Frame of Mind

10_11_19_update-YouTube sharing.mov

2010-11-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

So... This is a little out of date now. There are only 18 days left until we leave.

We have been totally consumed with the leaving process for the past week and a half. Well, we had some friends visiting us for a week too. So between that and trying to get a shipment off, I haven't been to school in a week. My head is swimming, and my feet ache from being on the go non-stop. I'm not complaining. Everything is going really well. It is just a really busy time of life.

... If this post doesn't make much sense... you are probably understanding what I'm trying to say.

Anyway, we think of all of you way more often than we are able to say... for instance, in line at the Malian Embassy in Paris.

Frazee Update for Fall 2010

2010-09-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

God's Economy Has Exactly Enough

2009-12-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

We are 3 days away from our planned departure; leaving America to tell other cultures the truth about Jesus Christ. We still need final clearance from our sending organization. We are waiting on God and fully expecting Him to provide the remaining $169/mo.

The following is the most encouraging and God glorifying letter we have received. Click on the post title to listen to me read the letter to you, or continue reading below.

Dear Jeff and Heidi,

We continue to be thrilled about the faith walk you are currently taking for the Lord. We know, and have been in your shoes in other areas, that when we press into the Lord in belief that outweighs logical circumstance the Lord always uses it to 'stretch and bless'. One of the reasons we knew God was calling us to support you was because of this dangerous faith... the kind that really does move mountains. We would like to share our testimony in becoming connected with you, and hopefully encourage you towards God's soverign hand as you wait for the Lord to finish opening doors!

God laid a very clear conviction upon us regarding the use of birth control several years ago. Both Christopher and I recognized the need to submit to his leading. This was scary, totally unknown, and not a little bit outside of our comfort zone. However, we knew we could trust our Lord, and so - we took the plunge. We already had 2 children. Within 2 years we had 3 more. Yum... hello, God? Yeah, remember us? The ones who are trying to serve you and are only succeeding in going INSANE? Okay, just checking.

Not the smallest concern in the jumble was our finances. We had long before become convicted about debt spending, and living within our means but, like most consumer Americans, had not always walked that line obediently. Added to that was the debt we were incurring from multiple births, closely spaced. To say we lived hand to mouth would be an understatement.

I must admit that during this time my husband continued in faith that the Lord would always provide for our needs. I became aggitated, depressed, and irritable. Christopher challenged me to really press into God, and give this issue to Christ. I got on my knees, cried out to the Lord for help in understanding what exactly he wanted from me, and gently ;) reminded him that these were HIS children. Using scriptural promises, and the faithfulness to tithe I chose to believe the Lord would work this out, but I asked the Lord to give me a scripture that I could pronounce as my own. Christopher just had an annual review, where his boss intimated that a promotion might be in the works. I asked that God would work a miracle, promoting him two positions, rather than one. That extra money would finally give us the overage we needed to succesfully pay off our debt.

I prayed. I prayed some more, and during one of my prayer times, on January 18th, 2007 the Lord spoke to my heart with this scripture:

Leviticus 19:23-25.

Now, you two might be mighty in scripture memorization, and immediately know what this little gem says... I didn't! Eagerly, but with a little fear over the possibility that I heard indigestion, rather than the Holy Spirit prompting my heart, I turned to the passage.

"When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, then you shall regard its fruits as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten. And in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the LORD. But in the fifth year you may eat of its fruit, to increase its yield: I am the LORD your God."

I wept, as God opened my eyes for his plan. I believed that the raise was going to come through, and that for three years the money would be forbidden to our use, by merit of debt repayment. The fourth year we would need to tithe it, and the fifth year it would finally see its use as "investment income," something we could use for our retirement portfolio. I was thrilled that God had so clearly answered my prayer. Christopher was nervous.

My husband is an incredibly faithful man of God, and his concern was valid. I had just come off of a mountain heaped in despair, postpartum, and not a little struggle with the Lord. To lay claim to some random promise about the Lord paying off our debt as a sign of his devotion to us was... well, looney. Afterall, the Lord didn't owe us anything. To add to this was the very real issue of how exactly the raise would come into effect, namely the double promotion. Christopher works for the Department of Defense, where everything is regimented in steps. You don't skip a step. You aren't promoted out of turn. You put in your time, and at the specified date of tenure, the completion of the step, the fulfillment of the term you are given what any other DoD civillian is given - your wage as agreed upon by Congress. Not a lot of personal growth potential. Christopher reminded me of all this, and then gently asked me what I would do if the raise didn't come through.

I had to think about that question. What would I do if the raise didn't happen. I realized that God was asking me to believe - to believe that he was capable, and to trust him, even with the scary idea of "failing". The Lord was still sovereign, was still reigning, was still in control of our future, and would still provide. I knew that, and knew that would not change. Christopher was convinced that I was not holding onto a name-it-and-claim-it promise, and encouraged me to wait for the Lord's movement, but still gently reminding me that the government doesn't work the way I was determined it needed to for my miracle. But isn't that the essence of a miracle?

On June 15, 2007, nearly 6 months later, Christopher received his raise, and double promotion! The extra amount the second half of that promotion provided us was $266 a month. The Lord multipled it supernaturally, and before the three years were up we had not only paid every dime of our debt but added 2 more children and bought a house! We were stunned by the goodness of God. It was a phenominal reminder that when we agree with God about his provision for our lives, he really does come through in amazing ways. Our fears are still somewhat present when we think about future children, how we will provide for them, but we have such a tremendous testimony of his blessing that we know all things will work together for our good.

But there is a second part of this story, and that's why we wanted to share it with you. The stipulation, as given in the passage, was that we would be given this gift of a fruitful tree, but in the 4th year the Lord required its fruit to be tithed. We spent the three years paying off debt asking God to share with us his vision for the year of tithe. We knew when God provided the promise to us in January of 2007 that he had a specific purpose for the money. In September of this year we began praying earnestly for God to reveal the purpose for our tithe year. Because of his bounty towards us we were ahead of 'schedule' and looking forward to fulfilling the 4th year of the scripture even though technically we were just barely over the 3 year mark.

Then we had this great family, the Frazees, come speak at our Christmas in October!

Christopher and I left that Sunday so taken by your desire to be real with a mission that wasn't clear-cut. You were following God in belief that he would take care of your provision, even when the culture surrounding you said that wasn't very practical. And your pursuit to see children as a blessing, even when that blessing can mean very real inconveniences, was incredibly refreshing to our hearts. The Lord works mysteriously. We almost didn't go to that church service. But we believe that it was your family, and your the desire to meet the needs of the Mali people, that the Lord sovereignly chose our money to support all along. We were so excited.

When we got home that night it didn't take long for us to agree that you were meant for our tithe year. We quickly went through the steps of signing up with World Venture for our support promise. In the back of our minds we had always assumed this time of added giving above our regular tithe was something that would last a year, as the scripture in Leviticus alludes to - "...And in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy... but in the fifth year you may eat of it..." Then something remarkable happened. Christopher again prepared for another annual review. Our hearts were turning towards allowing God complete freedom with this money, and in the midst of that burgeoning desire a possible pregnancy reminded us of the need to trust his provision. We knew it was time to sink or swim. Either we believed God for his hand in our lives and knew that he had a greater purpose for our money, or we took a giant leap backwards, forgot so much of the good God had already shown us, and clamped our fists shut. Praise the Lord, he won out!

Suddenly, "eating the fruit to increase its yield" took on more meaning than our retirement portfolio. It meant allowing that money to bring in the harvest waiting in Mali! As soon as we made the decision to stay with you for the long haul (encouraged by your continued faithfulness in setting your sights on the "impossible" for your financial support) our own concerns for another pregnancy, and the financial provision necessary for it, vanished. Such a gentle reminder that God is so good! We are not currently pregnant, but welcome the Lord's timing. And Christopher is once again blessed in his work, creating the money we need for our financial needs at home. In fact, another double promotion is likely on its way!

I hope that this brings joy to you, as it has to us. We see the sovereign plan of the Lord working to create community in his children, as they lay their needs before his throne. We are bursting with excitement to be in your back pocket as you travel to Paris - on Christmas day!

With Love,

The Randalls

Christopher, Trisha, Hannah (11), Bethany (9), Caleb (6), Leah (5), Mary (4), Josiah (2), Phoebe (7+ mos)

Julie Phillips cf fundraiser

2009-04-29T09:33:00.001-07:00

This is the most recent video I've done. It really enjoyed it though it was just like a taste on the tip of my tongue of what I'd really like to do. Praise God that He keeps giving me little opportunities to work on small projects, reminding me of how much I enjoy it. It was a real privilege to hang out with Julie, who sincerely loves God and has hope, believing that He has lovingly planned out her life.
I think my wife's voice sounds pretty good in this video too!

