tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83904764320126767562024-03-12T19:49:07.987-07:00With Love from Ukraine...Updates from the David Sloan family, missionaries serving in UkraineJolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843937048617443878noreply@blogger.comBlogger375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-19293613435600663502016-02-25T00:41:00.001-08:002016-02-25T00:41:46.637-08:00University of Oklahoma student's bold stand for Jesus Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not long ago my brother-in-law Joel received an e-mail from a medical doctor who had somehow found his contact information. This man was a graduate from the University of Oklahoma in 1966, in the graduating class of my father-in-law (and Joel's father) Tom Sloan. Both men are pictured below, with my father-in-law's picture circled towards the bottom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have chosen to leave the name of the man who wrote anonymous as this is his story to tell, not mine; therefore, his picture is not circled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, I was so encouraged by his words that I wanted to share them here with you today. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">"Your father was a classmate in medical school. When I read your mom's book I may learn more. He brought the gospel to school everyday. Despite cruel treatment from many faculty and classmates he was faithful to God. We usually would arrive for an 8AM class to find on the blackboard----GOD LOVES YOU. If it was Biochemistry that morning the Prof would quickly erase with something like "I HATE COMMERCIALISM" but Tommy wa</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: medium;">s never deterred from his goal to spread the Gospel. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: medium;">I wasn't receptive at that time in life but made an intellectual decision about 15 years later and faith followed. But I think your dad was the boldest Christian I've known. I hope to be more like him."</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Wow. That was just powerful on so many levels. Both men went on to become professionals in the medical field. My father-in-law graduated a pediatric surgeon and was well on his way to a prestigious, wealthy lifestyle as director of pediatrics in a Louisiana hospital when he decided to instead pursue living out his life as a missionary in the poorest region of Mexico. He used his knowledge, gifts, and brilliant mind to help people not only physically but spiritually as well. He never charged people for his medical services, but instead lovingly shared his talents, his passion for God, and the hope he had of eternal life in Heaven to all who would listen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">That bold college student, my father-in-law, lived out the rest of his life with the people he loved - his wife and eight children - amongst the people he loved, the Mexican Indians in the southernmost state of Chiapas. He delivered scores of babies and performed countless surgeries often without the luxury of state-of-the-art equipment, but he enjoyed a high medical success rate because of a quick, brilliant mind. However, I believe that he would have told you the greatest accomplishments of his life were those times he was able to point souls to a Redeeming </span></span><span style="color: #222222;">Savior and see their lives changed because of spiritual healing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Dr. Tom Sloan graduated from the University of Oklahoma 50 years ago this coming May. I wonder how many university students in the class of 2016 will leave a legacy of bold faith in Jesus Christ in their classroom and on the blackboard like he did? When I think of what Dr. Tom Sloan accomplished for Christ, I sometimes forget that his bold witness didn't begin once he reached the mission field. He didn't need a title like "doctor" or "missionary" to start making a difference.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Yep, Doctor. I hope to be more like "Tommy" too.</span></div>
Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-5671219283370038712015-03-01T21:02:00.000-08:002015-03-01T22:59:23.666-08:00"BMW" Blog HopI have the opportunity today to connect you with some fabulous other bloggers: other Baptist missionary ladies. Now, for the sake of our acronym "BMW" (and hence the title of this post), we like to refer to this wonderful group of ladies as "Baptist Missionary Women." Through this blog hop, you will be introduced to somewhere between 10-20 other ladies who serve on various fields throughout this world.<br />
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To those who are new here: My hubby and I served as missionaries in Ukraine for ten years. Two years ago, the Lord brought us back to the USA to take the Missions Department at Golden State Baptist College. Missions runs deeply through our veins, and is the heartbeat of our family and ministry. My hubby is a third-generation missionary and is a perfect fit for his role.<br />
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The only requirement given to me for this blog hop is to tell you 5 fun or interesting facts about myself, and then to send you to the next blog. So, let's go!<br />
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1. I have the awesome privilege of speaking in two conferences in the next two months. <a href="http://nvbc.org/pc15/" target="_blank">The first one</a> will be here in our home church in a little more than a week (just one session), and the second one will be somewhere that my eight-year-old daughter Brianna and I will be flying to. I won't say where we are going just yet, because I want to create some sort of suspense here just to make it fun!<br />
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2. My current favorite extra-curricular activity of the week is teaching "The Missionary's Wife" to 28 <a href="http://www.gsbc.edu/" target="_blank">college ladies</a> every Thursday. I love being able to transfer what God has taught me {and is still teaching me} to the precious group of ladies He has put me over this semester.<br />
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3. I have been surpassed in height, weight, shoe size, and hand size of my firstborn son who is only 12 years old! Is that supposed to happen this early on?! By the way, his shoe size is already bigger than his daddy's too. I think we are rearing the Jolly Green Giant (and he loves it!)<br />
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4. I bought myself a Costco card with my recent Christmas money. We are a family of seven, and most people were surprised to find out we have never shopped at this money-saving warehouse of bulk items. For fun, I have challenged myself to try to ONLY buy my groceries and housing needs from Costco, to see how the savings add up for awhile. My choices are more limited there, and I have had to order a few things online from Amazon, but so far so good. The biggest change I have noticed is how much more meat we now enjoy. Hmmm.... I wonder if that has anything to do with #3?<br />
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5. Our family of seven lives in a home that is 1,207 square feet (which is considered small in the USA), and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love knowing where everyone is and what everyone is doing most of the time. I also feel great satisfaction when all of us (except the one-year-old) can clean the whole house so quickly because of its smaller size. Can't beat that!<br />
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Now, onto the real fun... <br />
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Now you get to visit Anne Williams, missionary's wife to the people groups of Burma. Her blog is new to me as well, so let's get to know her together! Click here for Anne's blog, and to learn five things about her too. <a href="http://annehammond.blogspot.com/2015/03/things-you-might-not-know.html" target="_blank">http://annehammond.blogspot.com/2015/03/things-you-might-not-know.html</a><br />
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To start at the very beginning of this blog hop, start by clicking here: <a href="http://www.baptistmissionarywomen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Baptist Missionary Women</a><br />
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Thanks for stopping by!</center>
Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-50198975289599091602015-02-08T23:33:00.001-08:002015-02-08T23:38:40.621-08:00My In-Laws: Philip & Liz Sloan<div style="text-align: justify;">
The series that I started on <a href="http://www.jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-in-laws-joel-margaret-sloan.html" target="_blank">introducing my hubby's amazing missionary family</a> may take me awhile to get through, but I will certainly finish. And, I believe you will be blessed if I do! This family has long been a symbol of what it means to serve the Lord together in missions. I often tell people that it is natural that my hubby is now teaching missions at <a href="http://www.gsbc.edu/" target="_blank">Golden State Baptist College.</a> Missions is really all he has ever known his entire life (He is brilliant in many areas, but you know what I mean!), and speaking/teaching about missions is as natural for him as breathing. Although it is natural, it certainly isn't monotonous! He has a deep passion for missions and the Gospel, as does his entire family.</div>
