Precious Ones

I am just thinking of a Motswana sister of mine. Yesterday, I was able to share a prayer time with my national sisters. This particular lady shared in her personal testimony that almost a year ago as she went to have her baby, upon arriving, she was told that her full term little boy was dead. She and her family were shocked and devastated. She named her baby "Rock" or "Cornerstone" in Setswana, because through this heartbreaking time God brought her and her husband back into an intimate relationship with Himself. Her testimony has been embedded deep within my heart.

A fellow missionary here has been personally copying the Bible into notebooks. I believe he has finished copying the Bible once already and is now working on his second! Wow! God is using this in the lives of many in Botswana and Zimbabwe, including mine. I have been working through the book of John and am sitting here on John chapter 11 where the sisters of Lazarus have sent word to Jesus that his friend, their brother, is sick. "When he heard this, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that so that's God's Son may be glorified through it.' Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus."

Don't pass up that last part: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." In the midst of the hardest times we will face we need to remember God's love for us and His glory! I pray that no matter what circumstance I find myself in, God would get the glory and I would know of His great love! My dear Motswana sister and her family remembered His love and His glory!

In The Garden

One of my favorite things to do is to walk around my Grandma's yard and look at what beautiful flowers are blooming.  I have done this as long as I can remember.  We walk from flower bed to flower bed seeing what is new. It is always evident to me at how much time and care she puts into her garden.  I also enjoy working in my yard.....it makes me feel close to both my grandmother and my mom even though I am an ocean away.   I love to wake up and see what has grown over night. Then I spend time praising the One who has made it grow.  I hope you do not mind taking a walk around my yard with me this cool, Spring morning here in Africa. 

Reading in 1 Corinthian 3, I am reminded that it is God who brings growth.  Paul said, " I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."  How exciting it is to read on and find out, "For we are God's fellow workers;". I pray that I will  always be growing in His likeness and others will see less of me and more of Him.  Let's end with a beautiful hymn.....

In The Garden
(written by C. Aus tin Miles)

I come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses.
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
the Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me,
and He talks with me,
and He tells me I am His own;
and the joy we share as we tarry there,
none other has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice,
is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
and the melody that He gave to me
within my heart is ringing.

I`d stay in the garden with Him
though the night around me be falling,
but He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Beauty

Today I was greeted by what looked like a snow covered driveway with rose petals to lead me.  There had been a light breeze on this warm morning that left signs of the flowering trees above.  I was awestruck.  I thought you all might enjoy pictures of one of God's gifts to me today.

  "..always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Ephesians 5:20

You would think by the looks of these big guys around I would never struggle with fear.  A part of Todd's work involves traveling.  Our first term in Africa I had such a difficult time staying overnight without him home I discouraged him from traveling. I was not only worried for our safety but his as well.  God convicted me of this many times, but I continued to ask him not to go away.  I know this fear goes back a long way that only escalated after our robbery in Kenya.  

Before returning to Botswana I surrendered the need for Todd to stay home with us to the Lord.  I longed to see God work through him to reach the Batswana with the truth of Christ and my fear could no longer be a stumbling block.  

God has been faithful as I have seen Him work in special ways while Todd has been traveling these last months.  There are times when I wake in the middle of the night and fear tempts me to despair, but the Lord speaks through His Word that is hidden in my heart.  A chapter of scripture that He often brings to mind is Psalm 91.  I will share some of these verses with you......

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.  ....He will shield you with his wings.  He will shelter you with his feathers.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. ....For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go."  

I am so thankful that the Lord is with us.  Please continue to pray for us to trust in Him in every way.  Pray for Todd as he travels and the boys and I while he is away.  Pray that many of the Batswana would come to know Jesus and many believes would be encouraged and grow in their faith.  Pray that our sons would trust in the Lord as well and grow to become young men of God.  Thank you for your ministry to our family.  

   I just wanted to share some pictures of Caden's new haircut!  He did so well that he received a yummy, strawberry dumdum sucker and everything!  I have been trying to be a better steward, so I decided once again to try and cut his hair myself instead of spending the 70 pula it takes to let a professional do it.  All of my boys (including Todd) have at one time or another suffered through one of my haircuts.  After looking back at some of the pictures of the boys where I had cut their hair I vowed never to try it again.  Well, all this to say I decided to give it another try and I think it is okay.  I believe learning to give a good boy's haircut could potentially save us up to $400 a year!  Wow!  I believe I will keep trying and see if the big boys will give me another shot at it.

I am thankful that the Lord cares about the details of our lives and supplies all our needs. Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  Let us continue to look to Him for wisdom in all areas of life including our finances!   

In Your Eyes

Caden held my face very close to his today with his sweet little hands.  He said, "Mommy, I can see me in your eyes!"  We just sat for a few minutes staring into the eyes of the other and smiling from ear to ear.  There was something about that moment that will stay close to my heart for a long time.  
God wants us to draw near to Himself.  In Hebrews 12:2 scripture tells us, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus."  How can we do that in a world that is constantly competing for our eyes to be on everything but our precious Lord.  For me I need to make a every effort to turn away from the things of this world and think on Him.  It may be by keeping the TV off and reading through old hymns, praying for my children while I am making their lunches for the day, remembering that He is there with me as I am driving to the grocery store, asking Him to speak through me as someone comes to my gate, and getting on my knees and talking with Him before the day begins. 
Take the time today to hold Him close as He holds you even closer.

Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne."  

A Game Lost, A Lesson Learned

Losing is never easy. Especially when you are as competitive as my middle son, Kendall.  Don't get me wrong, he is a very good sport when it comes to losing, but it still hurts.  He had his first soccer (or futbal) game this last week.  It was a close game and Kendall was playing his heart out.  The other team was tough and wearing out our defenders.  The team kicked the ball, our goalie reached out for the ball and it slipped through his hands.  Kendall jumped behind him and stopped the ball from going in!!!!  "Yea!", I yelled.  But I soon realized that he had stopped the ball with his hand...it was a penalty on him.  The opposing team got a free kick, scored and won the game.  Kendall was devastated.  

As they waited to start a second game, I saw Kendall standing on the field with his back turned to me.  The coach walked up and put her arm around him and I then knew he must have had tears in his eyes.  I wanted run out on the field, wrap him in my arms and take him home. Instead, I let go a little and watched him play another game as hard as he could.  

Upon becoming a parent I do not think I was prepared for what it would be like to watch them hurt and go through disappointments.  The empathy I have for them during these times runs deep.  Then there are times and will be times that I do not know they are hurting or why. 

I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who is always there and cares about the details of our lives.  He is always with them, knows their every thought, action, and feeling.   In John chapter 10, Jesus speaks of Himself as the Good Shepherd.  In verses 10-11 he says, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."  And then in verse 14, "I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and they know me."  Jesus cares.  Jesus is there.

May we all remember our loving Father in heaven who is with us always (even when our momma's cannot come scoop us off the field)!