Cool Breezes

I spent my retreat- week in one of the hottest places on earth. Well, I haven’t actually been to all places on earth…but the coast of Kenya just before the rains is HOT.

I grew up in West Texas, so I’m not unaccustomed to the heat. But this was beyond anything I had ever experienced before.

Way beyond.

Everyday, when we sat outside for meals, walked to and from the meetings, sat in the shade to visit or study…we were suffocated by the heat.

I longed for, in those warm moments….

Just, ONE COOL BREEZE...

There were a few airconditioned rooms around...the rooms we met in for our sessions and the rooms we slept in. I LOVED walking into the air conditioned rooms.

The cool air…revived, refreshed….made me able to press on.

Much like my time with my sisters…



The pictures you see testify to God’s provision in my life. His “cool breeze” in the midst of the suffocating heat of battle.

Sweet, sweet, sisters…whose stories of dedication, perseverance, surrender, faith…and miracles…

Inspire me, revitalize me and remind me…

God never calls us down a road and then abandons. He enables us to walk the journey.

He, in His extravagant love, even makes it enjoyable some of the time!

I am so thankful for the many wonderful women of God who’ve led me, walked with me and prompted me to enjoy the trip…through the years.

Some of these sisters have just entered my life and already are soul friends in the most precious way.




Thank you Lord for these. My life, my faith, my Journey is much sweeter for sharing it with your daughters.

And to my heroes in the West (Africa that is)…you ROCK! You heat-bearing, child-raising God-honoring girls! I am amazed that you survive this continent with sweat pouring off your heads. I pray daily for His cool breezes to revive your spirits. I love you!

Solo

This week I'm going to do something rare and a bit unsettling...

I'm going on a trip by myself.

Actually, I will be with 40-50 other women...

All of us set to talk, laugh, learn, study, pray and seek...

But, as I pack ONE bag and ONE lunch...

And prepare, this evening for my journey...

I feel a strange set of feelings...

Please pray for our travels...there are alot of mommies, teachers, wives, fiances, girlfriends and sisters traveling for this retreat. Pray for travel mercies and safety.

Please also pray for my precious ones who will wait at home. And the Super Dad who will be holding down the fort while I'm away.

I'll let you know how everything goes...

Nine Years and Counting...

I really don't have words sometimes.



My thankfulness for this gift has no bounds.

Her joy. Her amazing creativity. Her genuine love for people.

Her hunger to be close to God.

Nine years.

It is an honor to be your Mom, Kinley.

I love you...more than words can ever say.

Bleach Update...

So... I think I have figured it out.

He didn't drink it.

First, the bleach bottle was almost empty on the day in question. There was less than 1/8 of a bottle left...if that.

Second, three year olds lie/pretend (sometimes its a fine line).

And third, there have been no symptoms that an acid was ingested into his body. (symptoms which would include blood in vomit and diahrea and burns on the tongue, throat, esophagus and stomach)

When I asked him again today about the incident...he repeated the same details. Except he added the "bad guy children" to the story. Apparently, he didn't die from the bleach drinking because the "bad guy children" took him down into the hole and fixed him (No, we haven't been letting him watch Lost...)

So, to summarize...

1. Drinking bleach is really bad.

2. Three year olds lie.

3. There was only a very tiny amount of bleach in our home at the time in question. (And it is kept on a high shelf.)

So, I think we are in the clear.

Now, onto the "pretend" vs "lies" review...

Enlightening

In a recent, informal interview with the youngest in our household...






What is your best song?
"Old Man Noah Built an Ark. Jesus Loves Me."

Favortie food?
"Hot dogs and fish and rice"

Favorite drink?
"Koolaid and water. But not water at night. I like koolaid."

Favorite toy?
"Guess what? Thomas" (...as in Tank Engine)

Favorite friend?
"Jotham"

Favorite place to go?
"Jotham’s house"

What’s your favorite blanket?
"Thomas blanket."

What makes you sad?
"Bleach, when I drink it."

When did you drink bleach?
"Yesserday I went to da kitchen and put bleach in my cup and dranked it and you weren't dere. It made me sad to drink dat bleach."

Pause....

What makes you happy?
"Bleach."


And with that...I'm off to find the bleach bottle and perhaps have a chat with poison control...

Quiet Water

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

What an unbelievable gift it is when someone recognizes that you are tired. Then validates it. Then offers you rest.

Rest involves surrender.

Two honorable practices, that my life needs more and more of.

Rest.

And surrender.

“Take my yoke…”

Jesus asks us, tenderly, to let Him lead. Gently. Humbly. Restfully led.

Can I confess to you that His isn’t always the leading I follow? Most often, I follow myself…which inevitably leads to me running in circles like a kitten chasing her tail.

Silly to watch. Completely unproductive. Exhausting.

Today, I seek His rest. His yoke. His gentleness.

Tuning my ear, again, to His voice. His commands.

Dear Father,
In the midst of the children’s noise…their growing, their learning, their needing…help me to take on your easy yoke, your light burden and follow you. Thank you for loving me anyway, on the days I “chase my tail”. Forgive me for not listening. Open my ears and my heart to heed your direction. I know you are the Way.
In Jesus I pray…


“The Lord is my shepherd…
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3

We Interrupt This "Blog Fast"...

Yes indeedy.

Every once in awhile...the otherwise obstinate internet system...works....

And the otherwise dejected missionaries...actually accomplish a portion of their internet to-do list...

And many happy hearts rejoice!

At Last...

Faith Quest Moments...