Mark turns Terrific Two!

The second year of a child's life has not had the best reputation--- ever heard of "the terrible two's"?? We entered this infamous year on the 27th of March with both excitement and trepidation. I'm not gonna lie... I have noticed a dramatic difference in our little man over the past couple months. He is more curious than ever. I told my mom I'm sure he has magnetic fingers--- it's incredible what he is able to reach!! (It's as if everything dangerous or unfitting for a toddler is drawn to his fingertips!!) He's become fearless of heights which makes this mama just a tid bit nervous. And it seems like the more fearless he becomes, the more clumsy he becomes--- not the best combination. But along with this physically scary phase has come the most incredibly exciting and sweet verbal phase. God's handy work is showing through with each new thought he communicates. He's noticing the world around him and commenting on his fascinations. He's learning verses & songs. He's using his words to keep track of Lillia's every move, comfort her, and teach her his latest mastery. It's too sweet! My theory is God increases those "melt your heart" moments to help soften the blow of all the discipline, chasing, and worry that "two" brings. We celebrate all that "one" blessed us with and now we greatly anticipate "the terrific two's"! HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, MARK!! We love you soooo much!!!

Basketball was the theme of the day-- basketball cake, a basketball hoop, and a basket ball present!

German pancakes for breakfast

We were super spoiled to have Aunt Beth and Aunt Molly here to celebrate this special day. The memories are priceless! Thank you Beth and Molly for your visit!!

Catching Up- March Highlights

Family Pictures:

In the middle of March all of Chris's family gathered together in Indiana to take family pictures. It was thought to be the last time we would spend time with Sarah, Jon, and their children before they left for Japan. The morning after we arrived we heard the news of the tragic earthquake that rocked Japan. Needless to say, the earthquake changed plans dramatically. Chris ended up traveling with Jon on a relief missions trip to Japan and while they were away, Sarah and the children visited us in Ohio.

Family pictures taken by the talented, Lia Steinfort....

the Pfeil family

our new family portrait

Matt & Angela

all the grandkids

our sweet 2 year old

All the comotion was too much for our dear Lillia!!

more photos from the weekend...

grandkids....youngest to oldest

Mark and Lillia with their great-granparents

Lillia's 4 month Photo Shoot

Mark Tries to Nurse Lillia...

Mark loves his baby sister. As soon as he wakes up in the morning or from a nap one of his 1st questions is "Where's Yilya?." He also tries to pick her up, give her a bottle, wipe up her spit up--- basically she's his live baby doll. Given his track record it was just a matter of time before he tried to nurse her. Here he is with my nursing cover trying to feed his little sis. He even tried to switch sides!! Hahaha!! I love these moments!!

They made it!

Chris and the team made it to Japan without a hitch. I'll post more information as it comes in.

Here are the four husbands/ dads on the airplane....

My sister-in-law, Sarah Pfeil, arrived at our place with her four children yesterday afternoon. Mark is enjoying all this cousin time :-) And these mama's are enjoying the companionship with our husbands away!

Prayer Requests, etc.

Chris and the team leave early tomorrow morning for Japan. The suitcase and box of supplies are ready for the door. Chris is busy filling the ipod for the flight and choosing the best books to pass the time in the skies. If you are reading this tonight or in the next few days, please lift Chris and the team up in prayer.

Please pray....

1. for smooth travel --- no cancellations or delays

2. safety

3. physical endurance-- working on jet lag doesn't sound like fun :-(

4. that Chris and the others will be able to encourage the current team that is on the field long term.

and perhaps the most important...

5. That the team may be a light for Christ to a country that is so broken.

6. That God will be honored

PRAISE GOD for supplies...

People have been amazingly generous in their giving to this trip. Chris and the rest of the team were able to split up supply lists and hit the stores. Here are just some of the materials the team was able to purchase....

-many leather work gloves

-safety glasses

-saw blades

-rotary hammers

-shop vac

-sleeping bags

-extension cords

-masks

-boots

-reciprocating saws

-some toys and activities for children in the shelters

just a smidgen of the many supplies being brought over for relief efforts

THANK YOU, team for being the HANDS and FEET of JESUS to JAPAN!!!

A Message From Chris: Likely uses for the funds...

God has provided an abundance of funds for our trip. We now have the ability to bring over some much needed tools. Here is a list of the possible items. 1. Pressure Washers 2. Shop Vacs 3. Powerful reciprocating saw (sawzall) with extra blades 4. Big drills with masonry bits with extra bits This equipment is needed in the cleanup and demolition efforts that are happening right now. I am sending this request out to you all hoping that somebody has a connection with Delta Air Lines. Our biggest hurdle right now is being able to talk to the right person who can ok us being able to take more weight onto the plane then we are currently alloted. To be able to get this equipment over there we will need to be able to take more then just two bags at 50 lbs. each. I am going to be working with Delta today, but if anyone has a contact that might help to expedite the process toward a dicision that would be a great help.