Monterey Bay Aquarium Church

2009-04-17T12:37:00.001-07:00

What I say on this video doesn't sound quite right. I really meant to highlight that God is at work providing for our needs.
There is a lot more to the aquarium, but I edited to a song, and these are the clips that matched the mood of the song. I really like this song from one of my favorite movies, "Life Is Beautiful."
Thank God for FBC Monterey. They are really a blessing to us.

We like trees!

2009-04-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

Heidi and I just shaved our mailing list a little. So now we're saving trees and about $14 in postage for each mailing we do. We love sending people real mail, and we love getting real mail. But if you've moved fully into the digital age or if you loath paper cuts let us know, and we'll just send you our newsletters via e-mail. heidibelle@gmail.com

Recession Rewards

2009-04-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

These are five points that make this recession God-glorifying. They were taken from a recent John Piper sermon. Some of your Ojai/Goleta folks may have heard them as I shared them on our most recent visit.

He intends for this recession to expose hidden sin and so bring us to repentance and cleansing.
He intends to wake us up to the constant and desperate condition of the developing world where there is always and only recession of the worst kind.
He intends to relocate the roots of our joy in his grace rather than in our goods, in his mercy rather than our money, in his worth rather than our wealth.
He intends to advance his saving mission in the world—the spread of the gospel and the growth of his church—precisely at a time when human resources are least able to support it. This is how he guards his glory.
He intends for the church to care for its hurting members and to grow in the gift of love.

Princess in Training

2009-03-19T01:25:00.000-07:00

Check out Harley's blog ➜

Back With Our Boys

2009-03-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

We had a great trip down to Ojai, CA. Heidi and I took Harley and Zechariah, and Drew and Joe stayed with Jeff's parents.
You wouldn't even believe how good Zechariah and Harley were! On average we were in three different homes each day, and they just played happily and quietly while we talked and talked until we were blue in the face.
Our trip was like a visit to the amusement park for me. There were constant ups and downs, but my heart was in all of those experiences. I have such a deep and abiding love for the church. So it just sucks my energy out, the good and the bad. I pour myself into it. It is utterly fulfilling and wonderfully draining.
Check out Drew's Blog. I just put a video there. I'm also going to post on my blog tonight. I heard something a pastor said about missions, and it got my wheels turning in a good way so I think it will help me communicate what I've been wrestling with. Check back on March 11 for my new post.

Caleb's 1st Birthday

2009-03-06T08:29:00.001-08:00

This is a little out dated. Caleb was born on December 31st 2007. He's walking and starting to talk and taking the world by storm now. We will definitely miss spending a lot of time with family when we're overseas. Luckily, my parents and all of our siblings love to travel! We expect to have a lot of visitors in Mali! Maybe France too.

Swim Lessons 08

2009-03-02T10:28:00.001-08:00

This was a hard video for me to edit. Drew's scream for help on the video is so primal that it tore my heart out each time I heard it.
I'm proud of my boys. They do what we ask them to do, even when it's really tough. I pray that it builds trust in them for when their Father asks them to do difficult, insurmountable things.
Pray for us, especially our kids, that we would obey and glorify God as we follow Him in this adventurous mission to Mali, West Africa!
I know people like to see these videos. I'll put another one up soon! Oh yeah! I wanted to thank DrewB and Heidi for the work they did on this video. They don't enjoy it like I do, but they did a great job, and it means a lot to me.

Wolf's Bane

2009-02-09T14:53:00.000-08:00

As the stunned fog cleared from reading heresy written by someone I believed to be in love with Jesus, I wrote this on an envelope just as it poured from me.

I believe:
God is Holy, set apart, and His very nature ordains glory and praise.

Mankind was created by God chiefly to glorify Himself.

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

The chief method in which God glorifies Himself today is through the proclamation of truth about Himself by His Church/Body in word and deed.

Jesus' clear instructions were to go to every ethnicity and language making disciples, baptizing, and teaching obedience.

The Spirit provides unity among believer that goes beyond all barriers.

The church (catholic, worldwide) should seek equality.

I hope it's okay to post someone's article...

2009-02-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

THIS WEEK | January 31, 2009

Profound witness

Charity: Giving money in tough times says much about Christian security | Rusty Leonard and Warren Cole Smith

William Lobdell's recent book Losing My Religion chronicles his conversion to Christianity—and his subsequent rejection of Christianity after a decade of covering religion for the Los Angeles Times. Many of those stories had to do with Christians and the way they handled money.

"Evangelicals don't give anywhere near 10 percent of their income to charity," Lobdell said. "Only a very few, often on the fringes of mainstream or evangelical Christianity, behave with their money as if they believe the Gospel is actually true."

The data suggest that Lobdell is only half-right. Studies by Syracuse University and others make a compelling case for the generosity of theologically conservative Christians. Philanthropy expert Arthur C. Brooks said that the most important predictor of charitable giving is religious commitment. But even Brooks admits that "very few" Americans practice the biblical tithe.

That's a shame, according to Randy Alcorn, whose books on giving include The Treasure Principle and a book on Christian giving that some consider to be a classic: Money, Possessions, and Eternity. In an interview with WORLD, Alcorn says that giving is a "powerful witness of the gospel" that he calls the "greatest form of evangelism." According to Alcorn, "the words charity and grace come from the same Greek word, charis. When we give, we are both experiencing and sharing God's grace. God's grace is the lightning. Our giving is the thunder. Thunder is both a result and a testimony of the lightning."

Alcorn said that giving in tough economic times is particularly important for the Christian. "For one thing, in tough times Christian charity is needed all the more," he said. "For another, the testimony of that giving is even more profound. Giving in tough times tells the world that it is God's providence—not a large checking account—that is the source of our sustenance and security."

Alcorn lives these principles. All the royalties from more than a dozen books he has written go to charity. He said that in 2008 that amounted to about $750,000, and since he began the practice more than a decade ago, the total exceeds $4 million.

It's possible that Christians are getting this message. According to Philanthropy Journal, arts and cultural organizations have seen giving declines. And high-profile ministries such as Focus on the Family have announced layoffs and budget shortfalls. But the nation's largest Christian relief organizations—including World Vision, Compassion International, and Samaritan's Purse—all report 2008 giving increases.

So, if Christians were giving sacrificially, would that make a difference for atheists, agnostics, and skeptics such as Lobdell? "If you get outside of the Christian bubble," Lobdell said, "you find a lot of people who want to believe, and perhaps even did believe, but who are disillusioned. What they read in the Gospels is not what they see in the church."

He added: "Would seeing Christians give sacrificially make a difference with me? I'm not sure. Would it make a difference with those disillusioned? I think it might."

Giving big

Even as the economy slips into recession, the nation's biggest givers keep on giving. According to Philanthropy Journal, at least 16 people made gifts of more than $100 million in 2008. That's the largest number of such gifts since the magazine started tracking these mega-gifts more than a decade ago. The total amount of these 16 gifts exceeded $8 billion, a record amount.

That's the good news. The rest of the story is this: The biggest gift on the 2008 list was a single $4.5 billion bequest from James LeVoy Sorenson, an inventor and investor who left the money to his family foundation in Salt Lake City. If you take out that single gift, 2008 was down slightly from 2007.

Also, some question whether giving to a foundation set up and largely controlled by the giver is really giving. Al Mueller of the Christian group Excellence in Giving said, "Why do you consider a gift to your own foundation a 'gift'? Until someone besides you benefits, it is a gift in the eyes of Uncle Sam only." — Warren Cole Smith

A picture of my heart in the form of a sermon.

2009-02-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

I hate for my most recent post to be largely of content from someone else, but every once-in-a-while somebody says what you're thinking and feeling better than you do. John Piper has done that for me on several occations. When he talks about a Holy Ambition, who I am resonates with what he says. When he calls people to be senders in the church's effort to reach all people, I dream about the power God intends His people to have. Piper's sermon on Col. 1:24 gave God-glorifying purpose to a long-time attraction I've had to suffering.
If you want to know me better, if you want to better understand what God has called our family too, I really encourage you to listen to these sermons. It is an investment... almost three hours of listening, but that's what we want. We want people to invest in us. We want people committed to taking the gospel to unreached people through us, whatever suffering and sacrifice it will take.

A picture in the form of a memory. (also from a recent e-mail)

2008-12-18T09:33:00.001-08:00

My dad's father couldn't talk for the last 5 or 6 years of his life. I have one particularly fond memory of him during that time.
He wasn't a believer, and his life wasn't marked by joy. One time we came to visit him. When he saw our son, he lite up. It was obvious how my grandfather wanted to be with my son and enjoy him. Unfortunately, it was short-lived with our squirrely toddler. The only picture I have of it is in my memory.

