Sunshine amidst Clouds

 I've still been struggling with some illness.  But these moments stand out like sunshine in the midst of the clouds.  Gratitude is medicine.  And I'm taking liberal doses!  Hopefully, the doctors have me on the proper treatment now and I'll be well next time I post gratitude in a week! 

a golden afternoon
boys running
time spent here. all here.

helpful little boys
learning the value of work
cold water on a hot day

an impromptu playdate with the cousins
late afternoon sun
energy burning fun

hot dogs and fries after some hard playtime

happy bellies

a sister-in-law to hang out with when the men go see a movie!

10 Days to Intentional Parenting

Last week I found a series of blog posts that slowed me down.  And it was wonderful.  I wasn't feeling that well, so slow was just my pace.  And I enjoyed every minute of week one: 10 Days of Intentional Parenting.  Looking forward to week two!

Her challenge on Day 3:  So today, my task for you is to start to document your life, your day, just a bit.

This is about intentionally beginning to see the beauty that is in your life around you

counting the gloriously mundane, finding beauty in the mess (#6294-#6324):

6294.  piles of books and crumbs in my bed- a cozy afternoon with my boys
6295.  giggling so hard we couldn't stop
6296.  a new toy car- saved for a rainy day

6299.  boys playing so nicely for 2 hours straight
6300.  laundry. done.
6301.  Caleb's "help" folding laundry

6310.  a mama-Seth day

6311.  doing what he wants to do.

6312.  his joy when i pay attention

6313.  an empty square on my calendar.
6314.  nothing to do but rest

6315.  bare-chested little man,
6316.. war-paint on his face
6317.  intently, and fearlessly, studying the grasshopper.

6318.  sunset glory.
6319.  pausing to savor
6320.  little boys who enjoy beauty

6321.  "far far" (an indian snack) fried for a delicious Family Game Night snack
6322.  sitting on the floor with all my men
6323.  time together.
6324.  this beautiful, everyday life.

Friday Five: Retreat Testimonies

At the close of retreat we went around the room and shared a brief word on what God had done for us on retreat.  Here are five brief testimonies:

1. My word for this retreat is "rest"-physical rest and spiritual rest.  
2. God has shown me that there are issues of forgiveness in my life that I hadn't even recognized
3. I learned how to listen to God- (from a youth)
4. All the teachings were beneficial, but what I really got from retreat is a renewed hope for our team.
5. God has renewed my passion!

God moved on retreat and He is still moving.  Thank you for your prayers.   For more testimonies, head over to the 24/7 Prayer Blog!

TIA: Hospitality

It was one of those scary, exhausting nights- getting out of bed at 2am because Seth was having an asthma attack.  on retreat.  in a town we were unfamiliar with.  He was barking and wheezing, unable to breathe deep.  His finger nails were getting a bluish tint.  We had to get him to a hospital.  Would there be a hospital?  The night guard heard our commotion- Seth sounded bad.  And he brought the night manager.  As soon as he saw Seth he said, let's get in your vehicle.  I'll take you to the hospital.  TIA #1- this man coming with us to the hospital in the middle of the night.

At the hospital they got an IV in Seth on the first try- amazing.  Love gift from Jesus.  And after three medicines, moved us from Triage to a private room.  They were admitting us.  Sweet mama nurse kept praying and saying "God is good.  God is kind. You are a good boy".  Such an encouragement.  TIA #2- the faith and strength of this older Ugandan woman. 

Josh left to get some rest while I "slept" in bed with Seth.  When he called later to see what I needed him to bring, I said- a thermos of chai.  I need sugar and caffeine.  The hotel did not have any small thermoses.  But the restaurant coordinator, Honest, whom I had been working with, sent me chai in her own personal travel mug.  TIA #3- chai sent in her own mug- such generosity of spirit.

I love this country and her people.  Seth is doing fine now- thank you for your prayers that crazy night and day.  God hears and answers!

Tuesdays With...

Uncle John and Aunt Beth :)  There is no one who can take the place of grandparents in our lives... but as we were leaving Josh's parents' house to move to Africa, I felt sad that our boys wouldn't have that same influence in their lives here.  Little did we know that God had Uncle John and Aunt Beth already living in our backyard!  

Yesterday we went to see the Lorax at the movie theater downtown.  Uncle John asked if he could buy the popcorn.  And then after the movie (at 6pm) he asked if he could treat for ice cream.  Sure!  Who needs dinner!  Some days you just have to eat popcorn and ice cream for dinner :)  So, grandparents back home, we love you!  And have no fear, people are spoiling us just fine on your behalf! 

examine your assets....

