DEWS NEWS

The Circle of Prague

2011-05-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

Two years ago Mick and I flew into Prague to make it our new home.
All our earthly possessions were in a truck on their way from Kiev, Ukraine. I’m told that Spring came to Prague that April morning…all I know is that it was a beautiful day. We had Mexican Salad with the Pearce family and then were taken to the “Guest apartment” to spend our first night in the Czech Republic.

The next few days are a blur…they were filled with shopping and putting together new pieces of furniture from Ikea. We ran back and forth from the “Guest apartment” to our apartment two blocks away. We were getting ready for the truck full of “our treasures” to arrive. Finally, it came and we were able to move into our new home, Korunni 89, 130 00 Praha 3.

It wasn’t hard to make this new place home…we loved the apartment, the location, and Prague. That first week in the new place was full of unpacking and “finding the right place” for everything. Soon our apartment was ready for guest. We were at HOME and entertaining!!!

Fast forward two years…April 2011 and my apartment looks much like it did on April 14, 2009. This time the boxes are brown not white. But no matter, all my earthly possessions are being packed again. This time they will be in storage for over twelve months.

Last night as I lay in the old “Guest apartment” (now Russell and Melinda Kyzar’s home) I realized that we had come full circle…
THE CIRCLE OF PRAGUE.
Two years ago it was a beautiful spring and we were embarking on a new season of life, today it is spring (I wouldn’t say it is beautiful) and we are embarking on a new season of life.

This apartment has been a great home to us for these two years. We have entertained precious friends. We have had many guest from the states…two of our sons and one daughter-in-love…my parents…Lisa Collins…wow, so many I better stop or I’ll forget someone and I’d hate to do that. We enjoyed every single person who entered our home. We pray that they were blessed as we were by being with them.

Many have asked if I’m sad. The answer is “Of course I’m sad!” But I have to add, I look forward with expectation and full trust in the Lord to the upcoming year. I pray that the seminary housing we will be living in will become home to us…a place we can bless and be blessed. And I believe that God has a wonderful new apartment for us when we return to Prague. It will be July 2012 when we return, not spring, but a new season of life for us all the same.

“From everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear Him.”
Psalm 103:17

Easter thoughts this fine Saturday...

2011-04-23T03:48:00.000-07:00

I’ve just finished making a banana pudding and a chocolate-chip pie (with Carmen’s music in the background!!!) Yes, getting ready for our Easter feast with friends tomorrow. As I was cleaning up I thought of years past when the clean up was much harder because I had dye to clean off the table and sometimes the floor. Not this year…which mean, NO KIDS IN THE HOUSE…SAD.
Reminds me of the scripture…”Where there is no ox the stall is clean!” All my little oxen are gone…and I miss them so!

However, I am celebrating…Celebrating the RESURRECTION OF MY LORD and SAVIOR. Memories are a wonderful thing, sure often they make me cry…but how I savor them. Memories of the activities of EASTERS past and memories of my Savior’s presence in all those times.

I’m reading a book by Alicia Britt Chole called Finding an Unseen God. I have been following Alicia for months now by getting her weekly emails. I love her writings…I believe her to be an intellect.
Don’t laugh. I’m not saying that I am one.
I’m no Vizzini (Princess Bride) believing myself to have a dizzying intellect (…”Wait till I get going! Now, where was I?”)
I love that she is BUT that she writes to those who are not!

It has been enlightening to hear from one who knew nothing about Christ…who didn’t believe He existed…but who came to know Him in all His fullness. I’m learning so much from her and love seeing HIM through fresh eyes.

I’m choosing to look at this Easter through fresh eyes…no little children around (I do get to see the kids in a week)…just spending most of my energy on seeing Him…not the pretty Him, but the ugly Him; covered in my sin...in your sin.

But Hallelujah He is no longer covered in that sin, He is alive forever more…sitting at the right hand of the Father…Changing lives of those who don’t even know He exist…He does…and forever more shall!!!

He is Risen, He is Risen INDEED and it makes a difference!!!

To Look like Jesus

2011-04-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ian Anderson Stockwell was our 2010 Christmas gift. The only blight of the day was that his father had not arrived from Iraq. But the rest of his family was there to welcome little Ian into the BIG world.

When Mick and I finally got into the delivery room to view another male child for the Stockwell family I was over-whelmed with love…and something else. Ian didn’t look like our babies…he was beautiful (and this is not just the grandma in me speaking!) BUT he didn’t resemble the Stockwells at all. He had dark hair and, I’m told, his mom’s nose.

Funny how I kept looking at him intently to find something in him that said, even if in a quite way, “I’m a Stockwell.”

We left little Ian behind on January 13th and headed back to Prague. I watch monthly when Katherine puts up Ian’s pictures to see if he looks any more like a Stockwell. On February 25th as I was staring at that picture I had this thought...

How I long to see something of us in him. Why??? I can’t answer the why. The Lord reminded me that He wants me to LOOK LIKE HIM in this world. He wants me to show His likeness as I go through life. I wonder if He stares at me just trying to see some little something that lets the world know I’m his? Does He have to look that hard??? I pray that is not the case. I pray that I have His eyes, His ears, His hands, His feet.

The other day I was thinking of Ian and I came to the conclusion that he may never look like a Stockwell (though his Grumps seems to think that the latest picture looked somewhat like Jonathan.) For a minute I wondered if it would bother me if he didn’t look like a Stockwell…then I had this precious thought…
Who cares if he looks like a Stockwell or an Anderson, I just want him to look like JESUS. That is what I pray for our Ian…may he look like Jesus!

"For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:29

Walking by Faith

2011-02-01T02:48:00.001-08:00

February 1, 2011…My how the time flies when you are having fun and when you are not…time is always flying by.

I’ve been in a nostalgic mood since we returned from our wonderful vacation in the states…what a precious time we had. The Lord allowed us to witness the birth of our first grandchild (Ian Anderson Stockwell) and to see all the kids and our parents and a few other family members and precious family friends. When the Lord gives me little handfuls on purpose like this I am always thankful…but also, a little nostalgic when the time is over.

Last night Mick and I watched a very long and drawn out movie called “Seraphim Falls.” Pierce Brosnan and Laim Neeson stared in this western movie that I found fairly dull until the end. Long story short, Liam is after Pierce the entire film for something Pierce did at Seraphim Falls…they finally meet up in a desert both about half dead. Neither can kill the other and so they walk toward the mountains in the distance without gun or knife (which had been a big part of the movie!)
Last night the ending made me think about “FORGIVENESS.”

But this morning I read today’s devotional in Jesus Calling…The first line says, “Follow Me one step at a time…that is all I require of you.” Sarah Young talks about the mountains that we see ahead of us. We often look at them and don’t look where we are stepping and get caught up in what seemed to be “little mole hills.”

Pierce and Liam kept looking toward the mountains in the distance while trudging through the desert. They saw the mountain as a place of rest…a little different from what Sarah was talking about…they thought they knew what the outcome was going to be…one would make it to safety and one would not…or they would both make it to the mountains and their ordeal would continue. The point being they were looking ahead. The future held their interest. However, the end was quite different.

Yes, that was THE END! Though I found it very boring I couldn’t stop thinking about it…last night and this morning when I read my devotional.
I thought that there would be another outcome…was not disappointed in the one given because forgiveness was the message…but still, I’d watched this movie for more.

I watched it for a HUMAN conclusion…off the BAD GUY…but in this movie there really wasn’t a bad guy. There was life. Sometimes life is not what we expect or want…or sometimes we THINK our life will not be what we want or that it will be too hard…we look to the future and we think, “I will not be able to do that!”
And we are right…we can not do it…

We have to “Keep our mind on the present journey, enjoying His Presence. Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Him to open up the way before us.” (Paraphrased from Jesus Calling)

Time, it is flying by…but I do not have to worry about it (you do not have to worry about it)…we just have to WALK by FAITH and NOT by SIGHT!!! II Corinthians 5:7

2010-07-01T02:16:00.001-07:00

I just realized that it has been six months since I last posted. I guess you know that much has gone on around here since then!

Mick and I have been to Germany a couple of times, Mick has been back and forth to America, he has been to Milan and all over ITALY (yes, without me…all I got was a text message on my phone, “In Rome, what should I do?” I wrote back “Do as the Romans!”)

Lisa Collins came to visit us…we took her to Budapest and Lisa and I did a day in the baths with colleagues. I had three weeks of fun showing Lisa my city. It was hard to see her go, but I think her family wanted her home.

I have been busy teaching ESL, working with a young girls’ Bible study, and visiting with my friends from the Economic University. Many people came in and out our doors as they came to Prague, either to see it or for meetings. We would love to show you around…so go ahead, come on over!

In early May we found out we are going to be grandparents…so I guess we really found out that Jonathan and Katherine are going to be parents. Exciting news!!!

We call the baby Stryker. NO, that is not going to be the baby’s name…but we do not want to call him/her an “IT” and we do not want to always say, “Him/Her” when speaking of the child…so Mick and I (and I think Katherine does too) call our baby Stryker. We do not know if Stryker is a boy or girl yet. We wait to see…and while I wait I pray every morning before my feet touch the floor for baby Stryker. I pray specific things for Stryker. I can not wait to hold this child in my arms. But I have to wait until January.

During May I spent a week in Basel, Switzerland at a workshop. I enjoyed reviewing much I’d been told years ago (I’d like to say that I learned years ago, but…) and the fellowship with old friends and making new ones. I have to say that I found a flaw in me there…I found that I’ve become a CITY SNOB. There is no city as pretty as Prague and therefore, I walked through Basel thinking…”Wow…they are woefully lacking in beauty.”

This month has been a busy month. My parents came to visit. They did great on the public transportation (which they were allowed to use at no cost…age has its perks!) We went to Dresden, Germany one day and again I was reminded…there is no city as pretty as Prague, but I must say that Dresden was close! We stood on the balcony of Europe.

My parents enjoyed the sites of Prague and shopping for family and friends.

It was hard to let them go home but we had to leave in two days for a trip to Poland so we allowed them to go home and continue life!

Jonathan left for his first deployment on the twenty-sixth. We did much calling back and forth before that day. It wasn’t as hard as I thought…and I believe that the reason is because so many people are covering him (and his wife and mom) in prayer.

I’ve heard that he is doing fine. Not where he will be yet, but waiting on his men to show up and then he will enter Iraq.

We covet your prayers for him and his family. Katherine will move back to Fort Worth in July and live with her parents. It is their plan for Jonathan to be home for the birth of Stryker and then to return to his duty.

Katherine will remain in Texas until he returns.

Mick and I plan on being in the states for a year beginning in May of 2011. Daniel will graduate and Mick will continue working on his PhD.

