Nineteen Years of Marriage !!!!

In light of our recent anniversary I wanted to take a moment to write briefly about Jonathan. In honor of You, My husband ~
How grateful I am to have lived 19 years with you. I can’t think of a better companion with which to have spent these latter years of my life. There are a lot of awesome people I have met in this life but you have been the single most influential person outside the precious, powerful grace and goodness of Jesus.
I remember the day I prayed and wrestled with God over the option and idea of marriage. Can God really give his anointing over a marriage when it is “better to be single than married”- as Paul states. He has taught me so much about Himself through you. I delight in you! - You are FUN, funny, risk-taking, adventurous, easy going, athletic~ with high pain tolerance-(that has spilled over into the rest of life), positive, peaceable, creative, brilliant, hard working, not demanding, kind, pursuer of good health and eating habits, cheerful, lover of God’s word, forgetful of other’s wrongs- forgiving, an incredible Good Shepherd- (it’s fun to see you with your sheep- literally!), discerning, caring, genuinely interested in people…, sexy….what more could I say.
It’s amazing to think out of 19 years I have never lost attraction to you- How can that be!!?? I never knew it could be that way. You have cherished me even when I didn’t feel worthy of being cherished. You have been faithful to be the biblical man who loves his wife. God has been good to call me alongside of you to minister together for Him as imperfect as we both are! Thank you for this privilege to raise our children together as well as God’s children.
Thanks for being you.

Here is a pic of our anniversary after a LONG hike over the mountain pass in Montana- eating at a Burger Joint- - we were STARVING.

Praying Wives.

Ahhh Summer is here. I gotta story working in my brain and heart. But it will wait for at least another week.
Meanwhile we just started another six weeks of Praying Wives. A small group of women growing and learning how to pray for their husbands. These women are paired together and they call each other once a week to pray twenty minutes for their beloveds. It is fun to see how many women really want to be involved. I am looking forward to seeing what more God is going to do in these women's lives this next six months.

I was Praying awhile back for something in particular about another person close to me and wondering why hadn't God answered yet? Why was this on hold to seeing good decisions in this persons life. i felt impatient! But while I was praying God gave me a picture in my mind of a broken watch with all the pieces scattered. Now Janie you wouldn't pray for the crystal to be put on and demand it now(!) would you? No, all of the pieces would need time to be put together so that they would function properly when the final piece - the crystal was put in. So you can have patience- sometimes as we pray for those we love we must wait patiently for the experiences, knowledge, and proper faith to be put into place so that the polished finish can be in set in motion towards its use.
Ok- Jonathan is waiting to go to lunch and I wrote this all so quickly- rough draft you know.
God bless!

Good 'Ol Texas

Ok. I know it has been a long time and I've got lots on my mind that I would love to share. Yes. Pouring myself out for those things which are worthy. Loving my kids. Thankful, oh so thankful for them. God is good.

I haven't given up on writing my LOL part4. But priorities are priorities, they are joys as well.

Meanwhile, Dannah and I took a break and went to Texas to visit my sister and good 'ol Texas friends. I miss them Oh so much as well as TEXAS. I have never considered myself a True Texan simply because I have never suffered the symptoms of Texamania which are:

1. A growing sensation of unhappiness whenever a foot crosses the border from Texas to another state.

2. A strong need to secede from the United States.

3. Consideration that everything is bigger and better in Texas- (however portions of food in a restaurant really are bigger in Texas!!)

4. A strong need to dine out every night.

- I am sure I could think of more if I had time. One thing I do miss is the heat and sunshine.

This is my "truth" friend. Shana. She is not afraid of speaking the truth to me. Everyone needs a truth friend. - And I love her as my sister:

My physical sister, Becky. I love her much!

Waiting

Still waiting for time to write. . . but until then here are pictures of some of my favorite kids.

Making My Way Back

Our Home in China.

