Words Have Power

Great quick video on how powerful words can be.

Discussions on Parenting

I love talking about parenting.

I love hearing about the experiences of others -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I love hearing what others think.

...this is where I inserted the cool video that wouldn't load correctly, so follow the link instead...

I love knowing I'm not alone in this thing.

What part of the video made you say "yep"?

Give a Gift of Meaning

The Significance of One

I first heard the story of Sister Kanga during a prayer meeting this summer. Our photo journalist was fresh from the field and retold her story. I wept. The faith and dedication of Sister Kanga challenged me.

I am honored to be working on a new project that will share stories like Sister Kanga's with more women here in the West, asking them to link their lives with our precious women missionaries on the field. Many of these women have experienced a miracle and have a passionate love for the Lord. Their deepest desire is that others would experience His amazing love and give their lives to Him.

We just added Sister Kanga's story to our website. The first video tells of her salvation while the second video explains her incredible ministry.

Will you consider linking your life with a woman missionary on the field? Click here to go to the GFA website and scroll through until you find a female missionary. You can change hundreds of lives by sponsoring one missionary for just $30/month. That's one meal at a restaurant for our family. The sacrifice is more than worth it!

Lots of Swimming

Sorry I haven't posted more videos, but they take so long to upload! I finally decided to pick one at random and add it. Here's a taste of our summer...Asa swimming!


Okay, that didn't take so long. Here's another one.



And, here's Jenna and Asa both.

Fletcher News Bulletin

The video is a little bit long, but I went to edit it and just couldn't. You get the gist of things in the first minute, but the entire thing is a typical conversation with us and the kids.
Enjoy!

Seriously...a Video that Captures One of My Loves

I laughed. I agreed. I had to share!

Before you watch it, though, let me explain. I was born and raised in the south for the first ten years of my life. I moved to Arizona when I was ten, but went back to visit all my family (dad and his side) who still live in NC twice a year. While I fully assimilated into Arizona culture (have a decent accent when I speak the wee bit of Spanish I know and love a good NOT Tex-Mex! burrito), I'm still very much Southern at heart. Why do I not sound southern? First, you must not have ever heard me talking to my family on the phone. But, when I was in 5th grade I was teased pretty bad about my accent. In fact, my teacher would make me read aloud because he enjoyed hearing it, which only exacerbated the teasing. So, I learned how to not talk southern pretty fast. When you have a boy haircut, incredibly hairy arms, and a gap between your two front teeth, you do not need yet another thing for kids to tease you about!

Back to the video...enjoy!

How We Celebrate Christmas Part III--The Santa Factor

I appreciate all of you who weighed in with your thoughts on doing the "Santa thing". Many of you talked about your own experience as a child. I think that's how we approach most aspects of parenting.

Both Joel and I grew up with Santa coming to visit. Joel figured out the truth when he was about 6 or 7 years old. He says he doesn't really remember it being good or bad. I figured out the truth when I got into our attic around age 7 and found all the presents hidden. I don't remember being mad; I had been doubting for probably a year or two anyway. While my family went to church and we focused on it being Christ's birth, Santa and gifts was still a very big focus. Joel's family didn't go to church so the focus was definitely on gifts and Santa.

Rylee came on the scene and neither Joel or I had any issues with Santa. Fun and innocent was our view. We planned to focus on Jesus and just let Santa come to bring gifts and that's it. Rylee's first Christmas was not an issue since she was 8 months old. Her second Christmas we talked to her about going downstairs to see what Santa left. "Santa" left one or two unwrapped toys by the tree and filled our stockings. We would see what "he" left and then read the Christmas story from the Bible, then open the gifts from family under the tree.

The following Christmas was much the same in format except Rylee was 2 1/2 and the twins had been added to our family. "Santa" wasn't ever the focus. The kids might take their picture with him at a mall, but they never made a list for him and never were told he was watching them to see if they were naughty or nice, etc. We wanted every emphasis to be on Jesus and His birth.

