HAPPY NEW YEAR ! 2012

Happy New Year!         

This year has been quite the ‘new’ year for us!  Since this time in 2010 we have sold our home, moved to Spain, returned to the Granite state and moved to the Keystone state.  Now we are (almost) unpacked and getting settled in our cozy home just outside of Philadelphia. 

G42 Leadership Academy 

                                     

On January 1, 2011 we rang in last New Year on a plane headed to the G42 Leadership Academy in Mijas, Spain where we spent 6 months listening to how BIG our Lord is and taking time to reflect on what exciting, even risky plans He has in store for us.

Mercy Chefs

 In June 2011 we returned to NH ready to seek out those opportunities for our future.  A highlight was that Michael and I were able to serve in Haiti at the Nehemiah Vision Ministry.  Michael cooked food (Denise was his assistant) for the volunteers and staff through the ministry Mercy Chefs; an organization that has been close to his heart for a long time.  Mercy Chefs is an incredible organization marrying culinary skills with the call to “Go feed people” found in James 2:16. 

WEC International

After a few days of family camping in New York we visited the WEC sending base; Worldwide Evangelization for Christ in Fort Washington, PA.  We learned of the urgent need for a kitchen manager to feed the staff, missionary candidates and English students.  At the base we talked thoroughly with WEC personnel and found a match for our family’s call to serve.  We returned to New Hampshire, talked it out and laid this opportunity at God’s feet.  Michael and I decided to GO!  Though it may have seemed we left in a hurry, (only 2 weeks later), it was really the conclusion to this past year of seeking and preparing our family for a deeper call in ministry.  We trusted that God would provide as we took the steps.  And here we are!! Just recently we were stopped and asked, “How is it going?”  There are normal adjustments with making new friends, finding the grocery store and such.  But we can say that we have been blessed with a community to serve; a place where Michael can feed the people as well as a place for Denise to use her music and teaching skills.  This last photo is a highlight where Michael created an amazing spread for the Fall term graduation of missionary candidates.  I am so proud of the culinary gifts Michael has and how he purposefully uses those gifts to bless and lift up others.  As we enter 2012 we look forward to just being here together and not feeling rushed to do ‘the next thing’.

                                                                                    Our children

Rosalia (7.5), Anthony (4.8) and Salvatore (2.6) have each made friends here at WEC and spread their warmth and joy to all whom they come across.  They have all been able to take swimming lessons as well as be a part of a Nativity musical at a local church. 

                                In Him,

                                                Michael & Denise, Lia, Tony and Sal 

                                               

A VERY BONDI CHRISTMAS

 NEXT TO SANTA AND NO ONE IS CRYING !!

(yup, blue candy cane mouths)

 RECEIVING CHRISTMAS PACKAGES !

 ALWAYS SMILING WITH A COOKIE NEAR-BYE 

 ANGEL AND WISE MAN

MAKING CANDY CANE COOKIES !

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Martin Luther has said.... When I am told that God became man, I can follow the idea, but I just do not understand what it means.   For what man, if left to his natural promptings, if he were God, would humble himself to lie in the feed-box of a donkey or to hang upon a cross?  God laid upon Christ the iniquities of us all.  This is that ineffable and infinite mercy of God which the slender capacity of man's heart cannot comprehend and much less utter- that unfathomable depth and burning zeal of God's love toward us... Who can sufficiently declare this exceedingly great goodness of God? 

(cited in Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand)

Mike is so blessed that he married someone who loves to eat.

Ha ha ha.
Before the time just slips away; here is a bit of an update!
Friday night was the closing ceremony for the fall 2011 WEC candidates.  Those who went through the 4 months of missionary training were prayerfully sent off to the field.  Tonight was a special time for us because we began serving here with WEC the same week training began!  The provisions Michael was asked to prepare was to be similar to that of a wedding feast!  My friends; nothing was left to be desired after this mouth-watering spread!  There is a man on fire here; serving others in the name of the Lord.  It is so great to see and be a part of the gifts Mike has and how he selflessly works to lift others up with them.  And as always there was an incredible team of hard-working brothers and sisters who came alongside and made this night wonderful for the candidates and attendees.  Here are some pictures that give you a glimpse into the really-whats-going-on-down-there-in-PA.

Dining room where all meals are eaten.

Mike : )

He was especially proud of his pumpkin pecan bars.  So I ate 3.

The spread.

Blackberry Yogurt with Raspberry Fudge Brownie Parfait.

That reads Almond and Currant Florentines.  Yum.  Come get some; there are a few left.

Thanks for taking the time to catch up on our lives.  We would love to share more if you are interested; email is the best way to reach us, bondi5chef@gmail.com.  In Him, Michael and Denise

the leaves are beautiful here, too

Thanks, God.  The NH beauty reflecting the magnificent God we serve is here in Philly, too.
This water tower is across from my front door. I live here!

PA adventures

self timer pictures. : )

yup; it was a good day for a wrestling match. 

these were taken on our excursion north to a park where the play area REALLY looks like a castle.  (Not a park where there is an old castle to check out, as I thought until we showed up.  That was a laugh out loud shout out to Kay who told us about this amazing, beautiful place where we had a really great, really needed family day.)

Can I get a WOOT WOOT?

One year ago...

...This left our home in Fremont, NH and today; it is at our home on the hill in PA.

The "Pearl Harbor" movie and missionaries

my eyes are droopy

my back a little sore but I do want to give you a little more update.

We are here serving with WEC.  Our current status is as a volunteer (as we did not begin with the Candidate Orientation class, so we cannot yet be considered official WEC staff).  This word, 'volunteer', did not seem to carry the magnitude that Mike and I have in our hearts as to our commitment here.  'Volunteer', in the past, would be used as "I volunteer to bake the cookies for the bake sale."  Then we were watching Pearl Harbor (the really long one).  It was the end of the movie and the US Pilots were off on a dangerous mission to avenge the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Japan.  Alec Baldwin, as the commander, is giving the last words to his men about how brave they were and how proud he is of their sacrifice and hard work.  He says, "There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer".  EXACTLY!  Right on!  Flooding my mind were images of volunteers; giving their all, choosing to be there when they could be anywhere else, and finishing the task well.    So now I will hold my head up high, smile and say we volunteer at WEC/ Reaching people, planting churches.  Where do you volunteer?