of yogurt and competitions

Theses photos are about 6 months old... but they still make me smile

...every time I see them.

Our happy-go-lucky-mostly-always-sweet Elsie Mae so intent on her competition.

Most of her "events" that day, she spent more time smiling at her "fans" than watching the race track in front of her.

But not when it came to the hula hoop throwing contest.

It was a good sort of strange to see my girl concentrating and working hard to do her best AND still having lots of fun at the same time.

At the same time, it was hilarious to watch my generally-always-driven one acting super silly and goofy, just hoping to capture either big sis's or mom's attention by dramatically sipping her yogurt-in-a-baggie.

She obviously succeeded - at least with her mom - I snapped the photo, didn't I?

Multitude Monday - 1000 Gifts ~

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;

for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;

and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

~ Audrey Hepburn

Sometimes, I think, the written words in and of themselves speak loudly enough...

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this week's gratitude list:

(#'s 2194 - 2222)

zinger quotes where truth pierces... like the one above

rediscovered old photos that I think are just beautiful, even if they aren't technically superb

funny high school dramas

daughter acting the part of principal Medusa Crabneck

drama being finished so we don't have to worry about after school and Saturday morning practices any more

sand storms

rain

God's grace to crazy motorcyclists who ignore the fact that high speed racing down the middle of a two lane bridge (with traffic moving in both lanes) is risky behavior

light and fluffy made from scratch biscuits for the very first time

good discussions

cheesy romantic flicks with super gorgeous music soundtracks

Sunday afternoon frolics at the pool

littlest girl really starting to swim

next to littlest girl turning into a full-fledged fish

shared french fries

power cuts making me thankful for the electricity

being able to turn the A/C's on, if we decide we need to... or want to

thankful when our A/C's cool the room down to 86' (and laughing over the fact that that is plenty hot enough for our Michigan friends to think they need to turn their A/C's on)

only 5 weeks left

enjoying swim classes at the military pool

seeing former students return and then shine in positions of responsibility

taco dinners that I don't have to make

creme on sale... and so another batch of homemade ice cream this week

Joe brought potato chips to share with the family for dinner tonight - I saved mine to eat on my ice cream!

seeing my Gourmantché grandma friend and Salamatou this past month - an answer to prayer since I've often wondered over the past 3 years... (Here's the link to a post where I shared a bit of their story - if you are interested. I'm praying much for safe travel back to their village in Burkina and health. Salamatou has already lost her pinky finger due to lack of medical care and food in their village.)

snuggling with Salamatou during the service this morning - until Rebekah stole her away for Sunday School

looking forward to ladies' Bible study this week

gorgeous gift of a dress - finally planning to head to the tailor this week to get it taken up to actually fit so I can wear it for grad this year

smiles and laughter that abounds

Disney Didactics

I'm thankful my kids still enjoy building sand castles and settlements out in the front yard, dressing up and snuggling on the bed to watch a movie. Even my big kids still seem to enjoy the fact that they are just that... still young people... and act that way instead of "too big for their britches." Well, most of the time... but that is a different story!

One of my high school friends recently posted a fb status about loving the fact that her teen girl and her daughter's friends thought it great fun to get together and watch Disney movies. I agree completely: I love it when that very thing goes on with my girl teens and tweens. It is wonderful that they haven't become too grown up, sophisticated or jaded to dream of princes and princesses, beautiful horses and castles, and fairy tale endings.

That doesn't mean I like everything or accept unequivically all that happens in a Disney movie. We do talk them over and discuss what parts come from worldly thinking and what parts corresponds to Biblical truth; we look at choices and consequences and often these movies become great teaching tools.

It shouldn't surprise me when God uses them to teach me...

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Recently, I was hurt by something someone I know did not do.

That sounds kinda funny, typing it out, doesn't it?

