I finally got a good camera! My parents gave me my Christmas present early so I can take Christmas pictures, and I didn't have to pay for any of it. Unfortunately, my parents didn't know that the camera needed a new card, so I haven't gotten to play around with it yet. I should be able to take pictures with it very soon, though, so expect to see more pictures like this in the near future:

Isn't the mountain I live by beautiful? When it comes out from behind the clouds, that is.

Missionary Kid

I was having a conversation with my mom and brother earlier about what it means to be a missionary family. We may be missionaries in our own culture, but that doesn't mean we should blend in. Our mission, just like any other missionary family sent overseas, is to reach out to people. We need to stand out.

When people ask where I'm from (I still have that slight Ohio accent), or ask what my dad does, I tell them that my family is here as missionaries. I get one of three reactions when I mention this; sometimes people just nod or shrug, then don't say anything. Other times they are excited that we're here starting a flight school, and want to know more about it. However, the reaction I get most often is confusion. They'll ask questions, like "What does that mean?"

The basic facts are that missionary families live on the support of others, we go wherever God tells us, and we're here to help people; but there's so much more to it than that. Every day is lived by faith, and there are many trials to work through. We make sacrifices, but for every sacrifice we are blessed. Missionary families do not have a steady income, but every day we are provided for. Through everything we go through, the good and the bad, we become stronger.

We're known around town as "the missionary family". I don't know exactly what people think of us, but that doesn't matter. For my brother, sisters and I to be known as the "missionary kids" is an honor. It means we stand out. It means we're being who we are. It means we're making an impact.

It's a beautiful thing.

An Airplane

The flight school just got donated an airplane! My family was at a YWAM picnic back in August, and my dad started talking to one of the other YWAMers about Trinity Aviation. The guy then said that his brother was looking for a place to donate his 1948 Stinson. He called his brother up on the phone right then and there, and now we have a new airplane for the school. Is God amazing or what? The plane, despite it's age, is in great condition and flies beautifully. Here are some pictures of it coming in.

New Day Foster Home

Recently someone gave me the link to New Day Foster Home, which is a facility in China that takes care of children until they can be placed in good homes. Looking at the pictures of the children and reading their stories makes my heart break for them. Most of those babies were abandoned, just left alone in the street, until someone found them. They were abandoned just because there was something wrong with them, or because they were of the wrong gender; but there was nothing wrong with them-God made them that way for a reason. They may have a deformity, but that doesn't mean they don't need love. Each and every one of them is a tiny, adorable, sweet and beautiful gift.
This foster home takes in the babies nobody else wants, and gives them the loving care they need so desperately. Each one of those babies has a story; they also have a lifetime ahead of them. God has a plan for all of them, and thanks to people who care, each one of those little lives can be fulfilled. That's what I want to do someday-change Chinese children's lives. That is the reason I'm learning to read, write, and speak their language. That's what I'm called to do.

One Day, One Hour, One Minute

We found our new students a place to live! Thank you for your prayers. God has also blessed the school with a new airplane-one that's in actual working condition. (The other planes the school has are, well, in pieces in the hangar).
Something I've observed lately is how fast things can change, especially when you're not paying close attention. One day the sun could be gracing the earth, warming it in it's golden blanket; the next, the clouds could come rolling in, and the wind and rain could sweep across the ground. One minute you could have your plans in order-what you're going to do, when you're going to, and how you will do it; the next everything gets shattered and comes tumbling down on top of you. Or, one day you could be completely desperate and hopeless, and the next someone could offer you their hand, and, more importantly, hope. It's like when a rose blooms-it stays closed up for a while, then suddenly, one day, it opens, showing the world it's beauty. In just a day, a whole nation can change. In an hour, a whole point of view can change. In a minute, a life can be changed.

Trinity Aviation's new student, Gabe, is here! He starts his classes tomorrow. He and his family are living in the school director's home until they can find a place to rent in town. Please be praying we will find a good place for them soon.

Gabe's daughter, Ciara, and Lydia are close in age and have been having a blast playing together. Ciara is Lydia's first friend that hasn't been Faith's also, and she's very excited.

Sammy is eight, and gets along well with Eli, who has already given him a bike and let him wear his spongebob hat.

We went up towards Mount Rainier last night, and I caught a couple of good pictures of the scenery. It had been a warm day-warmer than it's been yet this year-and the sunset was really pretty. It looked like God really had painted the sunset.

