on the road still!

It has been a wow all around! As soon as we stop we are either in bed or visiting with people! What a treat right! Going to sleep or visiting! Both great options! Just a small update that we are doing great and enjoying this time we have together! We have been stretched as we are all together all the time. We get to see our true colors! Sometimes they are so pretty and sometimes they are not so much! Only by His Grace that we get past our stuff and move on! :) Will connect again!

love- the stauffy family!

life on the road...

One place to another! Seeing friends and enjoying every minute it. Eating different foods and smelling different smells! Internet working at some places- others not. Getting crabby and working it through! Life to the fullest on the road... Will update when I have a moment longer than blink of eye!

the stauffachers!

Traveling...

We are getting some serious family time as we travel! Bonding and fun family memories are being created! We are so blessed to been given this time together.

We are in the middle of Texas today! On our way to Dallas- Yesterday we drove 4 hours with every gas station abandoned! Hmmm times have changed... Crazy how big and vast and sometimes desolate is our country is. When you live in the city - we forget about the big land called country! We have seen things that have blown us away! This land is so diverse with it's landscape and people! As we continue towards the south ( we have never been past texas) We will continue to see how big this country is! Will keep you updated with pictures and updates as we go! Thank you for prayers and love! Lots of love- Bob, Amy, Nya and Analise and little boy cooking in my tummy!

The latest happenings...

For those who did not get the email - if you want email updates respond my email address on the side!

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Hello sweet friends and family! Well- We are moving out of our house this week! We are full of mixed emotions, especially with me being a pregnant mama (all hormones) and having 2 little girls who like to verbally process everything! We have loved living in our old house for this past year! It has made it easy for us to transition from life in Africa to life in America. The girls have loved it too. They remembered this house as being our home before moving to Malawi - Africa!

What is next for the Stauffy family...A road trip for about 2 months (visiting supporters). We will then move into "missionary housing" starting August 1. What a treat though to travel throughout the US and to see a lot of our friends and family. When we move into the missionary housing in Aug., we will then live there for 4 months until this little baby boy (he is due Oct 20thish) is born. Then, in December, we head back to Africa for three more years! Analise is counting down the days until we move back HOME to Africa!

It has been a humbling year as we have been able to see God provide so much. Our family has been able to grow closer together and also reconnect with many of our friends and family members. We have been able to share what life is like in Malawi with many people, even those who think Africa is so scary (especially after sharing our spider stories with them)!

Please continue to pray as we travel to see our supporters and friends and family! What fun it will be to hang out with old friends all across America!

We will still have email access and facebook connection- So please connect with us! Thank you for loving, praying and supporting us as we are in the next phase of our journey...

Love- Bob, Amy, Nya, Analise and this cute baby boy that is cooking inside me..

trust

Learning to trust- It is huge. Knowing that even if it doesn't make sense- We can trust that His story is a way better story than our story that we have figured out. This is what I am learning and really choosing daily to live my life by. Daily trust is teaching me about my daily thing about giving up my control of what I think is best. In my little world- it is all about me! And really in the scheme of things - It is all about Him. Oh that little thing called control and pride and so forth are my daily journey of surrender.

This last months have been a deep learning to trust story. We were planned to leave in July for Malawi - Africa - to continue serving at African Bible College as we have been for the last 4 years. I found out I was pregnant one day after we had rented out our house. hmmm. This is what we have praying for and deeply craving for years- But when I got pregnant- It wasn't planned (according to my schedule) and I literally had given up on trusting that another little stauffy was apart of our journey! I had told the Lord- whatever- I trust You know what is best- But I am so over "trying to get pregnant" And then there it was a positive baby test- WOW! Trusting that this baby is what is in the story. Many of you know that I am not the best baby carrier! I have had 4 miscarriages and lost our son at 9 months, barely carried Analise to the end and really why are we doing this again? I get super sick and my toilet has been my best friend for the last 2 months! (sorry to my friends that are people) Trust- Knowing His Story is way better than my story. So we are trusting that, as we are ready to be back in Malawi serving but that this cute little beepers is the story that God has for us and we are really excited for that. So we wait until this cute little chicken is cooked and ready to come. And trust that when it is time to move back to Africa- It is His time!