I try not to place a ton of expectations on others, really! God has been working on me with that lesson over the past few years... yet this time, I expected someone to act/respond in a certain way. When the person didn't, I was confused, didn't understand why, wondered if I'd offended in somehow and, as I already said, I was hurt. I spent more than a few hours (more truthfully, more than a couple of days) mulling it over, my feelings ranging from overreacting anger ("Never wanna talk to that one again!") to prayers begging God to help me forgive because I knew my response was unbiblical. Then I grew frustrated with myself, because it had become such a big deal in my heart and I couldn't seem to let it go...

Then Mulan filtered into my picture... you know the story, don't you?

...the young Chinese girl who disguises herself as a young man to take the place of her elderly father who had been conscripted into military service to fight the Huns. Taking the name Ping, she learns to fight, earns the camraderie of her fellow soldiers, even wins the respect and trust of her (very handsome) commanding officer, Shang. After Mulan/Ping daringly saves Shangs life, he says to her:

"Ping, you are the craziest man I've ever met,

and for that I owe you my life.

From now on, you have my trust."

Right after Shang makes this statement, literally, Mulan/Ping collapses due to injuries sustained in battle... and of course the doctor uncovers the truth. Ping isn't such a manly man. What's worse? Her masquerade and deception is shameful, and punishable by death. Her friends, her commander, everyone -they all turn their back on her, some more vehemently than others.

Shang chooses not kill her, but he does abandon her in the snowy mountains to find her own way home, on her own and in disgrace. In the process, she sees the Huns recover from what looked like certain destruction and regroup... then head towards the capital to finish what they'd come to China to do. She makes her own mad dash to the capital, to warn Shang and his men that another battle was imminent... so that they would be prepared.

It was the following conversation, when Mulan finally catches up with Shang, that God used - just like He used Nathan's story to confront David with his sin, thousands of years ago.

Mulan: Shang!
Shang: Mulan?
Mulan: The Huns are alive! They're in the city!
Shang: You don't belong here, Mulan. Go home.
Mulan: Shang, I saw them in the mountains. You have to believe me!
Shang: Why should I?
Mulan: Why else would I come back? You said you'd trust Ping. Why is Mulan any different?

The particular person with whom I was so frustrated had never, to my knowledge, previously done anything intentionally to hurt, harm or discourage me. So why would I assume that about this particular situation? Why wouldn't I trust what I already had experienced as true with this individual, even though I didn't understand? Instead of assuming evil motivations, why not simply assume that the person hadn't done something I normally would have expected him/her to do... nothing more, nothing less... and instead remember all the reasons to trust... the many kind, friendly and generous ways said person had interacted with me and my family in the past?

?????????????

I guess if God chose to speak through a donkey, I shouldn't be surprised that He'd decide to speak a needed message to me and through a Disney movie, eh? 

How about you? How did God last speak to your heart about something in a way that caught you completely by surprise?

5 Minute Friday ~ Identity?

Joining in with Lisa-Jo for another 5 Minute Friday...

"On Fridays, a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write gather to share what five minutes buys them. Just five minutes. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.

Your words. This shared feast.

If you have five minutes, we have a writing challenge.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back to 5 Minute Friday and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Facebook chimed in last night and overwhelmingly voted for a prompt either about mothers or Mother’s Day. This was one of the suggestions and I love that it can apply to any and all, mother or not. So please give me your best five minutes on..."

Identity…

This is the creature there has never been.
They never knew it, and yet, none the less,
they loved the way it moved,

its suppleness, its neck, its very gaze,

mild and serene.

Not there, because they loved it,

it behaved as though it were.

They always left some space.
And in that clear unpeopled space they saved
it lightly reared its head,

with scarce a trace of not being there.

They fed it, not with corn,
but only with the possibility of being.

And that was able to confer such strength,

its brow put forth a horn. One horn.
Whitely it stole up to a maid - to be
within the silver mirror and in her.

I first heard this poem, Possibility of Being by Rainer Maria Rilke, over 20  years ago, while I was an undergrad at university, studying to become a teacher in the field of education. It has, in many ways, defined my teaching philosophy ever since.

