Piece of California

So Tracy and I were able to bring some things that we could put up in our new house that would bring back some good memories.  Tracy and I decided to give many things away before we came because we couldn't take everything we owned, nor did we want to have storage for many years in the states.  But we were able to bring a few things that bring back fond memories when we look at them.  These are some of those.  The Cactus and objects around we're from Mexico when we went on our honeymoon, and the man and woman were from Brazil--Tracy lived there for a year, then the Star Wars pictures were from Disneyland.  Great memories that The Lord has blessed us with.

Cecil

Letters from Dad

So a few years ago I was having lunch with a young man by the name of Mike Barnes and he mentioned to me how he had made a journal for each of his children and when they were adults he gave it to them.  Since then I have made a journal for each of my boys.  Most mornings after I do my Bible study and have alone time with my Jesus I write an entry in one of the journals.  Usually the entries consist of what The Lord is teaching me or the trials I'm going through in life and how I'm able to persevere.  I usually write to the boys how much I desire to leave a godly legacy for them and how I desperately desire to see them run hard after Jesus.  

I actually have a journal for Tracy as well...and what I write to her is...well...it's none of your business😉😍.

I am so grateful for Tracy being in my life...she certainly is the greatest gift The Lord has given me.

Cecil

Consulate Visit

So Tracy, the boys and I were recently at the consulate...and well...it was quite a day.  Solas was sick in the taxi over, and during our wait the boys were terribly restless.  We weren't able to bring food in so the boys were getting a little fussy.  I was so proud of them though...they are certainly resilient.  We did have a good time as we had to walk a few blocks away for Solas to re-take his passport photo.  The ladies in the office just fell in love with Judah, so much so that they gave he and Solas muffins and cookies for free.  In the end Tracy and I were so thankful to The Lord that He brought us through it.

Cecil

Most amazing Woman--and Best Friend

I wanted to dedicate this blog post to the most amazing woman that I've ever met, and the greatest gift The Lord has ever given me.  Just last night Tracy was walking in from the mini-mart next door, where she went to grab some eggs, and she entered the house telling me about her conversation with the ladies there.  As I was listening to hear I could smell the Thai food that we just had delivered, along with the rice Tracy was cooking, as I looked at Tracy a feeling of gratitude flooded my heart.  We have been pressing toward overseas missions and Thailand for so long...and it has actually become a reality...following Jesus for the past 11 years has been an incredible adventure...and I know it's just beginning.

Cecil

Tracy's Birthday

So we recently celebrated Tracy's 1st birthday here in Thailand.  It was a blast!  I treated her to a massage, then a lunch at a nice restaurant, and finally Tracy and I had some alone time throughout the city and we ended the night at Andy and Carmen's house with some delicious cake and ice cream.  As I reflected on the past 8 1/2 years that I've come to realize that I have been tremendously blessed with such an incredible woman.  Every passing day and year that we are together I feel more in love with her than before.  Apart from salvation I realize that Tracy is the greatest gift Jesus has ever given me.  My deep desire is to love and serve Tracy as Christ has for the Church.  Lord please allow me to serve, honor, minister and pour out my life for Tracy...I recognize that I can't do it without you.  

Cecil

Children's Day

So Thailand has a national Children's Day and we were invited to join the Owen family in leading the crowds in a few songs.  We went to the military base here, one if the pictures Solas and I are getting out of a tank...had a great time!

Praying, thanking, and feeling unworthy

So this morning Tracy took the boys to their first day of school and I was at home alone.  I began doing some reading, then I started thinking about my devotion on Malachi 4 regarding men in general, fathers in particular.  I begun reflecting on The Father offering up His Son Jesus...and it really got to me...it wrecked me and sincerely pierced my heart.  I began weeping thinking of giving up my own sons, even for the sake of all humanity.  I began to picture my boys faces as they would leave me to be mocked, spit on, punched, have their clothes ripped off, their closest friends betray them, flogged, their flesh torn off their bodies...as I was weeping I told The Lord that I don't think I could have done it.  I was on my face, weeping, thanking The Lord as I felt so unworthy.  I realized in that moment Tge Father did that for the nation of Thailand, then I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, "and I did it for you Cecil."  

