Happy 3rd Birthday to Elias and Zoey (Are they really only 3?)
by Stacey This Saturday we celebrated Elias and Zoey’s 3rd birthdays. Although, I have been a mom for around 4 years now, it feels more like 20 (no offense kids). A Draining Four Years Since we adopted the kids, we have been very drained. It is simply draining being around unthankful people all day. It is draining being around people who do not love the Lord. It is draining because I cannot easily talk to my husband (whom I like a lot) without being interrupted. It is draining because we see very little fruit. It is draining to potty train…
Please Be Praying: First Round of Testing Next Week
Well, we have been in the program here in Albertville for 2 months and it is time for our first round of testing. Our school lists the following goals for us: Our Goals allow you to acquire strong practical competence in: Oral Comprehension Oral Expression Written Comprehension Written Expression According to the European Language Reference Guide (ELRG), we train students from the level A0/A1 (beginner) to the level C2 (advanced) *see chart below. Please be praying that we pass our first test (A1) this week so that we can move forward into the A2 class in September. The test will span…
Quirky Happenings in the Hare Home
By Stacey The other day someone asked Dave how the kids were adjusting to a new country and he responded that our kids are their own country. They have their own language, their own culture, and their own form of government. They all have the same friends, the same interests, and the same issues. They seem to double every nursery or party they attend and have a great time in doing so. And most of them (aside from Makyra who is quite normal) are pretty quirky. We thought we would share some of the things that we chuckle about… Afraid of…a loofa?I…
A Case for Convenience
by Dave I used to feel guilty for not making my own butter. It usually happened when I was on Facebook and I saw all sorts of activities that my friends are involved in that I am not. They make their own butter/toothpaste/clothes/furniture, grow their own vegetables, hunt, fish, and build barns. Some of them make homemade soap, wash their clothes by hand, and dry them on lines. And I would look at their photos and how happy they are in them and think, “Man, am I even a good dad? My kids do not know how to raise chickens!”…
Do You Hide God’s Word in Your Heart?
If you are like me and you love the Word of God, you probably (also like me) have made resolutions through out the years to memorize Scripture. This is something that I have always struggled with. What verses should I memorize? How do I remember to review the ones I have worked on? I found out about John Piper’s Fighter Verses a few years back, which are lists of verses that are divided into helpful sections and metered out throughout the years. Basically, you will find a different verse (or group of verses) to memorize for every week in the…
An Ode to my (Tired) Husband on Father’s Day
Since we have adopted our kids, we have not really sat down. And we sure have not had much time for reflection. Nonetheless, I am thankful for a day that causes me to think about my own dad and the father of my children. And so, even if the kids are still a little clueless as to how wonderful their Dad is, I am well aware that our kids could not ask for a better father. Having Dave as their dad, no doubt, has changed the course of their lives and maybe their eternity. Things I love about Dave: He…
Hymns and Rap: Motivation for the Christian Life
by DaveWe have an old Baptist hymnal that we use for our family worship. I like singing these with the kids because in them is a great depth of Christian experience. Through singing these songs we learn of the holiness of God (Holy, Holy, Holy), the fullness of my own need for the Lord (Out of My Bondage), and the amazing depth of the love I have received (O The Deep Deep of Jesus). And then there are those hymns that were written for the sole purpose of motivating people to go out of the pews and spread the Good…
Living Crazy: Some Good Reminders from Fellow Missionaries
By Stacey In class the other day a friend was sharing that she visited a country in Africa in order to determine if she could serve there long term. After a few days of observing the living conditions (dirt floors, rampant illness, unsanitary food preparation), she went back to her room and determined that she could not live there. She cried out to God and said that she could not do it. His response was: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 In coming to the realization that…
What is it like Living in France?
by Dave So, every time I talk to, or get an email from someone in the States, they ask: “What is it like, living in France?” So, I thought I would hit up some of the highlights in a quick blog post: 1. School.As we predicted in our last newsletter, we have now moved to Albertville, France. We started at a school called CCEF on May 6th and have been plowing forward ever since. Our schedule has us in French class 24 hours a week (6 hours in class on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri). We also have homework and are trying…
Happy Mothers’ Day! Things I am So Grateful that my Mom Taught Me…
by Stacey Thank you mom for forcing me to talk to people when all I wanted to do was hide behind you. Without that learned skill I would never be here trying to talk to people in a foreign language. Thank you mom for making me work hard. I know I didn’t appreciate it as a child, but without those skills (and the Lord of course) I would’ve given up on basically everything I am currently pursuing. Thank you for making me scrub the cabinets and clean the house even when it looked perfectly clean to me. Thank you mom…
