Farnsworth Forum

The results of Sunday's presidential election in Ecuador show that President Rafael Correa won the race with 54% of the popular vote and will serve his country for four more years for a total of six. This is the first time in history that an Ecuadorian president has been victorious in the first round without the need for a runoff. Marisol could not vote this time as there is no system for absentee ballots in Ecuador.

Welcome to our 2009 Easter recap! As always, Joel and Amelia enjoyed coloring Easter eggs. So did we! This year we suspended the Resurrection Rolls and tried the Resurrection Story Cookies. Here Amelia and Mama are "bruising" the pecans that represent Jesus' body to show how He was beaten on our behalf. We read Scripture to go along with each step of the recipe. At night the cookies are sealed in the oven "tomb." Notice that Joel and Amelia were already dressed for bed. You can see the masking tape seal. When the cookies go in, the preheated oven is turned off. Then at 5:30 am the next morning we open the oven and find the cookies are hollow inside. Christ has risen! We really enjoyed preparing this recipe with our children. Please email or leave us a comment if you would like to have the recipe. Very easy and inexpensive to prepare. Next we headed to the Sunrise Service at Bayview, a lovely setting with a gorgeous view of the ocean. Pastor Greg

No, I'm not talking about the old song by Dolly Parton. Last week was Coat of Many Colors week at Awana. Joel and Amelia designed their own shirts. They smiled for the camera with Miss Juliet, who is the secretary for the Sparkies (Joel's group) and a member of our small group at Bayview.

Thanks for praying for Joel's story reading last week. His story "Friends of the Sea" will run on regular rotation as a promo on Guam's channel 12 from June to December 2009. Joel acted so professional during his taping experience. I think I was more nervous than he was. Joel receives instruction from station employees Annie and Sonia. The station's waiting room has a mural with all of the PBS program characters. After the taping we treated Joel and Amelia to Pizza Hut complete with soft drinks for everyone.

Our PIBC community group made cookies to take around and share with the college's neighbors. This was the first time that we did a service project, and it turned out well. Maybellene was one of the students who helped to make the cookies and deliver them. Joel and Amelia also helped. Thanks very much.

President Obama recently attended the summit for the American heads of State in Trinidad and Tobago. You may have heard that many people criticised him for shaking hands with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. While many people may have good intentions for offering their opinion about this matter, I still shake my head and ask, "Since when is it a crime to strive for a better diplomatic relationship between two sovereign nations?" What do we gain by portraying ourselves as enemies of Venezuela, a country whose oil we depend on? Go figure!

One of the Puritans prayed: Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy, cast off that I might be brought in, trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend, surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best, stripped that I might be clothed, wounded that I might be healed, athirst that I might drink, tormented that I might be comforted, made a shame that I might inherit glory, entered darkness that I might have eternal light. My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped away from my eyes, groaned that I might have endless song, endured all pain that I might have unfading health, bore a thorned crown that I might have a glory-diadem, bowed his head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness, expired that I might for ever live. I don't know about you; to me that is extremely profound and convicting!

Marisol is learning to drive. Normally we don't take the kids along while she is practicing. However, today we decided to go out for a brief time as she will have her lesson with the instructor tomorrow. While we Marisol was driving, I heard whispering in the back seat. I turned around, and Joel and Amelia were praying. Marisol has quite a support system right in her family. It's a good reminder of the old gospel song, "Why Worry When You Can Pray?"

We delivered cookies to our neighbors today to celebrate Easter. Our friends from PA, Pat and Miles, had sent us Easter bags, which we colored together as a family. Then we filled the bags with cookies and candies wrapped in pastel tissue paper and headed out the door to share the fun! Joel and Amelia went up to the doors and knocked and said, "Happy Easter" when our neighbors opened the doors. It was a heartwarming moment. Happy Resurrection Day to all of you, our faithful blog readers. Jesus has risen!!!

We camped out in our yard last night, and it poured three times. We are so proud of our little tent because it did not leak, not even a little. All of us had a good time, even though we didn't get too much sleep. We did get some, though, as you can see from the pictures.

Recently we have been having lots of water fun. Here are some highlights! Today Martha and her sons came to visit us for some water activities. As you can see, Joel led the pack into the water. Martha's son Gabriel landed with a plop into the water. His older brother Rafael liked going down on his belly. What a fall, Amelia! What a fall! Amelia wanted to have her picture taken. Then Amelia said, "Let's do that again!" Joel liked how the regular slide slid into the water slide. Another day Amelia found a new use for our blue bucket! Amelia and Joel posed for a picture with our neighbor Joel. How do you like Joel's orange goggles at his swim class? Joel continues to improve in his swimming, thanks to the patience of his teacher Kauro.

A few weeks ago Joel entered a story in the local contest of the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Artists contest. This morning we received an email that Joel is one of the winners in his division. He will go to the local PBS studio and tape his reading of the story for regular broadcast rotation and will automatically have his story entered in the national contest. Of course, he is excited but a little nervous, too. Here is his story. It may be a bit hard to read due to the pictures. Sorry about that. We can email you the text only version if you request it by email or leaving a comment on the blog! We are very proud of Joel. This is a testimony of God's faithfulness towards us as we home school Joel. Marisol especially deserves congratulations for the good work she does with him three days a week in class. Joel created, handwrote and illustrated this story on his own . Please pray for him next Thursday at 3:45 pm Guam time (1:45 am Eastern Daylight Savings Time) as he

You've probably heard how U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has been visiting classrooms around the DC area. A few weeks ago our PIBC First Lady Joyce Owen came to visit my Youth and Children class. The students love Joyce, and so do I. It was a blessing to have her come and share with expertise with us about leading games for children. Joyce taught the first part of the lesson in the classroom and then took the students outside to practice the games. Joyce had the students participate in Awana type games around the circle. Joyce explained a new game called the three way tug of war. Instead of two teams pulling in opposite directions, the rope is closed and the teams pull in three ways. It is REALLY fun! The three way tug of war was great fun. Joyce made some closing comments before the class ended. The students loved her visit. Thanks very much, Joyce!