Outrunning the Grinch

Well folks, it's finally happened.  Guess who's run in her first race?  Yup, Sunday I ran in the Whoville 5k, which was a nice chill, and fun race.  And beating it out in about 20 minutes isn't too shabby either.  =)  Now to sign up for another race so I keep running!  And now for a few pictures to tell the tale of the Whoville 5k.  =)

Little Who about to take on her first 5k

Glad to run with you, Kelly!

Getting the headband over the hair was an adventure in itself

Goal of the day?  Outrun the Grinch!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Almost done

Shiffra, come run with me!

After.  The hair didn't quite make it

Chilling out in Whoville.  Sleeping so Santa will come, then chowing down on some Who Hash!

Who needs to tease their hair when you have a Who do?

Yeah, it was a mess!  Did I mention I went into church like this?  Oh boy!

Thanks for supporting my run, Shiffra!

Promise = Provision

"There is no difference between God's promises and God's provision." ~Robert Lehman

My prof is one smart man; he waited for the week before finals to lecture on stress (perfect timing, right? =)). During our conversation, he made the above statement, and it's really stuck in my mind. There's no difference between what God has promised He will do and what He has already done. Because of God's character, He will remain true to His word; God cannot lie. Thus, we have every reason to praise Him for not only what He's already provided for us but also what He's promised to provide. And we have zero reason to worry about things that God has promised us.

Friends, we serve an amazing God! =)

Snow?!

One of my fav Christmas songs.  Definitely my favorite one to play.  =)

Well that was humbling...

Wow!  God continues to open my eyes and heart to the injustices that surround me.  Below is a good (and humbling!) tool for assessing your role in continuing slavery in today's world.  More importantly, it provides information for how you can fight modern day slavery.  I challenge you to take the quiz on the link below.

Slavery footprint

The Christmas Conundrum

Good food for thought from Jen Hatmaker

When I was in sixth grade, I received two Christmas presents I distinctly remember:


1.) The most coveted, desired beautiful "Forenza" tag on a pair of black leggings with a corresponding purple and black plaid shirt. (The outfit could've been anything, as long as it was from The Limited. Outback Red, anyone? Omg. If I could've conjured riches back then, I would've spent every red cent on OBR.)


2.) A fun, quirky red "football jersey type" sweatshirt.


I loved them both. Loved, loved, loved. I was certain these gifts were my ticket out of Dorkville. The feathered, product-less boy haircut and Bargain Selection glasses would become moot in light of my new, stylish garb. The popular kids would wonder what they ever didn't see in me. The cute boys I pined over would fight over inviting me to Sadie Hawkins, and they would say things like, "Why haven't we noticed her before? We're like Saul after the scales fell from his eyes." Or at least something very, very similar to that.


Until one very unfortunate eavesdropping session.


Supposed to be in bed but creeping in the hall listening to my parents' conversation which simply seemed like a naughty, awesome thing to do, I heard my mom say this:


"Her red sweatshirt? I found it at Walmart for $3.00."


Oh.
No.
She.
Didn't.


And just like that, the sweatshirt was ruined. In front of my eyes, it lost all its charm and it simply became something a Walmart girl would wear because she couldn't afford Esprit and her mother refused to buy her Guess jeans. All of a sudden, it communicated: I'm poor. (I was in sixth grade, people. It was a very dramatic time.)


Here's why I tell you about my persecutions: That is the only thing I remember from Christmas 1985. Not Jesus. Not reverence. Not generosity. Not gratitude. Just a selfish, materialistic reaction because every single gift of mine wasn't from an overpriced store with a namebrand I could casually brag about wearing. What a brat.


This sort of bull crap is still happening every year.


What happened to Christmas? What on earth happened to it? When did it transform from something simple and beautiful to what it is now? How insiduously did the enemy work to slowly hijack Jesus' birth and hand it over on a silver platter to Big Marketing, tricking His own followersinto financing the confiscation?


We all know it. We all feel it. Every year we bear this tension. Each December, the world feels off kilter. But in the absence of a better plan or an alternative rhythm or - let's just say it - courage, we feed the machine yet again, giving Jesus lip service while teaching our kids to ask Santa for whatever they want, because, you know, that's really what Christmas boils down to.


I just cannot take it anymore, yall. I cannot.


What if a bunch of us pulled out of the system? What if we said something very radical and un-American, like: "Our family is going to celebrate Jesus this year in a manner worthy of a humble Savior who was born to two poor teenagers in a barn and yet still managed to rescue humanity."


