ANNIVERSARY: Three Years Down, Forever to Go!

Jasheen and I celebrate three years of marriage today! And what a three years it's been. From our first month of marriage, it has been non-stop. An international move, two beautiful daughters, and a change in ministry later, we feel like we've crammed about 10 years worth into three.
An anniversary means celebrating the gifts and blessings of another year; growing together through the trials and challenges of another year; reflecting back on the really good memories (and some not so good) of another year; and most importantly, it means another year shared with the love of my life.
Marriage is likely never what one would expect; you're probably never exactly where you thought you'd be, but the truth is, it's better and more rewarding than you ever imagined, AND it's harder and more challenging than you'd ever have thought.
Throw parenting in to a young marriage and you have some of the most significant growth and learning opportunities known to man.

...and we're still here... loving, crying, laughing, playing, praying and growing together.
But one thing's for sure, there is no way that I'd be the man or the father that I am, nor would I be able to do the things I do without my loving, tolerant, gracious and gorgeous bride.

Thank you all for your care, concern and prayer for our marriage, our ministry, and our family!

Three years and counting...

McKenzie Blog Back Online!

After more than six months of internet silence, our family blog is back online. We've undergone some serious transformations and transitions since our last entry, not the least of which, the arrival of Isabelle Sophia. Born at the Queen Mother's Hospital on 18 March at 10:15am, Isabelle is a healthy and happy baby. Gabrielle has welcomed her new little sister with joy and enthusiasm, as have her mother and I. You can find pictures of this glorious occasion at our online photo album, in the March set.

Another big change, in case you haven't heard, is that after serving with CRM/nieuCommunities for more than seven years (four here in Glasgow), we've made a transition to Christian Associates International, the organization we originally came here to partner with four years ago. We're excited to continue our ministry calling to Scotland with CAI, and we believe that from a gifting and philosophical standpoint, we are more capable to fully carry out the ministry that God has called us to do.

Jasheen and I are grateful for the invaluable learning and growth experiences we've had with CRM, and for the opportunity they have given us to serve the Lord with them in Scotland.

Our transition will be complete as of 31 July, and CRM will process our funds until 9 August. All gifts received thereafter will be returned. To continue supporting us in ministry and transition your current giving from CRM to CAI, or to begin partnering with us financially, please visit CAI's Giving page for instruction on how and where to begin sending your gifts. And of course, we are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have if you'd like to email them directly to us.

Jasheen and I are deeply grateful for the loving and faithful ministry that we receive from our generous donors and prayer warriors. One would have to be in a situation like ours to truly know how precious and valuable those gifts and prayers are that allow us to fulfill our ministry in this spiritually desperate place. We're so grateful for the friendships, care, and willingness of others to be involved in our lives and ministry.

Book Review: A Tale of Three Kings

A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness - Gene Edwards

One glance at the back cover and I wondered, "Why haven't I read this yet???"

"Many Christians have experienced pain, loss, and heartache at the hands of other believers. To those believers, this compelling story offers comfort, healing and hope."

This story addresses those facing the pain and brokenness that result from unfair treatment by other believers, and promises to provide encouragement through this powerful story about David, Saul, and Absalom.

This book is a very insightful retrospective examining the contrast in character quality found in three Old Testament kings: Saul, David and Absalom. You may be familiar with the story of these three kings (found in 1 & 2 Samuel), and you'll be surprised at how relevant the lessons learned from these character studies are today.

Reviewing how David coped with an insane king that tried to kill him, and a vain, narcissistic son that tried to usurp him (both of which nearly succeeded), is an amazing study in God's love, grace and wisdom.

But keep in mind, this IS a case study in brokenness. This is next-level-faith type stuff. The patience, surrender, reverence for God and faith in His will that David displays in these situations is not easily attained or executed. In fact, it's completely counterintuitive to how we (and those around us) may expect us to behave.

At the same time, the revelations that wash over you as you read this book and the profound perspective this story can offer you will likely change your life. As Edwards says himself, you may not like the questions this book raises, and you'll probably like the answers even less, but this book is a must-read for anyone interested in any kind of leadership in Kingdom-minded service.

2006: The Year in Review

We received a Christmas letter from some friends this year and they let their son write it. Mommy and daddy were inspired so they thought it would be neat if I did it too. So this is our year in review in my (Gabrielle's) words:

January: We started off the year with an amazing trip to Singapore to see my Nai-nai and Tha-tha - that's mommy's parents. One of our dear friends gave us something called frequent flier miles for daddy's ticket, and grandmother & granddaddy in California bought mommy's ticket as a Christmas present. It was so fun and I got to fly on my first airplane. I don't think mommy and daddy had very much fun though b/c I didn't sleep very much. But I loved it and got to know everyone on the plane because daddy walked me up and down the aisles for most of the flight. I'm a Glasgow girl, so Singapore was very hot for me. All of my friends and relatives there were so nice and generous with me and gave me lots of nice gifts. My favorite part was celebrating Chinese New Year!!!

February: We returned from Singapore to very cold weather - which I'm used too. Daddy did something very crazy... he fasted for two weeks!!! He lost 16 lbs. and weighed the same as he did when he graduated from high school. He was skinnier and looked much younger.

