Isn't it great to watch a child's creativity in action? Love it!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Millipedes, Stick Bugs, And Frogs...Oh, My!
Lately our house has been flooded by unexpected visitors. I guess there was a party I didn't know about! Sometimes they show up together and sometimes they prefer to show up alone. Now in the states, I was used to the occasional summertime mosquito, an ugly spider, or the ever famous ant trail, but I have to say I still haven't gotten used to what I find in my home here.
Stick bugs, millipedes, and frogs have been the latest visitors, but we've also entertained snakes, lizards, a rat who saw our open door as an opportunity to come inside, birds, and let's not forget the monkey who perched itself on our gated door (sadly, I wasn't personally home to witness that one).
Now am I just the silly American who notices this strange posse, or is this really strange? I know this little tidbit doesn't help some of your impressions of Africa, but I'm just sayin, "I've found it all a bit strange lately..."
Stick bugs, millipedes, and frogs have been the latest visitors, but we've also entertained snakes, lizards, a rat who saw our open door as an opportunity to come inside, birds, and let's not forget the monkey who perched itself on our gated door (sadly, I wasn't personally home to witness that one).
Now am I just the silly American who notices this strange posse, or is this really strange? I know this little tidbit doesn't help some of your impressions of Africa, but I'm just sayin, "I've found it all a bit strange lately..."
Thursday, October 29, 2009
10 Things...
1. Raw veggies...so fresh, so healthy.
2. Papaya and banana breakfast
3. Transitions...
4. A boy who seems to be growing up way too fast.
5. Nieces!
6. A little girl learning to write her name!
7. Summertime flops
8. Saturday matinees
9. Rainy season
10. Candle In The Corner!!
2. Papaya and banana breakfast
3. Transitions...
4. A boy who seems to be growing up way too fast.
5. Nieces!
6. A little girl learning to write her name!
7. Summertime flops
8. Saturday matinees
9. Rainy season
10. Candle In The Corner!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tender Treasure :: Praying For Nutrition
The orphans that we work with generally only receive one meal a day, usually in the early afternoon. A typical meal is a small amount of stew and a large portion of pap (pronounced 'pop'), a substance made from corn with the texture somewhere between mashed potatoes and cream of wheat. Pap has almost no nutritional value, but because it's cheap and fills your stomach it's a staple in most African's diet.
Creative Action:
Try eating the same meal for lunch everyday this week. While you eat, pray for the orphans who lack the proper nutrition to help sustain their bodies and fight off illnesses and bacteria. Pray for the local schools, that they would see the desperate need to keep their children well fed. Pray for a movement in the communities, that the adults would see the needs of these vulnerable children and take action.
Try eating the same meal for lunch everyday this week. While you eat, pray for the orphans who lack the proper nutrition to help sustain their bodies and fight off illnesses and bacteria. Pray for the local schools, that they would see the desperate need to keep their children well fed. Pray for a movement in the communities, that the adults would see the needs of these vulnerable children and take action.
Written by Brittany Deniston for Ten Thousand Homes
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Mitten Mania
It's mitten mania around here as I've started on winter warmers and Christmas gifting. We are planning on flying back to the states in a few weeks (fingers crossed as we're missing one important piece - tickets!). Going from summer here to winter in the states is cause for something to keep our bodies warm!
So mittens for the kids and I it is! This pattern was so simple and quick. I discovered the cool thing about knitting with a patterned yarn is that it makes a pattern without changing yarns. The uncool thing about using a patterned yarn is it makes a pattern without changing yarns. How do you get those the same for a pair of mittens?! I still like them anyways and hope my kids do, too!
Mine did turn out a little big. Obviously, because my daughter asked me if they were oven mitts! But they fit, and they will be warm. Maybe I can get them to shrink a little bit. I've always shyed away from the checking the gauge. Guess it's an important piece I need to start practicing!
So mittens for the kids and I it is! This pattern was so simple and quick. I discovered the cool thing about knitting with a patterned yarn is that it makes a pattern without changing yarns. The uncool thing about using a patterned yarn is it makes a pattern without changing yarns. How do you get those the same for a pair of mittens?! I still like them anyways and hope my kids do, too!