I'm going to throw out some ideas for what I hope is a more meaningful Christmas; you may take some and leave some. Good reader, you may take none. Maybe you'll tweak an idea to fit your family. You might say, "For the love of Baby Jesus! She's ruining everything! We'll try one little thing this year, ok?! And then we'll quit reading her blog." Here goes:


1.) Because I'm anxious to make enemies and isolate myself from any goodwill you've ever felt toward me, let me just start with a biggie: We've pulled out of the Santa charade. Our newest kids are 5 and 8, preparing for their first Christmas in America, and we're just not doing it, yall. Maybe because we've spent the last four years trying to unravel the mess we've presented to our other kids all these years, but hear me say it: We are giving Christmas back to Jesus. Not a corner of it; all of it.


There is no fake benefactor this year my kids can petition to get more stuff. Because honestly? For a five-year-old, how can Jesus compete with Santa? Our children don't have spiritual perspective; when faced with the choice of allegience, they have a baby in a manger, or they can get a jolly, twinkling, flying character who will bring them presents. This is going to be an easy choice for them. My friend Andrew, who identifies himself as a member of the "non-believer corner" put it this way:


I always thought it was strange how Christians will tell me they have this giant and awesome truth they know is true deep in their soul and want to share with me, but when 12/25 comes around they lie to their own progeny because, apparently, that giant, liberating, and awesomely simple truth is somehow just not enough. It may be a good narrative, but it needs a little something to give it some panache.


As importantly, it sets this tone for Christmas: Be good and you'll get stuff, which becomes so deeply seeded, undoing that position is almost impossible. When we teach our children to understand Christmas through this lens, then tell them at nine-years-old: "Never mind! It's all fake! Oh, and stop being so selfish because Christmas is about Jesus"...we shouldn't be surprised when our kids stage a mutiny and ask to move in with Grandma. Young parents, this is so much easier to do right the first time rather than try to undo later. Give your kids the gift of a Christmas obsessed with Jesus - and no other - when they are little, and it will be their truth all their lives. Some practical points:


* When faced with Santa everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, we told our kids the story of the original St. Nicholas from the 3rd century, and his devotion to Jesus and the poor. We explained that Santa is a character based on his life, but one was real and one is pretend. We also told them some children believe Santa is real, and it's their parents' job to talk about that with their friends, not theirs. In other words, DON'T BE THAT KID WHO MAKES EVERYONE CRY IN THE MIDDLE OF CLASS. You're welcome, teachers.


* For the most part, we are not watching TV this month. We're allowing movies and Netflix, but the less commercials our kids have to digest, the less confusing this month is for them. Um, ditto for all of us. When there are commercials that say, "Hey? You know how to avoid the terrible Disappointed Face when you give your loved one her gift? Buy her a Toyota!"...we have seriously derailed, folks.


* Take a big breath: I got rid of all my Santa paraphernalia this year. No more severed ceramic Santa heads up in here. Try not to flip out. (I am in the "undoing" category I mentioned above. So freaking hard.)


* This is big: I AM NOT JUDGING YOU. If you put carrots on your front lawn for the reindeer and stamp bootprints all over your living room from Santa's shoes, that is fully your prerogative. You don't need to hide your Santa wreath when I come over or defend your position to me or anyone. For us, Christmas has gone through four years of reconstruction, each year progressively more simplified. I know God is doing all sorts of different things with different families at different times; everybody be cool.




2.) While you're stewing over Santa, let's go ahead and tackle this one: spending. Whatintheworld?We recently watched a video from Christmas 2004 when our kids were six, four, and two. (Sidebar: Those of you with a 6-year-old, thinking he is so big? You will die one hundred thousand deaths in seven years when you look back at videos and realize he was just an infant baby. And then you will cry drippy, sad tears because you'll realize that when all those old women told you to enjoy early childhood because it will pass so quickly, and you wanted to kick them in the shins, they were right. It is over in a nanosecond and the next thing you know, your "six year old" is texting and getting ready for high school and smells like the inside of a trash can.)


I digress.


When we saw the mountains of presents in front of our P.R.E.S.C.H.O.O.L.E.R.S. and watched them rip through boxes so fast, they had no idea what they even received, I caught Brandon's eye across the room and mouthed, "We were freaks!" Not to mention all this bounty was brought into a home burgeoning with loot already, so we had to get rid of a bunch of toys just to shoehorn in the new stuff. Kindly note that the recipients of all this commerce couldn't even wipe their own butts yet.


Insane at best, sacrilegious at worst.