God's specific will (from a recent e-mail)

2008-12-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

Question, how do you know that God really wants you to go to Africa? Could this be a test of your faith?
I'm certain this is a test of our faith. God is deeply interested in our faith.
We know that God wants us to go to Mali because He has opened doors in that directions, and, more importantly, it is the greatest desire of our hearts. The Bible is rife with the command to go, make Him known, proclaim His works, and glorify His Son. Heidi's and my hearts resonate with going. It's one of those things that is so ingrained in us that it's a little hard to understand how everyone else isn't completely leveled with the wonderful and adventurous task set before us. The ways that Heidi's and my desires match is a confirmation for us. At this point, I would go to my grave trying to reach Mali. Admittedly our inability is frustrating. We don't understand exactly why God is leading us down the scenic route, but we're confident it is for His greatest glory, just like a missionary we know that took him nearly 20 years to get where God was leading him. That struggle now defines his as separate from this world, unique in his pursuit of God (or more accurately, God's pursuit of him).

Pumpkin Carving Timelapse

2008-10-27T09:04:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Boy

2008-09-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Zechariah Job brings us so much joy! Every day and every night I snuggle him, talk to him, make him laugh, and pray for him. He is just full to the brim with smiles and curiosity.

Some MTI pictures to help you understand.

2008-09-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

So here are some photos to illustrate some of the things Heidi talked about in our newsletter. The picture below is another way of looking at the process of bridging two cultures. It shows a missionary being transplanted.

I tried to transplant a pine tree in our yard. It died, but I learned some things about being transplanted. Roots go deep, and a lot of them get cut. A plant begins to die immediately after it is uprooted. It takes copious and consistent watering for a long time for a plant to re-root itself in a new location.

This happens in some way ever time a missionary leaves.

You can imagine how much this helped our children understand what they are headed for. We were able to have some good discussions with them at MTI.

Drew dives right in to new situations. His personality is shy, but he is emotionally eager to be a part of other peoples lives. The hurt of leaving and transitioning catches him by surprise.

Joe sees it coming a little more, and he's a little less likely to attach himself emotionally. He says he knows the places we're going "aren't home."

Below is the bridge illustration. It starts with those sturdy, firm chairs. Next comes rocking office chairs.

After the shaky office chairs came exercise balls held together with Saran Wrap. This guy (Isaac Barnes) actually made it all the way across (He's an MK).

After Isaac they had 4 people cross together, and they were all linked together with climbing gear to represent family bonds. No one was on the same stage of the bridge at the same time, and they were able to help each other make it across without falling off. They told us not to expect everybody to be experiencing the same thing during transition, but to help each other at each stage.

$13 Away From Our Goal!!!

2008-09-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Okay... sorry, that could be a misleading and coercive title, but Heidi and I are very excited by the fact that if each person on our mailing list (minus the people that already give) committed to give $13 a month... we'd be completely supported for full-time ministry in Mali, West Africa!!
Heidi and I support several missionaries to the tune of $10 a month. It felt insignificant at first, but we knew what a blessing it is to have someone commit to help you accomplish what God has called you to, and honestly, it has kept us connected to those missionaries over the years and over the miles.
So we're praying that you won't be afraid to be the little guy. POWER TO THE PEOPLE. CLICK HERE to make a commitment to us on-line.
If you don't get our snail mail, send us your address, and we'll add you to our super cool mailing list where you'll receive the coolest quarterly up-dates ever.

Mission Training International

2008-09-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

While we were at MTI in Palmer Lake, CO for five weeks this summer we received fantastic training that we're so eager to use when we move over seas. In fact, the things they taught us have already helped in out ministry and communications here in the States. The language learning tools haven't helped much yet, but we're so ready to buckle down and learn a new language.
CLICK HERE for a link to a short video I did for MTI. The people that work there have to raise support too, so I was more than happy to use my video camera to help communicate what they do.

Time to catch up!

2008-09-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

My best blog reader, Christine, sent me this forward, and I figured it's a quick way to catch people up since I haven't posted in a while.

1.         What is your occupation right now?

I'm a support-raising missionary. We expect God to provide for all our needs, like He promised (Luke 12 27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!)
So I see the biggest part of my job right now to be encouraging the American church to live like Christ called them to live.

2.         What color are your socks right now?
            bare feet

3.         What are you listening to right now?
A John Piper sermon about what the Bible says about husbands... It's called Lionhearted and Lamblike

4.      What was the last thing that you ate?
A bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats (Honey Roasted)

5.       Can you drive a stick shift?
Like Speedracer...

6.      Last person you spoke to on the phone?
My dad, telling him I was on the way home from vacation with my boys.

7.      Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Despite the fact that this question makes me feel like I'm in Jr. High, I do like the person who sent this to me. Christine lives like I want to live. She is a phenomenal example of a wife and mother the scripture honors. Plus, she is definitely the most likely person to comment on my blog.

8.      How old are you today?
31

9.      What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
American Gladiator (at least back in the day) and the sports section of America's Funniest Home Videos

10.     What is your favorite drink?
A big fat glass of milk

11.    Have you ever bleached your hair?
Thanks to my girlfriend (now wife) I unwittingly put henna in my hair. The results made me look like a runway beacon.

12.    Favorite food?
I've been waiting for someone to ask me this question for a while because I always forget to say communion. I love communion. I really savor it on every level. I can't get enough of it!!!

13.    What is the last movie you watched?
Night at the Museum


14.    Favorite day of the year?
I've gotta say Christmas. I've always loved Christmas.

15.    How do you vent anger?
Worst case scenario: yell at people I love or hide
Best case scenario: pray or go for a run

16.    What was your favorite toy as a child?
I guess I'd have to say I was a Legos guy. I took some time to make a little wooden model airplane with my boys the other day. That was pretty great.

17.    What is your favorite season?
Spring (though winter and fall are close behind) I love to see things grow, and (because we don't get much) I love rainy days.

18.    Cherries or Blueberries?
ehh... I guess Cherries. Joe has been saying he wants some cherries.

19.    Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
Getting a good e-mail can be the highlight of my day.

22.     Living arrangements?
There is a house and a studio at my parents place. The six of us live with my grandma in the main house, and my mom and dad live in the studio.

23.    When was the last time you cried?
I got a little teary-eyed on the communion question, but I'm having a little trouble remembering the last time I really cried. I almost always cry during worship at our church. So I don't know if that really counts.

24.    What is on the floor of your closet?
A pair of rollerblades, camera equipment, mailing boxes, about 1/3 of my clothes, shoes, and our DVDs... big closet.

25.     Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
I guess this doesn't really apply, but it's good timing because I was just looking at pictures from our wedding, and there was Cindy (Smedley) Garcia. I was thinking how wonderful it was that she flew out to Michigan for my wedding. She is my longest friend, and she's been a great one.

26.    What did you do last night?
I got home from a long vacation just with my boys. So Heidi and I spent most of the night getting reacquainted.

27.    What are you most afraid of?
Someone got bent out of shape the last time I answered this way, but basically, the worst thing I can imagine is to have one of my kids not fall in love with God.

28.    Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburger
Definitely not plain, I like lots of stuff on my burger.

29.    Favorite dog breed?
Australian Shepherd, they have been the best dogs in our family history.

30.    Favorite day of the week?
Today

31.    How many states have you lived in?
4 states, 3 countries

32.    Diamonds or pearls?
Now I feel gay for answering this survey without reading all they way through it.

33.    What is your favorite flower?
I actually have a favorite flower, Ranunculi.

They are my family's business on my dad's side of the family.

My grandfather was instrumental in changing ranunculi from this...

to this.

Declare His Glory Among the Nations!

2008-07-23T12:44:00.001-07:00

This is the kind of preaching I long for. It's fifty minutes long, but I really urge you, Tivo ER and take the time to listen to this. Get someone to sit down and listen with you. Pray before you start, and listen and be encouraged!

Click Here to listen to the audio.

You can also click on the title of this post to read or watch the same sermon, but I like the audio best because they read the scripture to you first.

The way John Piper communicate... the urgency in his voice... that's how Heidi and I feel. We're so hungry for a healthy, obedient church... willing to lay down it's life and the lives of others for the honor of God's name, for the praise of God's name.