The moon was beautiful, too. It makes you wonder how many other wonders there are out in space.

A work team came out to the airport yesterday and helped us with some more construction. We are putting in dorms, bathrooms, a kitchen, a classroom, and an office. We keep getting more and more phone calls every day from people interested in the school, including one from an unbeliever. A family from South Africa is coming as soon as we can get their visas. When I look back on how far we've come in the past two years, I'm amazed at how much work God has done in and through my family. A year ago, there wasn't a flight school yet, and now we have people coming in from all over the place wanting to learn. It's an amazing thing.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

I thought I would share with you some pictures I love, giving you a better glimpse at my family's life as missionaries.

I love that my sister, though she is young, is not afraid to worship.

I love that we live near the ocean, and get to visit it often-even if it is a lot colder than the Atlantic.

I love that this guy in downtown Seattle can make his living playing two guitars, hula hooping, and playing harmonica-at the same time.

I love that God created beautiful sunsets.

I love that my younger siblings get so excited about each new experience.

I love that God made trees big enough for the six of us to live in.

I love that I get to work with toddlers.

I love the double rainbow God sent us last year, and that my mom can't help cracking up about it because of the Double Rainbow youtube video.

I love the weird faces my baby sister makes.
(I guess she's not a baby anymore):

I love that my other little sister shares my passion for running, and that she doesn't let her size stop her.

I love this picture because of the look of pure joy on my brother's face

I love that I'm finally able to capture good pictures on camera

I love that my town's movie theater only has one screen, and only shows one movie a week.

I love that my dad can do what he's passionate about.

I don't know if that really gave you a look into our lives, but I hope you at least found it entertaining.

I took Lydia and took some pictures the other day! If you know Lydia, you know that getting good pictures of her not looking goofy is hard. Here are the results:

Yeah, she didn't really grasp the concept of "lightly hugging" the pole.

"The sun is in my eyes, Sissy!"

I could not get her to smile her real smile-this one is the closest I got.

This is my favorite

Posting soon!

Hey! Things have been super busy lately, and lots of exciting things are happening. I'm working on a post and will put it up as soon as possible.

~Saige

Exciting Things

Lots of exciting things have been happening! Tribal Waves, a YWAM team, came to help at the flight school. They tore down a wall we needed removed, did yard work, and pulled nails from boards. They were a huge help!

In exchange, we let them get pictures with one of the planes. It was a win-win!

Our church did its Vacation Bible School. I volunteered to help with the five and six year olds, and loved doing it. Some things I never thought I would say that I found myself saying VBS week: "You can't all three have the same chair", "If you walk and don't run down the hallway, you'll get another chance to win a prize at the end of the day", "I only have two hands and can't hold seven of your hands", "I know you can write your own name, but you can't have my sharpie", and "My lap won't hold more than one person at a time". I loved working with the kids, and wouldn't have spent my week any other way.

My dad, mom, brother and I all had the opportunity to go white water rafting in Oregon, and all had a blast on the river and fellowshipping with other Christians.
I was invited to go backpacking with a friend the next weekend. The place we camped was beautiful. We were right on the beach with the ocean creeping up fairly near our tent. It was a fun filled weekend carrying heavy packs on our backs, walks along the beach, and diving into waves. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, or I would put some pictures up.

The flight school is getting students in early September, so we are all excited to finally get the school started. Dad is finishing up his training to be a certified flight instructor, so he can teach pilots in the air. We are all proud of him!

Place of Refuge

Here's a little "blurb" I wrote the other night. I'm not sure what inspired it-I just sort of started writing. Hope you enjoy it :)

Here in this never ending darkness, this place of fear and hopelessness, of trials and temptations, of desolation and desperation; here she kneels, feeling destitute, abandoned, lost. Silently weeping, tears running down her face and falling onto her knees, wanting nothing more than an inkling of hope, a scrap of courage, or even to feel a warm, comforting hand on her shoulder-someone to save her.

This was where He wanted her.

With hands clasped, desperately trying to make sense of it all, her silent weeping turns to sobs, bursting from the very depths of her being.

This is where it starts.

She's crying out in anguish, her desperate pleas evaporating into the emptiness that seems to engulf her. She screams out: "Why? Why am I all alone? Why won't somebody help me?"

That's where restoration happens.

