Merry Christmas to my Sis in Iraq...

Merry Christmas to my Sis in Iraq...

To My Baby Sis in Iraq,

Merry Christmas!  We miss you!  Look forward to seeing you in a few months!

We are very grateful for your service and for all those of the 25th Infantry Division, Tropical Lightning!

You are in our prayers.  Love you.

Double Date in D.C.

Monday afternoon Tony and I went on a double date with my parents to Washington D.C.  We visited the International Spy Museum and experienced the "Spy Adventure".  We had a lot of fun.  It is a great activity for older kids, extended family members or even team building.... just an idea.  :)

Tony is practicing his "spy" moves...

Mom & Dad give the "hang loose" sign in front of the Hawaiian Christmas tree despite a wind chill factor in the single digits...brrrr...

Christmas at the White House...

Tony and Kimberly huddle for heat...

In between our visit at the Spy Museum and the White House Christmas trees we ran in to our Stafford neighbors (Richard, Mary, Megan & Shawn) who then joined us for dinner.  Small world and sweet fellowship.  :)  

Christmas Blessings to you!

Pre-Children...

Titus in the Christmas spirit

This is what you do when you don't have kids yet... :)

Pray for China

"They were handcuffed and detained at a hotel across the street. The authorities took away their Bibles, saying: "We persecute you, confiscate your Bibles and our purpose is not to allow you to believe in Jesus. … This persecution of you is to thoroughly destroy your church, get rid of the missionaries and disband you believers,"  Read More...

"Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.  For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come."  Hebrews 13:13-14

Grateful...

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."  Philippians 1:3-5

Below are just a few images from our evening of sweet fellowship and much laughter...

TBC Staff Christmas Party

(Bakers, Taylors, Wrights & Bullocks - We missed you!:)




"Let love be genuine.  Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12:9-13

Adoption Is Greater Than The Universe - John Piper

Christmas Gift Ideas...

Still looking for gift ideas this Christmas?

Here are a few ideas you may want to consider:

Abba Father Ministry

Help care for the orphans of the world through financial support of adoptive parents.  You can visit the church office of Temple Baptist Church or inquire online at:

www.tbclife.net

Tumaini Miles of Smiles Center

An Orphanage in Kenya

http://www.tumainimilesofsmiles.org/projects.html

There are various ways to give through 

Samaritan's Purse:

https://giving.samaritanspurse.org/c-7-gift-catalog.aspx?skinid=1

Give the Gift of Freedom through the 

International Justice Mission:

http://www.ijm.org/holidaygiftcatalogIJM Gift of Freedom Holiday Catalog

Rescue. Renewal. Hope.

This Christmas season, millions of children, women and men wait urgently for only one gift: Freedom.

As we celebrate the great hope of this season, consider sharing that hope by giving a Gift of Freedom to someone special – it is a gift that can bring rescue and renewed hope to victims of violent oppression.

A Snowy Day in Mississippi

This is what we woke up to this morning...

Titus exploring on the back deck...

A snow dusting...

Temple OCC Video Wins Contest!

http://www.occshoetube.com/

Kingdom Creations

Slowly but surely I am adding some sights from my recent trip to Cambodia.  :)  May these images serve as prayer prompts for the people in need of the Gospel and for the missionaries who are shining as lights in this world...

Creating Scripture Scarves...

Kate displays a smock dress the KC workers made...

All Handmade bags, purses, and other things displayed at Kingdom Creations....

(All of their products are handmade in Cambodia)

Kingdom Creations is a non-profit, vocational training organization focused on helping the poorest of the poor in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Please pray for Danny & Debbie, (and their children), as they operate this wonderful ministry and make His Name great in Cambodia!

Tony Started a Blog

Check out Tony's new blog: http://www.tony.tbclife.net/

Images from Cambodia

Children at school house...  

Poverty and lack of education increases the likelihood of victimization.  This humble school held in the home of a Vietnamese believer is a fundamental level on the frontline of sex-trafficking prevention.  Please pray for this man's family and ministry...

Child playing in abandoned village home...

Notice the golden pagoda tower in the background.  Often the resources are invested in the temples while the people starve and strive to survive from day to day.  Pray for their freedom from fear and bondage to worthless idols.  May the Lord open their eyes to His glory and Sovereignty over the spirit world... 

Boy herding his family cattle...

You can depict the family's wealth or poverty by how skinny the cows are.

The ferry we waited for nearly 4 hours by bus when we crossed the Cambodian border...

A fascinated Cambodian child...

This little boy would run next to our bus as we were slowly passing through town.  Whenever I would turn to acknowledge him, he would wave, giggle and run to hide then repeat the whole process.  Adorable.

  

Images From My Recent Trip to SE Asia

Poor duck...

Crossing the bridge of 2x4's and holding on tight...

Taxi...

Shopping for lunch...

Images From My Recent Trip to SE Asia

A family aboard their house boat in the floating marketplace...

Nap-time...

Kind of reminds me of the bayou...

Kate and I aboard the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) for a quick layover trip to Manhattan from JFK...

Images From My Recent Trip to SE Asia

Pray for the precious people of Vietnam...

Grocery shopping in the marketplace...

Dinner...

Adoption Update

We have received word that our dossier was not able to be submitted for the year 2008.  This is no surprise to the Lord who reigns supreme.  We trust in His providence and look forward to bringing our children home in 2009.  Please continue to pray as we work to keep our paperwork current and for early submission next year.  Thanks for your friendship and support.  :) 

Payton Carolyn

Grandma Nancy and tired Izzy

Precious Payton

Priscilla and Amanda pose with Payton

Momma Amanda & Baby Payton

Proud New Parents: Josh & Amanda welcome Baby Payton Carolyn on 11/30/08