Rough days, chicken houses, and quilts.

Some days are just better than others, you know?

Not that today has been "bad" -- it has just sort of been....blah.

I've let several things sort of get under my skin the past few days. Not really big things, but just an accumulation of junk that keeps dragging me down. For example, not having a job yet. That has been a "mixed blessing." I've enjoyed the break; 30 years of getting up before 5 am and being dressed, ready to go, and out the door by 7 was not a lot of fun. Add to that the pressures of the jobs that I have had, plus the pressures of being a working mom (yes I know ALL moms work!!!) -- I sometimes look back and wonder how I managed it for so long.

So it has been nice to get up whenever I wanted to, read the papers, work the crossword puzzle, then do whatever I wanted to with the rest of the time.

Yet...some days I need more of a sense of purpose.

I gazed out the kitchen window this morning, and through the woods I could see some of the buildings that make up Winnsboro Mill. Most of the older part of the mill is built of red bridk, but the particular part I was seeing had a lot of metal. I realized that I was trying to imagine them as chicken houses, to make me feel like I was "home." I've sort of laughed at myself all day about it -- I mean, who misses chicken houses?? And yet, inwardly, I know the answer is that *I* do. (Boy, won't my mom & dad crack up over THAT one!)

So I plundered for a purpose today. A couple of things I've wrestled with of late haven't worked out as I wished, so I resolved not to think about that today. I opened one of my old trunks, and rummaged through the fabric scraps until I found an old quilt top. My mom gave it to me; she'd discovered it among my grandmother's belongings. We're not sure how old it is; nor are we sure who pieced it (Belle or Great-Grandma Sally? maybe Great-Grandma Emma? Forever a mystery.) It's not an especially intricate quilt -- just strips stitched together by hand to form 20 blocks. It's very colorful, with scraps of red velvet here, green calico there, orange satin over there. I spent a while smoothing it out, then laid it on the table with some batting and fabric for a backing. Now it is pinned together, ready for me to quilt each square and finish the blanket.

A nice warm project for such a cold day, huh?

And the heart-ties help ease the little bit of homesickness I seem to be experiencing lately.

Maybe one of my purposes is to finish projects that were begun long, long ago.

OK, going to thread a needle now.

Blessings,

Anita <><

International Family

We had dinner guests this evening.

Sasikumar and Liu Lei -- both USC graduate students -- visited us and shared dinner.

I met Sasi earlier this year in response to a craigslist posting. I was actually trolling the list to try to find job opportunities. Sasi posted that he was a foreign-born graduate student who needed someone to proofread his papers for English grammar. His post stated that he couldnt offer any monetary gain, but would be very grateful for any help.

You know me.

I answered the ad. **laughing**

He's an anthropology major, working on his doctorate. Home, for him, is Sri Lanka -- the other side of the world.

I've found his work to be fascinating, and have learned a great deal just by reading his papers. (His English, by the way, is really quite good -- so it's an easy "job" for me to proofread!)

Along the way, we've become friends. He's a young guy, in his 20's -- far away from home. We've shared a few lunches, he's joined us at church, and we've "adopted" him into our family.

This evening, he brought his roommate with him -- Liu Lei is Chinese.

David cooked chicken, green beans, and garlic mashed potatoes. I'd made a salad and devilled eggs. Sasi told a story about a guy in Sri Lanka who went into a restaurant and wanted an egg -- only he didnt know the word for "egg" in the dialect used at that place. So he asked for "chicken's daughters" -- and when I brought out the platter of deviled eggs, I announced that we had "chicken's daughters" amid lots of laughter!

We look forward to enjoying more of Sasi & Liu Lei's company, and I believe both of these young men will one day do great things that will benefit many people.

******

As a child, I had cousins who often brought home international friends from college, especially at the holidays. One of my fondest memories is of a gentle Japanese lady named Sadako who visited with my cousin Nancy. I remember seeing her dressed in her beautiful kimono, and thinking how cool it was to get to meet people who were born on the opposite side of this planet!

