Enter in...

naming a year. receiving the gift straight from His hand.  catching His vision for the year ahead.  and He says to me: "enter in."

the israelites didn't get to enter in- "the people of the land shall worship at the entrance..." -Ezekiel 46:3; they could only stand at the door and worship.

but He says to me- "therefore, (daughter), having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for (you), through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, draw near with a true heart with full assurance of faith..." -Hebrews 10:19-22

• enter in to His presence often.  first thing in the morning. throughout the day.  
• enter in to His love.  believe it. trust it.  bask in it. 
• enter in to this glorious partnership-hearing from Him, receiving His plans for each day, participating in His love relationship with the world through service and prayer
• enter in to my inheritance.  enter the land and possess it.  "Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers." Deut 8:1
• enter in to His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise Psalm 100:4
• enter in to this moment.  be present.
• enter in to the other relationships He has placed in my life and not just linger on the periphery.

It's with some fear and trepidation that I choose to enter in, trusting in the goodness of God to meet me, asking for the boldness to enter in by the blood of Jesus, and not any of my own righteousness.   I'm excited.  I'm nervous.  It will definitely be a grand adventure!

The door is swung wide, the garden beckons, the Gardener waits, won't you just enter in?  Come sit awhile, enjoy His presence, receive His gifts.  Enter in.

Where is He leading you?  What will you name 2012?

Happy New Year!

2012 is upon us.  A whole bright new year awaits.  The glittering possibilities dazzle my imagination.  But if I only jump into this new year with my high hopes and great ideas, I will be sorely disappointed.  This year, I must have Him.  I haven't lived that way lately, and oh, I want to. 

So I'm taking some time to evaluate 2011, and plan for 2012- seek His face, set some goals, and dedicate 2012 to the Lord!  I'm using this great resource: Mission-Minded Guide: 2012


We're having some of our WGM team over to celebrate on NYE, but we're going to ring in the new year on our knees.  We'll play some games, eat some food, make some noise, and then after the ball drops, we'll drop to our knees.  Because we dare not enter the year without Him. 

Where is He leading you this next year?  What habits do you want to cultivate?  What will you name the year of 2012?  Need some accountability?  Try out this day planner- that puts first things first.  I'm still not quite sure where He wants my ministry focus next year, but I am certain He wants my soul focus on Him. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  We are so grateful for you and your investment in the kingdom here in Uganda!  May we await His Second Coming expectantly and faithfully!  Watch this video today and join us in celebrating the One who came and is coming again!



Advent: God With Us from The Village Church on Vimeo.

Traditions: Old, New, Modified.

Keeping tradition helps us stay grounded as a family during the holidays.  I am so grateful for the things we can look forward to year after year that make it feel like Christmas.  Year after year, God's people kept feasts and celebrations, they rejoiced in shadows of things to come, waiting. always waiting.  And so we wait, expectantly, celebrating One who has come! And will come again!  Come, quickly Lord Jesus! 

Counting the ways He blesses through traditions:

#5246 Gingerbread houses.  They have been a constant for us since Caleb was a toddler.   I usually cheat and use graham crackers as the walls and roof.  This year we had to modify, hence, gingerbread house cookies were born (thanks Vanessa!).  They were so delicious we weren't even sad that they didn't stand up! 

#5247.  Being a part of an international community.  We are excited to adopt new traditions of around the world.  On Wednesday we went to a Mom and Kids Christmas Party and made Christingels, a British tradition from the Anglican church.  It was a sweet time as we contemplated the world (the orange), Jesus' love that encircles the whole world (red ribbon), His light and His goodness to us (candies and candle).  Then we paused to think of loved ones around the world that we miss and who we want to experience His love this Christmas.  It was so precious to stop and remember the ones we are far away from and pray for them.  A new tradition born!

#5248.  Fun things we can only do in Uganda at Christmas-time- like playing water guns, going to the pool, and eating ice cream!

#5249.  New traditions of our own here in Uganda.  We want to make sure we are celebrating and worshiping Jesus, and so we are trying new ways to bring His light to the people around us.  If you want to be challenged on your own Christmas traditions, read this blog post.  