TRUST- He knows the plan and really has got it figured out. Even we can't see the whole story. We are such controlling people and really really think we know what is best. We live selfishly and consume our time and energy on us. I am guilty of it and as I surrender to trusting in Him that it takes the focus and puts it back on Him.

I want to say thank you for your love, encouragement and support of us! I know it has been forever since I have posted a blog- But really when you are nausea - it is no fun to type. I didn't have many deep thoughts lately anyways- so I was quiet. except for throwing up! And those were deep! TMI :)

An update on our girl Tina ( who we adopted from Malawi ) who is living in Spokane working on her MBA! She is doing amazing. My parents and her came for visit this last month. Well- they visited me in my bed... But she is doing great in her studies and has been learning and culturally adjusting quite well. She is an amazing student and really has done well with all her classes! if anyone wants to read her update just email me.

Well- I will connect again- Thanks for being apart of our story! Love- amy louise

I miss this too...

This is video of the daily chapel that happens at the college. Love that singing. It does something to your soul for some reason...

I miss this...

That is the most amazing sound...

This video was taken from my front porch as I can even smell it.

the comparing journey

It is a funny journey this thing called life. I find myself in countdown mode these days and all that- that entails. Preparing to rent the house, getting the extra things that are needed or wanted and so forth. But it is funny how I have still time to compare myself to the next person, get hung up on on it and get stuck.

This word "missionary" was a big word for me to swallow for a long time, but once I finally accepted it - then what I found myself doing- was comparing myself to the "real missionaries" -you know the ones who go out into the jungles and pave the way to share the gospel to tribes that haven't even heard of it. That comparing has lead me to call myself a "fake missionary" - I subconsciously had accepted that I wasn't doing a enough. For me- having a washer and dryer and car was faking it. Not being in the jungles was faking it. But as I was sharing with a friend that I hadn't spoken to for a while sharing what we do, I said the "fake missionary" words and quickly continued on in my story. She stopped me and said - "you are not faking it. You are going to Africa - that is pretty real" Hmmm. That made me realize that I was putting myself in the place of not doing enough. Saying what God has me doing was not enough and I needed more to feel like I was doing something. What I really was doing was short changing what God had called me to and held myself back from experiencing the real joy of what He had given me to be doing. I stink in myself but for some reason I think I should be doing more. But He knows that I can handle what He has given me, not what I think. It is a "duh" But I see that I still have a lot to learn.

This lesson has not only been applied to that area in my life but also in many other areas of my life. I see how I do this comparision thing in my mamahood, my wifehood, my following Jesus hood, and my friendshiphood. It really is not fun to see my yuckyness come out when a spotlight is on my flesh. So here I stand- all my yuckyness laid out. But here is where I get grow and change. I have a choice. A choice to stay and compare or move forward and enjoy what He has given me to do. And really, isn't that what He wants from me anyways. Ok - so I want to grow and change and stop comparing. Baby steps to change. That is my prayer today.
So here is to growing and changing...Nya took this picture of me as we were at a park the other day...

Doctors needed at the Clinic....

This is a letter from our ABC director at ABC...

Greetings from Malawi. We need help at our hospital this summer. We’re looking for Doctors to fill in for the months of June, July & August.

Our clinic sees roughly 3, 000 patients a month - - most are seen by our three Malawian P.A.’s, but we also have two missionary physicians who see patients. Both are mothers who have kids enrolled at our academy and would like time off during the summer. If you know anyone who might be willing to come out for 3-6 weeks any time this summer it would help meet a huge need.

We have housing available here on the ABC campus. We also make a vehicle available to visiting Doctors.

It would be a great trip for a whole family. Our ABC students and graduates are involved in ministries all around Lilongwe & surrounding villages.

Below is our brochure on our clinic at ABC. If you know any doctors or medical staff that is willing come and have a life changing experience in Malawi, Africa. The clinic could sure use the help.

For more information email me- amystauffacher@yahoo.com

ABC CLINIC

life...

There are days it feels so simple...