Mine did turn out a little big. Obviously, because my daughter asked me if they were oven mitts! But they fit, and they will be warm. Maybe I can get them to shrink a little bit. I've always shyed away from the checking the gauge. Guess it's an important piece I need to start practicing!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Providing A Safe Haven
If you've been a regular recipient of 10K Tuesdays, you might remember a prayer focus at the beginning of this year for two girls, Thusilia and Maria. A very sad story of these young ladies, 15 and 12 yrs. of age, who have no father and are trying to take care of their mother who is dying of AIDS. It's an all too common story of children left to fend for themselves.
beginning work on the project with their old house in the background
After a visiting team heard their situation and saw their living conditions, their hearts were moved to raise money to build them a home. A place where their mother could rest peacefully at night without worrying about a leaky roof. A place where the doors locked and protected them from unwanted visitors. A place where, when their mother passes from this life, the girls will have a place that is theirs, their home.
At Ten Thousand Homes, it is so exciting for us to see people get a heart for the orphans here and then act on it. This church in New York City has invested in the lives of these girls in a way they will never forget! Thank you!
beginning work on the project with their old house in the background
After a visiting team heard their situation and saw their living conditions, their hearts were moved to raise money to build them a home. A place where their mother could rest peacefully at night without worrying about a leaky roof. A place where the doors locked and protected them from unwanted visitors. A place where, when their mother passes from this life, the girls will have a place that is theirs, their home.
At Ten Thousand Homes, it is so exciting for us to see people get a heart for the orphans here and then act on it. This church in New York City has invested in the lives of these girls in a way they will never forget! Thank you!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Hearty Chicken Casserole
When we were first married, Jeremy wasn't really a casserole person. He would eat them but he didn't prefer them. Now, all of sudden, he's decided he does like casseroles. This makes him sound picky. He's not. He will really eat what I put in front of him, but now with this news, it has opened up my cooking variety. So the other day, I googled chicken casseroles. I don't usually make the first thing that comes up on the search, but I decided to try this hearty chicken casserole recipe. Now in my book, I wouldn't necessarily call this a casserole but something about it made me want to try it. It was good, although next time I would season it a bit more, maybe add some carrots. I served it with a side of asparagus (see my complicated recipe below). You'll probably see some more casseroles in this space as I continue the hunt!
Asparagus
Trim ends. Line in a baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over and sprinkle with salt. Bake in a 350F oven for 12-20 min. until tender but not mushy.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wuv, Twue Wuv
Quiz time! What movie is that line from? Seriously, though, I've been pondering love lately. Maybe it's because I'm madly in love with my husband and with each passing day, that love grows deeper. Not trying to be sappy. Just speaking the truth. But how do we describe that 4 letter word? As I read one of the meanings of love in the dictionary...an intense feeling of deep affection...the word intense hit me. Yes, I like that word intense. But intense what?
Ten years ago, when we said those vows and professed our commitment to one another, there was love. And it was hard to imagine that we could love each other more than we did at that moment. But you know what I've realized 10 years later? Love doesn't just come. It takes work. Hard work. We've worked hard at our relationship, at our marriage, and at making sure that love is growing...intensely. Sure there are arguments and the occasional, "When are you going to pick up your clothes?" comes around, but our love is strong.
There are a few things that we've practiced that have been key in our relationship. Here's our secrets...
1. Forgiveness and humility! This is huge! Ephesians 4:26 wasn't lying when it says we shouldn't let the sun go down on our anger. And we've made sure to walk in humility and use the words, "Will you forgive me?" "I forgive you." They are simple, many times hard to say, yet so powerful.
2. Respect and honor. We've made it a point to respect and honor each other through our speech, our differences, and our different ways of doing things. I would never bad mouth Jeremy in front of other people or talk down on him. I would be crushed if he did that with me. When I am frustrated with him, I admit my frustration but never say words that I know I would regret later.
3. Put aside selfishness! We are selfish beings, right? This can be such a hard one! Sometimes I feel like I am right in an argument and I selfishly hold onto what I feel is justice. That's when God reminds that I am being in selfish and that in the scope of things, it's not important to hold on to.
As we've practiced these keys, it has made our love grow intensely deeper which hopefully be an example to these 2 little munchkins we're trying to raise. What about you? What are keys that you've found that has transformed your relationship with your spouse?
