Picture Post and Update

Finally, I have a few free minutes to write a post!  (It's Sunday afternoon.)  This past week has been so busy, I barely had time to think!  Kindergarten starts tomorrow for Seth, so I have been pouring over his school books trying to get prepared in my mind to teach.  Ahhhhh!  Do all home school moms feel a bit overwhelmed first starting out?  Yikes!  I am excited and nervous at the same time.  Seth is really excited to be starting real school.  He feels like a big boy now.

Yesterday, I had a baking day with the church ladies.  We had a great time together as we made banana muffins and coffee cake, which I renamed "tea cake".  It seemed more appropriate in Kenya where everyone drinks tea.

Today, we had such a sweet time in church.  BJ felt led to have a testimony service, and it was so sweet as one after another, Christians stood up to praise the Lord for what He has done in their lives.  Then BJ preached a good message.  I soaked it up as it has again been a while since I actually "heard" the preaching between interpreting and the nursery.

After church, a young man named Wasiluwa got baptized.  He had gotten saved after church last week, and this week wanted to be baptized. 

Then we had our monthly ladies' meeting.  Another of the church ladies, Cecilia, brought the devotion for the first time.  She taught a good lesson on the life of Rachel in the Bible.  There were 16 ladies there.  About half of them came down from Olkeri Baptist Church, the church plant that was started last year. 

Then we got home, and whew!  Relaxed.  After hearing a good Sunday evening message together as a family, Seth and BJ went outside for a game of soccer.

 

BJ's version of soccer!  Seth protested . . . in between laughs!

I soon ventured out there with my camera, suddenly realizing that I've barely thought about taking pictures all week long!  So I made up for it with quite a few family pictures.  After a few shots, BJ grew tired of being in the limelight, and playfully tried to confiscate my camera.  I told him he could have it on one condition:  He had to consent to take a picture of the two of us together.  He obliged, and then still let me keep the camera.  Sweet guy!

He also ordered pizza so that I didn't have to cook.  Even sweeter, and it was yummy.  Yes, we have finally gotten used to Kenyan pizza, and we love it now.  It is not Pizza Hut by any means, but after about a year, it kind of grows on you!

And now, as they say in Swahili, "Usiku mwema."  (Goodnight.)  I have a feeling that I am going to sleep like a rock tonight.  I'm soooooo tired but happy to be right where we are supposed to be . . . for now.

This little guy sacked out too!

I Love This Poem!

What Did I Do Today?

Today I left some dishes dirty,
The bed got made around 3:30.
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall
Will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those windowpanes,
Will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?
I rocked a baby till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy to make it squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true.
Unless you think that what I've done,
Might be important to someone.
With big bright eyes and soft blond hair,
If that is true...I've done my share!

 

The Desire of My Heart Granted

Finally, I can tell you!  God has given me the deep desire of my heart--a baby!  Yes, Seth is going to get a brother or sister in January.  He is so excited!

We told him last Wednesday night.  He asked us for a story, so we told him a story of a boy who prayed and asked God again and again for a baby.  It was such a joy to be able to tell him that God answered his prayer!  His eyes got big and wide and he exclaimed, "Really?  You really have a baby in your tummy, Mommy?"

I am 14 weeks along, so I'm just finishing up my first trimester for which I am very thankful.  I haven't been as sick as I was with Seth, but the nausea and gagginess has still been there.  I'm pretty sure I've been the happiest sick mommy alive though!

I went for my first doctor's visit last week.  For weeks, I'd been going back and forth on what to do.  I had prayed for a lady doctor, but Dr. Patel was the doctor recommended to me by the other missionary ladies here in Kenya.  He is a grandfatherly type of man who has delivered missionary kids here in Kenya for decades.  Also, he is an expert in C-sections should the need arise.  However, after learning that Seth had been born naturally at 9.7 lbs, he told me he doesn't see any reason why I can't deliver my second baby naturally as well.  They are not pushy here like they are many times in American hospitals just wanting to rush you through with petocin, epidurals, and everything else.  I was so pleased to be assured that I can have it exactly the way I want it.  I have peace now that God has given me the doctor that He wants me to have. 

