Enjoying The Sun

It is August now, and I can’t even believe how fast the time has flown! I know I keep saying that, but it just affirms the truth in it.

I have been making this my home, and I have to say that I love this “job”!

It is winter here, and we are all in winter mode, but there have been a few days we got to roll up jeans, and soak in the sun. We almost forgot about our long- time withdrawn pasty white ankles beneath the layers.   (brought out the sunglasses, not because of the sun, but for our legs! haha )

Tuesday Laurie and I spent the day at the younger children’s house, and it was such a good day! During nap time we took advantage of the time and heat, and sat outside to read.

You never get bored, (or maybe I am becoming much more easily entertained) but there is such a blessed mix of relaxing rest, and keeping busy; all of which, can really be quite funny, and an enjoyable mix.

--Check out the video below--

When the kids got up they played so well outside. Laurie and I would just look up and smile, thinking how blessed we are to be able to be here, taking care of the kids. And how honored I am to be apart of this ministry.

It is is cool to see kids relearn how to be kids, and be gifted with the freedom to do so.

 So often because of sin, children are forced to grow up far too fast. These kids have seen many things, they have had to do, much more to care for themselves, many more responsibilities and worries than even adults have. It has become normal in this culture to have ten year olds providing the food and taking care of little siblings. But cool to see once again children being children.

Jesus knew what he was doing when he told his disciples to let the children come to Him and listen to him. And to follow their examples of a childlike faith.

I am also reminded of a childlike joy. 

My dear friend from South Africa, just lent me a new book that I am already super excited for! One, because, it is written by one of my favorite people in the world; and two, because I am have only read the preface, prolog and first chapter, and am already challenged!

The Shadow of the Almighty By Elisabeth Eliot. A biography and collection of writings of her first husband, Jim Elliot. (A missionary to Ecuador, along with Nate Saint and others who were killed preaching Christ.)

 I admire and am inspired by her, and his writing for so many different reasons! I feel like this will be one book I will have a hard time putting down for the truth found in it. And something so encouraging to read, as I am busy, plugging away at the ministry in front of me.

Here’s a taste of what I’m talking about.

“ Jim’s aim was to know God. His course, obedience- the only course that could lead to the fulfillment of his aim. His end was what some would call an extra –ordinary death, although in facing death he had quietly pointed out that many have died because of obedience to God.

   He and other men with whom he died were hailed as heros, ‘martyrs’. I do not approve (Elisabeth Elliot- Wife of Jim). Nor would they have approved.

    Is the distinction between living for Christ and dying for Him, after all, so great? Is not the second the logical conclusion of the first? Furthermore, to live for God IS to die, ‘daily’, as the apostle Paul put it. It is to lose everything that we may gain Christ. It is in thus laying down our lives that we find them” –Elisabeth Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty

So tonight, I think I will indulge a little; maybe buy a tub of real dairy ice-cream (most you will find in disguise, is made from vegetable oil…) and sink in to some old words with the Elliots. J

“It is when we obey God’s law that we can be quite sure that we really know Him. The man who claims to know God but does not obey His laws is not only a liar, he lives in self-delusion. In practice, the more a man learns to obey God’s law, the more truly and fully does he experience his love for Him. Obedience is the test of whether we really live ‘in God’ or not. The life of a man who professes to be living in God must bear the stamp of Christ”-1 John 2:3-6, JBP