#5250.  Celebrating in Arua with my brother and his family.  So we also get to participate in their traditions!  Meg has been doing some fun advent devotions with the boys- this one is the angels appearing to the shepherds!

#5251.  Food.   So important part of any celebration!   And I wanted to find some type of Christmas candy to make- and wafer candy was born!  Everything back in the states is made with Oreos or Ritz these days- so I found a wafer cookie that is in all our grocery stores here.  I chopped them into squares and dipped them in melted Cadbury chocolate!  Perfect!

How are celebrating this year?  What traditions do you have that keep Jesus in the middle of the festivities?

Live as Light

"Arise, shine; for your light has come!  For the glory of the Lord is risen upon you." -Isaiah 60:1

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." Ephesians 5:1-8 

Candles flickering.  Scent diffusing throughout the room.  Filling.  Glowing.  Warming.  Dispelling the darkness.


Shine!  Our Light has come!
Be imitators of God. 
Be loved.  Love. 
Give. Give thanks. 
Light.  Live as children of light.


What does that look like in this dark world?  What does that look like at Christmas?  In your hometown?  In Uganda? 


No impurity.  No greed.  No foolish talk.  No idols.  But rather, thanksgiving.  

As we wait on Him, One who came down all for love, He comes to us.  He spreads His love abroad in our hearts.  And we can give that love away.  We don't have to wonder if there will be enough left for us- He takes care of those who give!  We cannot out-give God.  And so we look for ways to love and give and light this weary world, like baby diapers and rice under our Christmas tree.  Our gifts to those who have nothing. 

For us, we are reaching out to a nearby babies home.  The boys and I went to the babies home on Monday to love on the babies.   We wanted to reconnect, since we hadn't been there since summer, and to find out what their needs are.  The boys aren't really connected to need in a real way, and nor are they capable of truly comprehending.  But this was our introduction.  And it was good. And hard.  These babies, in a full house, with lots of aunties, yet all alone.  And it breaks my heart that I can't take even just one of them home.  To our real home, with Christmas tree and cookies, with love and joy and brother-fights, and hope.  But we will do what we can.  And I'll play this song and this song over and over this Christmas. 

I love watching Seth in action- he loves babies.  Caleb isn't quite sure.  So mostly he just handed toys to babies.  And played with the toys.  But it's a first step;  it's a part we can play, and they will grow into it.  I'm excited about that!

What first steps are you taking this year to be light and give Christmas love away?

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies

As a missionary, I'm always faced with challenges opportunities for creativity.  As I've been baking and preparing our home and hearts for Christmas, one thing has been missing- Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks.  I love everything peppermint- so it should come as no surprise to you that I would find a way to bring some peppermint magic to this baking week. 

Here it is: Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies.

You could probably make these easier in the states where things like peppermint extract exist.  But all I had to work with was peppermint tea bags.  So here ya go:

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies
adapted from Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Before you even think about baking- first you need to make your tea infused butter.  Melt 1 cup + 1 T butter in a small saucepan.  When completely melted, pour contents of 4 peppermint tea bags into the melted butter.  Let sit 10 minutes to infuse the flavor into the butter.  Then strain the tea leaves out and refrigerate the butter until you are ready to make the cookies.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup peppermint tea infused butter (room temperature)

1 3/4 cups sugar, divided

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down side of bowl. Add eggs and beat to combine. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture and beat until combined.
2. In a small bowl, add remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Using heaping tablespoons, form balls of dough and roll in sugar. Place, about 3 inches apart, on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until cookies are set in center and begin to crack, about 10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cookies cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to racks to cool completely. (Store in an airtight container, up to 1 week.)  Enjoy!

the gift of famliar...

there are days when i can almost forget we're in Africa.  and other days when it's glaringly obvious.  the traffic.  the stench of burning trash.  the tropical birds (who needs an alarm clock?).  the loud parties blasting Celine Dion late into the night.  the heat. in December.

