A Husband Like You

All day I have been celebrating in my heart the 64 years of marriage my grandparents celebrate today. It's days like today that make living overseas more difficult than the average day. However, it's people like my grandparents and parents that make living overseas the very place I know I should be. The testimony of their lives, their faithfulness to the Lord, and their love and care and discipleship of my heart are a large part of why I am even here today. Even through separation is hard, I know they are glad I'm here and not there with them! They want me to be where the Lord has called us.

As I celebrated this marker of 64 years, thinking on the goodness of the Lord, his faithful watch care and protection, his abundant provision, his constant leading and guidance, his ever presence with them, I thought too on the hardships that are being journeyed through. Old age isn't easy! I thought on the faithful love my grandparents have, of the way they gently care each day for one another. It made me ask, "Will I make it that long? Do I have what it takes to stay faithful?"

Today was the first day I compared my grandpa to my husband. Although Walt would never even attempt to feign genius (Grandpa cannot claim that), the two men are well read and always reading further. The two of them are extremely humble. They both love those who are yet in God's kingdom, so much they would lay down their lives for them. Both Grandpa and Walt are incredibly thankful people. I have been married only 11 years now but I can't remember a time when Walt complained. But for both of them it isn't just the absence of complaints, it is the presence of thanksgiving. Both are ready, in every season, to give thanks to the Lord because both have an unwavering belief in the goodness of the Father.

As I thought further, I realized this same trait of thankfulness lies in the heart of my dad too, always having us pause to thank the Lord or to recognize his goodness, even in the midst of incredibly trying times. As God continues to refine our family we still see  Grandpa always leading us back to thanksgiving, so does my Dad, and so does Walt! As we walk difficult days with sickness, heartbreak, separations, and unexpected "speed bumps", all three of these men in my life continue to bring us repeatedly to that foundational truth: God is good, therefore we praise him.

So although I may evaluate my faith and the state of my heart and honestly ask the question, "Will I still be giving thanks at 64 years?" I look at the husband God has given me and praise God for the godly traits in him that I have watched in my Dad and in my Grandpa and I am THANKFUL for his faith and his unwavering belief in the goodness of our Father.

Today I celebrate my Grandparents. Today I celebrate my parents. Today I celebrate my husband.

Today we celebrate the goodness of God!

Grandpa, I never realized I got what I always wanted: a husband like you!
Grandma, maybe one day I'll be the wife you are!

Happy 64th!!! I love you both deeply!

m

Blame or Credit

As I rolled out the soft dough my mind flew to my mom. She's the one who first taught me what a good cinnamon roll tastes like and then taught me to make it just like she did. Mom's cinnamon rolls are what greeted us EVERY time my sister and I were picked up from the airport from boarding school. It didn't matter the day or the time of our arrival, we knew that once we climbed in the car and settled, she would pull them out and together we would share their freshness and sweetness. After 8 weeks at boarding, this was a welcomed tradition. Not only had we been eating boarding food for the past 2 months but just being together and sharing something in common had a way of drawing our hearts together, making us thankful to be together once again. How many sweet trips we had from the airport home.

My mom has taught me so much. As I followed her way of making cinnamon rolls my mind rolled over the many things I have to thank my mom for. Her cinnamon rolls are some of Thomas' favorite. I make them, but really they are mom's. I make mom's scones too. This treat is another one I can blame on my mom. Devotions and bible memory at the breakfast table, my mom. Sleep, exercise, or water will cure most maladies, I firmly believe! Loud worship music is necessary when cleaning (do things get clean without it?). Reading lunches (if you don't know what this is you are sorely missing out). Books are always worth it. Read aloud. Cross stitch. Welcome the outcast/oddball.  etc… The list goes on and on. 

I haven't done a very thorough job of thanking my parents over the years. But the reality is that most of the good in my life is all to their credit (blame). Sometimes when hard stuff creeps up in our lives we like to find a fall guy. Too often it's our family that is to blame. But how often to we stop think about some of the graces that are ours because of the families we have been given. I know my past is close to perfect compared to so many and for that I am so thankful. Regardless, I don't give thanks often enough for the heritage that is mine. I am so amazed at God's grace and provision for me in my parents and siblings.