It also identifies so much of what I believe I need to be as "Mama" to this gift-tribe of 8.

As a kid, I enjoyed kids - but mostly because it was "expected" of me. Growing up, I typically pictured myself as a missionary advernturer with some shadowy progeny running around somewhere, but that was never the focus. So while there was always this vague notion that someday a couple of kids would be a part of the equation, I never dreamed about becoming a mama... until I was one. I certainly never imagined having 8 kids - although that old TV series Eight is Enough was a favorite... 'course that makes me think these days that God was already tendering my heart to become the person He had in mind for today.

But back to that poem...

I love it because it speaks to me the truth that as a mama - I'm to encourage my precious ones to recognize the potentials, prospects and possibilities as well as the occasions and opportunities that God has for them

...not necessarily their own dreams (although often, God, in His grace and mercy, allows them to coincide)

...certainly not the black and white of my visions-sometimes-delusions.

(This photo includes our niece, Leandra, who is living with us this year.)

As their mama, I pray I help point them to the path that their identity must be found in the One Who always has been, Who is and Who always will be; in that occupation-sometimes-preoccupation, I also pray they see me living that my identity is not found in them and who they become, but in the very same One Who always has been, Who is and Who always will be...

Found in God - surrounded by His perfect plans, there is so much space to be and to become all that He hopes and prepares for us.

Is there any better identity?

Just amazing when something like THIS happens ~

...when the very ideas and thoughts I'm mulling over, meditating on  and praying through as I sit reluctantly awake one long night with sick little one...

And the very next day, there they are, just like my thoughts!

More eloquently written, probably longer prayerfully pondered, but...

...my mostly-exactly-the-same-sort-of-soul-searching-ramblings were also thought by someone else, someone else whose love and understanding of Scripture, perspective and point of view I respect enormously and almost always find challenging!

Did the Holy Spirit just whisper soft in my ear: "Yep, You heard Me right... Now that you know, I expect you'll put it into practice."?

I'm not really one of those touchy-feely-all-blown-by-emotional-winds-types (well, at least not on most days - though on some days I wish I was), but truthfully, I got goosebumps this time, because that was what it felt like.

Frankly, my faith is driven by the truth and practicality I find as I study God's Word - I'm a words-sorta-gal, after all. I love that love letter to me from my Heavenly Daddy. I turn to the Scripture first and foremost; it is my primary guide and I believe that is the way God wants it to be. So I'm not so much into mystical faith experiences. Those numinous incidents of which I hear others speak make me nervous, because when it comes to God, I much prefer things I can pin down, at least a little bit (yes, I know, pinning God down is a bit of an oxymoron - but He is unchangeable and He does always keep His promises, so...). I also know the Almighty, All-Powerful Alpha and Omega is not, under any stretch of my imagination, a domesticated deity - and so I refuse to accept the more comfortable-to-me premise that He never works in those more mystical ways.

You know that cliché?

It's the one about the glass being either half empty or half full. If you tend to see it full,  you are the classic optimist. If not, you are, as one of my friends likes to say, an Eeyore.


from everystockphoto.com

I started thinking about it because M&M had asked for some water, so I got her some. She took a few sips and sat it on the floor beside us on the couch. Then I promptly knocked it over... as I was standing to get a towel, seriously wishing I'd only filled the glass halfway...

when the following sequence of thoughts flitted through my mind - and I shared them with little tike as they did:

• "Don't bother - we live in the desert and have a tile floor - the floor will dry...
•  "...and maybe the evaporation will cool things off a tiny bit."