By the way, the answer is Princess Bride!
Ten years ago, when we said those vows and professed our commitment to one another, there was love. And it was hard to imagine that we could love each other more than we did at that moment. But you know what I've realized 10 years later? Love doesn't just come. It takes work. Hard work. We've worked hard at our relationship, at our marriage, and at making sure that love is growing...intensely. Sure there are arguments and the occasional, "When are you going to pick up your clothes?" comes around, but our love is strong.
There are a few things that we've practiced that have been key in our relationship. Here's our secrets...
1. Forgiveness and humility! This is huge! Ephesians 4:26 wasn't lying when it says we shouldn't let the sun go down on our anger. And we've made sure to walk in humility and use the words, "Will you forgive me?" "I forgive you." They are simple, many times hard to say, yet so powerful.
2. Respect and honor. We've made it a point to respect and honor each other through our speech, our differences, and our different ways of doing things. I would never bad mouth Jeremy in front of other people or talk down on him. I would be crushed if he did that with me. When I am frustrated with him, I admit my frustration but never say words that I know I would regret later.
3. Put aside selfishness! We are selfish beings, right? This can be such a hard one! Sometimes I feel like I am right in an argument and I selfishly hold onto what I feel is justice. That's when God reminds that I am being in selfish and that in the scope of things, it's not important to hold on to.
As we've practiced these keys, it has made our love grow intensely deeper which hopefully be an example to these 2 little munchkins we're trying to raise. What about you? What are keys that you've found that has transformed your relationship with your spouse?
By the way, the answer is Princess Bride!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Using The P
I was recently reading a magazine, Artful Blogging, when I came across a fascinating tidbit. A blogger who loves good photos was trying to find a photographer for her wedding. Now I understand this important decision. I am very picky at who takes photos for special events. You want something that's colorful, clear, and captures the moment. When this blogger got her photos back, she was very impressed and asked what the secret was. The photographer's response? "I use the P." What? What is that? The P setting on your camera. So I've been trying it and I love it! I can set it to vivid, more vivid, softer, black and white...and it automatically adjusts the ISO for me. I've even been able to use this setting indoors under fluorescent light with no flash, and the picture was clear! So go shooting...and try your P!
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Giveaway ends tonight! Don't forget to get in on the sassiness here!
Giveaway ends tonight! Don't forget to get in on the sassiness here!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tender Treasure :: Call To Action
We’ve all watched the television and seen the destruction and horror HIV/AIDS is causing all over the World. People have a variety of reactions when hearing the stats and seeing the pictures. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, hopeless, indifferent, or judgmental. We believe that no matter the cause, God is stirring us all toward passion, not pity. Action, not indifference. Grace, not judgment. So what does that mean for us? Do we quit our jobs, pack our bags, and move to Africa? Not all of us are called to move across an ocean, but if action is required what does that look like?
Creative Action:
Take a moment this week and ask God what your response to the HIV/AIDS crisis might look like. It may be holding a prayer meeting, volunteering at an AIDS clinic, sending money, or simply wearing an AIDS ribbon and spreading the word. No one can tell you what your response should look like, but there is a whole generation of orphans desperate for any response at all.
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.
James 1:27
Take a moment this week and ask God what your response to the HIV/AIDS crisis might look like. It may be holding a prayer meeting, volunteering at an AIDS clinic, sending money, or simply wearing an AIDS ribbon and spreading the word. No one can tell you what your response should look like, but there is a whole generation of orphans desperate for any response at all.
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.
James 1:27
Written by Brittany Deniston for Ten Thousand Homes...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Leopard Creek
Can you imagine sitting in your backyard watching elephant grazing on the trees?
Or listening to the hippos bathe while sitting around the fire?
Swimming while the giraffes eat their thorny tree lunch?
How about a kudu snacking on the leaves from the tree in your front yard?
Sharing the golf course with mischievous monkeys?
Watching the sunset on impalas grazing in the distance?
It's one of the few times I've come back from a vacation actually feeling rested. The kids played and swam and swam some more!
While the adults did this...
Thank you, Kevin and Michelle, for a GREAT weekend!
What about you? What filled your weekend?
See anything fun in your backyard? ;)
What about you? What filled your weekend?
See anything fun in your backyard? ;)