This year we will celebrate our 3rd Christmas in Texas. Last year we added in a scavenger hunt on Christmas morning. We have 5 nativity sets. One is specifically for the kids to play with. Jesus is touchable. We took Jesus from each set and hid Him. On Christmas morning after they checked out their stockings and the open gifts left for them, we said "Oh no, Jesus isn't in the manger! We can't have Christmas without Jesus. That's what Christmas is all about." Then, we read the clues and they found each baby Jesus. Once the final baby Jesus was in place, we could finally celebrate because Jesus had come! (I put together a video of it last year. Here it is if you want to see it.)

We read the Christmas story from the Bible (the Message translation; this year we will use their devo Bible "The Jesus Storybook Bible" b/c it's awesome!). We talk about why it's so important that Jesus was born. We talk about why we give presents. Then, we open them.

Last year we made a birthday cake for Jesus and sang Happy Birthday too.

We didn't really plan on this year being all that different. However, a certain question came up as we were watching a tree lighting ceremony. It was at a mall with an ice rink and a skating Santa entered to dance around then light the tree. Rylee turned around and said, very loudly, "Mom, is Santa real?" Uh-oh.... After shushing her, a few minutes later (Santa was still skating and doing flips) and Asa turned around and asked it too.

On the ride home, I told Joel we had to decide what we were going to do. I knew I would be asked the question at least a few more times throughout the week, and especially as we talked more about Christmas and went into stores where Santa was on display. Do we encourage the myth? Lying to them? Do we ignore their questions? Do we just explain everything?

After reading quite a few other opinions (and praying...but really I can't say I prayed about it a lot), I just felt like we needed to be honest.

So, the next time they asked, we answered. "No, Santa is not "real". That man who is dressed up as Santa is pretending. There isn't really a man who will come into our house on Christmas Eve. But, St. Nicholas was a real man who loved Jesus and gave gifts to those who had less. That's where the whole idea of Santa comes from. Jesus is God's most wonderful gift to us, so we give gifts to each other in celebration of Him coming." The conversations have been short and pretty sporadic.

Our kids will receive no fewer gifts. Their stockings will still be filled on Christmas morning. They continue to be just as excited about Christmas as they were before they asked the question. They just happen to know that it's Mommy and Daddy who put out all those presents.

We want Christmas to be about Christ. For our family, that has meant that we focused on Christ's birth and just let Santa be an afterthought. Now that we have been asked the question, we don't feel it would be right to not tell them the truth. Personally, I'm glad that we never made Santa a big deal. I think the truth is a lot easier for my kids to take and understand since Christmas has always been about Christ's birthday for us.

This is a neat video we found about Jesus and Santa.

Getting Used to School

Here we are, day 3 of kindergarten for Rylee. She had a great day yesterday, proclaiming as she got settled into the car after school, "We didn't have recess today. I took a nap. We had P.E. I ate all my lunch." Guess it went well.
We had our regular Tuesday night prayer for GFA last night. It's a later night since we wrap up around 9pm and then have to come home and get ready for bed. This morning, Rylee woke up saying she didn't want to go to school. She didn't feel like it. Ugh. Already?

We talked. I asked if I could take a day off from caring for her and the twins because I didn't feel like it. No. How about Daddy; can he stay home because he doesn't feel like going to work? No. Wasn't really helping her. I mentioned needing to take a towel to lay down on for nap. When I mentioned finding the princess one, she perked up.
After some breakfast and getting dressed, she was much more ready for school. So much so that I only had to mention taking this picture and she was ready. (She wanted to take several shots...one with the backpack and one without.)
And, I guess we're off to a fine start when she insists I take a video of her tapping!

Mornings can be rough at times. I am NOT an early riser/morning person. But, it's all about the attitude. My prayer is that she'll have this spunky tapping attitude at least most days.

Good message

I saw this music video on a friend's photography blog.

I find the song to be challenging and encouraging.

I hope you will be stirred, as well.

A few of my favorite lyrics:
"We still debate the second coming of Christ while half of the world hasn't heard of the first."
"The heart of God is with the poor and depressed while we sit here rich and fat and call ourselves blessed."

My life needs to change.

Adventures in Water

We went on another little weekend trip.

We previewed a timeshare presentation.

We were wary, but it turned out to be fine. It was a nice little getaway for our family.

