Too Much Huggin' Goin' On! Another Wordless Wednesday

A Final Mention of Sunday School Program

Last, but not least, I finally posted a few pictures from the Sunday School program at church. When you have a few minutes, head on over to our ministry site and take a look!

Hazardous Life in a Large Family...

We had a funny thing happen yesterday....

The kids are all enjoying sleeping in (we usually let them be lazy until 8:30 or so, since they ARE on summer vacation, as they are so good to remind us), but yesterday morning, I had a doctor's appointment and Tim had to be at the office, so I'd arranged to drop the kids off at a friend's house. We are waiting for a new battery for the LandCruiser, which means we are presently a one car family, so we all needed to be ready to pile in the car at 8 a.m. to drop Tim off at the office. As we were walking out to the car, one of the big girls asked, "Where is Victoria?" she most certainly wasn't on her way out to the car with the rest of us, so we unlocked the door and called. No answer. Rebekah was sent back into the little girls' bedroom and found her there, sound asleep on her bed....

Needless to say, we waited a few minutes for her to get dressed, grab a piece of toast, and then we were off to start our day. And we were so thankful for the child that thought to ask the question. Victoria is good at holding grudges and she would have been mad for a very, very long time had we actually left her!

Still Adventuring Through the Bible

I'm still working my way through this challenge to read the Bible in 90 days - and still appreciating what God has been showing me as I've made my way through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, things like:

1. I'm often just like the Israelites, needing to have His instructions or His wishes repeated to me several times, in several different ways before it begins to sink in...
2. Sometimes it is easy to think that God is more concerned with the big picture (which He is), but that the details aren't that important, at least not as far as He is concerned. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God does pay attention to the tiniest of details... sin is neither big nor small to Him but it is always an affront to His holiness... and like the words to a song it seems like I've known forever, "God never moves without purpose or plan..."
3. Reading through God's Word is a beautiful adventure. It is all good - though parts are hard to understand, are difficult to accept, and sometimes, seem just plain wierd - I'm seeing tons of applications to my life right here, right now. I'm seeing applications right and left to different ministry related situations that are ahead of us in the coming months. And then, there are those moments, precious moments, where you come across a nugget that pierces your heart, as though you and God are sitting in the living room, drinking a cup of tea (preferably ice tea, here - since it tends to be HOT), and for no good reason, He decides to come and give you a hug just because... He knows you are tired... feeling burdened... or overwhelmed... not sure what the next step might be... not even sure you like what He seems be asking you to do... Whatever your present frame of mind might be, He knows that your heart needs that hug, and so He gives you one.

I had one of those moments last week -

I wrote the verse in French, because that was how I read it. I've not even looked it up in another Bible or version because I want to meditate on those words, just as first read them... but I will go ahead and translate:

You remember...

all of the road...

that the Eternel, your God...

has helped you to travel...

during these 40 years...

These words were like a heart hug from God. We've got some serious (at least they are to me) unknowns coming up: decisions that need to be made and difficult questions that we need to answer. I am also coming up on my 40th birthday (ACK... How and when did that happen?) in just a few months. With these words, I not only received a much needed hug, but also a reminder to remember:

~many years of walking with my Lord~

~numerous times of His faithfulness despite my unfaithfulness~

~unending supplies of grace and mercy so undeserved~

~innumerable times that He's picked me up and carried me when I've fallen, regardless of the reason~

~unfathomable love beyond measure~

... and this list could continue infinitely, because He is...

My unknowns are still unknown, those decisions unmade as of yet, and I'm still hearing mostly silence as I seek answers to several hard questions. But I do have an almost 40-year history with the Eternel, All-Powerful God who loves and cares for me. I need to choose to remember ALL OF THAT as I choose to trust Him throughout these coming moments.

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Previous posts related to this Bible reading challenge- "Words of Advice"

Another Sunday School Skit

It has taken several days - our Internet service has not been cooperating the last few days - to upload the next skit from our children's Sunday School program, but I think they are finally up and going here, on our ministry blog page, if you'd like to see them.

4th of July Sky in Niger

Woke up this morning to wind rattling the roof, doors and windows, and there was just enough light to see through our bedroom window the orange cloud that always signifies a coming dust storm. Tim immediately ran through the house shutting all of our windows and after the blast of wind and dust, the rain began... and we took this "holiday" to sleep in. It was a nice treat as the kids wandered one by one into the bedroom and plopped onto the waterbed to inform us that it was raining!

