Moulding Chronicles November 2015

Along the Apalacian Trail

Dear Friends,

Well life was full of colds and feeling a bit stressed so September’s newsletter got forgotten and now November is here so we are playing catch up, while just realizing that yet another end of year is almost upon us. Even with another roller-coaster year of ups and downs I looked at Sarah this afternoon and said we are so blessed here with all the good things that God has given us especially three great children. So in this newsletter we want to share with you about our adventure to the USA.

Our travels got off to a rough start with us all being ill, and a bought of bronchitis for Sarah, however the trip was just what we were all needing. A break from the everyday life here in Bolivia, breathing in fresh oxygenated air and being surrounded by Gods wonderful creation and good friends.  In the time we were there the weather was just cooling off and the leaves on the trees were just beginning to change into beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. Having not seen an autumn in eight years we were just mesmerized by all the colours.

Autumn Colours

Our First attempts at carving pumpkins

Yay for tractor rides

Yellow Breeches

Our hosts were amazing and blessed us in so many different ways, from  many practical things such as a car and food and lodging, to being a listening ear as people who understand what living in Bolivia is like and who have homeschooled their own four children. 

Not quite Cadburys, but a fun trip

Amish Country

America was very different from what we are used to, both in the UK and Bolivia, having to drive everywhere being the biggest thing. However, we had a very positive and refreshing time and even made a number of new friends. One of the big benefits was that the children could get to experience a little more freedom and explore more of the world around them. 

Brave 2!

Part of our reason for going to the US was for Ed to complete part of a Coaching training course that he began back in September.  The training provided the opportunity to finally begin to understand and practice being a coach. It is one thing to read about something but it is something completely different to actually do it. 

We can now say that Alana is almost as tall as a Rhino

I (Ed) was not sure what to expect from the training, I guess in my mind I was expecting that the training would be 6 days of sitting and listening to people talk about what coaching is and how to do it. What it was in the end was 6 days of intense learning with teaching periods no longer than 20 minutes followed by either a demo where a trainer coached one of us or coaching a partner practicing what we had just learnt about. By the end of the training I felt much more confident in how to coach but my head was bursting with all that I had learned. 

New friend

Some of the highlights from the training where: meeting the other students on the course and hearing their stories, getting in lots of practice time to grow in confidence, hearing God speak to me as I was coached about the issues and challenges I am currently working through, learning about personality types and how we interact and clash with each other, going to a pub and having ale and fish and chips, and getting to hike around some of the beautiful countryside of Colorado Springs. 

Back in Bolivia, I am starting to put into practice what I have learned. Just this week I was in a meeting with a colleague and used some of the coaching skills I had learned to help him think about a particular training he was working on. Then I was able to help a friend from church to think through some key changes he wanted to make in his work. 

One of the tag-lines from the training is ‘practice makes permanent,’ and so I am working at setting up some coaching relationships with different people, as well as being asked to coach the leadership staff of FH in Bolivia. All of which will go towards building up practice hours towards my certification. I am a little nervous stepping out in doing this, but one of the great things about coaching is that it is not about me coming up with the answers, because God speaks first and foremost to the client, so my role is to believe in them and walk with them whilst they work out what God is doing and where He wants to lead them.

As well as the coaching practice, this month I will start tele-classes for the 3rd module, which will be really interesting as it was what got me interested in coaching in the first place. The module is about discovering ones life purpose and how to coach people as they consider questions about design, passion, preparation and calling. A quote from a book I am reading at the moment says that ‘As Christians, our purpose is woven into the fabric of the purposes of God for all of creation. Purpose is implanted in us as well as revealed to us – we were made for what God calls us to be.’ I am looking forward to walking with others as they find God’s purposes for their lives.

Thank God for: 

• A refreshing trip to the US
• An encouraging weeks training in Colorado for Ed
• The different opportunities opening up to put the coaching into practice

Ask God for:

• Working out what this next season in Bolivia looks like
• A good finish to this school year and a good beginning to next with Isaiah joining us at home

Coram Deo

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah and Lucas

Moulding Chronicles July 2015

A rare snow day in La Paz

Dear Friends,

God has a plan for each one of us and in light of that has given each of us various gifts to use in order to fulfill that plan. Our part in the deal is to discover what that plan is. At times He may reveal the big picture, often times though its just the next step that we need to take in order to move us along in the right direction. Sometimes these steps are obvious other times they may not be quite so obvious in how they relate, however God often uses these steps to grow us in areas of character outside of our specific sphere of calling.