We stayed in a nice hotel for 2 nights. It had free breakfast...and not just coffee and donuts. It was a filling one! For our family, that bonus alone was worth our time listening to the timeshare schpeal.

We also got free passes to an indoor waterpark. I didn't take my camera in. Asa and Rylee loved the slides. Jenna wasn't so keen on them. But, they all liked the lazy river. Rylee finally took the plunge and went underwater.

Back at the hotel pool, she couldn't resist doing it over and over again. I finally caught it on camera! (Along with Asa's best water trick.)



We are ready for summer! Swim lessons for all three kiddos starts tomorrow morning. I think we're all very excited!

Slumdog Millionaire

Joel and I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire. It's a very good movie. The portrayal of life in India, and particularly the slums, is amazing.

Having recently been to India, I could feel it. I could smell it. I could hear it. I could taste it. It's hard to explain, other than to say that it's a very good portrayal of their life.

I don't know how anyone could watch the movie and not be stirred.

My heart broke for the hundreds of thousands of children whose lives never end up like that of the main characters. Just this week Brother KP explained how the blinding of innocent children to be used for profit is all too common. Sex trafficking of children is very real.

My heart was moved.

I am so grateful to serve these children.

I really don't have words to say to explain how I feel or what I'm thinking.

The people in the slums would like to get out. It absolutely amazes me that we have missionaries who give up millions to go in...for the sole purpose of bringing hope into the slums.

Our video team put this together.

At The Cross

Preparing my heart for Easter.

My kids love to listen to worship music on YouTube. They requested "Mighty to Save" after their nap today. This song came along just after their request and overwhelmed my heart with gratitude.

I pray you are blessed.

He has overcome the grave. He has made a way, not just for eternity but for TODAY. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. All glory to HIS name!

Fun Times with Toddlers

Yum Yum
We've been baking in the Fletcher family.
Friends of mine are taking some of these as a special delivery to someone special who lives far away. We had fun cutting out shapes and decorating all the sugary goodness.
I especially liked the way some of my flowers turned out.
I made the first batch of cookies on Wednesday. But, I had leftover icing.
Why waste perfectly good icing when you can just make more cookies to decorate?!
Today we made another batch.
My kiddos are all a little bit sick. I think it's mostly allergies. But, we just lounged, made cookies, and wore our pajamas into the afternoon. Along with baking, I was serenaded. Listen to this lovely sound! I'm sure it will make you smile as much as it did me.



And, in case you want some yummy cookies for yourself (which are SUPER easy to make), here's our recipe:

1 stick butter (1/2 cup), softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg. Mix until well blended. Sift together salt, baking powder, and flour. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Add the vanilla. Dough will form a ball when pressed together. Chill in the refrigerator until slightly firm. Roll out to about 1/4 inch thick. (I use powdered sugar to keep my surfaces dusted. It makes the dough less gummy than using flour.) Cut in your desired shapes and bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. (We prefer about 8 minutes so our cookies stay soft.)

I use an icing that hardens. It's made with meringue powder, which can be found in the cake decorating section at Wal-Mart (or at many craft stores).

Riding Camels

While we were in northern India we had the opportunity to ride a camel. Very neat experience. It was quite bumpy. And, camels don't bend down all that gracefully. They also stink. But, the experience is still cool. And blog worthy!
While I missed my kids, many people were praying for us to have God's peace while away. And, I have to say God delivered. In fact, the last day we were in India I asked Joel, "Is there something wrong with me? My kids are halfway around the world and I'm fine! Totally fine. I mean, I would like to see them, but I'm okay." I guess when it says He will give us peace that surpasses understanding (Phil. 4), that's what it means! I didn't understand it. But, I'm so glad He gave it. I was really able to focus on why we were there. And, I learned a lot.

Our return to Texas

More to come...

Christmas Reflections

I had every intention of posting Christmas videos sooner. The files were too large, so it's taken me longer than I had hoped.

Our family had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus throughout the month of December. The kids talked about Jesus' birthday for weeks on end.

It all started with Asa seeing the Little People nativity in a child-locked cabinet. He kept saying "I want the angel." Once I figured out what he meant, we took out the nativity set and they began their month-long fascination with baby Jesus, the shepherds, wise men, and angels. I love having a nativity they can play with.

