Getting Back on Track

• I am not going to update the blog with pictures from our trip as that would be would be a massive and overwhelming job! Ricky’s social media posts will have to do: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. I am still slowly trying to download and upload all the pictures and videos; sorting and editing them sounds like an unrealistic dream!
• I thought that it would take 1-2 weeks to unpack and catch up, but it looks like it will take 4-6 weeks (five months is just a long time to be away from home).
• A few of Raphael’s romps from the trip: When he was crawling and wanted to get somewhere fast, he would tuck his head down and plow forward like a bull charge ;) Every animal is a woof woof; got seven teeth; started walking in Dallas at a hotel one night (12/22, 14 months old); and, would put each hand on the sides of his head and shake his head back and forth as we said Oh my!...
• Trip quote log:

“When can we go to the Bible aquarium?” Micaiah, about the Bible museum  

"West Virginia is a good place to do school. It’s like the Prairie.” Aolani 

“Oh, I just love when hotels have refrigerators!” Micaiah  

“God could make me pregnant like Mary. I’m already ready.” Aolani, age 8  

“Whenever people play Mommy they get fretless.” Micaiah  

“There’s another one across the streeeeeet!” Tim Hawkins, we quoted from his Sounds of Starbucks song way too much

“Every time someone gets hurt, you look at me like this [glares].” Micaiah  

"Luther was going to the bathroom? Why would they put that in the book?“ Aolani, about Eric Metaxas’s Luther biography, which Ricky listened to in the car

“My favorite cereal is that frozen cereal baggy." "What’s frozen cereal? Oh, you mean Frosted Flakes? Yeah.” Micaiah and Ricky 

“How much longer?” “Not long." "I want Mommy’s answers. You don’t tell the numbers.” Micaiah and Ricky 

“The reason [why can’t ride in the front seat] is because there is like this air thing in the front seat. We have it, and they don’t.” Micaiah to Aolani

“I’m going to be a doctor. You can tell because I have long fingers.” Aolani 

“Mommy and Daddy, I’ve been thinking. I always think.” Micaiah  

“Why do we always have to eat lunch at dinner time?” Aolani 

“Mommy goes through lots of honey, cans and cans and cans of honey.” Micaiah  

“Mmm. This would be a good place to eat the mistakes.” Aolani about Dairy Queen (Ricky worked there in high school and said that the employees got to eat the orders they messed up.) 

“I love being in the car for two more hours. Perfect!” Micaiah 

“Don’t you think this place is half a quarter of heaven?” Aolani, about California  

“I love being in the car for my whole entire life.” Micaiah  

“I’m 100% fluent in Scottish.” Aolani 

“I’m practicing how to pretend faint so that when I really faint, it won’t hurt.” Micaiah 

“We’re one hour late.” Aidan, the family said this was the phrase I repeated the most.

“I’m checking for bombs.” Micaiah 

“I’m always worried about people getting stuck in the elevator—even people I don’t know.” Micaiah  

Aolani called her new friend Kamila, "Chamomile."

“Since goblins are cool, I make them believers in my setup.” Micaiah   

“Oh, Pennsylvania, like Hotel Pennsylvania, with the vampires.” Aolani  

“You want me to get sick. That’s why you planned this trip, to get me sick.” Micaiah  

“Daddy, I’m on ‘Tweeter’ with Lecrae." Aolani, on her play phone 

“Why do we always have to drive by other people’s schools and houses? It’s such a waste of time.” Micaiah  

“For one thing, they want privacy because they’re old." Aolani 

“All I wanna do is sleep and think, and you guys won’t let me." Micaiah  

“Whoaaaaa!” Raphael

• After staying in 70 different places, we were the recipients of some amazing hospitality. Here is my new definition of that term: 

Hospitality is when, instead of making your guests feel like they’re imposing on you, you make them feel like they are blessing you just by being there.

• Verses memorized on trip: Micaiah — Psalm 1, Genesis 1:1, Jeremiah 29:11, Deuteronomy 6:4-6 ; Aolani — Psalm 128:1, Galatians 5:22, Philippians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 17:20, Psalm 63:1-4, Psalm 100
• I started adding back new ones this year: Habakkuk 2:3, Micah 6:8, Hebrews 13:5-6, Ecclesiastes 5:2

How to be a Road Warrior

"I cannot possibly imagine taking a cross-country road trip with little kids (+ nursing baby and wheełchair) for almost five months... How did you do it??"

Besides being crazy and motivated, here is our strategy and advice:

First thing first, any road trip must be saturated with prayer!