I had an ultrasound done to make sure everything looked alright.  By the way, ultrasounds here cost only $50.  I cried a little to see my precious baby.  He or she was rubbing one eye like perhaps we had just woken him/her up.  My heart melted.  I also got to hear the heartbeat.  The results came back normal for both the ultrasound and the blood tests. 

I was specifically watching for things I remembered in New Guinea--run down buildings, unclean facilities, and medical personnel who look like they don't have a clue what they are doing!  I did not see any of that here in Kenya.  Everything was neat, clean, very organized, and the medical personnel obviously knew what they were doing and were good at it.

Every day many times a day, Seth comes up to me to push on my tummy and kiss my tummy.  And he says over and over, "I love you, Baby."  It is so precious.  It is what I've dreamed of for so long.

"Thank You, Lord, for the privilege of carrying another precious life inside of me."

Mom's Doctor Visit

My Mom's doctor visit went well.  She found out that the problem is not her gall bladder but rather acid reflux and can be corrected with medicine.  She does not need surgery.  Praise the Lord!  That was such a relief for me to hear!  Thank you for keeping her in your prayers the past couple of weeks.

Also, while Mom was in the air flying back to the States, my Grandma (Mom's mom) who is 81 had a stroke, fell, and broke her hip.  It is amazing how God worked the timing so perfectly to have my mom already on the way so that she can go and see her.  Grandma is still in the hospital, but she is doing better.  Her thinking is slow, but at least she is able to talk and eat again.  We are praying for her health now too.  I got her hospital number, and I will call her tonight.

Mom Made It Safe

Just an update on my mom.  She made it safe to Tennessee to my sister's house last night, got unpacked, and went to sleep.  After sleeping all night, she doesn't even feel much in the way of jet lag.  Praise the Lord for a safe, smooth trip.  We were able to talk with her and see her on Oovoo tonight which was really a blessing.  She has a doctor's appointment tomorrow for the pain she's having, possibly a gall bladder problem.  Thanks so much for praying for her.

Sweet Rebekah's Story

One of my readers recently commented on remembering how we prayed for my sister's baby a couple of years ago.  It put the desire in my heart to write a post about Rebekah's story.  I did ask my sister first even though I knew what her answer would be.  Her heart's desire is that God would continue to use her baby girl even now two years later.  I fear I won't do her story justice, but I pray it will be a blessing.

December of 2008 was a happy time for our family.  I can still remember my sister's voice on the other end of the phone, "Jess, I'm finally going to have a baby!"  She and her pastor husband, Andy, had been desperately wanting children for five long years.  I could hardly believe it!  This was the answer to our prayers!  Tears of thankfulness welled up in my eyes.

Little did we know the suffering and the pain, but also the joy and the peace that awaited our family.  After about five months, they excitedly went for their first ultrasound to find out if it was a boy or a girl.  They learned that JoAnna was carrying a baby girl, but the ultrasound also showed a multitude of problems.  The baby had cysts on the brain, an omphallasile (intestines and organs growing outside the body in the umbilical cord), and several problems with her heart.  We all prayed for a miracle knowing that God could choose to heal the baby.  People around the world joined us in prayer for little Rebekah Joy.

JoAnna endured the pain each day of loving her baby, feeling the life inside her wiggle and squirm, noticing Rebekah respond to her voice, and dreading the end of nine months lest she not get the miracle of life she so hoped for.

Finally, delivery day came.  Jo and Andy drove to the hospital with a mixture of feelings in their hearts--excitement to finally get to see their baby yet apprehension knowing they might soon have to say goodbye.  Rebekah was born by C-section on Friday, September 18, 2009.

She was immediately put in NICU.  Later, Jo and Andy were given a small room with their baby, and a nurse was assigned to care for little Rebekah.  They were given no hope that she would survive past a couple of hours or days.

Those few days in the hospital were precious as they made memories with their little girl.  Holding Rebekah in his arms, Andy began telling his daughter about Heaven.  He told her of big pearly gates and streets of gold.  He told her of Jesus, the One we love because He died on the cross for us.  With earnest voice, he spoke to her, "Rebekah, He is Lord.  When you get there, you'll see Him.  Worship Him, Rebekah."

Rebekah surprised the doctors and nurses, living longer than any of them had predicted.  However, it was obvious that she was growing weaker.  Jo and Andy longed to take their baby home, so on Tuesday, Rebekah was discharged from the hospital, and they made the trip home from Nashville.