Four years ago, we started this gift-giving policy for each kid: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. That's it. (This year we are addingsomething to give, and I'll talk about that in a minute.) Brandon and I don't buy for each other, and we draw names with our extended families, so each adult only buys one gift.


Friends and countrymen, we simply need to spend less on ourselves. There are plenty of practical reasons, like debt and financial strain and untold energy and stress. But even if we could afford to spend $500 on every important person in our lives, that sort of egregious consumerism is unbecoming for the Bride of Christ during a season that is supposed to be marked by the worship of Jesus.


We can find alternative rhythms to show each other our love. My mother-in-law is so very, very good at giving meaningful gifts based on making memories together. She takes my kids to plays and museums and day trips. She invites them to her house individually and spends precious time with them. My kids gobble this time with her down. Let's give the gifts of time and experiences and ourcreative talents and words this year. They will last long after the electric griddle has been forgotten.




3.) Let's MAKE DADGUM SURE the products we do buy don't come to us courtesy of slave labor. Like Ashley Judd said in Call+Response, "I don't want to wear someone else's despair. I don't want to eat someone else's tragedy." Our little church has joined the dog fight against human trafficking, and let me tell you something: When I refuse to carefully examine the vendors I buy from because it is inconvenient or overwhelming or I just really want that, I am turning the key that shackles the enslaved hands forced to produce my little goodies. I am as complicit as the abusers who exploit these laborers. And please don't tell me, "Not buying this one thing produced through a corrupt supply chain isn't going to make a difference." All that means is I don't care. If it was our children forced to work relentlessly in bondage, we would we hope and pray rich consumers across the world would battle that injustice by directing their consumer dollar with purpose, communicating to capitalistic opportunists "NO WE WILL NOT." We will call unethical business leaders to task with our words, our votes, and our money.


So many fantastic resources to help us become responsible consumers, calling vendors to reform and repentence using the language they truly understand...lack of profits:


* Download the Free2Work app, which allows you to scan barcodes and find out if that product is made responsibly or by slave labor.


* New to this conversation? Learn from our friends at Not For Sale. They are LEGIT.


* Need convincing? Download this Slavery Footprint and see where you land: "How many slaves work for you?" (Holy moly.)


* Know the top products made by slave labor, so you can be extra diligent on who you purchase them from. Careful...some of your faves are on the list (coffee, chocolate, cotton, sugar).


* Learn trusted vendors and stick with them, even if they cost more. We will not finance the slave industry because we are addicted to artificially low prices made possible by not paying the labor force.




4.) On the other hand, we can do so much good with our dollar! I think about the Acts 4 church, redistributing their resources "to anyone who had need." Such beauty. We can direct our Christmas dollar in two ways for great good:


Buying Products with a Conscience


These products range from beautiful artisan crafts made by former sex slaves or recipients of microloans; they include companies who use profits for international justice or employ vulnerable workers. Fabulously, these options are legion, and you don't have to look hard to find them. I'll include a few, then hopefully readers will add to the list of responsible vendors in the comment section:


www.cometogethertrading.com
www.redearthtradingco.com
www.furnacehillscoffee.com/index
www.preemptivelove.org
www.noondaycollection.com
www.bethejoy.com
www.goodnewsgoods.com
www.theopenarmsshop.com
www.commonthreadz.org
www.globalgirlfriend.com
www.3seams.com
www.ravenandlily.com
www.tradeasone.com
www.thehungersite.org
www.funkyfishdesigns.com


Giving


The second stream we can choose to float down this Christmas is out from underneath the consumer umbrella altogether (mixed metaphors, anyone?), and it is simply sharing our resources with those who need intervention to break the cycles of poverty and despair. This year, we are giving each of our children $100 to spend on the vulnerable. This is part of their Christmas present, because as you and I know, it just feels so awesome to be a part of Jesus' redemptive story. We will give them some options, and they can distribute their money however they want. Here are some trusted, responsible organizations to partner with, donating in increments as low as $10:


www.IJM.org/GiftsofFreedom
www.worldvision.org
www.mercycorps.org
www.miraclefoundation.org


5.) Finally (and all the readers breathed a sigh of relief), instead of just pulling old habits off the shelf and leaving a vacuum of void and guilt, let's replace American practices with - and I mean this in the most sincerest sense - Christian practices. Let's fill our homes with Jesus and find ways to worship Him with our little families every day this month. Let's join the Advent Conspiracy, daring to believe that Christmas can still change the world. May beautiful words fill our houses; lyrics like Come and behold him, born the the King of angels. As much as possible, let's mute the competing chatter trying so hard to invade our spaces; turning it down, turning it off. Celebrate Advent with your kids with diligence and anticipation. We ordered a fun version of the Advent Calendar, and each night the kids open a new envelope full of Scriptures and family activities. (Tonight we are reading about Jesus, the Light of the World, talking about what being a light in the darkness means, then playing flashlight tag. Yes, I'm sure someone will get hurt.)

