Wednesday, January 26, 2011

More from Kenya

Our friend Peb has a team in Kenya right now. There have been amazing reports and I wanted to share the latest (from yesterday)....

What is most interesting about the last 24 hours is the rain. It has been very dry all over Kenya since November. The crops are withered. There is little food in the field for the people who must grow crops to eat. Yesterday, we spoke on faith and began to believe with the people for rain. It began to lightly rain exactly as the service ended. We all felt that this was a confirmation of the Word just spoken. It then rained all night here in Meru and really over almost over all Kenya. That made for a very difficult trip into the bush this morning. We went to Kanoa. Many of those people had been with us yesterday to hear the message on faith and speaking to the mountain to move...in this case it was drought. So they saw the result of this immediately with the rain that fell all night. Today in Kanoa, we met a people who really want to walk with the Lord. We spoke today about the Kingdom. We spoke on the need for unity in the Body to establish God's Kingdom in this area. This brings up the need for humility, community, forgiveness etc. The people responded very positively. It was such a blessing to be with these people. It was also such a blessing to see God confirm His Word so quickly with the rain. We go tomorrow to Ithitwe. It also seems that finally sickness has been done away with in our group. So, thanks for praying.

East Africa Zarephath Ministry

Thank You, Father, for moving the mountain!

Blessings.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Listening to Him

A friend pointed out to me yesterday that I have not been blogging lately. I am blogging in my head, just not here at the computer. It’s hard to believe that the middle of January is already here. We are back into a regular routine full of learning and laughing and listening to the Holy Spirit.

Once I recovered from our holiday travels and was ready to get back to our familiar pattern for each day, I gathered the children together in the living room one morning for our Bible time and prayer. I told them that I wanted them to hear from the Father specifically regarding what He wants them to be studying. We took a minute or two (that is all it took) to pray and they all heard from Him.

Some of what they were to learn left me quite speechless (i.e. Portuguese for Austin!!!). I already knew that He wanted Emma to learn Italian (the main reason she is no longer participating on FB) and that was again confirmed. Ben had a great time tinkering with the piano at my mom’s while we were in Texas and since we have been home, his fingers are constantly drumming on the table, the wall, the desk (reminiscent of Molly Mahoney in Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium) so it was no surprise that piano lessons were on his list. The Father graciously provided a keyboard for us just days later (thank you Connolly family!) and a possible piano teacher, as well! Ava is to continue with ballet and art class and add in French. Maya actually did not hear from Jesus at first, due to the fact that she was playing and did not actually pray. {grin} But we all prayed with her and she was excited that He wants her to learn to read and be read to lots and lots. I was also proud that the subject of math was also on everyone’s list (that one could have easily been left off…oh, mom, Jesus did not put math on my list this time…).

I am so thankful that He speaks. And that He speaks to my children, not just to me. It is a beautiful thing to witness their relationships with Him growing and changing. The excitement as they were sharing their subjects for study was thrilling! I am in awe and cannot stop saying Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

May you hear His Voice today.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Christmas in Texas, cont.

Here are a few more photos from our Christmas-time in Texas!

Bob and the boys, along with my brother and nephew, went to Lowell's ranch in Ranger to deer hunt. They only saw a few deer and only took shots at Coke cans, but it was a fun time.

I had a great Christmas eve breakfast with some of my sweet friends. From L-R, Lori, Tracey, yours truly, Lacy, Tonia and Denyse (Shannon was ill and couldn't make it...missed you, girl!) I love laughing with these girls!
Christmas morning...


We went with my mom down to our friends Jim and Carolyn's house for Christmas supper. The food was delicious and the company was refreshing. And we enjoyed a few laughs watching the kids play Wii!
My dear friend Carolyn (a.k.a. CJ) and I have had a special connection for a long time and it is always wonderful to have some time together. She's like a sister to me.
My brother and his family arrived at my mom's the day after Christmas and we had some fun time together. Here are all of the cousins together again after two years!
Bob and I with my brother, Patrick, and his wife, Carmen...
Bob is leading the younger set into the living room for a calm and orderly distribution of stockings and gifts!

From oldest to youngest...
We had a fun visit with our friends, the Bosharts. Here is my Austin holding Rebecca's Austin. :)
My lovely friend, Cinda!
And two of Cinda's very fun daughters, Hannah and Rebecca...
Emma and Laura have been friends since they were born and we had lots of good time with Laura on this visit! They are sporting matching pj's in honour of old times' sake and memories of past sleepovers.
On the way back home, we had a little trouble with delayed flights and didn't make our connection to Buffalo. We ended up staying an unexpected night in Chicago and of course had to try Chicago-style pizza for the first time. It was a hit!
A picnic with pizza and a movie after a crazy day of travel. The kids are such troopers and had great attitudes about our "adventure" in Chicago.
A welcomed sight!

I do not know why it has taken me awhile to get back into life and a normal schedule, but I think I am finally on track again. I have not, however, re-acclimated to the cold. It was warm in Texas. Some days were too warm for me (like 28 C. on the first day of winter...what?). But this cold is COLD and I am not quite back to embracing it yet. The wind chill is -14 right now (that is 7 degrees Fahrenheit, by the way, for my southern friends)!

Pass me another blanket!

Stay warm and be blessed!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Night of Worship



Local friends, don't miss an amazing night of worship at McMaster University tomorrow! Call or text me with any questions!

Twelve-Eighty Bar
Sunday, January 9
6:30pm - 9:00pm

Blessings!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Passion 2011

I put this on Facebook, but I did not want anyone to miss it. Passion 2011 is taking place this week in Atlanta and you can watch the conference via live streaming on the website. You can also watch the replay of the sessions. I think the replay may only be on there for a day or two afterward. I just listened to Session 3 which was when Francis Chan was speaking. WOW!

Don't miss it!

Passion 2011

Blessings in Jesus!!!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

This greeting is a little delayed, but we are getting back in the Canadian saddle(after a delayed flight and an unexpected overnight in Chicago on the way home) and welcoming in 2011! I will catch up on all the Texas happenings soon, but in the meantime, I hope everyone is having a great day remembering the blessings and lessons of 2010 and looking forward with hope and anticipation to the next year.

My prayer is to know the Father and His Presence as never before in my life!

You can listen to a great song called Presence by the Irish worship leader Kathryn Scott here.

New Year's blessings!