Since Rylee was born, I have hoped we could establish some Christmas traditions that firmly placed Jesus at the center of it all. It was fun to see some of that fruit this year as the kids are all talking and interacting now. They talked often of Jesus and why He was born.

Rylee has even begun to ask more questions about Jesus' death and His dying on the cross for our sins. It is an incredible honor to lead these little ones to the Lord.

There will be more videos to come in the upcoming week, I hope. But, for now, please enjoy our fun Christmas morning hunt for baby Jesus. (We hid the Jesus figurines from the 5 nativity sets we have.)

Absolutely Hilarious

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for. A friend recently did a month of Thanks and posted 10 things (almost) daily. I'm not going to commit to a whole month because I doubt I'd keep it up. But, here's 10 things I'm thankful for...

1. salvation and God's grace--knowing the Lord intimately because He holds on to me
2. my husband--he's absolutely amazing. He just built the coolest play structure for our kids out of scrap lumber and it looks awesome! He loves me and does so much to express that love. He is an outstanding father--the best! He challenges me in my faith and is a great partner in life.
3. Rylee--she is so sweet. I love watching her grow. It always blesses me to see how her heart is absorbing the little things I try to teach her. Just yesterday she was telling Asa that the Bible says we shouldn't say "poopy" (a word they have picked up as funny, and we're trying to teach them it's not okay). She went on to explain that God says we should be loving and kind to one another.
4. Jenna--she is a hoot. Just scroll down below and you'll see a bit of her adorableness.
5. Asa--he is Joel as a mini-me. He looks like him and even acts like him in some ways. When he gives his adorable smile, my heart melts. Really, it melts inside me.
6. My family--they love me. They like to laugh and enjoy being together at the holidays. I miss them.
7. Joel's family--His parents taught him hard work and community. After 50 years of marriage they are still going strong. They pick and laugh and talk about old times.
8. the missionaries in Asia--their commitment to the Lord humbles me and challenges me
9. our church family here--God has blessed us with neat friends. some through GFA staff, others through our church. They encourage us, do life alongside us, love God, and make us laugh.
10. my house--I really like it. It's not anything spectacular, but it's ours. It's roomy and yet cozy. It's all one floor, which I love. We have a great backyard and our kitchen is now so great (goes back to my wonderful husband...he's so handy). I never imagined God letting us have such a great house for our family. We are so incredibly blessed!

okay 11. I have thought about this a lot lately. I am really grateful that I was born in America. I'm grateful that God allowed me to live where freedom is valued and fought for. I'm grateful that I can worship God without hindrance. I'm grateful that I can write this blog--about all the little or big things I think. I'm thankful for all the men and women who sacrificed their lives, their time, their comforts for me. I am so grateful that I have so much to be grateful for!

I actually did a toddler project recently. I made turkeys and the kids added feathers for the last week or so with things they're thankful for.

Asa is thankful for cheese noodles (what we had for dinner that night), his friends, The Ridge Church, his sisters, his daddy, his mama, Jesus giving love to us (that was actually his second feather and completely NOT initiated by me), Bhutan (another on his own!), and Piccolo, Cassie, Luke, Case, Daniel.

Jenna is thankful for Scooby, her Rowell blanket, the Rowells, her mama, her daddy, food to eat, her brother and sister, and lunch and apples. (Actually Jenna said "food" --or a food item--almost every single time we asked her.)

Rylee is thankful for Pooja (our Bridge of Hope child), Ms. Amy (her preschool teacher), Asa, her mama, Jenna, her daddy, Grandma and Papa, friends (the interns who came to our house), our food, the Carnines, Jesus, and The Ridge Church.

It was precious to hear their thoughts of Thanksgiving throughout the week. Some nights we missed it and would do multiple feathers other nights. It was a great way to teach them what Thanksgiving is all about. I think they got the point that it's a day of giving thanks!

Okay, here's the clip about Jenna's cuteness I promised above.



