The Kimbro Dawn Treader

A Thousand Things

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:13:00 +0000

A friend shared this song with me a year ago when we had just returned from Peru. I pray it is a blessing to you today.

A Thousand Things by Christa Wells on Grooveshark

Transit of Venus Party

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:38:00 +0000

Check out all the pictures to see the fun we had watching the Transit of Venus. Here is a great slide show of pictures that I found this morning.

The clouds stayed out of the way long enough for some of us to catch a glimpse of the little black dot that made it's way across the sun. We recommend not using binoculars as you look through your special paper and plastic glasses, that magnification burned a little hole in the glasses.

Even if we had not seen Venus, we enjoyed the company and the food.

Transit of Venus

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:04:00 +0000

Come see something you will not see until the year 2117. Venus is going to travel between the earth and the sun on June 5th. You can read more about here. I have bought 15 special glasses so we can watch it together. If anyone wants to come over to our house around 5:30 PM, we can have a Transit of Venus party. If it is cloudy we will be out of luck and then we can watch what happens online.

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WATCH THIS WITHOUT SPECIAL GLASSES!

Photo courtesy of Citizen Scientist League

Facebook Party!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:17:00 +0000

Join Lorrie Flem for her Mother's Day Facebook Party!

Click here to join in on the fun!

Hospitality

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Fifteen years ago I sat in a workshop at a women's retreat and listened to a friend speak on hospitality. As I talked to God later that day I asked him to help my home be a place where His glory would be evident and also a place where others could find peace and rest. As the years have flown by, and I think back to that prayer, I realize that God has answered beyond what I could ever imagine; even to the point of realizing that I have a special gift from my Father - hospitality. Even though I have this gift I can always learn more.

The spring issue of Eternal Encouragement Magazine is loaded with help for those who are desiring to become more hospitable.

Lorrie Flem shares, "The ministry of hospitality is a weapon for breaking down walls. It's a weapon for penetrating our culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ - a culture that is wounded and hurt." She goes on to share some verses that are commands for us to be hospitable; 1 Peter 4:9, Romans 12:10-12 and Hebrews 13:2.

This issue has some great articles, such as; The Chaos In Our Homes, Hospitality: It's Not About Me!, The Science of Housework, and Two-Legged Eeyores. A couple of quotes really stood out as I read, "Lean toward being welcoming rather than feeling the need to be entertaining." - "Hospitality is not about me. Its about showing Christ's love by serving and blessing others."

Go to this link if you want to subscribe.

Subscriptions are available printed and digital and any subscription receives the NEW EE Etc. Web Magazine that is published 8 times a year. This has full magazine articles that are only available to Eternal Encouragement Subscribers via a new online magazine website.

Need Help With Organization?

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:28:00 +0000

I love organizational ideas. I have a board on Pinterest just on organization.

After reading Lorrie Flem's ebook, Organizing Happiness, I was even more encouraged to strive to be more organized in my life. This informative ebook includes; 7 Clutter Keepers, 7 Habits That Will Make You and Your Family Happier, 7 Spiritual Weapons For Happiness, and 7 Organization Inspirations.

Click here to get your copy of Organizing Happiness. You can also discover Lorrie's other products and can start a subscription to Eternal Encouragement magazine by visiting her website. I have subscribed to this magazine for at least 4 years and have loved it.

Leave a comment about any organizational tips you have. I need all the help I can get.

Four Minutes

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:36:00 +0000

I love this post by Ann Voskamp. Four minutes a day to falling in love all over again.

4 Focuses + 4 Embraces + 4 Affirmations =

Falling In Love All Over Again.

Every marriage needs this. Try it today and let me know how you are doing.

Joy Dare Days 16 - 19

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:06:00 +0000

Getting behind posting my gratitudes, but I haven't quit looking. Everyday God reveals more of His glory!

Day 16 - 3 ways you witnessed happiness today

1. White tree.
2. My son's face.
3. Math towers

Day 17 - one gift that made you laugh, one gift that made you pray, one gift that made you quiet

1. Watching Rhett and Link with Luke.
2. Sitting in traffic.
3. Knitting a new scarf.

Day 18 - 3 gifts from God's Word

1. Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25:34-40

2. If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
Proverbs 25:16

3. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Day 19 - a grace in the kitchen, a grace in the weather, a grace that might never have been

1. A cup of hot tea.
2. Sunrise
3. New job for Mike

Joy Dare! Days 14 & 15

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:46:00 +0000

Day 14 - 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God

1. Flowers from Mike.
2. Clean water to drink.
3. Two children who grew in my heart.

Day 15 - one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared

1. Ring
2. Hug
3. Breathe Mints

Mike bought me this ring in Peru because I didn't take my engagement and wedding rings with me.

