Year in Review

Stolen blog from the hubby:

Well, this year officially takes that cake as the wildest, wackiest year yet!  It was exactly one year ago that I told Tricia with confidence that the Lord was drawing and calling us to a new season of ministry!  Since that confession, it has been a wild ride.

Just for fun, here is the timeline (all in 2010):

January 16th-  God crystallized my call to surrender and follow him.  I told Tricia we would be leaving CCF.

February 12th- Tricia believed it!

February 26th- After seeking the Lord like crazy, the Lord said that we were to leave our familiar land and move to Cape Town, South Africa.

March through August- Eastern Mennonite Missions (Our sending organization) Acceptance and Preparation Process including budget development and approval.

May 2nd- We announced our calling to CCF, our home church.  Click HERE to read the announcement.

September- We visited Cape Town on our way back from a trip to China.  You can read some reflections from that trip HERE and HERE.

October 17th- Our last day on Staff at CCF as Pastor.  We felt so blessed by our sending.

December 27th- We were at 76.5% of our budget raised for missions!  CLICK HERE to read about it.  Truly a miracle.

Today- We are making final preparations to depart!

January 12, 2011- We fly out...and the story continues.

God has stretched us, shaped us, taught us, humbled us and led us like never before.  Tricia and my faith grew more in 2010 than any other year of our lives, hands down.  

Meanwhile people in our lives have loved, supported and blessed us in ways too many to number and too marvelous to describe.  We are deeply blessed and we know it!  Thank you family, thank you friends, thank you CCF, thank you partnering churches, thank you JESUS!!!!

A we look ahead to 2011, we are envisioning the realization of many of the dreams that the Lord has birthed in us in 2010!  Look out. God is on the move!

Noah, Tricia and Davis Kaye

Merry Christmas from the Kayes

Disney Movie = Bible Lesson!

I was watching the Jungle Book with my niece and Davis and towards the end of the movie we came to a very touching scene.  Later I found myself re-watching this part and being very moved.  Listen for the description of John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."






 When I was watching this particular scene I thought about what Jesus did for me.  I even took the opportunity to share with Davis that just like Baloo, Jesus laid his life down for a friend (us). With a little  bit of effort you can find the positive in every kids movie (among the negatives) and teach an important lesson.  We just need to have an open mind and a willingness to see the grey areas.

Focus on the family "Plugged In" helps you find the good and the bad in most movies and lesson that can be learned.

The True Meaning of Christmas!

There is nothing like watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and being reminded about the real meaning of Christmas.

Remember that without Christ we wouldn't have Christmas! Don't forget Him this week.

Logging Off for 9 Days

Getting ready for our move to South Africa has been a full time job.  We have been going nonstop since our last Sunday at our church (October 17th). Every day we have been running full speed and it is wearing on us.  Davis is even dreading the moment we get in the car in the morning because he knows the day will consist of many errands that have to be done for our move.

BUT....today we leave on a family getaway with Noah's parent for the next 9 days.  We are turning off cell phones, logging off computers, and leaving the long to-do list at home.  I am excited to clear my mind and have some well needed family time.  It is hard enough to wrap my mind around saying goodbye to the in-laws so the time away will be very special!

So...packing up my things in a suitcase made me happy this time because we are getting 9 days of "mommy and daddy" time.  Logging off and will be back on December 20.

Priceless!

Reading books is one of my favorite things to do with Davis.  The other night I pulled out my favorite Children's book and read it to him. 

This is the first time I read this book to him.  I love the way he is looking at me! The other night when I was reading to Davis and every time I got to the main point: "I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you will be," he looked at me just like he did in this picture.  PRICELESS!!!

What priceless moment have you had with your child lately?

34 Days & 27% to Cape Town!

I've said it before and I'll say it again...we are in the middle of a miracle! First of all, the clarity of the call of God on our family has been so strong that it feels like our own miracle of grace in and of itself. We KNOW this is of God like we have never known anything before. He has called us into this season of ministry in Cape Town! But when we looked at the fundraising for this calling, it seemed so daunting and intimidating.

Just for fun, here is the timeline (all in 2010):

February 26th- God called us to leave our familiar land and move to Cape Town, South Africa.

March through August- Easter Mennonite Missions (Our sending organization) Acceptance and Preparation Process including budget development and approval.

May 2nd- We announced our calling to CCF, our home church. Click HERE to read the announcement.

July 15th- We announced the formation of our Missions Support Team. Click HERE to read about that.

August 15th- we officially started fundraising through a mailer to about 400 friends and family. We prayed and trusted God from there...

September- We visited Cape Town on our way back from a trip to China. You can read some reflections from that trip HERE and HERE.

October 17th- Our last day on Staff at CCF as Pastor. We felt so blessed by our sending.

October 24th- We were at 30% of our budget raised. CLICK HERE for that update.

November 15th- We were at 50%. CLICK HERE for that update.

November 30th- We were at 63%. CLICK HERE for that update.

_____________________________

TODAY....Thanks to THESE CHURCHES and Partners, we are at 73%!!

Can you help us get the rest of the way? Will you walk with us this coming year?

CLICK HERE to make a one time gift (tax deductible)!

CLICK HERE to set up recurring or monthly contributions.

Email me at tricia.ccf@gmail.com with any questions about anything at all! We would love to hear from you.

Please join with us in ministry!

Tricia, Noah and Davis Kaye

Peace on earth!

What does Peace on Earth really mean? Saw this video at a church we were at this week and it captures the true meaning.  It is worth your time to watch it.

This years Christmas Ornaments!

I love personalized Christmas ornaments!!! Every year when we decorate our Christmas tree we go through them and remember the special memories that go along with it. After Davis was born I decided to start a tradition with him. We are going to buy him an ornament every year, and when he gets married we will give him his ornaments for his family tree. I got this idea from a friend that does this for her kids. So each year I pick an ornament that is personal to him and what he is most into for that year.

Click here to read last years blog

This year Davis has been a Buzz and Woody fan so it was fitting to get him this ornament!

I got Davis another airplane this year because he spend 60 hours in one and he got to go around the world. 

This year has been a year for transition and we have moved around a lot. I got this ornament because this year we have basically lived out of a suitcase.

Making Lemonade out of Lemons!

Christmas is my favorite time of year! Every year I can't wait to decorate our house for Christmas, but things are very different this year. We have no house to decorate and I found myself getting very sad. Then we decided to take some lemons and make some lemonade.  We are living at my sister in-law Joeley's house and she told us to put a tree up in her basement.  I was going to get a 3 foot tree for our room but then we got a skinny 6 foot tree.  Davis was so excited to put it up and that helped me get in the spirit.  We took time and pulled out every personal ornament and talked about it.  It brought joy to my heart when Davis recognized one of his ornaments!

Not looking so good!

Davis putting up one of his ornaments!

The finished product!! Not as pretty as my tree that is in storage, but it is still ours.

What sort of lemonade have you made recently?  

Thanksgiving 2010

We had an amazing time with Noah's family at the beach this Thanksgiving. I have to say it was the best ever!!

My Niece decorated the table

My boys getting ready to make "Noah's" Pumpkin Pie (a family tradition). Click to read about it.

Uncle Eamon frying the turkey. Yum Yum!

Gobble Gobble Time!

Davis getting ready for South Africa!

Davis and his cousin having fun on the beach!

The kids all dressed up and going out for the evening!

Not going to be easy to say goodbye in 43 days :(