So much going on with us…we know that much is going on in your lives too.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that as we make our plans to come and go (Mick leaves Saturday for the states and then we have a trip to Madrid planned for the 11^th of July) that God is in control. If I did not know this I’d be over-whelmed most of the time.

I love the book, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. This past week her devotionals have been about resting in the Lord…sensing His Presence…He is with us! What confidence I gain when I remember that. We may go and come, we may entertain or be entertained…we may be alone or in a crowd…but He is with us…We can face the day knowing our security is in Him.

HAPPY FOURTH and summer blessings…

Streets of Prague

2010-01-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

I walked the streets of Prague with two of my sons, a precious daughter-in-love and a treasured family friend this past Christmas. What a joy it was taking Daniel and Jonathan back to places they saw when much younger (we were in training here in Prague for about 4 weeks in 2001.) And it was exciting to watch Katherine and Eric experience the awe of this beautiful city for the first time.

They came and left…it went by so quickly…but was, oh, so very wonderful!

Yesterday I walked the streets of Old Town alone and noticed “IT.”
Today I rode Tram #16 alone (well, with many other people…but you know what I mean.)
As I rode across the bridge over the Vltava river I looked to my right and saw the steeples of St. Peter and Paul Church. I looked back to my left and could barely make out the silhouette of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral because of the misting snow and noticed “IT” again.

What is this “IT?”
I noticed that I was not depressed in the least.
Since the boys left home for college (“Why they want to leave me?”…my rendition of a line from MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING) I can not remember being with them and parting (leaving them or them leaving me) and not being just a bit depressed.
But “IT” was different today.

Okay, when I rode past the church of St. Ludmila at Namesti Miru tears did come to my eyes. I couldn’t help it when I saw the steps where just a few days ago Daniel and I stood together for a great picture (see below!) But, still, they were tears of joy and not of depression or sadness. I had a little thanksgiving service right there in my tram seat.

So what is the difference? Why is “IT” different now?
I know it isn’t because I do not miss the guys or love them less.
I’d like to think that it is because I’m a little more mature these days (not older… MATURE!)
But the truth is: The LORD has done a great work in my heart. He taught me to TRUST and He has given me HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
I love the boys as MEN (I’ve enjoyed every stage of their lives.) I look forward to watching Jonathan and Katherine start a family (in the future…no rush guys) and be a part of their traditions.
I was truly excited about sending Daniel back to college. Only one and a half more years and he will be a man out in the world looking for a job.
Christopher and Katie didn’t get to join us this year…However, I know that God has plans for them that are worth the wait also.
And these plans will not take place if they are with me all the time. We all have to live life!
So much ahead. Such great expectations as we wait to see GOD ALIVE and WELL in the Stockwell family.

So, when Tram #16 pulled up near my apartment and I dismounted I did so with my head held high, a slight smile on my face (Okay, it was a half smile) and JOY in my heart.

I walk the streets of Prague daily with PEACE and HOPE.

“We wait for the LORD; He is our help and shield. For our hearts rejoice in Him, because we trust in His holy name. May Your faithful love rest on us, LORD, for we put our hope in You.” Psalm 33:20-22

No SANTA in CZECH

2009-11-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

Since getting back from a WONDERFUL TRIP to the states (which I’ll write about later) I have been busy here in Prague.
Today I met with my two students from the Economic University. Susie Edworthy and I want to combine our “girls” and have a Christmas party before the end of the semester…a time to share with them the REAL meaning of Christmas.
After talking with Lenka about a good date to gather we continued talking about Christmas. I didn’t want to get into the subject too much because I want to be able to share the TRUE meaning with all the girls when we have the party.
However, I asked her what their “Santa Claus” was called. She informed me (quite proudly) that Czechs do not have “Santa Claus,” they have “baby Jesus.”
Before I knew what came out of my mouth I said, “That is sad, no Santa!”
She said (in her cute way!) “No sad, we have baby Jesus.”
As she continued to talk about “baby Jesus” bringing their gifts and tree I realized that it would be wonderful not to have Santa messed up with the meaning of Christmas. However, the more Lenka told me the more I saw that though they have no Santa, and have “baby Jesus” they clearly do not have TRUTH.

I’m praying that our time together will enlighten Lenka, Misha, and Susie’s two girls to the fact that Jesus did come as a baby but that He grew up and died for them. The greatest gift of all did come in the form of baby Jesus when He (as a man without sin) died on the cross for the sins of the world.

Praying that I do not get too busy to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas and have opportunities to make the TRUE meaning known to my world. Praying the same for you…may we watch for these opportunities as the Christmas season approaches (it is upon us…I was in the malls…it is here!)

Start talking...

2009-10-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

I’m helping a friend with a high school Bible study. Last night we had 10 beautiful girls in my living-room talking about CRAZY LOVE (I LOVE this book!)

The first chapter is called Stop Praying. One girl shared that one day she talked to God all day long as if she were just talking to him (didn’t think of it as PRAYING.)
We agreed that we should do this more often. Talk to the Lord about everything we see, feel, and do throughout the day.

We had a great night of sharing and enjoying each other. One of the girls had on a Christmas shirt. I thought that was a little strange until someone said something about it being Christmas Tuesday…
I said, “Maybe we could make next Tuesday Talk to God all day long as if he were right beside you Tuesday (cause we know he is!!!)

Later I got a call with some news I really didn’t want to hear. I felt like I needed to talk to someone about it. My mom already knows much about this situation and I wanted to tell her the latest and get her advice and have her pray with me…BUT she and Dad are on a little vacation (how dare her go off and have a life and leave me to care for myself at such times!) without good cell phone coverage and so I couldn’t get in touch with her. I lay in bed last night (Mick is gone) and thought, “I’m going to have to deal with this until Mom gets home.” And I couldn’t even remember when she was getting home!
Then I thought…I can not always WAIT on my mom (sorry Mom.)

Then I remembered what Hannah said and I thought…I need to talk to the Lord about this as if I were talking to Mom. So I did. It helped and I went to sleep.
This morning I woke up and started talking to the Lord about it again…but I thought, “I really want for Him to talk BACK (Mom does…believe me, she does!)
I asked Him to allow me to HEAR from Him today...to really hear from Him and to know that I'd heard.

Got up, started the coffee, and went to read my devotional book, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.
October 7th begins like this:
In order to hear My voice, you must release all your worries into My care. Entrust to Me everything that concerns you. This clears the way for you to seek My Face unhindered.

It goes on in the second paragraph to say:
Rejoice in this day that I have made, trusting that I am abundantly present in it. In stead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank Me in all circumstances. Trust Me and don’t’ be fearful; thank Me and rest in My sovereignty.

I heard His voice…I released my worries into His care and I’ve been communicating with Him all day long (as if He were right beside me!!!)…and it isn’t even TUESDAY!!!

God is Good…as Mick says, “ALL THE TIME!”

Listen for His voice today…you can hear it if you release all your worries into His care!!!

I Peter 5:7 “ ...casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.”

I Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

September 28th...Daniel is 21

2009-09-27T23:56:00.000-07:00

My baby is twenty-one today…think I should stop calling him a baby?
I was at a shower (baby shower) a couple of weeks ago were another guest asked me about my children. When I mentioned Daniel I called him my baby and a young missionary kid asked, “How old is he?” I said that he soon would turn 21 and she said, “He isn’t a baby!”
So, Daniel…today I promise to not call you a BABY any longer…that is my gift to you.
I think it is BIG so just forget the money we were going to put in your banking account…OH, you want the money…okay, BABY BOY…it is on its way!!!

Daniel is in his third year of college (North Greenville University) and is on the cross country team!!! GO DANIEL, GO DANIEL!!!
This past Saturday he came in third (for the team)…he cut his 5 mile run down by two minutes. THAT’S MY BABY!!!

Daniel was made to run. When he lived with Kenny and Teri Pope during his 8th grade year he tried every sport known to man (at the school!) When track season came around Mick thought that maybe Daniel should give Kenny and Teri a break from having to pick him up after practice. But Daniel insisted that TRACK was his sport and so found himself a ride home from practice and RAN. (Sort of like Forest, Forest Gump…HE JUST RAN!!!)

Daniel was correct…TRACK was/is his sport. He broke the school record for the two mile which has not been beaten since 2004. I loved the sight of him (all his focus on the finish line) right before he crossed the tape to win.

I may not get to watch him run in college BUT I can imagine it in my mind’s eye…and it is a beautiful sight!!! I know for sure that Daniel is giving all he has.

Daniel does this in life as well…What a joy to watch him RUN Life’s Race.

BABY BOY…it has been a BLAST…looking forward to seeing you win many (life) races and one day (either standing by Jesus in heaven when you arrive or arriving with you at the trumpet sound) hearing HIM say…Welcome Home my good and faithful RUNNER…YOU WON the RACE…you kept the faith!
Then, I’ll no longer call you My Baby …I’ll call you WINNER!!!

Happy Birthday Man-Fred,
One proud mom (and if Dad had a blog he could say the same!)

I Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Daniel 2004

Waiting on a picture of him running in 2009...

want to move that along son?

Happy Birthday Christopher!!!

2009-09-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Twenty six years ago today you came into our world and made two people very happy. Of course, your grandparents (and granny...whose birthday you barely missed) were happy too!

You changed our world.

I remember the first time I put you into your crib (which had been mine...Dad repainted it for our BOY,) as I stood up from placing you there an overwhelming feeling came upon me...this is a life with a soul...nine months ago there was no Christopher V. Stockwell, today here he is (fresh from Heaven) and he will always be.

Wow!!!

I asked God to allow me to be the mom you needed, knowing that I could not do it on my own!

I'm not saying that I was a wonderful mom...BUT I AM SAYING that I believe you have turned out pretty darn well!!!

Dad and I love the man you have become and are so proud to be called the parents of Christopher Stockwell.

You have been a GIFT that keeps on Giving!

While praying for you on the way to church today (it takes about 45 min. on public transportation so I had plenty time to pray!) I thought about the GIFT you are to us. I thanked God for you (AGAIN) and then I asked Him to show you, today, the GIFTS He has given you.

Here are the ones I thought of...26 to be exact!!!

1. Life 26 years ago today...and your daily breath

2. Eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.

John 20:31 "But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name."

3. A wonderful wife who loves God more than she loves you (you come in a close second...this is how it should be)

Exodus 20:2,3 "I am the LORD your God...Do not have other gods besides Me."

