By the end of the month, we will have a new addition in our family: a motorbike. So, in an effort to stay safe on our bike, we purchased these bad boys!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Perkenalan - Introductions
Nama saya Ashley.
Saya berasal dari Amerika Serikat.
Saya sudah menikah.
Nama suami saya Pete.
Kami sudah punya satu anak, laki-laki.
Nama anak kami Cade.
My name is Ashley.
I am from the United States.
I am already married.
My husband's name is Pete.
We have one child, a male/son.
His name is Cade.
Our brains are full... FULL! We attend class for four hours each morning and come home to a delicious home-cooked meal and a boy who is eager to see his mommy and daddy! Life is good, days are both long and short, and we are already enjoying the company of our local neighbors and expat friends.
It's amazing how much we picked up during the couple of weeks we were here prior to beginning language school, but I know we have A TON to learn. Each day at language school, I am reminded even more that there is much to be learned. About the culture, about our neighbors, about our pembantus, about the language, and mostly about our Lord.
We are grateful for this season of intense learning. We are blessed to have neighbors who are more than willing to let us blunder our way through conversations, awkward interactions, and attempts at communication. We are more blessed by a loving and merciful God who equips and directs us daily, while lavishing His love upon us.
Life in Salatiga is good and we are figuring it out pelan-pelan (slowly).
Saya berasal dari Amerika Serikat.
Saya sudah menikah.
Nama suami saya Pete.
Kami sudah punya satu anak, laki-laki.
Nama anak kami Cade.
My name is Ashley.
I am from the United States.
I am already married.
My husband's name is Pete.
We have one child, a male/son.
His name is Cade.
Our brains are full... FULL! We attend class for four hours each morning and come home to a delicious home-cooked meal and a boy who is eager to see his mommy and daddy! Life is good, days are both long and short, and we are already enjoying the company of our local neighbors and expat friends.
It's amazing how much we picked up during the couple of weeks we were here prior to beginning language school, but I know we have A TON to learn. Each day at language school, I am reminded even more that there is much to be learned. About the culture, about our neighbors, about our pembantus, about the language, and mostly about our Lord.
We are grateful for this season of intense learning. We are blessed to have neighbors who are more than willing to let us blunder our way through conversations, awkward interactions, and attempts at communication. We are more blessed by a loving and merciful God who equips and directs us daily, while lavishing His love upon us.
Life in Salatiga is good and we are figuring it out pelan-pelan (slowly).
 |
| Did I mention we live IN the jungle? |
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Warm Welcomes
We arrived safely in Jakarta, after 36 hours of flying/layovers with an almost two year old who HATES seat belts, and much to our surprise saw a friendly, familiar face upon leaving customs. I beamed when Wally appeared at the end of the long hallway and welcomed us to Indonesia. His is a face that offers kindness and a sense of warmth and familiarity. And with his knowledge of Indonesia and the process we were (and still are) going through to transition here, he was a sight for sore eyes.
From the moment we got off the plane, during which 5 Egyptian Imams helped with our bags/Cade - another story for another day, we have been welcomed with open arms and incredible hospitality. The MAF crew currently in Salatiga for language school has been more than willing to help in many ways. Between meals, tours of the town, and a precious little Christmas tree set up in our home, we have truly been blessed by each family and are excited about being a part of the warm welcomes for future arrivals!
Since we arrived, it's been a whirlwind of excitement. Meeting our landlord and community leader, buying fruit from the pasar (open fruit and veggie market), hiring two pembantus (house and child care workers), enjoying meals with friends new and old, and celebrating Christmas have been just the tip of the iceberg of activities and fun. And while we missed celebrating with family, we enjoyed this special Christmas God gave us - our first in Indonesia!
In the days ahead we will continue to make this house our home, venture to "town" without tour guides - eek!, and begin language school. We are excited to see all the Lord has for us in 2013 as we learn about this place He has brought us!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Flying with a Toddler
The wait is almost over! We have enjoyed this extra time with family and are excited that in a matter of 5 days, we will be cruising the friendly skies and on our way to Indonesia! It's been a long journey to get to the point and we are eager to see all that God has in store for us as we begin life overseas.
After 36 hours of flying and hanging out in airports, and after loosing 12 hours of Monday or Tuesday (I'm not sure which), we will arrive in Jakarta!
