30October2010 Prayers, Kids & Moses

I love, and to be honest hate at times, the example our children set for us.  Their simple belief is so humbling.  Being childish is easy.  Being child-like...not so much.  Take praying for rain for example.  It is one thing to desire precipitation, pray about it and then move on.  It is a completely different thing however to pray, put on your raincoat, run outside and stare at the sky in anticipation.

I've been reading about the life of Moses lately.  Remember when he was on Mt. Sinai receiving the commandments? After 40 days his people got impatient and made a grievous error involving earrings, Aaron and a golden cow.  The Father was very angry, deciding to wipe them out and start anew.  Moses prayed and begged for Him to relent and then something awesome happened.  God changed His mind! Think your prayer don't matter?  Think again.

PS It started raining this morning.

27October2010 Quickshot: Bakers

Three generations baking in the kitchen.

24October2010 Children's Museum

Pictures from a recent visit to the Children's Museum.

20October2010 Quickshot: Trump

...in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet...

18October2010 Micah's Day

4 years ago God blessed us with a little girl.  Join us today in celebrating her life.

17October2010 Quickshot: Sparkly Things

Colorful display of necklaces from a street vendor downtown.

16October2010 Confession

S (in German soccer uniform) with his dream car (a German beauty).

Driving here takes some getting use to.  Just ask our recent guests, Ed & Cythina or Bill & Suzy.  It took maybe one trip in the van for our visitors to decide riding in the back seat was best.  Whenever any of them yelled out "shotgun"prior to a ride it meant they got to sit in the back row rather than the passenger seat.  (Sorry to our friends but I chuckle just a little inside thinking about it!) 
I admit it can be a little....much.  Buses and taxis everywhere, cars, SUVs and delivery trucks weaving in and out of traffic.  Throw in oblivious pedestrians darting across the road and an occasional donkey or even a flock of sheep and you've got a full blown circus.  The worse part is a toss up between not having any lanes (there are painted lines on the pavement but they are apparently for decoration) and the roundabouts or traffic circles.  There is an art to making it through a circle without ticking off all the other drivers and your vehicle remaining in one piece.
Now comes the confession part.  I like driving here.  That in itself is not bad but the reason for liking it is where forgiveness is needed.  You see I have become very contextual in my driving style, D says a bit TOO contextual.  Things like going too fast or following too closely or creating new lanes at stoplights or liberal use of the horn, etc. seem to occur all too often.   It seems living a life of grace doesn't always apply when I get behind the steering wheel.  So I'm making this confession and asking for you to remember me when you get behind the wheel today.  And don't forget to buckle up!

10October2010 Quickshot: Fall Showers

We've have rain showers the last two days.  It's funny how much more you appreciate things when they rarely happen.

8October2010 Quickshot: Grands

 Jeddah & Tata (Arabic for grandfather & grandmother) are here visiting us.    

6October2010 Quickshot: The spoils of walking.

It seems like every time we go for a walk A ends up with a gift from a neighbor.  Today's haul was this green balloon. 

3October2010 Grand Opening.....Check!

Last night was the Grand Opening of our English center.  Door prizes, good food, gifts and lots and lots of visitors.  It was a great event.  Thank you to our all friends for remembering us and our work here!

1October2010 Body

This morning we got together for our house group.  Usually we have 3 families, with 17 kids, that get together.  But today attendance swelled to 33 thanks to 9 friends from New Mexico and D's parents.  Man, what a great time together.  It is always wonderful when the family gets together whether its in a giant building or in someone's living room.
Note:  The Body is not a building!  Not bricks! Not mortar. It doesn't have a mailing address.  It is a living, breathing organism comprised of many parts working together for a common goal.