So as I cleaned up the mess in the kitchen that I had made (something else my mom taught me) I couldn't help but be thankful for all the amazing good that is mine because of God's grace through my mom.

Thanks Mom!

m

"Haves" and "Have Nots"

"Papperay, " the musical call comes from beyond our outer gate.
"Can I have 10 rupees, mom? I will pay you back!" (famous last words but that is another blog post).
Thomas hurried out the gate, running after the young man carrying a bag of pappery, a deep fried treat sprinkled with spicy masala, 10 cents of deliciousness.
I can't help but smile to myself as I hear him talking to neighbors and friends in broken Urdu.

"The grass is always greener on the other side," comes to mind as I watch him happily devour one of Pakistans many deep fried snacks, thinking in my mind of all the wonderful things he gets to experience here, "No, the grass is so much greener on my side!"

Or is it?

Being content where God has me is so crucial to our ability to live and love this place and these people. The list of "haves" is so much longer than the "have-nots."But that doesn't mean I don't have to fight sometimes missing the things we no longer have since we live here.
The main "have-not" that creeps in and sometimes clouds my ability to see the "haves" is just the opportunities that I know Thomas would have if he was back in States. The list writes itself with such speed in my mind that my fingers couldn't type fast enough to keep up (embarrassing to confess but true!).
But what do we have here instead of those things?
And is it what we have now that replaces what we have chosen to let go?
Or is trying to minimize the loss and replace it with a new list of "have's" the very foundation of the folly of my thinking?
I could list off to you the things we have that perhaps you don't.  But that isn't what gives our life here value or meaning or makes the sacrifice less.

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13,

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Here we see the secret to conquering that quiet besetting sin that deceitfully creeps up within our hearts, catching us off guard: discontentment rooted in unbelief. It rears it's ugly head when we compare our lives with others, when we focus on what is seen, when we trust our wisdom, and when we walk in unbelief. Paul shows us that when we believe the promise that God will supply all our needs and walk in thankfulness, rejoicing in the Lord, trusting his goodness and love for us, we will say with Paul, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." Being content displays trust in the Father's perfect provision. Not only that, Paul states, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." This implies that when walking in faith, trusting his provision, we can face whatever circumstance he gives to us, believing it is of the Father's good pleasure that we walk through it. 

So, where ever you are, whatever you have/don't have, remember to believe his goodness and unmeasurable love towards you. Look at that unavoidable inconvenience he has brought to you, or the trying relationship you are in, or the  unexpected grief or pain you are experiencing in light of the knowledge that 

"my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."

With God's help we too can walk as Paul did and as Christ did, trusting the almighty Father, being content in every circumstance, giving thanks to the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ, for the glory of God forever!!!

Learning to be content as I learn to trust him in every circumstance, 

m

My Favorite Place

We took a few days of rest at the beach only a couple hours away from our home here.
We are so blessed to have places like this right here, in country, to just be able to relax, get away from electricity, phones, internet etc.

As we were enjoying our time together with a friend, over a lunch of Thai curry, she asked Thomas where his favorite place to go was.
After a moment or two he answered, "Hyderabad and the Cockroach (the nickname for a restaurant up in Murree)."

This is the doing of our Father, that he has given my son a love for this country. He has experienced so many places and the blessings that each one affords, yet his heart is at home when he is here, right where God has called us to be.

I am so thankful to our Father for giving Thomas this love and contentment for right here. What a wonderful reminder to us to be happy right where God has placed us, not looking to somewhere else, or someone else's life, house, family, job, education, or experiences.  God knows what he is doing and he is working for our good always, that we might become more and more like Jesus.

"Happy are the children whose God is the LORD."