That surprisingly happy sort of thought coming from me caught me off guard ~

• "That was a surprisingly glass half full thought from one who, late at night and in a sleep deprived state, ALWAYS considers the glass half empty." (If you have any doubt about that reality, ask my husband.)
• "I wonder why I tend to see half full glasses in the daylight and kick over my half empty glasses in the dark?"
• "Can a glass really be half empty?"
• "Scientifically? Only in a vacuum because the part that doesn't contain water (or some other liquidish type thing) is full of air."
• "Air is even more urgent for life than water... both are necessary, but the absence of air? That is certain death in a very short time."
• "When God only provides a half glass of water, He's also gifting a glass half full of air."

And that thought, in the wee hours of the morning, was, well, almost revolutionary... if by God's grace I choose to keep seeing that perspective, even when I can't see it...

Reading her blog post today reminded me of all that... I'm glad... and I wanted to share...  

Wordless Wednesday - Another Old Bday Photo Post - Jonathan's #7 - Finally old enough to enjoy reading his cards for himself!

~ Afraid ~

We regularly have visitors in the house at night...

Crickets crawl out of who knows where and run rampant all over the house. Thankfully, their singing doesn't seem to disturb anyone's sleep because they get really loud.

For 9 months now, there always seems to be one living between the pantry closet and the kitchen counter - no way for me to get to him for a catch and release rescue - and he likes to keep me company when I'm cooking or baking early in the morning, before the rest of the house wakes up. Most of the time.... As I busy around in the kitchen he chirps and sings - unless I turn on the KitchenAid. Then he grows silent and resentful and may not chatter anymore until the next day.

At first, I thought they were crawling up from the sink and shower drains - but even when I cover them, they still show up.

Their favorite hang out seems to be the master bathroom, right off our bedroom. It is not unusual to see 10 to 15 of the little and not so little buggers running around if you make a bathroom trip at night and boy do they start chirping if you disturb their antics by flipping on the light.

Our M&M cracks me up, though, when it comes to dealing with these critters.

Someone, somewhere, told her not to mess with those crickets because if you do and they get irritated, they'll bite. Now, I've not done any research to find out who told her that or if it is actually true (I do try to avoid stepping on them, but more because that would just be gross and not because I'm worried about getting bitten), but what cracks me up is her reaction.

If she needs to make a bathroom trip during the night (and she frequently does) she begs me NOT to turn the light on. She doesn't want to know if they are there... she'd rather not see ANYTHING and  assume there's no danger or problem instead of allowing the light show her where potential danger lies so she can avoid, escape or rid her world of it (with a wad of tp and a quick flush).

It is easy to chalk that up to childhood immaturity...

So what, then, do we do with the truth of the following quote?

I'm praying the Lord shows me those areas where I've been choosing to stumble around blindly in the dark because I'm afraid of what I just might see if I flip on the light.

Multitude Monday - 1000 Gifts ~ How does your garden grow?

My husband preached Sunday morning at our church here in Niamey.

If I ever wondered whether or not God was working in our lives, the very fact that my favorite techie guy - the one who chose audio-visual ministries because he wanted to serve but he really didn't want to be the one up in front, the same one who delights in making those up in front look and sound good - willingly preaches in a second language on a regular basis is one of those things that helps convince me. Those of you who are friends of ours, who've known him for a long time - certainly you can say the same thing!

And a total aside... one of his favorite Zarma words is the word for preacher - "waazuko!" ...grin!

He used an illustration in his sermon that I didn't appreciate so much at the time (partly because I was being mauled by my 3-year old, had little Salamatou trying to hold my hand all while I was trying (and doing a poor job) to translate the service into English for my niece. It made an impact on one of the ladies, though, when I saw her today and we spent a little bit of time talking.

She was talking about one of the other ladies in the church who had promised to come to Bible study last Saturday - and didn't, because she had a family reunion. Today in the eyes of my friend, this other lady betrayed her church family showing loyalty to and choosing her Muslim earthly family first.

