All's Well that Ends Well

Well, the day has been over for several hours and W is catching the "zzzz's" as I lay in bed over analyzing every sound in my hyper-alert state. It has been a long day.

We are thankful for a quiet day in the house even though things outside may not have been as peaceful.  We are thankful for another chance to live another day in this place, what a privilege.  

We are thankful for caring neighbors and kind friends watching out for our safety.

We are thankful for the promises in God's word we can hold to. 

See, the protesting may not be over but the outcome is sure:  In this world you will have trouble but I give you my peace. Take heart, I have overcome the world.

Jesus has sealed the outcome with his blood.  The troubles were all around today and they may be tomorrow too.  But Jesus has given his peace and he has already proclaimed the end outcome.

We have so much to be thankful for because we are sure of this: Jesus is victorious, reigning, and not one of his sheep can be snatched from his hand. The end is sure to come but the outcome is already decided!

Thankful to be in Jesus.

m

Walt's 34th

Today is Walt's 34th Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WALT!!!

Nine times out of ten in this country we live in things never go quite as planned.  It usually turns out alright but just not the way it was initially intended to.

That summarizes today.  But it was still a day of celebration... just without Walt!!!

Bliss is in the village, wishing she was here to wish her daddy a "Happy Birthday!" but that wouldn't have happened yet if she was here!!! Because he's not!

Walt left early this morning, Thomas waking up just in time to see him off.  He is having adventure with hand pumps and other things out in the heat, I mean villages, several hours from here.  I'm sure he is enjoying himself immensely. But will he have the energy to eat what Thomas and I cooked up?

We started this morning so it could simmer all day...

 Yummy spaghetti as requested.

Thomas cut the pineapple and the mushrooms!!! (don't tell Walt there are mushrooms!)

We then made Apple Crisp.  Thomas peeled, I cut.  We both made the topping.

We enjoyed our dinner without Walt!!!

He'll enjoyed his later!

Thomas is excited to surprise his dad with this... tomorrow!!!

I am so thankful to the Lord for a husband that gives and gives and gives to those around him.  He rarely tires and I think it's because he is so faithful to daily be in the word and prayer.  I love him and praise God for him and look forward to seeing all the different ways God will use him in the year to come.

Happy Birthday Walt!!! I love you!

m

Why?

The dust covering every surface after 6 weeks of being out of town was bearable.  We could clean it and then tackle the next layer tomorrow.

It was this that almost threw me over the edge!!!

Rat prints on my stove top. 

Great.

(their prints weren't the only thing they left behind!)

They seem to go where I go.

Is 'cuz I'm dirty?  I don't know.

My kids sure couldn't agree with that.

But why God?  Why more rats?

If it's not 'cuz we're dirty than why?

Seriously rats almost make me cry.

(like not, "yikes" but weeping)

Their roaming my room steals my sleeping.

Could it be for my sanctification?

Rats = Mercy's sin purification.

I hate them with all my am.

I'll chase them morning and pm.

My kids would like a cat.

Guess what?  I'd rather have a rat!!!

Rejoicing must be the verb I live.

If rats is what God's gonna give.

So pray for me as I endure the heat, chase the rats, clean the dust, and still try by his love to love.  Pray I learn well the love and grace of God and can say, "in all circumstances I have learned to be content.

learning to rejoice

m

T's teeth

Check this out!!!

BEFORE... 3 teeth too many

DURING... no tears.  What a courageous boy!

AFTER... 3 teeth gone...

Praise God for growing boys!!!

m

4 days of Rest

We are so thankful for some days of vacation as a family.
We did nothing but sleep, swim, read, swim, walk on the beach,  swim, and sleep.
It was restful and we are so thankful.  Here are a couple pictures from our time.

Enjoying Watermelon shakes

Enjoying the pool!!!

 Enjoying the beach

Enjoying the wildlife and plants

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

m

Away from the Heat

We are so thankful for a month of language study in the mountains, out of the heat.
It has been refreshing to be able to think about what we are learning, enjoy the outdoors and just be able to focus a little.

God continues to bring us to that place daily of recognizing our weaknesses and his power.

T enjoys being outside from sunup to sundown. When I listen to my recordings from language class the plethora of bird sounds and the sweet sound of wind blowing through the trees just makes me smile.  I am reminded of the sounds of recordings made back home; door bells, men shouting what they are selling out in the street or just to loud blowing of the fan!  I am thankful for both sounds but right now I am thankful I have to wear my sweater because it is so cold!!!

Enjoy some pics:

Here is the mountain view out of our window in the evening

Bliss and Thomas reading outside

A little bit of the nature around us

A little baby's toes I just had to take a pic of...

 Some scenes from the ride up the mountain...

A house of prayer

a truck

Umbrellas for sale along the road

or what about a shawl...

ummmm...

some more nature...

happy Father's Day!

One more flower!!!

m

April Showers brings... May Heat?!?

It's hot but it's only going to get hotter. We haven't even hit the peak heat season yet.
We haven't started using the AC yet but I think it is almost time.  I feel like once we start the AC I won't ever go outside again.  


I took this pic of Thomas while he was asleep.  It kind of tells you how we feel... all day long!!!

It's great to serve the God who makes streams in the desert.  Who is our shade at our right hand.  Who will keep the sun from harming us by day!!! 
At least we know we are "hot" for Jesus!!! 
Enjoying a cold glass of water, 


m