More from yesterday!

Yesterday, I felt that I had come to a stopping place before I was actually finished with the day, so…I had a one on one time with Elizabeth that I would like to share with you. Elizabeth was sharing how there are times when she gets “weary in well doing.” So we decided to look up Galatians 6:8-10 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. I had taken a study Bible with me, and at times I wondered why! However, in this moment I understood the reason for this particular Bible. We were able to follow many references that were great encouragement for Elizabeth! When one is raising 18 children ONE NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT!!

After one on one’s we had small group. Avelina led group tonight and she read from Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. She spent some time explaining the importance of looking on what is good in a person, in our day, when we’re working, etc. From here she decided to have the girls tell what made them laugh at some point in the day. Thinking about that evening makes me laugh even now. These girls are so shy when you ask them something that you pretty much have to prod them till they’ll start and then you can hardly get them to hush!! What makes it really funny for me is this…we can barely get them to start talking in our little group BUT get them in with the rest of the family and team and they’ll start singing at the drop of a hat! I should understand this as there are times when it’s easier for me to sing than to talk. This next part is directed at my family…STOP LAUGHING!!

 Friday, April 12, 2013

As most of you may know, I have, in the last year, been diagnosed with a severe peanut/tree nut allergy. This is an issue being that the staple protein in the house is, you got it…peanut butter!!I I tried my best to “roll with the punches” but this particular morning there was none doing. Brett and I were on breakfast duty and it was tea, coffee, and bread with jam, butter and peanut butter. Let me just say here that I do not suggest taking Benadryl on an empty stomach! I got the water boiled for the tea and coffee but that was it. Brett sent me back to bed! I finally got up at 10:15 and that’s because I made myself get up! Since I stayed back I was in charge of lunch…rice and one egg each. Was quite pleased that the rice turned out because I had to eyeball the water and the rice and that is just not my strong suit! The team got back right after the last egg was fried and so they were able to have a hot lunch after working in the field.

We had a bit of “down” time this afternoon, so many of the team did their laundry. No, we don’t have a washing machine and yes, we did it all by hand! In the evening we had our small group and Elizabeth gave her testimony.

Elizabeth married a man who up and left her with two small children. He left and just never came back. After being treated in such a manner, she decided in her heart that she would never marry again. Never say never!! She met Petros and, well…marriage! After they married Elizabeth got very sick. She could not keep anything she ate down or in and no one knew what was wrong with her. She drank all kinds of medicine and nothing seemed to be working. One day, as she was lying in the bed, she decided that she would not drink the medicine anymore. She laid in there and asked God to forgive her and she would serve Him. At that moment she felt the healing power of God touch her body. She knew right then and there that she was healed!! This is the place where she learned to trust God. She got up, went into the kitchen, and told her mom that she was going to the toilet…something that she had not had the strength to do in some time. Her mother tried to get her back to bed but she insisted that was going to go to the toilet. She walked out of the kitchen, down the hill and went to the toilet. She then proceeded to walk back up the hill and back into the kitchen. From that moment on she continued to recover and hasn’t suffered that illness again.

When she finished, I gave my testimony. The girls’ eyes just about popped out of their head when I told them mine and Brett’s testimony. If you don’t know it, please feel free to shoot me a message and I’ll share it with you. In the meantime, know this…I praise God daily for a husband that continues to love me the way Christ loves the church, with lots of grace and abounding mercy. Elizabeth thanked me greatly for telling the girls about my life and for encouraging them to wait for the man that God has planned for them and not to just settle on anyone that happens to come along.

Dinner time and family time came up next. We sang a song and everybody…Petros and Elizabeth included…danced! It was pretty cool, we didn’t understand the words but we sure did enjoy the dance. If I remember correctly it was about God’s provision. Who wouldn’t dance thinking about how God provides for us?!

One last little thought…we got to Swaziland on Monday and, even though we were in the same bed, we were separated by our sleeping bags. This was NOT working for me! I like to be able to at least touch Brett’s foot when I’m sleeping. I know it’s weird, but I’m sure I’m not the only wife that’s like this! Anyway!!! After much “I can’t sleep” from me, Brett fixed the sleeping bags so that my foot could touch his foot. I love my husband!!