Upon arriving home, they carried Rebekah next door to their little church building.  They walked to the front, and Andy gently laid their only child on the altar.  Here I give you JoAnna's own words,

"I knew I'd married a man of God when I watched my husband lay his baby girl on the altar, then taking my hand, hearing him say, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.'  JoAnna, we won't quit on God.  We won't stop loving Him or serving Him.  He can have whatever He wants from us, and we will obey and submit to His will.  We won't stop trusting Him!"

By Wednesday, we all noticed that Rebekah was much weaker.  She never struggled to breathe; her breathing just became more and more shallow.  That Wednesday was September 23rd, my sister's birthday.  We all begged God, "Please don't let her daughter die on her birthday."  Close to midnight, they spent the last few minutes as a family together in Andy's office.  JoAnna later told me that as the end grew closer, Rebekah kept trying to look over her shoulder at something or Someone.  Then her whole face would light up again and again with happiness and joy!  At 11:57 p.m., she was borne Heavenward to rest healed and whole in the arms of Jesus.

I must admit, I questioned, "God, why?  Couldn't it have waited a few more minutes?  Why on her birthday?  Why make her remember this on her birthday each year?"  It didn't make sense to me.  But then my sister stood up, turned to us, and said, "This was the best birthday present I've ever had.  My baby is in the arms of Jesus."

On Friday, we held the funeral service.  I was amazed as we watched that tiny, white casket being lowered into the ground, amazed to see the calmness evident in my sister and brother-in-law.  Their tears were not tears of hopelessness and finality; but instead sweet tears of joy in surrender.  God was upholding them with that "peace that passeth all understanding", and they came through that great trial of their faith shining for God's glory. 

Rebekah's story has touched the lives and hearts of so many.  It is amazing how a life totally surrendered to God (in this case by her parents) could be used so mightily by God though she only lived six days here on earth.  God is still using Rebekah to this day.

That was not the end of the story.  Today, JoAnna and Andy are the proud parents of a very busy baby boy.

Christian is eleven months old and keeps Jo hopping!  She is so happy as a mother.  Here are her words again,

"My heart never ceases to overflow with joy when I look at my son, the miracle I waited and prayed for so long.  Mothers, don't EVER take for granted even one moment of their little lives, no matter how frustrating or tiresome it gets.  They are priceless treasures that God has entrusted to our unworthy care.  Every moment is a piece of Heaven wrapped up in a tiny, energetic bundle!  Never, never take your treasure for granted!"

Prayer for My Mom

Just a quick prayer request today.  My mom is flying back to the States tomorrow (Tuesday) for medical care.  Please pray for safe plane rides and strength for about 30 long hours around the world!  Then for wisdom for the doctor to be able to diagnose whatever is wrong.  Dad will follow her sometime in August to get his eye seen by a doctor as well.  Thanks so much, dear friends of mine!

Karen Deaf School

BJ was invited again to preach at the Deaf School last night.  They like having him come because he is the only one who comes to preach to them who knows sign language.  Pastors from other churches go there to preach too, but they have to do it through an interpreter.  Needless to say, the students keep requesting BJ because they like having the message in their language.  Praise the Lord!  And this time the students requested that Seth and I come too, so we all went together.  Their chapel service starts at 8:00 p.m. which is why we haven't gone with BJ before.  Seth doesn't do well past 8:30 p.m., and I don't do well past 9:30 p.m.!

Have you ever been where you really didn't feel like doing something but knew you should for someone else's sake?  That was me last night.  I didn't feel good, and I was so sleepy.  In my heart, I was wishing I could just stay home.  I prayed, "Lord, the only reason I am doing this is because You have done so much for me.  I really don't feel like it.  Would You please turn this night into a blessing?"  He did!

Deaf and hearing packed into that classroom to hear BJ preach.

It was a blessing; they just kept coming in!  In fact, several times, they had to go get more benches from another classroom so that people would have places to sit. 

After some songs, BJ preached to them about salvation.  He preached in two languages at the same time.  I do not feel like I know Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) well enough yet to voice interpret, so he voice interpreted for himself in Swahili at the same time that he signed.  That is not easy to do because sign language and spoken languages are so completely different.  Contrary to what many people think, KSL is not merely signing Swahili words just as ASL (American Sign Language) is not merely English on the hands.  The whole structure of these languages is completely different. 

