I'd like to say thank you to those of you around the globe who check in every once in a while to see where we are and what we're up to. It's very encouraging to us :)
I want to take a chance to explain some of the additions to this page.
To the right there are two new options. One is called "Get the Email!", if you're interested in receiving email updates of the most recent blog entry just type in your email address in the spot. I know some people that are interested but forget about this journal (and that's okay, because, honestly, I forget too!). This option will notify you when we write a new entry.
The second option is called "Join the Team!" If you click on the link below that title, you'll be taken to a partnership page on Wycliffe's website. Just type in Harrington in the last name section. As of right now, we're the only ones. Click on "Learn More". This is a chance for you to commit to be apart of our prayer team, financial team, or express interest in receiving our newsletters. We encourage you to consider joining our monthly financial team. Wycliffe is a faith-based organization. None of us get paid for what we do, so we depend on friends, families, and churches to give monthly. It's been amazing to see how the Lord has provided over the past three years! None of that could have been possible without the prayer and financial support of you. Prayers have meant soooooo much to us! On the most difficult days, your prayers and God's strength gave us the extra push we needed. On the most wonderful of days, your prayers reminded us how grateful we are on a team- both overseas and stateside- that stands with us to preach the Good News of Jesus to the whole world. Thanks for being apart of the team!
So take a chance to check out the new additions :)
Blessings.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Meet Paul.
It's been quite the week, folks. It seems so strange that no matter where you are in the world, life continues. This past Thursday we received word that a pilot that Josh works with in Indonesia was killed in a plane accident along with two Indonesian passengers. We were crushed, immediately feeling the miles that separated us from our team. Josh and I were constantly checking our email and facebook looking for any information we could use to begin to piece information together. Our hearts ache for our friends and colleagues who had to plan the memorial service for their friend.
Here's Paul.
Here is the casket with paper wreathes of condolenses from friends all over the world. We ordered one.
These are the Indonesian teammates who load the planes.
Notice the crowd...
Here are the pilots.
Here are the mechanics and technicians.
Here are the Bible translators.
The photos we saw were very moving. We are truly apart of much more than a team. That team that you work alongside everyday becomes your family. These photos show our family coming together in a time of crisis and standing firm, not allowing the Enemy shake our foundations. They were allowing the Light of Jesus Christ to shine during a dark time. Hundreds attended this service. As our friends were carrying the casket down the hill, God reminded them that He had not abandoned them- a rainbow stretched across the sky. The memorial was a time of celebrating a life that loved the Lord and LOVED serving those around him.
Here's Paul.
Here is the casket with paper wreathes of condolenses from friends all over the world. We ordered one.
These are the Indonesian teammates who load the planes.
Notice the crowd...
Here are the pilots.
Here are the mechanics and technicians.
Here are the Bible translators.
The photos we saw were very moving. We are truly apart of much more than a team. That team that you work alongside everyday becomes your family. These photos show our family coming together in a time of crisis and standing firm, not allowing the Enemy shake our foundations. They were allowing the Light of Jesus Christ to shine during a dark time. Hundreds attended this service. As our friends were carrying the casket down the hill, God reminded them that He had not abandoned them- a rainbow stretched across the sky. The memorial was a time of celebrating a life that loved the Lord and LOVED serving those around him.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Furlough Goals
Furlough rumors and realities:
1. America has deliciously unhealthy food!
2. It's almost certain that you will gain weight while you're on furlough.
3. It's possible that you might return to Indonesia completely exhausted.
These are some "rumors" that we heard just before we were going to go on furlough. The truth is- these are NOT rumors! This is reality! So to fight against these things, we've set some personal furlough goals.
Here are my goals:
1. Complete requirements for recertification of my Texas teaching license.
2. Participate in a 5k- maybe in every state we're in IF possible- not likely in California or North Carolina.
3. Take a test to get certified to teach mathematics in Texas.
Goal Progress:
1. I've finished all the requirements and now need to complete the paperwork.
2. Josh and I ran in our first 5k- story with photos below.
3. I've checked out a math book with examples- so I sit around doing math problems in my free time :)
5k Story-
This run was to benefit a non profit organization that builds houses for people.
