Across the Miles

When we first began praying about moving to Africa, a song kept running around in our heads. The title of the song became this blog's name. The copy we have is sung by IIIrd Time Out. Great song...and it truly reflects how we feel. MANY THANKS to each of you who are loving us across the miles.

ACROSS THE MILES
All around this world I've traveled
Through it all I've come to find
Ties that bind can come unraveled
I've had to face some lonely times
But when I'm tired and feeling low
Oh what a comfort it is to know
Across the miles
There is someone praying for me
Across the miles there is someone on their knees
Lifting my name to the Lord above
In joy and pain
I can feel the love
And see you smile
Across the miles

Life can be so complicated
Walking through it on your own
When kindred hearts are separated
It gives love a chance to grow
and even though I am so far away
Oh how I'm reminded every day
Across the miles
There is someone praying for me
Across the miles there is someone on their knees
Lifting my name to the Lord above
In joy and pain
I can feel the love
And see you smile
Across the miles

I hope you get the chance....

I am a sucker for lyrics. When we get a new CD, I take out the cover and read the lyrics before I listen to the music. I look them up online. I know the words to songs I loved 25 years ago and will sing out loud (but only when driving alone!) My music collection is so diverse because the lyrics are more important to me than the notes. My iTunes list contains Afro, Alternative, Pop, Rock, Country, and quite a few other genres. So, as I was listening last night to "Live Like You Were Dying," I pondered the words...long and hard. A question kept me up for hours.

And, after a night of tossing and turning, praying and planning, that burning question was answered when I realized that if I knew I only had a wee bit of time left on this earth, I don't think I'd be anywhere else doing any other thing.

As Wes King sings, "Life is precious...life is sweet!" Don't want to waste a moment!

Life Like You Were Dying

He said I was in my early forties, with a lot of life before me
And one moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days, looking at the x-rays
Talking bout' the options and talking bout' sweet times.
I asked him when it sank in, that this might really be the real end
How's it hit 'cha when you get that kind of news?
Man what did ya do?
He said

Chorus
I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Verse 2
He said I was finally the husband, that most the time I wasn't
And I became a friend, a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden goin' fishin, wasn't such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good Book, and I took a good long hard look
At what I'd do if I could do it all again

Bridge
Like tomorrow was the end
And ya got eternity to think about what to do with it
What should you do with it
What can I do with it
What would I do with it

I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And man I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Over the Last Year...

Over the last year, I have...

...traveled outside the US for the first time.
...learned to delegate.
...known what it means to be color blind.
...valued life more than ever.
...spoken in Arabic, English, Hausa, and French.
...cried more than any other year of my life.
...conserved water.
...had malaria.
...eaten more potatoes than I can count.
...learned to drive a stick shift!
...understood what it means to be "totally dependent" on the Lord.
...realized that home is where you are.
...grown to love Nigeria.
...slept at Heathrow airport.
...swam in a warm spring.
...cherished my American/southern heritage.
...taught over 800 lessons.
...cooked from scratch.
...fallen in love with my students, over and over again.
...hiked a volcano.
...missed family like crazy!
...had McDonald's french fries in Germany...at 5:30 AM!
...been in awe of a herd of elephants.
...learned you can't turn right on red in Nigeria.
...lost my driver's license twice (while learning the rules of the road)
...made good friends with a guy at the police station-while getting back my license!
...cherished letters from friends.
...been in numerous car accidents (but only one serious one!)
...realized I can live without electricity.
...begun to learn what it means to be content, in whatever the circumstance.

(photo of Jos market)

My Favorite Teacher

His classroom was at the very back of the building. I remember being thrilled to step into his room. It was where I wanted to go if I had any free time. Why do I remember the room? Because I loved the teacher and what he taught. Mr. Jenkins taught me how to shadow block letters, to fire clay to make a pretty cool bowl, to combine colors and what white space means. I guess I really liked Mr. Jenkins as a teacher because he gave me the tools and freedom to freely create....even in grade school. But I believe that Mr. Jenkins still sticks out in my mind thirty years later because of what he taught beyond the set curriculum-the little things that became so big, so important. He remembered birthdays. He talked to me if he saw me in the grocery store. He treated each of us as someone special, not just another student. Perhaps Mr. Jenkins taught us so much more than what a pencil and colors can do; he taught us the art of love.