I've been encouraging these ladies with what the Bible has to say about judging one another and talking about each other behind their backs (i.e. slander and gossip)... and although I don't have the Zarma vocabulary to really try and redirect the conversation when this sort of thing starts... I'm just barely grasping enough of the language to have a small idea of what is actually being discussed... I did manage to communicate my discomfort today when the conversation took this turn - and by the Lord's grace, it must have been perceived in a culturally appropriate way or this lady was willing to extend me a ton of grace because all of the sudden, she stopped talking and started to laugh gregariously and contagiously like only she can.

Then she said (a very, very rough translation), "Don't worry. I did hear Pasteur Tim yesterday. He talked about how different trees grow in different ways and different speeds. I need to trust that God is helping this ladies' roots to grow, even if I can't see it."

Tim was preaching about spiritual health (which is the theme for the church this year) - and as part of his introduction, he talked about 4 different trees we planted in our yard when we moved into our house last September. One has grown several feet in height, has many broad leaves, and already gives the kids shade when they want to play underneath it. Two other trees, the same type, and while one appears to be thriving and is growing; the other looks healthy, has green leaves and buds for more, but has only grown a very tiny bit bigger (we think) and yet the two have received the same treatment: twice daily watering and regular fertilizing (the natural sort). The final tree we planted is a lemon tree - and it doesn't look any different than it did when we put it in the ground 7 months ago. It hasn't withered up and died, but it certainly hasn't exhibited any signs of robust health.

I think part of Tim's point was spiritual growth isn't always flamboyant and overwhelmingly evident to those just looking on - and we have to be careful of judging the spiritual health of others simply because we don't see exponential growth or change. Sometimes roots are pushing way down deep before exterior signs of growth become evident.

Based on my conversation with my friend today - I think she is starting to grasp that idea. I wonder if God just might use that new-found-still-beginning-comprehension to change the flavor of our ladies' group at church. I'm certainly praying that way.

this week's gratitude list

(#s 2168 - 2193)

testimonies of truth taking root

finding humor in the different sound combinations of a different language

Monday mornings at the pool

Life lessons from Winnie the Pooh

Women of Faith video conference - and seeing Angie Smith speak... after following her blog for so long, it was neat to finally see her in almost-real-life!

yummy cinnamon rolls at that conference - and then strawberry shortcake for dessert after lunch

thinking through the story of Gideon once again

Gideon's blunt and honest heart-cry question in Judges 6.13

burgers and fries birthday party with a chocolate cake disguised as a monster burger, homemade vanilla ice cream, a super sweet 19 year old birthday girl and great friends with whom to celebrate

accident that became an effective object lesson

getting to bed at a reasonable hour...

which meant feeling like actually crawling out of bed the next morning

our new and up-coming videographer - can't wait to share the video she captured of tonight's horseback riding lesson

surprising cool Saturday morning, a petite break from the oppressive heat of this season

friends in town for the week - meaning a nearby playmate for our little man and an excuse to go out for a dinner date later this week

m&m quotable quotes that keep me laughing

smurf jokes

kids who can cook... and I mean they can really cook!!!

short order chef enjoying his job

punting when directed by the Holy Spirit

listening to another pray from a humble heart

slow but steady progress

finally finishing a hard, sobering - even if not exactly what I first expected - read: Girl Soldier

amazing moon on Saturday night... Why didn't I snap any photos?

watching our garden grow - and looking forward to and trusting that someday our lemon tree will produce!

a Gospel big enough to boldly call sin sin, even when the sinner is one who seeks to follow Jesus: "The gospel isn’t just the door to the Christian life, but the sustaining and enduring power for the Christian life. We depend upon the gospel to the end, trusting that it is big enough to account even for those sins we commit after receiving the Lord’s saving grace. We don’t have to pretend that Christians do not sin and that some even sin in big and public ways...."

 

She's our Anna-lu-la

Our Anna is our shy, most introverted one ~ and extroverted activities, like school, have always been harder for her than for the other kids.

Ever since she was a tiny tike (i.e. only months old), she has always been happiest with her entire family close by... like in the car, all within arm's reach... literally.