"Nothing at all beside this manna"- that was the deep source of their discontentment.  At first they had enjoyed the manna immensely.  It tasted like wafers made with honey and was quite a novelty, but they soon got tired of it.  Their minds strayed back to the good old diet, and the more they savored it in imagination the more insipid the manna became.  They were no longer satisfied with what God provided.  For us, this means Jesus, and He is all God ever promised us.  He may add or take away a great many other mercies, but all we actually need to be content is in Jesus; and if He doesn't content us, nothing else ever will." -Patricia St. John, Missing the Way

She goes on to say, we can mope around and complain about all we don't have (that never would have satisfied us anyway)...

"or we can sit down and examine our assets.  "Nothing... besides this manna"- then back to the manna!  Can it satisfy us, or can it not?"

 so I'm examining my assets today- counting each grain of manna (#6259-#6273):

6259.  being present with Seth
6260.  joy in putting my computer down and doing what he wants
6261.  him curled up in my arm with a good book

6262.  MK Night- silliness. pizza. laughter. What About Bob? cookies. movie quotes.
6263.  Caleb and Kaleb :)
6264.  this house- big enough for many

6264.  lazy Sabbath morning
6265.  time to just be
6266.  puppy prep day
6267.  little men learning from their daddy.  just like he learned from his.
6268.  a doggy mansion for this tiny pup

6269.  nephews in the big city.  getting ready for nephew #3
6270.  pile of books.  rainbow of crayons.  mountain of sand.
6271.  joys of boys. bouncy boys! 

6272.  and even if I had none of these lovely gifts, I'd still have You. 
6273.  Jesus, precious Jesus.

giving a shout-out to my lovely WGM Uganda Ladies!  We're reading "Missing the Way" together, a happy gift from our retreat speaker, Beth Coppedge.  You need this book in your life- buy it here for $3.50!  Read along with us!  We'd love to have you. 

joining up with the gift-listers, and manna-gatherers, at Ann's:

long time coming

our days have been gloriously full.  before Easter my last post was March 30.  so i've been absent from our blog.  life is just too good to miss!

counting moments and gifts from our field retreat:

6140.  retreat. safe journey.
6141.  a bathroom with a porcelain toilet, and toilet paper.  worth standing in line for!
6142.  timely drive. happy people

6146.  Dr. Coppedge's good word on discipleship and Spirit-filled living.
6147.  a normal Christian life is possible!  Holiness!
6148.  sweet time of worship

6154.  like father, like son.
6155.  we actually live in Africa.
6156.  a cool breeze on a lazy afternoon
6157.  rest.

6173.  sweet women's prayer time
6174.  Beth Coppedge's love for You and her leadership here.
6175.  Your women circled here- back to back.

6176.  Seth gasping for air- but You are with us.  You steady me.
6177.  a helpful hotel manager escorting us to a hospital
6178.  drugs to open his airways.
6179.  skillful nurse, IV line in on the first try!
6180.  a private room.  sheets on the bed!
6181.  sweet mama Theresa, an older nurse "God is good.  God is kind.  You are a good boy."
6182.  Jo and Billy on their knees interceding for us.
6183.  Beth sitting with us.
6184.  his first deep breath.
6185.  sweet mama relief as his breathing stabilizes.
6186.  Your holy presence... the air I breathe.
6187.  You inhabit the praises of Your people.
6188.  I can thank You even here.  even now.

6202.  this quiet lovely garden
6203.  delicate intricacies, brilliant colors.
6204.  rain-kissed beauty

6205.  words of testimony from each one.  You're moving deep.
6206.  renewed hope in our team.
6207.  Beth's blessing over us- feet dipped in anointing oil, glory shoes on, fresh dew daily
6208.  as our days, so shall our strength be!
6209.  You will thrust out the enemy before us!
6210.  You have begun to give- may we begin to possess!

He is Risen Indeed!

Celebrating our life in the risen Lord today!  With grateful hearts we rejoice that both our boys have Jesus in their little hearts this year, so Easter has special meaning to each one of us.  They are getting it!  Hallelujah!  Our efforts have not been in vain.

"sad" faces on Good Friday

One thing that helps our boys each year to really experience the sadness of Good Friday, and the joy of Easter is our Lenten Garden.  We wrote about it a few years ago, and while we had to adjust a little bit this year in Uganda, the tradition is still alive.  And we've added some characters- like soldiers at the tomb and the angel and Mary on Easter morning.  It's fun to watch our boys connect to The Story on which all of life and history hangs!

Happy Easter from our family to yours!