Suddenly she feels the sensation of someone near, and she begins to hope once more that there is a way out of this deep, dark hole. She turns her face upward, hands outstretched, surrendering herself to Him. A nail-scarred hand reaches touches her shoulder, sending a surge of hope through her. The feelings of rejection, abandonment, and loneliness fade away, and the darkness begins to recede. Then a strong, powerful, gentle voice says "I have you in my arms. It's all going to be okay."

That is the place of refuge.

Fourth of July

This past weekend has been quite eventful. Thursday night, our church had a Youth Service. Both of our pastors were out of town, so the youth ran the service. I gave my testimony, and also danced my "testimony song". (It's "If You Want Me To" by Ginny Owens.) A testimony song is a song that basically tells your testimony. It's like it defines where you are coming from, where you are, and where you are going. I managed to tell my story without stumbling or passing out from fright. Faith "preached the message" that night. It's a long story as to how that came about, but she did fantastic! She set up a little pulpit (a stool with a cloth draped over it), stood behind it with her Bible (which was really in Spanish, but no one knew ;), and told the church what Jesus means to her. She announced she wanted to lead Worship when she grew up, then prayed over the church. Eli read his "I Am" statement, which is a list of what he is in Christ. The whole night went great, and I think many people were blessed.
Friday, Faith managed to land herself in the Emergency Room. While playing at the park, she fell off the monkey bars and somehow cut her face on the mulch underneath. From what we could tell the cut was pretty deep, so Eli and Lydia went home with friends, Mom rushed Faith to the local clinic, and I ran home for the insurance card. When I met Mom and Faith at the clinic, they were being told that the doctor was not seeing new patients, and they couldn't treat her. We had to take her twenty minutes away to get her treated, Faith crying the whole way that she was NOT getting stitches. If you know Faith, I don't need to tell you that once her mind is made up, there is no bending her will. After being examined, disinfected, then examined again, Faith insisting that she didn't need stitches the entire time, the final conclusion was that she did not need stitches. Faith heaved a sigh of relief with this news, but when she was told that instead they were gluing her face back together, once again she was determined not to have it done. After a bit of fussing, the gluing was done, and she was free to leave, she hugged the doctor, then marched herself out the door like she owned the place.
Summer decided to finally make an appearance on Friday. Saturday was spent in the sun, barbecuing with friends and swimming. The whole family was rather burnt by the end of the day, but it was well worth it to finally be out in the sunshine. Sunday was spent in much the same way, picnicking and enjoying the sun. We watched the fireworks with new friends, every whistle and boom echoing throughout the town. I can't think of a more perfect way to spend the Fourth of July than watching everyone's eyes light up with the brilliant colors, widening with each "BOOM!", then turning and seeing the colors cascade down the dark sky with sizzles and crackles with your own eyes.

Posting soon

Will be posting a long post early next week, a lot has been happening but more will be happening through the Fourth.

~Saige

Exciting things are happening with the Expressive Signing ministry! First of all, we now have a name. We didn't want the "Happy Hands Club" name one of our pastors came up with to stick, so we came up with 3D (which stands for Dance, Drama, and Deliverance). We also have our first male dancer, and he does amazing things with flags and streamers. We aquired white gloves, which not only looks really cool when signing, but is symbolising pure hands. 3D Dance Ministry did a song at a different church for the very first time last Monday. Everyone did wonderful, and people were blessed. Here are some pictures:

I edited this one just for fun, but it looks pretty cool.

Sound to Narrows

Mom, Faith, and I ran the Sound to Narrows race this morning. Faith did the 2K (a little over a mile), Mom did the 12K (7.46 miles), and I ran the 5K (3.1 miles). Faith was very excited to run in her first race, proudly wearing the neon green over-sized Sound to Narrows T-shirt and her number tag all day. This was Mom's first 12K, and she did great! The last 5K I ran was the one I damaged my ACL in, so I was happy to finish this one without any injuries ;)
I can't post pictures at the moment (something's up with my computer), but I will as soon as possible.

Random Pictures

Since it has been a while since I posted about things that are going on (because of the 30 Day Challenge), here are some pictures of what we've been doing.

Faithie, Mom, and I were able to go on a whale tour in Seattle. We did see whales, but didn't get any good pictures of them. Above is some sea lions we passed, resting on a buoy.

We took a mini field trip to a tulip farm, which was something we had never been to in Ohio.

Faithie

Lydia

Oh, that goofy grin she always gives in front of the camera...

Massive field of tulips.