4. A dad who has always believed in you

5. A mom who thinks you hung the moon...you did, didn't you?

6. Two brothers who helped to form your leadership skills

7. Godly grandparents who pray for you daily

8. A mother-in-law who loves you (this is no little thing)

9. A great dog--Bailey

10. Friends from your past and new ones you and Katie have made together

11. The Hoggards, Popes, and others who put prayer, time, money, and LOVE into you through the years

12. An amazing church family

13. A good mind

14. Artistic abilities

15. The gift of words...the way you say things is ORAL ART

16. Sincere heart that is sensitive to God and others

17. Your faith and dependency on God

Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

18. The ability to see the good in others and the desire to bring it forth

19. A cute sense of humor

20. The opportunity to see the world from more than one world view

21. Stories of how God has shown Himself mighty and caring on your behalf

22. Good health

23. A job you like!!!

24. Another year to enjoy the abundant life God has given you

John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance."

25. God's Plans (which He has for you)

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

26. AND if that were not enough...a MOM who wrote all these out for you...making things easier for you today son. Why? Because I'm your mom and that is what a mom lives to do!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR CHRISTOPHER

Baby Christopher

September 1983

We shave like Daddy!

Train trip to Moscow, Russia

Black Sea 2000

Praise Band

Youth group in Kharkov, Ukraine

God answered a major prayer request that

took place right here on these steps!

The cutest men in the world...this is my blog

I can say that!

Plus, it is TRUTH

HAPPY DAY

June 16, 2007

Christopher V. Stockwell

Monster Mom's birthday wish

2009-08-11T02:29:00.000-07:00

MONSTERS…just the mention of the word can bring up some ugly pictures in the minds of kids. As a little girl I had to check under my bed and in my closet at night before I’d let my parents turn out the light and leave the room. Sometimes I’d do it before Mom or Dad came to “tuck me in”…so what did that mean? It meant that in my mind LIGHT made me invincible…I mean, really, what if I’d found a MONSTER under my bed or in my closet? For some reason I could face him/her (what gender is a monster?) in the LIGHT.

OH, sure…I can laugh about it now. I bet you are laughing with me as you remember some of your fears. But at the time the MONSTER (in the dark) was a BIG DEAL. I’m so glad I out-grew the MONSTER thing.

OR did I???

Maybe I just grew into a MONSTER myself!

I read a book once (well, I don’t really think I read the whole thing, but a chapter from a book) that talked about “THE MONSTER MOM” that comes out from time to time in every female who is blessed enough to hold the title “MOM!”

Sometimes MONSTER MOM can be a BAD thing. I really don’t think I have much of that in me. The boys might have another story to tell, but this is my BLOG and I’m not asking for their input on this one!

But then, other times…the MONSTER MOM is a blessing. She goes to bat for her kids, she makes sure that they are not mistreated, over-looked, or put into harms way.
She stands up for the treasures that have been entrusted to her keeping!!!
And when this MONSTER MOM stands up…she stands up BIG AND TALL and with MUCH FORCE.
Remember, this is a good thing!

Today, I’m doing the MONSTER MOM thing again. Not standing up because of a wrong done to one of my children…but STANDING UP BIG AND TALL to celebrate from AFAR Jonathan’s 24th birthday. He and Katherine are twelve hours behind us. So, I’ll be celebrating long before he is awake. I will bake cookies, fix a meal I know he would love (maybe something as simple as Chicken Salad) and Mick and I will take the day to remember the miracle of his birth.

We will remember how God kept him safe in the delivery (though the cord was wrapped around his neck twice.)
How Christopher loved his head from the first time he saw him. How he grabbed his head and said, “HAIR!”
Dad will remember the steak dinner he ate in the hospital before heading home (less than 24 hours after delivery) with our new bundle of joy.
I’ll remember the thrill of the blessing of another baby in the house.
We will also remember the family and friends who welcomed Jonathan Woodard Stockwell into the world.

We will eat too many cookies and I may cry a bit (it comes along with this MONSTER MOM thing) and that will be Jonathan’s birthday for us here in Prague.

Maybe Jonathan will celebrate a little differently…I know that Katherine will make sure his day is SPECIAL...BUT he has to know that his MONSTER MOM is wishing him a WONDERFUL DAY and that I thank the Lord, Jesus for him and his life.

PROUD as any MONSTER MOM can be…

Baby Jonathan 1985

First family picture

A little mess never killed anyone!

Shaving MEN

One of Dad's favorite pics

Check out the shoes...they don't match!

FisherMan

A little help from my DAD

Family picture with Daniel

Family picture minus Mick!

I love this one

Captain Jonathan

Mr. and Mrs. G...

also known as Kenny and Teri Pope

MY THREE SONS

Plus a FATHER

Jonathan and Katherine

Grandparents

Mom and Son in RED

(morning of his wedding)

January 17, 2009

One of my favorite moments

of all time!!!

OH MY GOODNESS...go back and look at the outfit that Christopher has on in the hospital...now, go and look at the outfit Jonathan has on with the mix-matched shoes...

Look familiar???

Why yes,

This MONSTER MOM is economical!!!

Happy Birthday to MOM

2009-07-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

Mom is older today...Her 76th Birthday!

I'm celebrating my way in Prague KNOWING that Papa is doing the same in Wichita Falls for Grandma...right Dad?

Billie Inez Thornton Woodard was born and raised in Joplin, Texas. Pa and Granny (her parents) had three children. My mom was the oldest and best (in my humble opinion!)

She lef the small town of Joplin and went all the way to Decatur, Texas for college at the age of sixteen.

After college she begin teaching in Wichita Falls, Texas...she taught a young man named Dwain Woodard and that is how she met my dad and became Dwain's and Evan's mom and later, MY mom.

She is the BEST MOM in the world (even better than me!)

She never made me feel like I was in her way, never yelled at me, always pointed out the best in me, always loved and encouraged, never was self-seeking...always kind to others...and the wisdom she has, well, it is amazing!

I've learned a few things from her:

*If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing WELL.

*God will repay, so let HIM...don't try to do it myself!

*It is better to be the one being treated poorly than the one treating someone poorly.

*The Judge of all the earth will do right!!!

*A job should be FUN!!!

*And that if you do not have time to go over your Spelling words but you have been told to do so (by your father who is out of town working) you can WAVE your hands over the book once or twice and say, "OVER, OVER, OVER" and it counts!

I love the way you love JESUS, DAD, Dwain and family, Evan, Me and mine...your family and all.

I just love the way you LOVE and LIVE!!!

I'm so thankful you are my mom!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BILLIE INEZ

I don't know about the shutting you up...

BUT I know it will not slow you down!!!

ONE CUTE COUPLE

She still gives a day a week to work for a Mission organization in her

OLD AGE

At Papa's 8oth birthday party...2007

One of my favorite pictures of her!

Christopher and Grandma at his graduation

2007

Grandma at Jonathan's graduation...2008

Grandma (and Papa and the rest of us)

in Poland

In Memory of the World's Famous Weenie Dog

2009-07-10T01:15:00.001-07:00

KoKo came to us six years ago this month on July 5, 2003.
We waited for Jonathan to return to Ukraine to help pick her out. The job wasn’t that hard, though, as she was the only little black dachshund at the Pet Renok that day.

She was beautiful. I wanted to name her Toechka (means DOT in Russian) because she looked like a little black dot on the floor. But Daniel picked out KoKo (and the weird spelling.)
She was hard to house train, but when she did get the hang of it she was perfect. No dog was better. I could leave her (not that I often did, mind you) for up to 10 hours or more and not worry that she had taken the liberty of “going” indoors.

KoKo:

LOVED EVERYONE and EVERYONE LOVED KoKo (even uncle Joel!)
She was beautiful (inside and OUT)
Never was the least bit spoiled nor conniving…she would not treat humans in such a manner.
She loved BIG dogs but had little use for small ones. Don’t think she knew she was SMALL.
SHE DIDN’T BARK WHEN THE DOORBELL RANG!!!
She kept me company when Mick was away.
She loved (or endured) “serberts” from her DAD.
She was a LADY!!!

We had to put her to sleep today. It wasn’t a hard decision, just a SAD one to make.
She woke up in the middle of the night a little over a week ago in pain. We took her to the vet and got medication for her and were carrying her everywhere so that she could heal (if she was going to do so on her own.)
Her pain got worse and she developed the limp that goes with the damaged back.

I’m glad she is out of pain. But I already miss her and the thought of a long winter’s nap without her makes me cry.

This morning, she was, and now she is no more. I do not believe that there is a DOGGY HEAVEN (but if there were KoKo would be its STAR resident!)
KoKo is just GONE.
This thought made me very sad. But then I thought about the fact that it would be better to be no more than to be HUMAN and have a soul and to “BE” one moment on earth and the next separated from God.

I remember when we came home from the hospital with Christopher. As I was putting him in his crib I thought, “This is a soul…at his conception he “became” forever more.
It was a very thought-provoking moment in my mind. What did his life hold? Would he choose to accept Christ into his heart and live in that wonderful relationship with HIM forever?
Praise the Lord Christopher did choose that path (with God’s Grace drawing him unto HIMSELF!)

No, KoKo hasn’t gone to a better place…but she hasn’t gone to a worse place either.
KoKo was just a DOG…the BEST IN THE WORLD for sure…but still, a DOG.
How many PEOPLE do I know who have souls and will live on after physical death without knowing the truth of John 3:16?

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send His Son into the world that He might judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
John 3:16-17 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

One of my dear friends posted this on her Facebook status today: 1.6 Billion people have never heard the name of Jesus - How many of them will I pass by today?

May we live our relationship with our Father so that souls can know the truth and will accept Christ so that they will go to a better place (the place prepared by HIM) when they die.

KoKo will never be replaced nor forgotten…she was The World’s Famous Weenie Dog

One of her favorite things to do.

Sit with DAD as he did his devotions.

She loved her toys!!!

Did I mention that she would fetch?

She loved her family.

She loved walks in her woods with her DAD

Vicarious living

2009-05-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

Another big day has come and gone in the lives of the Stockwell family. Jonathan and Katherine have moved to Hawaii. This past weekend Christopher, Katie and Bailey went up to spend time with them on their last weekend on the mainland (for awhile.) I’m told that they had a splendid time on the water and much great food was served.
They were joined on Monday by my parents and brother, Evan, at Mee-maw’s for another day of eating and memory making.

I am not jealous in the least that all of them got to love on Jonathan and Katherine before they left…I wish I could have been with them, but have learned through the years that I can live my life VICARIOUSLY through loved ones who STAND in the GAP during important moments.

I remember the first time I realized this…Several years ago Mick was going to the states around Thanksgiving. He was making his plans to rush back and be with Daniel and me. I said, “Hun, why don’t you stay and have Thanksgiving with the boys?” (I’ve always called Christopher and Jonathan “THE BOYS” and Daniel, just “DANIEL”...have no idea why…I think it must have something to do with when Daniel was a baby and stayed with me while “THE BOYS” went and did things with their dad!)
Anyway, back to my story: Mick looked at me and said, “You would let me do that?”
I said, “Let you…I want you to do that!”
He did and that is when I first became aware that I felt as if I were a part of a holiday or a celebration when at least someone from the FAM was also involved.

