I'm Still Standing

Oh guys, I am back to using an old platform to host the blog...which feels like switching back to a flip-phone in a smart phone world and who has got time for that? 

 

Hello you faithful friends. I’ve been thinking about Ephesians 6 lately and rolling around in my head, verses 13.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, the you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. "

Recent life in our family tribe has been sweet, busy, beautiful, exhausting, stretching, disappointing and gratifying…which is similar to Christian walks of life, the planet over. I keep thinking I will get to a place and get my family to a place where we are “mess-free” and shockingly, I’ve got a ways to go, starting with myself. 

The guests have been abundant and amazing. Ethiopian Christmas was met with all the invites and meat we could stomach. Such a special time. Here's a smattering of photos with hope of more to come.

 

While the Gerbers were still with us, we did the first drive-thru (to our knowledge) in Injibara. The "Panini Palace" seemed to be a hit.

 

 

Hiking through the "baboons' house" according to Tiger

 I love the look of Monay, deep in love with her first grandbaby!

 

Our first year in Ethiopia, we were majorly propped up by our neighbors and mentors and we were so incredibly honored by their visit as they plan to serve in 35 different countries in the next 8 months. And they decorated my house for Christmas, which is not a strong skill of mine. 

 

In this nomadic life we live, it encourages my heart that so many hard goodbyes are truly just a change in relationship as we cross continents and still find ways to sneak in good talks, some tears and times of prayer.

 

I still love to see Awi horses, in their splendid apparel with proud riders atop their saddles.

 

Attendees at a recent Master Tree Grower's training

 

And the Christmas ox, hanging out in our yard until Christmas. When we come into our gate, Tiger still asks, "Where is the Christmas cow?". We joined a neighborhood group to gather monthly and collect money so at Christmas, there was enough saved to buy this beefy guy. At the butcher, Jon ate with the men and as they butchered, he snacked on raw stomach, tongue (warm and fresh immediately taken from the ox) and liver. The kids and I were not sad that day we didn't qualify as men!

 My parents visited during meat season and within 4 days, we had visited 10 huts. Dad was dressed up like an Awi man for the photo.

 

 Miss T's awkward positioning makes me laugh every time. 

 

Such a sweet time with my parents. 

Sending love across the miles. 

May we stand firm and rooted deep in Christ, the only stable ground. 

 

 

 

 

Squirm Break

Still not able to work out the kinks with the blog, so I will try one picture at a time. It’s actually a great break time for me as I am currently reading a book, so convicting, challenging and full of new thoughts I am literally squirming as I read it and can digest it in chunks.  Do any of you read books that make you squirm? I would love to hear your recommendations and am enjoying the uncomfortable challenge and Biblical call, though not easy, discussions from different points of view spark life. I read a chapter to Jon and waited for his feedback. He sat still for a bit and said, “Wow, I don’t know how to respond as I don’t even have a shelf to put this information”. My current book is “Global Humility”. 

Okay, messing around a bit, I don’t think it is the text, just any photo…trying again.

Sigh. More fixing to do I guess. :)

I want your book recommendations, for real. 

Today I have spent no less than three hours trying to revive this blog. My posts were touching, emotional with just the right amount of funny. Okay, maybe not but nothing will post. I’m annoyed and sorry to have to try and test some different combos here to see what will publish, my apologies for clogging your inbox with nothing but complaint. Onward and forward. Testing, testing…