I thought the run started at 9:30, BUT when we got there at 9:20 the only people standing around had blue jeans on and were holding cameras. We asked if the run had already started. Yep, it started at 9. Ooops! We asked if we could still run. Sure, they said, but your time will be all messed up and you probably won't win. We said we're not in it to win it. Grabbed our numbers and music and were off! I kept our time on my watch. We passed a hand full of people and finished 76th and 77th (out of like 80 people!) with an "official" time of 54 minutes... but our "unofficial" time (according to my watch) was 35 minutes. Not too shabby for us considering we had just finished week 4 of the Couch to 5K program.
Looking back at my motivation and attitude I think it's a lesson learned. In reality I knew there was no way that I would win... but what if I'm the only female in my age group? All I have to do is finish to win! What if the spirit of competition motivates me to push harder and finish faster? What if I could be better than I really am... what if my dreams could become reality?
**Reality Check**
You can't win races if you show up 20 minutes AFTER the race starts!
You can't win races if the first place runner was FINISHING when you were beginning!
The reason for running is NOT to win but it's to fight against an unhealthy lifestyle.
If we're honest, we're running for the t-shirts and to support good causes.
We finished!
The official- unofficial time.
The trophies we didn't win! :) **note** these were for the 10k runners- some finished right about the same time we unofficially did!
This is the first place finisher- notice the time in the bottom right hand corner.
Wooohoo! I finished it! Notice there is no time... they didn't write it down for the back of the pack.
Here's the proof that Josh finished too. I beat him because he LET me go first :) so sweet.
I'm a goal setter.
1. America has deliciously unhealthy food!
2. It's almost certain that you will gain weight while you're on furlough.
3. It's possible that you might return to Indonesia completely exhausted.
These are some "rumors" that we heard just before we were going to go on furlough. The truth is- these are NOT rumors! This is reality! So to fight against these things, we've set some personal furlough goals.
Here are my goals:
1. Complete requirements for recertification of my Texas teaching license.
2. Participate in a 5k- maybe in every state we're in IF possible- not likely in California or North Carolina.
3. Take a test to get certified to teach mathematics in Texas.
Goal Progress:
1. I've finished all the requirements and now need to complete the paperwork.
2. Josh and I ran in our first 5k- story with photos below.
3. I've checked out a math book with examples- so I sit around doing math problems in my free time :)
5k Story-
This run was to benefit a non profit organization that builds houses for people.
I thought the run started at 9:30, BUT when we got there at 9:20 the only people standing around had blue jeans on and were holding cameras. We asked if the run had already started. Yep, it started at 9. Ooops! We asked if we could still run. Sure, they said, but your time will be all messed up and you probably won't win. We said we're not in it to win it. Grabbed our numbers and music and were off! I kept our time on my watch. We passed a hand full of people and finished 76th and 77th (out of like 80 people!) with an "official" time of 54 minutes... but our "unofficial" time (according to my watch) was 35 minutes. Not too shabby for us considering we had just finished week 4 of the Couch to 5K program.
Looking back at my motivation and attitude I think it's a lesson learned. In reality I knew there was no way that I would win... but what if I'm the only female in my age group? All I have to do is finish to win! What if the spirit of competition motivates me to push harder and finish faster? What if I could be better than I really am... what if my dreams could become reality?
**Reality Check**
You can't win races if you show up 20 minutes AFTER the race starts!
You can't win races if the first place runner was FINISHING when you were beginning!
The reason for running is NOT to win but it's to fight against an unhealthy lifestyle.
If we're honest, we're running for the t-shirts and to support good causes.
We finished!
The official- unofficial time.
The trophies we didn't win! :) **note** these were for the 10k runners- some finished right about the same time we unofficially did!
This is the first place finisher- notice the time in the bottom right hand corner.
