40 sweet things about you.

Your captivating smile.
Your brown eyes.
Your love for God.
Your love for the nations.
Your love towards me.
Your love towards our daughters.
Your love towards your family.
Your love towards my family.
Your love for our church.
Your hospitality.
Your creative mealmaking.
Your love for scramble.
Your consistency.
Your laugh.
Your enjoyment of watching sports.
Your jourgaling (journaling+blogging).
Your love for traveling near and far.
Your pleasure in dancing and watching it endlessly.
Your uncomfortableness toward giving and receiving flattery.
Your down to earthness.
Your appreciation for uplifting music.
Your ability to teach.
Your contagious energy.
Your ability to move on.
Your enjoyment of simple things.
You're very low maintenance.
Your beauty.
Your tears fall at appropriate times.
Your being rightly admired by many.
Your being a light and salt in this world.
Your grace toward me.
Your enjoyment of crossword puzzles.
Your creative moves while having dogs and cats around you.
Your grillin' skills.
Your frugality.
Your pursuit to continue to grow.
Your worship of God in all of life.
Your quick thinking.
Your cuteness.
You're my wife.

Join us in praising God!

In May 2008, Kevin, along with some others from our church ministered in Japan. Here is one of his updates:

May 27, 2008

Today (Tuesday) was another good day. We spent most of the day at another park in Tokyo. We had several encounters with people. We did a combination of sharing tracts, sharing our testimonies and sharing our smiles with the people today. Amazingly, even though there is often times a language barrier, God has given us plenty to talk about with people. We met a gal named Sakura today. She is a Japanese college student. She rode her bike up to Dale (a summer intern) and me, and asked why we were visiting the park. Talk about fishing and having the fish jump in the boat! We shared our reasons for being in the park, and had an opportunity to share with her about the Lord. We invited her to lunch with the whole group and everyone seemed to have had a turn at sharing their story and/or witnessing to her. She stayed with us for a long, long time! To make a long story short, she is coming to our Friendship Party on Thursday night, and she has said that she would like to study the Bible with an IMB journeyman here. Please pray that Sakura, which means Cherry Blossom in Japanese, will bloom magnificently in the Lord by God`s saving grace.

Today we received a message that Sakura accepted Christ!!!!! Praise God!!!!

Pop. O's Visit

My dad came to visit during the week of Selah's birthday. While he was here, he and I took an afternoon to go down to Wheaton and visit the Billy Graham Museum. We both enjoyed it a lot. You couldn't help but leave wanting to go tell someone about Jesus!

I was thankful for this time with my dad. It's always amazing that you can continue learning things about your family. While at the Billy Graham Museum, I learned that my dad's parents (my Pop O. and Gramm O.) attended the very first Billy Graham Crusade in Los Angeles. There were about 6,500 people who attended that first crusade.

Here are a couple of pics of the family with dad (Sofia and Selah's Pop O.)

Thank you for the prayers!

Thank you for praying for Selah on her 2nd birthday. As parents, this is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our daughters.

Selah celebrated her birthday with family. Aunt Kelli and cousins Caleb and Hannah drove over from Michigan. Pop. O. flew in from California. We had homemade pizza for dinner and an ice cream cake! She loved having everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

The day after her birthday was Selah's two year old check-up. She stands tall at 33.5 inches and weighs in at 24 pounds 13 oz. Her blond hair is slowly coming in and we think she may be in the beginning stages of cutting her 2 yr. old molars.

Selah's most favourite person in the world is her big sister, Sofia. They play quite well together (but yes, they do fight) and are very lovey-dovey with each other. It is sweet to see them interact as sisters and as friends.

A couple of months ago Selah went from talking like the teacher on "Charlie Brown" to saying full-sentences. She still surprises us with her words because like most second-borns she didn't need to talk. Her big sister did it all for her. Sofia still continues to be our interpreter when we can't quite figure out what Selah is saying.

Selah is a very active little girl. She recently learned to do a somersault, LOVES to jump both up and down and off of platforms of any kind, and tries her hardest to do a cartwheel like Sofia. She LOVES to slide, run, and her most favourite spot to hang out is on her daddy's shoulders.

We love to listen to her sing. She will bust out with "Jesus Loves Me" or the "ABC's" anytime and anywhere. And you better watch out? If she is riding in the car, she wants HER songs in the cd player. She loves her Kids Bible Songs. She sings along to "Father Abraham", "Do Lord oh Do Lord", the calypso version or "Just As I Am", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and many others.

WE LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRL. She is fun, mischievous, and sweet. We daily pray that our little girl will someday ACCEPT the greatest gift of all...JESUS CHRIST.

