Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Out of town
We have been out of town. The missionary who has been hosting teams at the Montego Bay campus asked us if we would help him out with a team. We agreed to go down to MoBay for a few days to help out. Friday, we went down for a fun day of swimming with the kids. Saturday, we picked up the team and stayed through today. It was a small team from Augusta, GA. They were alot of fun and we enjoyed our time in the heat of Montego Bay. But, our family is certainly not as mobile as the time when we would move down to MoBay with ease. Now, 4 kids means more stuff and more issues with being out of routine, but thankfully, the kids are pretty flexible.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
High School Class Reunion
This summer, my High School class is hosting a reunion. It has been 15 years and our class has still not had a reunion. Keri and I will not be able to make it for the event, but they did ask everyone to submit a summary of their past 15 years. This is not an easy task to put 15 years into a few sentences for people of whom you only know their most immature self. Then, add to the equation that a class reunion may be the first chance to "redeem" their enduring image of me, of which I am not the most proud. For someone who thinks too much about these kinds of things, this is hard. Therefore, I need your help. Here is my first draft, let me know what you think. If you have the time, please send an email or leave a comment. Too long? Too short? Too practical? Too ethereal? Too christianese? Too serious? Thanks!
I am not who I was. I look back at high school with some fond memories and a fair measure of shame. My high school experience was better than that of 99% of the world. I must be thankful for great people, good memories, and a decent education. I know that puts me in the 1%. But, I was not who I should have been and for that I am sorry, it makes grateful for forgiveness. Not long into my freshmen year of college I realized that there was more to life than my experiences. It was at this time that I became a believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. This changed everything! From this point on, my life took a new course. Through ICC and on to the University of Illinois, my journey took me beyond what I had planned. After graduation, I found myself living in Indiana and teaching at a small school for at-risk high school students. It was often with a fair measure of chagrin that I looked at my life behind a teacher's desk as I considered my years failing Ms. Stahl's math class or some ridiculous english class. The comedy then turned to a belly laugh as I took my 3 years of experience as a teacher and moved into the principals office. It was a great job and a great experience and I remain passionate about education. It was about the time that I became the Director of Education of that school that I was swept off my feet by the love of my life. We married in 2004 and soon welcomed our first son in 2005. After our second son was born in 2007, we felt the call of God to serve as missionaries overseas. This call has taken us to the deaf community on the island of Jamaica. We work at a school for the deaf in rural Jamaica and have experienced the profound grace of God living in a different culture. We have had two daughters born since being in Jamaica and we often can't believe we are now a family of 6. Life has not been easy or perfect, but we know that its a journey and we are living it in joy, learning how to love more completely. And, by the grace of God, the journey continues.......
I am not who I was. I look back at high school with some fond memories and a fair measure of shame. My high school experience was better than that of 99% of the world. I must be thankful for great people, good memories, and a decent education. I know that puts me in the 1%. But, I was not who I should have been and for that I am sorry, it makes grateful for forgiveness. Not long into my freshmen year of college I realized that there was more to life than my experiences. It was at this time that I became a believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. This changed everything! From this point on, my life took a new course. Through ICC and on to the University of Illinois, my journey took me beyond what I had planned. After graduation, I found myself living in Indiana and teaching at a small school for at-risk high school students. It was often with a fair measure of chagrin that I looked at my life behind a teacher's desk as I considered my years failing Ms. Stahl's math class or some ridiculous english class. The comedy then turned to a belly laugh as I took my 3 years of experience as a teacher and moved into the principals office. It was a great job and a great experience and I remain passionate about education. It was about the time that I became the Director of Education of that school that I was swept off my feet by the love of my life. We married in 2004 and soon welcomed our first son in 2005. After our second son was born in 2007, we felt the call of God to serve as missionaries overseas. This call has taken us to the deaf community on the island of Jamaica. We work at a school for the deaf in rural Jamaica and have experienced the profound grace of God living in a different culture. We have had two daughters born since being in Jamaica and we often can't believe we are now a family of 6. Life has not been easy or perfect, but we know that its a journey and we are living it in joy, learning how to love more completely. And, by the grace of God, the journey continues.......
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Can I get a witness
I need a witness up in here because if I just explain it to you, I am afraid you wont believe me. Actually, I dont need a witness, I can do it myself. Do you know that definition of success that says something along the lines of "to have those that know me the best, respect me the most." Let me be the first to say that I think I know her the best and this is one awesome MOM! She knew I was trying to put a blog post together and her comment was, "you wrote a post last year that was too nice and my mothering only got worse this year." Dont believe it! Is it always easy? No! Do we lose our patience? Yes! Must we often ask for forgiveness? Yes! But, are we living under grace and growing? YES! Praise the Lord for an awesome wife and mother. She is all that!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Jamaica Update - April
April 2012 Plattner Family Update
Our parenting skills need some serious help! It is not uncommon for us to get to the end of our day absolutely beside ourselves. And, by “beside ourselves,” we literally mean that we can clearly see ourselves in two distinct ways. The Bible calls it spirit and flesh, but for the sake of this conversation, we will call it good parent and bad parent, or proactive and reactive, or loving and angry. After awhile, this tension continues to beat us up and we end up in the black and blue of depression. Over the past month, the contrast between our bad parenting and the perfect parenting of God as our heavenly father has become increasingly clear. When the bad parent rears its ugly head, we crumble in need of grace. Then, in the light of that grace, we a get renewed glimpse of our Father’s love for us. It is in understanding this love that we stand in awe knowing that our behavior towards Him is not far from the behavior in our children that sends us into bipolar mode. We know His love for us is consistent, compassionate, and faithful. We have been wrestling through these thoughts in prayer this month. In new ways, we have sensed the Father’s love and in spite of the ugliness of “bad parent,” we know His Fatherly care shaping us into His image.