For example, in English, we would say, "I will go to the store."  In Swahili, the word order would be similar to English, but in sign language (ASL and KSL) you would sign the words in this order: "Store I go will."  So basically, when you do both at the same time, you are speaking in one word order, and signing it backwards at the same time!  Make sense?  I was amazed, though, at how well BJ got the message across in both languages.  For some strange reason, he finds it easier to voice in Swahili than in English while he signs.  Hopefully, one day I will know KSL (and Swahili) well enough to be able to voice interpret for him.

After the message, they asked me if I would "sing" a special for them.  I transferred a sleeping Seth to BJ's arms, and after a few seconds of quick thinking, ("What song can I sing and sign at the same time?"), I opted for "Jesus Loves Me".  They all joined me in signing it.  When we finished the song, they "cheered"!  This picture is precious to me. 

 

It meant so much to them that I was willing to come with Seth to their school and get involved in their language.  I feel tears when I think of how God turned this night into such a special blessing for me.  The pictures are somewhat blurry, but that is to be expected with the Deaf.  Their hands are constantly moving!  How I love Deaf people!  They very emphatically told us we were welcome to come back again and again!  God is so good to this missionary family, especially to me.

A Day in Downtown Nairobi

Yesterday, we spent most of the morning downtown Nairobi.  It was a necessary trip to Nyayo House, the place where we go to get our visa paperwork done.  This time I had to go because they needed my fingerprints.

We left the house very early at 5:30 a.m.  It was still dark, but BJ doesn't like to sit in rush-hour traffic for hours, so we opted to beat the traffic.  I must admit, though, I was pretty nervous.  With it being dark, it was very difficult to see people walking on the road.  Then, even at that early hour, traffic picked up downtown.  I felt like I was holding my breath the whole way there!  There are no speed limits here, and a lot of roundabouts.  I was amazed to see red lights IN the roundabout.  When I mentioned it to BJ, he told me he tried stopping in a roundabout at a red light one time, and he about got plowed in the back end!  Never again!  I don't know what they are for, but no one heeds them, and unless you want to get in a wreck, you'd better not worry about them either!  Traffic keeps moving . . . always.  I laughed when BJ told me his three rules for driving in Africa.

# 1.  Don't get hit.
# 2.  Don't hit anyone.
# 3.  And don't lose your testimony!

By the way, I do not drive in Africa!!!

Anyway, we made it safely downtown, parked the car, and waited until Java restaurant opened up.  Then we walked to Java and ate breakfast.  We sat there a while and waited until Nyayo House opened up; then we walked there.  It is impossible to find parking spots at all these places downtown, so you park and walk everywhere.  Seth and I were getting quite a few looks.  I guess it is a rare thing to see white women and children walking around downtown.

At Nyayo, things went more quickly than usual.  On Tuesday morning, BJ was there for two hours, and they were sending him to this line and that line back and forth only to find that I had to be there in person too!  But yesterday, we were in and out of there in about 45 minutes.  I smiled as I watched BJ in action.  Normally, my husband's personality is a take charge, go-getter, let's get this accomplished pronto type of guy.  But Africa has changed him somewhat.  Since arriving in Kenya, he has read every book he could get his hands on about African culture, and he puts what he learns into practice.  Before he even left, he prayed out loud that God would help him to keep his testimony!  Then he walked into that building where they've given him the runaround time and time again and where each time he goes, they tell him something different.  He walked in there with a humble attitude of "I don't know what I am doing, maybe I've messed this up, can you please help me?"  Honestly, it puzzled me somewhat because I know my husband has a lot of confidence.  He just smiled as we left and told me, "You get a lot more accomplished with that attitude in this culture."  Saving face is a big deal here, and when you ask it like that, they try to help you save face as much as possible.  On the other hand, you get nowhere with an impatient, know-it-all attitude. 

We walked quite a ways to a couple of bookstores and a grocery store, then trudged back to the car.  It was a long walk back, and I was very ready to sit in the car for the ride home.  I purposely did not take my camera on the walk, so I have no pictures of downtown Nairobi for you.  I was excited to buy a cookbook though at one of the bookstores.  It is entitled The Newcomer's Guide to Cooking in Africa.  It has a lot of recipes from scratch as well as helpful things like altitude conversions and substitutions for things we can't get here.  I plan on using it a lot!