Wooohoo! I finished it! Notice there is no time... they didn't write it down for the back of the pack.
Here's the proof that Josh finished too. I beat him because he LET me go first :) so sweet.
I'm a goal setter.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Furlough in a Flash- Friend Edition
I tried to correct the spelling of "edition" in the previous post but wasn't able to.
One thing that is really cool about being on furlough is that other people that we live with in Indonesia are also on furlough. Everyone is traveling from here to there and back, and the chances are pretty high that you could plan to meet up.
While I was in Texas I visited Chase and Kelli Reynolds along with their three handsome boys (Uriah, Nathan, and baby Corin). We spent the afternoon catching up, complaining (just a little bit) about the heat, and making the most amazing sign for the Rangers game.
I went the Rangers game with Tim and Kyle Cripe. Tim is the high school principal at Hillcrest International School, where I teach middle school. During the World Series some friendly bantering was going back and forth between the three of us.
Kara is somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. It's like that game "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" You know that game, and if you don't find it. Right now. Play it for days and learn something. :) I still remember my good friend, Abby, having that game growing up. I played for hours, and she went to bed. :)
Joel, Elaine, and Esther made their way to Camano Island. (I'm going to throw in some USA lingo that other people around the world don't know about or use.) They live in Minnesota and "GPS-ed" our address. We were so excited when they came! We hiked, camped, grilled out, hiked some more, ate incredible icecream, and visited with one another. Control yourself, you're about to see some incredibly CUTE pictures. :)
One thing that is really cool about being on furlough is that other people that we live with in Indonesia are also on furlough. Everyone is traveling from here to there and back, and the chances are pretty high that you could plan to meet up.
While I was in Texas I visited Chase and Kelli Reynolds along with their three handsome boys (Uriah, Nathan, and baby Corin). We spent the afternoon catching up, complaining (just a little bit) about the heat, and making the most amazing sign for the Rangers game.
I went the Rangers game with Tim and Kyle Cripe. Tim is the high school principal at Hillcrest International School, where I teach middle school. During the World Series some friendly bantering was going back and forth between the three of us.
Kara is somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. It's like that game "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" You know that game, and if you don't find it. Right now. Play it for days and learn something. :) I still remember my good friend, Abby, having that game growing up. I played for hours, and she went to bed. :)
Joel, Elaine, and Esther made their way to Camano Island. (I'm going to throw in some USA lingo that other people around the world don't know about or use.) They live in Minnesota and "GPS-ed" our address. We were so excited when they came! We hiked, camped, grilled out, hiked some more, ate incredible icecream, and visited with one another. Control yourself, you're about to see some incredibly CUTE pictures. :)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Furlough in a Flash- Sports Addition
It seems as though the rest of the world LOVES soccer. I do, too. I'll just say you've never really experienced the World Cup (save for actually being there) until you've watched some games in the middle of the night with a group of neighbors who are placing bets on who will win. In America, however, the focus is more on the sport that is currently in season. Josh and I have gone to a baseball game and watched hours of pre-season football games.
Here's my version of what we're doing: We're watching the Rangers play in Seattle.
Here's Josh's version of what's happening here: We're watching the Mariners play the Rangers.
See the difference? I'll just add that the Rangers swept the series. :)
It was a bit strange at first being the ONLY fan anywhere around you. You can't contain a Texan's fan for their hometeam. So, as you can tell by the scoreboard, I was a little loud :)
While in Texas, I made it to a Rangers game there. It was the closest I've ever sat to homeplate! It was SO cool. I was even able to spy Nolan Ryan from my seat. My friend, Kelli, helped me make a sign that said "We came all the way from Indonesia to see the Rangers". It was probably the BEST sign I have ever seen make it's way into the ballpark. Seriously. The camera crew either didn't spot my sign (impossible, because I held it up faithfully until my arms would fall off) or they... I'm just going to believe they didn't see it. Sure, there were alot of people there, but not that many amazing signs. Sadly, I don't have a photo of the most amazing sign ever. I'll ask my friend, she might have one. Not only was this the best view I've ever had, it was one of the best games I had seen in a while. They were behind the majority of the game, tied it up in the 9th inning, walked away with the win in the 13th inning, and finished the night with a firework show.
