You know you're in Bangkok when...

I was going through my photos from my brief time in Bangkok with Spencer and I came across this gem:

The little figures on the sign cracked me up when I realized what they were for!!  

Two men and a lady at work...

 

 

Spencer and Tom digging a trench and Harley supervising!

thought for today...Victory!

Heybeliada Island off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey 2010

Back in late February of 2010, we embarked on what we thought was a routine visa renewal, the lure of cheap airfare and the recommendations of others, led us to Istanbul as the place to wait for our paperwork.  We ended up stuck there in limbo for two and half months.  Just a few weeks into what we thought would be a three week trip at the most...we were dealt a harsh blow.  Tom's work visa would not be renewed and we would no longer be able to live in Russia.  We felt defeated.  We could not understand what God was doing or what direction He was taking us.

All we could do was pray and wait.  

Each day we would leave the dreary little rental apartment to explore as much of Turkey as possible.  We had no idea how long we would be there or if we would ever be in that part of the world again.  So we tried to make the most of this heartbreaking situation.  

On this particular day Spencer and I boarded the ferry to check out Heybeliada Island. 

I packed our guidebook, some snacks, water, and my cellphone, which served as the only camera we had access to on our trip.  I wanted to sit on the beach and read.  Spencer wanted to hike.  Reluctantly I agreed to the hike.  I wanted to stay on the well marked paths.  Spencer wanted to wander off and see what was on the other side of the trees.  

This was the view we were rewarded with for stepping off the path...

Spencer went out even farther than I dared to go.  

His curiosity and desire to experience life to the fullest led him down the mountainside a bit to get closer to the edge of the cliff.  He only stopped because I was screaming my head off for him not to go any further.  

I was still trapped in the limitation of what I could see and what I thought was safe.  

He was 19 years old that day...just three weeks before his 20th birthday.  I am grateful that Spencer forced me off the well worn path and further up the mountainside.  And I am grateful that I got to see his victory stance that day.   

We won't see victory if we are afraid to move beyond our comfort zone.  

Victory for Spencer came as he walked out to edge of that cliff.  He moved slowly... but step by step he went... he raised his arms in triumph...and then went even further forward.  He told me he felt exhilarated and close to God.  I was in awe as I watched our youngest son challenge himself to do more.  

As we made our way around the island I felt challenged to get a bit closer to the edge...

It is by clinging to God, and not our old habits or fears, that we are led to victory.  

May you follow Him all the way to the victory He has for you!

linking up with:

22 years ago today...

Spencer came into our lives and made our family complete. 

 He bought joy to our family on May 22,1990  

He shared his sense of humor and love of life with us along the way...

He is always willing to go new places and try new things...stretching himself and others along the way...

He is an encourager, a great friend, and wise beyond his years...

 and it is a blessing to have him as a son.

Happy Birthday, Spencer!  

counting the gifts...

One of the best things about final exams is the feasting that we do when class is over.  We all pulled together for a pot luck of chicken, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, veggies and dip, cookies, and cake.   It was a chance to make jokes and bond as a class.  And finally breathe a collective sigh of relief because we all made it through another semester together!

 After class was over I got a call from Spencer.  He was helping out with a fund raiser at the Expo for a student who wants to attend the upcoming Discipleship Training School at the YWAM.  

Flat Stanley even joined in to help with the fundraising!

526.  fellowship with the students in the counseling class.

527.  yummy feasts!

528.  being able to drive the kids from YWAM back to the base.

529.  our time at the Expo

530.  seeing familiar faces among the crowd at the Expo.

531.  beauty at the park where the Expo was held.

532.  a relaxing Sunday

533.  a great time of worship at church.

534.  enjoying the Oscars.

535.  finding the joy that comes from gratitude.

 joining in with the gratitude community:

counting the gifts...

Gratitude.  

That is what is on my mind and in my heart right now.  Yesterday was a bittersweet day.  More sweet than bitter I should say.  You see on February 19, 1985 I went in for a routine pregnancy check up and the doctor could not find the heartbeat of the baby I was carrying.  I was sent for an ultrasound to check on the baby's well being.  The technician said not a word about the results... I was told to come back for the doctor to interpret them for me.  Tom and I went to the movies, ate some lunch, and went back to the doctor's office.  When we finally sat down with the doctor we were given the news that our baby was no longer alive.  

We were devastated. 

