In Reality
Blog

Waking Up to the Land of Enough – In Reality…

Perception is not Reality?

In a previous post, I shared that our church began a series to help us better understand the differences between how our brothers and sisters in Africa live compared to how we live in the United States.  The more I read, the more I have really been struck about the difference in our perception of what it means to be ‘poor’.  According to American standards, most Africans wouldn’t even make it onto the chart to be considered, ‘poor’. So, what is their reality?

Continue Reading

Waking Up in The Land of Enough - Missions 1 & 2
Blog

Waking Up to The Land of Enough – Missions 1 & 2

Recently, our church started a program, Passport to the Land of Enough, to help us better understand the daily lives of our brothers and sisters around the world.  We started by learning more about Africa and then focused in on Nigeria.  It was very eye-opening to learn about all the differences between our two worlds and see that, regardless of how little I have ever thought I had, it has always been way more than others have around the world. And, it has always been enough.

As part of our program, we were provided with different Missions we could complete throughout the upcoming weeks in an attempt to learn more about what daily life looks like for those living in Lagos, Nigeria, and elsewhere in Africa.  I thought it would be neat to write about some of them as we complete them.  I would love to hear your experiences with the Missions as well – should you choose to accept them…

Continue Reading

Fasting: What is it?
Blog

Fasting: What is it?

Fasting:  What is it?

The idea of fasting is not new to me.  However, over the past couple of weeks, a lot of my quiet times and discussions, as well as different things I have read elsewhere, have all revolved around fasting.  So, I decided to pay closer attention to this prompting, and take the time to look into what fasting is all about and how I can incorporate it into my life.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when Brad brought up the idea of participating in a fast.  I had often thought I would like to give it a try, but really didn’t know much about it.  And, in order for me to really get into anything, I first need to understand as much as I can about it.

Continue Reading

Blog

Gratitude – Normal or Not…

A few days ago, I went grocery shopping.  Not seemingly a monumental occasion.  But for someone who hasn’t been able to go for months, it was a pretty big deal!

After I came home, I shared with Brad how awesome it was just to be in a store.  Just to wander through the aisles and browse through all the choices…  I wanted to buy everything I saw and stock up our pantry.

Thankfully, I maintained some self-control and didn’t drain the bank account – but I sure could have…

That small trip to the grocery store was something that resembled my life before my back problems.  It was a life in which I accomplished tasks and felt productive.  A life that felt easy and comfortable.  It has been so long since I have had those feelings – so long since I have been able to do the normal things I used to take for granted.

My goal is to never do that again.

Continue Reading

Blog

Silence Resolved

Silence

For more months than I would like to admit, that’s what God heard from me. Not complete silence, but compared to how I had been communicating with Him before, I’m thinking He noticed. I know I did.

In the beginning of December, I had back surgery. It was one of those things that was inevitable at some point. And, I had tried every single conservative option – at least once. So, when I was offered the date of December 8th, I figured I could hide my very fashionable back brace (a requirement until March 8 – but who’s counting?) under sweaters, I took it.

If you look back at the posts on this blog, you’ll notice that the last time I posted was on The Birthday of our Baptism. Yep. That was in October. It has been 85 days since I wrote anything. 85 days!

Granted, over the last month I have been recovering from a pretty major surgery – and, celebrating one of the best Christmases I have EVER had – but that still leaves about 55.  And even that is a big number.  I’m having a hard time getting past it…

Continue Reading