Since I don't have pictures to post about my post, I'll just post a couple of Seth.  Grandparents always like those kind of pictures anyway!

"Mommy, God did a good job creating this flower, didn't He?"

Reading a favorite book on the verandah

God's Faithful Pilgrim

God's Faithful Pilgrim

He has surrendered his life to God,

 The Gospel of peace his feet to shod.

 And answered the call of the Lord most High,

Saying, "Send me, O Lord, here am I!"

So he journeys to a land--a people unknown,

Where the Gospel seed has never been sown.

And sees a people and souls so lost,

For with broken heart, he's counted the cost.

To tell them of Christ Who for them He did die,

To pardon their sins, to forever justify.

This faithful servant, a stranger in the land,

Has given his all into God's protecting hand.

Never to fear or ever be afraid,

For his faith and trust in his God is stayed.

He gives his whole heart and love to them.

He is God's servant--God's faithful pilgrim.

Author:  JoAnna Price (my sister)

No Wonder It's Cold!

Last night, BJ decided to try an experiment.  He put our thermometer outside on the verandah, so we could see how cold it's getting at night right now.

 

This morning he checked it at about 8:00 a.m.  Brrrrrrr!  56 degrees, and we are right on the equator!  Isn't that ironic?  We live at about 5,600 feet elevation, though.  Today, I don't think it got above 66 degrees.  We are staying warm in our sweaters, robes, and under blankets with hot water bottles, but BJ is looking into getting a space heater soon!  When I crawl out of bed in the morning, I scramble for my heavy robe and fuzzy socks.  Then the next thing on my mind is a hot water bottle and a blanket on the couch!  I am happy where I am though.  I'd much rather have it cold than hot, and from what I've been hearing, it is super hot right now in the States. 

We had a good day in church today with several visitors.  BJ preached with liberty and power from the Lord.  He looked like he was thoroughly enjoying himself!  My preacher man loves doing what God has called him to do.  

Then after church, BJ took me (and Seth) to Osteria, our authentic Italian restaurant here in Karen.  The food tasted sooooo good, especially when I didn't have to cook it!  I wish I could make Italian food like that at home.  I just can't seem to duplicate those flavors.  Oh, well, it makes those occasional "dates" at Osteria all the more special.

The Best Crawfish Etoufee

I am not overly confident cooking most Cajun foods.  My recent gumbo turned "okay," but it was definitely not something to rave about.  Being able to cook Cajun food the way Cajuns cook Cajun food in my opinion takes years of practice, especially if you are not Cajun like me.  However, I am confident with this etoufee recipe because I got it from BJ's family who is Cajun and who flat know how to cook!  This recipe is so good that BJ and I refuse to order etoufee at any of the restaurants in Louisiana.  It just never measures up to what we are used to!

Now for all of you non-Louisianians who shudder at the thought of eating crawfish, let me just say, you don't know what you are missing!  However, you can replace the crawfish with shrimp, and it still tastes good, though not AS good in my opinion.  I made it with shrimp last night though because the one store in Nairobi (and probably in Kenya!) where I've found crawfish has not had any lately.  It must not be crawfish season here.   

 

The Best Crawfish Etoufee

3/4 to 1 lb crawfish tails or shrimp

1 can creme of shrimp soup (I have to use cream of chicken or mushroom here, but it definitely lacks some flavor.) 

1 can Mild Rotel tomatoes

1 and 3/4 to 2 cups water 

1 chicken bouillon cube

1 cup butter or margarine

6 Tablespoons flour 

2 stalks celery (optional)

2 onions, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon brown sugar

4 green onions sliced

1/8 cup parsley (I have to use cilantro here instead, and it works too.)

mushrooms (optional) 

Salt (about 1 and 1/2 teaspoons), pepper, and cayenne to coat crawfish/shrimp well

Instructions: 

Melt the butter in a large skillet.  Add the chopped celery, onions, bell pepper, and garlic, and allow ingredients to cook down.  Add the 6 Tablespoons of flour and stir.  Add the creme of shrimp soup, the Rotel tomatoes, brown sugar, and almost 2 cups of water.  Allow to cook for 20-35 minutes.

