One of the many "joys" of Africa

There are many things to enjoy about living in Mali. There are also some frustrating things. I don't think I can say anything good about the driving around here. Kids running into the street without looking. Bikes turning into lanes without seeing who is behind them. It is dangerous and stressful. Makes sense since most of the people driving haven't taken a driving lesson. I'm thankful that I get through most days without hitting someone. That is a blessing.

Then there is the lack of speed when it comes to getting things done. Everything is slower here. An errand that would take 15 minutes in the States can take an hour easily, if not more. I was thinking, though, as I sat at our equivalent to the DMV trying to get a paper signed for our car (which took an hour and a half, not bad for the DMV I guess) that many of these annoying things have actually made me better. I'm more able to go with the flow. I'm more calm when things go wrong. We lived the past 5 days without water in our bathroom because there was a huge leak that was just fixed about 2 months ago. This would have really bothered me before. Now it really wasn't a big deal. No water in our bathroom, ok, we'll go to the boys' bathroom where the new door handle just broke off. Speaking of broken door handles, the guest bedroom door handle has broken off as well. When we wash clothes, the water drains out into the ground because something like our septic tank is full. But we just go along. No big deal anymore. I am thankful for this. I'm thankful for not getting so worked up anymore about simple things.

I even have gotten used to bugs for the most part. I remember reading a facebook post of my friend once where she talked about trying to kill THE fly in her house. That day I had killed over 60 in my house (that was an unusual day as they had worked on our front door). But regardless, bugs are always in the house. Right now we have somewhere between 50 to 100 little bugs that come out every night right beside the kitchen sink. Don't know why. I just wash them off and move on. Even the bug in the drink I can handle. I do take the insect out but I continue on with my drink. However, this "joy" was found in Caroline this week. And that's a whole different ball game.

We have these small black ants in our yard that bite. My kids are deathly afraid of them. If you tell them there is an ant around they start to scream. They are more afraid of ants and mosquitoes than of bees or wasps. Seriously. So if you ever see them run away screaming when you mention an ant, you'll know why. The bites are wicked. They really hurt. Apparently if you don't scratch it after the bite, eggs are laid from the bite and continue to grow under the skin. Once it grows bigger, to the size you see here, they are lumps under the skin that you squeeze out like a huge pimple. I cannot tell you how disgusting it was to see the first one come out and then start wiggling around. Growing INSIDE your body, even if it is an animal, just seems wrong. I, of course, handled this in a great manner, asking Brett if Caroline was going to die and if WE were going to die because they would start to grow in us. All of this, by the way, was in earshot of my children. Dawson's eyes were huge as I was asking my questions. Thankfully Brett got me quiet eventually. Surprisingly, though, Dawson didn't want to touch Caroline after that. oops. He has come around. We've explained that it is NOT spread to humans. It will not kill her or even make her sick. It's just annoying and gross. Thankfully I handled the second removal of larvae much better. Hopefully that is the last.

Lights in the darkness

We were asked to take pictures of women and children holding candles at twilight for our organization's magazine. Unfortunately I am not a photographer and don't really know how to capture images at twilight but regardless I liked some of the pictures. I also want to say that I acknowledge what I am about to say will seem a bit cliché but I'm saying it anyway.

This picture really struck me. When I was looking through them at first, I thought this picture was completely black. Then I saw the small rays of light. How true a picture of life. Though we live in a town that has relatively more Christians, the country of Mali is mostly in darkness. Many have not even heard the name of Jesus. It seems almost impossible coming from America that one could not even know who He was, or at least something about Him. Yet that is our reality. We are in darkness. Sometimes our light is only as bright as seen here.

What a great reminder that one should not shrink back and worry about worldly things but should focus their energy and strength on being a light in the darkness. How will they know where to go if they don't have a light to lead them there? What if I am among darkness but yet am so consumed by the things of this world that I neglect to fan the flame of my heart and seek to be a light? God, please teach me to be a light in the darkness.

Our neighbors.

Kids at the hospital. Due to timing, I had to take these pictures slightly earlier in the evening. I like it, though, that there is more light here. I do hope that is the case in reality. We pray that when people enter for physical healing they will see their true need for a Healer through our lives and the way in which we care for them. I do hope our hospital is a place of light.

Yes, we are still sinful. Yes, we all fail. Yes, we fall short. But I pray that God's love shines brighter. That God is in this place and His glory is bringing light in the darkness.