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The next brother I would like to introduce you to is David's third brother Philip. Philip has a natural gift for ministering to people. He has been on the mission field of Mexico (as an adult) since 2003. After his father passed away, he took the pastorate of the church he grew up in that his father had started and pastored. Philip grew the church to new heights with his youth and vision, and spent 10 years dedicating his life to that one work. He and his angelic wife Liz (who literally has the voice of an angel) and their four boys have since moved to another part of Mexico to start a new work. David and I are excited to see what the Lord is going to do through them in this new phase of ministry.</div>
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I enjoyed the opportunity to travel one year on my college's tour group with my (now) sister-in-law, Liz. At the time we didn't know what the future held, but it is fun to look back now and realize that four of the seven of us who were on that group are now related in some way or another. Before you start thinking our college was tiny, I assure you that it really wasn't. The Sloans just had a way of saturating our college with their amazingness. :-)</div>
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We are proud of Philip and Liz and their four precious boys, and we are praying the Lord sees fit to eventually add some sweet pink (a girl!) to their little sports team.</div>
Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-2792067285819939062014-12-24T23:51:00.001-08:002014-12-24T23:51:57.726-08:00Jesus is the Reason<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The kiddos are snuggled in their beds in their new pajamas while hubby and I finish up some last-minute jobs before we retire for the night as well. It is our family tradition to open one gift Christmas Eve, and that one gift is always a pair of new pajamas. Now that the bigger kids are old enough to remember past years, this is one tradition they look forward to. Even though they know <i>what</i> they are going to open, at least they don't know <i>what they will look like</i>. Unless, of course, you are Micah (our nearly four-year-old) who is always with me when I go shopping. Since I was choosing everyone's pajamas while he and Mackenzie (our baby) waited in the shopping cart, I went ahead and let him decide which ones he wanted. Why not? They still got wrapped, and he was still just as excited to open them as everyone else. But, that kid lives in excited mode. It is just one of the descriptions of a three-old boy.<br />
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We will be spending Christmas Day at home with just our own little family since our closest family is more than 1,000 miles away. I guess since our own family really isn't too little anymore, it is going to be a houseful even without anyone else. I am looking forward to the sounds that await us tomorrow morning.... the excited chatter of kids who just can't wait to open their gifts and the beautiful, traditional reading of Luke 2 by Daddy. Our Brianna memorized that passage of Scripture in her 3rd grade class this fall, so she has asked if she can quote it for us. There is nothing quite like the sound of hearing your children quote the Bible.<br />
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Christmas evening we really will have a houseful, as we are hosting the <a href="http://gsbc.edu/" target="_blank">Golden State Baptist College</a> students who were not able to go home for Christmas. They will be coming to our home for their Christmas dessert (pies and cheesecake, anyone?). We are greatly anticipating that time with them, as they really have become family to us now that we have dedicated our lives to teaching them! Another tradition our family has that they will get to participate in with us is that of having a birthday cake and happy birthday song for Jesus. We even bought lots of candles for them to blow out with our kids. If anything, they will have the opportunity to learn a new tradition that they might like to implement in their own families one day.<br />
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I want to wish each of you a very merry Christmas as you celebrate with your loved ones. Not only is Jesus the reason for the season, He is THE reason for everything we do. May we all remember to keep Him at the center of our celebrations. Merry Christmas!<br />
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<br />Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-41621877705926644302014-11-27T22:07:00.002-08:002014-11-27T22:13:17.980-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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MACKENZIE GRACE, AGE 1</div>
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This little cutie turned one this week, and we have been in celebration mode! For our family I think Mackenzie's birthday will always mark the start of the holidays for us, starting one big party that begins November 22nd and runs right through her big sister's birthday on January 2nd. Of course, with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year right in the middle of my girls' birthdays, it is going to be one big day after another. I don't think anyone will be complaining around here, especially since that means cakes, pies, feasts, and presents will be included.</div>
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Our family wants to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving as you celebrate your families and all of the blessings God has bestowed upon you this past year. We counted our blessings this morning, one by one, and thanked our good Lord for what He has done for us. We are blessed more than I think any of us will ever truly realize. Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!</div>
Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-30434623567653066492014-07-29T23:00:00.000-07:002014-07-29T23:00:09.217-07:00My In-Laws: Joel & Margaret Sloan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In my last post I introduced you to my hubby David's<a href="http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-in-laws-tommy-mona-sloan.html" target="_blank"> oldest brother Tommy and his family</a>. This time you will meet his second brother Joel. And just to keep you straight on the line-up, I have provided this pictorial view of the eight original Sloan children, in birth order. As you can see, we have quite a few introductions left in this mini-series.</div>
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Joel is very easy to describe: happy all. of. the. time. I honestly think he may have been born singing and smiling. (I'll have to check with my mother-in-law on that one though.) If he can't sing, Joel is probably whistling or humming. He really takes the words of the verse in I Thessalonians 5:16 "<i>Rejoice evermore</i>" to heart.</div>
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Because he grew up on the mission field of Mexico, Joel (like all of the other Sloan children) is fluent in Spanish and English. It is fitting that the Lord is using him to work with both language groups on the border of Mexico/Texas/New Mexico. </div>
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Joel married Margaret, whom he met in Bible college. They have two sweet daughters and a son in heaven. Joel currently pastors two groups in one church building - a Spanish church (Iglesia Bautista Agua Viva) and an English church (Living Water Baptist Church), both in Chaparral, New Mexico. He has also been the pastor of:</div>
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+ Templo Bautista El Paso in El Paso, Texas</div>
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+ Iglesia Bautista Colina Alta in El Paso, Texas</div>
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+ Mision Bautista Agua Viva in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico</div>
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Have I told you yet that Joel doesn't sit still? He and Margaret are hard workers and are always busy! Our own son Nate is a lot like his Uncle Joel. I wonder if it has anything to do with both of them being the second born?</div>
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{Below} Joel has always loved cowboy hats, which is why I chose to illustrate him that way in the pictorial graph above. Here is some proof of that from when he was a little boy:</div>
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It is a pleasure to know how joyfully Joel, Margaret, and their daughters serve the Lord each day. They keep us encouraged to enjoy our work for Christ. And isn't that just how it should be?!<br />
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Whistle while you work!Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-33715259456251909062014-07-06T23:39:00.002-07:002014-07-07T08:25:56.746-07:00My In-Laws: Tommy & Mona Sloan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;">So, I am starting something I have wanted to do for a long time. This will be a mini-series where I will introduce you to my hubby's family. There are so many awesome things about David, but one of the best things I inherited when I married him is his family. You can read a little more about his parents (2nd generation missionaries) and grandparents (1st generation missionaries) </span><a href="http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/search?q=David%27s+father" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: left;">. </span></div>