The next thing I did was let people know of our upcoming trip. Then, I used a free mapping site (batchgeo.com) to map every address I had. I used that map to create a general trajectory of our path and sent that out to our contacts to let them know that this wild dream was becoming a planned reality.

Now, I did not contact people individually far in advance to schedule dates and times. I only made plans one to two weeks out (ideally). I would say about one out of three friends couldn’t meet or host us. When that happened, we had backup options to avoid a bunch of hotel expense! We are members of A Candle in the Window, a Christian hospitality network with families all over the country (and world)! Or, we would use a Wycliffe hospitality roster that has families all over the U.S. willing to host Wycliffe missionaries. Out of the 144 nights on the road, we only paid for two hotels (and not out of necessity, but by choice). 

We learned that the optimal time to stay with anyone, besides parents, is one or two nights. More than that felt like an intrusion, no matter what they said or how close you are to them.

One big rule: we tried to limit the amount of driving we did in one day. Our goal was four hours, knowing that could take us five to six hours to get to our destination. We usually took one bigger stop (gas, eat, potty, diaper, nurse) and one quick stop to potty. We tried to stop only if the baby was awake ;) And, we did not drive every day! Limiting our time in the car each day was a huge sanity-saver and made this endeavor more manageable :)

Traveling with kids: Honestly, they took a bunch of naps. When they were awake, they could think, pray, sing, talk, play with car games or toys, or look out the window... We also listened to a lot of audiobooks, Bible dramas, and music :) Oh, and snacks, lots and lots of snacks!

And, lastly, lots and lots of PRAYER. 

Resolutions for 2019

The intro is from my post five years ago on resolutions (just because it still accurately expresses my thoughts!):

"Let me start by saying that just hearing the phrase New Year's resolutions rubs me wrong. I think that one reason is because weight loss is the first thing to come to mind because it is so common. Also, no one actually keeps them or remembers them after a few months. So they seem pointless and not very profitable.

But... it is hard for me to let such an opportunity to pass me by. I relish times of purpose to be still and reflect. [I sound like a Mary -- haha, but I really am a Martha-doer struggling to find (designate) time to be still and reflect.

If God does not forbid it, and it strengthens your love-relationship with Christ, then I want to take advantage! Not that I cannot make "resolutions" other times of the year, but I have to be somewhat forced to sit back and reflect or it just does not happen because life is constantly demanding! Since this new year's time is already designated for making resolutions, then I'm going to let it "force" me :)

I find that I frequently need to evaluate my life in all areas to keep it going in the direction I want it to (towards glorifying God, of course). I hate regret and don't want to be on my death-bed, looking back on my life, and thinking, "If only I had done something with that part of my life back when I had the chance before it spiraled out of control."

The best way to change anything is to alter my spiritual life and let God have more access to my heart so He can bring true and lasting change to myself..."

I loved what I did last year — the idea and what I chose! (I certainly plan on doing that concept again in the future.) But, last year proved to be really chaotic for me. And, it’s hard to keep resolutions (make changes) amidst a bunch of inconsistencies and changes! Some months I did well and other months I forgot to even read the resolution I had made for that month ;) Enough excuse-making...

Now, I have learned over the years that when I make a resolution, it has to be completely based on reality, meaning I cannot expect Ricky to help me keep my resolution. I have to be able to do it entirely by myself that doesn’t take time... Something that considers our family and circumstances.

I am making one resolution for the year and praying that there are repercussions that extend and influence other areas.

• To always consider Ricky first. Before what I think we need to do or should consider doing. Let Ricky do what he chooses to do in peace and without judgment from me. I’ve spent the last 11 years pushing us. For naught. I might think that I’m just trying to be respectful of others, which is a good thing, but even so, I am going to put Ricky first. That’s my job and my calling. Unless Ricky is well nourished physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, then our family is literally not going anywhere or doing anything.

Be kind and build each other up.   1 Thessalonians 5:11

A wise woman builds her house...   Proverbs 14:1

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the power of the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, then you will live.   Romans 8:13

Merry CHRISTmas!

2018

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him...
Romans 15:13

Rejoicing in the God of hope! 

Ricky, Aidan, Aolani (almost 9), Micaiah (7), Raphael (1)

What an adventurous year to reflect upon! From beginning our vocation as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators, to training in Orlando, to finishing up the court reporting career, to embarking on this epic, cross-country road trip. All the while, our family has had the joy of watching the first year of life for baby Raphael - so fun! God is good.