Anniversary #9

2008-07-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Heidi's and my 9 year anniversary.
I have to admit. I was worried. I am almost every year. I've never had much to offer her. At least that's how I feel. We have been penniless nearly all of our married lives.
I remember back when we were dating. We didn't have much money. We were in school full-time. But we would go on long walks together. We window shopped a ton. We talked constantly about the things we wanted to get for each other. And when we had the means, we would buy that special gift and deliver it in grand fashion!
I really shouldn't worry. I know Heidi. She's amazing. She would never hold something like a forgotten gift against me, not for long at least. She loves what I get her, no matter what it is.
Now that I think about it... It's hard to remember the gifts we've given each other over the years. The things that are most memorable are the thoughts behind it all. I kind of feel like we are the "Gift of the Magi" couple. You know the story were Jim sells his pocket watch to buy hair combs for Della who has just sold her hair to buy a gold chain for Jim's pocket watch.
This year Zechariah woke me up at 6 AM. I put on my running shoes and went nine miles (9th anniversary) to get Heidi flowers and breakfast which included our favorite, pain au chocolat. When I got back, exhausted (because we live at the top of a really steep road), what could Heidi be bringing out of the oven but pain au chocolat. We both appreciate each other so much. We didn't need anything else.

Forth of July Fireworks!

2008-07-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

We went to our friends house in Gilroy to see the fireworks.

The boys snuggled together to stay warm. They really enjoyed each other!

Small town fireworks are great. They were so close. I shot this with a wide angle lens (24 mm). We almost got hit my a misfire.

They boys hide under a blanket when the fireworks were really loud.

They were pretty proud of themselves for not being too scared.

Ryan and Candice took care of Harley for me for the whole time. She really enjoyed them. Heidi stayed at the Drummond's with Zechariah and some friends.

Untitled

2008-05-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

Here's another poem from my notebook...

I've got a plan

a clever trick

to get a stone to talk.

We'll gather round

a pile of rocks

no one will speak or squawk.

Jesus said

that this would work

just before He died.

I can't say

that I've seen it

even though I've tried.

What you do

is not praise God

don't give Him what He's due.

Then stones and rocks

will all cry out

declaring what is true.

The reason that

it's never worked

is that I can't be still.

I see the stones,

the grass, the trees

rising up the hills

And there I see

my Savior, God,

Creator, Kind, and Friend

Then praises rise

in my stoney heart.

His praise is without end.

I've Got a Boy, He's Got a Father

2008-05-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

This is a poem I wrote when my first son became a believer. It's fading from the notebook I scratched it in so I thought I better put it somewhere more permanent.

A father's love is deeper than

one can understand

The Father Himself gave me a son

Before his birth God made it clear

the child would not be mine

My son is now my brother

We share a Father divine

The Great Outdoors!

2008-05-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Zechariah Job

2008-05-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since my last post, and you may be well aware of why we named our son Zechariah Job. If you don't, here's the explanation. Zechariah means "God Remembers," and Job means "the Afflicted." I wanted a name that reflected the character of God, and God has put a burden on my heart for the suffering people in this world.
My first two sons were named after people I want them to grow up to be like: friends, relatives, or Bible characters. Zachariah is named for the attributes and actions of God that I long for and cling to. It is my prayer that Zechariah grows up to embody God's love for the poor and afflicted.

Psalm 10

11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten;
he covers his face and never sees."

12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.

Do not forget the helpless.

17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;

you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,

in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Psalm 98

3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;

all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Zechariah 8

2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her."

Here's an e-mail that I wrote to a friend concerning the spelling of Zechariah's name.

The short answer to your questions is, "Yes."

I'm not misspelling Petit's name. It says Zachariah on his birth certificate. It took a little persuading for Heidi to go along with that name, and I thought I was giving a little ground by spelling it with an 'a' so that it would easily translate into the not-all-that-uncommon, Zach. Later she said she was surprised that I did that, and I thought, "Yeah, I kind of caved there. The last thing I was trying to do was conform to popular tradition... then at the last minute I did." So spelling it with an 'e' is kind of reclaiming a good name; a name from the living Word of God. It is an allowing of confusion in acknowledgement of fact that often mystery is deeper, truer... than understanding.

That's the first time I've really answered the question. So I might cut-and-paste it for other people.

Loveya,

Jeff Frazee......

Baby Boy

2008-03-12T16:47:00.001-07:00

This is our new baby boy. We don't have a name yet.

Dusty Boxes

2008-03-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

You might have noticed on some of my other sites that I recently moved our belongings into their third storage place in the past two years. When you're moving things it's always a good opportunity to off-load things and reminisce. I found my old copy of The NIV Harmony of the Gospels, and inside was the card I signed in October of 1996 committing to pray about and seek my role in international missions. I've mentioned the card to many people as we have spoken with different churches, and I talked about it in the video we sent out. So now here it is, for your viewing pleasure, for the first time on the world wide web... my Moody Bible Institute World Evangelism Decision Card!!!

The Thorn

2008-01-25T22:03:00.000-08:00

I thought I blogged this before, but I couldn't find it. I love it.

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged Him for a priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart
I cried, “But Lord, this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift that Thou hast given me.
He said, “My child, I give good gifts and give my best to thee.”
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore;
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added Grace.
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

“The Thorn,” by Martha Snell Nicholson

The Road to Mali

2008-01-22T11:56:00.000-08:00

Turn up your volume.
I hope this brings some clarity to what is going on in our lives. Please feel free to share this video. Pray that we get all the support we need to leave by August!

Loss and Gain

2008-01-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

My mother-in-law (affectionately known as 'belle mere' or Janou) wrote me an e-mail to let me know she is praying for us. She included a quote by David Livingston.

< "I never made a sacrifice." -David Livingston

But I think my belle mere said it better. She was a missionary in Africa for 25 years 'ish.'

"We have encountered, which you and Heidi may have as well, individuals who talk about the sacrifice we make in going to Africa. We have said that no—is not at all true. In fact the sacrifice would have been to have stayed in the U.S. and sacrificed God’s blessing on our family since He had called us to go and we must obey that call. Africa was where He wanted us to be. It was not without its difficulties, the hard times, the sickness, the separations—all like Livingston mentions. But, the blessings far outweigh and overshadow the other things."

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

2007-11-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

I have so much to write, but I've just got time to give you the quick version.
On November first we flew to New York. We stayed with my brother in Brooklyn, and they took us all around the city. Have you tried navigating the subway with three small kids? I don't know how families do it. At the end of the day we were always ready to get back to Jim and Becca's quiet (relatively speaking) and homey apartment.
We also drove down to Pennsylvania and Maryland where Heidi's grandma and aunt and uncle live. Leaving the city for the rolling country side was like lifting a weight off my shoulders. I guess I'm a country boy. Grandma Kunkle and Aunt Lois cooked us the most amazing meals. I think Grandma Kunkle must be the easiest person to be with. She just makes you feel right at home any time you see her.
Now we're in Michigan with Heidi's family. We got here just in time to help them put the finishing touches on their addition. Last night we hosted a party in the new great room, and it was just wonderful. God has blessed us with so many great friends. We even met a new couple who wants to help support us in our ministry!
The biggest blessing of all is our growing family. Harley and Abby are six months apart, and it took them all of about five minutes to become the best of friends. Girls are different than boys, and our two little girls just sit together and make each other laugh. They hug and kiss and ask where the other one is when they're not around.
As if that wasn't good enough?!... Heidi and our sister-in-law are expecting two new babies just two months apart!
God is good!

Mali.aria

2007-10-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is an article I found that talks about how malaria affects Mali. CLICK HERE A totally treatable disease takes over 100,000 lives in Mali alone. I really hope some of you guys come and visit us in Mali when we move there. It just really opens your eyes in a way that no writing or pictures ever can.

Ten Things (first draft)

2007-10-20T00:43:00.000-07:00

Ten things to do before I die
not yet in any particular order

1. Speak French fluently.
2. Speak Bambara fluently.
3. Make a deeply moving, professional quality, God-glorifying documentary film.
4. Be a missionary to Mali.
5. Leave a legacy of committed disciples in Mali.
6. See all my children commit their lives to Christ.
7. See grandchildren and great grandchildren serving Christ.
8. Publish my work in National Geographic. (a cover shot would be pretty nice too.)
9. Adopt children.
10. Pay off my student loans.

other possible alternates
Learn to really play the guitar, kora, and balafone (West African instruments)
Climb a few of the 14s
Write a book
Publish my autobiography or biography
Dance like no one's looking

cast your votes and make your own lists

Journalism in Mali

2007-10-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE for more BBC stories on Mali. This link is time sensitive because news is a living thing. So check it out soon. There are three video stories: one about a hostage situation and a Malian bride, one about a job center in Mali, and one about the poor treatment of journalists in Mali.

Street Scene in Mali

2007-10-10T10:18:00.001-07:00

We got this video from some of our really good friends in Mali, Ben and Brenda. Brenda was Heidi's roommate in high school and college, and now they are missionaries in Mali.
Their video is of some kids in the street doing tumbling. It's always amazing to me how resourceful kids are. We can't wait to get out there with Ben and Brenda! They're a ton of fun!

