Another Year to Study

I promise to fill you in on the past weeks, but for now I want to share with you one of the things I am enjoying most about this time of year. Last year, I was recommended a Bible reading plan that turned out to be an incredible encouragement to me. I had tried a few other "read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year" kind of things, and did not do very well keeping up with them. But this one turned what was a daunting task into a very manageable, and really helpful tool for me in my study of God's Word. M'Cheyne (old pastor man from the Church of Scotland) has laid it all out so that by reading about 4 chapters a day, from 4 different books of the Bible, you actually read through the entire Old Testament once and the New Testament twice in one year.

I love that yesterday, I finished the schedule, and today am beginning fresh again. There's something really cool about ending the year by reading Revelation 22 and beginning with Genesis 1.

Here is a link I found to a nice printable version (thanks Mount Calvary Church, wherever you are), one you can stick as a bookmark in your Bible. I hope you enjoy, and Happy New Year!

http://www.mountcalvarybaptist.org/extra/documents/McCheyne%20Bible%20Reading.pdf

Our First Eve

All snug in his Christmas jammies, Joab is asleep for his first Christmas Eve at home. Complete with a special dinner, carols and scripture reading with the Nelsons, and Auntie Madds and Mols- I think he enjoyed it. I can't wait to tell you all about him, but for now- Merry Christmas, dear friends, and glory to God in the highest!

A Thrill of Hope

I met him in July, when my sister was visiting. We had heard about him from several people; famous in missionary circles for being the most well-known orphan with special needs living in Lusaka. No one knew his story, just that he lived in a transit home and that he wasn't on-track with the rest of the kids. Our visit was short, but intriguing, and we scheduled another time to meet with him and his caretakers to do a more full assessment of his abilities.

Another visit here, a check-up there- all the while, something brewing in my heart for this one. It didn't happen all at once, nor would I have called it "love at first sight," it was just one of those things that wouldn't go away. A nagging in my heart reminding me that I had committed my life to caring for orphans who have special needs- So why not him, my heart kept asking.

And when it still didn't fade, I decided to get serious about it. Really asking the Lord, why not him? Why would I leave him stuck where he is when I know that the life You have called me to live is meant for ones just like him? He has no parents. No relatives. No one to care for him. So why not him, Lord?

The answer was pretty straightforward- there was no why not. And so I met with a social worker. I did an interview and a home study. I've waited and prayed, prayed and waited. Today the 'yes' became a reality, and I brought home the formerly orphaned Donald Musebo to his new life as Joab Musebo (Bailey, maybe someday).

Last week, we sang O Holy Night at a Christmas concert, and I thought of him. Weary little boy, it is time to rejoice- for your Father has not failed you, nor forgotten you, and yonder does break a new and glorious morn. Just as He came for His people, He has sent someone for you. I am so thrilled with hope that it happens to be me.

Heading Back

Well, all my test results (lots and lots of them) all came back normal enough for me to head back to Zambia on the 5:40 PM to Jo'burg. The bottom line was that I had some sort of bad infection in my digestive system, most likely some kind of parasite, and am now dealing with the remnants. The upside is that the infection is no longer in my body!! The tricky side is that I will have to be more careful about what I eat and drink when I get back, so as not to get reinfected.

All in all, it was a really great couple weeks of being with family and some friends. Good food. Good people. What more can I girl ask for, right? Perfect timing, too because when I do get back to Lusaka, there are going to be some big changes happening in my life. I'll wait until I'm back before I delve into all that...

The Week of Scopys

So far, not much to report. I've had lots of different tests, including a sonogram and an endoscopy last week, and a colonoscopy this week. Anyone who has had a colonoscopy before knows that the prep is the absolute worse thing ever. No eating, then you have to drink this stuff that is completely awful. Overall, it's been a rough 24 hours.

I don't know if it's a good or bad thing- but the doctors and tests so far have not found anything to blame for my sickness. Still some results to come, so maybe there is still something lurking about waiting to be discovered.

Keep praying, would you?

The Good News...

I am excited to get to see my family and close friends. Somehow, I lucked out and will get to see ALL of my immediate family, all in one place, at one time! My dad and stepmom will be visiting the US (they currently live in Spain) the same time I will be there. I haven’t gotten to spend very much time with them since last Christmas, so I am thrilled at an unexpected week or so together. My mom was also able to take some time off work so that she could be there to help, for doctor’s appointments, for procedures. She is always so good to have around when you’re sick, so I am glad that she will be there with me. My sister will be on break from school, so I will get to spend Thanksgiving with her as well. I haven’t ever spent a holiday with royalty, so I am very excited to do so this year with her.

I will also get to spend time with beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. I will be so glad to get to have conversations with them over a meal at the kitchen table instead of through a computer- what a treat!

So like I said, this trip won’t be all bad- in fact I guess it could be a nice recharge. Would you pray that it indeed restores energy so that I may return to Zambia ready and eager to get back to work!

The Bad News...

I have had to leave Zambia. Believe me, this trip was not a part of my plan, nor were the digestive problems causing the trip in the first place. And yet, here I am- sitting in what feels like an entirely different world, the Johannesburg airport. When I got off the plane from Lusaka, I stepped into what I believe was the most high-tech bathroom I have ever seen. I went to wash my hands at what looked like a slightly downward-sloping granite countertop, where the water gently cascaded onto the flat surface before being guided into a crevice leading to the drain. Very fancy.

Then, to dry my hands, they had one of those NASA-style blowers; the ones where your skin goes all funny and you find yourself completely dry within 0.3 seconds. I’m pretty sure the electricity needed to power one of those things is the same amount used on a given evening by a small neighborhood in Lusaka. Again, very fancy.

And so, I am already missing dear Zambia. I know it won’t be long before I am back, and that I really need to figure out what is going on inside my paining stomach and cramping intestines. Doesn’t change the fact that I’ll miss it every minute I’m not there.

Will you pray for the doctors to have wisdom in administering tests? Would you pray that some sort of result is found, and perhaps even a way to treat the cause? Will you also pray for my heart as it longs to be content with God’s plan even and especially when it does not match my own?

Then again, with every announcement of bad news, there usually follows some good news too…