We believe that in each chapter of life God has various things that he wants us to learn so that we can grow and be prepared for the next chapter. The challenge is to be open to let God grow us, especially when those changes involve our character. 

We have mentioned the coaching we have received many times because it has impacted our lives so much and God continues to use it as an important tool for shaping us and knocking off the rough edges and smoothing them over to better reflect Christ. For Sarah coaching has helped her see how God wants to use her in the short and long term. In the short term that involves the valuable work of being a homeschool mum to raise and shape our three children and provide for them solid foundations about God and his world. For the long term God has given Sarah an idea but how that will pan out we do not know, but that is ok, as much as we would like to know we don’t need to know now and so we give the idea back to God and look at the now, learning the lessons he wants us to learn now to prepare us for later. 

For Ed coaching has shown him who God has made him to be, what gifts and talents God has given him and how he wants him to come alongside and be a running mate with husbands, fathers and leaders to help them overcome life’s challenges with Gods help. To this end to help Ed be able to do this better he has signed up to a Life and Leadership Coaching course (www.coachingmission.com) that will run for 10 months starting from September. He is really looking forward to the course and learning how to become a coach to help people grow in their walk with God. 

Part of the course is a six day on site workshop in Colorado Springs in the USA in October. This time instead of just Ed going travelling we’ll all be going for our first trip ever to the USA. We’ll be going to stay with friends in Pennsylvania and Sarah and the children will stay there while Ed goes to Colorado Springs. 

The children are all super excited about going and are now daily asking how many big sleeps it is until we go. 

Thank God for: 

• God’s protection over all the recent travels
• How he is continuing to shape and grow us
• The opportunity to visit the USA

Ask God for:

• Wisdom in planning for Isaiah to join us in homeschool next year
• Guidance for the families group
• Continuing health and safety during many up and coming travels

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah and Lucas

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path

Psalm 119:105

Moulding Chronicles May 2015

Dear Friends,

When I first started reading up about homeschooling I never really believed what it said about it taking on average about 3 years in order to find your groove and yet here we are almost halfway through our third year and I can finally say that we have found that groove with the days flowing much smoother than previous years. Of course that will all change again next year once Isaiah joins us in the mornings, but thats not until next year so for now we can sit back and enjoy the journey.

Having found that sweet place we are able to find more enjoyment in what we are learning. Thinking outside of the box has also broadened our opportunities to include the boys and develop in them a love of learning too.  For example, last month they were all super keen to sew so they have all been busy making their own teddy bears. Having made them, they just love to play with them, and carry them around.

Once a month we set aside a Sunday afternoon to learn about a particular country all together.  Last month was China so we had a go at writing our names in Chinese, and making Chinese dragons. We have yet to fulfill our lunch date at a Chinese restaurant! Along with that we have enjoyed reading stories based on those countries too. Last week we finished reading about Gladys Aylwood, an amazing lady who despite so many obstacles followed Gods call to serve him in China, and in doing so saved not only the lives but souls of hundreds of Chinese people. As we read her story I was challenged by my rather stressful responses to the hassle we have gone through to get our visas to stay in Bolivia, when on so many occasions her very life was on the line in order to determine to follow Gods call.

In these last few months it has been a privilege to walk so closely with Alana in her own journey in making sense of the world around her.  There are so many people here who spend their lives begging on the streets it can be so overwhelming that its paralyzing to the point of doing nothing, and yet Alana desperately wanted to do something so on a rather cold and wet morning she put together a number of food parcels (which included a toy as she wanted to make people happy) and we set off and gave them out to people as we went. Proud mummy moment in seeing a glimpse of the big heart she does have in wanting people to be happy.  There is a lot she can teach me.

So we move forward with excitement and anticipation as to where God will lead us as a family on this journey of homeschooling in the weeks, months and years to come.

Thank God for: 

• Visas finally completed
• Finding our homeschool groove
• 3 amazing children

Ask God for:

• Gods intervention in the lives of the families within our group, many of whom are going through real difficulties
• Ed being able to organise his work better so that he can move forward on some major projects

Blessings

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah & Lucas

Moulding Chronicles March 2015

Dear Friends, 

Over the last few months I (Ed) have been reading a very good book called ‘Serving Without Sinking’ by John Hindley. It has been a challenging read and has taught me a lot about having a right view of God, others and self as I consider what serving God really means. Towards the end of the book it focuses on Matthew 11:28-30, about taking the ‘easy’ yoke that God has prepared for us. 

