The Many Colors of Brett

I didn't know he had it in him!

Controlling the Cat Population!

Our kids got an in-house tutorial on how to prevent cats from reproducing. Brett and Dr. B (visiting from the Philippines) with the assistance of a couple others operated on 6 cats.

Kieran got in on the action with Dad.

And so did some of the other neighbors...

5 spays and a neuter later, we had some zonked out and no longer fertile kitties.

And yes, that is our living room and verandah, converted into two OR rooms. This is life when you marry a surgeon.  

Choose Life

As part of my language studies, I have been reading some books/booklets that will hopefully be helpful to me in conversing and teaching with the people here in SE Asia. Two that I read lately have to do with Choosing Life. It is interesting to me that most of the women here do not seem to understand their own bodies, much less how life develops. These booklets helped to inform about this topic, but more than that (and to begin with) they informed the women themselves that they are valuable, that all human life is valuable and a gift from God.

In this culture and part of the world women seem to be viewed as less than, a possession, useless to educate, unwanted. The birth of a baby girl is often met with sadness. As a result, women do not see themselves as valuable at all. The words and actions that have spoken to them all their lives tell them the complete opposite. How can one value life, when they have been told their own life is worth nothing?

This got me to thinking.... what do I communicate to others with my words and actions? Do I tell them they are loved? Do I tell them they are a creation of God? Do I communicate that they are wanted? That their life has meaning and purpose?

Do my words and actions speak life or death to others? Value or worthlessness? A creation of God or a nobody from nowhere?

What about you?

Proverbs 18:21 " The tongue has the power of life or death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Speak Life- Toby Mac

S'mores in the city

Living in the city, this is how we roll.

Thanks to many for sending us the goodies!

It's been a while

What do you say when it's been almost a year since last writing? So much has changed. We've moved halfway across the world to SouthAsia. A new language, new culture, new school for the boys, living in a big city, trading an apartment for a house.
That pictures at the top of our blog even need changing. Caden isn't even in it!

Recently we had the chance to visit the National Safari Park (Zoo). It is located about a mile or 2 from the hospital we will be working at. We had a rare opportunity to take a vehicle into the park and drive around. The kids enjoyed getting on top and seeing all kinds of cool wildlife. We got up close and personal with the tigers and lions. One tiger thought my hair and Liam's smelled pretty good. The male lion was pretty chill while we all got to pet his thick mane. We also got to ride an elephant. Though Sarena didn't want to. Caden sure enjoyed it though. We were so glad to take Jessie here and to the beach for a much needed break. We've so appreciated having Jessie here to help us with our kids and teach Kindergarten to the girls. We couldn't have learned the language as well or as fast without her being here.

Ellie's favorite!

Happy 4 years!!!

Happy 4th birthday to our precious Sarena. You are a hilarious stinker, inventor of the infamous line- "My leg hurts. I need to watch a movie to make it feel better."

You are a stingy affectionate girl, making every hug and kiss and snuggle more valuable than gold. 

You're a thinker, a mommy's girl, a rough and tumble daddy's girl, a princess, an instigator - and you are loved. 

We're so thankful for these past 4 years and look forward to see the young lady God is growing you to be.  Love you Sarena Hope.

Watermelon and water slides

Fun times in Michigan.