Ice skating for the first time

Bowling for the first time

Playing UNO with Tina via skype for the first time. :) that was fun

Simplicity at it's best. Sadly- we tend to complicate it with all of our junk. Being simple can quickly become complex if we don't be careful... Whether we are comparing ourselves to the next person, ( which I tend to do often ) or whether we bring our insecurities and dump them on those closest to us. We daily choose what we do trust Jesus and surrender or trust ourselves and worry...

Below is what I want to do... But often fail to do...

“give yourself fully to the adventure of today. walk boldly along the path of life, relying on your EVER-PRESENT Companion. you have every reason to be confident, because My presence accompanies you all the days of your life – and onward into eternity. DO NOT GIVE IN to fear or worry, those robbers of abundant living. trust Me enough to face problems as they come, rather than trying to anticipate them. fix your eyes on Me, the Author and Perfecter of your faith, and many difficulties on the road ahead will vanish before you reach them. whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am holding you by your RIGHT HAND. nothing can separate you from My presence!”

Lots of love- Amy Louise

Moving to Africa- and trying not to bring all of America with me.... trying

My kitchen here in America

A typical kitchen in Malawi in the Village

PERSPECTIVE...

Planning, thinking and writing lists. There are simple basics that we do need to bring to Malawi that they don't have in Africa - simple life basics just to survive - (well what I think that is a simple basic for us to survive not a typical Malawian basic), but when we live in a culture of stuff. I find it very difficult to balance the basics and the wants. I look at my list and everything that is on it there seems reasonable. I then go the store to check off some off my list and I realize- do I really need this? Here we are continually bombarded by ourselves and our wants. We can get everything we need in one store and still need more. So as I am trying to balance - packing and living in Africa and not bringing all my wants too. Well- lets just say that I am trying to be balanced. trying...to...be...balanced... :)

1 Timothy 6:8 (New Living Translation)

⁸ So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

thanks for loving us- amy louise

Come and be a teacher in Africa!

Analise and in her class last year! Teachers are needed! Come teach my girls!

Monthly update- may be a repeat for some...

UNWORTHY BUT STILL ANSWERING THE CALL!



Hello sweet friends and family! Happy new year! Can't believe that it is 2011! As this new year begins - we begin the process of gearing up to go back to Malawi in about 6 months. Sorry to those who don't think past the next 2 weeks- but when you are planning to move Africa- it is on your brain continually! And these last 6 months flew by and so will the coming ones too.

When we began this journey "missions" about 5 years ago- it was the last thing I ever thought I would doing. I didn't feel like I was the "missionary type"- whatever that was in my mind that I had made it to be. As we are in the middle of Missions week here at one of the churches that support us, it is very humbling. We definetly don't feel like the missionaries that they talk about. But we know that we called to this land called Malawi- Africa! We feel unworthy to be called but we answer the call! Even more now than ever. We are getting excited to go back and serve at African Bible College. We will continue to the "missionary thing" We will continue to give out and give our skills away! We definitely want to dig in deeper and make a bigger impact- God willing!

As we are in the middle of this thing called furlough- home assignment it is very interesting to see God provide in so many ways. We have been encouraged continually as people love and support us! We have so many people being our cheerleader! Thank you for all your love, prayers, support and cheerleading. We are so thrilled to be able to have an amazing team behind us.



What this last month has brought for us...
Bob has been teaching a class at the Seminary- Intro to Missions - very appropriate- he has about 5 more weeks of that class! He says it has really been fun and challenging to teach!

We have been able to share at Missions fair here at Shadow Mountain, in classes, sunday school classes and in our booth we have set up in the pavilion. Inviting everyone to come and help in Malawi! We will see who will respond to the call. we have already someone coming so far! That is fun to share life in Africa with others.

We have been able to visit our family at Christmas time- Yummy! and have family come to visit. Lovely!

We have been able with the help of Bob's parents prepare our house to rent out when we go back to Malawi!

We have been able to enjoy this amazing San Diego weather.

We have seen many of our supporters here in San Diego! - If we haven't seen you- email me and we want to see you!



Please continue to pray as we....
Start raising support to move back to Malawi- We will have to buy plane tickets, a car and so forth! Fun times-

That we would remain healthy!

That we depend on Christ for everything!

