Emmalyn Elizabeth Puffenbarger

Let me introduce you to my new beautiful neice.
You've GOT to check out Emma and my brother Jarrod's growing family. Click here to ready more about their love for the Lord and how God is using their family in Korea.

We are praying for the details to work out for Alisia and I to go visit them in Korea over spring break!
We love you Jarrod, Stephanie, Marc and Emmalyn!

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26



Until the Kingdom Comes

A great message for the new year

Fact:
Not counting the 1,561,000,000 evangelized non-Christians in the world, or the 1,362,000,000 professing Christians in the world, there are 1,381,000,000 unevangelized persons in the world who are “unaware of Christianity, Christ and the Gospel” (World Christian Encyclopedia).

Jesus Said:
Matthew 24:14, “This gospel will first be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.”

Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful, the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 28:18-19, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”

John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you.”

Therefore:
Until the Kingdom is finally established and there are no more unreached peoples, the local church must be a mission base. Until the Kingdom comes, worship must stoke the fires of love for the glory of a global God. Until the Kingdom comes, Christian education must train the troops for tactical and strategic warfare with the weapon of truth. Until the Kingdom comes, counseling and nurture must be the field hospitals saving the wounded, relieving battle fatigue, transforming the traumas of spiritual war into veteran courage. Until the Kingdom comes, fellowship must have the flavor of camaraderie under siege. Until the Kingdom comes, money must be the currency of combat, not convenience. Until the Kingdom comes, leisure must be re-creation for the cause of Christ. Until the Kingdom comes, marriage must be a partnership in arms (double meaning intended!). Until the Kingdom comes, the family must be an enclave of Christ-centered joy equipping young insurgents to infiltrate occupied territories. Until the Kingdom comes, vocation must be an on-duty outpost, a solitary sortie, and a basic line of support for the war effort.

If we love the glory of God, and have compassion for the lost, no other mentality will leave our conscience clear.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/until-the-kingdom-comes

Our Christmas Message

"For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. "

Isaiah 9:6

Surely there must be more

Giving.

When I was working as a Family Support Worker with Healthy Families, I visited new mom's after they had a baby. I would often go from home-to-home back-to-back. This one cold winter day in particular, I was traveling from one trailer park to across town to another one. The first family I visited had been in the program for several months and were really striving.

You could see it in the way the mother smiled when she talked and as she interacted with her baby boy.


They family didn't have much, but they had come so far.

As I arrived, the mother invited me in their warm home. There was a blanket and several toys I lent them the week before were spread out on the floor and they were ready for the visit. Her son had just learned to take his first steps, and she was so excited to have him show me. The visit was an hour long and as I was leaving, this new young mom asked if I knew anyone who could use some extra grocries. She had several grocrey bags full of items such as eggs, cereal, dry beans, juice, and milk. Extra grocries they have not used from WIC. She asked me if I would pass them on or keep them for my own family as she did not want them to go bad and have to throw them out. I really wasn't sure what I would do with all of it, but obliged to take it off their hands.

The next visit was with a family new to the program. This was my first time visiting to try to engage them in the program. The house was cold and dark. The mother greeted me and invited me inside. Inside the house was almost as cold as the outside winter. She quietly appoligized for the cold and turned on a small light to light one corner of the empty living room. She disappeared for several minutes into a dark bedroom and came out with a small floor heater and two folding metal chairs. After she disappeared a second time, she came back with a sleeping baby bundled up with several layers of blankets in his carseat. She appoligized again for the chairs being cold as we sat down together.

I quickly forgot my agenda for the visit and my mind started racing to various programs and services that could meet this families needs. As I asked a few basic questions, it was obvious this mom needed someone to talk to. Such hopelessness in her eyes. Her husband had lost his job several weeks ago and they had been without income. They were hoping to move out of state to be with other family, but had no money for travel. She continued to pour out her heart, yet not once asked me for anything.

I brought the grocries in from the car and helped empty them into the bare cabinets. There wasn't much I could offer except for a listening ear, a few grocries, and some sort of hope for their future. I knew my agenda and activites that I had prepared for this visit wasn't enough. God had prepared this visit. This new young mom was not going to be interrested in learning parenting skills if all she's thinking about right now is surrival. God was allowing me to see how he would use the generousity of the first family to reach this desperate family. He was allowing me to see only a tiny part of his might plan.

The next day when I arrived at the office, I started looking up resources for them. They needed help and I was determined to do whatever I could to get them whatever help they needed. However, I soon found out that would be the last time I would ever see that family. When I called later that week, their phone was disconnected. I drove out to their house several times and no one answered the door. I couldn't stop thinking about them and wondering where they were, how they are, and if God is meeting their needs. I couldn't forget about them. Surely He hasn't forgotten.