The placement of our envelope string does not annoy Brandon at all. 




Believers, let's do beautiful things together this month like serve and share and spend time with one another. Let's invite the loneliest people we know into our homes and show them Jesus. How about we make lovely food together, then share it. Parents, talk about Jesus' impending birthday like it is the most precious, thrilling, miraculous moment you have ever heard of in your life. Can we be brave enough to say "enough" to any further ruination of Jesus' day? Can we risk difficult conversations with grandparents and friends and our own children, understanding that Jesus called it the narrow way for a reason, and he wasn't kidding when he said few would find it? Let's listen to divergent thinkers and spiritual leaders who are courageously leading us in the ways of Jesus this December, helping us resist consumerism and selfishness and giving voice to our radical thoughts and inner tension.


Despite what your mother might say when you tell her you're scaling back this year, I am not trying to ruin your Christmas. On the contrary. I'm dying to rediscover what is simple and magnificent about the Savior of the World coming to earth, putting on flesh and saving my life. I so want my kids to marvel that Jesus came, just like God said he would, and he split history in two, forever transforming the concepts of hope and peace and salvation. And I just feel like when I create a season revolving around wish lists, frenzy, and alternate characters of honor, my kids will never understand any of this.


And neither will I.


Together, we have the opportunity to show a watching world something truly hopeful and sincerely beautiful this Christmas. We can live alternative rhythms in front of people, showing them something better than stress and spending and tension and exhaustion. We can raise children who understand exactly why the songwriter wrote: Oh come let us adore Him. We can partner with Jesus and bring good news to the nations yet again, fighting injustices and carrying hope to the ends of the earth through something as simple as sharing our money. Most importantly, we can render to Jesus the reverence he is owed, pushing all substitutions to the side and making our homes holy ground. This is why (from my favorite singular lyric in any hymn ever):


Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn...


The weary world rejoices indeed. Thank you, Jesus, Lord at thy birth. Joy to the world.






Readers, how do you give Christmas to Jesus? What alternate rhythms have you established? What vendors do you love to support? And if you find yourself disagreeing, I welcome your comments as well. This is a worthy conversation and I'm just glad we're talking about it.

Thankful

• For His grace
• For His guidance
• For His constant presence
• For His promises
• For His faithfulness
• For His love
• For His character
• For His provision
• For His hope
• For His truth
• For His forgiveness
• For His patience
• For His plan
• For His greatness
• For His goodness
• For the gifts that He's created in me
• For the friends always by my side
• For family that becomes dearer every year
• For a warm bed to sleep in
• That I never have to worry where my next meal will come from
• For all that He is teaching me
• For His creativity
• For my jobs
• For my crazy kiddos
• For music
• For art
• For health
• For the ability to run
• For a God who never gives up on me
• For Africa
• For opportunities to travel
• For opportunities to serve
• For using me
• For coffee on cold days
• For a warm house to come home to
• For snow
• For the colors of fall
• For work
• For discipline
• For sunny days
• For sound sleep
• For humor
• For laughter
• For cozy sweaters
• For blaring fires
• For trees to climb
• For little ones who steal your heart
• For the kindness of a stranger
• For the ability to read and write
• For skype that allows me to talk with loved ones around the world
• For loved ones around the world =)
• For time to play
• For dance
• For each breath
• For homemade baked goodies
• For Christmas lights
• For memories that make me grin
• For my Savior
• For my LORD
• For blankets
• For goals
• For healing
• For medical care
• For encouragement
• For friends who hear what I'm not saying
• For a straggly cat to greet me when I come home
• For crazy traditions
• For second chances
• and third...
• For the opportunity to learn
• For the opportunity to know my God
• For courage
• For strength
• For the Holy Spirit
• For candles
• For electricity
• For a God who never fails me
• For a computer
•  For crazy nicknames
• For big red twisty slides
• For a bit of sass now and then
• For inside jokes and belly laughs
• For late night conversations
• For perspective
• For airplanes
• For mentors to lead the way
• For dandelions to wish upon
• For crazy camp games and crazier camp songs
• For jungles to explore
• For silly hats
• For cozy carpet
• For books
• For celebrations
• For a God who redeems
• For opportunities to explore
• For epic improv games
• For purpose
• For the moon and stars
• For life and life eternal
• For a God who provides all of my needs according to His riches and glory

Yeah, this kid has a lot to be thankful for.  =)  And that's only the beginning  =D

Where You lead me, Papa...
And for all You've provided

Thank You!