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 Andthe peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4: 4-8

Thankful,
m

Eleven Years: God is Good

Twelve years ago tomorrow, Walt took me out for dinner on our first date. Vietnamese food (one of our favorite foods to date).
It was the beginning of our journey together that now has us celebrating 11 years of marriage today.
There was no way of knowing 12 years ago, that we would be where we are today.
We have lived across the United States, in 3 countries, adopted two kids, learned (continuing to learn) two languages, and seen more sorrow and joy than blogging allows.
God has been so good to us. He has given us an increasing love and desire for one another. He has granted us grace towards one another. He has privileged us with the responsibility of two precious children. He has allowed us to be part of his kingdom work and has kept us, through it all, loving one another and desiring to work hard at our marriage. God is so good.
When God first told me I was going to married Walt, I was on my way overseas. I was ready to brave the world a single woman, strong and over confident. The Lord had other plans and brought the two of us together. He has gifted us so differently that together we might be better equipped as well as stretched and challenged. I know it is for his glory and my good that God has called me to love, support and be a helper to my husband. I look forward to all that the next years have in store, not knowing where or what they will bring but fully confident that the things God has in store for us, he wants us to walk together, as husband and wife, for his glory and his kingdom.  I pray our marriage would only grow to reflect more and more the love Christ has for the church. I pray that I would love well and expect great things from the Lord. God is so good.

I am so thankful for Walt.
I'm thankful for his faithful love for me.
I'm thankful that he finds me just as beautiful now as the day we were married (more I think).
I'm thankful for his heart for others to meet and know Jesus as their Savior.
I'm thankful for his humility, that he is willing to say, "I was wrong," first and doesn't wait for me to say it!
I'm thankful for how he demonstrates grace and hope in our children's lives.
I'm thankful for his determination to stay in the Word each day.
I'm thankful for how he prays for me and with me.
I'm thankful for his patience with others, longing to see people grow.
I'm thankful for his passion for truth.
I'm thankful for his servant heart.
I'm thankful he longs to be more and more like Jesus.
I am so thankful for my husband!



God, you are so good.

m

Wonder Wednesday

Today I wonder at the grace, mercy and kindness of our God, amazed at how he has "helped us thus far."

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.”

(an ebenezer: a monument to remember)

only with the Lord's help have we come this far.

m

Wonder Wednesday

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, 

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, 

who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." 

Isaiah 52:7

m

Wonder Wednesday

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to your. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

Matthew 6:33-34

When I see the little things in creation, like bees, bugs, and flowers, I am always caused to praise our Maker.  They are so tiny, seemingly insignificant, yet when we take the time to see how he has made all things, our hearts must stop and praise.  Today I wonder a the tiny things, that our Lord is their Maker and their God and they all exist for his glory!

What a Wonderful Maker!

m

Wonder Wednesday

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Blessed is the man who take refuge in him!

Oh,  fear the Lord, you his saints, 

for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger;

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:8-10

Today I am in wonder of how the Lord has given me this precious boy. Whereever we go he finds animals. He loves the Lord's creation and is a constant help to remind me of the wonder of our God.

m

Wonder Wednesday

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. 

Our God perfectly gives life to the little grass flowers that today are alive and tomorrow… 

How much more does he give us life, and breath and everything else?!

in wonder,

m

Wonder Wednesday

Psalm 67:5-7

Let the peoples praise you, O God; 

let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase; 

God, our God, shall bless us. 

God shall bless us; 

let all the ends of the earth fear him!

m

Thankful for Dirt?

Thankfulness seems to be a lot about perspective.

We recently flew back across the Atlantic "home" to Pakistan.
Several times throughout the journey I teared up, knowing I was leaving my daughter back in the States and moving back to life without libraries, clean and priced shopping, parks with open wide spaces to run in without anyone ever staring (except me, my husband or my son who have adopted this South Asian habit the of unabashed stare) etc.

Thomas, our son, however, saw our landing in the dirty, dusty city of over 17 million (maybe closer to 20 million) people in a very different light.
As we walked up the ramp from the airplane into the airport we were hit by, what I would describe, a warm blast of VERY dusty air.  Thomas took a deep, loud breath in, "Yup, it smells like Pakistan.  Dusty. I love it here!"
"Hmmm" I thought.  "Really?"
30 minutes later as we sat in the car headed to Hyderabad he continued his thankfulness, "The air in America is so wet (I would chosen the words fresh, clean, etc).  I like the air here so much better.  It's so, well, dusty.  Mom, what vitamins are in dirt?"
Really?  We know we need to get our daily dose of vitamin D. But no, this is not D for Dirt.
Vitamins in dirt?