One of my kids favorites.

Joy Dare Days 7 - 13

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Catching up on 1000 gifts to record this year. This is so much fun.

Day 7 - 3 graces from people you love

1. Today Karson prayed, "God, help Grandpa come to know You so he can adore You."
2. Since we have arrived back in the states, so many people have said, "I'm glad you are home."
3. Note from my husband

Day 8 - light that caught your eye, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely

1. Candle flame
2. Big moon
3. Shadow in the newly fallen snow.

Day 9 - a gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with

1. Dancing with my husband.
2. Room full of friends.
3. Computer to share gifts.

Day 10 - a gift that's sour, a gift that's sweet, a gift that's Just Right

1. Pickles
2. My niece's warm smile every time I see her.
3. Shelter from the rain.

Day 11 - 3 yellow thanks that strike you as fresh mercy

1. Sun
2. Baby chick
3. Mangos

Day 12 - something above you, something below you, something beside you

1. My Father in heaven
2. Warm shoes on a cold day
3. My husband

Day 13 - 3 sounds you hear

1. Wind chimes
2. Hum of the frig
3. Chattering Children

The Joy Dare Days 1-6

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:33:00 +0000

Day 1 - three things about myself that I am grateful for

1. Child of God
2. Wife
3. Mother

Day 2 - a gift outside, inside, on a plate

1. Snow
2. Flower
3. Meal with old friends

Day 3 - three lines I overheard that were graces

1. "God's power has given us everything we need to lead a godly life." 2 Peter 1:3
2. "You have received the Holy Spirit from God. He continues to live in you." 1 John 3:27
3. "A good idea is not always a God idea."

Day 4 - one gift old, new, & blue

1. My grandmother who lived to be 100
2. Moving back to the states
3. Sky

Day 5 - something I am reading, I'm making, I'm seeing

1. Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed
2. Socks
3. My children eating candy canes

Day 6 - one thing in my bag, my fridge, my heart

1. Gratitude notebook
2. Fruits and Veges
3. Jesus

Joy Dare

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:15:00 +0000

If this doesn't bring you joy, then I don't know what will!

My challenge this year is to form the habit of gratitude.

I will be doing this through The Joy Dare. Click here for more information.

I am behind a few days, but it should be easy to catch up.

Open Spaces by Frances Ridley Havergal

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:32:00 +0000

"And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide."

Genesis 24:63

We should be better Christians if we were more alone; we should do more if we attempted less and spent more time in retirement and quiet waiting upon God. The world is too much with us; we are afflicted with the idea that we are doing nothing unless we are fussily running to and fro; we do not believe in "the calm retreat, the silent shade." As a people, we are of a very practical turn of mind; "we believe," as someone has said, "in having all our irons in the fire, and consider the time not spent between the anvil and the fire as lost, or much the same as lost." Yet no time is more profitable spent than that which is set apart for quiet musing, for talking with God, for looking up to heaven. We cannot have too many of these open spaces in life, hours in which the soul is left accessible to any sweet thought or influence it may please God to send...Let there be intervals when we shall do nothing, think nothing, plan nothing, but just lay ourselves on the green lap of nature and "rest awhile."

Walking the Dusty Paths

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:27:00 +0000

"Together we will face whatever each day brings...Nothing is wasted when it is shared with Me...I have equipped you to stay conscious with Me, while walking along dusty, earthbound paths." - Sarah Young from Jesus Calling.

One year ago today we stepped off a plane and started walking the dusty streets of Trujillo. Each day brought different challenges, but we continued to walk. As I look back over this past year I see what God has done, as we have gotten our feet dirty.

I have seen children smile. These children have no material reason to smile, but they are full of the joy of life.

I have seen God's people working together to glorify His name.

I have seen ditches dug, concrete mixed, bricks made and roofs raised, so the least of these, in the dusty streets, will have a safe place to call home.

I have seen people from all nations cry as they look into the eyes of my friends in the garbage dump.

I have seen others cry with us as we experience uncertainty.

I may not be walking the dusty streets of Trujillo today, but I'm walking the streets seeing faces that need Jesus. The dusty path God has us on now is still the same; bring Him glory.