Many have asked us what a dust storm is like - fellow Niamey missionaries just put up a video on their blog that shows a dust storm moving in, so if you'd like to see an honest to goodness, real-life dust storm, check out this link!

More Sunday School Videos - Man's Fall in the Garden of Eden

Here are a few more videos from the Sunday School program at church last weekend, if you are interested.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

ELSIE IN ACTION

Elsie Mae loves to dance. She'll turn on the small electric keyboard, pick one of the preprogrammed songs, and then I can't get her to stop long enough to actually snap a photo. She just has to MOVE once that music starts!

The Sunday School End of the Year Program

We've linked here to our ministry page, if you'd like to see some video clips from our children's Sunday School program at the "Eglise Evangelique Baptiste de Haro Banda."

We should be posting several other video clips over the next few days, if you'd like to see additional bits and pieces of the program (featuring our gang, of course... please excuse and forgive my brief slide into the abyss of maternal pride!)

"House"lift?

How about a "house"lift instead of a facelift? Seriously, we've done some rearranging in our home lately, and folks who have been here before (including grandparents) have asked us what it looks like now, so I'm finally getting around to posting some photos. But first, a little about our home...

We live in a cement block "ranch" home. You can divide the house into two main parts: the front/public area (large, multiple use living/dining room (or some people call it a great/family room) and kitchen, and the back area with 3 smallish bedrooms, bathrooms and storage. You can enter into either area via a door off our terrace. Many consider our home on the smallish side for a family of our size, but we love it. It has a huge yard, some great shade trees, several mango trees and the location is convenient. It is quite easy for the kids and I to walk to the pool from here during the summer months or afternoons if for some reason, we don't have access to a vehicle. And that is a priority! It is also close to the studio and the mission school/compound, if we decide Tim gets to walk instead of the rest of us. We love the privacy that we have in this home (as compared to elsewhere we have lived in town: the house is situated on the back half of a large property plot and all of the windows face the sides instead of out toward the street and gates. Since there is an almost ever-present group of children at our gate/wall, watching for whatever we might do or they might see, we appreciate this little nugget of seclusion. We feel well established and safe in our neighborhood, and have many friends and acquaintances. We have also have made some significant improvements to the house (painting, storage space, tiling the terrace, electrical rewiring of some things, installing air coolers, etc.), so we aren't in a huge rush to look for a larger home. However, discovering that child #8 was on his or her way, we realized we did need to make some changes, as the bedroom where we had all five girls was already too small for the 5 of them. We weren't sure where to try and fit another child in that bedroom, if this one is another girl.

So we ended up dividing and moving the "office/playroom" from the public half of the house to the bedroom side, thus leaving space for us to "create" a bedroom for the big girls out in one corner of our living room.

The office is now in the master bedroom (giving me a place to scrapbook, if I can ever get Tim's computer stuff straightened out and put away); the playroom is in the little girls' bedroom, since they were the ones (plus Jonathan) who used those toys most of the time anyway. We've used (or are in process of) furniture, curtains and shelving to give the girls their own space that is cool and relatively private, plus we are all enjoying the new look.

The remaining three quarters of the living room/great room are now arranged as a library, a living room and a dining room.

All of this moving around of stuff allowed us to discover some clutter, things we no longer needed and instead for which we needed to find new homes, and that has enabled us to clear a few things out of the hallway that we kept there... simply 'cause we really had no other place to store it.

We are still working on several finishing touches,...

...and the pictures in this post aren't a great quality (sorry - the batteries didn't have enough "umph" to run the flash),...

...but we hope this will give those who've been asking an idea of what our home looks like, after its facelift.

Words of Advice

Over the summer months, I've decided to participate in a Bible reading challenge... a read through the Bible in 90 days. I've read through the Bible before, but this is more intense; other times I've spread it out over 1-2 years. While I think it is good to read small portions of Scripture slowly to study and meditate over them - I'm also finding this very beneficial as it is giving me a "whole picture" that I've not ever seen before.

