Blessed Be Your Name

Blogging from Nairobi, Kenya!
WOW! I am in a beautiful area of Africa... green, clean and full of wildlife! (Photos to be posted when I get back home.) As we drove through the Rift Valley area, I became a wee bit homesick for mountains, trees and cooler weather.I am very tired from long meetings, but my spirit is refreshed. This week I was reminded of one of my favorite songs. May I never cease to praise our Father, both in the good times and those that test me in many ways. May we praise Him when He gives....and praise Him when He takes away!
Blessed Be His Name!!!

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

The Bucket and Growing Up

Not for the weak of stomach.

I spent lots of time studying her little face this week. Naomi was as sick as she has ever been....ever. I prayed and prayed as I held her head while she was sick into bucket after bucket. I cried out to God to heal her when she asked me why God let her be sick. She could barely walk after the first day but got better after we started malaria treatment. Unfortunately, her fever would spike and she would be horribly sick at night. Finally, she turned the corner and began to smile once again. Then it was over as quickly as it came. Praise the Lord!

While she was asleep in my arms this week, I studied her often. She is growing up. Quickly. She is very self sufficient and enjoys a life full of adventure (and coffee!) She is the most independent 10 year old I know but still loves to cuddle every night. Precious. (And I especially love to cuddle when there isn't a puke bucket between us!)

The Pursuit of Balance

Balance....

• an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady

Is it as hard for you to achieve balance as it is for me? I am too much like a car whose owner doesn’t see the need to keep the tires balanced and rotated on a regular basis. Yep, sometimes I wait too long…until I get a flat and can no longer run.

But this week is one of relaxation…a change of pace…a realignment. We are on spring break! At 5 AM tomorrow I will begin my 24 hour trip to the other side of the continent-to Kenya! Although this is work related, it will be a nice change of pace and a great time to catch up with friends. (Not to mention, it will be about 30+ degrees cooler and water will run a'plenty!) Please pray for Jon and the kids as they stay behind for the week.

********************************************

May today there be peace within!
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be!
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
-St. Teresa