Disney Day 2

Whew!  My little piggies are sore.  According to my phone we walked 16, 758 steps today from 9am-7:15pm.  We squeezed a lot of fun into those steps.  It has been such a huge blessing to explore and laugh and just make memories with my kids. We've met Princesses, Chipmunks and whatever Goofy is, explored countries, laughed and ate.  Jason and Rachael were 2 of the first customers at the brand new Starbucks of Epcot.  Jason went through a military training workout with Mulan.  Rachael made Jasmine jealous by asking to be in a picture with just Aladdin.  Jena found Mary Poppins in a topiary. We talked Tea Parties with Alice and even celebrated 5 unbirthdays and 2 birthdays. The entire family went Soarin' and loved it.  We went on a Mission to Mars and no one got sick. Rachael and Isaiah designed an award winning car.  Jason and I designed a car that came in first place in a test drive with 3 other cars.  We sent silly emails from the Future to the Grandmothers.  We ate in an aquarium where Mickey was on an underwater dive.  We rode rides, we learned things and we walked, and walked and walked.  There were no complaints.  I'm having to let go of some of my administrative tendencies.  But overall, Epcot was a huge hit.  Tomorrow we are heading to Hollywood Studios but now, now I am heading to bed.

Oh by the way, how do ya'll like my new car?  Just kidding, my kids are wearing this car on their teeth disguised as braces.

 

We Made It To Disney!

Hi everybody! We made it! We are in Disney World! I can't believe that we are actually here. After only one evening I never want to leave. This morning, we left our hotel in Pensacola (which was so fun by the way) and hit the road. Once we had left, we realized we had a miscalculation concerning our route to Disney. It was going to take longer to travel to the magical world than we had originally thought. But we kept on traveling. Today's backseat presentations included Mulan and Hercules, two of my favorites. I absolutely love the parts we get to ride to and from in the car with my sibs. We have so much fun laughing and joking, making memories. So once we entered the Disney park I was absolutely amazed. I can't believe how all of this awesomeness started from a mouse cartoon. We got checked into our resort, which is absolutely fabulous, and changed quickly into dinner clothes. We took a bus from our resort to Epcot, to try to dine with the Princesses. The second we stepped off the bus I was amazed! Everyone was so nice, and as the sun set the Epcot golf ball looked absolutely amazing. I think Jena Grace (who was wearing her Merida dress) loved how many people called her Princess, Birthday Girl and Merida. We found a map and marched our way to Akershus. They let us in and as soon as we got inside the castle themed restaurant we got to meet Belle, who is my absolute favorite Disney Princess of all time! She thought it was amazing that we were brothers and sisters, and told us all about Chip and his family. Then she asked if we played hide and seek on our castle, and told us how Beast liked to play, but his tail always gave him away. We were sat down right after getting our pictures taken. After our waitress took our order, we got to go to the appetizer bar which was really good! They had some seafood different kinds of breads, meats, cheeses and salads. When I came to sit back at our table, Princess Ariel was signing my autograph book and making conversation with my brothers (she even gave Ki a kiss and called him prince)! We asked where we were from, and if we had to swim the Gulf of Mexico to get here. She was way super sweet. Her visit was followed by Snow White's, who asked why we only had five dwarfs with us instead of seven, Princess Aurora, who told Jena Grace all about her failed birthday cake, and Rachael's favorite, Cinderella. Cinderella complimented our dresses and asked if we were going dancing after dinner, and said that after dinner with her friends, she wanted to dance with her prince. Rachael told her how she had Cinderella school supplies, and she thought that Rachael was too kind. Jena Grace and Isaiah participated in a Princess Parade, where they strolled around the restaurant with the princess, practicing their royal waves. I had such a good time and it was such an amazing experience! Can't wait to get out there tomorrow! This is seriously a dream come true!