I've also decided to read using my French Bible, hoping this will help me to finally reach my long time goal of actually reading through the Bible in French. It seems a little easier (the French part) this way, as reading larger sections, I don't get stuck on the few words that may not be a part of my current vocabulary, but concentrate on a more global understanding. There's also the benefit that I've mentioned before: it is like reading a well-known story from a different perspective. I believe the Holy Spirit uses this to open my eyes to new aspects and new things that I had never noticed before.

That is what happened last week as I was reading through Exodus - the part where Jethro, Moses' father-in-law and a Midianite priest, comes to greet him as they are traveling through the desert. Although it is a passage which I've read or heard several times, a passage on which I've heard at least a handful of sermons and teachings in the past, God was faithful to, once again, show/teach me something new, something that relates particularly to current situations I am and will be working through in the coming months.

And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. (Ex 18:7-24)

I bolded the portions that really jumped out at me. But first, let me include a quick "disclaimer" - these are not completely new, revelation-ary (is that a word??) ideas that that I have never had presented to me or have never thought about before... I just them in this passage, in a new context, that presently has particular application to my life.

Here are the three key ideas that I highlighted:

1) Moses' clear testimony, giving all of the glory to God for the deliverance of him and his people, obviously opened the eyes of Jethro as to who God was/is. I don't know that the Bible is really clear as to whether Jethro was a "believer" but he certainly acknowledges that the Lord God was more powerful than all of the other gods - and the fear of the Lord (that begins, I think, first with an acknowlegement of His all-powerfull-ness), is the beginning of God-given wisdom. Thus, this was a good reminder to me that when others remark about things that have happened, things that God has done, I need to make sure that the glory goes to Him, that I don't allow even just a bit of that glory to fall back onto me. For one like myself, who is often overly concerned with the opinions of others and trying to meet their expectations for me, that can be quite challenging when walking in my fleshly nature instead of in the Spirit.

2) Moses' humility and Jethro's wisdom also stood out to me. Often, it is easy to discount the advice of those we don't think are as qualified as we are:

• they don't have the experience,
• they don't have the education,
• it is not their area of expertise while it is mine,
• they are so young,
• old they are out of touch and "don't have a clue,"
• they are brand new believers,
• I don't see anything in particular that impresses me about their individual walk with God,...

and the list of excuses could go on and on... This is something that has often frustrated me in dealing with people here. It is quite accepted and normal, even encouraged, to have a type of "oligarchy" where if you have education and/or position, you are automatically "superior" to those who don't and thus can lord if over these others. The "boss" can treat those who work under him like dirt because of his position; yet those who work for him must never forget his elevated and more worthy position. We, in our family, are often treated favorably simply because of the color of our skin - and although at times, that is admittedly nice (like the times I have't had to wait "my turn" to see the doctor, or when Tim is bumped to the front of the line at the bank), I must also say that the principle behind such behavior bothers me and I usually try to discourage it.

Moses could have done the same to Jethro (respectfully, of course, since Jethro was his elder and his father-in-law). He could have discounted Jethro's advice because:

• Jethro hadn't heard God's voice directing him specifically,
• Jethro hadn't been leading the whole nation of Israel,
• Jethro hadn't personally confronted Pharaoh,
• God hadn't used Jethro's hand to perform His mighty acts in Egypt,
• Jethro's relationship with God wasn't as intimate as his own...

but he didn't. He listened to what Jethro had to say and because it was good and godly advice, Moses recognized the value and humbly accepted it, greatly changing his behavior and his life as a result.

3) I also loved reading how Jethro offered his advice.

• He kindly, respectfully, clearly and gently (i.e. he could have used words much stronger than "not good") stated what he saw as the problem and why.
• He spoke precisely and wisely, recognizing Moses' special position before God (that had been given to him by the Lord) and before his people - probably knowing that it was not something that Moses had desired, sought or initiated, but rather something to which God had appointed him.
• When giving his guidance, Jethro offers a short prayer "May God be with you," recognizing that Moses couldn't just accept what Jethro said carte blanche without first seeking God's counsel.
• And in his last comment, he then specifically encouraged Moses to seek God's guidance before accepting his words.

These are all important things for anyone to remember when they find themselves in the position of offering advice, especially when unsolicited.

I love when God's Word speaks to me so directly, to situations "en face." However, the trick is applying it when in the heat of the moment. We find ourselves surprisingly often in the position of both giving and receiving advice - so I am thankful for this godly example of how to do both. And if I remember that any credit truly goes to the Lord and not myself - and then make sure I follow through on that, not only will God's name be glorified, but by God's grace, I'll also be more likely to humbly speak and respond when both receiving and giving advice.