Perspective

A Life for a Life

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.  He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.


But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked peter.  "Get behind me, Satan!" he said.  "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."


Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."


Mark 8:31-38


A few weeks ago my Bible study was studying this passage.  One of the questions in the study asked, "What is the cost of following Jesus?  The reward?"  As I reread the passage, I realized that the answer to both of these questions was the same: life.  Following Jesus requires your life.  More so, in following Jesus you gain life, life incomparable to anything in this world.

At first glance, this thought excited me.  I envisioned adventures consisting of caring for my babies in Africa. I translated "life" to mean obedience, to following God's direction, to going where He leads.  As I read through updates on missionaries around the world, I was humbled.  As I read about father and daughter being shot and miraculously surviving (http://issuu.com/worldvisionmagazine/docs/autumn-11-wvus), I realized that my scope of life was much too small.  It isn't just surrendering my dreams to God.  It isn't just giving up the comforts of the American dream.  It isn't just leaving behind family, friends, and the familiar to share the gospel.  It requires your life.  It requires wanting nothing more than the life that Jesus Christ offers, not even your physical life.  It requires abandoning all for Christ, realizing that this world has nothing for me.  It requires my life.  And in exchange for my life, I gain life greater than I can even comprehend.  A life for a life.


LORD, lead me.  Where You lead, even if it leads me to lose my life, I will follow.

James 1:27

Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  John 14:18

LORD, send us with fire to go love the world.  Break our hearts for the orphan, the widow, the fatherless.  Move us into action.  Send us out.

Three Little Words

No, not the three little words that you're probably thinking.  The three little words "Get it, girl!"


This are the three little words that I heard from a friendly stranger during my morning run, three little words that made my run and my morning.  To be honest, I've slowly been losing my motivation to run.  Though I usually feel great after a run, I struggle to find the energy to start amid the busyness of life. As I made my way down the stretch of the first full street, those three little words were exactly what I needed to hear.  Encouraged by a complete stranger; I'm sure he has no idea how deeply his words affected me.
And like most good things, his kind deed had a ripple effect; I found myself smiling and encouraging other bypassers on the street and other people throughout my day.


Never underestimate the power of three little words. =)


May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17


But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.  Hebrews 3:13-14


And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25

Our God truly is amazing!

Another Isaac update:  This little one continues to grow and thrive.  Praise God for that!  Here's another update in Amber's words:


Before I go any further, let me say a big THANK YOU to all of you who prayed for Baby Isaac.  He returned back to the orphanage last week and is doing amazingly well, gaining weight and looking like a whole new baby.  In fact, the housemother's even joke that he is drinking too much now : ) We were overwhelmed with messages of support and prayers from all over the world for him and I have no doubt that that played a role in the miracle that God provided to save his life.  Only God knows the plans that He has for this little one but we do know that at such a young age, God has already used him to display His love, grace, and healing power to many in this community.  To God, the true author and finisher of life, be the glory forever and ever AMEN.


To God be the glory, now and forever!  Praise God for His evident provision in this little one's life.  Praise Him for the plans that He has for this child.  Praise Him for His mercies and abundant favor.


Please keep praying for this little guy.  =)

C1 Dubbs withdrawal

In going through my movies, I came across one entitled "C1W".  Curious of what I'd put on it, I naturally watched it and was pleasently surprised with these beauties (and with our Dancing with the Sections video, which sadly is deciding not to upload).  And now I'm experiencing C1 Dubbs withdrawals.  I miss my lemur ladies!

Our God's frickin amazing!

Isaac update from Amber.  Please keep praying for this little one!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the many prayers that have gone out on behalf of precious baby Isaac and Praise be to God for His grace and healing hand that has sustained Isaac this far.  We are happy to report that he is doing MUCH better now and looked like a completely different baby when we saw him on Sunday.  He had noticeably filled out with his skin more elastic and supple and was even awake and quite active when we were there.  The word we got then was that he would most likely be released to go home on Monday but today we heard that they are wanting to hold him just a bit longer.  We don't mind as all that we want is for him to be well and healthy by the time he is released so the longer they are able to monitor and help him at the hospital the better.  We are full of joy because he is doing so much better, full of gratitude for all of your prayers, and stand in awe and wonder once again of God's goodness, love and power to save, protect, and heal.  Thank you for your continued prayers as Isaac is still very small and fragile.  We will let you know when he is home at the orphanage and how he does after his arrival.  We are sending with a picture so you can see how much better little Isaac is looking.  We hope it does your heart as good as it did ours.
With much appreciation for all of your prayers and for God's wonderful watch care and healing,
Jako and Amber Joubert
Mission of Love Community Orphanage
Mukamba, Zambia

Passing along a prayer request

From Jako and Amber, one of the couples that I stayed with in Zambia last summer.  Please join me in praying for this precious little one!