Running the (1/4) mile

For PE the kids at school are doing the President's Challenge for fitness and one of the activities they must do is run a mile. 6-7 year olds only have to run 1/4th of a mile. So Monday was the big race day. All the moms and several other missionaries came out to cheer.

We decided to ride in the car so we could see him start and get to the finish.

I took this picture as Dawson took the lead. You can barely see him in the mirror, but he is in front. :) He knew he only had to run a little bit. :)

His brothers cheered him on. Literally the entire (two) minutes, Kenan said, "Go Dawson! Go Dawson! Go Dawson!"

At the finish line.

Since we still had the car and the other kids had a bit more to run, we decided to drive around again and cheer for everyone one more time before they finished. I don't know if they enjoyed that but we all did. :)

At the mile finish line they had blue ribbon to run through. So Dawson hopped out of the car and ran through his ribbon.

Everyone did great!

The spectators. They were ready to go home.

Very proud of my boy!

Our very own Cat in the Hat

Dawson made a Cat in the Hat hat for Purr in school.

He looked pretty good. If only he could turn into the real Cat and the Hat and go, go, go, go on an adventure with the boys!

Kenan's first day of school

Monday, October 3rd, was Kenan's first day at the french school for this year. (yes, it starts ridiculously late). He was quite happy on his first day.

Dawson wanted to be in the pictures as well.

Love how big his backpack is...and that he has his pink Dora cup in it. He loves Dora. Good thing they don't associate colors with genders here. Boys have pink things all the time.

Silas was pathetic when he realized Kenan was going to school. He kept saying things like, "I want Kenan stay play with me!" and "Kenan no school. Kenan stay here." I finally told him he could take K to school with me. When he heard that he quickly got dressed and then camped out by the car so we wouldn't leave him. As K was heading to the car, he stood up and kept his hand on the car to make sure he got to go. (I would like to point out that all THREE of my boys were dressed in these pictures since people have asked me if they ever wear clothes!) :)

Caroline refused to be left behind either.

K at school with his friends. Though Amadou Tidian is in the picture, he had to leave and go to first grade but the girl and Jean Marc are in Kenan's class.

The first day was great. Second day ok. He didn't go. Our mini hot season is starting and between school and the heat I think he couldn't handle it today. Praying it is better tomorrow.

When moments are tough

When moments are tough with three little boys I want to remember our lunch today. We were eating leftover peanut sauce which is served with rice and meat in the sauce. The boys love the meat, I think because it is the softest meat we ever have (I guess because of the way it is cooked). Since it was leftovers, there wasn't a lot of meat. I had given most to Dawson and then to Kenan. Kenan wanted more. Dawson gave him a piece. Then Silas wanted more. Dawson offered to give him one of his. I told Dawson that now he didn't have much meat. He said, "That's ok. Sharing is better." I am often amazed at what comes out of his mouth. He is really a sweet boy. They all are. I am thankful for these great blessings who can teach me true generosity and kindness (at least when they are in good moods!) :)

Rest as worship

Read this devotion this morning from "Jesus Calling" for October 1st. I'm a day off but I thought it was beautiful for this Lord's day.
Worship Me only. I am King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in
unapproachable Light. I am taking care of you! I am not only committed
to caring for you, but I am also absolutely capable of doing so. Rest
in Me, My weary one, for this a form of worship.

Though self-flagellation has gone out of style, many of My children
drive themselves like racehorses. They whip themselves into action,
ignoring how exhausted they are. They forget that I am sovereign and
that My ways are higher than theirs...

My invitation never changes: Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I
will give you rest. Worship Me by resting peacefully in My Presence.

1 Timothy 6:15-16; Isaiah 55:8-9; Revelation 2:4; Matthew 11:28

While I am posting, I thought I'd add a song that has really been ministering to me as of late.
Majesty by Delirious
Here I am humbled by Your Majesty,
Covered by Your grace oh friend.
Here I am knowing I'm a sinful man,
Covered by the blood of the Lamb.
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine,
Since You laid down Your life,
The greatest sacrifice.

Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
Empty handed but alive in Your hands.

Here I am humbled by the love that You give,
Forgiven so that I can forgive.
So here I stand,
Knowing that I am Your desire,
Sanctified by glory and fire.
And now I've found the greatest love of all is mine,
Since You laid down Your life,
The greatest sacrife.

Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
Empty handed but alive in your hands.
Singing Majesty, Majesty.
Forever I am changed by Your love,
In the presence of Your Majesty.
Majesty.

We're singing Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
And I'm nothing but alive in Your hands.
We're singing Majesty, Majesty.
Forever I am changed by Your love,
In the beauty of Your Majesty.
Majesty.

Great Britain meets America

My friend Alison has recently returned from her furlough in Great Britain. It is great to have her back. She brought me a teapot and we wasted no time in using it.

See in the past we've had tea together while the kids play. She's British. She loves tea. I, however, am an American and an uncultured one at that. So in my stupidity I served her tea the way I make it. Take a Lipton tea bag, throw it in a cup of water and put that in the microwave to warm it up. Like I said, I'm uncultured. She was gracious and didn't say anything for awhile but finally it came up that I was making a mockery of tea by the way I made it. She taught me how to make proper tea. And in hopes to refine me a bit, she brought me a beautiful teapot.

In return of the kind gesture, I pulled out my very special and coveted Starbucks mugs. They remind me of home and make me feel all cozy.

Alison couldn't help but laugh as we drank proper tea in these ginormous mugs which were about as big as the pot itself.

Civilized, proper Great Britain meets the bigger is always better America.

I love that the teapot is from Alison and the red mug is from my dear friend Jenny. I can enjoy great tea in my Starbucks mug and feel the love from both sides of the ocean.

We enjoyed the tea with discussions of petrol vs gas and who was correct as well as discussing the Brits who were quite dapper. Amazingly, a-lu-mi-NI-um was not mentioned. We enjoyed the rainy afternoon and I must say the time together was brilliant. Little by little, I'm learning. :)

Enjoying one of the last rains

Rainy season is coming to an end. There are only a few rains here and there. The other day a rain came up rather suddenly during lunch. Kenan moved his chair to the door to watch it.

Just thought he looked so cute sitting eating his spaghetti and watching the rain fall. Of course, hot chocolate soon followed.

The big 3-0

Silas turned 0-3 this month and a few weeks later I turned the big 3-0. I was quite happy to do so actually. I'm always the young one around. Brett is 6 years older and many of our friends are older. Now I feel "closer" in age because I'm in my 30s and not my 20s anymore. :) The gap seems less even though the age difference is the same.

Here I am on my birthday...

It was a lovely day. Brett let me sleep in. I woke up and stayed in bed for a few minutes while no one knew I was awake. I LOVE this. Really getting to slowly wake up instead of jumping out of bed to meet my kids needs at 6 am (or earlier). So that was a gift. I came out and my boys showered me with love. Dawson gave me a heart that said #1 Mom that he had made at school. (thanks Anna!).

The best comment of the day came from Dawson. He asked me if I had a party who I'd want to invite. I told him some people and then I asked why he was asking. He said, "Because I just want you to be happy." And with that my day was made. I have incredibly sweet boys.

I spent the late morning at Kristen's house with several girls having henna done. I have no pictures of that but it was fun. Nice to hang out and chat while getting our hands and feet done.

The boys really wanted me to have a cake. Since they couldn't make one, I had too. :) They helped though. They chose the kind of cake and everything since really it was for them. So we made a cake and decorated like they wanted (surprise surprise it was covered in sprinkles.) :)

Then they all blew out the candles.

They enjoyed it.

That evening Jessica had the singles over and Brett and I for dinner. It was divine. Lasagne which was FANTASTIC and a wonderful salad made by Kristen and Anna and great conversations. I ate my meal so incredibly slowly because it was so delicious and I wanted to savor every single bite. It also helped that I had no kids around and COULD eat it slowly. Then we enjoyed homemade German chocolate cake covered in 30 candles. Again, absolutely wonderful. It was a lovely evening. (thanks to Marcy for watching the kids).

It was a great 30th birthday. Thankful for my family and friends who made it so special.

Match people

I know you are supposed to teach your kids NOT to play with matches but I went against the rules to make match people. The boys had seen box people on Art Attack and wanted to make them. They have a body that can slide in and out of boxes with different clothing. I couldn't find good boxes to use so we made mini people out of match boxes. Surprisingly the boys were occupied by this activity for an hour or so and then played with them for days.

Here they are in their superhero outfits. I'm the second from the left- super mommy. :)

Their backs with their capes.

Kenan showing his guy off.

And then Kenan just because. :)

Caroline also enjoys being a superhero. She can't be left out.