That we would be intentional in our marriage and parenting as we choose Jesus in every moment. It is still a challenge because we are piles of yuck, but He is faithful to give us grace to love beyond ourselves!

What a treat to have you loving us - as you are our cheerleaders!!! Thank you- love all of us- bob, amy, nya and analise

home!

Our home in Malawi

Our home in San Diego

I have come to a "deep" conculsion that I have 2 homes. I know that really is not new "news" but it is profound for me as I went on deeply thinking about how life is to have a world split. To have a life that is split in 2 worlds is quite deep and crazy. To cherish and love both is even deeper and crazier. But as I am preparing to gear up to go into the other world- halfway around the world, I am finding that I cherish this world that I living in so much more and at the same time so enjoy how much I have over there in that world. Confusing but simple. But as I continue to think about it- home for me is where my family is. My worlds can be split in 2 but at the same time be whole. As I continue down this path- I realize and am so thankful that I really only have ONE home and that is what my energy should be focused on. Life with my eternal father. Not that I that I don't take care of my homes here but my hope and joy is eventually sharing life with the King of the all the worlds.

What a joy to refocus and remember ...in light of eternity... what really matters...

Family and Sharing eternal life with the King!

Perspective is what He wants and am so thankful that He is faithful to remind us of it! He certainly has reminded that for me! Lots of love- amy louise

Happy New Year and Pictures to share

Here is some fun pictures that I put together of our life in Malawi! Click on the link below to see if you are not on facebook. If you are on facebook- go to my photos! Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=262287&id=544515874&l=d68b047154

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I can't believe it is already mid January- Where does the time go? We are so blessed to have another year starting off in San Diego that will be ending in Malawi Africa. We definitely on are full gear up mode. I know for many of those reading are thinking - that is not until this next July- but wasn't it just summer around here. It flew by! We are treasuring the time we have been given still here in this place we call home!

Bob's family - his 2 brothers and their families and his parents

My family and 2 sisters and brother and parents...

We were priviledged to spend Christmas with each of our families!

It was so cute to see the cousins have quality time together - priceless.... It is very interesting the older we get to see the journeys that our families go on. We all have different paths. Different stories! We come together and share those- but there is a common thread. We are from the same family blood line. We have common memories and common backgrounds. But our future is different, our stories are different and that is amazing. What if we all did the same thing? It would be boring and not very interesting. I love it! These stories that are shaping our lives. Our kids lives. Our stories now will be their stories and so it goes.

So this year I am into making the moments count. The exciting moments, boring moments and even drama moments. These are the moments we have been given. Not the moments that we dream of- not that those can become reality but often they never come and we miss out

on these right now moments. That is all I have - Right now! We have been given today - When God teaches us to pray - He tells to focus on today- we are not praying for tomorrow but for today!

Matthew 6:11

¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.

So we keep on keepin on in these moments we have today!

Thank you for your friendships, love, support, and prayers- the stauffy family!

Merry Christmas!

Our family christmas picture!

Giving Tina a inside joke cake for her birthday!

Analise loving on Grandpa's new dog and as she enjoys the the snow.

The girls sledding in the snow in their pajamas - They couldn't wait...

The girls going out in their jammies in the snow! Seriously they couldn't wait!

Life flies by! We are loving this Christmas as we are able to spend it with family! What a treat. We are loving the snow and all that comes with it. We have been able to sled and play. The girls have loved experiencing snow for the first time. Tina has too. We so blessed and grateful for the simple gifts that a Holiday season is. Wishing you all an amazing Christmas! Love- all of us!

Update on cute Tina!

Well- It has been 6 months since Malawi ( Tina!) landed unto American soil. I love hearing as she processes life here in America! In September, she began for her MBA! - She is getting A's and doing amazing. Amazing. She has been staying with my parents and loving it. I am so proud of her and she has really done well! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

International Dinner with my parents

Displaying her Malawian Pride!

With her fellow African girls at Whitworth.

She loves the snow!

Dancing in the snow!

Hmmm- eating snow! Cute girl!

Here is some snippets of her latest update.

Dear family and friends,

It is almost December and i will be half a year old in the States, unbelievable!

I hope this email finds you well. I am doing great and thank God for the good health.