I really do have so many reasons to be thankful. We want this season of thanksgiving to continue in our home. We want to continue remembering God's goodness to us and then respond to Him. I think that's really what a walk with God is all about. After all, He starts it in us. He creates us, we respond. He blesses us, we respond. He saves us, we respond. Our life is just a response to Him--His existence, His care for us, His love for us.

Our church is taking part in Advent Conspiracy. You can check it out here. The bottom line is that we want to choose compassion over consumption. Choose to give. Sure, I can give my kids more toys, but that's really giving to myself. They can give me a gift, but it's really me giving myself a gift. There are missionaries in Asia who need warm clothes and tools to share the Gospel. There are families in Asia who need a way to make a living and we can provide that through a gift via Gospel for Asia's Gift Catalog. (Click here to learn more.) So, we want to give.
We aren't entirely sure what God is telling us to do this year. Several thoughts are on the table and we're waiting on the Lord. Do we match what we give to "ourselves" and give the same to missions? Do we give a first fruits offering of everything we receive as a gift? We're praying.

But, I have to say that while we're waiting to see what the Lord wants us to do, we've been talking a lot about the GFA gift catalog. (I'm also coordinating the childrens skit for our GFA staff Christmas party and it's about, in part, the gift catalog.) So, we've been talking a lot about animals (one of the many things you can give). Yesterday, we went to Ft. Worth to the stockyards.
There was a petting zoo. My kids got to pet a pig, a goat, a lamb, see rabbits, ride horses.... How awesome! It was a perfect opportunity to talk to them about what they'd like to give to the people in Asia! God is so good! (We actually went inside the pen at one point, but we were too busy to snap pictures.)
In any event, we're talking about giving around here. It's always a challenge. I could make a long list of my wants. My kids can too. But, what will really matter in the long run? I know I won't be impacted for eternity by any gift I get this year. But, those in Asia might. We hear stories of precious people coming to know Jesus because they received a lamb. Oh, I want to know I did something that really counts! I want to know more people will be in heaven in a few months because of what I did to celebrate Jesus coming to earth this year. Jesus gave. So should we.

Toddler Worship

Do other bloggers think like me? Do you randomly think "oh, I will want to blog about that" and write things down? Why do I think people care what I think about throughout the day?

But, honestly, some things are worth sharing. I'll get around to some of those things eventually, but for now I'll post my latest "project".

I love my Mac.

I don't use it to its fullest capabilities by any means.

Since my camcorder stinks (and is ruining footage during playback) and my digital camera takes video but with no sound (which is somewhat pointless), this is one of the ONLY clips of real video I have from the past year.

What a sad mama I am. Well, not really. But, I do wish I'd video more of my kids' fun toddler moments. They say some hilarious things.

Enjoy!

Two Weeks? Too Long!

Sorry I've been a lame blogger lately. Life back in the saddle has been at a full gallop lately!

I have thought about blogging, but just haven't downloaded any new pictures. They will come soon! I'm working on a cool video of a special moment during our PA trip. You'll see it soon. I promise!

Until then, I wanted to share a special mama moment. Jenna, Asa, and I were riding in the car yesterday to go pick up Rylee from a friend's. We all love to sing and do it often. All three kiddos sing at random times and it is always interesting to hear what bellows forth!

Lately we've been singing "Mighty to Save" quite a bit.
The lyrics are:
Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations

Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King


Okay, so the song has some great lyrics. Rylee began asking questions. Questions like "Mama, what does 'author of salvation' mean?" Yeah...answer that to a 4 year old! Makes you understand your own faith, for sure! I love parenting!!!

So, besides Rylee's deep theological inquisitions, the songs bring out some neat 'substitute' lyrics--by all three kids.

Yesterday, Jenna sang the bridge (Shine your light...) as:
Singing Lion
Let the whole world see him

Yep!

Hilarious.

I SOOOOOO wish I had a digital camera that records sound. Mine does video, but no sound. And, our "real" video camera has now gone kaput. Won't rewind. Makes tapes garbled. Stinks.

I shall be looking for a new hybrid digital camera so I can easily capture those adorable toddler moments. You should have heard my precious Jenna! I wish you could see the Lion she was so passionately singing about. If only she knew how that line could actually be used to sing about our Lord!

Oh, the joy that must be the Lord's when He hears precious babes singing His praises!