During those 36 hours, we will be traveling with a toddler - our sweet little Cade-man is almost two and full of life! He's constantly running, talking and playing. In the past, flights have been relatively easy. When Cade was a little baby, traveling was a series of snuggles, feedings, and the occasional diaper change. As Cade has grown... he's become... well, a boy. Boy, oh boy, is he ever a BOY! And I love that about him! I am grateful he's a fun-loving, rambunctious little boy. But for our upcoming flight, his on-the-go attitude frightens me a bit. I envision him squirming in the seat, frustrated as we ask him to sit still, his "need" to be up and walking the aisle, along with a bit of difficulty falling asleep with a ton of people and opportunities for action at his fingertips.
In order to make this airplane adventure a bit less chaotic and in an effort to keep him sitting and happy as long as possible, we have devised a little plan. A friend of ours told us that when their kiddos were on long plane rides, they would give each one a little toy/present every couple of hours. They also made sure to pack snacks that would be easy to pull out and eat (which was especially helpful on international flights when the food wasn't as familiar as the kids liked.) So here's our list of yummy and fun ways to keep Cade's attention on our 36 hours of flying mayhem (I mean... FUN)!
Toys:
1. Foam Elmo Book
2. Silly Putty
3. Cars Coloring Book and Stickers
4. Legos with Book
5. Pastic Airplane with Tools to FULLY Take Apart! (As the son of a pilot/mechanic, it is important that he learns from a young age how to take apart and put together airplanes - plastic or otherwise!)
6. Duck Hand Puppet
Food:
1. Sugar Free Twizzlers (an item referred to us by a friend who recently traveled with their toddler)
2. Trailmix
3. Teddy Grahams
4. Whole Wheat Goldfish Crackers
We've also contemplated making "Journey Bags" for those sitting in the seats around us. Filled with some gum, ear plugs, and a few snacks, and armed with a note that says, "We're trying to make this an enjoyable flight for all of us." Because we ALL know that there are (and perhaps we are or have been) that person who groans when he/she sees the family with baby/toddler/kids board the plan and sit near them. And we want our flight neighbors to know we are trying to make the flight wonderful for ALL of us!
I'm sure we will get a few more "tools" for our "Flying with a Toddler" tool belt, but I'm hoping this will help keep him happy, fed, and seat-bound active for our journey! If you have any advice or suggestions for traveling with a toddler, please share them with us, we are eager to make this flight AWESOME for Cade and for us!
After 36 hours of flying and hanging out in airports, and after loosing 12 hours of Monday or Tuesday (I'm not sure which), we will arrive in Jakarta!
During those 36 hours, we will be traveling with a toddler - our sweet little Cade-man is almost two and full of life! He's constantly running, talking and playing. In the past, flights have been relatively easy. When Cade was a little baby, traveling was a series of snuggles, feedings, and the occasional diaper change. As Cade has grown... he's become... well, a boy. Boy, oh boy, is he ever a BOY! And I love that about him! I am grateful he's a fun-loving, rambunctious little boy. But for our upcoming flight, his on-the-go attitude frightens me a bit. I envision him squirming in the seat, frustrated as we ask him to sit still, his "need" to be up and walking the aisle, along with a bit of difficulty falling asleep with a ton of people and opportunities for action at his fingertips.
Toys:
1. Foam Elmo Book
2. Silly Putty
3. Cars Coloring Book and Stickers
4. Legos with Book
5. Pastic Airplane with Tools to FULLY Take Apart! (As the son of a pilot/mechanic, it is important that he learns from a young age how to take apart and put together airplanes - plastic or otherwise!)
6. Duck Hand Puppet
Food:
1. Sugar Free Twizzlers (an item referred to us by a friend who recently traveled with their toddler)
2. Trailmix
3. Teddy Grahams
4. Whole Wheat Goldfish Crackers
We've also contemplated making "Journey Bags" for those sitting in the seats around us. Filled with some gum, ear plugs, and a few snacks, and armed with a note that says, "We're trying to make this an enjoyable flight for all of us." Because we ALL know that there are (and perhaps we are or have been) that person who groans when he/she sees the family with baby/toddler/kids board the plan and sit near them. And we want our flight neighbors to know we are trying to make the flight wonderful for ALL of us!
I'm sure we will get a few more "tools" for our "Flying with a Toddler" tool belt, but I'm hoping this will help keep him happy, fed, and seat-bound active for our journey! If you have any advice or suggestions for traveling with a toddler, please share them with us, we are eager to make this flight AWESOME for Cade and for us!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
...waiting...