This Sunday we received our newest addition into the orphanage- a one month old baby that was born to a 19 year old mother who got pregnant while going to school.  While she was pregnant she ended up getting an infection and gave birth a month early, only to die a few weeks later.  When we received the baby the mother had passed away 3 days earlier and the baby had survived until then on a bit of goats milk.  While he was obviously small and very thin (2.5kgs/5.7 lbs) we didn't think he looked too bad and figured that his health should improve pretty quickly with access to formula and good care from the mothers. 

 

However, that never happened and despite frequent feedings where he drank well, his little body did not seem to improve and the slight cough turned a bit worse.  He even looked like he was loosing weight but we took him to the clinic on Thursday where he was prescribed some medicine and we hoped that that would do the trick.

 

This morning however we were woken up very early by the mothers saying that Isaac was very sick and that he had been up the whole night vomiting, with diarrhea, and was too weak to drink.  As soon as we heard this we made quick plans for Alyssa and Gretchen to get him to the nearest "good" hospital, a 3 hour drive away, all the while praying that he would at least make it there.  Upon arrival he was admitted almost immediately, given an IV, and they say that he will be there until at least Monday. 

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS LITTLE BOY WHO IS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE.  When we received him and before the family left, we publicly dedicated the child to God and broke any bonds or dedications that might have been made for him at birth and so we are asking for immediate prayers for healing for Isaac in a way that would bring God glory and honor and show those around, in this community, and further - once again, the power, love and grace of God our Father. 

 

Thank you for taking a moment to life this little life up in prayer, to the care of the best Father there is, and for asking for wisdom for us, the mothers, and the doctors in how best to provide for his needs. 

 

The pictures below are one of Isaac taken Wednesday afternoon and the other as he was admitted into the hospital around noon today (Friday).

 

With much appreciation and gratitude,

Amber, Jako and Jakob John Joubert

Mission of Love Community Orphanage

Mukamba, Zambia

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”

Jeremiah 29:12

Justice

For whatever reason, lately God has torn my heart has been opening my heart to the injustices in my own neighborhood: the prostitutes a few streets over,the homeless man on the corner, the impoverished little girls who have lost their innocence too soon, both abortion clinics within a block where I live, the domestic violence shelter right across the road, the broken life that sits beside me in class. It's everywhere!

As God opens my eyes to all of these, I am overwhelmed. It's simply too much, so I cry out, "LORD, put an end to it!" Bring Your justice now! Bind up the brokenhearted; bring justice to their persecutors."

And as I pray, God gently convicts me: "My child, be careful what you ask, for your hands are not innocent."

Truth. For how often have I looked the other way? How often have I judged those living in lifestyles that I don't agree with? How often do I forget that they too have a story, that there's a reason that they are where they are today, and usually it isn't because they want to be there? How often do I treat them as part of the scenery rather than people with stories and hearts and hurts? How often do I forget that these to are image bearers of God? These too are His precious children.

Papa, begin with me. LORD, forgive me for the unjust ways that I treat the people around me. Forgive me for my judgments. LORD, break my heart for what breaks Yours. Open my eyes to the injustices that surround me, and open my eyes to the role that I play in furthering that injustice. Forgive me for my complacency and cowardliness, LORD. You are God of all; nothing is impossible with You. No one is too far gone for You to reach. No one is too unlovable for You to love. Teach me to love like You do, Papa. Begin with me. Use me to spread Your love, truth, and justice in this world. Use me to show Your compassion to the marginalized. Open my eyes and my heart, Papa. Where You lead.