God has given us so many wonderful times together…Many more times together than I thought we would have living on two different continents. Mick allowed me to go and deposit each son at the college of their choice. We got to visit each one on campus while they studied. We had the joy of seeing Christopher graduate in 2007. And were home for several months before and after Christopher and Katie’s wedding. What a blessed time that was!
We were all together Christmas of 2007…Christopher and Katie’s first Christmas as man and wife!

Jonathan’s graduation last May was awesome. Several weeks afterwards Mick had a special time with all the boys on the STOCKWELL MAN TRIP (camping.) Katie and I had our own sort of FUN on our STOCKWELL GIRL TRIP (malls!)

We were in the states for Jonathan and Katherine’s wedding this past January and had the privilege of stopping by their home on the way out of the country just a little over a week after they were married. They were happy it was a STOP OVER!

During Daniel’s freshman year Mick and I were on his campus for several days during a Mission Week. Got to eat with him in the Caf and enjoyed meeting his friends.

GREAT TIMES!!!

BUT there have been those times when I was not able to be present for a major ordeal in the lives of my kids. BUT God has provided someone from the family to be a part of the celebration and in that I’ve felt connected…I’ve been there in Spirit!
My parents were with Kenny and Teri for Jonathan’s graduation. Through the years my parents have joined forces with mee-maw and celebrated Thanksgiving with Christopher and Jonathan. Daniel and a friend went to be a part of Jonathan’s graduation from Ranger School just last month.
And now this past weekend.

I am so BLESSED, blessed to have the family who has taken up the ropes in the states and been there for me…stepped in and helped me to BE A PART OF THE SPECIAL TIMES!

Thank you:
Mom and Dad
Mee-maw
Kenny and Teri
Christopher and Katie
Daniel
Thank you, for being there FOR ME!

I was contemplating these things today and thanking the Lord, again, for this gift He gives me. I wondered how that could be…how does it make me feel a part of the situation when I’m not there but someone else is there for me? What makes living vicariously through them make me feel so wonderful???
I don’t know the answer…I just know it works (for me!)

Then I was reminded of a message I heard when I was younger…about letting others see Jesus in me. The message states that Jesus only lived 33 years on earth and covered very few miles (in comparison to travel today) of that earth while He was on it…How do people living today get to see Him? Only through His children who allow Him to live through them!!!
And somehow this brings Him pleasure.

My conclusion is this: When I live allowing Him to live through me…THIS BRINGS HIM JOY and allows others to see Him…to be drawn to Him. I make Him happy.
If you know me at all, you know that I like it when EVERYONE is HAPPY!
I want to live my life in the way that makes HIM ecstatic!!!

I want Jesus to live Vicariously through me!!!

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (New King James Version)

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best! II Corinthians 4: 7-12 (The Message)

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-09T06:08:00.001-07:00

I bet you thought I was DEAD…well, I’m not. Just takes a lot more out of a 50 (Okay, I’m 51) year old to move than a younger more able bodied woman!
We are here…in my TANGERINE HOME. Yes, it is already home to us.
We will be attending a Russian church start so all that Russian language study was not for naught!
I’ve made new friends already (not that they replace the old…and NOT that the old are OLD!)
I’ve met both IMB personnel and nationals who are very sweet and helpful. Our location is fantastic and I had no idea…I guess the Lord knew and gave me this handful on purpose. I love it!
Excited about the days ahead…language study, learning more about the culture here, making more friends, ministering to Russian and Czech alike, and the seeing all my friends who tell me that they are coming to visit!

These precious people make me a MOM

Well, tomorrow is Mother’s Day…how could I not write about that?
I love being a mom…the best job in the world!!!
For some reason the Lord saw fit to give me the BESTEST sons in the world…and now they have brought us home two of the BESTEST girls in the world.
MOM is a wonderful, wonderful word.
What a joy to be called MOM (or MIL (stands for mother-in-love) by my daughters-in-love!)

This year I’ll not be with my children. It isn’t as hard as it might sound because I have magnificent memories of Mother’s Days past.

I could share so many…
My first Mother’s Day when Christopher was just eight months old. How thrilling it was to actually finally be a mom celebrating the day!
All the Sunday mornings when the boys would wake me up with breakfast in bed (with the help of their dad!)
The heart shaped crystal studs (that I wore just the other day and still love!)
The perfume (we will not talk about that Mother’s Day gift!)
Home made cards.
Home made jewelry (from Christopher…he has always loved making me things!)
The Mother’s Day when Daniel stayed up into the wee hours of the morning making me a special Mother’s Day program on the computer.
The first Mother’s Day when I got a card from a girl (Katie Girl!)
Many, Many marvelous memories…

But the one that stands out the most is the Mother’s Day when I received a ragged African violet. We were in Kharkov, Ukraine and going to have a worship time with the missionaries on Mother’s Day evening. I bought an African violet for the kids to give to each mom. They all were in perfect shape.
At some point during the SHORT time when the kids left the room to get the plants for their moms and come back in one of them got turned upside down and smashed.
This smashed plant is the one I received. I had no idea what had taken place…just minutes before all the violets were beautiful and now this one was dying in front of my eyes and my sons had chosen it to give to me…what was up with that?

I caught Christopher’s eye with a questioning look and could tell that I should say nothing until later. On the way home I asked the boys about the plant.
They explained that one of the girls had turned the plant she had picked for her mom upside down…they quickly gave her mine to give to her mom.

Jonathan explained further…
He said, “Mom, we knew you wouldn’t want her mom to have a messed up plant and we knew you had us for your gift!”

Yes, the Mother’s Day that the boys realized that they were GIFT enough was my best Mother’s Day ever…so far, NOW if they wanted to all come and see me at one time…that might take precedence over this memory and become the BEST MOTHER’S DAY EVER!!!

I’m so thankful that God allowed me to be a MOTHER.
I’m thankful for my mom too. What a blessing she STILL is to me daily. The best!!!
Also thankful for a wonderful Mother-in-Love who loves me like her own!
Thankful, too, for the "MOM friends" the Lord has given me. They have taught me much about “mothering!”

I’m one blessed MOM!!!

I've enjoyed every stage and age...

now we get girls in the mix!!!

I don't do ORANGE

2009-03-03T00:46:00.000-08:00

Never have and never had a desire to start, albeit I will be doing just that when we move next month.
I’m choosing to be optimistic and am calling the ORANGE “Tangerine!”

Mick and I were in Prague last week. Mick had some meetings and I had appointments to look at apartments. The second one I saw was nice and remained my favorite throughout the week of hunting! The only drawback was the half ORANGE wall in the kitchen and the ORANGE floor in the bathroom! I voiced my concerns to Mick, who doesn’t DO ORANGE either!

On Monday (last) we were able to go and see the apartment together. Mick readily understood why I liked the apartment. Its rooms are wide open, it is very clean, and it has MUCH needed storage (even has a laundry room!) But the wall and floor tile issues remained!!!

We walked through the apartment several times, placed (in our minds) our furniture pieces where they would go in our new home. All the furniture fit! And so much storage (did I mention that the new apartment has lots of good storage?)

Space and storage won out over ORANGE…we took the place!

As we left the kitchen for the last time that day I said, “I think I’ll call the ORANGE "Tangerine!"
For some reason Tangerine seems less offensive to us than ORANGE.

I must clarify: if you like the color ORANGE I do not want to offend you…our Daniel loves ORANGE and when Ukraine had our ORANGE revolution in 2004 he was ready for it. He had a different ORANGE shirt to wear daily for two weeks! He even had an ORANGE coat (thanks to Grandma!) And I must say that Daniel looks great in ORANGE…
BUT ORANGE is not our color…if it is yours, I’m very happy for you!
Wear it (or use it in your home) with PRIDE!

Of course, I’m being funny (sort of…we really do not like ORANGE and it really was an issue!)
But the point I want to make in this post is that when we took the apartment and it became ours I called the ORANGE half wall and the ORANGE floor TANGERINE.

I know the color didn’t change…my thoughts toward that color, however, did change.
I’ve done this before in life…haven’t you?

Sometimes I’ve called my sin (for this POST we will let ORANGE represent SIN..I like that!) another color because I was holding on to it. The Bible teaches us that we should look on sin as God does. God would never call it another color! He calls it SIN!
Read Romans chapters 6-8…good stuff about “ORANGE”

Then at other times I’ve done what we did with the new apartment…I’ve allowed something I didn’t like in my life to be there because (either I couldn’t change it) or it was best for that time.
When we were getting ready to come to the field we were told that Missionaries needed to be very flexible…so flexible that they become like liquid…FLUID like!
Well, I can’t change the TANGERINE half wall and the floor in my new apartment…but I can work around them…I’ve already started thinking about the OTHER colors that will be accented in the two rooms.

I can do this…

“I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

EVEN ORANGE!!!

Our new home

The ORANGE tile

View off the balcony

Why add MORE???

2009-02-16T05:43:00.000-08:00

Been to the Republic of Georgia and back.
I have to make sure that I say Republic of Georgia because I didn’t on my Facebook status and someone thought I was in the state of Georgia.

Shannon and Katie Ford, Mick and I left last Tuesday to visit friends there. Mick, Shannon and Katie went on to see some friends in Armenia too… I could not go. No visa is required for the Republic of Georgia but one is for Armenia. My passport is too full to put one more visa in it. I stayed behind and was treated like a QUEEN by our friends in the Republic of Georgia.

While Mick and the others were in Armenia they went to an Armenian Orthodox church and took some pictures. One picture was of a dead chicken being sacrificed on the altar. For a Christian it was a very gory sight.

We were talking about this and how we did not understand how anyone could think that cutting up a chicken and placing it on a altar could do anything about their SIN PROBLEM. Mick remarked that MAN (through the ages) has tried to find some other way to take care of this instead of just taking GOD at His Word and simply accepting HIS gift of His Son.
How uncomplicated it sounds (and is!)
But MAN wants to make it so much harder…to ADD MORE to God’s Word…instead of a single act of FAITH in what has been done for us on the cross…man invented a rigid ritual that must be repeated over and over again. With NO PEACE!
God’s way (according to man) needs some improvement. It needs to be harder!

How sad that is!

But I thought about the fact that often man who has accepted that gift from GOD and knows the truth makes the Christian life harder (or adds man’s regulations…MORE than what God has required!)

When Mick went to Gori (the city in the Republic of Georgia that was hit by the war) back in August he bought some quilts for about $7 each. He came home with two of them. One of my friends in Kiev saw my quilts and wanted one. I told her that we would be going back in February and I’d get her one. To make sure that I could come through with my promise I called friends in Tbilisi and asked them to order me a quilt like the ones Mick bought while there.

