grace- fresh air

As I encounter men and women here in Uganda who have faced poverty, hardship and trial- I wonder... "Why was I born in America?  Why them, and not me?  Who am I to have such wealth?"  The bottom line is- grace- all of life is undeserved grace.  And God in His wisdom, beyond my comprehension, has given me much- and so I must pour it out to the world- I am His channel of blessings.

excerpts up through #3959

--local snacks (fried grasshoppers)
--He gives grace to try new things!

--food to eat
--Caleb ate all his dinner!

--ice cream, a delicious luxury
--happy, sticky boys

--we found a vehicle!  should be ready by the end of the week
--so blessed to have our own personal transportation

--school playgrounds
--a good, Christian environment to grow in

--toys!  balls! 

--running water
--clean dishes

--beds to sleep in
--brothers to snuggle with
--family. in this transition together!

--beauty.
--flowers from my men
--curtain blowing in the afternoon breeze

--Gloria- our house girl- so helpful
--so good with the boys
--freeing me up for ministry
--someone in my home everyday to pour into

breathing african air

We're here! And last week I'm sorry I didn't post my list- we were at Heathrow Airport in London, and the wifi wasn't free :( But here is what I was grateful for last Monday:

Caleb and Seth both slept... on both 8 hour flights!

And all our luggage arrived!  All 35 pieces between my brother's family and ours!  God is gracious.

And excerpts this Monday, on African soil, inhaling the new smells of African air...#3869-3904

 this corner of organization.  a bright spot in the midst of chaos. 

little boys feeling at home.  watching Backyardigans on dvd.  having our cousin here for the next 10 days

 

 funny things at the grocery store.

  

beautiful women and happy children.  at our welcome BBQ.

 

 good conversations. new friends and partners in ministry.

This view from our balcony. will. never. get. old.  

I refuse...

to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself...

We're about to live the dream... to get on a plane to Africa... 

Is there something God has laid on your heart that you're not living out??  We want you to know we're praying for you.  We're praying as we move to Uganda, that you would be brave and obedient to the calling He's given you. We're so grateful we get to follow Him to Kampala- that the dream is coming true- and we want you to know the same joy and thrill of walking in obedience to Him!!!  

This is the song that inspired today's post.  Praying you'd refuse too :)

today...

 

yeah. we're not even close to packed.  but we're pressing on! 
Thanks for praying!  We need it!

He gives to all breath...

...life... and all things... so that they should seek the Lord, in hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being."-Acts 17:25, 27-28

This is my bedrock verse as we move to Uganda on Sunday. We move on SUNDAY!  Wow.  Who knew this day would ever actually get here?  We've begun the hard goodbyes.  And the enormous task of packing.  And it is actually here.

and we are grateful for how He has carried us thus far.

numbering gifts #3708-#3792 in the past week... not space enough for all the gratitude here... just some snapshots...

breathtaking moments. spectacular sunsets. fragrance of lilacs on the breeze. his arms slipping round my waist. savoring this beauty together.

rain pounding a staccato symphony on our windshield.  birthday picnic in the car.  an unhurried day with my man.  crossing things off our list.

Scott and Meg home!  my mom's kitchen.  30th birthday dinner for me.  family gathered round my mom's table.  tears choking a heartfelt prayer.  this woman who gives and gives.  her graciously lending us to the world.  a mother who should be celebrated everyday of the year.

a refreshing breeze cooling my fevered brow.  no one needing me this night while I'm sick.  Josh's awesome care of our boys.  not having to worry- he's got it under control.  staying in bed until 2pm- sleeping, rehydrating, watching Miss Congeniality.  quoting all the lines- alone- not annoying anyone. laughing out loud.  Josh's attentive care.  this hard eucharisteo- He is with me through it all- truly all the gift I need.

the sun. the sand. the surf.  family together on Mother's Day.  a few moments alone basking in the sun.  the pound of the surf- this ocean we will be flying over next week.  this moment at the edge of land and at the edge of transition- with You so very near.  walking this boardwalk one last time.  a glorious sunset over the bay.  little boy joy over arcade rides.  a little circle of prayer in the middle of the boardwalk.

intricate, vibrant underwater beauty.  this fragile moment.  being all here.  You. Here.  freedom and peace to walk into this hectic week hand in hand. 

Delanco: the place my soul can breathe

 

there are some places where, like Joshua, you drag rocks up from the middle of the river and build an altar so that your children will know what a mighty God they serve.  Delanco Camp is one of those places for me where I have encountered the living God- a place of refuge I can to- the place I've made forever friends- and so this weekend as we said goodbye to this place, the people, and all it represents- until we return in the summer of 2013.  this list of gratitude.  these photos.  are my rocks of remembrance today.

#3668.  these trees- sentries standing at attention for generations

#3669.  bright blue patches of sky through the branches

 

#3670.  the distinctive smell of Delanco. pine. dust. mold. fresh air. the scent of history.

#3671.  these chairs where life on life transforms:  jokes are made.  games are played.  staff meetings held. classes pour Scripture into young lives. 

#3672.  my spiritual home amongst the sand and pines.

#3673.  hands raised in worship- praising You with dance.

#3674.  sand. sun. frisbees. sweat. glory.

#3675. watching their little feet jump from stone to stone.  history repeating itself

#3676.  supportive campers when tears spring up unannounced.

#3677.  an original building from the old camp
#3678.  sweets and a cold soda on a hot day

#3679.  these concrete walls that have seen it all.  have cooled warm bodies in the night.  have listened in on hushed midnight conversations.  have carved their way into my memory forever.

#3680.  the altar in the tabernacle.  marking spiritual milestones.  a place I've encountered the living God.  surrendered my will to His.  cried tears of repentance.

#3681.  this banner of holiness waving for generations.  a patchwork of history stitched by many hands.

#3682.  this boy falling in love with this place.

#3683.  walks around the lake.  heart conversations.  natural beauty creating space to meet God.
#3684.  little leaves in the sun.  nature's confetti!

#3685.  evening sun cascading through the tree.  Caleb says: "glorious."
#3686.  these two silly boys- loving this place.
#3687.  a quiet walk with my boys. savoring the beauty.

#3688.  heart friends made here that will stand the test of time.

#3689.  the words I needed from the mouths of babes, "I know it's hard, Mommy"
#3690.  Seth's precious hands brushing my tears away.
#3691.  being truly loved and sent from here out into the world
#3692.  a circle of prayer embracing us and releasing us.
#3693.  Your hands big enough to hold us- in You all things hold together!
#3694.  You- who are near to the broken-hearted.
#3695.  the lost and lonely souls in Uganda who make all this pain worth it,