Important News

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 01:24:00 +0000

We wanted to bring you up to date on recent, significant happenings with our family. As most of you know we have been living in the Albergue (Children's Home), in the outskirts of Trujillo, Peru, which is in a poor and somewhat dangerous area. Eight days ago, Mike and Kassidy were driving to town when only 100 yards away from our property a local gang assualted them, to steal the truck.   After blocking the road several men surrounded the truck, one with a hand gun pointed at Mike. They forced their way into the truck hitting Mike in the head and pulling him from the truck. Thank God they let Kassidy out of the truck.

Because this was our second robbery at gun point, it has become clear there are significant safety concerns for us as a family to live at the Alberegue at this time. However, we do feel it is safe for short term mission teams to continue to go to the Childrens' Home to help. We have now returned to Boone to regroup and seek God's guidance for our next steps.

We appreciate your continued prayers and support. We will be in touch to let you know our plans when God makes that clear to us.

Blessings!
The Kimbros

Labor Pains

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 01:22:00 +0000

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Anticipating the birth of my first child was a time of excitement and uncertainty. During my first doctor’s appointment I definitely was excited, but I was also distressed. My doctor was wonderful, until he started talking about the labor. “They don’t call it labor for nothing,” he warned me, “It’s going to take some work.” Frightfully, I walked away that day, dreading the labor. I don’t mind work, but I really hate pain. However, by the end of the nine months, I was over the fear and dread and I couldn’t wait to go into labor. I wanted that baby out.

Is the baby worth all the labor? Absolutely! Nothing has filled me with more joy than seeing that wrinkled, crying face. I can imagine, when I held that baby for the first time, that it is somewhat equal to accepting the gold medal at the Olympics. I worked hard, it wasn’t easy, but the labor was worth receiving that precious medal.

For seven months I have been in labor. Each birthing has brought with it a gold medal. Each labor has taken me to my knees. How many medals have I received? Countless. What are their names? Let me introduce you to just a few.

-Peace! Peace arrived after considerable labor pains. Tears were many. Goodbye was a constant, familiar word. Hugs from the feeble hands of my grandmother. Choked words of encouragement from the ones we were leaving behind. Sobs on the shoulders of the one’s I love. “Peace, I desired you more than any.” The pain in my heart with leaving everything familiar was sometimes unbearable. Then, my mind whirled with the reality of being in a different culture. Am I safe? What if something happens? What happened when my son cried out to me, “Mom, they had a gun to my chest”? Peace was born. Glorious Peace! “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

-Strength! Just when I thought I couldn’t labor anymore, Strength came forth. Strength is constant and unwavering. Emotionally drained I felt like I couldn’t do anything but go to bed and cry. Strength was there. Psalm 27:14 in the Message encouraged me one day, “Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God!” Staying with God brought forth Strength. Irrational tantrums from a child tried to delay the birth of Strength. Death of a loved one consumed my dreams. Sleep escaped me. However, I was greeted in the morning by Strength. “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26

-Thanks! Before Thanks was born, confusion filled my mind. “I don’t have my own house yet.” “Nothing is familiar.” “I’m so sad.” “I miss so much about the US.” “I’m so homesick.” I’m grieving for the life I always knew, because now, everything is different. But now, Thanks is here and by giving Thanks, my testimony can reach to the ends of the earth. “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make know his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4 “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.” Psalm 57: 9

-Joy! It saddened me that Joy wasn’t born sooner. She tried to get here sooner, but I let the worries of the day choke her birth. I let my circumstances control her birthday. Wait! “I’m tired of waiting.” Greedily, satan robbed me of Joy with his lies. Not anymore! She is here. Joy, when the screams of my child have exhausted me. Joy, when I can’t understand a word. Joy, when I walk down the street and everyone stares. Joy, when my child is sick for the ninth time since we have moved here. Joy and laughter when a rat runs across my feet. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” James 1:2

Triumphantly, other trophies were birthed from my months of turbulent labor; Faith, Rest, Love, Grace, Contentment. Each having it’s own story

During all these labors, God’s Word has softly relieved my pain. Several quotes have also helped me endure the heavy breathing.

“Can Jesus meet my need? Yes, and more than meet it. No matter how intricate my path, how difficult my service; no matter how sad my bereavement, how far away my loved ones; no matter how helpless I am, how deep are my soul yearnings; Jesus can meet all - all, and more than meet.” Hudson Taylor

“You have made waiting beautiful; You have made patience divine. You have taught me that Your will may be received just because it is Your will. You have revealed to me that a soul may see nothing but sorrow in the cup and yet may refuse to let it go, convinced that Your eyes sees further that its own.” George Matheson

Are you in labor? Is the pain unbearable? Are you out of breath? Just wait! The Lord is involved, you are not laboring in vain. What comes is worth far more than a gold medal.