Cooking lessons

Recently I have been beginning to understand more of what this means. In biblical times two Ox where yoked together to plough a field, one older and more experienced, and a younger less experienced one with the elder of the two taking most of the weight. With us, God is the older experienced Ox taking most of the weight and leading the way, we are the younger Ox and only have to carry what God asks us to carry. Hindley says that when we realise this and begin to trust God, i.e. only feeling the weight He puts on our shoulders as opposed to what we load ourselves up with, then we can find joy in serving Him, and can serve him for longer and harder than ever before. 

He'll make a great Dad one day

So God has been challenging me about taking up his yoke, but when I hear God saying do this for me or lead that for me, fears and doubts fill my mind, questioning where it will  lead, what I might have to give up and if I have the skills and abilities to do it. So instead of standing up straight and taking the strain of the yoke WITH God, I shrink away from the yoke, fearing and worrying about things that God is not asking me to worry about. When I do this I am not able to serve God as best as I can, because I have not understood how he wants me to serve him. I have not understood that God is an intentional God who puts us in different situations with a clear purpose of helping us to grow, to know Him more, to be able to reflect His likeness and be reminded again that He is God and He knows what is best for us. 

So as I look at the challenges we are facing with getting our new visas under time pressure, and as I look at the challenges and changes I am facing in my HR role within FH, God is challenging me to look away from the fears and doubts and to trust in Him, and stand up to take the strain of the yoke to find that when I do I find that His yoke is easy and his burden is light, because I am carrying what He wants me to carry whilst leaving all the other stuff for God to carry and provide the answers for in His perfect timing.

New glasses

Thank God for: 

• Celebrating Isaiah’s 4th birthday
• Couples within the families group taking the lead in organising social events

Ask God for:

• Documents to be processed quickly and returned
• The FH lawyer to be on the ball with all the papers we need 
• Faith to trust God for his perfect timing 
• Energy and good health

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah and Lucas

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’

Matthew 11:29-30

Fierce Moulding pirates

The birthday boy

Moulding Chronicle January 2015

Dear Friends,

A very Happy New year to one and all.  We hope that you were able to enjoy the festive season with friends and family and that the new year has gotten off to a positive start.

We find ourselves starting out this new year in a much more positive frame of mind. The two week Christmas break, which enabled us to step away from all normal routines, has done us all good and has given us a fresh perspective on the year that lies ahead.  The one word which is at the forefront of our minds as we face this new year is THRIVE.  2014 was a difficult year, we felt weighed down by so much, however, we wouldn’t want to go back and change it as despite the difficulties we have learnt so much through it. living in survival mode is ok for a time but certainly not sustainable and so it seemed important that this year we walked this journey learning how to really thrive.  We are still in the process of working out what it looks like on a day to day basis for each of us to be thriving, but feel that we are already making a start in the right direction in a number of different areas. 

Making the time for key relationships  outside of the home is a part of this, as is the need for exercise, to which end we now have an exercise bike and are keeping each other accountable in using it, even Alana is getting involved with this.  We also recognise our need to take regular breaks from the norm.  Some of that will mean getting away for a change of scenery, in other ways it means a change of routine and stepping away from technology.  In line with this we have been more intentional about setting aside a regular sabbath rest having been challenged and inspired by a book Sarah read last year.  For Sarah this has not been an easy thing to do and has taken some time to figure out, however she is now reaping the benefits of giving herself the permission to stop and rest.

Mid January began our new normal with school re starting and daily use of the new bike. Lucas now goes along to kinder with his big brother, who is doing a great job of encouraging him.  So now our mornings are girls only, and Sarah looks forward to the opportunities now opened up to us to travel further a field and experience a little more of the culture.

Meanwhile Ed has returned to the office in his new role of HR Co-ordinator.  At present he is spending much time staffing new positions but has new opportunities opened up to further grow and develop in new ways.

So we have a lot to look forward to this year as well as a lot more to learn.

Thank God for: 

• A refreshing and relaxing Christmas break
• A good start to the new school year

Ask God for:

• Lucas to adjust to kindergarten
• A year learning to thrive
• Help for Ed in balancing his work load in his new role as HR Co-ordinator
• For our visas to be renewed this time without any problems. 

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah and Lucas

Moulding Chronicles christmas 2014

Dear Friends,

A very Merry christmas to one and all and a Happy New Year.

As we move into the season of christmas , we move closer not only to the end of the calendar year but also to the end of our second year of homeschool. As we look back on the year passing by I am amazed at how much we have learnt in the course of the year, not so much perhaps on the academics side of things though we have covered a lot, but more about who we are and how we work best.  