-Ruthie-

Princess Jena Grace's Birthday Party Part 1

Wow!  What can I say?  This truly is the Magical Kingdom.  We were running behind schedule due to some travel issues so I was a little stressed when we showed up 2 hours late for our dinner reservation but Disney had it all taken care of.  We were ushered into a magical castle where we had a nice visit with Belle.  She informed us that Beast isn't as good as Chip and his brothers and sisters at hide and seek.  She also wished Princess Jena Grace a happy birthday.  We were then given a wonderful treat of fabulous food and visits with 4 more Princesses.  We chatted about Dinglehoppers with Ariel, who thought Ki had fabulous manners and was a true Prince.  He was rewarded with a kiss on his check and his blush matched her lipstick.  Snow White was surprised we only had 5 dwarfs instead of 7 but we informed her it worked for us this way.  Princess Aurora and Jena Grace had a lovely discussion about Aurora's mishap with her birthday cake and her fairy godmothers and she even enlisted the knights Ki and Isaiah to slay a dragon for her.  Cinderella and Rachael shared a special moment when Rachael informed her she had all Cinderella school supplies and shared her love of shoes.  After our personal visits, Jena and Isaiah were invited to join in a Royal Procession where Ariel again stopped by to visit "her prince".  The food was amazing and I'm so thankful for the free dining plan we have been blessed with.  It was a perfect meal and we were all smiles.  I couldn't believe it when our waitress then came out with a special gift from the princesses just for Princess Jena Grace!  A special sprinkles and gummy bear cupcake with a signed birthday card from all the Princesses!  She was instructed to make a very special wish before blowing out her candle because after all-here wishes are magical!  Can't wait to enjoy a full day tomorrow!  Thanks for following along!

Are we there yet????  This is a standard joke of traveling and one we've made many times with our kids.  For the first time ever though, we have a kid that used it in context.  For real.  We left Rosenberg yesterday after a fabulous morning at church, a filling lunch with my parents and hit the road.  Not 30 minutes into the trip, Isaiah began the dreaded mantra.  I couldn't believe it.  He was raised better than this!  We have been traveling with our kids for 16+ hour trips since Rachael was literally 6 weeks old.  They know the road trip is a way of life for us.  They know the joy is in the journey.  That all ended apparently yesterday when we began our trek to visit the Magical Kingdom and the Magnificent Mouse.  He was just too excited!  He even knew that we'd be spending 2 nights in Pensacola but he didn't care.  Every hour and a half we'd hear it come from the backset.  "Are we there yet?"  It was actually a very different drive for us.  It was the first time that our kids had experienced us traveling east.  They added 4 new states to their lists.  Louisiana, we saw an alligator on the side of the road in a swamp.  In Mississippi, we saw several billboards helping raise awareness for human trafficking.  In Alabama, we saw NASA and even found a great Oldies radio station to which we sang along much to the joy of the children.  Then we entered Florida and found we all had a strange craving for orange juice.  Our hotel is pristine and while we have never had a bad stay at a Spring Hill Suite this one is especially nice.  We found out why when I was talking to an employee and he told me they had only been open since Thursday.  Well, okay then.  At least we don't have to worry about too many germs in our room!  Yea!  After a great hot breakfast this morning, we went to explore the Sunshine State.  In a torrential downpour.  First stop was the Naval Aviation Museum.  Can I just say if you haven't been and you are planning a trip to Pensacola or anyplace close, add this stop to your itinerary!  It is a free museum with tons of planes and helicopter cockpits for the whole family to try out.  There is also a nice little battleship playland, if you have little ones.  We splurged and saw the IMAX Magic of Flight and it was amazing.  While the kids liked everything, I think it was especially amazing for me.  My dad knows this but I (Jana) have always been fascinated with the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels.  Having seen them in action and loving every minute of it, it was neat to be "in the cockpit" with them through the IMAX experience. There are tons more planes and memorabilia to explore and learn about including an underwater experience where you learn about planes they have recovered from WWII training in Lake Michigan.  It was truly a great experience. 
Following the Naval Aviation Museum, we left to find that we were indeed in the Sunshine State with 200% humidity and 95 degrees.  On the base with the museum, is also the first lighthouse on the Gulf Coast.  Jason has always wanted to climb to the top of a lighthouse and as our vacation motto goes, "as long as we're here".  Jason, Ruth, Ki, Jena Grace and Isaiah changed out of their flip flops, put on their climbing shoes and headed to the top.  They got a great view of the fleet of Blue Angels, the ocean and Rachael and I at the bottom.  After a nice lunch, we headed to the beach.  We got some great pictures and then we got to see an incredible thunderstorm roll in over the emerald water and got drenched!  We played in the rain for a bit but then the lightning came and we had to make a break for the car.  We were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow over the bay and then a relaxing evening at the hotel.  Tomorrow is the day they have been waiting for-Disney!  And then I can finally answer Isaiah's question with a Yes, we're there!  M-I-C, see ya real soon, K-E-Y! M-O-U-S-E!!!!!!!!!

3 Days Till Disney

Okay, so after many many requests and despite the fact that Rachael won't have one single National Park to tell you all about, it is time to get everyone back on board with our vacation blog.  So get ready and join us as we take on the most Magical Place on Earth!  

