Love - Language Without Words - Sudan

Soooo, we are back from Sudan!

We've gone and come, and been back in our little American world again for two full weeks. Amazing. I still think on our time in Africa every day, which I love. It's fresh and vulnerable. Still convicts and encourages, while at the same time, reminds me to pray for the people we met and the love of Christ that continues to grow and show itself powerful a midst the people of a very young country and church of Southern Sudan.

Sharing is difficult, as always. So much to say, yet it's hard to say it detailed enough to communicate the emotion and significance while keeping it concise enough for most people to listen. Makes trying to share, difficult, and the interest of those who want to know the nitty gritty very special and treasured.

I think the best way for now, that I can show and tell is with brief pictures, videos, and snippets of stories. As the Lord brings to mind the precious people and encounters of our last trip to Sudan, I'll try to post and share with you.

Today I am thinking about and missing terribly the little people. Three kids living at the compound where we stayed: Wani, Mercy, and Mike.

 

All about the same height and very close in age, these three could be considered the musketeers of camp. Likely they understand more English than they speak (which isn't much), their language is love, and they understand it no matter who speaks it. We played hard, tickled much, and communicated with each other with words: me in English, them in Bari-glish (Bari with a few English words mixed in :). I miss very much coming "home" every day and chasing them around the dirt yard, tickling Wani until I tired of it (I don't think he EVER would), and chasing Mercy around the yard as she taunted, "This one Wani" while pointing at herself. Mercy even taught me a hand clapping game, for which I was only able to learn some of the Bari words. Would love to play it with her right now.

Feels like Nephews and  Niece . . . that live very. Far. Away.

Happy Anniversary!

I truly cannot believe that Justin and I have been married for 3 years, today. Three years! Time has absolutely flown by, which means that we are indeed having fun.

I am celebrating today in prayers of thanksgiving, poems, and a picture blog. Happy Anniversary, Bays!

An Anniversary Poem

"To my husband of this three years,

Thank you for loving me through laughter and tears.

I'm amazed at how much more each day,

You show me your love in yet another way.

Thank you for being my friend and strong rock,
And for learning to pick up your shorts and your socks.

Your laugh makes me smile, and your grin does me in,

Without you I wouldn't know where to begin.

Your love makes me smile, even when I'm alone,

And I thank God for you; that you're my own.

Let's keep having fun and new adventures,

'Till we're rocking a pearly white set of dentures.

Three years have gone by, in just a blink,

What God will do next, I can't even think.

But I know for sure, I'd have it no other way,

Than to obey Him and love Him with you, every day."

Justin, you truly are the love of my life, and I grow more and more in love with you every day. Thank you for all the amazing ways you show me your love. I'm so glad you asked, and that I said yes!

AN ANNIVERSARY IN PICTURES

Touring the Gaylord Texan

                               

                                         

Dinner 

                                  Sea Bass in lemon caper sauce, and (Sword Fish?) Piccatta.

                                         

                           

 Room Service Dessert (Even better after 11)

Bananas Foster Cake and Brownie Fudge Sundae

Day 2 - Paradise Springs and Lake Grapevine

  

Getting ready for Paradise Springs pool and the lazy river!

 

 Lake Grapevine - Silver Lake Marina

We had such an amazing time on the water. Hard to go home after that much fun! The whole weekend was memorable and precious.

Happy Anniversary!

Things I Love!

1. A quiet evening at home on the couch with hubby, perusing cell phone options on line.


2. Mornings when both Justin and I are home and getting ready to go to work!


3. Afternoons, just hours before departing for a mother/daughter reunion in another state.


4. Brisk walks over the lunch hour in dressy slacks and tennis shoes.


5. Answering questions about my Christmas card photo taken in Uganda.


6. Packing light in my new Vera Bradley (on sale) duffel bag.


7. Knowing sweet husband will pick me up at the airport when I return.


8. God's blessing, over and abundant beyond anything I can ask or think!


9. His Word and time alone with Him.


10. Peace. That passes all understanding.

(And I wasn't trying for ten...just came out that way :)

It's a Faith Thing

Bend

Push Off

Flailing Limbs

Scream, Blink, Rejoice

Faith

~

Did you know that life sold out for Christ is a bigger adventure than you can know while you're standing on the edge?

Did you know that when Christ takes hold of your heart, it will beat to the drum of all the nations represented at the throne of Christ in heaven one day?

Did you know that when your soul begins to understand the True Light of "Christ in me" it will no longer be satisfied with artificial light.

Did you know that by faith - in the Creator, Sustainer, Healer, Lover, Savior, Director, King and Father - you can learn your true purpose and meaning on

this earth: to love God and glorify Him ALWAYS so that

those around you see Him when they look at you

SO THAT they will also believe and Glorify His Name!

~

Are you just looking at the water from a distance?

Are you barely sticking your toe in the river?

or Have you jumped with abandon into the flow of His mercy, love and glory!