After Judah’s bloody nose:

“Judah, your face is all bloody.”

“NO, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is.”

“NO, IT’S NOT!!!!!!”

“Well, Judah, you can’t see it because the blood is on your face, and your eyes are on your face.  But we can see it, because our eyes aren’t on your face.”

On marriage:

“I’m gonna be a wife, but you can’t marry me, Judah, because I have to grow up.  And then another grown up man is going to come and ask me, and then we can be married when we’re both grown ups.  And you have to grow up and ask another person who is grown up and then you can be married.” -Ariel

“Yeah.”  -Judah

From Ariel, sitting with Judah working on a leapPad…

“I think Jesus is in outer space…”

Well, technically, he’s on his way home…but here’s some info about where he was.  Another mile marker on our journey into the calling on our lives, and a hint of what’s to come for the McDowells…

“About 3,000 ministry leaders from more than 100 countries united in Hong Kong this week to strategize for the completion of the Great Commission. In what might be one of the most significant meetings of its kind, the Call2All Congress in Hong Kong will affect missions for years to come…”

“The evening featured a focus on prayer, the kind that transforms and changes the destinies of nations. The delegates were called to make their life, home and organization a house of prayer.”

“Later in the day, delegates were introduced to one of the largest maps in the world ever printed. All 3,000 in attendance were able to walk on the map and pray over 4,000 locations, committing to go wherever God would send them. Using posted notes they wrote their commitments and stuck them on the map.”

Click on the quotes above to view the entire articles…

“Powerful times with the Chinese Christians both last night and then again today.  Really something extraordinary happening with the church here.

Went into the evening session and sat on the side of the Chinese church and prayed over some of them and them over me.  Very powerful.

This morning was foot washing with the Chinese volunteer team and praying over each other.  Lots of tears shed.”

–from OJ’s email

I just need to remind myself as I read this that he is talking about CHINESE CHRISTIANS here.  The ones who are still under persecution in places, who have paid extraordinary costs for Jesus, and who have historically been isolated from the rest of God’s family by their government…and my husband is there with them, washing their feet.  The world is changing, friends.  Isn’t it interesting that a new economic superpower is rising to take over from a failing one?  Could it be a picture of what has already happened in the heavenlies with a rising, vibrant, believing church, trained in severe conditions?

What joy to be able to serve these believers even for a couple days!

Don’t worry, babe.  It’s multiple choice.  Easy.

While you’ve been gone…

1. …did I unexpectedly find the Happy Meal caramel dip all over

a) Judah’s sheets

b) Judah’s water bottle

c) or the duvet cover?

2. …did my heart skip a beat because

a) the kids were screaming like banshees on the patio over a bug

b) I checked on Judah during his nap to find the bed empty and the front door swinging open

c) the neighbor told me she saw coyotes in the back yard

3.  Did I apologize to the store’s proprietor because of

a) shirtless and/or shoeless children

b) children covered in dirt

c) Judah with suspicious marks/bruises all over from a severe biff on the sidewalk the day before?

4. have I coerced extra cooperation from the kids with

a) jelly beans and lollipops

b) a trip to a petting zoo

c) pancake breakfast

5.  Which family member has melted down over missing Daddy?

a) Judah

b) Ariel

c) me

6.  storms have provoked us to…

a) put on kids’ swimsuits and run around in front of the house

b) take shelter in a shed at the arboretum and pretend to be hiding from bad guys

c) make fun of wild turkeys running from the rain

7.  things we have waiting to show you

a)  a picture of baby Moses with orange crayon scrawled across him and one or two reeds poking out of the river

b) a dead bat

c)  a music video by Ariel & Judah

8. someone learned

a) North, South, East, West–and the location of the Western states

b) how to use a sippy cup

c) not to take all the kids to Target without a binky and some backup

9.  things for you to figure out when you get home

a) why your employee made off with your truck (it’s back now)

b) why there’s a sewage smell halfway down the basement stairs (and no where else)

c) why the kids needed floaties for Glorie’s new 2′ pool

Good luck with the quiz!  If you get all the answers right, we will shower you with jelly beans and/or lollipops!  We are so excited to see you!!!!