A Message from Chris: God Provides

March 24, 2011...

I have been humbled by the out pouring of God's love and support through the donations received. He more then doubled the goal I needed to raise to be able to go. It amazes me at how last Saturday the Lord opened the door of opportunity to go to Japan. To be a light for Him and encourage His church in Japan. He then removed the hurdle of getting time off. And has lead me through the open door with the investments of His money that has poured in. It is so affirming to see how God is blessing this trip so far. To God be the glory. Psalm 138:1, 3 and 8 "1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 3 On the day I called, you answered me; you made me bold in my soul with strength. 8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." Acts 13:47 "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" Lord help our team to be a Light for you.

Japan Relief Trip: A Message from Chris

I have an opportunity to go to Japan with my brother-in-law Jon Pfeil (MTW Missionary to Japan http://www2.mtw.org/home/site/content/documents/PCPL/PfeilJonathan.PC.pdf?_resolutionfile=pxpath|documents/PCPL/PfeilJonathan.PC.pdf ). We will be helping the Japanese church show sympathy and care to the Japanese people. The mission team that Jon is associated with have been getting supplies together to send up north to the hardest hit areas of Japan. Interacting with the community as they bring donations, organizing the donations and going with trucks up north to then pass out the donations will be the main things that we will be doing while over there. So the plan for this trip will be some manual labor, encouraging the church in Japan and sharing the light of God's love with those in need.

Japan has been hit by a devastating tragedy, but what is even more devastating is the fact that 99.5% of the Japanese people do not know Jesus Christ. Dr. Michael Oh, President of Christ Bible Institute in Nagoya Japan, has said in the past that 'their mission in Japan is praying and preparing for the day of opportunity in Japan.' That day of opportunity has come and I am willing to be sent, for even this short amount of time, for God to be a light in a place of utter darkness.

This is a great opportunity tangibly help support the Japanese church in their initial response to the crisis. See my brother-in-laws BLOG for some photos and links of what is going on:

http://thepfeilfiles.blogspot.com/

Also a fellow MTW missionary, Roger Lowther, has documented well his part in the relief efforts. We would be doing similar stuff (depending on the needs at the time of our arrival)
http://rogerlowther.blogspot.com/

God is mobilizing his church (though so small in Japan) to be a beacon of light for the gospel!

Congratulations Ben and Ross!

This is about 2 months overdue, but well deserved--- Congratulations Ben and Ross on earning your Eagle Scout!! We are so proud of you!

(ok, so I had to slip this adorable cousins picture from the weekend in...)

Happy New Year 2011!!

We spent the New Year in Indiana with Chris's family. (With the Pfeils returning to Japan soon, we want to capitalize on every opportunity we have to be with them.) Our other agenda was to hopefully meet our new nephew :-) The Lord treated us to this special memory--- Sarah went into labor on New Year's Day and Gideon Kirk Pfeil was born on Sunday, January 2nd.

Uncle Jon brushes us on his newborn skills--- little did he know, the next day he's be holding his newborn son

Mark loves his cousin Calvin!! The time they have had to play together this year has been such a gift. We will miss them dearly when they return to Japan in the next month, but will treasure the memories God gave us with them this year.

Annabella and Olivia bring smiles to our faces with their sweet dance.

Calvin loves babies. He wanted to hold Lillia as often as we'd allow :-)

all 6 cousins

meet Gideon Kirk Pfeil -- Is he not amazingly adorable??

Christmas 2010

We are so blessed by Chris's job; however, every job has it's unpleasant sides. For Chris it's not being able to take off work around Thanksgiving or Christmas. With family out of town, it makes it difficult to be with them when Chris can't take off work. That said...my family has been super sweet and accommodating. Almost every holiday since we've been married, they have packed their car to the brim with luggage and Christmas gifts and made the long trek to Ohio (usually during a snow storm). We really can't say how grateful we are for their sacrifice. This Christmas was extra special--- they met Lillia for the 1st time!!

Christmas Eve Mark kept looking out the window for Poppie and Grandma. He couldn't wait!!

Lillia was introduced to Poppie, Aunt Beth, Aunt Kate, and Uncle Jon for the 1st time. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of her with Aunt Beth :-(

One of my favorite Christmas Traditions--- Christmas PJ's!! Grandma spoils us all with Christmas PJ's that we get to open Christmas Eve. Thanks Grandma!! We love our PJ's!!

We started Christmas morning with "Frosty"--- Frosty was Mark's first and favorite movie. I hate to admit it, but there were many times during the early weeks after Lillia was born that we'd watch "Frosty" a couple times back-to-back. Frosty taught Mark how to say "Happy Birthday!"

a regretful stocking stuffer :-(

Daddy's slippers are too fun!

Aunt Beth spoiled Mark with his 1st train set.

Uncle Jon & Mark playing "trains" on Christmas Day

Poppie made Mark's day and took him outside to play in the snow. Way to go Poppie!! This was Mark's 1st "Good Thing" that he shared on his own.