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David is the sixth of eight children. Four girls; four boys. And my poor David was born right in the middle of all of those sisters. So, he grew up with three brothers who didn't usually want to play with him and with four sisters that he didn't really want to play dolls with! </div>
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It all worked out though, because he survived and they are all friends as adults. :-)</div>
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First up, I will introduce you to David's oldest brother: Tommy. He was named after his father, and has followed his father's footsteps as a missionary to Mexico. He married a pastor's daughter, Mona, from Austin, Texas. They have five awesome kids who are full of life and personality. Their oldest daughter recently graduated from high school. My oldest child Davey (who is 12 years old) was recently looking at pictures of his cousins in this particular family and said (with a voice that has started to deepen... <i>what?!</i>), "Mom, we're (the cousins) not a bunch of little kids anymore." Wow. He is <i>so right</i>!</div>
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Tommy is now the pastor of the church that their father started in Chiapas, Mexico, and the work is going strong. He is also the founder and director of <a href="http://sloans2mexico.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/compassion-radio/" target="_blank">Compassion Radio</a>, a 24-hour Spanish radio broadcast which reaches across an area of 5 million people in southern Mexico and Guatemala.<br />
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We are so proud of the work this family is doing for Christ!<br />
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And, I just have one thing to say to my nephew Hank that you see in the picture above: "Hank, your Uncle David <i>completely understands</i> what it feels like to grow up in the middle of four girls. You're gonna make it!" ;-) (It is going to make him a great husband one day too. Trust me!)Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-68149024113738940582014-05-03T22:36:00.002-07:002014-05-03T22:36:47.543-07:00My baby... 5 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Though she looks vivacious and outgoing in these pictures, don't be fooled. We were tickling our little dumpling to get these beautiful, big smiles. Our Mackenzie is actually a quiet baby, content to observe the noise around her most of the time. {And, believe me, there is <i>plenty</i> of noise to observe in her little world with four siblings!}<br />
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Can I just say how much I love this girl? Maybe it comes with being a more experienced mom each successive time, but I am finding <i>so much</i> pleasure in caring for a baby again. I now no longer worry (as much) about what her cries mean, what comes next in her schedule, what to do when she is sick, etc... Even my bigger kids are amazing with having a baby sister and are quite competent in their baby care skills too. <br />
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And her Daddy? Oooooh.... her Daddy! The only thing better to a grown man than a little girl to call his daughter... is having <i>two</i> little girls to call his daughters! <br />
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Our home is such a happy home.... noisy, messy, and happy. <b><i>I would have it no other way.</i></b><br />
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Sloan children - Easter Sunday 2014</div>
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<a href="http://www.hushabye-photography.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ababywillmake.jpg" target="_blank">Image Source</a></div>
Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-89278399572513705732014-02-26T22:46:00.000-08:002014-02-26T23:09:34.884-08:00Personality Traits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In addition to our family pictures that I shared <a href="http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/2014/02/david-sloan-family-2013.html" target="_blank">in my last post</a>, these are the individual and "smaller group" photos that were taken that day that I wanted to share as well. I love seeing my family through someone else's eyes, since it seems I am usually the one behind the camera.</div>
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David and I are so very different in our personalities and backgrounds, yet God chose to put us together to complement one another in the best way possible. I believe He orchestrates this miracle in every couple who marries in His will and in His timing.<br />
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Once a couple who are opposite in personality begin to have children, it is entertaining to see whose personality the children will reflect - dad or mom. The more children you have, the more fun the combinations become of kids who are each different and unique in their own individual ways. <br />
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Time to get to know our family a little...<br />
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{Below} Our firstborn Davey... <i>cautious, achiever, steady, diligent, tender-hearted, protective, planner</i></div>
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{Below} Our second-born Nate... <i>witty, active, silly, fun-loving, outgoing, imaginative, spur-of-the-moment, friendly</i><br />
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{Below} Brianna, our third... <i>gentle, compassionate, kind, sincere, artistic, sweet, submissive</i><br />
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{Below} Micah, our fourth (and baby of the family when these pictures were taken)... <i>leader, charmer, sociable, funny, life of the party, fearless, mischievous</i></div>
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If you knew our family well, you would probably agree that our kids with the more steady, laid-back personalities ("think, then act") are the most like their daddy.... Davey, Brianna, and Mackenzie (our 3-month old who is not featured in this post. Her own special post is coming soon.) <br />
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The other two, Nate and Micah, get their outgoing personalities ("act, then think") from me. Those poor two that are the most like me... well, they have a long road of learning ahead of them. Ask me how I know. {wink}<br />
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<i>(BTW, the house in the background of our family pictures <a href="http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/2014/02/david-sloan-family-2013.html" target="_blank">in my last post</a> is not where we live. Some people have asked me about that, so I thought I would clarify. It was just a beautiful home near the park where we were photographed, so our photographer thought it would make an amazing background. He was right!) </i>Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-91029244499640081032014-02-22T23:10:00.000-08:002014-02-22T23:55:32.408-08:00David Sloan family 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes, these are pictures from last year, but I wanted to get them posted before we eventually get our 2014 pictures taken. I have a feeling that this year's pictures will be even better, though, since we will have our new little Mackenzie with us! </div>
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Since I have these pictures plastered all over our living room walls and my hubby's office, I thought it was about time my blog got updated. So, here goes...</div>
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Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-70146865047311865232014-02-04T21:07:00.002-08:002014-02-04T21:07:34.410-08:00A Country Divided<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.</i> Mark 3:24</div>
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No doubt you have heard of Ukraine in the news these days. What is happening in Ukraine is very important, but it is likely that many do not really understand what is going on. Why are we suddenly hearing about this once quiet country in the news? The truth is that these problems have been just beneath the surface, and it was only a matter of time before they erupted.</div>
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The recent uprisings are, in short, for this reason: Ukraine lies in the middle of the east (Russia) and the west (Europe). It is a country divided by history, politics, culture, and even language as you can see in the picture below:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VORufjNMIEw/UvCBH_XXZTI/AAAAAAAAASg/H07keg5LpSA/s1600/ukraine610-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VORufjNMIEw/UvCBH_XXZTI/AAAAAAAAASg/H07keg5LpSA/s1600/ukraine610-1.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
The fightings are a tug-of-war, of sorts, between two sides, and it is hard to tell what will eventually happen.<br />
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It breaks our hearts to see this country we love in such turmoil. For us, the picture in this post is not just a map. It represents <b><i>real people</i></b> that we know and call friends, and we greatly desire to see them live in peace and security.<br />