May He continue to give me the strength to live for Him.

Jesus is the only King worthy of my praise.

Cecil

1st Day of School!

So today was our first day of school!

Tracy and I have been very excited because the boys have been looking forward to starting school for a while now.  Tracy and I have come to realize that our boys are very social and they love interaction, not sure exactly where they get it from😉. I look forward to connecting with some of the parents from the school.  Tracy and I are excited because while they are at school Tracy and I will be doing our language class, have studying time, and time to be alone together.  I, Cecil, am really loving getting to know this country!  I look forward to understand their language and culture more everyday, I look forward to my boys learning more of this new world as well.

Brothers till the End

So I never really had a brother growing up, I was the oldest and the rest of my siblings were girls.  However, I love seeing my boys grow up together.  I so desire for them to be close and to look after each other.  My parents divided when I was about Solas' age and I hardly ever saw my father growing up--I have since forgiven my Dad and we have a great relationship--so I recognize the importance of having a father in the life of children in general and boys in particular.  I read a book called Wild at Heart when I was 20.  He said that all boys have deep desires as they venture to be a man: a battle to fight, a beauty to rescue and an adventure to live.  I pray my boys would truly life for Jesus and would be Wild at Heart!

Cecil

Generosity-it was never mine in the first place

It certainly never was mine to begin with. In college, I still remember the day, I was about 21 years old and I was sitting in the library of Bakersfield College and I came across the verse in James chapter one, "every good and perfect gift comes from above, and comes down from The Father of lights."  I remember as a young man thinking that the scripture was exactly right and true.  Everything I had, everything, comes from above.  It was never mine to keep, but mine to give, to stewart and to be generous with.  Jesus Christ himself says, "it is better to give than to receive," and the Aposlte Paul quotes him in the book of Acts when he says, "remember the words of our Lord, 'it is better to give than to receive.'"

I have many regrets on how I have used the time, talent, finances, resources, gifts and abilities that The Lord has given me, many regrets on how I have used the Lord's money.  But I don't regret one penny that I have used to bless another and advance the Kingdom of God!  I have recently been listening to a Pastor who is going through the book of Malachi and I just listened to the sermon of "Robbing God" from Malachi 3.  As this new year has arrived I have been convicted of, and excited about, this new year regarding our finances.  I am excited about increasing our giving yet again.  Jesus says, "where your treasure is there your heart is also."  It is pretty evident to see where the heart is of many people who consider themselves, or "call" themselves Christians for that matter, when all their money is spent on themselves.  Recent studies show that about half of people who consider themselves Chrisitans give nothing, another fourth give close to nothing, and the last 25% give regularly.  About 5% of Christians constitute about 80% of most local church Budgets and those least likely to give are the younger generation.  Oddly enough those who give more proportionately are not the rich but are those who have little.  This certainly is a "hot topic" for many people money, greed, convenience, entertainment, comfort, security, and consumerism are the idols and gods of the North American Church.  So many that read this, or hear sermons preached on it would be quick to become very defensive.  We usually don't like anyone telling us to repent of our sin and relinquish our "gods."  Many of us are so much more concerned about building up our own kingdom than advancing Jesus' Kingdom. This topic has been very convicting to me as well.  Moving overseas doesn't automatically make one generous.  My heart has been pierced and when I look at my finances I want them to reveal where my heart is, and I truly want to honor and glorify Jesus by my spending and giving.  I resolve publically to give more away than I have the year before.  As this picture demonstrates, Tracy and I desire that we would hold everything loosely and with opened hands, so that The Lord can put in and take away as he sees fit.  I invite and challenge you, if you love and serve Jesus, to go on this journey together with us.  Let us allow The Lord to advance the Kingdom of God through our lives and our resources...it was never ours to begin with...and we will not take it with us when we die.

Cec