I am thankful for that day and how God allowed me to witness and be a testimoney of his work. So often we don't get to see the other side. Although we're called to give, so often we doubt that God will use our gift. That family still comes to my mind often. So how come, so often I am still reluctant to give?

“The poor and needy search for water,

but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst.

But I the Lord will answer them;

I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them."

Isaiah 41:17

Boys and Girls

The other night Alisia's school had Chic-fil-a night we went to and Caleb got to see several friends from last year. One of the girls that used to be in his class came directly over to our table and started twirling her hair and says "HIIIIIIiiiii Caaaleeeeb"

Caleb barely making eye contacted responded with "hi," but was obviously embarrassed because his family and friends were around too. He tries ignoring her then she says "Caleb, We have 23 people in our class this year and if you were in our class it'd be 24" still twirling her hair.

Caleb's response "So, I don't care."

She goes on to tell him all about 2nd grade and their teacher and speed drills in math and learning cursive and everything else he's missed.

After not much response from Caleb, she walks away still with a big smile on her face.

Alisia gets after him for his response to her and gives him advise on treating girls. His friend also tries giving him advise cause now there's a girl he likes too.

Caleb just isn't there yet. And that's OK with me. Maybe he does need a few lessons on how to respond politely. But I love how boys and girls are so different at this age and I'm kinda happy that for now, girls are still yucky. I know it won't be like that forever.

Crayon Love

I have this picture hanging in my office at work: 

And I smile every single time I look at it.

This picture is so precious to me for so many reasons.

The "blonde" one is me.

Know who the other one is? 

I'm the Lucky One

One more spot...

In my day job, I have to work every 5th weekend. UGGgghhHH! I soo dread those weekends! I feel like I'm missing out. I feel like there's so much happening on weekends. Even if we have no plans, I'm missing a weekend to do nothing.

I'm so glad we are not meant to face these things alone. I'm so thankful for my other half, my husband, the man I'm called to be his help meet. Thankful that he can be there when I'm not. Since this weekend I was busy at work, that left one more spot in the van. We generally have 2 of the girls with us, but this weekend all 4 of the younger children came to church. I'm sure this had to make God smile. Angel was so proud of all his "7 kids" at church. He did turn down going out to lunch afterwards with my parents, and decided to clean out the fridge. Literally. I'm amazed how far a pack of tortillas and 1lb of cheese can stretch. Reminding me of Jesus feeding the 5,000. And makes me wonder how many more we can fit around our Sunday lunch table....

"Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish."

John 6:11

(Proverbs) 31 at (age) 31

Ahh, the blessings of a birthday... reflecting on your life and looking toward the future. As I think about this year, I am often reminded of Proverbs 31 (and Titus 2) that speak dirrectly to women. As I read over these two chapters again and again, it really speaks to my heart as it encompasses the many different roles we as women have to balance.

Let's have a look:
  
1)  noble character                         16) keeps herself beautiful
2)  value                                      17) speaks well of her husband
3)  brings good                               18) not fearful
4)  works with eager hands            19) speaks wise words
5)  makes good decisions               20) gives faithful instruction
6)  provides food                            21) watches over her home
7)  is not lazy                                  22) not idle
8)  smart with money                     23) loves her husband
9)  hard worker                             24) loves her children
10) realizes her work is worthwhile  25) contributes to her family
11) creative homemaker                26) Fears the Lord
12) reaches out                              27) self-controlled
13) ministry                                   28) pure
14) well prepared                          29) busy at home
15) provides for household needs  30) kind
                                                    31) subject to her husband
                                                   
Oh, how I strive to be this godly woman, but oh how I fall short!

Things I can do to keep striving for 31 at 31:
*more time in God's word
*praying specifically for these godly traits, my roles, my husband and children
*asking God to open my eyes to the deep needs of those around me and how God can use me
*limiting my distractions
*limit my commitments and my children's extra curricular activities

Little Shadow

When I got home from work, Aaron greeted me at my car like this:

I walked around the house and found Papi doing this (mowing and smoking a cigar):

Aaron loves to follow Papi around and do what he does. His shadow.

Aaron is so teachable right now and loves to help.

The best part is Papi lets Aaron help and loves teaching him. Loves his Little Shadow.

Working together. Bonding.

Angel does this with the other kids, too. So many times when Papi could get the job done much faster and efficient, he takes the time and lets them be a part of the hard work, and lets them rejoice in the end result. And he takes the time to praise them through it all.

I imagine that God does this too with us. He could get the job done without us, but allows us to take part of His work. May our work be well done, so that we will be called His "Good and Faithful servant." (Matt 25:14-30)