In the last couple of weeks Pete and I have had an up close and personal relationship with waiting. Waiting is probably one of the single hardest things to do for both of us, as we like to do, act, move, go. We fully understand the importance of just being. Being still, knowing God. Being found in Him. Resting in the goodness and faithfulness of a God who is bigger than our circumstances, bigger than our thoughts, and bigger than our plans. And we know that His plans and His ways are higher than our own. So as we wait for our visas to come in, we are learning and finding contentment in the knowledge that He is sovereign and He has a plan and purpose for everything. He doesn't waste an experience. He doesn't waste a waiting period. So we learn, we lean, we seek Him first.
As we are waiting, will you please join in praying with us for our visas to be approved and back to us in the Lord's timing. Until we have the visas, we will stay here in the states in a waiting period, learning from our Lord and spending quality time with family and friends we will miss dearly in the coming years. And yet our hearts are eager to be in Indonesia, where He has called us. So please ask the Lord for His timing, His will, His best for us during this time!
As we are waiting, will you please join in praying with us for our visas to be approved and back to us in the Lord's timing. Until we have the visas, we will stay here in the states in a waiting period, learning from our Lord and spending quality time with family and friends we will miss dearly in the coming years. And yet our hearts are eager to be in Indonesia, where He has called us. So please ask the Lord for His timing, His will, His best for us during this time!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Recommended for Field Service
Yesterday Pete sat down for his last debrief of MAF Standardization. After reviewing his flight performance over the past couple weeks, he was officially "recommended for field service"!
Here are some pictures of his flights and the terrain he was recently trained in:
Here are some pictures of his flights and the terrain he was recently trained in:
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
In Case You Haven't Heard
A lot of you who read this little blog also receive our weekly prayer update (if you don't and want to join our prayer team, leave a comment with your email address or email me at agreenwald@maf.org and I will add you to the list) and have heard our amazing news.
But in case you haven't heard, as we were packing our crates and preparing for our big move to Indonesia and our trip to Idaho, we received some great news - we hit 100% of the on-going funding we needed to go overseas! It was a milestone Pete and I will never forget. Throughout the past year of focus on developing a partnership of faithful givers and prayer warriors, we have seen God do amazing things and how He completed our team was no exception. This year is a testament to God's faithfulness, goodness, and promise to work in us until we reach completion (which we are by no means close to). It is a year that we will look back on as a reminder during tough times that He is for us, not against us, that He loves us, that He has plans and purposes beyond what we see and know. Beyond what we can comprehend. Beyond what we can ask or imagine.
A year ago 100% seemed daunting and impossible - but nothing is impossible with God. NOTHING!
We could not be more thrilled to be at a point where we are fully-funded and doing the last preparations for our move. We will continue to seek the Lord for new financial partners throughout the length of our ministry, because we are excited about what He is doing in Indonesia and want others to experience the joy of joining in His work, and because giving fluctuates and costs increase.
Join with us as we praise the Lord for all He has done - for He has done GREAT things! - and pray that our Visas come in soon so that we may purchase our tickets to Indonesia.
But in case you haven't heard, as we were packing our crates and preparing for our big move to Indonesia and our trip to Idaho, we received some great news - we hit 100% of the on-going funding we needed to go overseas! It was a milestone Pete and I will never forget. Throughout the past year of focus on developing a partnership of faithful givers and prayer warriors, we have seen God do amazing things and how He completed our team was no exception. This year is a testament to God's faithfulness, goodness, and promise to work in us until we reach completion (which we are by no means close to). It is a year that we will look back on as a reminder during tough times that He is for us, not against us, that He loves us, that He has plans and purposes beyond what we see and know. Beyond what we can comprehend. Beyond what we can ask or imagine.
A year ago 100% seemed daunting and impossible - but nothing is impossible with God. NOTHING!
We could not be more thrilled to be at a point where we are fully-funded and doing the last preparations for our move. We will continue to seek the Lord for new financial partners throughout the length of our ministry, because we are excited about what He is doing in Indonesia and want others to experience the joy of joining in His work, and because giving fluctuates and costs increase.
Join with us as we praise the Lord for all He has done - for He has done GREAT things! - and pray that our Visas come in soon so that we may purchase our tickets to Indonesia.
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