It began 8 years ago in a land far away on a sunny Resurrection Day. Our Swedish co-worker/ neighbors joined us for a hearty celebration lunch and in the course of the meal proceeded to tell us about a conversation they had with one of our Chinese neighbors and fellow teachers. On what should have been somber Good Friday he arrived at their apartment with a question. “I thought the Martins were Christians?”
“Yes, they are,” our friends, replied.
“Well how come I saw Mrs. Martin hanging out laundry on Good Friday?” he retorted.
Wow. What a blow. Our very identity in Christ was being questioned. After all, the Swedes celebrate a whole week before Easter and do nothing on Good Friday but rest and they are considered to be one of the most thoroughly secular nations on the planet. The Muslims in our corner of the world, empty as their religion is, were and are very religious about fasting the whole month of Ramadan and celebrating with a sacrificial lamb for each family during Korban festival. But it seemed the Martins were not even a little reflective of the meaning of this consequential week and day- the crux of our Beliefs. I wonder if the possibility had risen in his mind that since we did not know how to celebrate the holiday perhaps we were only American spies posing as Christians. Wouldn’t a true believer recognize the significance of this week?
Honestly, at first I wanted to defend myself. After all the washing machine had done all the work and I was only hanging up clothing. But as I am a reflective person it didn’t take long for me to see the picture. My heart was broken that I had been habitually passing over the entire Passover week till Resurrection Sunday when we started our celebration by hiding eggs for kids to search and find. At least we had done some things to make that time significant with them finding the rock, nail, cloth and little things hidden in the eggs in order to explain the Resurrection story. Certainly in comparison we had done little to reflect on the body of Jesus, which was broken, and the blood of Christ which was spilled during that Passover week millennia ago.
Hmmmm. During the following year we considered how we could incorporate some meaningful traditions that would lend towards reflection and celebration of the season. Sad as it may seem, my own Christian culture had left me as empty as the tomb on that one. Even Christian operated schools and businesses just keep right on going without much thought. I may not be able to change my whole culture, but what I began wondering was how at least in my own home I could make it meaningful. As Easter season was coming near again I suddenly remembered that I had tucked away a magazine article about how to do a Passover Seder at home. As I read, it seemed easy enough to at least try.
That first year we only invited a few of our team members to join us. Oh, what a potent experience for our children and us! The following year we decided to invite some of our Muslim raised friends - a couple of new believers and one that had not trusted Christ yet. Afterwards they told us they had never experienced anything more meaningful.
It has become more substantial to us over the years to reflect on our roots in history. It is vital to remember where we have come from. Each year as we observe what the original Passover feast meant, it places an even greater importance on Christ’s fulfillment of this celebration.
Over the years as we have practiced, our new tradition has become a little more refined and defined. Last year we had our Passover Seder with friends here in Oregon. We gathered and reclined on the floor against colored throw pillows. Coffee tables were set Middle Eastern style and decked with wine glasses and white candles. Jonathan, as the head of the family household performed the ceremonial Seder. Afterwards we ate a meal of lamb and vegetables with the traditional cheroseth with matzah. Afterwards I passed out a paper to inform our friends how to establish the tradition in their home.
Did you know there are a total of 168 verses dedicated to Christ’s birth in the four gospels? But the book of John alone offers 268 verses covering the Passover week? The four gospels dedicate a total 712 verses to these life-altering events! Why do we spend months preparing for Christmas but tragically little is done to reflect on this Powerful week? I have come to the personal conclusion that the Passover, good Friday, and the Resurrection –- ought to be recognized as THE most important holiday a believer celebrates based on it being the cornerstone of our belief.
Has our focus on Christmas (I love Christmas too :) diverted our eyes from the absolute essence of who we are in Christ and left us with something powerless? We need to reflect on the power and promises of the cross.
Consider making this year your first of many to put back into focus Christ’s Passover week. I really believe you will find a greater joy and deeper appreciation than you might ever imagine.

Some celebrate Passover on the Thursday before Good Friday so as to reenact the actual event.

This little lamb did not go to School but to church

We have a very spiritual little lamb!


My little Lambs!

( Language of Love Part 4 on the way.)