's Vacation Bible School. We had a lot of fun with the kiddos this week getting Submerged and "finding Truth below the surface" and also taking them a little deeper (pun intended) into the lives of the children at CSC and the Philippines. We didn't know if we would be able to fill the 20 minute slots for 5 days in a row. That is a lot of information! The truth is, we had more we wanted to share but ran out of time. It was really fun to re-visit the pictures we took of our trip in March (see slide show of pictures here: https://youtu.be/-_sURX1zXCc) and also share some stories of the kids from where they have come from to where they are now. I still get teary eyed when thinking about them. I am guessing I will until we get on the ground in Cebu :) With that, we were also the recipients of the offerings brought in by the children over the coarse of the week. Holy Moly. God moved this week in the hearts of the children and the adults helping with VBS. THANK YOU to those of you who gave in the offering this week (and THANK YOU to those of you who have supported us prior to that as well!) My Facebook status on Friday said I was at a loss for words. The truth is, I still don't know what to say. I don't think there is anything else to say but Praise God! God has blessed us so much with so many beautiful and generous people in our lives.  We are grateful for each and every person who has decided to come along side of us and support us on this mission whether prayerfully, financially, and/or encouraging us with their words. You will never know how much you all truly mean to Jake and I and our family, Thank you.

We  also got the opportunity to share what has led us to the decision of packing up and choosing to move our family to the Philippines after church this morning. We had an hour to scratch the surface of how God is working in our lives to get us to the Philippines. Thank you to those who made it out and listened to part of our story. There is much much more to the story, and more to come. I hope that it comes out in writing sometime soon. Until then, keep praying, keep giving, and keep praising God from whom all blessings flow! God Bless!!




Some pictures of our 
kiddos singing and enjoying their week at VBS.



Thank you Edmon and Mae for being great sports and being the faces of the Boys vs. Girls offering competition!! 
The girls won, so Edmon gets to enjoy his pie before lunch :)

Still smiling :)

Jake sharing at church this morning

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Making Memories

Growing up my favorite part of the summer was the time I got to spend with my cousins in South Dakota. I got to spend a WHOLE week with my grandma and cousins every single summer. My cousin, Christi, was my best friend growing up. We cherished our time together every year. We didn't get to see each other very often because of the 6 hour car ride that separated us but when we were together we never stopped laughing. We did so many fun things together like swimming and going to ball games and swinging on the swing set for hours. We laughed HARD and played all day long. We made up songs and drove our parents nuts I am sure! We ate junk food and went to bible camp together. I could go on and on about our silliness and the fun we had growing up!

(Sorry Christi, I had too! This makes me laugh just looking at it! We thought we were so funny!)

The days and weeks back them seemed to go on forever and I loved every minute of it! Now the days don't seem as long and the weeks are flying by. It won't be long until we say our last goodbyes to most of our friends and family for at least 2 years. We are, however, making the most of the time that we have right now to make memories!

This past week the kiddos were able to make their own memories with their cousin, Bjorn. This was his first time staying with us for a whole week! We had so much fun together! Even though it rained most of the week we were still able to make some fun memories with him and we are so grateful for that! Thank you Nick and Jen for letting us borrow him for awhile!! We look forward to spending more cousin time together in July with our other cousins! For now, here is our week together in pictures :)

The Farm



Rainy morning so board games it is!

Scooter fun

Bjorn LOVED taking Bentley for walks :)

Lots and lots of lego time :)

                                    
    
Finally a nice day to go to the beach!


  

The cousins (Carter, Bjorn, Isaac, Blaire, and Mady)

Until we see you again! Thanks for a fun week!!


Friday, June 10, 2016

School's Out for Summer!!!

It was a bitter sweet ending to the school year this year. I have always LOVED the end of the school year because that means I get to spend all day with my 3 kiddos and do fun summer things with them. This year it was different. I am still looking forward to the summer and spending time with them but it was also a box checked on our list of things to do before we move to the other side of the world.  I was able to keep the tears at bay for the most part. Although it was harder to say goodbye to school this year knowing that we will not be coming back in the fall.

It was really really hard to say goodbye to Madelyn's class. I have spent almost EVERY Thursday in her classroom this year with her and her friends. They read to me and we talked about fun life things along the way. She had the best teacher for her personality. Mrs. Mass was SO patient with her and Mady loves her so much! I am often called "Mrs. Mass I mean mom" when she calls for me :) Thank you Mrs. Mass for such a wonderful First Grade Year!!




Carter's class was just as hard to say goodbye to. Although I didn't spend as much time in the classroom with him I knew he was having a great year! He LOVED his teachers this year and they challenged him to do better. They helped him play to his strengths and helped him finish strong, even in the areas of school he doesn't enjoy as much (writing :) ). Both teachers had nothing but praise for Carter in how far he had matured over the school year. Thank you Mr. Deggendorf and Mr. Donaldson for a GREAT 4th grade year!!!





Then I had a graduating 5th grader. I did so much better then I thought I would at the graduation. I thought I would be an emotional basket case. I got teary eyed but the water works didn't flow. Isaac had a great year as well! He was challenged and pushed to be better. He had a fun year with his friends in his classroom too! Although, I think at the beginning of the year Mrs. Weber was wondering what she got herself into ;) He was lucky to have 2 homeroom teachers and his switch teacher! Thank you Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Cornell, and Mrs. Kindt for a wonderful 5th grade year and for investing the time into our children!

 




These boys started their elementary school years together and ended their elementary school years together! Best friends forever for sure!


Even though they will not be joining their friends in Sturgeon Bay School district in the Fall we will always have a special place in our hearts for the teachers, staff, and friends they had this year. What a wonderful 2015-16 school year we all had! Now on with the list! :)


















Saturday, June 4, 2016

Cheesy Mango's Touring Dates

We will be coming to share our story in a city near you very soon. Please check your calendars and make it a point to come and see and know more about what has led us to this point and what we will be aiming to do while serving at Children Shelter of Cebu. Here are the dates, times, and locations:


June 12 - 10:30 AM
Chetek, WI

Faith Baptist Church
1475 Railroad Avenue


June 26 - 10:30 AM
Sturgeon Bay, WI

First Baptist Church
610 N 5th Avenue


July 17 - 11:00 AM
Chippewa Falls, WI

Grace Baptist Church of Hallie
11591 17th Avenue


July 24 10:30 AM
Preston, MN

First Baptist Church
108 Chatfield Ave NW



Please consider joining us at one these locations. If you are not able to make it to one of these locations stop us in the community or reach out to us, we would love to share our story with those who would like to hear about the Children Shelter of Cebu and the work that we will be supporting in the Philippines. *Jake