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I read an excellent article on the <i>Washington Post</i> that gives an overview of Ukraine's history and current political situation. If you are a history buff or love politics beyond your borders, you may enjoy reading the article (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/30/9-questions-about-ukraine-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask/" target="_blank">found by clicking here</a>). It is lengthy, though, so you may prefer watching this two-minute video instead: (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/02/01/the-very-basics-of-ukraines-crisis-explained-in-two-minutes/" target="_blank">found by clicking here</a>) to get an overall explanation of what you are seeing in the news.<br />
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We are praying for the Ukrainians we love and for the missionaries who still remain there that they would be able to stay permanently. More than a decision of "east or west," this country needs God. My hubby is planning to fly to Ukraine next month to help run a Men's Conference. I am already praying that God will use that Conference to strengthen the men of Ukraine to stand - not for one side or the other - <i><b>but for God</b></i>.Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-42224257556661514572014-01-11T22:09:00.002-08:002014-01-11T22:35:47.419-08:00Missions Articles {with links}So, I guess you all figured out by now that I am no longer posting my hubby's <a href="http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/2013/10/focus-on-missions-1-3.html" target="_blank">Focus on Missions</a> audio clips. It didn't take me long to see that I was going to have huge issues with the amount of space it was taking to upload them on my blog. We considered deleting them as we went (once we thought you all had had a chance to click on them and listen to them) in order to keep uploading more; however, it was too much work for me to go through in uploading them only to just turn around and delete the previous work. <br />
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However, just because I am no longer uploading the audio clips does not mean that you cannot continue to listen to them! Don't forget to tune in to <a href="http://knvbc.com/" target="_blank">knvbc.com</a> to hear the Focus on Missions series air weekdays at 12:15pm and 10:00pm, Pacific time {The times are not to-the-minute specific, but pretty close}. Of course, KNVBC is great to listen to any time of day, and I hope that you were able to tune in during the holidays for some amazing Christmas music. <br />
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I have mentioned this before, but wanted to mention it again. <a href="http://northvalleynews.org/author/dsloan/" target="_blank">My hubby also writes articles</a> about missions and Israel for the <a href="http://northvalleynews.org/" target="_blank">North Valley News</a> website. Here is a list of articles he has already written, in case you missed them and wanted to catch up:<br />
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2013/they-are-waiting-to-hear/" target="_blank">They Are Waiting to Hear</a></div>
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<img alt="Ready-to-Hear3" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Ready-to-Hear3-560x374.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2013/jerusalem-the-cradle-of-missions/" target="_blank">Jerusalem: the Cradle of Missions</a></div>
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<img alt="The Cradle of Missions" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/The-Cradle-of-Missions.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2013/the-next-generation-of-missionaries/" target="_blank">The Next Generation of Missionaries</a></div>
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<img alt="Next Generation of Missionaries" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Next-Generation-of-Missionaries.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2013/the-purpose-of-missions/" target="_blank">The Purpose of Missions</a></div>
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<img alt="The Purpose of Missions" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/The-Purpose-of-Missions.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2013/why-support-the-nation-of-israel/" target="_blank">Why Support the Nation of Israel</a></div>
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<img alt="Why Support Israel" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Why-Support-Israel1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2013/the-gentiles-place-in-missions/" target="_blank">The Gentiles' Place in Missions</a></div>
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<img alt="Gentiles Place in Missions" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Gentiles-Place-in-Missions.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2013/biblical-first-century-missions-in-the-twenty-first-century/" target="_blank">Biblical, First-Century Missions in the Twenty-First Century</a></div>
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<img alt="Biblical First-Century Missions in the Twent-First Century" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Missions-21st-Century.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2013/ministering-to-your-missionaries/" target="_blank">Ministering to Your Missionaries</a></div>
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<img alt="Ministering to Your Missionaries" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Ministering-to-Your-Missionaries.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2012/ministry-opportunities-on-the-mission-field/" target="_blank">Ministry Opportunities on the Mission Field</a></div>
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<img alt="Ministry Opportunities in the Mission Field" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ministry.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2012/called-to-missions-what-next/" target="_blank">Called to Missions: What Next?</a></div>
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<img alt="Called to Missions" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Called-to-Missions-David-Sloan.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2012/how-shall-they-hear/" target="_blank">How Shall They Hear?</a></div>
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<img alt="How Shall They Hear" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/how-will-they-hear.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2012/gods-purpose-for-israel/" target="_blank">God's Purpose for Israel</a></div>
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<img alt="God's Purpose for Israel" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/gods-purpose-israel.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2012/your-place-in-missions/" target="_blank">Your Place in Missions</a></div>
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<img alt="Your-Place-Sloan" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Your-Place-Sloan.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2011/preparing-financially-for-missions/" target="_blank">Preparing Financially for the Mission Field</a></div>
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<img alt="PREPARING-FINACIALLY-FOR-THE-MISSION-FIELD" src="http://northvalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PREPARING-FINACIALLY-FOR-THE-MISSION-FIELD.jpg" height="213" width="320" /><br />
<a href="http://northvalleynews.org/2011/the-work-schedule-of-a-missionary/" target="_blank">The Work Schedule of a Missionary</a><br />
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And, since I'm on the topic of my hubby and missions... David will be speaking in Ecuador soon at a week-long Missions Conference. Since he grew up as a missionary kid in Mexico, Spanish and English are his first languages, so it is not uncommon for him to be invited to speak to Spanish-speaking groups as often as he is invited to speak to English-speaking groups. I am so proud of him and all of the opportunities that he is given to serve the Lord, especially in the area of missions... the heartbeat of our family and ministry.</div>
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I hope you are enjoying your New Year as much as we are thus far. 2014 is looking like it is going to be a great one!</div>
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Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-49872210084846987612013-12-05T22:12:00.001-08:002013-12-05T22:18:30.370-08:00Amazing Grace<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150415204052226" data-width="550">
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I came across a video that was uploaded to Facebook two years ago (this week!) and just had to share. In this video hubby and I are singing at Simferopol Baptist Church in Ukraine with some of the dearest friends we have on this earth. Oh, how we miss these people, this church, and the Russian language! We are thrilled with what God is allowing us to do in our lives <b><i>today</i></b>; however, we have nothing but sweet memories of what God allowed us to do in our <b><i>yesterday</i></b>. Really, though, our <i><b>yesterday</b></i> and <b><i>today</i></b> are quite inseparable. We couldn't have one without the other. <br />