April has been a monumental month, an intense month. April started with us moving to Montego Bay for a week. Our sending church was arriving for a week of ministry. They were here for the first week of April and it was a blessed week. The group was great and we spent the entirety of our time ministering at a local home for the infirmed. The ministry consisted of some heavy construction, some maintenance work, a lot of singing, and most importantly, simply loving the residents. The fellowship was sweet. The nursing home was ecstatic for the work that was completed and the residents really appreciated all of the love and attention.
After saying goodbye to the Leo team, we moved back up to Knockpatrick. We were still in the middle of a serious ride on the emotional roller coaster as we dealt with the hangover from the Leo team. But, the ride wasn’t over because that Sunday was Easter, a day of celebration. Then, on Easter Sunday evening, we had a farewell dinner as a team with the Huber family. On the next Tuesday, we said our final goodbyes as the Huber family moved back to the states. This turned the roller coaster ride into high gear as we will miss them so much. We have done a lot of life together with the Huber family over the past few years and it has been hard to see them move. But, at the same time, we trust God’s plan for their family and know that our relationship will continue over the miles.
The rest of the month, the roller coaster slowed down. We had a little bit of down time before we welcomed a team from Florida. We were blessed by the work and friendship of a team from Seffner Christian Academy. As the team wrapped up their work, we were graced by a visit from Keri’s parents. The time with Grandpa and Grandma Kaeb was great. We enjoyed hosting them for a few days at our apartment before we went together on a little vacation. As we have stated before, the distance between Grandparents and Grandkids continues to be one of our biggest struggles. But, at the same time, we have clearly witnessed God’s grace in closing that gap for our kids as we have witnessed their deep love and connection to their grandparents.
Throughout the month of April, we have really committed our plans to the Lord in prayer. This summer looks like it will be a time of transition. We are praying about moving out of our small apartment and we are asking the Lord to show us the way. We are trusting Him as our faithful Father as we do not know if this means a simple move into town or a big move into a different ministry. Thank you for praying with us and for your love and support.
Our parenting skills need some serious help! It is not uncommon for us to get to the end of our day absolutely beside ourselves. And, by “beside ourselves,” we literally mean that we can clearly see ourselves in two distinct ways. The Bible calls it spirit and flesh, but for the sake of this conversation, we will call it good parent and bad parent, or proactive and reactive, or loving and angry. After awhile, this tension continues to beat us up and we end up in the black and blue of depression. Over the past month, the contrast between our bad parenting and the perfect parenting of God as our heavenly father has become increasingly clear. When the bad parent rears its ugly head, we crumble in need of grace. Then, in the light of that grace, we a get renewed glimpse of our Father’s love for us. It is in understanding this love that we stand in awe knowing that our behavior towards Him is not far from the behavior in our children that sends us into bipolar mode. We know His love for us is consistent, compassionate, and faithful. We have been wrestling through these thoughts in prayer this month. In new ways, we have sensed the Father’s love and in spite of the ugliness of “bad parent,” we know His Fatherly care shaping us into His image.
April has been a monumental month, an intense month. April started with us moving to Montego Bay for a week. Our sending church was arriving for a week of ministry. They were here for the first week of April and it was a blessed week. The group was great and we spent the entirety of our time ministering at a local home for the infirmed. The ministry consisted of some heavy construction, some maintenance work, a lot of singing, and most importantly, simply loving the residents. The fellowship was sweet. The nursing home was ecstatic for the work that was completed and the residents really appreciated all of the love and attention.
After saying goodbye to the Leo team, we moved back up to Knockpatrick. We were still in the middle of a serious ride on the emotional roller coaster as we dealt with the hangover from the Leo team. But, the ride wasn’t over because that Sunday was Easter, a day of celebration. Then, on Easter Sunday evening, we had a farewell dinner as a team with the Huber family. On the next Tuesday, we said our final goodbyes as the Huber family moved back to the states. This turned the roller coaster ride into high gear as we will miss them so much. We have done a lot of life together with the Huber family over the past few years and it has been hard to see them move. But, at the same time, we trust God’s plan for their family and know that our relationship will continue over the miles.
The rest of the month, the roller coaster slowed down. We had a little bit of down time before we welcomed a team from Florida. We were blessed by the work and friendship of a team from Seffner Christian Academy. As the team wrapped up their work, we were graced by a visit from Keri’s parents. The time with Grandpa and Grandma Kaeb was great. We enjoyed hosting them for a few days at our apartment before we went together on a little vacation. As we have stated before, the distance between Grandparents and Grandkids continues to be one of our biggest struggles. But, at the same time, we have clearly witnessed God’s grace in closing that gap for our kids as we have witnessed their deep love and connection to their grandparents.
Throughout the month of April, we have really committed our plans to the Lord in prayer. This summer looks like it will be a time of transition. We are praying about moving out of our small apartment and we are asking the Lord to show us the way. We are trusting Him as our faithful Father as we do not know if this means a simple move into town or a big move into a different ministry. Thank you for praying with us and for your love and support.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Sign of the times
Drew lost his first tooth. Yes, a monumental moment. He was so excited and it has been the talk of our household. With the loss of a tooth comes talk of tooth fairies. So, I assumed my responsibility, role, and duty as a 200lb tooth fairy. During the early discussions of the tooth fairy and "her" subsequent blessings, Drew came up with an idea. This was no ordinary idea, but only an idea that could come out of a mind that has fully developed in this technological ocean in which we swim. After the initial discussion of my tooth fairy leaving me a quarter per tooth, with the possibility of a slight increase with inflation, Drew dropped the technological bomb. He said, "I wonder if the tooth fairy might leave me a new ipod under my pillow." Wow!
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