Mali: Land of Mystery 002

2007-10-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

I found some good Mali videos at National Geographic. If you click on the title of this post you can watch the videos. or Click Here
There are four videos. It amazes me how much parts of Mali have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. On a spiritual level it reminded me of the Bozo people of Mali. There are around 150,000 Bozos (stifle your laughs), and 84% of them have never even heard the good news about what Jesus has done for them. How is that possible? They don't live in some unreachable location. Pray for them.

It's hard to stay close if you don't understand life your friend is living. We probably won't live in Mali until 2010 (dates like that should only be in sci-fi movies). But we want you to know about the place that we're in love with. So CLICK HERE to get a quick overview of Mali by BBC.

Mali: Land of Mystery

2007-10-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

So... you all probably know that this is a manatee. But I bet you didn't know that they have manatees in Mali! I couldn't believe it when I read about it. Apparently, you can find fresh water manatees in the Niger River, which spends a large part of its distance in Mali.
The picture above is not of African manatees. In fact, I couldn't really find a picture of one. There was a picture of an African manatee in a Japanese aquarium, but even that was a terrible picture.
So I'm thinking I'll do the first thorough photographic study of the African manatee. National Geographic here I come! Okay, so the Niger River also has hippos and crocodiles... So I'll probably get an "assistant" (that's what you call it in the professional photography business), give him my camera, tell him to swim out into the murky Niger, and take the credit for the photos after he's risked life and limb.
Of course, I would never do this even though it is considered totally legitimate in the magazine photography world. No joke.

Amy Carmichael

2007-09-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

I'm reading From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya for the third time now. I really like it. (Heidi can't stand it.) It is a quick (500 pages) history of Christian missions.

The story about Amy Carmichael had a quote that really said what I have been wanting to tell people. When confronted with the criticism that her work of meeting physical needs and providing education wasn't evangelistic enough for a missionary she said, "Souls are more or less securely fastened to bodies ...and as you cannot get the souls out and deal with them separately, you have to take them both together."

I got so excited when I read that because it confirmed the common sense and wisdom of how God has been leading me all these years. I can't wait to see how God uses what He has been teaching me about Himself and about visual journalism to change peoples lives in Mali. I was timid about leaving the mission field to study photography. But... now... "Who has known the mind of the Lord or offered Him and counsel?" (Rom. 11:34) He knows what He's doing.

Check out this video the my missionary buddy, Matt Kingsley, turned me on to. I would love to help these kind of small business get going in Mali. Better yet, I would love my good friend Brian Pederson to come out to Mali and run a micro finance business. That's what he said he would want to do if he was a missionary.

Love y'all

Eadelman Encouragement

2007-08-31T20:31:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of two of the kids that were in Kadiolo, Mali when we lived there in 1999-2000.

There is a couple in that same village now that we have known for a long time. They are field leaders for WorldVenture in Mali, and they have been an encouragement to us as we prepare to move out there.
Their names are Ernie and Jan Eadelman. Below is an excerpt from a letter Jan wrote to us. I hope it lets you see how God is going ahead of us in Mali and the work we will do there.

Jeff,

Sorry I didn't get right back to you. I should have. And then our phone
lines went down for several days so we did not get anything in or out.
Today they came back up.

The comment that Glenn mentioned: “It is our desire to tell true stories
that compel Malians toward a relationship with God.” is very
interesting. I think you could use it in your materials and
presentations etc. It brings up some interesting ideas and
questions--Bible stories? Testimonies? etc. I am sure you will use it well.

We will keep in touch with input for using your special skills here in
Mali. I am sure there are some neat ways. For instance, just last week
the Radio Drama team put on a evening of drama for the community. It was
videoed and also there were many still shots taken. I am sure both could
have been improved by more training for the photographers. But the
reason they did both was to get the message out in various
ways--brochures for money raising, publicity of other sorts, and they
are planning to use the video in many venues from villages to national
TV. In fact, there were clips from it on national TV's evening news the
following nights. So the opportunities are out there. Making money at it
will be a little bit more of a challenge--but things do change.

Just recently the director Radio Yeleen was sharing his passion with
Ernie. He dreams is to get more and higher quality training for his
radio staff as well as have a video studio here where training can be
provided to help reach Mali for Christ. You see, God is already planting
a reciprocal dream here.

I love the way you are dreaming, both of you, of how God may be able to
use you in Mali. That will appeal to the people you are talking with and
will help you raise the necessary support and funds. It is great. Keep
it up. My caution to you is to remember they are dreams, and when you
arrive you will be living in reality. When your expectations meet with
the heat, dust and dirt of the real Mali some may become a little
tattered and unreachable. Don't decide that it is a spiritual problem
and you are not living on a high enough plane. It is just that we live
in a real world, in a culture that you have been exposed to but do not
totally understand. In fact, as Linda Arzouni says, after decades in
Africa--"I can dress like the Malians, I can eat their food, I can talk
their language, I can love them--but I can never be one of them."

God bless you as you impact your world today and in the days ahead. The
Lord helps us to dream and, if we let Him, helps us put our dreams to
work to make the most of reality.

Sincerely,
Jan

Isn't that great. I love people who still write real, 'meaty' letters!

Wedding

2007-08-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at our friends, Deep and Michelle's, wedding. They have a whirlwind story of a beginning, and I can't wait to see what God does with them. I told them when they were first 'official' that their relationship was going to make a great story. I should have talked them into letting me make a documentary about it.

The next best thing about the wedding was that I got to dance with my daughter for a long time. She couldn't get enough of it. When we were finally dragging all the kids off the dance floor we walked past the speaker, and it was like she found a whole new dance partner. She just stood in front of the speaker rockin' to the music.
I hope we give her what she needs to develop her musical talents.
Heidi also wrote about the wedding, and she posted pictures of our kids dancing. You can click on 'Wedding' above to go to her blog.

Jeff and Heidi Frazee are Having a Baby!

2007-08-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

This is a picture from December First of 2005.

The picture is of Harley Joy, but we are expecting our next baby in mid March. I am hoping for a little girl, Lord willing.
We weren't exactly trying to get pregnant, but we did have a discussion about it. We thought, "If we don't get pregnant soon, we really don't want to get pregnant for a couple years."
Here's the reasoning. Heidi and I have both lived in West Africa for years, and while we learned to communicate we could never have those really good, life-changing kind of discussions because our language skills are so lacking. We are really excited, Heidi in particular, to study language, and we know that if Heidi was pregnant or caring for an infant during language school... well, it just wouldn't do. She wouldn't be able to learn French like she has always wanted to.
We give God the credit for determining our steps, but we think this is going to work out just right.
Drew will finish first grade, and we will have a 6 month old baby (entertained by the other kids, sleeping through the night, nursing less often) by the time we head for France in August 2008.
Pray for us! Oh, and I'm sorry if this is how you heard we're having a baby. We can't keep track of who knows and who doesn't know. Tell all your friends. It's better than hearing it from a blog!

Nine Percent

2007-08-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

We sent out our first prayer letter, and made one trip to Ojai (where we had a great little birthday party for Drew). And... Praise God, we are at 9% of our monthly support. If any of you want to call or stop by to talk about how good God is there's nothing I'd rather do.
After Heidi and I prayed a prayer of thanks to God last night, we committed ourselves to Him: learning about Him, spending time with Him, and knowing Him.
It would be easy for us, in our excitement, to pursue the next 10%, but we would be in error. It is not our efforts or your commitments that provide for our needs.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to
produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your
forefathers...
I am so thankful that He has given our friends and family these abilities and used them to bless us in such a tangible and encouraging way. Praise God.

Happy Anniversary

2007-07-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

Heidi and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on July 9th. We spent a day in Santa Cruz, and we walked along the Boardwalk. We walked the length of the Boardwalk twice, and as we pulled away from the throngs of people walking toward the pier I told Heidi, "It's been a long time since I was around that much humanity." That short quarter-mile stretch held so much laughing, running, pushing, music, drunkenness, fighting, playing, and eating.
We were looking for a place to eat as we walked along the pier, and we saw several hungry/homeless people. I had forgotten. It's been too long since I was around truly hungry people. I was convicted that at this marking point in our marriage we couldn't simply celebrate ourselves. With Heidi's permission we invited a young man, Johnny, to share our anniversary dinner with us.
We had a pleasant dinner and good conversation. I hope we were an encouragement to Johnny. I didn't think about it at the time, but I am so happy with my marriage. I trust Heidi implicitly, not only for her actions but even for her motivations. Her life, in every aspect, belongs to God, and so does mine.
When you join your life to Christ you become less of yourself, and in the same way a Christ-centered marriage makes you less yourself and more Christ-like. When scripture says that 'two become one' it carries so many beautiful meanings, and in heavens backward math I can honestly say that the two of us are less than we were before we got married. All of you who are struggling against self can feel what I mean.

