Unconditional Love

This is a note from one of my little children.  The morning started off busy with breakfast and devotions with the kids.  We went right to our Saturday chores which the kids worked hard at with my help. Soon after one of my children challenged me by losing her temper when I was trying to help her with her music.  One thing led to another, and she was soon disciplined, not without protest. It is always difficult for me to deal with conflict in my family, and my reaction was tears and crying out to God for help.  Later after my husband intervened, and when repentance and forgiveness was extended, things were calmer.

This is when another one of my girls came up to me with this note.  She quickly ran off, but I called her back to me.  I touched her and told her I loved her too.  She had nothing to do with the previous conflict, but she sensed my sorrow.  She loved me.  I told her that her note reminds me of Jesus' love.  He loves us, too, even when things go wrong.

They say to look for teachable moments when raising children.  This moment was one of God's grace teaching me through my little girl.

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Iasi, Romania       September 30 - October 8

Wanted to share a quick update on what's happening in our ministry and family. Romania Bound I have been meeting with my Romania teaching team this month and am impressed at the great men I get to teach with. Take a minute to meet them on our website!  We will be in Romania Sept 29th to Oct 8th. We begin in a church in Brasov the first Sunday, then teach classes Monday to Friday in Iasi (say: “Yahsh”). Iasi is in the NE part of the country and is the second largest city in Romania. The city and surrounding area is strongly Orthodox, and Evangelicals are an even smaller minority here than in the rest of the country. We will be teaching pastors mostly from the Baptist Union. These students have already gone through a few TLI classes so we are excited to be teaching a Biblical Theology course and help them see the whole scope and story of scripture. We will be teaching in churches in Iasi the following weekend. Please pray for me as I prepare, and for our team as we travel and serve these pastors, and for the strengthening of churches in Romania.  TLI Staff Meeting TLI has one of our three anual staff meetings the week before I leave for Romania. I am blessed to work with a great group of brothers, and look forward to being together. We have lots of work to do, and there is a TLI board meeting as well, so it will be a busy time. Its an especially important week as the TLI board will be deciding on a future location for TLI headquarters. We are adding a number of staff in the next year, and our teaching opportunities are multiplying quickly, so this is a big decision for all involved. Please pray for the Lord's wisdom, guidance and blessing for TLI Board and Staff. Support Raising The summer has been a slower time for support raising, but God has been faithful, and brought us a number of new supporters this month! Praise the Lord with us! I will be traveling and sharing about TLI in the Midwest and out to Boise in October and November. Please pray for our continued Support Raising efforts, and praise God for the team He is building! Family School is back in session, and our kids are at a home-school coop two days a week and home with Elysia for three. Busy times, but good to be back in the saddle after a fun and active summer! We would love to hear from you and what you are up to! Drop us a line or find us on Facebook! Grace Mercy and Peace!  The Ethan Larson Family

New School Year

Amy, Lizzy, Peter John, Gretchen on their first day of school.

Peter John advanced to Level II in School of Choice (our homeschool Co-op that meets twice a week).

Gretchen's in Sixth Grade and Level II at School of Choice

Elizabeth is the big Second Grader in Level I at School of Choice

School began last week and Amy is SO excited to do preschool lessons with me during homeschool.  She has her own A Beka books and other things. I have also begun piano lessons with her which she has enjoyed a lot. I have always used Music For Little Mozarts by Alfred Music with my little ones on piano. It makes it fun for beginner preschool students. I am also teaching her two cousins piano this year.

The rest of the kids have begun Second Grade, Fourth Grade, and Sixth Grade. They are working hard in homeschool, and I have relaxed a bit this year teaching them.  The anxiety I first had two years ago has practically disappeared. Thank you, Lord!  We still depend on HIm daily, but through Christ, we have strength.