:)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Furlough in a Flash
Flight Camp!
Josh and I had the chance to serve at a flight camp for MATA (Missions Aviation Training Academy- http://www.mata-usa.org/) in the month of July. This is the flight school where Josh completed most of his training. Their goal is to train up pilots who desire to serve God through missions aviation. They have a summer camp for kids ages 13 and up who might be interested in aviation, missions, or both. They asked Josh if he'd be willing to flight instruct for the week. Josh had six students that he flew with once a day for five days. I helped feed these kids with bottomless pits for stomachs! I guess this is the life for some of you with teenage boys! :) It was cool to watch the campers get excited about flying. We had the opportunity to share with them about the work we're apart of and our team (which is really, really big!). By the way, you're apart of our team, too! If you read this, it means you're interested and maybe you'll pray for us. :)
If you've said even one whisper of a prayer for us or had a passing thought about us, you're apart of our team! :)
Josh and I had the chance to serve at a flight camp for MATA (Missions Aviation Training Academy- http://www.mata-usa.org/) in the month of July. This is the flight school where Josh completed most of his training. Their goal is to train up pilots who desire to serve God through missions aviation. They have a summer camp for kids ages 13 and up who might be interested in aviation, missions, or both. They asked Josh if he'd be willing to flight instruct for the week. Josh had six students that he flew with once a day for five days. I helped feed these kids with bottomless pits for stomachs! I guess this is the life for some of you with teenage boys! :) It was cool to watch the campers get excited about flying. We had the opportunity to share with them about the work we're apart of and our team (which is really, really big!). By the way, you're apart of our team, too! If you read this, it means you're interested and maybe you'll pray for us. :)
If you've said even one whisper of a prayer for us or had a passing thought about us, you're apart of our team! :)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Furlough in a Flash
This will be a series of posts dedicated to the adventures of furlough. When I mention that we're on furlough some look at me with worried faces. Furlough in the airline world means you've been laid off, but in the missions world it means you're back in your home country for an extended time. :) There's a BIG difference.
These adventures are in no particular order, but I'll try to keep the chronological.
Here is a hike to Heather Lake.
Imagine living your entire life in a flat world. Your world has rolling hills that gradually increase. There's grainfields that dance in unison when blown by the winds. This is not my world.
This new world begins with mountains and trails covered by trees on both sides. It also involves that hot-cold feeling. You know, when you wear a long sleeved shirt you're hot, but when you take it off your arms are cold... but you're hot.
Our journey continued through trees for a couple of miles. Then we came upon snow. SNOW in July?! Yes. in. July.
Then FINALLY we came to the lake. After having quite a grouchy attitude, I was immediately quieted. It was incredible. The trees opened up to the clearest lake I have ever seen. The color green burst forth against the white backdrop of the snow. We were encircled by a world of waterfalls created by melted snow.
More to come.
These adventures are in no particular order, but I'll try to keep the chronological.
Here is a hike to Heather Lake.
Imagine living your entire life in a flat world. Your world has rolling hills that gradually increase. There's grainfields that dance in unison when blown by the winds. This is not my world.
This new world begins with mountains and trails covered by trees on both sides. It also involves that hot-cold feeling. You know, when you wear a long sleeved shirt you're hot, but when you take it off your arms are cold... but you're hot.
Our journey continued through trees for a couple of miles. Then we came upon snow. SNOW in July?! Yes. in. July.
Then FINALLY we came to the lake. After having quite a grouchy attitude, I was immediately quieted. It was incredible. The trees opened up to the clearest lake I have ever seen. The color green burst forth against the white backdrop of the snow. We were encircled by a world of waterfalls created by melted snow.
More to come.
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