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The song we are singing is "Amazing Grace," just to a tune that is different from the familiar one. Yes, God's grace truly is amazing. His grace has been evident in our lives as well as in the lives of the others who are singing with us. We all have been touched with His grace. {You can hear the song by clicking here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150415204052226&set=vb.112200635495223&type=3&theater">Amazing Grace</a>}.</div>
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Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-80050956393142922632013-12-03T23:05:00.001-08:002013-12-03T23:06:30.535-08:00First family snapshot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
{Below} Thanksgiving Day... our first family snapshot of the "new us." There are 7 of us now.... the "perfect" number, wouldn't you say?!</div>
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{Below} Here is the little princess on Thanksgiving Day... one week after her birth.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdPiEPKvE7w/Up7R9t8xjYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/jns9-Xyl6lo/s1600/1+week+old+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdPiEPKvE7w/Up7R9t8xjYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/jns9-Xyl6lo/s640/1+week+old+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We have SO MUCH to be thankful for this year! The holidays are just that much sweeter with a newborn to cuddle. Little Miss Mackenzie Grace has melted our hearts and there just isn't enough of her to go around! My bigger kids said it is too bad I didn't have triplets so that they didn't have to share just one baby. Ha! As sweet and perfect as she is, I am glad there is just one of her. She too has much to be thankful for with this adoring audience that can hardly wait to get in line to hold her. What a blessed little girl! And what a blessed little family we are! <br />
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Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful gift of life!Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-88242297793301392013-11-24T22:05:00.001-08:002013-11-24T22:16:06.427-08:00Mackenzie Grace<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mackenzie Grace Sloan</b></span> was born early Friday morning at 12:40, on her due date (a girl who knows how to be on time?!). She weighed 7 lbs, 1 oz. and is 19 inches long. Mommy and Mackenzie are both home now recovering.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rUg-FREucc/UpLCbHXhqgI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/nfDSmIreiWM/s1600/Mackenzie+Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rUg-FREucc/UpLCbHXhqgI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/nfDSmIreiWM/s200/Mackenzie+Grace.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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All of the pictures in this post are from the first 20 hours after her birth and are all iPhone pictures. They are not perfect quality, but are precious nonetheless. It felt nice to keep things low-key and easy, not worrying about the perfect Kodak moment. <br />
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{Below} Ah... THIS MAN. He was my strength, and I could not have done it without him by my side. He is the perfect husband and daddy. My children and I are unbelievably blessed to have him lead our home and love on us.<br />
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{Below} Thursday evening, when labor was imminent, our children were picked up by friends' parents for sleepovers. They rode to school with their friends the next morning, excited to share the news that their sister was born; however, they had not seen her yet. Hubby went to their school mid-morning, picked them up (They <i>loved</i> being called out of their classes!), and brought them to the hospital for a visit and lunch with Daddy. Here they are with a hospital dog that visits patients. </div>
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Nearly <i>everything</i> about Mackenzie's birth was different from my previous four children. One of those things was the fact that this was my first time to not need an induction after being at least a week overdue. Mackenzie apparently wanted to be part of the 5% of babies actually born on their due date. So, unfortunately, I was counting on getting my 40 week picture on her due date and missed it altogether. Instead, here is what I have (crooked, imperfectly designed collage) which I think is a great substitution. I'd rather be holding that baby in my arms than in my tummy anyway!<br />
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A huge thank you to hundreds of deserving people who have sent congratulations, bought gifts, flowers, and balloons, brought home-cooked meals, and loved us through this time. Our family is overwhelmed by the loving response of so many people who are dear to us. We are undeservedly blessed and oh, so grateful during this Thanksgiving season when we have <b><i>so much</i></b> to be thankful for.</div>
<span id="goog_385758812"></span>Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com185tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-5604626559538760162013-11-07T22:28:00.001-08:002013-11-07T22:31:00.740-08:00A Lesson on Contentment from a Mouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We never had mice in our home on the mission field... that is, until we started building a house out in the village. We had no "crawl space" under our house, but those sneaky fellas sure did know how to find their way in! And you know what? Desperation taught us how to become expert mice catchers. Let me tell ya... you'll try anything when you're desperate, and we tried every method we could think of. Don't be fooled into thinking that cheese is the only way to trap a mouse. In fact, we found that cheese is <i>not</i> the best method because a mouse can steal a piece of cheese right off of a trap in a millisecond and get away alive, fat, and happy! The key for us was learning to put something on the trap that the mice had to work at getting off (like peanut butter). But, since I can sense you are shuddering as you read this already, I'll just let you believe me...<br />
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It was rather frustrating to be building a home out of all brand-new materials, only to see that mice were finding their way into our home regardless of how much money we had put into it. Rich or poor, new home or old, everyone in our village had the same problem when the weather turned cold: mice seeking refuge in our homes.</div>
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Living as missionaries, sometimes it is so easy to lump all of our problems into one big reasoning: <i>We have mice </i>(or whatever problem)<i> because we have sacrificed to be missionaries</i>. Of course, we lived for 6 or 7 years on the mission field before mice started inhabiting our home, but that is besides the point. It kinda felt good to think we were suffering for Jesus to be on the mission field (i.e. in our case: dealing with mice).</div>
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Then... we went on furlough and the whole mice problem went away for awhile. Oh, I'm sure they were enjoying our home in Ukraine just the same, <i>but we didn't have to see them or deal with them for awhile</i>. </div>
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By and by we stayed as guests for a few days in a beautiful ranch home.... a glorious home that most of us will only ever dream of living in. This home had it all... 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, formal dining room, swimming pool, fishing pond, acres and acres of land, etc... And, I won't even try to describe the gorgeous decor! Why, every corner of this house looked like it came right out of the latest issue of <u>Better Homes and Gardens</u>!</div>
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But guess what? I was sitting in (one of) the gorgeous living rooms, and... you guessed it... I saw a mouse scurry behind the furniture. I couldn't believe it! Right then and there I felt like the Lord tapped me on the shoulder and said to me, "See, Jolene... mice are everywhere in this world!" <br />
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And here was my lesson: Being on the mission field really is no sacrifice. </div>
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Sometimes missionaries fall into the trap of feeling like America is the land of paradise and utopia. <i>If only I were back in America, I wouldn't have these problems</i>... But, God showed me that day that my little home in a village in Ukraine was just as much a paradise as any American home, <b>as long as<i> I</i> made it that way.</b></div>
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When I returned to the mission field a few months later, though I despised the mice as much as ever and worked harder than ever to trap them, I had to smile to myself because...</div>
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God used a ranch mouse to teach me a valuable lesson in <i>contentment</i>.</div>
Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-41169033765617756422013-11-02T12:06:00.000-07:002013-11-02T12:08:23.895-07:00Focus on Missions, 10-14<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i>For the introduction to this series, <a href="http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/2013/10/focus-on-missions-1-3.html">click here</a>.</i></div>