I may not be thankful for the dusty air but I certainly am thankful for my son who has a heart of love for this nation and it's people and culture and even the dirt.
What a gift it is to have a happy and content child!
What a gift the Lord has given to his heart to be thankful for the very things that others despise. May God use him for his glory and the expansion of his kingdom.

We are so glad to be home.

thankful,
m

Wonder Wednesday

Psalm 116: 7

Return, O my soul, to your rest; 

for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

in worship of our Creator, 

m

Wonder Wednesday

Psalm 148:7-13

Praise the Lord from the earth,

    you great sea creatures and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and mist,

    stormy wind fulfilling his word!

Mountains and all hills,

    fruit trees and all cedars!

Beasts and all livestock,

    creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,

    princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and maidens together,

    old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

  for his name alone is exalted;

    his majesty is above earth and heaven.

There are so many things we never see, never know… but he is the maker of them all.

in wonder, 

m

Wonder Wednesday

In preparation for Thanksgiving this year, I thought I would take the two months leading up to it to just celebrate God's beauty displayed in creation. I once read that one of the best remedies for a melancholy spirit was to get outside and just look up. How true I have found this to be.

All around us God has displayed his glory. His creation shouts his praise. His creation proclaims his wisdom. His creation melts hearts of sadness, fear and doubt to a place of recognizing the greatness of the God we worship and love. His creation reminds us that the pain we walk through, he knows. His creation causes the heart to sing, submit, and trust.

Take time to see the almighty hand of our loving Father today and wonder at his majesty with me.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 

Day after day they pour forth speech;

    night after night they reveal knowledge.

Psalm 19:1-2

amazed, 

m

O To Be Found!

I lost Thomas.
We miscommunicated.
I stopped. He kept walking.
I turned round and found everyone but him.
My heart stopped. My soul raced to the Savior. My mouth moved.
"Where's my son?"
Louder, "Where did my son go?"
Culturally inappropriate?  I don't know. I only knew I had lost my son.
"There." "He is standing there."  "He went on that way."
My mind racing, "Do they know? Should I leave this spot? Do I go right or left?"

A boy the size of Thomas but probably close to 15 years old pointed.  He was standing up on a step so he could see further than I. "He's there."

I think I may have ran.
I know I shouted.

There he was, face as white as his little face can go.  Looking left. Looking right. Looking down the alley behind and in front.  He was terrified.

"We'll cry when we get home." We decided.  "But we can thank the Lord now."
We did.  Walking through the mass of black burqa's and chadors (large cloth I wear covering my head and much of my body).

"All I could see was black women everywhere," he said, "I didn't know which one was you."

I think I should buy a bright, sky blue chador to wear next time we are in the masses of black together.

A day later I am still thanking the Lord for his safety.
We have said "thank you" to the Lord over and over.
The story, when re-told to dad, grew in proportions!
We have looked at each other and said we love one another.
We have talked about the reality that Mom won't always be there, but the Lord will.
How glorious the feeling is to be found!  How good it is to be together!

Isn't that how it is with the Lord?  The moment we realize that we are lost, that's when we can be found.  When, in God's incomparable grace, he reveals to the depths of our hearts the horrible, death-saturated understanding that we are lost and that then leads us to the greatest, most life changing news; through Jesus, we can be found.  Just like the Prodigal Son, we must return to the feet of the Father, where we belong.  How good it is to know that we who were lost can be found.
Hallelujah, I am found!!!

Rembrant, "The Return of the Prodigal Son"

m

Sick Day

My little guy is sick.
He has moped about for the past couple of days.
He has complained off and on of a head ache.
Life changes so quickly.
One moment you are wondering what you are going to do next with the energetic, rambunctious, pushing the envelope character your little boy has and the next you wonder what you will do without it.

With Thomas there is no question whether he is sick or not.  He only ever stops for two things in life: to sleep and to be sick.  The rest of life he is in full motion, full go, full enthusiasm.

I hate to see him this way.
I hate that there are days I have complained to the Lord about the energy he has.

God gives us each different strengths/weaknesses.
How I pray that one day all the energy, enthusiasm, love of life that comes so naturally to him will one day all be used towards the building of God's kingdom and not his own.  How I pray that I would grow into the mother God has called me to be that can help channel Thomas in that direction.

For now I will sit beside him in bed, books in a pile ready to be read when he wakes up.