They ordered my quilt and told the Georgian lady that it was for Dalese. My quilt was ready when I got there. But because I’m the supervisor’s wife they did MORE…MORE than I required, MORE than I wanted. My quilt was no longer a quilt at all, it was a comforter.
The comforter is beautiful…but if I’d wanted a comforter I would have asked for a comforter. I wanted an inexpensive quilt like Mick had purchased. My comforter cost $30, not $7…and it isn’t even what I wanted…it is MORE!

Why is it so hard for us humans (redeemed or not) to do what GOD says? Why do we have to ADD to His Word?
I don’t have the answer…but I’m praying that I will be more aware of my human tendency to ADD to His plan for me and that I will simply TRUST HIM and ACCEPT my FREEDOM and my simple life in HIM!

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

Church in Armenia

Friends on Valentine's day in the Republic of Georgia

Little Lizzie

The Corder Family in Gori

Going to the Chapel and You're Gonna get Married

2009-02-05T07:00:00.001-08:00

AND THEY DID…On January 17th, 2009 our middle son, Jonathan Woodard Stockwell, married Katherine Anderson. It was a beautiful ceremony with Mick officiating. This time he only teared up once…we learned why after the ceremony when he told Katie that the secret was to not look them in the eyes! Mick had made that mistake at Christopher and Katie’s wedding in 2007 and almost lost it three times during the ceremony. He figured out how to get through the ordeal without loosing it! Because Mick didn’t cry (more than once) I didn’t cry more than once.

The bride was beautiful in a gorgeous dress. The groom, well, I’m the mom, what am I going to say? He was the most handsome man in uniform at the wedding! There were four others there in their Dress Blues…after Mick pronounced them man and wife (and after having Katherine say her last name!) the beautiful couple walked between four Lieutenants with their swords held high. I am pretty sure this is a West Point tradition but it may be an Army tradition. Tradition is that the newly wed couple walk through the sword line and the last man gives the bride a little slap (with his sword) on the bottom and says, “Welcome to the Army, Mrs. So and So.”
Katherine didn’t get the last part of the tradition. I think it is because the sword line was inside the chapel and the officers did not think it was appropriate. I think it would have been fine!

Many of our friends and family members joined us for the occasion. All three of Jonathan’s living grandparents were with us. Uncle Evan was an usher. Other birth aunts and uncles came from as far away as North Carolina. Two great aunts graced us with their presence. His Mr. and Mrs. G were there…better known as Kenny and Teri Pope to you. His IMB uncle Rodney and aunt Debbie were in attendance also. And Dwain Gregory, long time friend and adopted member of the family was also able to share in the joy of the day.
Long time friends from our home church, Houston Northwest, drove up and celebrated with us! Some of these Houston Northwest friends live in Arkansaw now...but they show up for every major event!

Mrs. Lori Smith came all the way from Hawaii. Her husband, Col. Smith, couldn't come with her but she represented her family well.
We are so thankful for all who came…who supported us and the new couple with your love and who will continue to support them with your prayers!

Wow, after they were hitched we went to celebrate and EAT. I got to the club too late to get any of the chocolate covered almonds and pecans…but I’m told (by several) that they were VERY GOOD! Glad someone got to enjoy them! I did make do with the other candy provided before the delicious meal was served.

Jonathan and Katherine were announced and danced to a song that they had not picked. The DJ never found the right song…but who cares, they are married and all is right with the world! Katherine and her dad danced to a cute song and she cried most of the way through it. Sweet sight.

It was now Jonathan’s and my turn…we danced to “I Hope You Dance.” I didn’t get to Jerry and Bonnie Methvin's house or hotel room for a refresher course (took dancing lessons from them before Christopher and Katie got married.) I should have known we were in trouble when I got on the floor and Jonathan started telling me what to do. Did we look stiff or what??? It doesn’t matter…we had a wonderful time being mother and son. I don’t care what we looked like, we were enjoying the quiet time together. At one point I saw a tear in Jonathan’s eye and said, in amazement, “Jonathan, why are you crying?” He replied, “Because you are, mom!” I wasn’t UNTIL then…at that point the tears flowed from both of us…we messed up the messed up dance and just stood there hugging each other. One of us started moving again and we tried to keep up our pretence of dancing while we kept crying!
I will treasure that dance until the day I die!

Well, the day came to an end (all too soon!) The happy couple took off in a limo to spend their first night together as man and wife.
We went home to Mee-maw’s and a house full of guest. The After Wedding Party.
We watched the DVD that was made for Jonathan and Katherine by Jonathan’s IMB aunt Becky Dewett and talked about the day.

The house phone rang. All weekend long the only person who had called on the house phone was Jonathan. I said, “I know it isn’t Jonathan!” BUT IT WAS…he needed to talk to Daniel about some of their gifts Daniel was dropping off at their place in Georgia on his way back home.

The next morning we went out to eat at Denny’s (the same one we went to in 2007 the day after Christopher and Katie wed.) While there we called Jonathan and Katherine. They were on their way to Georgia. Going to their new home. Their home!!!

Why did I tell you about the After Wedding Party and breakfast at Denny’s?
Because, though we have only done these things twice now, they are traditions for the Stockwell family.
There are other traditions…Mick having his daughter-in-loves finish the sentence, “It is my honor to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. ______.” He stops and, so far, Katie and, recently, Katherine have said, “Stockwell!”
We follow traditions set forth at Christopher and Katie’s rehearsal dinner too.
We love traditions…they bind us together when we are far apart.

In our lives we are going to be far apart. The Lord has ordained that. Christopher and Katie are living in Houston for the time being, Jonathan and Katherine are about to move to Hawaii, Daniel is in South Carolina, and Mick and I are moving to Prague soon. Many miles between us.
But we know that doesn’t mean that we are not bound…by tradition and LOVE.

I’m thankful that I also know that I don’t have to live near my children to watch over them. How could I pick which one to live near anyway? I can rest assured that they are in God’s hands and that He is better at watching over them than I.

Weddings are fun…they enlarge a family and the Lord enlarges our hearts to embrace new members of this Stockwell clan!!!

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain..." Psalm 127:1

GOD, we invite you to build our houses and our homes!

My two Katherines...Katherine on the left and Katie on the right!

Sunrise, Sunset

2009-01-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

Years ago (and I do mean years ago!) I heard a New Year’s message by Paul Burleson…it was about TIME. He explained that we have been tricked by the CLOCK…ROUND as it is (I told you it was years ago…I know that today most people have digital and this illustration just wouldn’t mean the same thing!)
Dr. Burleson explained that TIME does not go around…it just goes…thus the famous TIME LINE!!!

His point was that we need to be aware that we do not get TIME back...it goes FORWARD!
Almost every New Year I think about this fact…it is a new year, it is January AGAIN, but TIME is GOING…GOING…FORWARD
As 2009 begins there are MANY things in my life that are Going, Going, Forward.

I’ve already shared that we are moving soon. This holiday season has been my last in Ukraine. The last time I will go to the square and see the BIG Christmas tree. The last time I’ll knock on my neighbors’ doors and give them a small gift and wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The last time I’ll be in this apartment…this is a BIG deal to me because all my kids have been in this place together…who knows when they will be in our new home in Prague or if they ever will all be there together?
Many LAST (time in Ukraine (as I know it) is almost GONE!)

The Lord graciously allowed Daniel to come home for one more Christmas here in Ukraine. We had a great time of closure. Daniel went ice-skating with my English student. He made me skate too. I’d not been on ice-skates since before Christopher was born. I was not happy with Daniel…but I put on the skates and went out on the ice. Before long I was skating and came off the ice EXCITED that I’d pushed myself (okay, Daniel pushed MYSELF) and found that I’m not too old to do NEW THINGS.

Another adventure that we had was that Daniel and Mick both expressed that they had always wanted to walk across the Dnieper River…we have had a very GOOD winter (according to Mick…this means, IT IS COLD HERE AND HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TME!) so the river was traversable. Funny story they told me when they got home (alive and well)…They saw an ice-fisherman and asked him if he thought that the river was crossable. He replied, “I don’t know of anyone who has crossed it yet this year, but it should be Okay!” My men walked on!
They made it home feeling a little more like MEN. I mean, really, have any of you ever walked across the frozen Dnieper??? Didn’t think so!

One of the most memorable things for me was that we were able to attend a Worship service (Daniel’s last in this country) at the same church where we attended our first Worship service over fourteen years ago. As I walked down the aisle I passed the pew where we sat through a LONG Sunday morning worship time not understanding ONE WORD! Daniel was six years old and fell asleep (believe it or not) during the second or third sermon. When it was time to stand a little grandmother behind me said, “Sadeetyes!” I didn’t know what it meant, but I felt her hand on my shoulder and knew I was to stay seated! I was so thankful for that grandmother.
I didn’t get real emotional until we (IMB missionaries in Kiev) got up to sing. We sang in English and then in Russian. During the last verse of Silent Night (in Russian) I couldn’t sing…I just started crying. I thought about the change that had taken place in me and in Daniel in fourteen years and I was over-come with JOY that the Lord allowed Daniel to start and end (Sunrise, Sunset) at the same church.

Another reminder that TIME goes forward and NOT around is that Jonathan is getting married a week from today! When I think of weddings I think of the song Sunrise, Sunset…how quickly go the years! Jonathan has grown into a man…A man who has fallen in love with a little girl who has grown into a young woman.

Becky Dewett came to Ukraine in 1994 to be the Stockwell boys’ school teacher. She has stayed in Kiev. We have stayed in touch with Aunt Becky through the years and she has never stopped loving the Stockwell boys (men!)
Becky put together an amazing power point to be played at the rehearsal dinner (her gift to Jonathan and Katherine.)
While driving to Becky’s today to pick up the finished project I was listening to an old WOW Worship CD. The song, You are God, by Scott Underwood came up…I love this song. It says:

You are God of the heavens and God of the earth You are God of our Savior’s virgin birth

You were God on the cross and God over hell You were God before man and God when he fell

You

You are

You are God

You are God, God, God

You

You are

You are God

You are God, God, God

You are God in what seems like happenstance You are God in every circumstance You are God when we fall and God when we stand You are God who holds us in Your hand.

Well, of course I started crying and because I got lost I was able to listen and listen again to the song as I drove.

HE IS GOD…in SUNRISE AND SUNSET…HE IS GOD.
It is my desire to recognize HIM as such this year…2009.

LET HIM BE GOD in your 2009 as TIME goes on (not around!)

He is STILL THE ONE

2008-12-29T23:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Mick and I celebrated twenty nine years of being husband and wife. We went into the center of town for lunch. Since we never drive into the center of town during a weekday we went by metro. Instead of taking the car to the metro or even getting on a bus at the bus stop (near our apartment) we decided to walk through our woods (about a 15 minute walk when it is slippery out!)

