just lovely

It's so lovely being here...

skating part II

A marked improvement I'd say...(and a medley of Nede's activities)...

merry christmas

(these pictures pretty much sum up Nede's day)

Merry Christmas from our warms hearts to yours!  

xoxo

'twas some nights before Christmas

'Twas some nights before Christmas and all through the house

There were children sleeping, as quiet as the mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that the glory of the Lord would be there

I sat there all quiet, so still in my bed

With ponders and memories so real in my head

With Neds in her pj’s and I in mine too

I think on the Lord, if I’d known what He knew

And deep in my heart there is joy, so much more

I want to praise Him and doubt Him no more

For God is so real, He showed that to me

Without him today, I don’t know where I’d be

He took me through dark spots, ones I’d never seen

And now He’s fulfilling my hearts greatest dreams

I praise Him this Christmas, like never before

For He’s held me and taught and oh, so much more

So in the season of busy and all that it brings

Take a few moments to let your heart sing

Praise the sweet Jesus and all that he brought

For without this day we’d have nothing, not lots

And his love has saved us, it’s our hearts he sought

I praise you Lord Jesus , for the things you have taught

I give you these days, I want only you

I give you my heart, please keep making me new

I praise you this Christmas and this New Year too

To keep changing my heart to look more like you

Thank you for coming so humble, so real

It’s with gladness and honor before you I kneel

I praise you Lord Jesus and ask you to be

So near and so real to my family and me!

We wish you Merry Christmas, Happy New Year too

I love you and thank you for all that you do!

May this Christmas be different as I reflect on the miracles in my own life! 

i'm happy

Nede's adjusting to life here in America quite well. She's her happy self...

Tonight we had a party so I could see some friends before the holidays.

These yummy treats made me happy...

And being with my little friends makes me happy... 

And this picture (seeing Nede with friends from Hands at Work who I met in South Africa who've I've never spent much time with in the States) makes me REALLY happy...

And this dear friend who God introduced me to in Chimoio in 2008, who held Nede and loved on babies at the clinic where I now work, she and her husband make me very, very happy...

And former co-workers who love us and support us, seeing them makes me VERY happy...

 And Nede bringing up memories from Mozambique with my cousin. Very happy...

And friends who let me stay at their house and have parties for me and who heard all my struggles in 2009 and now we're watching our children play together, that makes me very, very happy!

This is me SO happy and remembering all the miracles that went on in order for me to have this night! 

"Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth!" Luke 2:14

lovin' it

My words remain few these days. We're experiencing so much together. I'm reuniting with friends and family, it's beautiful. I'm loving it-- each and everyday.

xoxo

today's favs

 Enjoying every minute.

So grateful.

So happy. 

So rejoicing. 

Thank you Lord! 

a photo tour

Since I'm not sure I can yet put words to what I've been feeling over the last several days. I think these pictures capture everything pretty well.

On our way to the airport. Ecstatic.

Because this was awaiting.

And these faithful friends surprised me.

And my family of 6 that I left almost 3 years ago, is finally together again as a family of 11. This picture will forever be invaluable. 

This represents both our contentment.

We're experience many new things together. 

And, this represents the chaos.

And the joy.

And Nede's sheer excitement with things. (Even crusty old snow in a parking lot)

And...you know what happened next... 

But, as represents our lives. We get up and keep going...

Enjoying every minute, together!

a Christmas miracle

They said don't try again.
I'd be a waste of money.
I cried.
A lot.
I thought, "Really God is this where this ends?"
"That's it? Go back."
Crying.
Then I asked for prayer.
And people around me rallied.
A lot.
They prayed.
From every corner of the globe.
I still said, "Really God, I can't do this again."
Emails rolled in.
Letters poured in in support of Nede and me.
I kept on crying of the goodness of my friends and family.
I remained scared.
Terrified really.
With arms raised by others, begging for mercy,
waiting for grace,
The plans came together.
We set off on a bus.
Together.
My daughter and me.
They picked us up, our new friends, we'd never met.
We were loved and held.
We slept.
I woke up early hearing Christmas music and smiled.
Turns out, no one was playing Christmas music.
We got ready.
My stomach soaring with butterflies.
We drove.
We prayed.
We faced the door and I breathed deeply.
My heart pounded, almost out of my chest.
Nede?
We approached the bank teller window.
"Isn't she just adorable."
"Yes, she is, isn't she?"
A few questions.
A bit of typing.
"Okay, come back tomorrow. You're going to America."
"Really? Oh, BLESS YOU! Thank you. Merry Christmas!"
Hugging.
Screaming.
Smiling.
Holding.
Dancing.
Breathing easy.
MIRACLE!
My Christmas MIRACLE!
With my daughter, in America with our family and friends!
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND PEACE TO HIS PEOPLE ON EARTH!
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior!
One who years and years later continues to intervene and perform miracles.
Many, many miracles!
...and there was much rejoicing!

(Nede's drawing of Christmas in America. Her wearing her warm clothes with all her cousins, Auntie, Uncle, Meme, Grandpa, Auntie Jessica and more of mom's cousins-- a Christmas tree and presents)

happy thanksgiving

So this isn't how I planned to spend our Thanksgiving day. 

Nope, not at all. 

Two weeks ago my goal posts moved, 

off the field actually. 

Leaving me dumb-founded, 

wondering what this is all about. 

I never spent a Thanksgiving day walking around a mall all day.

But I also never dreamed about being at a mall with my beautiful daughter, 

treating her to ice cream just because we can.

Nor did I ever know to dream of taking my little Mozambican bush-baby to a 3D movie 

on Thanksgiving day.

Even though this wasn't in my plans, 

this family made a Thanksgiving meal for us--

to honor me and my culture.

And when we went around the table saying what we're thankful for, I wept as I thought about all we've been through this year.

 And how God has held us through it ALL!
I thank Him that I'm still standing.
I thank Him for "family" all around the world.
I thank Him for my daughter.
I thank Him for his provision.
I thank Him that I read his word and can remind myself that he IS faithful.
He IS good.
His ways ARE perfect.
His timing is NOT "off".
And I have SO MUCH to be THANKFUL for--
So, so, so much.
And, even if I don't understand this,
I must keep hoping, trusting and walking forward.
Because, just because this wasn't in my plans,
it doesn't negate His promise that his plans are better than my plans.
On this I must reflect this Thanksgiving--
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, 
declares the Lord.
as the heavens are higher than the earth, 
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
it will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be lead forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, 
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn-bush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord's renown, 
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever." 
Isaiah 55:8-13
May YOUR ways be seen as GREATER as we give Thanks this day! 
Happy Thanksgiving.
xoxo