World of Change

2007-06-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

So... yeah...
A lot has happened since I posted last time. I haven't shot any assignments for Times Media Inc. in as long as I can remember. I was working nearly full time at Kiddie Kandids until just recently. My boss there, Lora, is great. I'm pretty sure we'll keep in touch for a long time. She has been so flexible in the process of us joining World Venture.
That's the biggest news. We just got back from Colorado where we went through numerous interviews, classes, and training sessions. We were appointed as missionaries to Mali, West Africa. We made some amazing friends while we were there. There were six other couples. Heidi was so completely in her element. She seemed to be more at home there than... when she's at home.
So now we are starting to invest a lot of time building the relationships that will make it possible for us to live and serve the church in Mali.
I have so much more to say, but I'll just leave you with this video. This is the first video I ever made. This family went to the finals in some TV talent show. Anyway, I figured if I am going to try to build a professional media endeavor in a third world I had better learn to post video on the web.
Don't forget to turn your sound on.

Hollister Corn Field Maze

2006-10-29T21:42:00.000-08:00

_JEF0718w, originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Hey folks,
Click on photo for more pictures. For those of you who don't know, I am working with high school students at BVBC, our church. So the other night I went on my first big outing. We went to the corn field maze in Hollister.
We were going to go surfing, but it was dark and it wasn't a big surf day in Hollister.
I would recommend a corn field maze. I mean you're just walking around a corn field, but it's amazing how much fun there is to be had in a corn field.
So I'm pretty much done with Times Media Inc., the newspapers I was working for. I am still shooting about one assignment a week, but I am not making it a priority like I was before. I am working a lot of hours at Kiddie Kandids. I really like it there. We have a new boss, and she is as good as Dustin was before her. I am good at what I do, and when I clock out, I can be totally focused on my family or my ministries.
Our heart is still in missions. We want to go over seas again soon. Heidi and I are teaching Bible in a local elementary school. It's really exciting. More and more kids come every week. They really love it. Heidi has a group of second grade boys, and I have fourth grade girls.
I just put my subsidized student loans in deferment for a second year. At this rate I am looking at paying them off in about 15 years. It is a constant reminder that God is my provider. He has plans for me and for my family. Money is such a small obstacle. I can't wait to see what He does to get us where He wants us.

Christians

2006-10-29T16:15:00.000-08:00

This really surprised me. I'm an optimist. And when I don’t think about it too much, I assume that the Catholic Church is a strong body of believers in Jesus Christ. Something about this thing I stumbled across made me think of all the Catholics I know that don’t live like they have a relationship with Jesus. There is so much to be gained by treating Jesus like the Lord and brother He is, and it makes me sad when people miss out on that.
What I found was the proposed patron saint for Internet users. Here’s the picture, and here is the prayer you’re supposed to say before you get on the Internet.
Almighty and eternal God,
Who created us in Thy image
and bade us to seek after all that is good,
true and beautiful,
especially in the divine person of Thy only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
grant we beseech Thee that,
through the intercession of Saint Isidore,
bishop and doctor,
during our journeys through the internet we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to Thee and
treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen

_JEF0307w

2006-10-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

_JEF0307w, originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Of course I'll take any excuse to post a picture of my girl. I think she's just beautiful.
More than that, this picture was taken on a family camping trip that I wanted to let you all know about. Several older couples were giving Heidi advice on raising kids. The one thing they all agreed on was that we should go camping regularly. It's so good to just be us. No jobs, homework... just us.
But most of all, you've got to click on this picture and choose 'all sizes' so you can get a close-up look. It is the pinnacle for a professional photographer to capture the perfect droplets of a gleek.
Okay, maybe it’s not, but I think it should be. Have you ever seen it before?! It’s like catching a fly with chopsticks. No one really knows someone who has done it, but we all agree that if someone did they should be held in the highest regard.

drew_lulu_reading

2006-09-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

drew_lulu_reading, originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Okay, I've gotta run, cause Heidi wants to watch Survivor, but I had to put these shots up.
Drew is making such great progress in learning how to read. Everyday he has to bring home a new book from school. We read it to him until he's got it memorized, basically. Then the next day in class he has to read it to someone.
Lucky for him, he gets to read it to me and his mom and his Lulu and Pappy... every day.

Blossom Valley Bible Church

2006-09-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Blossom Valley Bible Church, originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Drew's 1st Day of School

2006-08-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

_JEF6427w, originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

If you click on this picture, read the picture captions. Drew is doing so well in school. He loves it. It's short, and he's already reminding us to do stuff for his class. It reminds me that we need to be so much more purposeful in what we are teaching him from day to day.
Joseph is now benefitting from my mom's expert teaching experience. If you haven't seen Joe in the last month you would be amazed at how he is blossoming. I know it's a cliché, but that's just how it is. A few months a go his personality was wrinkly, scrunched up, and not nearly as nice as it could have been. He's still got his little devious streak, but he is communicating so well. He is happy, he loves people, and tells them often.
Harley has been sick. She hasn't nursed in two days. Heidi is a little scared. She's not ready to stop nursing. So we're hoping it's just congestion. Our boys both nursed until they were one, and they quit on their own.
I'm excited about the possibility of becoming a youth pastor at my parents church (our church too, but we haven't been there long.) I'm not giving up on my photojournalism dreams, but I am following where the Lord is leading.
We are also trying to get 100 people to give us $20 dollars a month for the next three year. That way would could pay off my student loans quickly and save well over $30,000 dollars. The ultimate goal is to get to Mali, start a media ministry over there, and serve a country of people who know what it means to suffer.
Call us!

2006-08-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

_JEF5582cw

2006-08-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

_JEF5582cw, originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

This is Autumn Hodge. She belongs to Eric and Christine Hodge, two of our best friends. This blog entry concerns friends.
Spur-of-the-moment (that means we planned five days in advance in we-have-three-kids-under-five language) Heidi and I decided to go down to Ojai for the weekend. Our friends were totally accommodating, and we were able to see so many people. This was the first time I had been back since we moved.
It was so good for me. I never really missed any of our Ojai friends. I would ask Heidi, "Why don't I miss them like you do? They were my best friends too." I mean... I did miss them, but not the kind of 'miss' that moves from your chest to your throat and back. That’s how I used to feel when we had to leave Granny’s house and my cousins when we were little.
On our last night there four couples got together with our seven kids and one on the way. It was a zoo, a great zoo. These people really love us, and they love our children in the same way we do. We love them and their children.
As we were leaving I realized what good friends God has given us, and I said we should all pray before we left. Then I felt that kind of 'miss' that moves from your chest to your throat and back. I couldn’t, so I asked Eric to pray, and he did a wonderful job of giving God glory for all He has given us, just like I wanted to.
I want to honor these friends. They mean so much to us.

July 29, 2006 Self-Portrait

2006-07-31T12:18:00.000-07:00

_JEF4383w, originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Hello FrazeeFamily Fans.
I've worked my tail off for the last three days, 37.5 hours. Sports isn't my passion to say the least, but I'm glad my editor made me stay and work all the angles. I met a lot of people, and I enjoyed being a part of such a big event. I love learning how to do new things, and shooting Champ Car racing is a new thing.
My parents are home from Kenya. It sounds like an amazing vacation. Africa is truly a land of contrasts. They ate amazing food, 60% of which was thrown away in some cases, at these amazing hotels and camps. A stones throw away, literally, was a village of 600 people who had to let their cattle go because they couldn't feed them. They hope the stock will find water and survive. Then they can collect them next year, when the rains come. People are living of the brink of starvation.
It seems to me that they could supply aid to the North... but they won't. God, move in that country and provide for your people.
It is hard to be a compassionate, giving believer in America. God, move in our lives too.

2006-07-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Heidi and I have always thought we would end up back on the mission field. Wanting to be humble and open to God's leading we tried not to put our own desires in the way. But you know what, God is so good. He is the good dad that we've always dreamed of. Tell Him what you want, and ask Him what He wants.
I would have to say that my daughter Harley was one of the clearest answers to prayer that I have experienced. I believe that is the way God always is. Usually, His timing isn't out timing. But, in general, God and man are on the same time schedule when it comes to the 9-month time span from when a baby is conceived to when he or she is born. So when I was talking to God and telling him that I really wanted a girl, I was pretty sure I was going to get a 'yes' or 'no' before the year was done.
Our underlying desire has been to return to Mali. We love the people and the life there. And it seems God is opening the doors for us. We have been talking with WorldVenture. (That’s the mission we went out with before, but they used to be called CBInternational.) As it stands now we are in contact with missionaries on the field, and we are building up a vision of the ministry we would be doing there. I would likely be doing photojournalism, possibly for the newspaper in the capitol city, Bamako. And I would be working on a documentary film. I have been encouraged to teach these skills too because up-to-date education is lacking limiting opportunities for young Malians.
First we need to pay off our school loans. If we were to pay them all off ourselves, it would take about 10 years. We want to move our children while they are still young because it is so much easier for them. So we are counting on God and his Body, the church, to help us get rid of our debt. The director for West Africa said that the mission would not accept gifts for student loans because they are considered personal gifts. So people wouldn’t be able to get tax deductions. If you really want to get me fired up you can ask me what I think about people who give to the work of God to get a tax benefit.
This picture is from a photo shoot I did in Coté d’Ivoire. It was a turning point for me, and it lead me to photojournalism instead of commercial photography. Click on the picture to see some pictures of Heidi and me when we first moved to Mali.
I’m going to try to put up a new post every Friday. So check back often.