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Here are the next week's installment of<i> Focus on Missions</i> 5-minute segments from the internet radio station <a href="http://knvbc.com/">KNVBC</a>. I thought it would be fun to include pictures of the missionaries who were featured during this particular week.<br />
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October 14, 2013 - What is Biblical missions? part 3<br />
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October 15, 2013 - Missionary Interview: Eric Bohman (Africa/BIMI director), part 1<br />
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October 16, 2013 - Missionary Interview: Eric Bohman (Africa/BIMI director), part 2<br />
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<i>Eric Bohman family</i></div>
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October 17, 2013 - Missionary Interview: Joel Daku (Kiribati, island nation in the South Pacific Ocean), part 1</div>
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October 18, 2013 - Missionary Interview: Joel Daku (Kiribati, island nation in the South Pacific Ocean), part 2</div>
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<i>Joel and Brooke Daku</i><br />
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<b><i>Thanks for listening!</i></b></div>
</div>Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-35427313713070517342013-10-14T20:55:00.002-07:002013-10-14T21:19:27.473-07:00Focus on Missions, 4-9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>For the introduction to this series, <a href="http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/2013/10/focus-on-missions-1-3.html">click here</a>.</i></div>
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Here are this week's<i> Focus on Missions</i> 5-minute segments from the internet radio station <a href="http://knvbc.com/">KNVBC</a>. I hope that you will consider using some of these in your personal devotions, family devotions, or even in your weekly ladies' prayer meeting. <br />
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October 4, 2013 - What is Biblical missions? part 2<br />
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October 7, 2013 - Missionary Letter: Dr. Mike Patterson (Mexico)<br />
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October 8, 2013 - Missionary Interview: Dan Morris (Mexico), part 1<br />
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October 9, 2013 - Missionary Interview: Dan Morris (Mexico), part 2</div>
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October 10, 2013 - David Brainerd (American Indians)</div>
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October 11, 2013 - Missionary Letter: Dr. Rick Martin (Philippines)</div>
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<b><i>Thanks for listening!</i></b></div>
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Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-89366756449038948322013-10-11T23:15:00.002-07:002013-10-12T07:32:43.165-07:0030 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really, really don't like sharing pictures of myself! However, I realize that these pregnancy pictures are not actually of me... they are of a growing little miracle inside of me. So, you are seeing... not me.... but my sweet baby girl growing. <br />
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My photographer is an 11-year old big brother, so while the fence may not look straight in these comparison pictures, I appreciate his patience with me. I am sure there are other things he would rather be doing than taking pictures of his Mom. <br />
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As I write this post, I am actually 34 weeks along. Only 6 weeks left to wait... 42 days... {Oh, yes, I am counting down!} It seems surreal that another little person will soon be joining our family. The funny thing about the countdown is big sister Brianna. You could probably ask her at any given moment how many days are left until her baby sister's due date, and she could answer correctly. She is like a giddy girl counting down to her wedding date {but we won't think about <i>that </i>countdown for awhile!}<br />
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It is fun for me to watch my older three children (ages 11, 9, and 6) with other people's toddlers and babies. It has really hit me lately how <i>good</i> they are with little ones. Anytime I babysit for a friend, it is a <i>breeze</i>. I'm not sure when I got here, but having these ages of children is a wonderful stage of motherhood. So, while my two-year-old may still be a handful and a newborn on the way may seem daunting, my older three give me hope and serve as a great reminder that those more difficult, younger days pass way too quickly!<br />
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My oldest two boys and hubby go out on church visitation every Saturday morning (and I go with the ladies on Tuesdays), so I have decided that, from now on, those few quiet morning hours will now be "baking time" for 6-year old Brianna and I. {Two-year old Micah will still be home, but we'll find something constructive for him to do... like banging pots and pans together while we work - Ha!} I am looking forward to our first official date tomorrow morning, and I know Brianna is too.<br />
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Daughters are absolutely wonderful. But you know what? Sons are too! Motherhood is truly a gift from the Lord, and I am grateful for the task the Lord has given me of rearing these amazing people who live under my roof and in my heart.Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-55221048915035050952013-10-06T00:32:00.002-07:002013-10-14T21:02:00.651-07:00Focus on Missions, 1-3I am excited to announce that my hubby now has a regular segment on <a href="http://knvbc.com/">KNVBC</a> called "Focus on Missions"!<br />
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If you are not familiar with <a href="http://knvbc.com/">KNVBC</a>, it is a 24-hour internet radio station that provides conservative Christian music and programming. It is a ministry of <a href="http://www.nvbc.org/">North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, California</a>, where we currently serve.<br />
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Other than great uplifting music, you can <a href="http://knvbc.com/listen.html">tune in to KNVBC</a> to hear favorites such as Patch the Pirate, Unshackled, Alexander Scourby, great preachers from the past and present, etc. <a href="http://knvbc.com/">KNVBC</a> was our favorite program to listen to when we were on the mission field, and it is a little surreal to us that, not only are we <i>here</i> now, but taking a small part in the programming!</div>
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The 5-minute series <i>Focus on Missions</i> began this week. It is scheduled to air weekdays at 12:15pm and 10:00pm, Pacific time. However, if you are unable to tune in during those times, I will be uploading the clips to this blog weekly so that you do not miss out!</div>
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If you are able to <a href="http://knvbc.com/listen.html">listen live</a>, you just may catch some fun giveaways, such as the one shown above from this past week. Also,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/knvbc"> go "like" KNVBC on Facebook</a> in order to not miss future announcements and upcoming giveaways!</div>
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For those who did miss out (or if you just want to hear them again, Mom!), here are this week's first three broadcasts of "Focus on Missions:"</div>
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October 1, 2013 - Introduction and William Borden (China, 1887-1913), part 1</div>
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October 2, 2013 - William Borden (China, 1887-1913), part 2<br />
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October 3, 2013 - What is Biblical missions? part 1</div>
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<b><i>Thanks for listening!</i></b></div>
Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-86755974241208794612013-09-07T21:33:00.000-07:002013-09-07T21:36:53.596-07:004-in-1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I was on such a long hiatus from blogging, I missed posting about my kiddos' birthdays this year. I am sure they are going to look on here one day and ask, "Mom, what happened to 2013?" So, in an effort not to disappoint, here they are... </div>
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We begin birthday celebrations almost as soon as we break out the calendars for the new year. Brianna and Micah both have January birthdays, so we glide smoothly right into these parties after all of the holiday cheer. After all of the red and green, we gladly welcome the color change into pinks and purples. </div>
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We spent Christmas in southern Mexico and were traveling to California {People, that is a <i><b>long</b></i> trip driving with 4 kiddos!}, and our half-way mark was El Paso, Texas, where we were able to stop in and spend a few days with cousins. Brianna loved the break from traveling, the time spent with girly cousin friends, and the birthday celebration at Peter Piper Pizza. <br />
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Once we were settled into our new home {staff housing at the church} for the next 5 months, it was time to celebrate our littlest guy's transition into the <strike>terrible</strike> terrific twos. <br />