And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: 9 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.’
Zechariah 7:8-10

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Matthew 23:23-24

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
Isaiah 30:18

But you must return to your God;
maintain love and justice,
and wait for your God always.
Hosea 12:6

The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Psalm 33:5

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:6-8

I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
Psalm 101:1

Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
Psalm 106:3

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
Psalm 140:12

It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the innocent of justice.
Proverbs 18:5

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.
Proverbs 21:15

Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
Proverbs 28:5

learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.[a]
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:17

Nanny lessons

Nothing like working with kids to give you the ultimate object lessons. =)  Here's a few from today:

CARE
This morning I ventured into the "jungle"  with the two year old that I watch.  While we were exploring, he tripped and scrapped up his knee ever so slightly.  Though a minor injury, it scared him.  Almost instantly I swept him into my arms and reassured him that he was going to be ok; I had the tools that we needed to fix his injury in my car and would carry him there and fix him.  As I comforted this little one, God tapped on my heart and showed me that this is how He loves as well.  When we're injured by life, He isn't distant.  Instead, He is quick to jump to our  aid, quick to sweep us up in His loving arms and reassure us of His provision and love; He won't abandon us but will carry us through the heartache.

CONTENTMENT
Last night I made the boys pizza for dinner, and the 8 year old complained because he wanted hot dogs or hamburgers instead.  Tonight I let him chose and thus made hamburgers for them, though I had leftover pizza (this kid still stays away from beef =)).  As soon as he saw my plate, the 8 year old began to complain: "Why can't we have pizza?  I want that, not this!"  Wait, you wanted hamburgers an hour ago, wanted hamburgers until you saw that I had something else, saw that I had something that you didn't have.  Again, God used a little child to open my eyes: how often do I do the same thing?  How often am I so blind by wanting what others have that I miss the blessing of what God has given me?  How often do I surrender peace for desire?

SAFE
Later in the day, the boys were swinging in the backyard when the two year old asked me to sit on the swing, and then proceeded to climb onto my lap. "Swing me, Shernan.  Swing me!"  I wrapped one arm around his body and began to gently swing with him.  While we swung, he inserted the occasionally "wee! this is fun!", but mostly he was just quiet, breathing deeply and slowly, his body as relaxed as can be.  After a while, I realized that he was not holding on at all, not to me or the swing; he was off in his own little world, flying his little toy rocket in one hand with the other resting softly at his side.  It was then that I realized:  he feels completely safe with me.  He trusts that I am going to hold him with just the strength to keep him safe but not too tight that I hurt his little middle.  He trusted that I wasn't going to let him fall, trusted that I wasn't going to let go of him.  Again, God tapped on my heart: "As it is with Me, My child.  You are safe in my arms.  I won't let go.  I won't drop you.  Trust Me."

FRIEND
After dinner, we walked down to a nearby playground where we met a Vietnamese father and daughter.  The pair had only recently moved to the States, and the little girl spoke no English.  Now, the eight year old that I watch knows little fear when it comes to meeting new people, so he naturally went up to her and asked if she wanted to play.  When the little girl was hesitant, her father explained the language barrier (and so the 8 year old tried Spanish instead.  Haha!).  Despite the language barrier, the trio (the 2 year old joined in shortly, following his brother's lead) played beautifully, engaging in games where language wasn't required.  As we walked away, the 8 year old told me how nice of a friend the little girl was, how good of a friend she was.  Precious.

25

Apparently it's that time again, that time where the blog-sphere decides it's in need of some introspection and reports 25 random facts for the world to see.  Thus, I present to you 25 odd tidbits about yours truly.

1.  I feel naked if I don't have polish on my toe nails.
2. There's a story behind each of the rings that I wear daily (including the one in my ear).
3. There's a giant heart made of pictures from Africa on my wall.  Pretty much describes me. =)
4.  I've realized that I rarely call my friends by their actual names but instead refer to them by a plethora of nicknames.
5. I have a very unique way of eating kiwis.
6. I was the strange child who actually asked her mother for more vegetables (not much has changed).
7. Sometimes my mind randomly jumps into Afrikaans.
8. I fully believe that you're never too old for play dough, bubbles, or playgrounds.
9. I still love climbing trees
10. Finger painting's up there too.  Yeah, there's a reason I get along so well with children.  =)
11.  I am chronically cold.
12. I often multitask when I brush my teeth.
13. I have an irrational fear of millipedes and the Red Hat Society.
14. I've recently discovered my love for window seats and balconies.
15. I'm a fan of small spaces.
16. I rarely sit in chairs properly.
17. The song "Little Cabin in the Woods" has become a family tradition at camp, often bringing out surprising sides of people.
18. I read magazines from back to front.
19. Sometimes I struggle to read new words because my mind gets confused between British and American English (thank you Cynergy.  Made for lots of entertainment in Physiological psych though. =))
20. My left ear is slightly deformed.
21. I overthink everything.
22. Last year I was a mosquito for my school's presentation on bednets.
23. I may have cooked raw meat for the first time ever this past week.
24. I love random quotes and big, soulful eyes.
25. I can't sleep with socks on. 

