A week on my own (almost)

The quote for this week is from My Utmost for His Highest. "We tend to rely on our own energy, instead of being energized by the power that comes from identification with Jesus." The verse that goes with this thought is "If the Son makes you free, you shell be free indeed." John 8:36. I read this in the midst of being at the house with the 3 oldest children for a week while Sarah and Steve went to Jo-berg to get Amani his final papers. That is a praise! Amani will be an American as soon as he steps on U.S. soil!

Back to being on my own… Sarah, Steve, and Amani left on Sunday, November 16, 2008. Sunday was an odd day. They left at about 10 and then the kids and I were left until dinner time in a quite house with not a lot of energy to make noise. At around dinner my friends showed up and livened up the house. Angie, Allison, and Ashlie all came to keep us company so that I could sleep at night and have Portuguese help during the day.

Monday was a hard day. The kids were tired as was I and they were missing their parents. They had decided before school started that they didn't want to be there so we were battling a little bit. We made it through the day with the help of Ashlie's loving presents and happy smile. For dinner we got invited to Terri and Brian's house just down the street. I helped us all to get out of the house and ready for the next day.

Tuesday was much better. We had fun at school and especially after school. The kids had decided a couple of weeks ago that they would like a strict schedule for school. I was happy to do that for them. So, we were starting school at 8:30 and were done by 12. If they had any school left it was then home work. I thought that sounded like a pretty nice school day. After a few weeks I decided that we would keep the starting time but be loose in-between. If they are having fun together outside I will let them keep playing, to a certain extent, then they will be ready for school again. We tried this on Tuesday for the first time and it was fantastic. They were playing a new game that they came up with on the trampoline and laughing and having a blast. It was good to hear them together. Tuesday is library day so we headed down to the school, SIL, to get some books and play with the other missionary kids in the area. I got to sit in the AC and chat with the other girls and ladies while the kids had fun making friends and working out some energy. This night would be my first test of dinner making alone in Africa. I made hamburgers. They were not quite American cheese burgers and pretty close. The night was finished with Allison singing us soon that were rewritten to work for Mozambique. The first on was written by a friend called The African Bug to the tune of These are a few of My Favorite Things the other she wrote to the tune of Good Morning Baltimore from the movie Hairspray. She rewrote it to be Good Morning Africa I will be recording her and bringing a copy home because they are so funny and the best way to explain this place.

Wednesday, Mia, Lucy, Kaleb, Ashlie, and I had another good day. Not too much special happened until we played Monopoly. Ashlie was talking about how she was going to lose and how she would be out of the game in no time. Well by the end of our 3 1/2 hour game she was killing us. She won with just one monopoly. After that I had my second try at dinner. This night we had spaghetti bolinas. It was really good with carrots and onions and mince. We had the new girl on the block, literally, join us tonight. Her name is Kelly, thank goodness she does not have an "A" name! She is so sweet and I am excited to get to know her. After a really boring movie we were all off to bed and expecting Sarah, Steve, and Amani early the next morning.

Thursday, I got a text at 8, expecting the travelers about that time saying they are delayed and they wouldn't be home till about 11. This was perfect, the kids could get their work done and spend the rest of the day with their American brother. It was an incredible greeting that they got when they pulled into the drive way. The kids went running and screaming and I think I did too! It was fun to have the girls over but wow! was it nice to have the whole crew back together.

The week started out tough be we worked it out. Do as my Mom says, have fun tell a joke and you will be much happier in school. Thanks Mom!

Next week is Thanksgiving and I am excited to see what it will be like in a new place with new people and new traditions from all different families. Let me start by telling you that I thank the Lord for the support I have coming from home!

(I didn't have any pictures from this week so I put some more pictures from Ilha, I hope you don't mind)

A lazy week

Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I know it is a lot but it has meant a lot to me this last week. I have had such a poor attitude about everything. I have been an expert in finding what I don't like lately instead of what I do like. So I was reading a book by one of my favorite authors, Karen Kingsbury, and these verses kept coming up. Each sentence in the verse hits home. Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, not just when things are the easiest or when you have electricity that works or a critter less house or an air conditioner. Rejoice in the fact that He is with you, He is NEAR! I learned also that you can ask for anything. I may not get it, but I can ask for it. I feel so much better. I am happier this week with where I am and I am just trying to learn everything I can while I am here.

Not much has happened this week. I am sure many of you had a more exciting week then I did. The kids and I had school every day. We have now implemented a strict schedule. The kids made that decision. It is working out really well. We have a set amount of time for each subject and whatever they don't get done is homework. We started studying World War 2 this week and why the sunset looks pink and orange. They seem to be really interested in these things, that makes it easier on me.

Tuesday was a short day at school though. I got my first illness. It wasn't too bad. I couldn't describe it to you even if you wanted to hear about it. I was out for the whole afternoon and after a good nap and water I am almost feeling back to normal. If you could, please pray for no more illnesses and quick recoveries.

The kitties that one of the cats had are doing very well. The girls are loving it. They have an afternoon activity now. The back yard is now cleaned out, it was filled with leaves and garbage and branches. Now the girls love it back there. They have spent every afternoon building forts and houses for the cats. The first time we went out there to see the cats there was a huge spider (pictured). It was really pretty and our gardener told us that it was harmless. He said that there are a lot of other spiders that are much bigger near his house and you don't want to get bit by one of those.

US got a new president. I am sure you all knew that, at least I hope you did. Feelings on that, it is what it is and I can't change it but I can surely pray about it. One again I can ask for anything so let’s pray for the right and good decisions to be made in the next 4 years.

This afternoon was real fun. It rained for the first time since I have been here. Well... it sprinkled one other time but we were in the car. This was a real rain and the girls and I couldn't resist. We raced from the front door to the gate splashing in all the puddles then we jumped on the tramp. We were being so silly and it was a ton of fun. I love playing in the rain especially here, it is a great way to cool off. The girls were so happy to be out and playing and moving around. It was fantastic! I can't wait for the rainy season to really get underway. It will be hot but so nice to cool off with a good hard rain and everything will be so green.

That has been my week. As I said, yours was probably more eventful but it is what it is. On Saturday we are leaving for Ilha again. It will be a shorter trip this time; we will be back on Monday. If you could pray for safe travels that would be great.

Thanks for prayers! I appriciate it more then you could ever know!