Mick loves SNOW and all things associated with it…that would be, skiing, sledding, rides in a sleigh, ice-cycles, COLD weather, and even SNOW ICE-CREAM.
He also loves FIRE PLACES (when lit!)

Because of his great love for everything having to do with SNOW we have OFTEN walked in the snow through the years. Even our honeymoon was in Colorado so that we could go snow-skiing. In fact, I had to learn to ski before we could get married so I could go with him on HIS honeymoon!

We went skiing one snow day in college (yes, professors could not get to us…but we could get to the slopes!) After I had about two hours of lessons Mick picked me up from class and we proceeded to the slopes. Seems that either my teacher forgot to teach me the art of TURNING or I was just too dumb to pick it up because we soon learned that I had a problem. I did fine going STARIGHT down the mountain (I looked good, skis together and all) but when it came time to TURN (to avoid other skiers or to make sure I didn’t get too much speed up) I just couldn’t make my feet, legs, and body do that!

When I fell, I fell hard. Everyone with us was trying to get me to Snow Plow in order to slow down...to this day I can not Snow Plow! Finally I got a little better and we left the BUNNY slope behind (I’d had lessons and had learned to do something along the lines of turning) and went for the BLUE.
Mick told me to stop worrying about the people in front of me…they were skiers (he seemed to think) and would get out of my way!
So, down the mountain I went…doing whatever it was I’d learned to do to hold my speed down (still not called a TURN, I’m sure!) As I looked down the mountain I saw a man standing, in the middle of the mountain, on the slope, just standing! BUT Mick had told me that THEY WOULD GET OUT OF MY WAY so I decided to take Mick at his word and not fall over to stop so that I wouldn’t run into the STANDING man…HE WOULD GET OUT OF MY WAY.
Well, HE DID NOT…I plowed right smack dab into him. He fell and I fell (several feet below him!)
Mick came flying down the mountain and I started yelling, “You told me he would get out of my way!”
The poor man had no idea what I was talking about…and really, how do you explain what happened to a complete stranger who you have just wiped out?
Mick helped me up and we left the man in the snow!

All that came to my mind yesterday as we walked through the woods. MEMORIES
I wish that I could say that I have listened to Mick’s advice and followed it as avidly these twenty nine years. I have not! I’ve not been a PERFECT wife (as I had planned.)
To be honest with you…he hasn’t been a perfect husband either (have no idea if he planned to be or not.)

But walking through the woods yesterday (and waking up beside him this morning) I can say that I’m so thankful that GOD gave Mick Stockwell to me…to have and to hold from December 29, 1979 until Death Do Us Part!

I love you Mick…you the BEST!!!

December in my World

2008-12-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

It happened…I knew it would…I am no longer “50”!!!
Up until this year it has been okay to give out my age…but something about “51” just doesn’t sound attractive. You know up until this year I’ve been on the under side of middle age (according to the way I perceive it!) and then even “50” had some status to it. But...“51”...that is just so bland sounding. So, I’ll be “29” from now on if you don’t mind!

My “50th” was a GREAT celebration.
We were in a beautiful cottage in Colorado with friends and great weather. One of our old “youth” came up the day before and it was ALL ABOUT ME.

So, I was sort of thinking that this year would be rather BORING. But my “Partner in Crime” as her husband calls us, gave me a birthday party.

I even had to pick the menu. The food was hard to pick, but the dessert was not. Her famous Chocolate Cheesecake was really what got me to the party (given in my honor!)
The apartment was decorated beautifully and the night was

ALL ABOUT ME! What FUN!!!

I started a new tradition of my own…I figured that after “50” years of GIFT RECEIVING I should start doing some GIFT GIVING on my special day (which by the way was Lottie Moon’s birthday…just throwing that in as a bit of interesting trivia!)
I’ve decided that this will be my new tradition…therefore, from now on my birthday parties will have to be SMALL in number of attendees (or the gifts will have to be small in VALUE!)

I’ve always loved my birthday month…a very exciting time of year!
This year has been the same. Daniel is home for the Holidays.

Almost two years ago he got on a plane and left us for college…but he is back and it is wonderful. He will be the only Stockwell male child home for this Christmas. Though we wish all of the kids could be here…including the girls…we are choosing to THANK THE LORD for Daniel’s visit and enjoy ourselves in keeping all the traditions we have had through the years.

I’m so thankful for the memories of Christmases past…those when a child in Wichita Falls, Texas with my parents and brothers. My mom says I loved the tree and she often caught me standing, staring at it and sometimes she caught me running through the house with some Ice-cycles in my hands. I remember Christmas Eve meals with the Woodards and Christmas Day with the Thorntons.

The Christmases in Houston, Texas when the boys were small have a special place in my heart. How fun it was to continue Christmas traditions that both Mick and I brought to our new family.
And then we moved to Ukraine and had to come up with some new traditions…which have become just as BIG a part of us as the old ones.

I remember some gifts (received and given) but most of all, I remember the FEELING OF BELONGING.

I heard a song this year by Ray Charles…Christmas in my Heart…it says, “Christmas time is ALL ABOUT RECEIVING…the gift that God has sent from up above!”
What a wonderful thought…
We have been told that it is about GIVING…And God did GIVE His Son…but I’ve enjoyed dwelling on that RECEIVING part this year as I contemplate this special season.
Because that GIVEN GIFT has to be RECEIVED!

In receiving this FREE GIFT I have come to BELONG to the FAMILY OF GOD. There are times when I’ve not been able to be with my parents, children, and other family members for special occasions (like this year,) but because I received that FREE GIFT from my Heavenly Father, I have been able to have fellowship with my Christian Family.
NOW THAT IS BELONGING!!!

I pray that each of you knows the value of RECEIVING!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

John 3:16

For God so loved the WORLD that HE GAVE His one and only Son, that whoever believes (RECEIVES) in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King.

Something's Happening Here

2008-12-09T23:45:00.000-08:00

“Something’s happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear.”
(song by Stephen Stills)
Well, something is happening here and I am not exactly clear as to what all it will entail.
So for a while my post may be of thoughts about the CHANGE that is taking place in our lives…

Mick and I are moving to Prague…when? Well, that is one of those things that ain’t exactly clear!!! But some time in the Spring of 2009.
The Lord has moved us out of this ministry into another. And if I did not know beyond a shadow of a doubt that HE was moving us I couldn’t go.

I do know that it is the next step of obedience and will take it in trust…but I’m doing much reflection these days.

Tonight I baked a chocolate pie for guest. As I was stirring the pudding I remembered the first time I made a chocolate pie in Ukraine. It was in 1994 in our first humble apartment. Back then I had tears in my eyes as I stirred…it is a wonder that the pie wasn’t too salty to eat. I was so home-sick…and the stirring of the pudding made me miss my mom more. You see, she always let me stir the pudding when she was baking a chocolate pie.
I also remembered the Thanksgiving (what year was it?) when we were at the Ray’s and Regina Lamb (the boys’ teacher) was stirring and stirring the pudding for the pie and it wasn’t getting thick…we finally realized that the burner (gas stove) had gone out! Poor Regina!

As I stirred tonight I thought of the changes that have taken place within me, my family, and this country since 1994. The most outstanding change I contemplated tonight was that I am feeling home-sick for Ukraine even before we move. Who would have thought, fourteen plus years ago, that one day I’d be stirring the pudding for a pie thinking how sad it was going to be to leave this place?

God is the only one who could do this…take this small city girl from Texas…bring her to Europe (yes, Eastern) and put her in a BIG city with a whole different culture and language and make her feel at home…I didn’t even notice when He did it, that is the witty thing.

Something has been happening here for years…and the only thing I’m clear about is this…
He is in control, He is faithful, He is the judge of all the earth and He will do right. (Genesis 18:25)

"Thank you, Jesus…I will wait for you to heal my hurting heart and make Prague home.
Do you think You could give me a hint on how long that is going to take???
Okay…I’ll wait!"

Thanksgiving Pictures

2008-11-28T01:28:00.001-08:00

In my devotions this morning I read this...

A mark of true thankfulness is that we love the giver more than the gifts. Frans Bakker

My this be true of me!!!

Mick and KoKo early Thanksgiving morning. I'm sure he is thanking the Lord for his precious, darling, wonderful wife!

Mick carving up Tom, the Turkey...the Butterball Mick brought back from the USA (land of Sonic ice!)

The Ragains and Stockwells

THANKFUL HEART

2008-11-27T00:41:00.000-08:00

I do have a THANKFUL heart this evening. And it is nothing of my own doing…Scripture teaches us that He gives me the WILL to do what is right (what is required!)
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13
Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:17, 18.

I’m thankful for the WILL to be thankful.
This has not been a painless year for me…I feel selfish writing that last line. Because the reason for the pain has mostly been that the lives of my loved ones have been affected…causing me to feel loss and hurt.

People have moved out of my life (physically)…our supervisor and family. Other dear friends who we worked with closely are no longer serving with us.

Precious Teri Tarleton has gone to Glory…we had two wonderful Thanksgiving meals with the Tarletons in the past and I am really missing her this year. I know that Teri is having a GREAT time with our Father, but I feel sorry for myself and I feel for her precious family.

And last, but not least, Kenny Pope is a different man today than he was a little over six months ago. Teri is a different woman too. My “family” has been through more than I can imagine (even after hearing about much of it) and I’ve not been able to be there to walk beside them for most of the time…this has caused me pain. For the first time ever (even with our men in the states) I did not want to return to the field after Kenny’s fall. It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do…leave them on the 4th of July…knowing that there was so much ahead and wondering how they would do it.
If you have kept up with the Popes through CaringBridge then you know that they are doing wonderfully. Life is different but the one constant is the presence of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ…who has bestowed on them…THANKFUL HEARTS.

So, as tomorrow approaches and I finish making the pies and getting everything else ready to celebrate, with friends, God’s graciousness to me DAILY…I want to THANK HIM for giving me a THANKFUL HEART…
Because a Thankful Heart is what guards my heart and my mind. It is what gives me the strength to carry on. Daily, I want to THANK HIM…who gives me the POWER to do so!

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I don't belong

2008-11-24T06:22:00.000-08:00

I’m cleaning apartment today!
Getting ready for my Thanksgiving guest.
I was popping in CDs to play and came across Mark Lowry’s.

Side-note:
You may not know that Mick and I had the privilege of going to college with Mark. I didn’t know him, but Mick did. Mick says that he (meaning MICK) was funnier than Mark back then…so, why are we not rich Mick???
I really don’t know if Mark is rich or not, so I don’t want to start a rumor…just a little FAMILY humor!

