Jeremiah 32:27

"I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?"

Family Party Night

Have you heard of this idea? Some friends of ours introduced us to the concept of “family night” being “Family PARTY Night.” The kids really get into it. We try to set aside Friday night for our little Rodgers family party.

So, tonight we ate our traditional Friday night home-made pizza (the best pizza in town) on the veranda because the weather was so nice. THEN after eating chocolate chip cookies (made with precious Nestle morsels) and home-made ice cream, we piled into the living room for a movie Ben brought from the States: Karate Kid.

We actually watched Karate Kid II tonight. The girls and I sort of cringed through the fighting parts (but knew Ralph Machio would win in the end). Levi covered his head with his blanket and groaned through the romantic parts. Kayla smiled and sighed then. It is as much fun watching the kids as it is to watch the movie, I think.

Sometimes we’ll play a game like Uno or Candy Land. Man, I really love our kids. I love spending time with them. I enjoy how quick they are to laugh. I learn so much from them.

When we tuck them in, Ben and I always take a few minutes with each of them individually to pray and discuss the day. It’s amazing how much they open up during those moments.

So, now everyone is tucked in and asleep, and I’m wide awake. I shouldn’t be, but I drank a Coke tonight. Plus I ate that chocolate. Hmmmm… CAFFEINE! I’m wired despite my sleep deficit.

I guess I’ll be having my own little party for the next hour or so. I’ll plan my day tomorrow (Isaac and Carol are coming!), mend a curtain I’ve ignored for a year, and perhaps finally chisel away at one of the many books I’ve started but not yet finished. Maybe I’ll even figure out how to upload a picture from my computer to my blog site! (Mom still does that for me…what can I say? She has a Mac is what she’d say.)

Party on, Dude!

"Let's Pretend..."

I have to share a funny with you.

A few days ago Levi and a couple of his buddies were in the back seat of our car. They weren't being naughty or even really loud, but were just being typical little boys with great stories to tell.

Well, Kayla suddenly reached her limit, turned around in her seat, and with great intensity said, "Let's pretend I'M Jesus an YOU are the seas!" Then she stretched both of her hands toward the boys and said, "PEACE!"

I laughed so hard I cried. I finally had to make myself think about something else because I was battling to see the road. She, too, caught the humor of it and laughed. I have her consent to blog this story. We all have had several good laughs from this one.

Kids...gotta love 'em.

By the way, my kids Kayla and Levi have blog sites (links are in the margin to your right). My mom helps them post, and they usually have pictures to accompany their entertaining entries.

He is No Fool

Recently, while driving, I popped in an old Twila Paris CD, one that impacted my life when I was in the 8th grade. I told my kids to listen carefully to the words of a song that includes a quote by Jim Elliot, one of the missionaries martyred along with Nate Saint. (The story is told in movie The End of the Spear.)

Here are a few of the words:

There once was a man
Born of high circumstance
Heir to advantage
He had every chance to succeed

But light from the Cross
Made his dreams appear small
And to their surprise
He went far from it all

For the love of His Savior
For one priceless jewel
They could not understand
So they called him a fool

He is no fool
If he would choose
To give the thing he cannot keep
To buy what he can never lose

To see a treasure in one soul
That far outshines the brightest gold
He is no fool
He is no fool

The kids were captivated as I told them about Jim Elliot, how he was killed, and then how his wife and daughter went and lived with the people who killed him, ultimately leading those people to Christ. His wife, Elisabeth Elliot, has always been one of my heroes.

I now think about the sacrifices missionaries out here have made: Businesses and career opportunities, being close with their families, nice homes, friends, etc. By the world’s standards, they are fools. But by God’s standards, they are making very wise, eternal investments with great dividends. And they’ll all tell you they are blessed in this life as well, which is a fulfillment of the scripture Luke 18:29:

“Has anyone left home or family for God’s kingdom? They will receive many times as much in this world. In the world to come, they will live forever.”

So, I can see with my mind’s eye these people lifting their lives to God, hands cupped and arms outstretched, a living sacrifice to Him. It is a beautiful thing. Although it is still sometimes painful, it is not a foolish choice.

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” –Jim Elliot