While this is cooking, place crawfish or shrimp in a bowl, and cover it with salt, black pepper, and cayenne.  (I cut the shrimp in half to make them more the size of crawfish tails.)  After the cooking time has elapsed, add the crawfish/shrimp to the pan.  Cook until the crawfish/shrimp is almost done; then add the green onions, parsley, and mushrooms.   Cook until all ingredients are done.  Serve over rice, and enjoy. 

Snuggles Mean So Much

Yesterday, Seth asked for the crayons to color a picture.  He normally doesn't sit still long enough to color for any length of time, but I got him the crayons and he chose a picture to color.  I noticed he was working very hard on that picture, making sure to put all different colors on it.  When he finished, he proudly put it on the refrigerator with magnets.  Then he stated, "This pretty picture is for Daddy because he snuggles with me in the mornings."   My heart melted as I realized how very important snuggle time is for my little boy.  The next time he crawled up beside BJ, I watched him wrap his little arms around his Daddy with pure contentment on his face.  Here they are together again, and it's story time!

I determined once again in my heart to make the most of snuggle time while I still can.  One day my little boy will no longer be little, and he probably won't appreciate Mommy showering him with hugs and kisses, so let me get them in while I can!  I don't want to ever forget what it feels like when he snuggles in close as we read together and sound out words during school.  When he climbs up on my lap just to talk, and boy, does he love to talk!  "Lord, help me to remember what is really important.  Being Mommy to this boy is so very important.  Help me to be what he needs every day."

You Might Be a Missionary Kid If . . .

My dear friend, Jolene, is a missionary wife in the Ukraine.  She has long been one of my role models as a missionary wife, and now I feel blessed to be able to call her a very close friend.  Her husband grew up as an MK in Mexico, and together they are now raising four precious MK's for God. 

She posted this on her blog, and it is a must read!  Click on the orange link below to find out all about missionary kids!  I could relate to just about every point in her recent post, "You might be a missionary kid if . . . "

Our 4th of July in Kenya

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July.  We sure did!   Sunday afternoon, we loaded our suitcase in the car, and drove up to Thika, a town about an hour and half away.  We made it just in time for the service at Lighthouse Baptist Church, a new work recently started by the Rains family in Thika.

We spent Sunday night at the Rains' house.  It was so good to get to fellowship with them while Seth and their five kids played their hearts out!  They also had two dogs that Seth quickly made friends with and a big yard with lots of trees, flowers, and dirt.  He stated emphatically that he wanted to stay there "until God comes back."

Monday morning, we all drove across town to the Stamper's house where missionaries were gathering for the annual 4th of July picnic.  Hamburgers and hotdogs were being grilled outside, and food, food, and more food was being piled on the tables!  I think I counted 14 missionary families there!

It was such a blessing to hear so many American voices singing "The Star-Spangled Banner", "God Bless America," and "My Country 'Tis of Thee."  Many of these missionaries we do not know very well yet, and BJ and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet them and to be able to glean from their years of wisdom. 

 

Bro. Daub in the middle foreground there and his wife came to Kenya 40 years ago.  Bro. Weaver (red shirt far right) grew up as a missionary here in Kenya from the time he was 2 years old.  That is about 50 years of experience!  He speaks Swahili just like a Kenyan, and Kenya is all he has ever known.  What a blessing to meet these faithful missionaries who have literally given their whole lives to the people of Kenya.  Can you imagine what that does for newcomers like us?  Our hearts cry out with the prayer "God, may we be found faithful too!"

The Coleys (above) have been such a blessing to us.  They have been a real source of encouragement and advice whenever we've needed it.  They work on the north side of Nairobi.

 

Some more of our close friends, the Mickeys.  They have a very strong church in Nakuru as well as a Christian school.  Also, the Lord has opened doors for him to start churches and Bible Institutes in the Congo and Burundi.  We visited the Mickeys church in Nakuru last year, and really enjoyed meeting their people.  We even got to meet a deaf girl whose mother is faithful in their church.

 

And now for pictures of Seth and his friends.  Many of the MK's were older, but Seth found some around his age, and they played hard all day long together.  His favorite friend turned out to be Winnie, the Rains' 6-year-old adopted daughter. 