Anyway, back to the CD…there are several songs on this OLD CD that I love.
“We Fall Down”…powerful song if you ask me!
“It Wouldn’t Be Enough” but the one that got my attention as I was cleaning was:

“I Don’t Belong”…the Chorus goes like this:
“I don’t belong and I’m goin’ some day home to my own native land. I don’t belong and it seems like I hear the sound of a welcome home band. I don’t belong I’m a foreigner here singing a sojourner’s song. I’ve always known this place ain’t home and I don’t belong.
Don’t belong, but while I’m here I’ll be livin’ like I’ve nothing to lose. And while I breathe I’ll just believe my Lord is gonna see me through. I’ll not be deceived by earth’s make-believe. I’ll close my ears to her siren song by praising His name, and I’m not ashamed ‘cause I don’t belong.”

While listening to the song (for the hundredth time) I realized that I do not (and have never) felt weird because I wasn’t like the Ukrainian people (or any other people when I’ve visited other countries!) I’ve never tried to be exactly like them…to look exactly like them…to act exactly like them…WHY???
Because I know I’m not an Ukrainian…I’m an American who gets to live here and serve…but I do not belong here…I have an American passport and citizenship!
It is Okay when I do not seem Ukrainian…’cause I’m not!!!
It has never bothered me.

HOWEVER, I also realized that sometimes it bothers me when the world seems to look on me differently because of something I’ve said or done. Why is that?
I’m not of the world…I’m bought at a high price and my citizenship is in Heaven. Philippians 3:20
It shouldn’t bother me at all to be different.
I should not feel peculiar when I do not fit in? I Peter 2:9
Why should I want to fit in???

I don’t want to be deceived by earth’s make-believe…I want to be listening for the sound of the welcome home band on the streets of gold! Revelation 21:21
I’m a sojourner…no need to get tangled in this world.

Lord, help me remember I’m not home...yet!

New Hope's Anniversary

2008-11-16T03:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary, Hap---py Anniversary!!!

Today is the seventh anniversary of NEW HOPE church in Kharkov, Ukraine.
When Linda Gray reminded me this morning I couldn’t believe that it had been seven years.

Many of you know the story of how we lived and worked in Kharkov for six years. Mick, of course, worked all over the area…but from the time we moved to Kharkov the boys and I worked mainly with the church which became the “Mother” church of New Hope.

We started out doing Sunday School for them. The boys played a MAJOR role in this. They often helped with the story telling and Bible memorization AND always helped with discipline (as they could speak the language better than me!)

As time went on Christopher became concerned about the fact that there was truly no YOUTH group in Kharkov. He began praying that the Lord would use him in the establishment of a youth group.
We were beginning to see the fruits of those prayers RIGHT when Keith Byrd asked us to move back to Kiev and take on other responsibilities.

Mick and I both knew in our spirits that the move to Kiev was what the Lord had for us…but we also knew that it wasn’t what He had for Christopher. So, through prayer and God’s leading we left Christopher behind to work with a youth club which later became New Hope Church.

AND TODAY…they celebrate seven years of ministry.

I wish we could all be there…but since we can’t, I’m sending out this little message and publicly voicing (through type) my thankfulness to the LORD for allowing the Stockwell family to have a part in this church and for the years of memories that we have in Kharkov, Ukraine.

Thank you Jesus for New Hope in Kharkov, Ukraine…may they continue in the faith!!!

2008-11-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

Nightmare of Words

Two nights ago I had a nightmare. No human was after me, words were the culprit.
I have no idea why…maybe it was the WITHOUT A TRACE we watched before going to bed. The father of a little girl who had been taken told the mother that it was her fault for not watching their daughter more carefully. No fears, the daughter was found alive and well. But we did not see the father apologize to the mother. HUM??? This really did impact me…enough to make me ask Mick if he didn’t think it was a bad thing to do...to accuse another of being at fault.

Maybe all that added up to my Nightmare of Words. In my dream I was in some sort of school (you know how dreams are…they make sense at the time, but when re-telling them you think, “WOW, how did I let that bother me…so unreal!”) and my assignment was to read something (anything) and re-write it in my own words. I was so anxious to get something read and written down…but no matter what I did, I couldn’t read anything or if I did read it, I couldn’t get it written down to complete my assignment…and as time wore on it was getting to be time for class. I remember thinking that I just needed to read anything…maybe an advertisement and re-write it. That was all I had time for, but I couldn’t even get that done.
I woke up…thank goodness!

Went to the restroom and when I came back to bed I must have awoken Mick because he got up to go to the restroom. I said, “I’m so glad I woke up, I was having a nightmare!”
He came back to bed, got in, covered up, and didn’t say a word.

I lay there thinking…either he didn’t hear me, or he doesn’t care about my nightmare!
Well, I was wide awake and so I thought about my dream. I thought to myself how much more meaning WORDS would have if everything I read was worked over in my mind as if I had to re-write it and turn it in for a grade. And I thought about the fact that if I had to think about what I said that carefully before I even said it, (wow…now, that is a thought) that I might not talk as much.

WORDS ARE POWERFUL…God’s WORD has several things to say about WORDS:

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Proverbs 25:11

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

Like I said, if we had to really think about the words that were coming out of our mouths…are you hearing the words that are coming out of my mouth?…I wonder if we would say HALF of them?

God’s WORD has something to say about Itself:

II Samuel 22:31, Proverbs 30:5, and Psalm 12:6 tell us that God’s WORD is flawless.
Mine aren’t! How about yours?

In John 1:1-14 we are told that the WORD was in the beginning and that it was with God and the WORD was God and that the WORD became flesh and came to live with us…
JESUS IS THE WORD.

His WORD is truth…John 17:17

My words are not flawless, they are not always truthful and they do not always cheer and are not always aptly spoken…
But Praise the LORD, we can depend upon every WORD that comes out of the mouth of GOD…
HIS WORD IS TRUTH…now, I need to meditate on it and put it to memory.

Thank you, heavenly Father, for Your WORD.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

P.S. Mick mentioned my nightmare the next day…he said, “You're so cute!” I asked him how he came to that conclusion (I’ve been telling him that for years now!) and he said,

“How many people are happy to wake up in the middle of the night because they are having a nightmare?”
I didn’t answer and took the compliment…but I thought to myself…(see, I’m working on not saying everything I think!)…I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to wake up from a nightmare…oh well…to each his own!

I’m not saying anything!!!

DISCLAIMER

2008-10-15T03:49:00.000-07:00

I had to get in here quickly and write a disclaimer.
Precious friends are sending me sweet notes about how wonderful I am.
I just need to say...I'm not wonderful at all...
I'm human and I've said and done things that I never thought I'd say and do...Those little tidbits were cleaned up for blog posting!
And many tidbits were left out...there was a reason!!!

Jesus is wonderful and has been the sustaining ONE!!!

We also know that our friends and family have prayed for us and encouraged us through these years and know what prayer can do...so you can celebrate too...fourteen years of lifting us up in prayer...

Don't stop now!!! CAUSE we STILL aren't perfect or wonderful. Just serving a WONDERFUL LORD!

Celebrate...Fourteen years in Ukraine

2008-10-14T07:50:00.001-07:00

In 1492 Columbus sailed the
Ocean Blue…

In 1994 Stockwells over the Ocean did SOAR...

Today, October 14, 2008 marks fourteen years of living and serving in Ukraine.

We came with 24 bags (with more in the states to be brought by volunteer teams.)
Rumor was that we could not even buy tooth-paste here. Were we surprised to find Colgate and many other things we thought we would not have.

Still, the pickings were bare and our first Christmas was pretty pitiful (that’s for you Teri Pope!) So pitiful in fact, that the next year our home church, Houston Northwest, sent us packages and the Leveretts…we had to send the Leveretts back.

I remember being in the middle of Culture Shock and thinking about Jesus…how He must have felt when He left the splendor of Heaven for me…talk about Culture Shock…to come from Heaven to earth! I mean, I thought that leaving America (TEXAS) was bad, but think about it, to leave perfection (and God the Father) to come to EARTH…wow…what LOVE!

I try not to remember much of language school…but I do remember when Mick told me that he thought we should move out EAST (go East young woman!) My feet kept walking (we were on our way to language school) but my spirit stopped. I didn’t want to go out East…that was further from America (TEXASJ) and further from the capital, further from the doctor who knew that Americans (TEXANS) loved NEW needles when being poked!
But the Lord quickly reminded me that He didn’t bring me half way (really, more than half way) around the world to not be in His perfect will. So, I said, “Yes, Lord…if You want us to move East, it is East we go!”

And East we went. What fulfillment we found! Our boys grew up there. They learned Russian, made friends, worked in the churches, served with volunteer teams when they came, and became men in Kharkov, Ukraine (out East.) I’m so glad we obeyed.

We are back in Kiev now. Serving in a much different capacity…but fulfilled all the same. Because we are where He has put us for this time.

Life is different in Ukraine. Mick and I walked the main street of Kiev today and saw many new sights...we still don’t have a Starbucks or Pizza Hut or SONIC. The clothes do seem to match better these days. People smell better and I can understand MOST of what they are saying!

I enjoy church services now and have Ukrainian friends!

Our personal life looks different…it is just Mick, KoKo (the dog) and me in our home... I still miss the boys, but as I've said, it is such a pleasure to watch them as MEN...and MEN can not live at home (too bad!) We love having a girl in the family (even though she lives with Christopher in the states) and are thrilled to be getting another soon. I am well on my way to being a happy LONG DISTANCE MOM.

Christopher called today and we talked about life issues as grown ups. We spoke of days gone by here in Ukraine and of the future.

Though there are changes daily...I am not afraid of the future as I walk in obedience to Him.

Fourteen years and counting!

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

I Corinthians 15:58

The song, GREAT ADVENTURE was our theme song in 1994

Enjoy it here!!!

Stockwells in 1994

Mick shopping for our dinner...or is that sugar?

Well, either way, sugar could make a good dinner!!!

See, that sugar made a great meal!!!

Saint Andrew's street in Kiev

The boys and Ms. Zoya

Stockwells and Shevchenkos

The Stockwells today

Ode To Daniel on his 20th

2008-09-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Me and My Dad

Ode to Daniel who leaves TEEN years behind today

Daniel, my baby Daniel, Okay, Okay…you aren’t a baby…but believe me, you will always be my baby. To me, the word “BABY” doesn’t mean that you are lacking in any way, manner, or form…but that you are the last of a kind!

You were the last Stockwell male child I bore. Maybe, God saved the best for last (what do you think Christopher and Jonathan??? )

You were the last to get a B.B. gun, a knife, and all those special gifts.
You were the last to start school and to finish (you really haven’t finished have you…but you will!)
You were the last son at home for four years: During that time you were the one who offered to go with me when I had to go out at night alone. You were the only son doing any chores around here. You made me laugh. You kept me young.

You were the last to meet Katie Girl, and it looks like you will be the last to marry.