The Nanny Effect

Sliding

This summer I've gained a new title: nanny.  And as with most new things in my life, God's used this new position to teach me.  Here's just a few lessons I've been learning:

I'm pretty much the definition of a kids person.  My friends tease me that I fall in love with the kids the instant that I met them.  And I'm pretty good with them as well (thanks to a crap load of experience with them).  Thus, I figured nannying would be a natural fit and easy transition.  Wrong!  The first few weeks of nannying was so horrible that I wanted to quit!  The boys were terrors (mainly because we hadn't gotten to know each other yet) and I didn't know what to do with them for such long hours.  Plus, I didn't have the usual connection with them.  Like I said, usually I fall in love with kids right off the bat, but not so with these boys.  Instead, over time I've learned to love them.  God's taught me about His unconditional love toward them (and me), taught me how to love on good days and bad.  God's taught me that love runs much deeper than simply enjoying a person's presence; it means finding joy in who the person is.

Searching for treasure

It's been incredibly rewarding watching the boys grow and getting to know them over the past few months.  I love seeing their interests grow and introducing them to new things.

Speaking of which, the park (one of the many non-screen things I've introduced them to =)) has become my new best friend.  I've definitely learned the value of unstructured play.  It's amazing how much better the boys are when given the chance to just run free, to chase the geese and scale the slides and simply be boys.

And this free play has released a remarkable imagination.  I mean, when was the last time you battled with giant squirrel-snakes from inside their mouths by pulling on their uvulas or found 11 hidden pirates' treasures while fending off sea monsters AND sharks AND ghosts with special oil that doesn't let them climb on your ship and that you can pour on yourself for protection?  When's the last time that you witnessed an enchanted romance at the park or watched a pile of blankets and furniture transform into a fortress strong enough to ward of Rattlesnake Jake and his gang?  Yeah, this kid has a pretty epic imagination.  =)

Matt loves painting!

Dom loved feeding the birds at the zoo

It's just one of the many things that I've come to love about the boys.  It's amazing the transformation that God's done in my heart toward these two little ones.  When first taking the job, I did so grudgingly.  Come on now, I had a college degree and was babysitting, something I've done since I was eleven (notice the pride?).  It felt like a transition, something to hold me over until my "real" ministry could start.  Thankfully, God opened my eyes.  Caring for these two boys IS ministry; every day I have the opportunity to show them God's love, truth, and justice.  My every action, word, and thought toward them is an opportunity to show them the character of God.  And what greater way to show them God than to show them His love?

Yup, God's definitely given me a love for these two (even on the days of tantrums, arguing, and whining).  I'm excited to see how He's going to continue to use this opportunity to spread His glory.

Chasing geese at the park.  A usual pass time

Where You lead, LORD.  In things great and small, where You lead.

Red Letters

I was reading through Matthew this afternoon, and turned the page only to be greeted by a page filled with red letters.  Instantly I was reminded of a basic truth that I take for granted far too often: in my hands I held the very Word of God.  The Truth that my eyes were registering and the message that they sent to my brain comes directly from the Creator of the universe, the God who's always been and will always be, the Almighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Prince of Peace, the Way, Truth, and Life.  This mighty Being has chosen to not only share the gift of His wisdom through the written word but also chosen to have a relationship with me.  Yo! 

Running Lessons

Some life lessons that I've been learning while running.  =)

-One step in front of the other
-Self-talk is half the battle
-Have friends along your route
-Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right
-Press on
-Everything's easier if you're praising God while doing it
-Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses
-You'll be surprised by what you can do
-Be prepared to fend off obstacles along your path, from harmless mischievousness munchkins and pesky pets to legit creeps and, worst of all, your own self-doubt
- A crappy run's better than no run
-Remember to take time to rest and recuperate
-Some people'll think you're crazy for what you're doing; do it anyway
-Try new terrains
-Venture further than you think you can go
-Pace yourself
-Listen to the aches of your body; the pain's trying to tell you something
-Hope's just around the corner
-Celebrate your victories, no matter how small
-Forgive yourself
-Be friendly with those along your route
-Smile
-One step at a time
-At some point you might actually come to enjoy that which you once dreaded
-Sweat and tears aren't necessarily a bad thing
-Remember to breath

Psalm 25:1-5
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

My prayer