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When I was busy cutting and distributing cake, Micah grabbed his candle and took a bite out of it. Guess that was a good lesson for him in learning that not all things that look pretty taste good! Wow... if that was any indication of what his year of being two would look like, I would have hidden in a closet right then and there. Of all of my children, Micah is the one who has kept me on my toes the most keeping him out of trouble and danger. I never thought anyone could outdo Nate's wild and wooly toddler days, but Micah has proven me wrong. I seriously should be journaling all of his escapades!</div>
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In May, right after school let out, we celebrated Davey's 11th birthday at an indoor kid-park called Bounce-a-rama. I am thrilled with how our kids have adjusted to school and making new friends. They fit in as though they have always been here...<br />
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{Below} What can I say?! The things you think are cool when you are in middle school!</div>
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Nate enjoyed Davey's birthday so much, that when his rolled around two months later, he wanted to go to the same place to celebrate. In July, we rounded up his summer-lovin' buddies and took them for the indoor,<i> air-conditioned</i> Bounce-a-rama as well. </div>
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Though a Mexican-style face dunk into the cake was attempted at Davey's birthday party, it was successfully fulfilled and thoroughly enjoyed on Nate's big day. <br />
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I love these kiddos that are growing much too quickly under my {albeit un-approving} watch. Why, oh why, do they have to keep insisting on birthdays and getting older?! <br />
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And to think... next year we will be celebrating FIVE kid birthdays in our house! <br />
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Did I just say "<i>five</i>"?!<br />
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I never, ever would have thought that I would become the mother of five children, but here I am {almost... just 11 weeks before my due date}, and guess what? It is not as scary and intimidating as I would have thought. It is <i>tremendously</i> <i>wonderful</i>!Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-70105115707818982702013-08-24T22:17:00.000-07:002013-08-24T22:38:31.752-07:00Sugar and Spice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G488DkEI2fA/TZKJ1Aw4bLI/AAAAAAAAAPo/1HxYZwF5JCI/s320/Sugar+and+Spice.jpg">Image Source</a></div>
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Our family is very, very thrilled to announce that we are expecting a GIRL! We already have three boys and only one daughter, so the news of another girl was the biggest excitement we have had in awhile. Hubby was with me during my ultrasound, and before the nurse even made the announcement, he said, "It's a girl! That is, without a doubt, a girl!" I just started laughing. I mean, really... can anyone else make sense of those black and white ultrasounds? Hubby must have a gift, and maybe it is because his father was a pediatrician. (Although his father never, ever gave ultrasounds). </div>
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This picture was actually taken last month, but it is all I have to show. I am actually 27 weeks along now and almost exactly 3 months away from the big day... my due date, November 22nd. <br />
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So, how am I feeling? Pretty great, actually! I am, without a doubt, no longer in my 20's, and I can feel that. I also am anemic (meaning I need more iron and am taking supplements), but that seems to be a pretty common pregnancy trait and easily taken care of. I definitely have nothing to complain about. I have an adoring husband and four adoring children who love to touch my tummy and send their love to their sister. November is going to be a month to celebrate, for sure!<br />
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{Below} Brianna at Disneyland with Princess "Sleeping Beauty," last October<br />
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The most excited person in our family is, no doubt, big sister Brianna. She will be nearly 7 years old when she finally gets her sister, and I like to tell people, "I am not having a baby. Brianna is having a sister!" I recently saw this picture for sale online and thought it was perfect:<br />
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Yes, Brianna will be losing her "only girl" status, but she is completely okay with that. Sometimes I think she is even more excited than I am! In fact, she has even helped us choose her sister's name, but I will share the name later, once it is completely decided on and won't be changed.<br />
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So, sweet little baby girl, we are very happy about your arrival! We are beyond excited to have you join our family!Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-59623906345236350482013-08-06T01:25:00.001-07:002013-08-06T11:22:51.485-07:00The men are headed home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes, my men (Nate is one of my "little men") are headed home later today and we are all ecstatic! My cutie-pie 2-year-old son Micah thinks they have been in "You-Train" for two weeks. I wonder what he thinks they have been seeing and doing <i>there</i>?! </div>
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I don't have many pictures to share in this post other than pizza, pizza, and more pizza. Apparently my guys sustain themselves on pizza when there are no women around to cook for them.
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{Below} One last pizza date with Daddy before their first flight headed home. Hubby said a crowd of our church people traveled to the airport to see them off and there were many tears shed. I am <i>almost</i> glad I wasn't there for that part of the trip... Goodbyes are just so hard! <br />
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For just about $5 more than their first time around, they found a nicer hotel in Kiev to stay in during their overnight layover. (Their "overnight layover" was really only half of the night since they had to leave for the airport by 3:00 am.) From their description, their hotel this time was quite the upgrade from the one they stayed in two weeks ago... newer bathroom fixtures, nicer beds, air conditioning, fantastic view, etc... <br />
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{Below} And just to say they had the experience, they ate their dinner at Domino's Pizza. <i>Domino's Pizza</i>, people! <i> In Ukraine</i>! (If you want an idea of the prices on the menu shown in the picture below, the current exchange rate is approximately 8 to 1. This means a small, classic pizza costs around $5.50, a medium costs around $10, a large costs about $13, and an extra large is about $14. A large "premium" pizza costs $18.) <i>Prices have been rounded to the nearest dollar or half dollar</i>. I'm curious to find out if it really <i>tastes</i> like authentic Domino's Pizza!<br />
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Hubby and I have missed each other like crazy. Except those few days during camp when our telephone time was limited, we have enjoyed long "catching up" chats through the wonderful internet telephone service Skype. In the picture below, you can see a photo that hubby sent me. He was sitting in a cafe and had pulled out an old high school picture he had of me in his wallet. Wonder if he was thinking about our dating years? We dated FOUR years before we were married.... from the summer before my Senior year in high school to the summer before my Senior year in college! Those were amazing days in my life, but I wouldn't want to go back. I love where we are now in life too!</div>
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So, excuse me while I take another little blogging break to enjoy having our family reunited. My next post will be a pregnancy update, but until then we'll be enjoying one another's presence again.... and I will be feeding my guys something <i>other</i> than pizza for awhile!Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-43147328932095720452013-08-01T01:32:00.000-07:002013-08-01T09:18:45.362-07:00Youth Camp 2013 "Fighting for the Faith"<br />
Here is the first message I received from hubby after the Monday night that teen camp started:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 14px;"><i>Great start to the conf. 2 young men saved, praise The Lord. Thanks for praying. Will talk with you later. Nate's asleep and I should be too...but I'm doing laundry. Love ya! G-nite. </i></span><br />
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What a tremendous report! Going two weeks as a single mama are worth it when I receive a message in my inbox like that. Poor guy, though... I wish I could help him with his laundry so he can rest. <br />
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And here is a message I received this evening:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Thanks for praying. We've come to our last day...It's been a great week, praise the Lord! Love y'all.</i></span></div>