And so it was such a gift last week to gather with a few other families (and tons of kids) to drink wassail, eat Christmas cookies, and make ornaments together.  it felt normal.  and normal is so good sometimes.

Counting the gifts of the familiar, and the uncomfortable this week:

#5215.  making cookies with my little man.
#5216.  my mom's recipe, a taste of home
#5217.  letting him do it himself, going at his pace.
#5218.  joy in just being together

#5219.  food.  more than enough.  even though it brings the ants.

#5220.  packages from home
#5221.  birthday celebrations extending for weeks
#5222.  love from Grammy and Poppy, and from our champions!

#5223.  first set of LEGOs!
#5224.  seeing my men "work together and figure it out!"
#5225.  joy leaping into my throat
#5226.  this passage into boyhood

#5227.  little boys not too big for crafts yet!
#5228.  Christmas carols playing, mamas chatting, kids crafting
#5229.  a mug of wassail in my hand- "Christmas in a cup!" (recipe below)
#5230.  the joy of opening our home, and giving other families a taste of familiar.

#5231.  You, our true home
#5232.  You, our common bond across continents and cultures
#5233.  You, the reason we celebrate!

#5234.  You, who help me see the glitter in the midst of the mess
#5235.  You, who take the scraps of life and make something beautiful.

Winter Wassail Recipe 
(Or Christmas in a Cup)

Mix in a crockpot (on low):
18 oz. pineapple juice
8 oz. lemon juice
32 oz. orange juice
32 oz. cranberry juice
1 quart water

Simmer on the stove:
1 quart boiling water
5 decaf tea bags
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cloves
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Once the tea and spices have steeped, strain and pour into the crockpot mixture.  Simmer and serve!   Enjoy!

Interview with United Faith Chapel leaders

One of our favorite things about ministry here in Uganda is building relationships with Africans who love Jesus and want to serve Him. The ministry at Kampala International University is called United Faith Chapel and we LOVE spending time with these college students. We see a lot of potential for future ministry with these students and are already seeing the potential come to fruition.

Last week I (Josh) sat down with Edwin Eregwa and Laura Oyieri to discuss the ministry at UFC. Laura and Edwin are former students at KIU,  they are from Kenya but have remained in Kampala because they feel led by God to serve in the leadership of this ministry. God worked in their lives through the ministry and now they want to give back. Grab a cup of coffee and take 6 minutes to listen to their thoughts on the ministry here.

If you ever want to become more involved in the ministry at United Faith Chapel (financially, through prayer, coming to visit, etc) please let me know!

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

... and while it may not be snowing, it certainly is feeling festive here at the Hallahan house!

Enjoy a glimpse into our Ugandan Christmas preparations thus far!  Wish we could celebrate with all of you- but we're just where God wants us.  Remembering this time last year- waiting- wondering when we would ever get to Uganda... and now we're here.  so grateful.  right here. 

listing my gifts- during our tropical advent (#5207-5213):

 fabric scrap garland. snowflakes from home.  pieces of home.  pieces of here.  

 little boys playing with the nativity by candle light.  no power can sometimes be nice.

 advent envelopes.  they traveled from New Jersey to Uganda.  traditions are good for the soul.  

 Jesse Tree.  keeping our Christmas Christ-centered.

 fabric scrap wreath.  handmade beauty.  "using what we have" simplicity.

 

our family. together. in this together. seeking You together. serving You together.

 hand-carved nativity. from Arua Uganda.  You, the very best Gift.

Come, let us adore Him!

2011 Video Update

We wanted to share a video update, so you can picture the full impact of your prayers and support!  God has assembled a great team, and we're thankful you're a part of it!  Enjoy the show-

                       

Leave a comment- how have you been impacted by your involvement with us here Uganda?

Current soundtrack...

Must hear album of Advent.  (Click picture to go to the online player to take a listen for yourself).  It's certainly not new-but it's new to me and I am loving it!  It is the perfect accompaniement to our Jesse Tree devotional this year.  Tracing the story of Jesus from Genesis to the Manger.  Perfect.  How are celebrating advent?  What are you listening to?