On the Road...

I know.

I have neglected the blog, but I have not forgotten it!

I have not had the time to read or write like I thought I would on this cross-country road trip. I don’t think I will be able to post our family mosaics and will just have to let Ricky’s post, pictures and videos documenting our trip on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) suffice.

I do hope to have some time on our longer drives coming up to occasionally write a pondering ;)

Getting Going

• First weekend  of August: After the kids returned from the grandparents house, Ricky’s dad and brother came for a visit. They took the big kids out one day while Ricky and I worked and watched the baby. We all went out to lunch after Raphael’s baby dedication at church :)
• Second week of August: A friend visited for a day; we left for Wilmington for a week (Ricky took vacation); we had a meeting about Wycliffe with our old church small group and a few other close friends; we stayed with some neighbors from our old neighborhood our first two nights and visited other neighbors while we were nearby; visited more friends; I spontaneously got to go to a movie theater with a friend while Ricky watched the kids; and, we got to share with the missions committee we used to be on at our church in Wilmington — so surreal and neat!
• Third week of August: The only thing out of our normal activity was having friends over for dinner one evening ;)
• Fourth week of August: We held a home meeting at a friends' house (for 10 :) and then had a sleepover; we babysat the four boys while our friends took the girls to the farmers’ market to help them sell their coffeeWe ; went to a back-to-school party and our church’ baptism/pool party; a friend came to visit for a day; we tried to celebrate Micaiah’s spiritual birthday but he started to feel sick :( ; and, we hosted our small group one last time before our big trip!
• Raphael began crawling in Wilmington! The big kids and I had to babyproof the house when we returned. And soon after, he began to stretch out his arms to us to be picked up ;)

I 

• School verses: Micaiah -- Psalm 1:1-2  ; Aolani -- Galatians 5:22, Psalm 128:1

Peeled Bananas

 Why is your newsletter called Peeled Bananas?

A woman from Asia once said that reading the Bible in her national language was like eating a banana with the peel still on it. But having the Bible in her heart language, the language in which she dreams and thinks, was as satisfying and delicious as eating a peeled banana.

Playing Catch-Up

• First week of July: We go to a birthday pool party for the kids' friend; we took a day trip to Boone; Ricky met with friends; and, Micaiah got a haircut.
• Second week of July: I have friends come over every day to help me either plan school for the next year, clean, cook or teach school; a friend comes stay overnight; we have Candle in the Window (like a Christian airbnb, kind of) visitors from Missouri come for dinner and to stay one night (and I received a massage from a guest!); we had the honor of sharing with our sending church about Wycliffe Bible Translators; and, then we went to our church's groundbreaking picnic.
• Third week of July:  I have friends come school the kids for me so I can work in our home office; I participated in some MailChimp webinars; a friend from college came for an overnight visit; we went to another birthday party for a friend of the kids; and, we had a summer small group picnic gathering.
• Fourth week of July: More help abounded this week; Aolani had to go to ER one day because she had chest pain and shortness of breath (turned out to be intestinal gas; blueberries don’t agree with her!); I got to go to a luncheon for mothers and talk about birth while Ricky took the kids to the doctor for Aolani’s follow up; and, we met my parents to pass on the big kids so they can enjoy their week with my parents :)
• Fifth week of July/early August: All I know is that the kids had too much fun (cousins, pool, aquarium, beach, water park, mini golf, gymnastics center and time at the farm!) Meanwhile, we got to go on double date with good friends to a new ice cream and bakery shop; friends would come over for a little each day to free me up to office work; another close friend came to surprise me and take me on a date downtown; and, we took Raphael to a friends’ house while we had the privilege of meeting with the elders of local church that we are connected to (fun)!
• During the month of July, Raphael got his first two teeth (bottom front); his hair started to grow and turn honey-colored; and he began to rock on all fours preparing to crawl :)

• School verses: Micaiah -- 1 John 4:7, Matthew 4:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Psalm 63:1  ; Aolani -- Psalm 55:22, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 4:12-3

My Favorite Corrie Ten Boom Quotes

"You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.”

“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”

“What wings are to a bird and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.”

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.”

“It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability that counts.”

"This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see."

“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.”

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”

"Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible."

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

“There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”

“When I try, I fail. When I trust, he succeeds.”

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

“The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy.”