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We haven't communicated as much as we normally do since camp started. With a 10-hour time difference between us right now, we who are here on the West Coast are just going to bed when he is waking up, and he is starting evening services when our day begins. I look forward to hearing his stories once everyone returns home and he gets a chance to rest a little. </div>
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Hubby is not the photographer in the family, so I was very pleased to receive this many pictures from him. Glad he remembered to get some shots for me. He deserves a big hug when he gets home!</div>
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{Below}: We have groups come from all over Ukraine (about the size of Texas) to camp each year. The distance from the city of Odessa to our city of Simferopol is a 12-hour trip by train (and, of course, train is the way to travel in Ukraine). You can see in the map below where Odessa is highlighted with the smaller red circle. Our city of Simferopol is marked with a red star. </div>
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{Below}: Group from Odessa, Ukraine</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P2s5p9FdvOM/UfoQwjDsxTI/AAAAAAAAAEY/M2TbjoqOyW4/s1600/Odessa+group+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P2s5p9FdvOM/UfoQwjDsxTI/AAAAAAAAAEY/M2TbjoqOyW4/s640/Odessa+group+-+Copy.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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{Below} Group from Lemanskoye, Ukraine (city in the Odessa region)</div>
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{Below}: And then, each year we have a faithful group come all of the way from... not just another city, but another <i>country</i>... the country of Belarus! In the map above, Belarus was highlighted with the larger red circle. Talk about commitment to the cause! We are honored that they choose to come year after year, traveling for days to be a part of our Teen Camp. Camp just wouldn't be the same without them. <br />
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{Below}: And now some shots of my little guy, Nate. Here he is once again enjoying a meal with buckwheat. That kid is Ukrainian through and through!</div>
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{Below} We chose our theme "Fighting for the Faith" this year based on the theme of our home church's Youth Conference this summer. Some of you readers may have already recognized the logo, and for those of you who didn't <a href="http://nvbc.org/yc/">you can see the original ideas at North Valley Baptist Church's website</a>. Since a western theme is a much more familiar idea for those who really do live in the wild, wild west, it was challenging to translate the team names. Words like <i>wranglers, sheriffs, deputies, rangers</i>, etc... just don't carry the same significance in the Russian language as they do to those of us who grew up in the good 'ole South of the USA. And words like <i>howdy y'all, yeehaw, and giddy'up</i> probably weren't heard much this week at Teen Camp, though I'm sure they had their own version of their ideas of what is western (and how I would have loved to hear them!)<br />
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{Above and below}: Nate, a true Texas-born boy, probably enjoyed "showing the ropes" to whichever teen would pay attention!<br />
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{Below} And to leave you with a smile, I thought you would enjoy seeing this t-shirt that one of the guys came to camp wearing. What would the world do without products "Made in China"? (Of course, he probably never would have known there was a spelling error if hubby hadn't asked to take his picture and explained <i>why</i> he wanted his picture - LOL!)<br />
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Keep smiling for Jesus.... and <span style="font-size: x-large;">Fighting for the Faith!</span>Billie Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10446497716121209535noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390476432012676756.post-54378610197254894142013-07-29T00:50:00.000-07:002013-07-29T10:39:40.422-07:00Hubby and Nate in Ukraine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, do I win the award for taking the longest absence of any other blogger from posting?! Surely there is some sort of medal available... or at least a gold star. All kidding aside, I DO hope to continue blogging, just maybe a little less often than before. After all, this blog is a virtual scrapbook for my children as well as a connection to countless friends that I love all over the globe. So, here we go... let's dig back into this blogging hobby... </div>
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Hubby and our 9-year old son Nate are in Ukraine on a 15-day trip right now to run our annual Teen Camp. The rest of us stayed behind in California, mostly because I am now 23 weeks pregnant {but more about this pregnancy in another post}.</div>
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We have all been missing Ukraine, but Nate has expressed his feelings about it the most. We thought the best medicine for him would be to make this trip with his Daddy. Since hubby is the one behind the camera, most of who you will see in these pictures of their first few days of the trip will be Nate, Nate, and more Nate. I'm his Mama and I'm missing him, so I don't mind his cute smile plastering this post.</div>
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{Below}: Here they are during a layover, in a hotel in the capital city of Kiev, enjoying breakfast. Nate's meal consisted of a cr<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">ê</span>pe, (brown) boiled egg, slice of cheese, buckwheat, and a glass of milk. You can't get any more Ukrainian than that!</div>
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{Below}: This is a picture of the menu, from which Nate made his breakfast selection. If you take the time to read it, it really is quite entertaining. The "pancakes with sour cream" on the Ukrainian portion is really referring to cr<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">ê</span>pes (like you see on Nate's plate), and, yes, they do typically eat them with sour cream! {I'm wondering how many Americans have visited Ukraine and ordered pancakes, expecting our thick pancakes with sweet maple syrup, only to receive cr<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">ê</span>pes with sour cream and wonder what went wrong?!} </div>
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I am assuming the "scrambled <i>kranch</i> with vegetables and bacon" on the American portion is referring to scrambled eggs. I speak Russian, but I have never heard eggs called <i>kranch</i>. The price (which is typed in the lower right hand portion) is nearly $10 a plate. Good thing hubby is not a fan of breakfast!</div>
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{Below} Hubby kept Nate entertained with his i-phone on the long trip over, and part of Nate's amusement was using the camera app to take random pictures. This is one of Nate's shots... a photo of the hotel bathroom in Kiev. (Yes, it is common in hotels to have to hold the shower head yourself while you are showering.)</div>
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{Below} What?! A Domino's Pizza in Kiev?! I am impressed to see the line-up of delivery motorcycles out front too. Why, oh why, was there no Domino's when we lived in Kiev? Of course, if we were still living in Ukraine, this Domino's would still do us no good since we lived hours away from the capital city, but just the thought of having it "so close" (14-15 hours away by train) would have been a treat....</div>
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{Below} Nate reading his Bible in our home, sweet, home. <br />
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{Below} Hubby celebrated his 35th birthday in Ukraine. The kids and I here at home were sad to miss spending this special day with him, but some of our precious Ukrainian friends threw an evening party for him. Unfortunately for me, he managed to keep himself out of the pictures...</div>
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{Below} Nate is never bored. His creativity keeps him entertained all hours of the day...</div>
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{Below}: David's favorite drink in Ukraine - Schweppes Indian Tonic water. I guess he liked this drink the most because I would never, ever steal a sip from him, and he would get the whole thing to himself. Ha! And, yes, sandwiches are always served open-faced in Ukraine.</div>
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{Below}: Nate asked his Daddy if they could please <a href="http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/2010/02/sundays-through-my-childrens-eyes.html" target="_blank">follow tradition and eat at our favorite Ukrainian pizzeria</a> for his Sunday afternoon lunch. Looks like he got his wish... and his own personal-sized pizza! Yummy!</div>
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I hope you enjoyed these pictures and this small glimpse into their trip so far. Teen Camp starts today, and we covet your prayers. From the reports I am hearing, it looks like it will be well-attended and sounds like it is going to be a fantastic week! I will update and post more pictures when I receive them...Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00843937048617443878noreply@blogger.com11