Wordless Wednesday - 'Cause who needs 'em when you've got marshmellows to roast?

A Few Thoughts this Cool Tuesday Morning - And a Few Links, too!

"Thomas answered and said unto HIm, My Lord and my God." John xx.28

"Give Me to drink." How many of us are set upon Jesus Christ slaking our thirst when we ought to be satisfying Him? We should be pouring out now, spending to the last limit, not drawing on Him to satisfy us. "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me" - that means a life of unsullied, uncompromising and unbribed devotion to the Lord Jesus, a satisfaction to Him wherever He places us.

Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him. It is easier to serve than to be drunk to the dregs. The one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for Him. We are not sent to battle for God, but to be used by God in His battlings. Are we being more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ?(from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, "IT IS THE LORD!" January 18th)

And then, some miscellaneous "stuff:" If you've not read our latest prayer letter, it is posted at our ministry blog site. I have so appreciated what Tim recently shared while preaching at church about seeing others through His eyes and not from our natural, worldly point of view.

So I'm starting to wonder if God is sending me a message, as I read the following post on my favorite blog page. Take a few minutes (if you've got them :) ), to read these quite similar and challenging thoughts.

And last, but not least, another very worthwhile read from Angie at Bring the Rain.

A Quotable Quote

Victoria cracked us up the other day - that is not an unusual occurrence. She's a bright girl with a unique perspective on the world and very verbal, so she can say some pretty funny things... which she did and which is the purpose of this post, but I'll get to that in just a minute.

In our house, we have several rules, but two fairly important ones are:

1) Do not tattle unless blood, serious bodily injury or hugely major rule infraction occurs.

2) Settle problems between yourselves. If you come to Mama to find a solution, then Mama will guarantee that no one likes her solution. Sometimes people don't understand what I mean when I say that, so I'll give an example: recently, Victoria and Nadia were given a household chore to work on together. They ended up fussing and fighting, and came to find me to "tattle." I reminded them of these two rules and sent them back to their task. A few minutes later, they came back, saying that they just could not work together. So, I tied their hair into a knot and told them they needed to work together or there would be more serious consequences. Of course, they moaned and groaned for a few minutes, but before too long, they were laughing and they finished their job with no further problems - until they came to me to release them from their bondage - that took me a good 15 minutes.

The four big kids know these rules pretty well, and, for the most part, abide by them. Victoria and Jonathan, however, are still learning and have a way to go before they will have mastered them. Victoria, in particular, is a notorious "tattle-tale," and a drama queen who can produce a scream and cry that sound like she is being beaten to death when really all that happened was someone asked to have their Gameboy returned to them...

A friend and I were working on a puzzle the other day, when Victoria came, tattling about something. I reminded her of the rules, and sent her back out to play. Within a few minutes, she returned - tattling again - the same story, which was basically someone wasn't allowing her to dictate the way one of their games was being played. The following conversation took place:

Victoria: "Mama, ____________ keeps doing _______________ and I don't like it. Go make him/her stop.

Me: "Victoria, what do we call what you are doing right now?"

Victoria: "Ummm....." (and then no further response)

Me: "Well, honey, it sounds a lot to me like you are telling me what _____________ is doing that you don't like in the hopes that _____________ will get in trouble for it, and you will get your way. I call that tattling and you aren't supposed to tattle unless it is something really serious."

Victoria: "No, Mama. This isn't tattling. This is problem solving...."

Well, I had to give her points for creativity and quick thinking (Good grief! The kid is only 5!) - and get her out of the room quickly so my friend and I could have a good laugh. So I told her that she needed to find another solution for her problem other than telling me and sent her back out to play. She must have, because she didn't return... but this is most definitely one of those "things kids say" that I don't want to forget!

Our Garden Inhabitant and Friend - Revealed (in more ways than one... SMILE!)

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But don't stop reading yet....

Just last Saturday, the girls went outside quite early in the morning and much to her surprise

Rebekah almost stepped on an itsy, bitsy...

...yep, you guessed it...BABY CHAMELEON. It was no longer than her pinky finger!

And, SO CUTE!