March: Mommy did something new this month. Daddy had to go away for three days up to Inverness for a meeting for his ministry's curriculum. Mommy took care of me all by herself, and though it was hard, she did a good job and we really enjoyed girl-time while daddy was gone. It also snowed really hard this month and Glasgow got its most snow in 30 years. I didn't really know what to think about it though... it was very cold and wet.

April: Mommy enrolled me in my first music class called Colour Strings. We had so much fun. We listened to music and did fun exercises to the music. I think I'm going to be like mommy and be a musician. I love music and singing! We also went to Amsterdam to see our good friends, the Grafs. They're missionaries there and mommy and daddy got married at their farm. That was my second airplane ride and it was better because it wasn't as long as to Singapore. The Grafs loved on me and mommy and daddy a lot and we had a great time. I can't wait to go back!

May: The weather started getting warmer and mommy and daddy took me and Cole to the park a lot. I loved watching all the kids play on the playground and all the doggies running around.

June: Mommy and daddy took me on another airplane ride to California where I got to see grandmother, granddaddy, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Tom and my cousins, Nico & Molly. We went there to attend CRM's world wide staff conference at daddy's alma mater, Westmont. Mommy and daddy also got to go to something called a Romance Conference at Hume Lake. Granddaddy was the speaker, but I don't know very much about romance.

July: Mommy and daddy had so much fun showing me off to all their friends in California. Everyone was so nice to me and loved on me a lot. We also got to go out to Palm Desert w/ Troy and Kristina Pierce and I got to play with their son, Owen. He's BIG! Oh! We also had my dedication. Granddaddy performed my baby dedication and lots of people came to celebrate. We had a Bar-B-Q and there were lots of kids and presents for me!!! I loved California. I woke up every morning and hung out with grandmother for about an hour while everyone else slept in. We really bonded and she showed me how to point at things and water all her plants. Oh! And one more thing: mommy and daddy found out that I'm going to have a little brother or sister. Yea!!! I could really use a playmate. Cole keeps running away from me.

August: We had to leave California and go back home to Glasgow, but the weather was really nice and we got to go to the park some more. This time, mommy and daddy let me get in the little-girl's swing. I love to swing. It's so fun! Daddy had to start preparing for the new participants. He got a promotion and became the Glasgow Director. He really loves his ministry!

September: This was a big month. I turned one-year-old and mommy and daddy had a big party for me. More than 60 people came to celebrate with me and I got tons of presents. I also got to eat a fruit tart - which was the first time I had something called SUGAR. I really liked it and smeared it all over my face. I got some of it in my mouth too. The participants also showed up this month and daddy was working a lot. Mommy had to watch me by herself again for three days when daddy went on a Listening Retreat with the new participants. They spent three days in silence listening to God. I don't even know how to spend three minutes in silence, so that's impressive to me.

October: Yea!!! I started walking this month. I love to walk. I also love to dance to the Fimbles on TV. Mommy also started letting me play the piano. I love the noise it makes when I bang on the keys. The days got shorter and it started getting cold. But that's okay with me because I have lots of warm clothes to bundle up in. People have been so kind to give me lots of clothes! Daddy got to fly back to California for a wedding. His friend Nate and his wife, Becky, flew him home so that he could co-officiate the wedding - whatever that means. He was home for a week and mommy had to take care of me by herself for the longest time yet. Oh yeah, and mommy's belly started to get big. The doctor said that she thinks it's a girl, but only 75% sure... boy will mommy be shocked if it's a little boy!

November: This was a really special month because grandmother came to visit from California. She didn't even tell us that she was coming. She just surprised us by showing up at the front door. Mommy and daddy were shocked! Mommy even started crying... but she was happy. I don't get that, but I guess it's a good thing. Grandmother bought me a rocking horse as an early Christmas present and I love it! This was a big food month. Mommy and daddy hosted an evening for all the staff and participants and they made Pad-Thai. We also celebrated Thanksgiving, even though it's not a holiday in Scotland. We had a huge turkey and grandmother made a delicious thing called cranberry sauce. We invited lots of Scottish friends to celebrate with us and they really enjoyed it.

December: I really like December. I didn't remember Christmas last year, but I really like it! I love all the decorations and the lights. Daddy also turned 34 this month - which means that he's older than Jesus. He had a nice birthday party with some of his friends here. I got a stocking for Christmas and a little table and chairs that me and mommy sit at to color and read books. I say lots of words now... my favorite words (other than 'Momma' and 'Daddy') are: Nose, Eye, Hot, No, Hi, Bye, Daggy (for Cole), Shees (shoes), Moe (more), and Ubiquitous... just kidding. I also just string a bunch of sounds together that sound like talking, but mommy and daddy have no idea what I'm saying. Mommy's tummy is HUGE... daddy says she's as big as a house, but mommy just smiles and shakes her head. I can't wait for my little sister or brother to come in March!

Well, that's the year through my eyes. It was a really good year and mommy and daddy say that it was filled with God's goodness and his blessings. If you want to see pictures from our year - lots of me getting bigger - you can click the link on the right side of this page that says, "Photo Album," or you can log on to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisandjasheen// to see all the pictures we took this year.

Thanks for checking out my first Blog entry. We're looking forward to another great year and can't wait to share it with you again!

Bye-bye!