The snow is finally here. I could not believe how beautiful and quiet it looks when it snows. It is a very amazing experience for me and i am so excited. I dont mind the cold weather right now, i am just thrilled by God's wonderful creation. How did God make snow? It is so amazing for me. I am looking forward to learn some outdoor sports in this kind of weather. I have also decided to open a restaurant and make snow pizzas, i hope i will work. My grandparent (Gary and Barb Warrick) are keeping me warm. Their house is so cozy. Thank the Lord for His provision.

I miss friends back in Malawi. I keep in touch with them online but it was great having one MalawianAmerican friend visit us at the beginning of this month. Her name is Michelle Halemeier, she is a missionary in Malawi also serving at ABC (African Bible CollegeChristian Academy). She is on ferlough and she will be heading back to Malawi in January. I also went with her at Susie's house (my new aunt) to carve an orange pumpkin. In Malawi, pumpkins are green. It was great catching up with her and reminding each other of the great times we had in Malawi.

God has also been faithful in bringing new friends in my life. I have met a couple of girls who are dear to me now. I also had a chance to start going to a college ladies Bible study group. I met new friends there as well. I hope to go again soon.

We finally had our international banquet. It was on friday the 19th. I was able to participate in the fashion show and i also carried my Malawian flag. We had food from different parts of the world. It was fun to try new things. Gary and Barb came with me. They enjoyed the banquet and some amazing performances.

The adventure of seeing and experiencing new things in America continues. There is thanksgiving coming up this week. I am so excited. People keep on talking about the turkey and foods i have never eaten before. This week, I am trying to keep myself hungry so that i can eat and try everything on Thursday. I am also looking forward to Christmas. It will be my first white Christmas and also my first white birthday. My family (The Stauffachers) is also coming on the 16th of December. It will be great to spend some good time with them.

God bless you so much for all your prayers and support.

Love-Christina (Tina)

Have a fun preparing for the holidays! Lots of Love- amy louise

hope in tradedy...

My girls! Nya Elise and Analise Hope

Today I celebrate life! My kid's lives! Nya, Will (we lost him in 7 years ago this month), and Analise and 3 other children that we lost prematurely and that we didn't get to name. I celebrate hope! Hope that tomorrow brings healing and a new day. I never knew what kind of journey in life I was in for. When I started this journey- I didn't think about the prospect of having any deep heart ache. You just know you are just living. Then the tragedy strikes, that is when I stood at the crossroads - while I lost my son - I didn't get to be my baby boy's earthly mama. I didn't get rock, feed, change, bathe, love with kisses and snuggles and all the other things that mama's do in the beginning stages of life. I didn't get to see his first steps, his first words, his first tantrum, and his first owie. I didn't get to tell him to settle down, don't talk back, be nice to his sister or don't be sassy to his mama! I didn't get to tell him how proud of him I am, how I love him so and that he is so cherished and loved for who he is! But as I focused on what I wouldn't have with Will, I had a choice at that moment! A choice to choose to trust in the sovereignty of God. To know the things I don't understand - He did. I had to chose Him and not the confusion that surrounded me. There were days I thought the tears would never cease. But I can tell you today I have hope through the tears. Joy through the pain. Hope of eternal life and that the heartache will be gone one day. Having the Rock as my salvation - (Jesus - my hope) is what I stand on. Most days I am reminded I don't have all my stuff together but I love that have I have a God that I can turn to that is bigger than me! That sees things in a whole different scheme of things than me. I am thankful.

Thank you for reading my deep thoughts. - Amy Louise

Faith...

Look at Nya Above! She has faith she can make it to the top...

Faith is a daily battle with me. Somedays I am great with choosing that He is control and other days I can't see past my problem. Somedays it is even moment by moment!

So today I am choosing to tell myself- He is bigger than the problem. Here are a couple scriptures I am turning to as my faith is being tested...

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

" But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed."(James 1:6)

Trusting beyond what I see and what I think that I have to offer to make what I want to happen happen... Having faith. Has He ever failed me yet? No- so I must stand on The Rock!

Psalm 40:2 (New International Version)

² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

Thanks for loving us and praying for us as we daily choose to follow Christ!

amy louise