Winnie

Part of what drew him to her was her name, I am sure!  Winnie is a very special name to Seth.  Then the fact that she is Kenyan and very sweet.  All day long, he talked about what he and Winnie did together. 

He made some other friends as well.  I think this boy's name was Silas.

Seth and Silas

And Susanna (Susie) is a Rains too.  She is five, and they played some together.  She is all girl, though, and Seth is all boy, so they probably didn't find a whole lot in common!  This beautiful little girl doesn't enjoy dirt quite as much as Seth does.  And she likes pink!  Ugh!  (I wish God would give me a little girl someday!  Shhh!  Don't tell BJ; he is scared to death of little girls, scared that a daughter would wrap him around her littlest finger!  Ha Ha)

Seth and Susie

We had a wonderful time.  I am so thankful that the missionaries here make it a point a couple of times a year to get together for fellowship.  I suddenly realized the truth of Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."  We as missionaries need one other as we serve God here in Kenya. 

Our Anniversary

So what did we do for our anniversary?  Well, it is Friday, so that meant our weekly shopping trip.  This week, we went to Village Market to do our shopping because there is a putt-putt golf course there . . . and well, it's tradition, you see.  We played putt-putt golf on our honeymoon in Gatlinburg.  (I had to teach him how to play.)  I beat him good on our honeymoon, but that wasn't much of a victory.  Today, though, victory was mine, full and sweet!  Hubby has become quite good at putt-putt over the years, perhaps a little better than I because he understands all that geometry and angles stuff.

Me?  I do well with straight lines.  When I have to bounce the ball off corners, it's a given it's going to take me five or six tries to get it in the hole!  But I beat him 66 to 71!  Can you tell that we are both very competitive?

When we were courting, I wondered if I was supposed to let him win sometimes to "boost his male ego."  At least that is what I was hearing in the girl's dorm at college.  Something about that seemed awfully deceitful to me.  When I worriedly mentioned it to BJ, he about came unglued.  His reply was, "If you ever let me win at a game and don't give me fair competition, we won't be courting any longer!"  Okay, buddy!  I never felt guilty about it anymore after that!  Whoever wins between us wins fair and square!

BJ was irked today because a couple of his balls went right across the top of the hole, but not in it.  Then it irked him even more when he tossed Seth's ball behind his back and it landed right in the hole!

Seth had fun too.  He spent most of his time dragging his ball into the holes with his putter.  Then he would dance around and holler, "Yay!  Yay!"  

 

After a good lunch of Chinese food at Village, we got in the car to go home.  Before he started the car, BJ pulled something out of a shopping bag for me.  My eyes widened in surprise!  It was a can of Cream Soda!  Today was the first time we've seen that here in Kenya.  BJ bought every can in the store for me--all five cans!  It was a very sweet anniversary present.

Still the Happiest Bride!

I have noticed during the last couple of months that many of my friends were summer brides, and I've thoroughly enjoyed looking at the wedding pictures they shared on their blogs.  I was a summer bride too!

On July 1, 2006, five years ago, I married God's perfect choice for my life!  It was and still is amazing to me how God so completely answered every prayer I prayed about the man I would someday marry. 

My girlhood ideal was, of course, tall, dark, and handsome.  But that was not what I prayed for in a husband.  I prayed from about the time I was 13 that my missionary man would be saved and would love God with all of his heart.  Then I added about 48 other qualifications to the list that did not include looks!  I knew God could take care of the looks part however He saw fit and still make it work out perfect for me. 

To my amazement as I was courted by my missionary man for a year and a half, I eventually placed a check mark beside every one of those 50 qualifications.  He aced my secret test and didn't even know he was being tested!  Is he tall, dark, and handsome?  Hmmmm, average height, blonde, and yes, very handsome!
 

Exactly five years ago, I walked down an aisle to meet my bridegroom, saw his eyes light up with love and joy, and knew I was the happiest bride in all the world.  I still am!

We determined together that the very first time we touched at all would be on our wedding day.  How sweet it is to get to the marriage altar clean, pure, and completely chaste for that one that God has picked out for you!  The first time we held hands, the first time we kissed . . . the first time he held me in his arms happened on our wedding day!  "Thank You, Lord, for my man."