Random Thoughts

So I am sitting at my computer and drinking Milo (kristi you should appreciate that) and was thinking. Everyone has their list of what they enjoy right? So here I thought when am I most happy, what signifies just one of those "moments"?

1. Walking barefoot in the sand in that place where the ocean is ankle deep...yes, that is perfection.

2. When God wakes you up to pray and you are confused, but come to the point in prayer where there is that release....

3. The moment I stepped off the plane in Africa

4. Watching a movie where there is a "perfect" guy and laughing because they don't really exist, but then secretly holding out that God has one out there for me (and his heart belongs to Africa, and Kids Prayer)

5.Vegging on the couch with my Aunt or my mom.

6.the moments where you get the unexpected emails or texts from someone telling you they love you out of the blue.

7.Watching the Sound of Music (yes, I love that movie) and singing the songs at the top of your lungs.

8. When one of your kids from church who is all grown up comes to you for advice....that's precious.

9. Those "God" Moments where you are struggling and then He shows Himself in such a special way that you can't deny it's Him...then you feel His arms wrap around you and all is perfect for that period of time (yes my love language is Physical touch)

10.The realization that God is God no matter what. Even when life seems up in the air and nothing makes sense. He is still sovereign.

11. When someone says..."I'm not really scared anymore, but I am glad you were here...it made it easier" The realization you were needed and you made a difference.

Craziness!

Okay so it's only a few weeks until school starts back up, Friday night is our annual All night kids prayer meeting in Herrick Il., I am going on a road trip with my aunt in two weeks (so very excited about that), my roomate comes home from a missions trip tonight, and the world is spinning round and round and round...HA!

Sometimes there are just so many things going on I can't get above the water.

For those of you who read my blog and don't know: Timo Simoneaux (MK to Malawi/Mozambique/Zimbabwe has been airlifted to Joburg for treatment. He has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and is very critical.....please pray for him and his family.


That's all for now,

VBS, Work, and Life........

"An idle mind is a devil's workshop" okay so you can laugh if you want, but I just found out this is not in scripture.......however it applies.

I've been taught to stay as busy as possible in God's work, to avoid falling into temptation. This week has been, work, or volunteering, then VBS, then the night at my aunt's learning VBS motions, or just relaxing.

I'd say my hands have stayed busy. I am seeing as I get more involved in full time ministry, wether it be teaching in the 7th and 8th grade class at church, or stepping in to help with GLOW when the others aren't able to be there, has kept my mind more on things of God instead of troubles, or things of the world.

I have found I am growing in leaps and bounds, both in my confidence to do what God has called me to do and in knowledge of how to accomplish those things.

I'm seeing that my mom and Aunt were right all along. I am able, because God is able.

safety

So it's been nearly a week since my last post, and well, I am not really sure if anyone reads these anyway, but here it goes:

You know when you look back at things and it makes you smile? Well I am having one of those moments. I've spent nearly all my free time at my aunt's in the last well, month. I've decided it is a safe haven. I can be as silly as I want.....she doesn't care. I can be quiet...it's okay.....I can relax.....praise God!
So everyone has a past that gets to them sometimes....we are all human. Sometimes my past comes back to haunt me, and I have to look to God for the strength to overcome it one more time....who doesn't?

In the midst of the storm there has to be a safe place to go to that you can sort your feelings, and gain strength....I know where I can go....do you?

you know you are in africa when...part 2

You know you’re from Africa when……
42. it doesn’t seem right to pay the asking price on anything in a store. If you can’t barter for it, it’s not worth having.
43.you’d rather be barefoot
44. every toothpaste is colgate
45. every softdrink is coca cola or fanta
46.black outs are nothing new to you
47.four cars are driving parallel to each other on a one-lane road
48.you have an over whelming urge to wash all your salad in milton
49.Cramming 7 passangers in a 4 passenger taxi is really not a big deal
50.carry purell like it’s your life supply
51.you keep converting the value of things in your home currency when you see the dollar value
52.a plane flies by and you just cant help but look up
53. You have another name that you go by that isn't your american name (Akosia)


I really miss Africa!!! I can't believe I have been home over a year.....I can't wait to go back!

you know you're in Africa when:

Here's a list care of my next steps friend:

