Family Pictures

 Brian hates the below picture, but it's all we have. I'm putting it up here until he takes another one. :)

Click here to see more Fall Fun.

AJVAR!!!!

Ajvar is one true Macedonian specialty.  It is a red pepper relish.  I spent almost two whole days with Ane and her family helping them make ajvar.  

Here we are peeling the roasted red peppers.  We peeled about 65 kilos (143 lbs). 

While we peeled, we sang some Macedonian Christian songs and just enjoyed one anothers' company. I LOVE Ane!!!

 Here's Lade roasting the peppers.  He wanted proof that he did actually help. :)

More peeling. My hands smelled like red peppers for days.

The peppers doing their thing on the big outdoor stove. The pot is some corn on the cob for a later snack.

The peeled and seeded peppers. 

Day 2: I got there at about 10 and Ane already had the mixture in the pot.  She and her mom had run the peppers through a food mill the night before.  

The mixture: 65 kilos of peppers and 2 liters of oil.  You let it boil...

And boil...

And BOIL for about 4-5 hours while stirring constantly (except for a break to take pictures of course).

Ane added some chopped eggplant, a few spoonfuls of yellow mustard, and A LOT of salt. Then you jar it.

And boil the jars for 15-20 minutes to seal them. We made about 25 large jars.

Here are some other red peppers she "sewed" together that will dry out in the sun. She will use these through the whole winter.

Ajvar (eye-var) is not my most favorite Macedonian specialty.  To me it tastes a lot like pimento, but the Macedonians LOVE it. It is a staple in their winter diet. A lot of times they will have a jar of ajvar, some sirenje (white cheese) and bread for a meal.  If you are interested in giving it a try, you can find a recipe here or here with video.

Going Home

After a few days of poking, prodding and testing, I am headed back to Macedonia.  Thanks for praying for me.  I wasn't given any real definitive answers as to what is causing my problems, but I was given some new meds to try.  Praise the Lord that all of my tests came back within normal range except for a Vitamin D deficiency which is easily fixable.  God is faithful.  Perhaps, my tummy troubles are just the thorn in my flesh that will keep me humble and on my knees.  Once again, I am so grateful for the tremendous ministry of the IMB and the prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Budapest

Brian finally got his way. He and our awesome organization (thanks IMB supporters) sent me off to Budapest to try and figure out why my stomach hurts ALL the time.  So, I am here, enjoying (?) a lot of quiet time, a city with tons of American fun, and a doctor that actually listens to me.  But all of that means Brian is at home enjoying being Mr. Mom.  He's the man and I have NO doubt in his abilities to hold down the fort, keep the children clean, fed and happy, and also (semi) do a little work on the side.

Please pray for us all as we are apart for an indefinite period of time.  I shared with a worried Macedonian friend yesterday (via facebook) that she has no need to worry. I am in the mighty right hand of my sovereign creator and sustainer.  He sustains me daily, and he has sustained me through a time that left the doctors beside themselves in utter confusion.  He is faithful. He is good.

Also continue to pray for our sweet friends the Dovers. Josiah just started his second round of chemo yesterday. Continue to pray that his body responds well to the treatment, that he be healed and that most of all our Healer be glorified in it all. You can follow their story on CaringBridge or Facebook.

I will leave you with this quote by John Piper, "The prospect of eternal suffering is the most sobering truth in the world."  None of the above is easy, but we have hope. We have LIFE. Pray especially for those who are muttling through their days without this hope we have in Christ.

Шопска Салата

Have you been wondering, what on earth can I do with all of these delicious tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden?  Well, I have the answer.  You can make the most delicious salad there ever was: the шопска салата (shopska salad).  YUM!

 Here's what to do:

• Cut your tomatoes and cucumbers into bite size pieces.
• Mix together with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add chopped onion and green pepper if desired (They add so much deliciousness!)
• Mix in a little olive oil and vinegar. (You don't need a lot.)
• Throw in some fresh parsley, finely chopped.
• Add some crumbled/shredded feta cheese (the closest thing you can get to the amazing Macedonian сирење (sirenje) to top it off.
• Prepare yourself for one amazing salad. And make sure you have some delicious fresh baked bread to sop up the juice at the end.

It sounds so simple, right?  Well, almost all of our volunteers will agree it is one of the best things Macedonian cuisine has to offer.  Give it a try, and while you make it and eat it, pray for those here who don't yet know Christ as their savior.

"We are the Body"

Yay! Yay! YAY!  There is finally a music video to one of the best songs ever written.  Take a listen!

Mandi Mapes | "We Are The Body" from AsiaStories on Vimeo.

Happy Independence Day Macedonia

We LOVE living in Macedonia, especially in Ohrid.  Today is Macedonia's Independence Day --the one when they declared their independence from Yugoslavia.

Happy 20th Birthday Macedonia! May your next 20 years be filled with kindness from your neighbors, brotherly love among your citizens, success in all your endeavors, jobs for all people, and MOST of all the love of God! Know that we pray for you everyday!!!

"May [God] grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!"

