a THEME of THANKFULNESS

I really like the idea of celebrating November with a theme of thankfulness.  So, here’s to 30 days of thanksgiving!

These are the handicrafts of Ginny (and her friend).

The rest of the posts won’t be in any order, but I could not start my month of thankfulness without starting with God.

 

For these I am thankful (#1)....

My heavenly Father

I am thankful for a God who lavishes.  He delights in giving before I even ask or before I even am in need.  His love for me is so rich and perfect and uncomprehend able.  Jeff, Ryan and I are reading through the Bible this year and I am reading through with the rest of the kids.  Man, it has been incredible being reminded of all his has done for us starting at the very beginning!.   What an awesome God we serve!

DAY of the DEAD

On November 1^st, our neighbors went the local cemetery to cut the grass and pick up trash.   The following day (Day of the Dead) they went to light candles to and pray for the dead.

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!

SAYING GOOD-BYE

October 25^th we had to say good-bye to family.  It was a great month that flew by way too fast!

HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES IT TAKE TO REMOVE A PIQUE?

Poor dad had so many piques while he was here….partly because he spent so much time outside fixing things.  I didn’t know we had so many things broken at our house, but Dad has managed to keep himself busy doing odds and ends jobs.  Let’s see…he has fixed all the bikes numerous times, planted the garden, fixed and replaced lights, made a better clothe line system, fixed 3 floor fans, varnished 6 chairs, added screen door locks, and took a part the washing machine.

BROOM MAKING 101

What an incredible cultural experience I had today.  Liz, Ginny and I learned how to make brooms. 

Acela and Alba took us deep into their field.  Ginny got a little ride when the weeds got tall.  

 

 

They showed us the type of weeds we needed to pick – dry ones with lots of branches.

Next, we chopped down the broom handles.  We tried our hand at whittling it with a machete, but as you can see from the picture, Alba just laughed at our attempt!

Alba attached the weeds we collected to the handles we whittled with a rag.

And viola!  A broom!

We walked for 2 hours!

And then we picked mandioca.

As the sun was setting, we went back to their house, sipped terere and hung out with their family.  What fun memories!

WOTH RETREAT

October 20-24, 2011

            When I got back from the Women of the Harvest (WOTH) retreat in Foz, Brazil, everyone’s first question was, “How was it?”  Wow!  What a loaded question!  I don’t even know how to express the incredibleness (see, I told you there were no words) of those 4 days. 

            Yes, it was relaxing to get a massage and receive a pedicure.  I loved my makeup make-over, my haircut, and color analysis.  Of course, it was fun receiving coveted “American” gifts like chocolate chips, maple extract, books and CDs.  And how fantastic it was just to get away, be in a nice hotel and not cook or clean dishes.  But all that doesn’t begin to touch the surface of the blessings God sent my way. 

There were 46 participants and about 25 volunteer staff.  Do you see that ration?!  These women POURED into us by listening, leading small group discussions, sharing from their deep wealth of life experiences, and praying.  PRAYING!  Have you ever been prayed over before you receive a professional haircut (or a “prayer-cut” as the hairdresser says)?  Has a woman ever given you a foot massage and listened so intently to your story that her prayer over you touched upon every single one of your fears and concerns?  Have you ever intended to just slip pass someone in the hall and ended up with laughter, tears, prayers and enough affirmation and encouragement to last a lifetime?

These women are prayer warriors.  They prayed for me BY NAME before the retreat even began.  They prayed for me BY NAME during the retreat.  And they will pray for me BY NAME long after the days in Brazil are over.  How humbling, how encouraging, how life-changing. 

These are the women I was privileged to spend time with.

This is my discussion group.  I know it sound cliché, but it really does feel like I have known these ladies a lot longer than a few days. Our speaker, a former missionary herself, shared from God’s word about our identity in Christ.

Getting one of those awesome prayer pedicures by a lady who said one of her greatest pleasures was to wash my feet.  MY FEET! 

Yes, that is turquois nail polish that I picked.  Why not, hu? 

In every aspect of the retreat, WOTH strived for excellence. Their goal is to encourage women as they serve cross-culturally.

 

Here I am with a shorter haircut and make-up (I think the last time I donned make-up was for my wedding).  And, through Shirley’s “clothes shopping ministry” (have you ever heard of such a thing?) I was given a new beautiful shirt.   

And, I got to share all this with Liz (my step-mom).  Through incredible “coincidences” (wink, wink) we were able to go together (she ministers in Bosnia).