I will continue to lay my hands on his body and ask my Jehovah Rapha to heal my baby by his grace and power.
I will give thanks in all circumstances knowing that that is God's will for me in Christ.

Thankful for my unique, precious, God-given children,
m

park time

It's my desire to get out and walk in the parks whenever possible... well... maybe more honestly I should say, "Whenever I feel like it... not always when possible!"
Today T and I visited a park about a mile from our home.  It has great paths for Thomas' scooter and we decided to make an unplanned trip to the little zoo.
This little zoo use to house roaring lions when I was a little girl.  The cage now stands empty.  However, we got to see several animals we have been reading about and lots of others too.

 From a distance these hairy little pony/horse animals looked like lions.  We decided that since two men seemed awfully close and friendly to them that there was no way for them to be lions... we discovered they weren't.  We named them Carmel Popcorn and Chelsey.

These little guys aren't cage bound.  We had just read about chipmunks so it was fun to see and hear them in most cages, eating the seeds left behind by the other animals.

The zebra put on a show for us.  He ran around kicking his hooves (hoofs?) in the air, running directly towards the group of us at the fence.  Quite thrilling!

How many toes does an ostrich have?

We read recently they only have two on each foot.  Thomas thinks they must feel like they are missing one... well, these guys seemed happy with their two. 

It all ended with some good park time.  Thomas flew around on this thing for about 15 minutes.  I'm not sure how he and the other boys stomach it but based on the laughter and smiles everyone had a good time spinning and spinning.

Thankful for fun times together,

m

Homeschooling is not for everyone!

Honestly, it has been the best week of homeschool we've had in a long time.
I've been shocked.
Amazed.
Pleased.
Thankful.
Excited.
But all the while,
very HESITANT
... when will the good times come to an end...
This morning it took my son, who, by the way can do long division, 2 hours to do four Math problems.
9-4=
17-9=
15-9=
and one other I can't recall.
Are you kidding me?  He refused to do them unless I "helped."
Help?!?
He can do long division!
Help?!?
Well, several hours later they were complete.
He scored pages of writing for the consequence for disobedience and I scored a happy heart seeing as this time I held it together the entire time.  That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I did not raise my voice even once.
Homeschooling is a great adventure every day.
Homeschooling is not for everyone.
Some days... homeschooling isn't for me.

I usually love it. Today I just survived.

By the end of the day, pages had been written, math problems done, cursive practice complete...
I decided we would bake bread instead of read Science or the other reading books we have.

The deal was: if he could find the recipe without help, he wouldn't have to read aloud to me.
Hurray for great picture books, old recipe books and fresh baked bread.

Thomas started in this book, looking for a recipe.  If you haven't read any of Tomie dePaola's works, go find one at the library... or if you don't have libraries, find someone who has a copy of any of his many books and borrow it.

precooked...

Hot and ready to eat.  Bliss would live off of bread, cheese and olives if she was allowed!

 Here is the old recipe book Thomas found the recipe in.  This use to be my mom's and it was my grandma's before that.  It is one of my most prized earthly possession, simply because my two favorite  cooks used it before me.  Thomas helps me cook quite a bit and he is well familiar with who "Fanny Farmer" is!

After a day like today I'm just thankful we are all still in one piece and that we have fresh bread to eat together.  Looking forward to tomorrow... I wonder what kind of refinement I will need then!

Thankful,
m

Staying Thankful

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Phil. 4:6-7

Staying thankful can be hard work when my eyes get fixed on me and the temporal things of life.  However, with a perspective change, it's a little easier to see how much I have to be thankful for.

Here are 10 things in random order that I am thankful for today.

my handsome hubby of 9 years

God's colorful creation... today it's the fresh veggies and fruits off the carts that go by my house. 

 Fantastic friends God has provided for my kids and I.

My sister and best friend... for her incredible unconditional love for walt, me and the kids. 

God's CRAZY creation... and my son's audacity to pick these things up?!?   

That HIS power is made perfect in my weakness... 

My beautiful, loving, talented daughter

My creative, enthusiastic, crazy son 

Did I say thanks yet for my very weird family?  

God's peace in it all. 

There is so much more to be thankful for than just these ten things.

God is so good.  

m