Again, thank you for praying!

Happy Birthday, Selah!

This beautiful, precious girl is a gift to us. She is our fiesty, loves-to-sing, "I can do anything my big sister can" daughter.

Two years ago today she came into this world. Today we invite you to join us in celebrating her life through prayer.

Pray that…

Selah will continue in good health and grow developmentally.
Selah’s love for singing will always be a sweet sound in our Savior’s ear.
Selah will continue to be curious, and that someday her curiosity will be satisfied by knowing Jesus.
Selah, whom God put on this earth for His enjoyment, will bring glory to God by enjoying Him.

Psalm 121

This summer we as a family memorized the first four verses of Psalm 121. Every night at the dinner table we reviewed the verses together.

We as parents beamed the first time and continue to beam each time Sofia speaks Scripture. What we didn't expect was Selah (not quite two) to not only take in the Scripture but to speak it as well. But in her condensed version, she knows it!!! Our hearts are so thankful for this gift.

Memorizing scripture is a great family activity. We encourage you to do so if you don't already.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come.

My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:1-4

This is what I got to do.

Yes, this is me. Keri L. Sheckler in the water with water skis. Those of you who know me well know that I'm not the most, how should we put it, athletic person around. And it's not that I'm just not athletic, I just don't enjoy doing very many physical activities.

But water skiing. I love it. I first learned to ski when I was in college. Last year I went skiing for the first time in almost 20 years. So needless to say when the offer came to go out and ski this weekend, I was quite excited.

Here I am putting on the junior skis. The boot of the adult ski wouldn't go small enough to fit my size 5 1/2/6 foot size.

Okay....I think I'm ready to do this.
Am I going to make it up the first time?
YES!!!!!!
It's such a great feeling.
My form may not be the best but who cares? I was skiing.
But alas, all good things must come to end.
Here's to next summer!!!!

Summer's ending.

All good things must come to an end and in this part of the world, Labor Day Weekend signals an end to summer. And what better way to celebrate than with friends, food, and fun at the lake.

Saturday late morning we headed up to Lake Beulah, WI. Some friends of ours from church had a few of us families over for a get-together at their lake house.

Kevin and Mike P. playing a little catch. (Can you see Kevin? He's to your left with the hat.)

What's Labor Day without some grilling? Brat anyone?
Oh....there was a slide.
And a swing. (oops, just turn your head)
Water play.
and TUBING!!!! This was Sofia's favourite part of the day.

Kevin played a few rounds of "Washers".
There was just some great hang out time.
After a full day of play, you can see why the girls looked like this on the way home.

Oh, and me? What did I do? That's the next post.

Singing a prayer.

Just about five minutes ago I walked out of Sofia's room after reading her a Bible story and praying with her. Nothing unusual because this is our nightly routine. But now she has me in tears.

My little girl is in the room singing away. The tune you wouldn't know. The words are her own. And her heart...knows that there is a God.

"Jesus, Jesus...Jesus, Jesus...you are special. Yes you are. You are special, yes you are. Jesus, Jesus, you are special."

"God is strong oh yes he is. God is strong oh yes he is. God is strong and you are not because he is the strongest."

"Selah you need to love Jesus. Selah you need to love God. Selah you need to love Jesus because he loves you."

The room now is quiet. She sleeps. And my heart...knows that there is a God.

Play date with the Rogers.

Many of our California friends and blog readers know Mark and Stephanie Rogers. For those of you who don't know them, both Mark and Stephanie were students at CBU when Kevin and I were on staff. We were blessed to have much interaction with them as students.

We have continued to be blessed with their friendship and visits here and there. Then about 1 1/2 yrs ago they moved a little closer to us when Mark became a doctoral student at TEDS. Actually we lived about 15 miles apart BUT now we only live 4 miles apart!

This means play dates!!!! Sofia has a great love for the Rogers' oldest child, Baby Hope. Baby Hope, however, is now 3 yrs old so all of us Shecklers are trying so hard to just call her Hope. It is fun to watch the four girls (Sofia --- 4 1/2, Hope --- 3, Selah --- almost 2, and Anna --- 10 mos) interact and play together. There is a lot of cuteness going on. Here's a pic to show you just how much.

Who cares if Anna was crying. These are some cuties!

Some Summer

It has been some summer. I use the word some in two ways. Yes, it has been some summer as in Wow! this has been quite the summer. But I use it mostly to describe the quantity of summer of days. You see, temperature-wise we haven't really had very many hot, humid days.

Here are some picture collages of some summer happenings in our part of the world.

Play time at the beach with friends is always a fun time.