1. You get hit by a car
2. You get proposed to everyday
3. The power and water go out and daily life continues
4. Other white people ignore you
5. You can go 2 weeks without a hot shower and you are okay with that.
6. The generator broke but you are in the nicest hotel
7. You put 22 people in a 15 passenger trotro
8. You no longer have potholes but "car" holes
9. Babies cry because they've never seen a white person
10. You wake up to roosters crowing at 3AM
11. 50,000 isn't much
12.Your peanut butter is called ground nut paste
13. you sit down and children fight over who sits in your lap
14. It's no longer cats that hiss at you but humans
15. You can't tell the difference between rocks and toilet paper
16. You can watch 2 movies at once on the same screen
17. You iron your clothes to avoid bug infestation
18. The water you brush your teeth with causes diseases if swallowed
19. Your continental breakfast taste like communnion
20. You eat Nutella for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
21. Fast Food is a sit down restaurant
22. "Whole" Fish includes tails, scales, and eyeballs
23. Time no longer exists
24. Missionaries are asked to wait outside for members to show up but are treated like royalty
25. Anytime you stop moving for one second you feel tiny, precious hands all over you.
26. People ask you for money because you're white
27. Worship is amzing, we even dance to give offering
28. 2 men hold hands and it's ok
29. Your clothes are in the kitchen cabinet
30. Your clothes line consists of a curling iron and straightener
31. You are the only one who notices naked people
32. You go to the bathroom in pairs so someone can hold the flashlight because you can't see
33. You can't understand your own language and sing the wrong song.
34. 80 degree weather is winter
35. You get charged for taking pictures outdoors
36. The conga line is ok in church
37. The keyboard player plays a different song than what you are singing
38. Farm animals no longer live on a farm but on the main roads and in the church.
39. DSL is the equivalent of Dial - Up
40. You drink Kool - Aid with clumps in it
41. But most of all, you know you are in Africa when you finally feel "At home"

Fourth of July!

Hmm, so this time last year I was in Africa. Before you think that all my blogs are going to be Africa, this one really isn't. It's fourth of July, and I am enjoying my day off work. My dog is crashed on the couch, and I am thinking about our military. My little sister has been in the airforce for a year now. My little brother is National Guard. I am so proud of them and very scared at the same time.

I think about all the families who are celebrating today while their loved ones are stationed over seas. We are so blessed that they go and pave the way for us to live this blessed life. As I think of this it makes me think of another battle being fought. The one that leads the way to eternity.

God has an army too, complete with officers and the like. He has His intercessors that are like snipers. We stand behind and send out darts with precission that only comes from being linked to the General. Then there is the infantry, the saints who go forth and fight the battle everyday in our words, our actions, our strength, and the commanding officers, the pastors and ministers who train us up to fight the battle with precision.

Hmmm.....being called is, well, hard.

So I am sitting here preparing to leave for Shekinah Kids'. For those of you who don't know, that is my church's kids prayer training class. I have been helping out off and on for a couple of years, but really got involved in the last year or so.

I love it! I love kids and I love prayer, how much greater can it get?

Here's the thing, I walk in my house and the first thing I see? (Other than my dog begging to go out) A flag of Ghana and my kente cloth on the wall. Step closer and there are pictures of services, friends, memories and most of all....African Children.

So here's the deal, I nearly melt down everytime I look at the wall...okay so I am definately a drama queen and I know this, but it is very nearly true. My heart aches for Africa.....I long to be there. I long to walk down the street and be mobbed by sellers trying to get me to buy things because I am white. I long to hold the kids in my arms and watch their faces light up as they realize Jesus loves them too, even though they are small. I long to watch as they dance to Father Abraham for the hundreth time, and smile so big when I sit down because of course now they can jump up in my lap.

I long to wake up to the sound of roosters, or the sound of rain drops on the window, not little raindrops, but drops like only Africa can make. Believe it or not, I even long to walk somewhere instead of getting in my car, or better yet, to sit under the stars and have church.....really loud!!

I look at all I have here, and the priveledges I enjoy. All that God has done in my life. I saw a friend...Sister Tandi a few weeks ago and all I could do was think of Africa.

I know I am supposed to be here, and I sort of have peace with that. I also know that I won't be here forever, that God is calling me back to this beautiful land. My heart breaks every morning I wake up and I am counting down.......counting down until the day I board the plane back to the land of my calling. I don't know exactly where, or when, but I know it will be.

One day I'll be back again. Back to all my beautiful African Children, and all their smiling faces. Lord give me the strength I need to be strong until that day.