Too Good?

Do you understand what I mean when I say that we feel so blessed that we feel guilty? There are times that we try to turn our thanksgiving into praise and feel weak and inadequate. What a great salvation! The blessing that is invoking our feelings of guilt is the support that we have received during our experience. Specifically, our parents have been super supportive and we have heard so many stories from others who understand the pain of not having their parents blessing. We try not to take this for granted. Keri's parents are here for a visit. We appreciate so much the effort and sacrifice they make to support us. This time is invaluable for our kids to have the interaction with their "Meemaw" and "Pompaw." Here is a little video of everyone playing with the kids at Montego Bay. Keri's parents brought down jump rope for the kids and here they are enjoying it together.

A Piece of not so much Paradise "Parks"

I think we have probably written about this before, but one of the things we miss the most about the States is "public spaces." A favorite activity before leaving Indiana was going to the park. We loved Matea Park near Leo, the Rose Garden, Schoaff Park, Cedarville, etc. These were all great places near our home that we enjoyed family time with the kids. Now, we only have one option, the beach. This is not a complaint about the beach being a place to take the kids for family fun, but it does not consist of the variety we once enjoyed. The point is that parks are nice, cool, and to be fully appreciated. The 2nd point is that we wish Jamaica supported more of that. The 3rd point is that there are times when we need be creative and come up with alternative solutions. One of our alternative solutions is a little playground at the school in Montego Bay. A few weeks back, we enjoyed some time there with the kids and took some pictures. See them here.

Don't Cross the Line

"Boys, don't go in the grass, you will get all wet!"

Well, you can see how that works with a couple of little boys. I dont know that we would call it a wonderful compromise, but they obeyed beautifully so we were thankful and they got totally wet so they were having a blast. Everyone is happy. I am sure we have said this before, but we are so thankful for how these two are growing up to be good friends. Just this evening, after each hitting each other angrily and receiving their consequence, I asked them to ask for forgiveness. If I only had a camera for that as they walked toward each other with open arms confessing their remorse. While they will probably be hitting each other again soon, it will certainly be followed with a loving expression of loyalty.

2 Years Ago Today (maybe yesterday)

Kirk and Keri looked like this:


Truitt looked like this:


And Drew looked like this:


And, Keri and I were getting on an airplane, leaving the two little ones, to take our survey trip to Jamaica. We were praying about the opportunity to serve in Jamaica and seeking His will for our lives. We met our team at the airport, Chad and Pam Huber and Erin Davis, and we went on a tour of Jamaica. While we were leaning towards going, as we toured our hearts were shocked by the experience. While we had both had experiences in Jamaica previously, we were now looking at it through a "long term" lens and a "married with children" lens. There were parts of the trip that were very reassuring and parts that made us sick. Ultimately, we concluded that the best place to be is in His will and when we are there, it does not matter if we live in Indiana or Jamaica. So, we have tried to leave it in His hands, not altogether to successfully, and by His grace he has carried us through. In Jamaica, today is "Easter Monday," and we celebrated with some friends at a cookout that we met for the first time 2 years ago. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness as we are in awe regarding how fast time flies.

P.S. - No, we can find no spiritual significance for "Easter Monday," but we do know that Jamaicans love to find another good reason for a "Holiday."

Up the Hill

The Plattners are on the move again. We have tied up the loose ends here in Montego Bay and are headed "up the hill" to Knockpatrick. As we have mentioned, it feels good to be going back to Knockpatrick but we are torn as we leave. Also, as mentioned in our podcast, we have sensed the Lord's provision powerfully here in the last couple of months and we give Him praise for that. As we talk about going "up the hill," we cant help but think of our Lord and Saviour. May our hearts go "up the hill" today to see His sacrifice. While our minds cant fully understand, may we humble our hearts before the cross today and allow His grace to work in us through His ultimate example of "dying to self!" To Him be the Glory by His Grace!

Podcast #20

on post #100 since switching to a new format. We made the switch 8 months ago. That means that we have been posting at a rate of 3.125 posts/week, but who is keeping score. I have been thinking more about this whole "blog" thing lately, I guess it will make good material for a future post. Again, we feel a little funny doing the podcast thing as it feels a little "showey." But, as we have discussed it, we sense that their will be much more value to the podcasts historically than their is now (again, fodder for another post). So, for sake of posterity, enjoy podcast #20 and you will see that the video becomes not about us but Truitt steals the show.

The Flip Side

For all who know our Drew, you know that this is not his everyday side. But, every once in awhile you get a glimpse of his flipside. What a Joy!

A Piece of Paradise "Family"

Today we finished up our last team for the "Spring" work team season. It was another great week and wrapped up a string of teams that really blessed CCCD as a result of their heart for service. Because we did not need to pickup a team today, we were able to eat together as a family tonight. During team time, we enjoy eating with the teams and we get great food. But, we really miss eating together as a family. So, in sharing the simple pleasure of eating a meal together, we again have realized the powerful "grace" that is family. This piece of paradise is obviously not a function of living in paradise, but that is part of the glory of family as they remain no matter where we live. Lets just say it is one of those blessing that transcends everything. We praise the Lord for our little family and try to return our thanks to Him in praise!

Bearing Fruit!

As we have said before, one of the things we enjoy about work teams is meeting all the people. There is no doubt that a major part of our ministry is to the American teams that come down to serve CCCD. While we did not know we were signing up for ministry to "middle America," it has become a very real part of our daily lives. The groups that come down to serve are typically Christian groups from "middle America." We have been blessed by this aspect of the ministry as we have been able to witness hearts change, people ask themselves deep questions, and see seeds planted regarding ministry. The above pictures represent a bit of the work from the team. The team from Michigan has been doing afterschool activities with the kids. Yesterday, they took the kids out and planted seeds. It was a great activity with the kids, but it is a very real thing that also happens in the heart of teams The reality of "It is more blessed to give than recieve," plays out before our eyes week after week. I am not sure why we do not believe that with more conviction, the Bible says that it is true, it has been proven true again and again in our own life, and we see it in the lives of others. Let this be a challenge to you, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Please allow that seed to be planted in your hearts and allow the Lord to bring the fruit.

MORE PICTURES HERE