Pslam 20:4-5

 "Да ти даде според желбата на твоето срце, и да ги исполни сите твои намери! Ќе се радуваме за твоето спасение, во името на нашиот Бог ќе ги дигнеме знамињата. Господ да ги исполни сите твои молби!" 

Пслам 20:4-5

Promised Scotland Pitcures

Kate's First Day of Fishing

Earlier in the summer, I bought Kate a fishing pole. Today was the first day we got to go out and use it. We just used a bobber and I tied some bread to the line. There was a frog who kept jumping at the bobber which was a fun game for Kate because no matter what she did not want the frog to get it. I did however hover the bobber for a few pictures!

Josiah

Here is the Caring Bridge Site for Josiah. Let him know you are praying for him and most of all, PRAY!!!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/josiahdover/mystory

Our God Reigns

I awoke to heart-breaking news that Josiah most likely has stage four lymphoma. Josiah is the seven year old son of our teammates and Ohrid family, Charlie and Jennifer Dover. We were shocked to read the words on the email as we thought his sickness would be diagnosed as no more than an enzyme disorder. Josiah is Kate's very best friend here in Ohrid. He is a full of energy, quick-witted, brilliant, tender-hearted, precious little boy that I love like my own nephew.

The minute I could get away this morning, I ran straight to the living Word of God. As I read through many Psalms, the Lord comforted my heart with words like, "When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." and "He will cover you with his pinions and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler." and "For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways." But the one that stood out to me the most this morning was this, "The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed. He has put on strength as His belt. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting."

Our God is STILL on His throne. He is STILL robed in majesty. He STILL reigns! While this news is unexpected. God was not surprised by it one minute. For some reason, in His goodness and love He has chosen this for Josiah and his family. I don't understand it all, but I believe the Gospel. I believe that He loved us enough to die for us so that there would be no fear in life or death. Perfect love casts out fear. I will rest in the shadow of His wings.

Pray for healing. Pray that Josiah, Charlie and Jennifer will all rest in our Sovereign Lord.

Bulgaria and Scotland

We just got back from a LONG time away from home. We were gone for 16 days which I would now say is way too long with two little ones in tow. We had a blast though. The first part of the trip was to Bulgaria for our annual meeting with other people from our organization. I have written about these before, and once again I cannot put into words how very grateful we are for these times of refreshment. A preacher, band, a medical team and child care workers all came in from the states to make the time beyond incredible for us. We were able to worship in our heart language and Kate was able to connect with some kids who are just like her. That was the most precious part of the week. I have said before that it wasn't until we had children that being overseas became a true sacrifice. And so this time was a real treat for Kate and Thomas. Thanks so all who worked to make it so wonderful!

After that we spent one night in Skopje with some friends and then jetted off to meet Brian's family in Scotland. It was a blast. Scotland is one of the most gorgeous places I have ever seen. Brian, his dad and his brother spent their time either playing golf or sizing up the courses they want to play on their next visit. They played Troon and my man shot a 78 the first day and an 80 the second day...OFF THE PRO TEES! That's my man! I was so proud, and he was pretty pumped too considering he was a little nervous about playing on such courses having not played golf in almost 2 years. They were also able to play Prestwick and size up St. Andrews.
Here is Brian, his dad, and brother.

Yay for Scotland!!!! Yay for vacation!
(More pictures to come!)

Big Boy

Thomas has become quite the big boy these days. To say he keeps us on our toes would be the understatement of the century. We sure do love laughing at all the fun and interesting things he does. And like they say, "It's better to laugh than to cry."

He wants to be just like Kate when he grows up. So he sits himself on the potty after she finishes her business. Potty training prodigy??? Perhaps.

He loves to trot around in daddy's shoes. He has even been caught in mommy's high heels before, but we didn't catch it on camera.

Little Mr. Van Gogh thought it would be fun to color all over mommy's kitchen walls and deep freeze. (Mommy must pay more attention to wild man when she has guests.)

Still Alive

We are here. We are alive. We are well. We are busy!!!!

The past few months have been unbelievable! Amazing! Incredible! Mind-blowing!.... Exhausting!

I have been sick off and on since the first week of March and have been treated for three ear infections, strep throat (iv antibiotics), an allergic reaction to the sun caused by one antibiotic, a sinus infection and I still don't feel 100%, and while I am pretty tired of not feeling good, I am amazed at what God is doing around me and for how He continues to daily pour out His abundant love on me in most obvious ways!

Some highlights:
Seeing new biblical believers grow, get baptized and become witnesses for Christ! Ane, Lade and Vlado all got baptized along with one new believer from Prilep! Praise the Lord!

A visit from my amazing sister and nephew! So fun. So precious!

An awesome volunteer team from Red Bank Baptist Church in Tennesee

Children's English Bible Story Hour bringing in kiddos from around town

Another volunteer team coming to love on us from Brook Hills Church.

Great time with our team/family here

There are so many more things I could put on here to brag on God. So whether I'm sick or not, He is good. He is faithful. He has done great things and I am in awe!