This baby hung out with Rebekah all day - curling around her finger, riding on her shoulder, or hiding in a large jar she prepared for him until the next morning, when she returned him to the garden and she promptly got to watch him snag several different bugs with his tongue, which was SO COOL!

Unfortunately, we didn't snap any pictures.

But you know what that means: our garden friend, who all along we have been calling a him...well, he is really a she!

Believe me,we are keeping our eyes open for "her," as well as any other babies that might now be living in our garden! They most certainly are fascinating creatures to watch!

Thursday Thoughts - more from Oswald Chambers

WHAT MY OBEDIENCE TO GOD COSTS OTHER PEOPLE

I remember the first time this thought ever crossed my mind: after watching a drama re-enacting the life of Adoniram Judson entitled "The Cost of Greatness" - that is, greatness in the eye of God. I had promised the Lord as a young girl that I would serve Him as a missionary and I never really wavered from that promise for myself. But watching the story of Adoniram Judson's life was the first time that I realized that my obedience might also cost those I love, those I would never want to see hurt, and that it might cost them even more than I could imagine.

I think that is why this particular devotional has always touched me...

"They laid hold upon one Simon . . . and on him they laid the cross." Luke xxiii. 26.

If we obey God it is going to cost other people, more than it costs us, and that is where the sting comes in. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything,it is a delight, but it costs those who do not love Him a good deal. If we obey God it will mean that other people's plans are upset, and the will gibe us with it - "You call this Christianity?" We can prevent the suffering; but if we are going to obey God, we must not prevent it, we must let the cost be paid.

Our human pride entrenches itself on this point, and we say - I will never accept anything from anyone. We shall have to, or disobey God. We have no right to expect to be in any other relation than our Lord Himself was in (see Luke viii. 2-3).

Stagnation in spiritual life comes when we say we will bear the whole thing ourselves. We cannot. We are so involved in the universal purposes of God that immediately we obey God, others are affected. Are we going to remain loyal in our obedience to God and go through the huiliation of refusing to be independent, or are we going to take the other line and say - I will not cost other people suffering? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but we shall be a grief to our Lord. Whereas if we obey God, He will look after those who have been pressed into the consequences of our obedience. We have simply to obey and to leave all consequences with Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God as to what you will allow to happen if you obey Him.

PLEASE NOTE:

Devotional taken from Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest, January 11.

"The Cost of Greatness" is the second of 2 plays often performed by the Academy of Arts Christian School recounting the life of Adoniram Judson. If you'd like to find out more about the Academy, check out their website.

Our Friend Who Lives in Our Garden

Well, the rains have started and Niger is turning green... well, green for Niger. Even though the humidity of this season can make life tiring and difficult and the wet sand that inevitably enters the house on feet, shoes and Jonathan's entire body drives me crazy - the greens that help to cover up and hide the orange and brown so prominent the other 9 months of the year make a feast for our eyes. We do have a small garden in our yard to help, too - but in 120'F heat, even with twice a day watering, it suffers; now that we've a few good rains behind us, right now, our garden is luxuriant, lush with bright colored flowers and lots of green.

This tree is a pomegranate tree. It actually produces fruit - not a lot, but the kids love this seedy fruit and argue over who gets to eat it until they finally go ahead and decide to share.

This morning, however, our garden resident was hiding in the tree. Look carefully and see if you can spot him. Can you find and identify him?

Jonathan saw him - that's his hand pointing him out! If you still haven't discovered one of our most interesting "pets" in our current menagerie, follow the line of his finger and see if you can... and leave us a comment if you do!

Barring internet issues (always a possiblity here :-) ), we'll reveal (or confirm) the identity of our little buddy in the next few days with lots more pictures!

Sahel Academy Orchestra

Playing with the orchestra (perhaps more accurately, music ensemble) was a new and a good experience for Brendan this year. He is much more confident and comfortable playing with a group and he enjoyed the other musicians as well as the director. Since the director and his family are leaving for a 6 month furlough in less than a week, the music group will not resume until next January - we are all disappointed as our family was quite impressed with how well they did and how far they came (from the beginning of the year). They played several pieces at the graducation ceremony, including "Pomp and Circumstance," as the graduates rode in on the backs of camels... only in Niger!

Brendan Plays at the Music Recital

Rebekah Joy's Turn at the Piano Recital