AND You were the last to leave home (WHY you want to leave me???) and it felt like death. My whole body ached for days. Dad cried like a baby…but I’m sure he wouldn’t want me to share that.

However, I do have to admit that I’m okay and I’m even happy you left. Not because I don’t miss you…I will always miss all three of you around my table every night (when I was in control...I had no idea I was such a control freak)
BUT I have to confess that it has been a GREAT delight to see you grow into the man you are becoming. I’m glad you left so that you can stand on your own two feet...you are doing it so well!!! MY, those two feet hold you up straight and tall.

So, as you leave the TEENS behind and advance into man-hood I want to express my sincere admiration for who you are becoming. It is a joy to watch God lead you and you follow.

You aren’t perfect (just like the rest of us…welcome to the real world) but you are FORGIVEN and you know that! So, you keep walking…with God’s help you will knock down that wall!!! (Can’t help it…the Veggie Tale song just popped into my head)
And you will do more of the great and mighty things God has purposed for you to accomplish for Him. I look forward to seeing that transpire…Always happy to say…
”That’s my boy, my BABY boy!”

The pleasure of mothering you has been all mine.

Proverbs 23:25

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

II Timothy 2:1

Sometimes you still act like "the Baby"

And we love that about you!!!

Precious in His Sight

2008-09-16T04:18:00.000-07:00

I’ve just had the joy of hosting a team of five ladies from the states. They came to Ukraine to minister as they explored ideas of how to get Christian women more involved in missions around the world. Marsha Judy, a new missionary in Kiev, who has come to work with Ladies’ Ministry in the country, joined us. It was a wonderful week. Together we prayer walked many streets in three cities in Ukraine. The ladies shared their testimonies in four formal sittings and in other ways as they obeyed God throughout the week.

They were precious!!!

While in Kharkov, Ukraine the team from the states stayed in national homes. Marsha stayed with the Woffords. For those of you who do not know; the Woffords were our team members when we lived in Kharkov…when we moved to Kiev, Keith became the Strategy Coordinator of that area and they moved into our apartment. It is always wonderful to go back and be in my old home! Usually I am welcomed by a special plate that Wendy has in her kitchen. I’ve never been to their home when the plate didn’t say something to me!
UNTIL this past week.

There in BIG RED letters the plate read, “Welcome Aunt Marsha!” wow…I’d been replaced. No, I wasn’t staying with the Woffords…I had the opportunity to stay with Linda Gray (another colleague.) But that isn’t the point…the point is…my name was not on the plate!

I decided I’d fix that problem. I found (with some searching) a BLUE marker and added the words: “And Aunt Dalese.” Then, as a second thought I added the word “Precious” beside the “and.”

I had no idea that I’d only have to wait a little while before my art work and editing job were appreciated. Cameras were out because we were all taking pictures of the fellowship time. Marsha decided she wanted a picture of HER PLATE…Shelby Wofford went into the kitchen to bring it to Aunt Marsha and the excitement began. All the ladies thought it was hilarious.
One asked me about it and I told her that the word “Precious” was scribbled in as an after-thought. I said, “I forgot I was precious!”
She looked at me and we laughed.

But you know what…sometimes I do forget that I’m precious. I bet you do too.

*I forget that I’m made in the image of GOD. Genesis 1:27, 5:1, 9:6
*That He formed me in my mother’s womb. Psalms 139:13
*That He predestined me to be conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 8:29 and that He predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His desire. Ephesians 1:5
*I’m chosen by the most High God. John 15:19
*Sometimes I forget that I’m royalty (A people of God’s own possession) I Peter 2:9
I’m a princess, now that is PRECIOUS!!!

I’m thankful for that “Playful moment” when God reminded me that I am precious to Him. And the great news is that you are too. He wants to be precious to us too. Oh how He desires our entire BEING to desire HIM!

It is my prayer that I will recognize my worth in God’s sight (I’m precious!) and walk worthy of it…I’m going to take Princess lessons so I can act like the Princess I am and treat others like the royalty they are.

Where do I go to take such lessons you ask? To His Word…where all life’s answers are found!

Her majesty,
Precious Princess Dalese

Happy 25th Birthday Christopher

2008-09-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

Christopher is turning twenty five (25) on the 6th of September and I’m not going to be able to send out my customary letter celebrating the life of my son on his birthday. I started sending out emails to help me deal with not being with the boys (now men) on their special days years ago. This little tradition has really ministered to me!
Thank you for being a part of the STOCKWELL family as you read my reminiscence of Christopher.

WOW…twenty five years ago God blessed us with our first son. And God hasn’t stopped blessing our lives through him.

God has a calling on Christopher’s life. Christopher was always very interested in spiritual matters. At the age of two and a half he wanted to have “Jesus in his heart.” We told tell him that when he was older there would be a time when he would feel that "tugging" and we would talk to him about it then.

One afternoon I was lying down with him (trying to get him to go to sleep while the baby (Jonathan) slept so that I could get a short nap myself) and he smiled a wicked little smile, rushed his hand into my shirt, pulled it out as quickly as he had stuck it in, and repeated the same action inside his shirt. I watched this happen in a matter of seconds and dumbfoundedly asked him, “What did you just do?”
He said, “I took Jesus out of your heart and put Him in mine!”
Yes, the little bugger was very pleased with himself! I knew he did not know the implications of taking Jesus out of my heart. Or hoped he didn’t!!!

Well, years later Jesus did "tug" at Christopher’s heart and he accepted that Divine invitation and became a child of God (allowing me to keep Jesus in my heart!)

We have watched, with gratification, Christopher grow in his relationship with the Lord. It hasn’t always been pretty or easy. But God has always proven Himself faithful.

We are so thankful that Christopher’s heart is tuned to hear and act upon God’s instructions.
We are also thankful for Katie Stockwell who walks beside him as he leads their family to follow God.

Happy Birthday Christopher Vernon Stockwell.

Thank you for letting me MOTHER YOU…it has been my delight!

Proverbs 23:24-25 "The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!"

Check is in the mail!!!

2008-09-01T04:17:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the watch, unmoved in the faith, and be strong like men.

When I think of the word WATCH I think of my eyes. I mean, you know, tongue with taste, ears with hearing, and eyes with seeing (or watching!)
But sometimes we SEE things that we do not understand…even when we WATCH (To look or observe attentively or carefully; be closely observant) we still do not understand.

Sometimes we SEE things in another culture that make no sense to us.
Mick shared a story from the FRONT (that is what I’m calling Georgia at this time!) this morning. How many of you have heard of Borsch? It is a beet/cabbage meal (in a bowl) best described to Americans as Beet Soup. However, we would never call it soup in front of the nationals…it is not a soup in their opinion. Well, you know, we have Chili (everyone knows that Chili isn’t soup) so I can give them that. It is their (Ukrainian and Russian) national “Chili.”

You probably have never heard of Har-cho. This is Georgia’s national SOUP. Yes, for some reason it is considered a soup…most likely because it is SOUP! But Mick’s story really blew my mind as he told me that in Georgia he asked them (not Ukrainians nor Russians, but Georgians) if Har-cho was soup. They said, “Yes!” For some reason (he must have just had too much time on his hands) he took it a step further and asked them if Borsch was soup and they said, “NO!”

If someone asked me if Borsch was SOUP I’d say, “Well, yes…but the nationals do not consider it so!”
These Georgians couldn’t go there with Mick…he asked them to explain the difference in their SOUP (Har-cho) and Borsch (water based meal served in a bowl!)
They couldn’t…but they also could not see his point…Why would he even think that Borsch could be a soup?

They couldn’t see it…why??? Because of their culture, their world view, and what they grew up hearing and knowing to be true, they couldn’t see Mick’s point.
I could sit here and think how silly…but instead I decided to examine (WATCH) my own life, ideas, and what I believe to be TRUTH.

I wonder how many times I think I know God’s will and way and am so far off because of my culture, my world view, and what I grew up hearing and knowing to be true?

Psalm 141: 8
But my eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign Lord; in You I take refuge…

This is my prayer: Fix my eyes on You, my Sovereign Lord, so that I may be on WATCH (seeing with Your eyes and believing Your truth), unmoved in the faith, and be strong like a woMAN.

Able to love even those who are all mixed up about what constitutes the make up of soup!!!

2008-08-30T03:57:00.000-07:00

My first BLOG and I’m at a lost for words. Well, not really (I’m sure you saw that coming!)

My thoughts today: I have lived with MANY men! Yes, I’m the only girl of three children. I did live with my parents (which included my mom…another girl) for nineteen years before heading off to college. After two and a half years I moved in with another man…my husband…And father of my three sons. So, I’ve been living with ONLY men since 1979. Don’t get me wrong…I love my husband to death and there hasn’t been a BORING minute of our 29 years of marriage (out of which we say that 27 of those were GREAT!) And I have absolutely had a BLAST being the mom of three sons. Upon mention of them I smile all over myself and feel such pride and JOY. No, I do not feel cheated at all!!!

But let’s face it, a girl needs GIRL-FRIENDS!!!

And God has sent me some wonderful girl-friends to bless my male dominated life.

First and foremost…MY MOM…Billie Inez Thornton Woodard…thank you so much Mom!!!

Mrs. Masters mentored me through my mom. I didn’t even know what mentoring was back then (1970.) I don’t think my mom did either, but Mrs. Masters mentored mom and mom mentored me with the wisdom she gleaned from Mrs. M. I’m so thankful for her life and story!

I began writing a SHORT list (I thought) of those girls whom God has brought in my life who have made a difference and even that SHORT list is LONG. So, I will not be able to share with you my precious girl-friends. I do want to say that I have remembered you (you know who you are) today and thanked the Lord for you and what you have taught me. I’ve been reminded that I’ve not always been the BEST OF GIRL-FRIENDS and I am sorry about that. I want to be the kind of Girl-Friend who makes a Godly Impact on the lives of the women GOD gives me as friends.

Though I’ve not always been faithful…He is…and a little over a year ago He placed another girl in my life. He gave me my precious Daughter-In-Love, Katie Gray Grisham Stockwell. I didn’t get to pick her…but I couldn’t have picked a better one. She has been a delight to my heart, soul, and life!!!
She got me started on this BLOG thing. Go Katie!!!

Another amazing girl is entering our lives. Again, I didn’t get to pick her…but Jonathan has brought us home another KEEPER. Katherine Anderson will join the Stockwell girls soon and when she does, LOOK OUT BOYS…we will almost be caught up (in number) with you and when three girl-friends (especially astonishing ones like us) get together…no telling what will happen!!!

Looking forward to BLOGGING with all my Girl-Friends and, of course, those delightful men whom God has given me as cohorts in this journey of LIFE.

Always: Entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; giving thanks to Him and praising His Name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4

Blessed be the Name of my Lord.