Our time up north

We just had the most wonderfully blessed time up north with so many of our dear family, friends, and brothers/sisters in Christ. Our hearts were so encouraged by the sweet fellowship we shared...all because of Jesus Christ!
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph. 6:12
We often truly feel we are on the front lines of a battle. We know that the last thing Satan wants is to see another soul come to the Savior. Going "home", even for just those 4 days, was so refreshing. How touched we were so be "loved on" and just to be with those who battle along side us through their prayers and giving.
There were 3 other missionaries at the conference; I never tire of hearing the testimonies of how the Lord has worked in ones life and how He calls one to His service. How our childen loved hearing their reports from the field. Our Rebekah has always had a desire to teach children in Africa. After hearing one of the missionaries to Uganda speak one evening, she said to me, "Mommy, when Daddy helps me find someone to marry, I don't think I want to marry him if he's not going to go to Africa to be a missionary." :)
The older boys spent almost every minute after the services at the missionary displays, asking questions, looking at pictures, trying to read the Bible in another language ect... How wonderful and exciting it is....how it just thrills our hearts as "daddy and mommy"...to see the Lord fire these desires they have a such a young age to serve Him on the field themselves someday.
Daniel was able to preach at two of the services and give a field report as well. I never tire of hearing my man...my favorite preacher :)...share from his heart.
Daniel took our 6 oldest boys with him to the men's prayer breakfast one morning. They were so excited to be a part of it and just to be with Daddy, the other missionaries and men of the church. They hopped out of bed as soon as I called them at 5:30 am to get dressed and ready to go.
The 3 girls went with Mommy to the ladies luncheon on Monday. Our Aunt Kathy's homemade lasanga, cheesecake, fruit and green salads, rolls...no wonder my baby belly is no longer fitting as well in the skirts that fit fine a couple weeks ago. :) I loved being with my sister in laws, mother in law, and sweet nieces there too. The lady missionary to Africa and I shared our testimonies and we just enjoyed the time of fellowship.
The Lord was so good to give me an extra couple of really special blessings...how he cares about even the little desires of our hearts. For one, it was COLD there! Now for us middle of the "desertites", I don't now how well we would handle what most people think of as cold. But we had some beautiful 40-50 degree temps, cold rain, and oh, how I LOVED getting up in the morning shivering, putting on a sweater, and drinking something hot while Daniel and the boys made a fire. It was 96 degrees when we left Mexico that week, and I just thank the Lord that He gave me a little bit of "autumn" again.
Another blessing was my dear friend Jess from Alaska that I had only known through our correspondence online mentioned in her blog a couple of days before we left that she was going to be flying with her hubby to California the next day. She mentioned something about Sacramento and I thought, "Oh, we drive right through Sacramento on our way "home" to Redding. Maybe we could meet up with them at a park or somewhere and visit." So I emailed her and found out that they were actually going to be in REDDING visiting relatives the exact same days we were going to be there!!
So Jess and her hubby Charley drove over to the place we were staying on Monday, visited with the family for a bit, and then Jess was so sweet to accompany the girls and I to the ladies tea. I felt we had known eachother for years and just enjoyed every minute of our time together. And, although she did not know it at the time, Jess was pregnant with their first little one! I'm so thankful the Lord allowed us to really meet and just rejoice in His blessing this sweet couple with a baby!
The last day of our stay, we went out to pizza with my Daddee and Mommee (I spell their names with 2 "e's" because that's how they spelt mine...Jaynee :) ). How everyone loves being with Grandma and Grandpa! And while Daniel and Grandpa watched the children, Grandma took me to the grocery store and bought me everything we need and then some to have a Thanksgiving meal here in Mexico! Thank you Mommee! Thank you Lord for the wonderful time you gave our family up north! There is so much joy in serving Jesus!

Charley and Jess visiting us at the mobile home :) Everyone is in the picture except for Nehemiah who was still taking his happy nappy :)

Giving them lots of practice for their upcoming little blessing :)
Rebekah at the ladies luncheon

Jess and I at the luncheonGifts given and treats bought in the USA! :) Timothy got his Malt-O-Meal for breakfast the other day. I think the last time I bought Malt-O-Meal, the box would go for 4 or 5 meals. We ate the entire box in one breakfast!

Mommee's Thanksgiving meal she bought for us...all we need is the turkey! :)