IMGP1968_W

2006-07-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

IMGP1968_W
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

This photo cracks me up. Harley is learning to communicate better, but at this point that only means that she now knows that if she screams in this really loud, angry way she gets attention more quickly. When she really means business she switches to this low growl that means, "I'd kick your *** if I had enough motor function to stops my hands from hitting me in the face."
So the newest news is that Heidi and I are seriously looking into moving back to Mali, West Africa. We lived there in '99 - '00, and Heidi lived there from when she was 8 until 18.
We would love to raise our children there. It's one of the last African nations where families can really feel safe. Of course we felt safe in Coté d'Ivoire, and that didn't turn out so well. More importantly, you can't be safer anywhere than where God wants you.
Don't forget to click on this picture to see more pictures. I know I've been stuck on Harley lately. Can you blame me? I'll have pictures of the boys up soon.

_JEF2124w

2006-07-05T14:59:00.000-07:00

_JEF2124w
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Each year we watch the fireworks from the roof of Su Casa. That's what we call the studio that my family stays in. This was the first time that Drew and Joe joined us. Joe didn't last long, and Drew was afraid the close fireworks were going to land on us. Harley Joy didn't come up on the roof, but she watched wide-eyed with Lulu and Granny down below.
Oh yeah, Heidi made amazing burgers and an ice cream cake that I'd give my left two lug nuts for.

_JEF0874w

2006-07-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

_JEF0874w
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

This shot just kind of grabbed me. It is unlike what I usually shoot, but I love it. Click on the photo to go to flickr. Then you can click on 'All Sizes' and really look around in the photograph.
I have a little more insight because I watched the whole thing happen, but I want to know what you think about the body language of the two people kissing.
Regarding the previous post, Heidi did kind of freak out when I said I was thinking about focusing more on our lives and ministries in San Jose instead of focusing on moving on. By the end of the conversation, she said she trusted me and that she go wherever I went or stay wherever I stayed. Guys, you can imagine how good it feels to hear stuff like that. God has blessed me with Heidi every day since the day we met. He's too good to us.
So I'm working at Kiddie Kandids in the mall. I just finished training, and I start work on Thursday. I thought, "If PF Bentley heard about this he would roll over in his grave... Well, he'd have a heart attack, die, and then roll over in his grave." He is my teacher that said, "If you turn in a picture of a cute kid, he better be holding a crack pipe or an AK-47." On the flip side, I don't think PF could do this job. We're each suited for different things, and I'm good with kids.
For those of you who pray for me and my family, keep praying that God would provide for our needs. He always has, but we would love to be making enough money to take care of our basic needs and support more missionaries and 3rd world kids. We'd love to adopt too. So you could start praying about that. Oh yeah, and pray for a sense of peace about where God has us.
Let us know how we can pray for you too. My e-mail address is on the contact page of my website, jefffrazee.com

_JEF1111_web

2006-06-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

_JEF1111_web
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Hey! It's been a while. This is my old man. I made this picture for him to put into a frame that he gave to my mom. You push a button on the frame and it says 20 different things like, "I'm sorry we argued. I knew you were right all along... I just couldn't admit it." "Do want to go see that movie you wanted to see? There's nothing on TV but ball-games."
I'm still loving living with my parents. I think I'm going to try to stay there for a long time. Of course, I haven't sprung that on my wife or parents yet. So I'll keep you posted.
I really think we could have a good thing going here. What I really want is for us all to start being purposeful about the way we minister to the people around us. We have such a happy family. We have what so many people want, and if we opened our doors wider, I wouldn't be surprised to see people drawn in... and maybe even
healed from their hurts. Give me a call, and we'll talk about it more in depth.

Silver Creek Graduation

2006-06-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

Silver Creek Graduation
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Hey photo fans,
Here are three assignments I shot in the past couple days. This guy's name is Chigozie Ndekwe. It's always exciting to talk to someone from West Africa, like my wife. Unfortunately, I knew more about W.A. He never lived there.
The other assignments in here are a portrait of high school sport award winners and the preliminary elections in San Jose. It's always nice when the guy you're assigned to wins.
I heard from a paper in Northern California the other day. It's the first time a paper called me. So it was pretty exciting. It was really vague, and the prospects didn't sound real good, but didn't care.
I'm so happy where I am, and I'm so excited to see where God is leading.

o_joe

2006-04-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

o_joe
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

This is fun with a fisheye. I took a shot of each persons face on Easter morning. Actually, I forgot Harley Joy. It's already begun. I'll post a picture of her soon.
I got a call from a paper just south of here that wants me to start stringing for them. I haven't had a second call, but it gave me some hope.
I have a secret desire that I will always be able to work part time hours... well, as long as I can be such a constant influence in my children's lives. When they head of to school I'll have to reevaluate my priorities.
Heidi is off to Ojai tomorrow. She will be scrapbooking with some of her best friends for 12 hours a day. The boys and I will be lucky if we cross her mind twice in the next four days... other than how we fit into a layout. Ok, I'm lying. She's amazing, and she has the special lady ability to both be involved in an intense task and thinking about something else.
I think she's trying to talk to my while I'm typing, but I can't really tell. I better go.

almaden_06

2006-04-12T15:59:00.000-07:00

almaden_06
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

I'm beginning to ad printed work to my portfolio. So I put it up here first. Hopefully, I'll ad some interesting interface on my other website.
Tell all your editor friends that they should take a look at my work. I'd love to get hired!
Maybe this will be the means through which God shows me where He wants me to go.

drew_puddle_splash_01

2006-04-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

drew_puddle_splash_01
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

San Jose has had many rainy days. It hasn't bothered me a bit. I love it.
You can see that my boys love it too. I wish you could all see how wonderful my little family is.
My dad often asks me if I ever feel like my life is so good that it couldn't possibly get any better. I'm still his kid so I can't seem to give him a simple answer, but the simple answer is... Yes!

_DSC8393

2006-03-29T21:16:00.000-08:00

_DSC8393
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Joseph has these piercing blue eyes. He definitely gets them from me, but he has taken them to a whole new level. My kids have me wrapped around their fingers, and Joe's eyes are one of his main tools in bending me to his will.
I'm shooting regularly for the Almaden and Evergreen Times. Mostly I shoot sports, and I really need to invest myself in finding a photo story in this area. I've got some ideas, but I haven't made any of them happen. I really want to tell in-depth biographies that reveal something about mankind, what's important, and where our strengths or weaknesses lies.
I get to spend a lot of time with my family, like I always have. I often think that God is keeping me from what I'm pursuing (challenging/full-time work) so that He can bless me with constant interaction with my family. Everyday I sing and dance with my boys. I read to them and tuck them in nearly every night, and I pray with them at least once a day, often two or three times. Can you imagine?! Every day!
From the time I was 12 or so, I have been saying that I wanted to grow up to be a dad, and I am. God answered a prayer that I mostly prayed in jest. He's an amazing God, I haven't nearly got Him figured out.

home_main

2006-03-29T21:02:00.000-08:00

home_main
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Hey all,
It's been a while since I wrote. All is well.
This is a screen shot of my cousin's new web site. If you've got a little baby and a little dough you should check it out .
These are birth announcements, basically, but there the kind of thing you'll keep... pretty much forever. He made one for my second son, and he made one as an invitation to his son's first birthday. They're still up, everyone notices them.
Anyway...