People who best know our family from hanging out with us around our house or at the pool (places where she is super comfortable) are often surprised by the huge difference when she is in a less comfortable social setting.

Just ask Andi,

as she has spent some time helping out in Anna's class as school this past year.

She's remarked more that Anna-at-school has surprised her.

So, when our sending organization began the dissolution process last August and we realized we needed to have all of our kids at the same school for both financial and logistical reasons (and it meant a big, uncomfortable change for Anna).

Here is a picture of Anna's class this year (scavenged from Facebook... in fact, all of these photos are ones I've "collected" from Facebook, I do believe).

While not easy, it has been a good year for Anna.

She's been forced to grow, make new friends, try new things, change some bad habits...

Our gal who struggles with dysgraphia has grown to love writing. She's been writing her own very dramatic story about a blind gal and horses. We hope to start "publishing" installments here on the blog soon, for your reading enjoyment.

She enjoys her independent French class with a Swiss classmate. The gal's mother graciously helps Anna along.

But if you ask Anna her favorite part of school this year, it is her teacher.

God's always showing us His care for our family

in the wonderful teachers He provides for us,

 often times more perfect for a particular child

than we could have imagined in our wildest dreams.

That really ministers to this mama's heart...

Anna's only complaint about Mrs. Rupnow is that she is too focused sometimes,

and no matter how hard they try,

her class can't sidetrack her until the work that needs to be done is done!

Next year, Anna will move into 7th grade and home school with her mama... don't think I'll be able to compare with her lovely teacher this year (after all, I am just "the mama"),

but I'm thankful for all the hard work that has been done this year as Anna has already transitioned into English schoolwork.

And we're looking forward to continuing to work with Mrs. Rupnow - she's scheduled to teach Elsie Mae's class next year.

Elsie Mae just smiled really, really big when we told her that.

JUST CURIOUS: How many of you out there know our family well enough to know where the nickname "Anna-lu-la" comes from?

Wordless Wednesday ~ Yep, it's another one... 10 years later...

July, 2001



December, 2011



Top ? Reasons You Know It's Hot Season

A friend of mine just recently posted this on Facebook (thanks, Beth S!)... it is her second hot season in Niamey (which has the dubious distinction of being the hottest capital city in the world - or so I've been told.)

So, for a bit of perspective... and a good laugh... 

• You consider refrigerating your child’s bath water so she doesn’t complain about the tap water being too hot.
• I’ve heard of wipe warmers… anyone know where I co...uld get a wipe cooler?
• You start to wonder if major psychological changes happen when your external environment is consistently higher than normal body temperature.
• Your high-tech camera shuts down and gives you the following error message: “Too Hot.”
• Bedtime: Instead of snuggling with your sweetheart, you opt for a block of blue ice wrapped in a pillowcase.
• Your rubber bands in the desk drawer melt into a big blob. Bummer! One more non-food item that has to be refrigerated…
• Your air conditioner keeps turning off because it’s overheating.
• Not only do you let you child sleep with a sippy cup, but, “Here! Have two, or three, and don’t forget to check to make sure they’re all empty before you call me for a refill!”
• Your temperature-sensitive infant spoons tell you your silverware drawer is too hot for your baby’s mouth.
• You try to think of places to go in the car to have an excuse to sit right in front of an air conditioning vent.
• Everyone asks if your children have a skin disease – you want to just put a sign on each child that says something like “Diagnosis: Heat rash; Cure: Cooler temperatures in a couple of months.”
• Your elastic waistbands start to feel considerably loser, not because you’re losing weight but because the elastic is melting.
• You get creative in starting to freeze items such as pillows, blankies, and snuggle bears before bedtime. You know you’re in trouble, as you’re distributing frozen snuggle bears, when your two-year-old asks you to, “Make my diaper cold!”

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(Photo credit - Once again, I don't know... short term folks who travel through or serve for shorter time generously share their photos with us...  We've been going through old disks and the one containing these photos was only labeled "Assorted pictures, Niger - people.")