in His strength

When I woke this morning, my mind was processing through the "to-do" list of the day.  Then I attempted to translate my list into French in my mind.  Should I switch my memory work from a poem by Victor Hugo to a passage of scripture?  My brother in law leaves for a mission trip to Costa Rica today.  Aaron's uncle is on a missions trip in the Philippines right now.  Lord, use us today.  Guide us each moment.  Paralysis sets in- the list of things to be done is too long.  I cannot complete most of them.  Are we wasting our French teacher's time?  Will our out-of-country health insurance be issued today?  I forgot to send forks and knives in the totes to Africa. 

It's 6:30 am and I'm hitting snooze for the third time.

Aaron asks what I'm thinking about and I laugh.  He introduced a great plan...  Let's begin thanking God for each thing throughout the day.  I'm so thankful that the night air cooled off. 

Our time in Georgia has been THE perfect preparation for us.  The climate, critters and moisture are similar to Burkina- and we needed this time of acclimation.  Sleeping without bedcovers, a skink in the living room.  A rat on the back porch.  Snakes fighting us for the harvest of eggs from our beautiful hens.  Sweating while sitting still.  The constancy of the drone of a fan while trying to conjugate yet another new verb tense. 

In daring to consider leaving our home in Montana, we had no idea what we were saying Yes to.  Becoming available and willing to leave the comfort zone is invigorating.  It draws us so close to the Lord.  It brings us to our knees- without any padding to comfort our joints.  I whine about the very discomfort I seek.  The strength of my knees, mind and verbal abilities is very small.  I cannot endure much time on my knees without feeling the aches when I stand back up.  the creaking that reminds me that I am not 24 years old is good for me- It keeps me asking the Lord for His strength and His abilities- not my own.

In looking at each day, whether it is full of blending sweet potatoes for new eaters, driving into town to pay a bill, visit someone who is in need or going to work in a place that is difficult and thankless, we can do none of it in our own strength. 
It has taken so long for me to realize this- and I've been largely unaware because I wasn't sticking my neck out very far.  Now I feel as though I am sticking my neck out- as well as placing my children's necks 'out there' alongside my own- and they are children.  If I had a dollar for every person who asked my teenaged children how unhappy they are about being drug to Africa, we could put a new well in the village. 

We all begin our day with hopes of completing the to-do list and maybe even getting some "extra" items accomplished that we weren't brave enough to put on the list!  And then the phone rings, the washer leaks and the neighbors need a jump-start.  The day is half-spent, and we feel failure.  We try, we work, we sweat and we drive.  Toward accomplishment, success, achievement- and even while we seek to do all for the Glory of God, we become a taskmaster and begin to believe that WE are doing it...

Near or far, I don't think it is us who accomplish much.  The Lord has equipped each of us uniquely and we can do all things through Him who gives us strength.  We say it in the tough times,  but I forget daily and begin to operate in our my strength, making much out of little and little out of much.

Living without Air Conditioning is hot.  Hot isn't comfortable.  But last week we had a friend over who grew up in an un-air conditioned place in a hot climate, and she wore a polar fleece throughout dinner.  In Georgia.  In July.  She adapted.  And that gives us great hope!    

All is Well...

We've been able to say goodbye to parents, friends and family- amidst the packing, shipping and studying, we are thankful for every hug, visit and milestone that passes!

A bonus visit from my mom

Goodbyes with dear friends

bathtime with babies

Last goodbyes to my dad and sister

Packing up the Snoopy snow cone maker

Last minute stolen time with cousins!

Catching Lightnin' Bugs

 Everything is nearly set!  We've packed up our "long-term keep" stuff, sold our vehicles and have 10 suitcases lining the living room.  The kitchen cupboard is nearly bare, so it must be time to go to Africa! 

Can't believe that we are 2 weeks away from leaving.

Please pray with us as we have 1 last week of French lessons, and are closing up our online business...harder to do than we had expected, and prayers are appreciated!

A Blessed Whirlwind!!

We've been weaving

The kids attended a VBS with our French teacher, and had a lot of fun!

 Enjoyed great times with family!

We have been packing...which hasn't been terrible- BUT, when you have pack-rat tendencies, it makes for a little bit more work!  That lavender nail polish is a bottle that I bought and wore at my 8th grade graduation!

 French lessons continue

 3rd annual (for us) Cow Day at Chick-fil-A.  Humiliate yourself and receive a free meal with your own drink AND french fries!!  TOTALLY worth it!

 When the Georgia rains don't wash us out, we play futbol!.  Bruises, blisters and sweat, Oh My!

 The last of our vaccinations are done and our medications prescribed! 

We are at 39 days before departure and all is well.  God has been so good to sustain us in each day.  We have individually felt every emotion at one time or another, and as a tight family unit, that makes for a bumpy, grace-required ride!  We completed our packing for Africa, and with that comes a new level of reality! 
We really do believe that what we believe is REALLY real...
and yet, when we neatly pack our life into totes and line up suitcases to be packed for language school, it hit us like a ton of bricks...thankfully God is gracious, and it was more like being hit by a ton of marshmallows!
I had one day of overwhelming, indescribability- but God, in His word provided Truth and comfort for this time.  We are excited to have water filters, shoes, school books and cooking pots packed an on their way across the Atlantic Ocean.  We can again focus intently on learning to communicate the message of the gospel to people who have never heard!  The smiles of a 15 year old are a treasure.  The Joy of the Lord is our strength! 

"I can do things you cannot,

you can do things I cannot;

together we can do great things."  

                   — Mother Teresa

 

 

If you have attempted to 'follow by email' on Adventures in Availability and been unable, try one more time!  A dear friend has remedied the problem, so give it a shot and let me know if it works for you!  We are doing well- enjoying our days together and preparing in many ways-

We are so very thankful to God for each person whom He has brought into our life.  Coming together as people working toward a common goal, and seeing God accomplish His purposes is such a privilege.  May I have eyes to see how Mightily He is moving all around us in every moment!  We eagerly anticipate our departure date... and life among the unreached in Burkina Faso.

Mondays

In language learning, weekends seem to be erasing our progress!  We spent all day Saturday with French speaking friends which was great, and then Sunday in the big city speaking English, and by Monday morning, it's as if we were zapped!  One day off, and we are nincompoops!

Our poor teacher is greeted by blank stares and long pauses each Monday morning.  The need for immersion and constant use of new language is clear!

We are beginning in week 9 of French study and have 12 more to go...please pray for a mighty outpouring of ability, endurance and the confidence to use the skills as we learn them... Using new language makes you vulnerable and embarrassed and just plain tired!!

We are amazed by all that God has done and continues to do in moving this 'normal-ish' family to the other side of the planet to tell new friends about Him! 

Thankful for new friends!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  Acts 1:8

Rejoicing with the angels!

Hallelujah!  We just learned that the man we referred to as David, whom we have shared photos of and asked you all to pray for... is now a brother in Christ.  We will be with David in glory one day... "before the throne of God and serve Him day and night" Rev. 7:15
Please continue to pray for this new brother, as well as those around him- that the aroma of Christ will be evident in David, and that many more would give their lives to Christ.  What a cause for celebration this is, and an encouragement to each of us to share the truth of Christ!  Let's invest time, energy and resources into others as God leads, and then rejoice together in the things that truly matter...like eternity and where we will spend it! 

  For He said, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2

Fun!

                                   The girls have been drying mint from the yard for tea!

 

 

Jesse has built his first bow and arrows, and a sword with a deer hide handle.  The woods behind the house have been a treat for us all!

Thank you Lord for this home, the generosity of friends and your provision that we SO enjoy!