Prayer from Lamentations 3:22-24

Because of Your faithful love, O God, I do not perish. Your mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. You are my portion, therefore, I put my hope in you.

Tour of Home

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 19:53:00 +0000

Is that old saying, "It was worth the wait", always true? Maybe not, but to us it is true right now. Thank you for all your prayers and financial gifts and encouragement. We are in a space we can call home. Hope you enjoy this photo journey.

Then

Now

The Kitchen Then

The Kitchen Now

The Dining Room Then

The Dining Room Now

The Living Room Then

The Living Room Now

More Pictures Around the House

Mike and Karen's Room

Kaleb and Luke's Room

Kassidy's Room

Karson' Room

Bathroom

The Office Has Many Uses

Storage Until We Get Closets

Storage For Corn When It Rains

After the corn was separated and cleaned it was taken to the market and sold. This purple corn is used to make a sweet, juice-like drink.

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Two Weeks Later

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:10:00 +0000

Still no internet. Busy with a team from Kentucky and all the interns. Hopefully I can post some pictures soon. Pray we can get internet soon.

One Week Later!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:12:00 +0000

No internet, but we have our own home. We are totally disorganized, but we are in. The rest of the kitchen cabinets were put in this morning. God is providing all our needs. We are thankful. Maybe the next blog entry will have pictures.

Update!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Sun, 29 May 2011 21:17:00 +0000

We are in our house. Pictures soon to follow. We don't have internet, so it will be a while. Hopefully by the end of this week.

First Video Update

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Newest House Photos!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Construction is continuing on our house. Here are some updated photos.

This is a view of the front of the administrative building. We will live in the back half of this building.

These two photos show the kitchen. The base material for the cabinets is concrete. They will have wood shelves and doors, with tile on the top and sides.

In this photo, Mike is standing in the dining room and living room.

Here is the back yard which will eventually have grass and flowers. The washer and dryer will be on the patio to the left. The window on the left is the master bedroom. The window to the right is Kassidy's bedroom.

Another view of the dining room and living room.

The hallway to Kaleb and Luke's room.

The next several pictures show Kaleb and Luke's artistic abilities in their room.

Here is Kassidy's room.

Here is Karson's room.

This is Mike's and my room.

In this last photo, the white building in the middle is our house. The white building on the right is the first children's home and the building on the left is the cafeteria. The goal is to have children living here by January 2012. Pray with us that this will happen.

Closed!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 22:59:00 +0000

This title is the theme for the Saturday Photo Hunt.

As I was browsing through my photos I came across this one, which reminded me of the children who are still not sponsored through Inca Link. The door of the daycare is closed, except to those children who are sponsored.

Click here, and sponsor a child today. Help open that door for another child.

There Is Paint on the Walls!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:37:00 +0000

It is exciting to see the paint going up. We had a fun day painting together as a family.

This first photo is a view of the dining room and kitchen. The door you see, where it is dark, is a bathroom.

Karson is getting in on the fun.

We've adopted Matt Adams. He has been a great help.

Duped in the Desert

noreply@blogger.com (Kimbro) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:18:00 +0000

Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines the word "robbed" as follows: Deprived feloniously and by violence; plundered; seized and carried away by violence.

Why would I start this entry with that definition?

Imagine your 13 year old son coming to you and saying, "Hi Mom! I was robbed today by three guys. They had a shotgun to my chest. They took everything."

Various emotions flooded my mind over the next few minutes. However, by the time I thought it all through I thanked God; first, for sparing my son's life and second, for allowing this incident to happen. Then I began to pray for the guys who did this.

The previous morning our family had been reading from Isaiah 41:13: "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'"

My son wears a ring on the index finger of his right hand. As the robbers were leaving, one of them asked him for the ring. Reluctantly he gave them the ring. The guy looked at the ring, laid it on a rock and walked away.

I once again shared that verse from Isaiah with my son and remarked, "God is holding your right hand. Even through traumatic times He is holding your hand. He allowed this incident and He allowed you to keep that ring. Wear it as a reminder that God is holding your right hand."

What did my son learn from this? In his own words, "Follow the rules that your authorities set before you."

What did I learn from this incident? This was a reminder that God allows good things and He allows bad things. Our job is not to question, but trust Him as He holds our right hand.

As I continue to pray for those guys that robbed my son, I realize that they are only doing what they know. Without the influence of Christ in my heart, I might be where they are. In their poverty they turned to crime. I pray that they will somehow be drawn to Christ and worship the One True and Living God.