I'm a Sparkly Jewel....I'm Just Sayin'

So the past couple days have been super crazy busy awesome!!!!  We are having an amazing time. The past two days, I have been part of a retreat that 9 women from our team hosted for the staff of aftercare homes, foundations or organizations that help in the transition from trafficking to freedom.  These women are my HEROES!!!! They are super super sweet kind and drained from constantly pouring out into the lives of these girls and it was such an honor to be able to encourage them and love on them.  We had some great sessions and I was so honored to be able to teach and share in a few of them.  We also just had fun playing games and laughing as sisters in Christ.  We introduced them to fun foods like brownies, fudge, Texas Trash, Pop Rocks and Ring Pops.  What could be more fun than that?!?

It was humbling to hear their stories and hug their necks and just say thank you.  At the end of the second day, one of the organizations presented each of us with a piece of jewelry that had been made by the girls who are trained and given their freedom through fair trade.  The gift is extremely precious to me but even more so was a story they shared.  They said that there is a precious jewel made from taking 9 different precious stones and making them into one beautiful jewel.  It is called "Navaratan".  They told us that we were that precious jewel to them for taking the time to come and pour back into them so that they could continue in God's strength to do the work they are called to do here in Kolkata everyday.  What an honor and a privilege to be a part of a team of precious jewels!  

Rachael and 9 other women are also pretty amazing and special, who have been serving in the slum village school for the last three days.  I prayer walked there today but I also got to see them being Jesus with skin on to the most adorable little ones.  It was a joy to watch my daughter laughing and singing with the kids, to see one of my best friends weep over the plight of those kids and for her heart breaking as she had given a little piece of herself to each one of them, to see women from all walks of life and background leave their families and jobs to come all the way around the world to love on people-WHAT AN HONOR!!!  To hear the hearts of the servants that have a vision to change the world for this village, that toil day in and day out, and to build friendships with people that I would never have met if I hadn't answered God's call on my heart. 

Pray for the safety of these children, there are so many acts of evil we have seen firsthand, and they need our prayers.  Pray for our team as we press on.  We love you all!

Welcome Back!

As many of ya'll know, my oldest daughter and I are back in India.  Today is our 2nd day on the ground and it was an amazing day.  The day started after Ra went to bed at 5:45pm, last night, and I followed at 7:15pm.  We both slept well and were excited to start the day.  I had an amazing devotional this morning on Psalm 10.  Some verses that stood out were:

vs 2: In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised
vs 4: In all his scheming, the wicked arrogantly thinks: "There is no accountability, since God does not exist."
vs 7-8: Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth; trouble and malice are under his tongue. He waits in ambush near the villages; he kills the innocent in secret places. His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless; he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket. He lurks in order to seize the afflicted; he seizes the afflicted and drags him in his net.

This is what so many of the ladies have to deal with and what they are facing.  They are "beaten down and oppressed" because of the evil man's strength.

vs11: He says to himself, "God has forgotten; He hides His face and will never see."
vs 12: Rise up, Lord God! Lift up Your hand.  Do not forget the afflicted.
vs 14b: The helpless entrusts himself to You; You are a helper of the fatherless.

This makes me think of all these precious ladies that I knew I would be seeing and getting to love on.  They are crying out or questioning what purpose their life has.

vs15-18: Break the arm of the wicked and evil person; call his wickedness into account until nothing remains of it. The Lord is King forever and ever ; the nations will perish from His land. Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that men of the earth may terrify them no more.

God told me today, that as Lord and King forever, He hears them, He will strengthen their hearts.  He listens carefully and does just for the fatherless and the oppressed so that men of the earth may terrify them no more.  How?  How does He do that?  The answer in general-However He chooses.  Today, for me, that answer was through our team and through me.

Today, God allowed me to enter a major red light district and love on precious ladies who are tasting and experiencing freedom for the first time.  While one could say,"you're just doing mani/pedis" or "you're just telling stories", "how does that help"- God told me today, that it's His proof He is hearing them, He is strengthening their hearts.  He is calming them so that they the men of the earth cannot terrify them.

Ra sang the Superchick song "Beauty from Pain" and it was so precious as a mom to see her loving on women that the world ignores as special and beautiful.  The world is wrong.  These women made today amazing as I got to laugh and sing and just enjoy being women with them.  I'm so proud of our team as they did an amazing job and are such encouragement.  I love hearing their stories and getting to know them on a whole new level.  I'm so thankful for Jason and the kids back home and my Mom who are holding things together there so I can be a part of this.  As you wake and read this, know that I'm praying for you and I'm thankful for you being a part of this journey by praying for us.