Unexpected Joys!

I love waking up and discovering a new flower has grown in my yard. I am sure Todd's grandmother, Memo, planted them many moons ago. Just beautiful!

Open Eyes and Lovely Thoughts

God has brought this scripture to mind so many times lately. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8

I pray this blog will help us to "think about such things." I have asked God to open my eyes and allow me to see what He is doing all around. He has brought about clarity...I have seen so many serving, being kind, praising God, loving others, I have seen humility, empathy, and so many other Christ-like qualities overflowing from fellow believers. I hope to be able to share about these instances with you. Dear ones, allow God to open your eyes today and see and "think about such things"...

As you can see, there have been lots of changes in our life as well as with this blog. I am not completely finished with the new layout, but I could not wait to share with you any longer. I think it has been almost 4 months since we moved back to the States! Many things have happened in these past months, and I want to share them with you throughout several posts. They should be filled with lots of gratefulness!

So many people worked hard to prepare for our "homecoming" and I say a big "thank you" to all of you! Especially our families, who sacrificed, worked endless hours, and prayed for a smooth transition for us and the boys. The pictures above give you a feel of our new home. The home belonged to Todd's dear "Memo". She was an exceptional lady who loved Jesus and her family. It has been a place of peace these last months when many things in our lives were difficult and trying at times. I am so very thankful for our "home" and for those who prepared it for us. "Come to me , all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

The Beginning of Many Miles!

Leaving our home in Botswana was really difficult yesterday morning....

We drove 8 or so hours into South Africa. It was beautiful. I am just so thankful to be on this journey with Todd and our boys. God has blessed me so very much. Please keep praying that He will reveal the details as we trust and follow Him. Blessings, friends.

Church Family

We are going to miss our home church, Gaborone Baptist Church. May the Lord bless and keep them. Today we shared a special meal and said our goodbyes. We have truly been blessed by knowing and loving these precious folks.

Village Family

I'll miss our church family...

Today was our last Sunday with one of the churches in a local village. They made a nice meal for us, prayed for us, and sent us off well. We are so thankful to know these brothers and sisters in Christ. May the Lord bless them and use them to share His truth and love with this nation.

"My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

Letters

Our little family will miss letters from home.

Did you know people still write and send letters? So many of you have sent us packages and cards for the past 6 1/2 years. We love each and every one we have received. Today we were fortunate enough to get these Valentines from a group of children. Tonight we sat together as a family and read through each one. Precious!

Mail time at our house is always a treat...every letter is read and enjoyed by the whole family. These notes have been a huge source of encouragement to us. All I can say is, "Thank you all."

I remember getting notes from Todd when we first began dating. I would read through them many times until I knew them by heart. His words have always been dear to me. It brings me back to how important and treasured the Word of God should be in our lives. Do we hang on to every word, ponder, and memorize Scripture? Take time each day to sit in His presence and learn from our Teacher, Maker, and Savior.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16,17

Cricket :)

I'll miss watching Kendall play cricket! I know, I know....cricket, really?! Well, it is a gentleman's sport. It was one that I had to kind of "acquire a taste for", but when your children are playing it is hard not to enjoy. And Kendall, coming from a long line of sports enthusiasts loves all sports...especially cricket! Maybe he can start his own team in AR. The Arkansas Razorback Cricket Club! Who knows?!

Oh, Sunday Nights!

I am going to miss Sunday night prayer/supper times with our team.

As our team members can, we try and get together here at the house each month. This is fellowship at its best. We might set a theme for food...like tonight was Italian. Yummmm! Everyone brings something to share.

My kids ask every, and I mean every Sunday, if we are having prayer time. They love having all of their friends over...they play and we pray. We eat, laugh, and talk. Then when we are done we all sit in the living room and sing some hymns. For years I have loved reading and singing hymns with friends. After our time of worship we lift one another and others up to the Lord in prayer. It is truly a sweet fellowship that we share. I am going to ache for these times, these friends. I just know I will. God has blessed this little one of His.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father..." Ephesians 3:14

Donuts and 5th graders!

I am going to miss the schools.

Today my friend Shawna and I helped 27 fifth graders make donuts! It was wild and crazy, but it sure was fun. Flour was everywhere, dough was sticky, the icing was green, and the kids(and I) were all smiles. What a blessing it was to cook alongside such a special friend and to make 27 new ones! Cook with a kid today...and make sure to put some love in it!

I will miss Choppies! This is the grocery store that the boys and I walk to from our home. We love it! As we take this little walk we are able to greet our neighbors and friends. God has given us many opportunities to share the gospel with others during these walks. I hope there is a grocery store in walking distance of our home in AR!

The Narrow Path

These paths are everywhere here in the city. I love them. They remind me of the path that was worn between my grandmothers' house and the home of my aunt.

Much of the population here take these well worn paths to their destinations. Believe me, it is easy to get lost taking a path if you do not know exactly where you are headed...not that I have ever been lost here before or anything. :) It just makes me think of that narrow path we follow in Christ. Please continue to pray with me that the narrow way would be well worn with Tswana sojourners in Christ.

"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it"

Matthew 7:14

This is Case. I have known him now for six years. He lives nearby our home and helps as a caretaker for a neighbor. He speaks no English and smiles a lot. Since my Setswana is very poor we smile a lot at one another and also laugh a lot. He reminds me when I have left my trash can outside, when I forget to close my gate, and when the Botswana National Team is playing soccer. When Todd has to go out of town I always feel better knowing that if there is a problem Case will be around to help where he is needed. He calls me Mma Karabo and he loves my boys. Todd has shared Bible stories with him and also shared the gospel. I pray that when I am in heaven one day that I will be greeted by Case's unforgettable smile. He has been a real friend to us and we will miss him very much!

The Journey

As many of you know, our family will be moving back to the States in the Spring. This decision has come about after much prayer and through many tears. These 6 1/2 years serving overseas have been humbling, stretching, difficult, beautiful, and life-changing for all of our family. We have seen God's blessings flow in the ways of provision, compassion, discipline, and teaching. He has been there through our days of happiness and sorrow. I pray that God has been glorified through it all. He deserves all the praise we can find within us and much, much more. I am so thankful that He would let us live and serve Him among the Tswana People.

Todd and I are not sure what the future holds so please be praying for God to continue to provide for our family. We love Him so much and would follow Him anywhere...we are so excited about this next chapter of the life He has given us.

While we are still living in Botswana, I want to spend my last blogs from here sharing posts of the things I love and will miss. They will be in no particular order...just things I am able to take photos of that day that God places along my path. Thank you all for the love you have shown to us while along this part of our journey. It has been a blessing to share our lives with you.

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1