We got this letter from our Compassion child that we sponsor right before Thanksgiving. It was a great reminder of how blessed I am, how ungrateful I can be and that there are so many people who love Jesus so much and are grateful for what they have even when they don’t have much.
“Hashakimana greets you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is doing well. He is now in third term of his grade one. He needs your prayers to join another class next year.
At home they are greeting you so much. There is a lot of rainfall and it’s too cold most of the time. It’s hard to walk without a sweater or jacket.
At his place they are weeding crops like maize and beans. It’s hunger season. The only available food is greens and hot water. Beans are scare and difficult to get in the open market if you don’t have enough money so he needs your prayers. He, however, has hope that by November this year they will be testing some fresh beans and some Irish potatoes if the season and the weather are okay. He is preparing for his Christmas and New Year celebrations and he hopes you will share with him in faith to enjoy both Christmas and New Year.
Let the Lord be your guide in everything as they here are told to believe so in Sunday school that he enjoys so much.
God Bless you.”
Monday, November 28, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Thanksgiving
The Maddry Thanksgiving was a wonderful one this year. Caleb and I have spent weeks getting ready for it and talking about it. We made napkin holders, place cards, table decorations and a centerpiece for the table. They all turned our adorable! Our best friends the Zeigler’s came and our Aunty Hannah flew in from Montana to spend time with us. We have MUCH to be grateful for and the people around my table were at the top of my list.
We are so thankful for our friends the Zeigler’s. It has been awesome having friends that have shared in the journey of marriage, kids, air force, and many moves. They have seen us through some of our hardest times and we have also laughed our way through vacations with kids, road trips while pregnant and many, many, many meals! They are an amazing family and I’m so excited at the thought of many more adventures & meals in the future. Our conversations are full of laughter and when we leave their presence we feel rejuvenated. Words cannot express how much we love them and how grateful we are for their friendship.
We are also thankful for our Aunt Hannah who has once again gone out of her way to make a long trek to spend time with us. It is a joy to have her around and watch her play with the boys. She has always been faithful in visiting us even though it’s not always convenient for her. Hannah is almost done with college and we are so proud of her. Not just for her accomplishments, but also for her servant’s heart and the quiet acts of love that she shares with others. You are amazing Hannah and we love you.
Caleb prayed at the table this year and thanked God for his family and the yummy turkey mommy made and then ended his prayer with thanking God that “Jesus died on the cross for us.” So many things and people to be thankful for but at the top of it all is Christ’s sacrifice for us.
We are so thankful for our friends the Zeigler’s. It has been awesome having friends that have shared in the journey of marriage, kids, air force, and many moves. They have seen us through some of our hardest times and we have also laughed our way through vacations with kids, road trips while pregnant and many, many, many meals! They are an amazing family and I’m so excited at the thought of many more adventures & meals in the future. Our conversations are full of laughter and when we leave their presence we feel rejuvenated. Words cannot express how much we love them and how grateful we are for their friendship.
We are also thankful for our Aunt Hannah who has once again gone out of her way to make a long trek to spend time with us. It is a joy to have her around and watch her play with the boys. She has always been faithful in visiting us even though it’s not always convenient for her. Hannah is almost done with college and we are so proud of her. Not just for her accomplishments, but also for her servant’s heart and the quiet acts of love that she shares with others. You are amazing Hannah and we love you.
Caleb prayed at the table this year and thanked God for his family and the yummy turkey mommy made and then ended his prayer with thanking God that “Jesus died on the cross for us.” So many things and people to be thankful for but at the top of it all is Christ’s sacrifice for us.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Daily Prayer
Dear God, for another day, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve you, I am grateful. Please keep me free from the fear of future, from anxiety about tomorrow, from bitterness towards anyone, from cowardice in the face of danger, from laziness in my daily work, from failure before opportunity, from weakness when your power is at hand. But fill me with love that knows no bounds, with sympathy that reaches all, with courage that cannot be shaken, with faith strong enough for the darkness, with strength sufficient for my tasks. Be with me for another day, and use me as you will. Amen.
~The Pilgrim's Prayer Book
~The Pilgrim's Prayer Book
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Our Nana
One of the things that I love about my mom is how much Caleb loves her. She is a fun, crazy, silly grandma that is totally in love with her grandkids. Caleb loves to talk to his Nana on the phone because she tells crazy stories and makes him laugh hysterically. Here are a few pictures to document their relationship.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
The word “love” has been so butchered in the English language. I’m working on a study of God’s love for us and one of the exercises was to rewrite 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and insert the phrase My heavenly Father in place of the word love and the word he in place of the word it. It was awesome to revisit Father’s agape love that he has for each one of his children. After doing this little exercise it reminded me how personal Father’s love is for my life. ~s
"My heavenly Father is patient, My heavenly Father is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. He is not rude, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs. My heavenly Father does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. My heavenly Father never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"My heavenly Father is patient, My heavenly Father is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. He is not rude, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs. My heavenly Father does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. My heavenly Father never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Monday, November 14, 2005
Remembering what it's like to be a kid...
Below are some pictures of our leaf raking afternoon. One of the many things that I love about having kids is how you can live vicariously through them. Remember how much fun leaves were as a kid?!? I have never seen as big of a pile as we (or should I say Joseph) raked. Caleb really got into it this year and would run down the hill in from of our house and jump into the leaves. He had a blast! Luke Bear on the other hand wasn’t too fond of the leaves. I actually have a picture of Caleb when he had his first adventure in the leaves…it was pretty much the same response as his baby brother. We also got a chance to teach Caleb how we can share God’s love with others by raking leaves for the elderly lady next door. He actually got it too! I’m glad that my boys are helping me find ways to show God’s love to others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)