San Jose Snow

2006-03-18T17:16:00.000-08:00

San Jose Snow
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Hey folks,
So people love these shots. As a journalist, it doesn't light my fire, but it's great to get the kudos. It kills me when every week on MSN the nation votes for a photos of a dog with a duck at sunset over the shot of an Iraqi insurgent father comforting his son as he's led off to prison.
Nonetheless, I have appriciated God's creation more in the last couple of weeks than I have in a year, and for that I am thankful. It is also really nice to get published.
I'm still making next to nothing. Pray that God would continue to provide for us in such a way that we would be able to continue supporting Serene in Senegal, the Kingsley's in Ireland, and Brenda in Guinea. I'm confident He will.

coffeeanyone

2006-03-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

coffeeanyone
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

How cute are these guys. Heidi was buying some coffee at Starbucks and the barista gave the boys free hot chocolate. They're almost always this cute. You should have seen them today: blowing bubbles (Joe poured out the bubble jars when he got bored) and running up the hill through the grass. Hands down, Joe has the cutest walk and run.
Check out this link to our other cute hero-in-a-half-shell. jefffrazee.com/harley_ninja_turtle/

worldmap

2006-03-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

worldmap
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

This map shows the countries I have visited: 26 year in the US, 2 years in Coté d'Ivoire, 1 year in Mali, 1 week in Hungry, a week in France, a week in Switzerland, and 1 day in the UK. Even if I had really explored these countries, it would add up to 3% of the world.

statemap

2006-03-04T15:02:00.000-08:00

statemap
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

I've explored the US more than any other place... I have only spent a day or two in a couple of the state marked here, and that totals 21% of the US. So at the very best, I have seen 21% of 3% of the world. That's about a half of a percent. I can't wait to see more. I might have to live past 100. Check out this link douweosinga.com/projects/visitedstates/

amgen_002

2006-02-24T13:36:00.000-08:00

amgen_002
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

I thought I'd give you a taste of my work this week. My neck is killing me from standing on the road side holding all of my gear for hours. I got chapped lips and a sunburn (twist the knife for all of my loved ones in Michigan, yes, a sunburn in February), but it reminded me what I love about photojournalism... people. I love getting to know people and exploring their experiences.
Click on this picture to read more about it and a couple other shots from my two day assignment.

fam_fe_feb_06

2006-02-13T23:14:00.000-08:00

fam_fe_feb_06
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

We live in a beautiful place. As I was driving my boys back from buying Valentines presents for their mom, I was saying to them, "Praise God. Look at what He did. It's amazing." The colors in the hills were completely oversaturated (the way Heidi likes to make pictures). It looked too good to be true.
I am excited about the next couple of portfolios I'm sending out. I guess I have been excited about nearly all of them... Oh well, I'm developing thick skin and setting my eyes more and more on the Lord.

jeff_kids_mall

2006-02-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

jeff_kids_mall
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

So I guess you can't leave posts if you don't have a blog. It didn't used to be like that.
I'm trying to resolve what God thinks of me with what other people think of me. I feel preasured to be working. From moment to moment, I try to make the best use of my time, and honestly, I haven't looked for a "real job" yet. I've been shooting for Times Media Inc., but they don't pay me. I've tried to get them to pay me, but they haven't really responded. Then I have been taking care of work around my parents and grandma places, and I send out portfolios whenever I hear about a new opportunity at a newspaper. There are 7 more that I am going to be sending out this Monday.
Is that good enough, God? Praise God, He continues to uphold His promise to provide for our needs.
I've been thinking that we should start moving toward missions. We know that we want to move back overseas someday. And while we don't feel the Lord leading us anywhere in particular, I think it would be really good for us to align ourselves with churches and individuals. It could be really good for the church to see that it often takes people many years to get on the field. Usually the church just sees the last year or so as people collect the money they need to leave for the field.

_DSC1484

2006-01-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

_DSC1484
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Here's Krysten just before midnight on the 31st. Click on the picture to see our family from December 27th through 31st. Hopefully, I'll get up-to-date soon. If you want prints, I'll put these pictures on snapfish. Write to me for a link to Snapfish.

_DSC2809

2006-01-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

_DSC2809
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Okay, I know how completely unimportant this picture is. I should be telling you about the great Christmas we had or about my father and bellemére who just underwent surgery. I'm sure it would be more interesting to hear about my two-month-old daughter, but I just got a new toy, a fisheye lens. So keep coming back to see pictures of my kids and wife with enormous heads and tiny bodies.

joe_cactus_02

2005-12-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

joe_cactus_02
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Okay, this really is my last post. I told my brother, Jim, (who, consequently, is engaged to Becca Marie) that I would post these. I wanted to show him how tough my number two son is. So click on this picture and browse the other images of his Thanksgiving experience.

harley_sleeping_01

2005-12-17T09:32:00.000-08:00

harley_sleeping_01
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

I hope you all have moments like this. It's so good to be trusted.
Isn't it unbelievable (almost) that the Creator of the universe became one of these. He really gave up everything long before He died for us.
In IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Clarence the angel says he jumped into the river to save George the despondant man. George couldn't understand. Clarence jumped in the river first. How was he trying to save George who was, apparently, standing on firm ground.
How is it that God thought He could save us by becoming weaker than we are, by making Himself dependant on us?
Read one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). Can I say this without sounding cliché? Probably not, It's The Best Story!!
I'm signing off until January. In the packing process, it's time to pack the computer. Here's your homework over the break: leave some good comments on this blog. It's not that hard to figure out. It's free. You can be anonymous. No excuses.

drews_shoe

2005-12-15T23:18:00.000-08:00

drews_shoe
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Click on this photo, and the other photos to read more.
This is a shot I took of Drew's shoe tonight.
He's a cool kid. Some day I'll have to post a shot of him playing with his hair. I'll bet that cute little habit is going to drive some girl wild... someday.

drew_xmas_concert_01

2005-12-15T23:15:00.000-08:00

drew_xmas_concert_01
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

I don't have any idea what those kids where singing, but look at them, they're just singing their hearts out. I had a good night with my son tonight. I got him, all sudsy, out of the bath and we talked for a while. I put him to bed and we prayed. He told me about some kids that say bad words, and I told him I would teach him a verse about bad words tomorrow.
So often, God uses my family to keep me grounded. I have to be careful that I don't put them above Him. For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of having a family just like the one I have now, but my finite mind is just begining to grasp what a blessing it is to be a child of God. I'm a part of His family, and I barely even take advantage of it.

hei_chu_joe_har_01

2005-12-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

hei_chu_joe_har_01
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Just looking at this picture brings be back to a place of serenity. When weighed on an honest set of scales my life proves to be pure gold. Still, I have a lot of termoil that runs deep. I know that God has good plans for my life. He has proven it every minute of the last 29 years. But I get pretty twisted up thinking about the future. I find myself thinking, "God why don't you show me what to do soon. Right now, I'm honoring you, but I don't know how long I can keep it up. Provide for me like You said You would."
I know it's only my faith that's lacking.

harley_01

2005-12-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

harley_01
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

This is our first baby girl. I don't know exactly what you're supposed to do with a girl, but a lot of our friends have girls. So they'll give us some tips. My uncle says, "An issue is never finished, and never give in." That's a paraphrase. I don't really like that idea. So I'm going to start working in the opposite direction. I'll give in as often as possible, and I'll talk with her until I understand her completely.

_DSC8841

2005-11-20T16:24:00.000-08:00

_DSC8841
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

So here's a shot of our contented baby.
God has blessed us in so many ways. He's God with or without the blessings, but I would have to say that I have learned the most about who God is through all the blessings He has poured out on me and my family.
We weren't playing any music through the headphones, but I'm guessing the baby likes to listen to Issa Bagayogo, Paul Simon, and Johnny Cash... just a guess.

_DSC8777

2005-11-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

_DSC8777
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

We're so happy for them. We'd love to hold our baby, but honestly, our baby is really easy to care for at this point. As soon as the kid comes out they take all of mom's time and energy for weeks and weeks. So Heidi is content. We're happy to wait.
We're really going to miss this family, if and when God takes us out of Ojai. Nonetheless, I'm sure they will be life long friends. This is the longest we have lived close to good friends.

_DSC8751

2005-11-20T16:12:00.000-08:00

_DSC8751
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

Eric and Christine beat us to the punchline. They got a little head start. Heidi says it's a little strange to be the only pregnant one now.
We can't wait to see who she becomes.

family_pic_02

2005-11-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

family_pic_02
Originally uploaded by Jeff Frazee.

This isn't even a good picture, but I'm amazed just looking at it. The contrast between what I deserve and what I have is so vast that I can get absolutely lost in it.
Praise the Lord.

Blog force trama

2005-10-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess it was inevitable. I never intended to start blogging. I always said I would just spend the time updating my website, which, I have actually forgotten how to do.
Matt Kingsley was always trying to force me to get a blog. He was like, "You've got to get a blog. Everyone else has a blog. No body is going to like you until you get a blog. Jesus would have had a blog!" I stood strong against the pressure.
So I was minding my own business, looking at an old college buddies blog (Jon Covell), and I wanted to make a comment about kids eating vegetables. Next thing you know I'm on screen three of 'create your own blog.
Well, I guess there's no turning back now...