As we begin this new year of school, I am reminded that what I teach in the classroom becomes rubbish if I am not loving my students...and showing them that I love them. If they don't remember what a gerund is, that is ok...but I pray that they will never forget...even thirty years from now... that they are loved and are very special to one old English teacher!

Update on Ruth

For many of you who have been praying for our dear friend Ruth, we just wanted to give you an update.
Ruth lost a baby last spring. She became horribly ill and almost died. We prayed and prayed for her life and the Lord chose to spare it. We are so grateful. With many of your gifts, Ruth's hospital bill was paid off. Ruth came to say "thank you" with her two sisters and her precious daughter, Megan. Each of the sisters knelt down (customary) and thanked us. We pass this on to you...for your gifts, but more importantly..for your prayers. We had a glorious time of fellowship with Sarah (who keeps our family fed), Ruth (in the middle), Megan (with the doll Mattie gave her) and Esther (with Naomi). Praise to God for all His blessings!

Birthday Photos

Naomi celebrated her birthday twice!
On Monday, she chose a special meal and cake to celebrate with Haysam who turned 16 on the same day.

Then Friday came the big party with the girls in her class. The afternoon was filled with water balloon fights, lots of cake with frosting and sprinkles, basketball, games and giggling...and giggling...which lasted until the next day! Hey, you only turn 11 once, right?

Another Life Ago

While stealing a few moments at the computer at school, I ran across one of my favorite blogs and was shocked! This advertisement was from a LONG time ago....seems like another life! See that little girl, Mattie Grace? She is now twelve years old. Check it out:

http://lovelettersillustrated.blogspot.com/2007/08/and-there-she-is.html

Sarah, thanks for the throw-back in time.

Happy Birthday...and Anniversary

Eleven years ago today, we welcomed our third daughter into the world...never realizing just how complete she made our family. Naomi loves a good pot of coffee (Lebanese is her favorite now, thanks Mrs. Chami!), the thrill of catching or just playing with (or even reading about) snakes, and the adventure of being outdoors rather than inside.

On Naomi's 10th birthday, we flew to Nigeria. But today, we will celebrate a bit more traditionally...a good meal and cake.

We celebrate Naomi's birth and our first anniversary in Nigeria. Oh, what a day!


SIDE NOTE: Still no internet at our house (thus, no photos), but we hope that we will get it soon. The girls aren't allowed to email via the school computers, so please be patient if you are waiting to hear from them.


PRAYERS: Please pray for our new students this year. We have many students who are living in the hostel, away from parents for the first time. Please pray for quick adjustment and for wisdom and energy as we help them through these transitions.

The Hilton

One of my very favorite places in all of Jos Is out near Liberty Dam. It is an abandoned hotel (the Hilton, actually). The hotel was never finished. I love to go there for some peace and quiet. There I can climb to the very top and throw rocks off the balcony. One side provides a view of the water...the other a view of rock formations. It is a great place to think and pray. During rainy season, I enjoy watching the thick dark clouds roll in and then racing down the stairs to try to make it to my car before I am soaked. Some days I make it, most days I don't!

Electrical Issues

For a while, we never seemed to have electricity...none, nada, nothing.

Now we have it, but our house doesn't seem to be handling it too well.

Today we asked the electrician if he would like to move in with us. Seems like he's here so often, we might as well give him a place to sleep between jobs. He laughed, we laughed....but at the time it didn't seem too funny.

We've blown numerous stabilizers and at least three outlets have had flames come out of them. Around many outlets, there are black, charred marks. Never a dull moment.

Naomi's New Pets

Soon after the death of her pet snake, Naomi started the hunt for another pet. She now has three frogs, of varying sizes, as pets. They are kept in a Mason jar (with holes in the lid) in her room. She has been slaughtering grasshoppers to place inside their habitat for their food. The grasshoppers are about 5,000x the size of the frogs. She thrives on taking care of animals (until they die or she kills them for food for her pets!)