We even spent some time with our neighbours out on the lake in their boat. The girls loved it and they love Ashley. Ashley is 10 yrs. old and plays really well with the girls.

Grandpa Sheck came and spent a weekend with us. Kevin and his dad headed up to Wisconsin one day to see the grave sites of family. Grandpa Sheck's mom grew up in Wisconsin. Grandpa also went with us to a church outing at the local minor league baseball game. Come to find out the team we saw play is part of the league Grandpa played for back in 1948-1950.

This past weekend our church celebrated its 50th anniversary. Sofia has always loved the events at the church picnic. This year Selah was old enough to enjoy them as well. There was the jumpy house, face painting, the obstacle course, games, lots of yummy food and a visit from the local fire department.

We really have enjoyed this unusually cool summer. Hopefully before the leaves start turning colour and the air turns colder, we will squeeze in a few more days at the beach and the parks.

Faith and Friends.

Hakan is a Turkish believer. Almost three years ago in his home city of Istanbul he was arrested and put on trial for sharing the gospel.

Hakan and his family have faced many difficulties but through it all they have persevered. They have persevered because they know that death because of Christ is sweeter than life without Christ. They also have had great opportunity to be witnesses for Christ because of the publicity surrounding these circumstances. Hakan has been invited to and spoken in many churches throughout Europe sharing his testimony.

Tonight Hakan brought encouragement to me and others in my home church in Grayslake, IL. Hakan and his wife Eyse have been visiting for a couple of days along with Brian. Brian and his family attended our church 10 years ago while attending seminary. He now works full-time in Istanbul.

It was so wonderful to hear what God is up to in Turkey. For me personally it was also great to see friends. You see, Eyse was my Turkish tutor when I lived in Istanbul many years ago and I attended the same Turkish church as Hakan and Eyse. God is so good.

Last night Hakan and Eyse came over for dessert. It was a perfect summer evening so we were down at the gazebo.

Brian is on the far left. Rob, standing next to Brian, had spent a couple months in Turkey years ago. Jeff in the middle, well, he has never been to Turkey but maybe he will now.

Enjoying the evening with other friends and brownies!

Sofia loved Eyse and Hakan.

Models

When Sofia put on this outfit...

She told me she was a model. So, she wanted me to take a picture of her doing this pose. (Don't ask me where she learned this.)

So of course, Selah had to get in on the action as well.

Sense of style?

"So, what do you think mom?"

This has become a daily question as Sofia sets out to choose her own outfit for the day. You see, the outfits in this blog are not "dress-up" clothes. Some would think they are but these are actual outfits she wanted to wear (note I didn't say she "did" wear) for the going out.

"Mom, this one is okay. And I've got this kitty purse to match."

"I like being Madeliene. It's okay to wear this."

"Don't I look pretty mom."

Some days it has been hard not to just laugh at the outfits. Now, don't get me wrong. I love that she is getting dressed by herself. I love that she is expressing herself. We just need to work on her "Sense of Style".

Questions of the day.

I thought I would continue to share the questions that are asked of me by my daughters.

Selah (23 mos. old) --- Where's Sofia? Where's Daddy? At church?

Okay, those are the easy questions. Here is one from Sofia. Thankfully I am still able to answer most of her questions.

Sofia (4 3/4 years old) --- Why are the teeth in the back of our mouth square and the ones up here are flat? And then we have pointed teeth too?

In hell?

(If you don't read this, at least watch the attached video.)

Today of all days I saw this video for the first time. Wow!!! It has rocked me. It has reminded me. It has encouraged me.

Ten years ago on August 17, 1999 I was sleeping quite soundly in my bed of one month in Istanubul, Turkey when early that morning I was awakened by a strong shaking. It was an earthquake.

That earthquake measured 7.4 on the richter scale. That earthquake was centered about one hour east of Istanbul. That earthquake killed almost 20,000 people (some reports say more).

Where are those 20,000 people? Had they heard the gospel? Did they know Jesus Christ?
Being that Turkey is predominantly muslim, I suffice it to say that those 20,000 people are in hell.

Do they deserve to be in hell anymore than me? NO!

That is why we GO!!!!

Please take the time to view this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZiMlwXU6fQ

The cho-cho and bird show.

As you know, each summer we take time to go to Gramma and Papa Bill's cottage in Manistee, MI. One of Sofia's favourite things to play with are the cho-cho (Japanese for butterfly) and bird (cardinal) garden sticks. Gramma puts them out every year and each year she seriously looks forward to playing with them.

This year the cho-cho and bird took center stage. Literally. Sofia arranged the chairs theatre-style and proceeded to put on a show with the cho-cho and bird. Of course, Selah took her turn putting on a show then Sofia had her be the audience.