 It was truly one of the worst days of my life.  I thought I would never be happy again. Never.  The doctor went on to explain that he wanted me to go into labor on my own if possible.  And he also shared that not only had my baby died that day...but his best friend died as well.  He left to attend the funeral and be with his friend's family in a neighboring state for a few days.  I waited from the 19th to the 22nd to see if I would go into labor on my own.  When he returned, on the 22nd, I went back in to his office and he scheduled an appointment at the hospital to induce labor.

Our first child and only daughter was stillborn that night.

It amazes me that we have two sons.  I have been pregnant five times.  Two stillbirths just ten months apart in 1985...then Nathan was born in 1987.  Two years later I had a miscarriage...and nine months after that miscarriage Spencer was born in 1990.  So here we are twenty-seven years after Patricia Kaye was stillborn.  I am so grateful to be able to say that I am the mother of two living children.

Two incredible young men, Nathan, 24, and Spencer, 21, are alive and well.  

2006 Family photo in Krasnodar, Russia

2008 Spencer and Nathan in Dana Point, California,USA

2010 Spencer and I in Istanbul, Turkey

2011 Nathan's visit to Belize

Nathan and Spencer are two of the greatest gifts in my life.  I am so fortunate, so blessed, and so grateful to God for bringing them into being.  My heart is glad.  I am overwhelmed with joy as I realize how far we have come as a family.  Nathan's birth brought us hope and restored our faith.  Spencer's birth was cause for rejoicing and celebration...as our family was now made complete.

So this week I may have times of sadness as I remember and reflect on the days spent waiting for Patricia's stillbirth to occur.  But, I also know that I will spend these next few days rejoicing and giving thanks for the sons that filled our hearts and our home with love and laughter.  

    521.  the gift of Nathan.

    522.  the gift of Spencer.  

    523.  the precious gift of life.

    524.  the beautiful gift of family. 

    525.  the restoration of joy.                                                                                                      

 joining in with the gratitude community:

Good news from afar!

We finally heard from Spencer today!  He is doing much better this week.  For those of you who don't know, Spencer is our youngest son, he is 21 and is with YWAM Kona on a mission trip in Togo.  He got sick shortly after arriving and had to be treated for malaria.  They have a very slow internet connection there in Togo and to get online they have to go to an internet cafe.  One of the team members said that it took her 45 minutes to log on to Facebook because the connection was so weak.  And they only get the opportunity to be online once a week.

It was such a relief to go on Facebook this morning and see a message from Spencer.  He is still having problems sleeping so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  He is also struggling to raise funds.  If you would like to help him with his expenses in Togo please send me an email or let me know in the comments and I will give you his donation info.

joy & blessings,
Alida

Hiking on Heybeliada Island

Spencer and I went on a hike today through the woods on one of the Princes' Islands today. What an adventure! We spent time taking pleasure in the plant life, the cool sea breeze and following paths that gave us the views in the above pictures...enjoy!!

Visit to the Optometrist

Spencer's glasses got broken so we had to take him to the optometrist to get new ones. We braved the snow and cold for a good cause. We were in and out with his new glasses in one hour!

Mops Craft time

Spencer worked for MOPS today. He helped the kids with the craft and kept them entertained while their parents met. Here are the fruits of his labor!

this just in...

Spencer and his team have left Georgia and are now in Armenia! Keep them in your prayers. They had some frustrations in Georgia with people not seeing the need for counseling.

not just Tom's son!

Poor Spencer, so often when he meets people he gets asked if he is Tom Sharp's son. Just before we arrived the previous teacher and his wife asked Spencer this question upon introduction.

Well Tom thought it would be a great idea to get t-shirts that would identify us as Spencer's parents. I told him that we didn't have access to make t-shirts but we had name tags!! I got out the badges and Tom got to work making them special!

We got off the train last Sunday wearing badges labeling us as Spencer's Mom and Spencer's Dad with Spencer's photo. On Tom's first day of speaking he passed out badges that said Spencer's Director, Spencer's Classmate, Spencer's Friend... and so on. It has been a blast to joke with him and everyone here this week!

thought for today

Spencer has 6 roommates that I want to introduce to you!

Alexei- Kyrgyzstan

Igor, Ukraine

Vitalik, from Tajikistan, or Vito as he is affectionately called.

Tom posing with Slava on the left and Pasha on the right, both from Ukraine.

Senya, also known as Slavik- Ukraine

Spencer's team planning their project

Singing hymns with Pasha's family after dinner was a major highlight of our time in Kiev for both Tom and I.  

We went shopping at a bookstore downtown not far from this old church:

Tom and Spencer

Alida and Spencer

YWAM base in Kiev where classes are held.  Tom and I spent 5 nights in the hotel on the second floor and this is the place where I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for Spencer and the guys!