Rays of Sunshine

• First week of June: More friends come help address letters for me; a friend comes to help homeschool the big kids; and, we pack up to head south for the rest of the month.
• Second week of June: We stop by my parents’ farm for a night before we all meet my brother's family in Hilton Head for family vacation — which was relaxing and allowed us to get caught up on our Wycliffe work so we’d be ready for training. 
• Third week of June: The onsite portion of our Wycliffe training, called Equip, began and lasted two weeks. We learned too much and came back feeling inspired and overwhelmed! It felt like living on a college campus. There was a wonderful program for the kids, and they made many close friends :) After just two days Aolani said, “I think this is my new home.”
• Fourth week of June: They gave us a free weekend to enjoy Orlando. We took the kids to the Magic Kingdom for a day, arriving at noon and leaving the park at 2am! We had kept this adventure a secret and didn’t tell them until right before we left to go ;) We stopped at DaySpring to recover for a couple nights before returning home.
• When we were packing tea bags for me for the trip, Aolani exclaimed, “All this tea? Mom, you’re going to be drunk!”
• When Ricky got home from work one day, Micaiah asked, “Was justice done today, Daddy? Did she go to jail?”
• This month Raphael began to eat solid food tooth (blended smooth), sit up alone (surrounded by pillows though), and bathe sitting up in the tub. He wakes twice a night, normally. Everyone fell in love with him in Florida! 

• We didn't school this month, so no school verses ;)

Wholehearted Willingness

After God had spoken "Now” and released us to GO into full-time, international missions work, we prayed for almost two months before moving forward.

It was during this time that I felt Him asking me a question. And I knew that I had to do a little soul-searching first and not simply or impulsively answer.

“You are willing to die for a people group, but are you willing to suffer for them?”

And I knew that He meant voluntary suffering. Being willing to give up what little bit of health I had left. Lay it on the altar as a willing sacrifice.

It seemed different to suffer for not renouncing your faith in Christ versus suffering for a people when someone else could go.

That’s like voluntarily having the severe restless legs I had during pregnancy (intense pain and sleeplessness). Who would volunteer for that?!

I don’t like suffering. Death? Please! Torture gives me the chills.

But suffering is coming for everyone no matter what — voluntary or involuntary.

Really, it was a matter of obedience. Would I be willing to go wherever He sent me even if that meant embracing more suffering?

Of course, I would quickly shout, “Yes!” But He was telling me to wait and ponder, so that my “yes” would be deep in understanding and full in knowledge. A wholehearted acceptance.

There was no Aha! moment. Just prayers. Because suffering for the Bibleless is suffering for Christ.

I was praying a lot that God would help me to have His heart for people and love others more than myself. And I would pray that I would learn to trust His Spirit in me to endure with faith, love, and joy.

I’m still praying. But I am much more confident in my yes.

*I know Wycliffe Bible Translators would not send its members into wanton endangerment or ignore health concerns. I think that God just wanted me to wrestle with this and trust Him even more than I already do.

News, Changes, New Changes

Hi friends!

We are honored to share some exciting news— we have recently joined Wycliffe Bible Translators! I’ll share a little of the story now.

While we always knew that we were called to worldwide missions (since before marriage), we had never felt clear direction from God regarding specifics. Even though our heart never wavered, we were unsure of what our specific role would be. We have had two careers, two moves, and three kids while we waited.

Beginning in the summer of 2015, we began to feel anticipation, like some big change was coming (we thought it was my healing, which may come anytime!) Then in October 2016, God released us to pursue Wycliffe Bible Translators! What a surprise!

After much prayer and a long application process, we became official in April. We are now in the process of being launched to our first assignment, Public Relations for International Media Services, based at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Our assignments (and location) may change over time as the Lord leads. Please visit here for more information about joining our team.

We can share more of the story when we are traveling. We are honored to call you friends and greatly appreciate your communication, care, prayers, encouragement, and all support for our family!

Goal –
We must have 100% of our partnership team before we can be released to our assignment. The target date for our move to Waxhaw, North Carolina, is May 1, 2019.

Travel – 
Ricky will likely finish his current job this fall. We will leave soon after to travel cross-country to visit old and new friends. Please be in touch!

Note – 
We want to make it clear that if you are unable to provide financial support at this time, please do not avoid us! We treasure a relationship with you, no matter what!

Prayer Requests – 

• Develop partnership team
• Old and new relationships 
• Homeschooling during this time 
• For Ricky to strongly finish court reporting 

What we want to do for you – 

• Pray and intercede 
• Encourage and bless 
• Share passion
• Spread the vision

Gratefully,
Ricky, Aidan, Aolani, Micaiah, & Raphael  DiMartino