It has been fun to follow some of Alana’s interests throughout this year and so we have learnt how a car works and moves, the ins and outs of an engine, levers and pulleys, boats and birds. It looks like next year will be kicking off with a project on clocks - so maybe we have a little scientist or inventor in the making!

Throughout the year we have also noticed areas where we have been lacking particularly in term of friendships and so have much to praise God for in the provision of a playmate, who lives close by and who is of the same age with similar interests, and with being able to join a regular Saturday club at a local church which is a little like scouts.

We still of course have much to learn and moving into the new year we will be trying out some new methods and slightly different approaches. Both boys will be attending the local nursery in the new year so that in itself will change the dynamics somewhat but will also give us a little more freedom to explore some of the other places around the city.

At the end of November we were all able to take part in the FH national retreat in Cochabamba which provided a refreshing (though rather tiring) break away from the concrete city.  We all relished being able to be outside all day every day for the 4 days we were there playing in the open grassy spaces. During the retreat we were involved with leading the games sessions, then later on Ed was involved with sharing ideas on the new discipleship program due to launch in the new year.

As well as a time of relaxation and fun the retreat was also good for building up relationships, putting names to faces and building momentum and motivation for moving ahead into the new year.

 It has not been an easy ride this year with lots of additional stressors on all levels but as we look to the new year we look to it with a fresh hope of what God has in store for us all including another job change for Ed, but more of that to follow in the new year.

Thank God for: 

• Documents all present and correct
• Being a part of the FH retreat in Cochabamba as a family
• All that has been learnt through homeschool for both Alana and Sarah

Ask God for:

• Guidance in planning out next year and what to get involved with
• Clarity for Ed as he transitions into another new role with HR
• A fun and relaxing holiday period as we celebrate the birth of our wonderful Saviour

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah and Lucas

Moulding Chronicles September 2014

Dear Friends,

In the last couple of weeks we have received both our visas and our ID cards so after what felt like a very long 7 months we finally escaped the city and spent a long weekend enjoying the cleaner air and beautiful views of lake Titicaca. Earlier this month we also had the privilege of celebrating Alana’s 8th birthday and enjoyed a fun afternoon of games and much laughter with friends.

Back in July Ed started an internet course with other members of FH called Coram Deo (Latin for ‘Before the face of God’).  The promotion video begins with an interesting and challenging question. ‘Do we see more and more of the Kingdom of God coming into our communities and our nations, or do we see more and more of our societies coming into our Churches?’ How would you answer the question? 

The reality I think is that for a large part we see more of the church influenced by society rather than society influenced by the church. However, there are places where we can see this happening in reverse, where individuals and communities of Christians are living out biblical truth in the situations where they find themselves, which often is nothing more complicated than being a good neighbour or genuine friend to those around them, who through their words and actions are able to share the truth about God’s love and saving grace.

The 12 lesson course challenges people to remove the glasses (worldview or paradigms) through which they see the world and to read the Bible, asking the following: 

• Are we seeing the world and the Bible as God wants to see it or just as we want to see it? 
• Are we using the whole Bible to understand life and how we are living it or just a part of it? 

They are difficult questions to answer because our worldviews are such an intrinsic part of our subconscious, formed from childhood and influenced by the cultures in which we live.

Darrow Miller, the course presenter gave an example of the effects of worldview from his own life. He was a born again Christian for 13 years before he realized that he was reading and interpreting the Bible from a materialistic and atheistic worldview that his culture had brought him up believing. His heart had been born again, but his mind had not. He had not taken off the glasses through which he saw the world. He had never questioned why he did the things that he did, or if what he did was glorifying God? If we then consider that if the chief aim of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever, then how important is it to be asking ourselves these same questions. Our minds are very powerful and determine what we can and cannot do. In Romans   12:2 it talks about how important it is for us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Therefore, we need to be putting our minds into action as well as our hearts.  

So as we move forward into the later part of the year we have much to be thinking about and chewing over as we try to take off our own tinted glasses. 

Praise for:

• Visas and ID cards :o)
• A fun and restful holiday at the lake
• Improvements to attitudes towards homeschool
• Really great kindergarten report for Isaiah

Pray for:

• Swift and easy renewal of passports
• For Ed as he plans his work for the next fiscal year with FH Bolivia
• New Global president of FH that he’ll settle into his role quickly and be able to hear God’s will.

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah and Lucas

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Romans 12:2