In my own way, I've gained many friends for my International Family. There's Richie and his family from Ghana, and also Reverend James and his family, too. Sylv's in Australia. Joanna is a missionary serving in Kenya. Sasi from Sri Lanka. I love being part of God's Big Family!!!

As David & I talked this evening, we realized that here at our home we've had people from Sri Lanka, Kenya, China, and Ghana right here in our little house in South Carolina, within the past two years. Amazing!!! And we pray for MORE opportunities to add to our International Family!

Blessings, all!

Anita <><

****

We worship the SAME God!

It's been a not-so-good week, but we're still standing, so it's all good.

God sends us signs to remind us that HE is in charge, and I'm really glad that He is. If i was in charge, I'm sure I'd goof things up. :D

This past Sunday, we went to church twice.

During the morning, we went to a local church that we attend fairly regularly. Our pastor moved away last week, so we were greeted by an interim pastor this morning. The choir sang a beautiful song, we joined in with hymns. Then the pastor delivered an eloquent message telling us of God's love. I left feeling uplifted.

That evening, we accompanied our neighbor to her church to listen to some Christmas music. The choir processed in, carrying lighted candles. I loved the singing and the scriptures -- all about the Advent Season. A couple of solos filled my heart with such joy -- and the pastor's message about the Gift of God's Son caused my skin to tingle.

In the morning service, everyone was white.

In the evening service, all but 5 people there were African American.

It strikes me, over and over, about how segregated our worship is.

We took communion in the evening. We followed exactly the same rituals, we spoke the same words, we tasted the same bread and wine that I've had over and over my whole life. And once again I found myself thinking -- WE WORSHIP THE SAME GOD, yet why do we still seem to have to do it separately? I've heard it said that 11:00 am Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America. It really bothers me that we dont seem to be able to bridge the gap on Sunday mornings.

As I talked with some ladies after the service tonight, one of them mentioned that she really enjoyed joint services, shared with others of different denominations.

I agreed with her -- in our splintered, fractured society there needs to be a place where folks can come together for healing. Where better than church to begin learning to get along together?

There's so much strife in our world. So much work that the enemy does to try to undermine the work and purposes that God has planned. It gets frustrating, as a follower of Christ, to be body-slammed into prejudices, hatefulness, lies, and evil.

But the Bible gives us encouragement and reminders:

John 16: 33 -- "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote a song with lyrics that remind me of this verse. I especially like the last verse that goes:

In this world there's a whole lot of cold.

In this world there's a whole lot of blame.
In this world you've a soul for a compass
And a heart for a pair of wings.
There's a star on the far horizon, rising bright in an azure sky.
For the rest of the time that you're given, why walk when you can fly?

We each have to face troubles; we each suffer pain, we all have to face issues that we don't understand. But God ultimately has a plan for us, we do have a "soul for a compass and a heart for a pair of wings."

So why do we continue to walk (apart) when we could fly (together)?

Looking for that Silver Lining....

Blessings,

Anita

Bobbing like a cork through heavy seas

I've enjoyed swimming since I was a child. I guess one reason is because it came so easy to me. For whatever reason, I am exceptionally bouyant. I can stretch out on my back atop of the water and take a nap. It is difficult for me to get below the water, and for me to dive down to the bottom of a 10' pool is almost impossible.

A couple of years ago, I attempted to scuba dive. The instructor (who was very impatient to start with), gave me a couple of weight belts to strap on. I still was unable to get more than a foot below the water, and the guy gave up on me, ordering me back up to the boat. My husband was able to go on, and he really enjoyed the lovely views of the world beneath the waves.

A day or so later, we went swimming. David was going to "help" me get below the water, and wrapped his arms and legs around me in an attempt to show me how "easy" it was to submerge.

Instead -- we both bobbed like a cork, on top of the water. My bouyancy kept us BOTH afloat, just drifting along on the surface of the sea.

Most of the time, I am bouyant spiritually as well. Since I surrendered to Christ, I know that He is in control, and by keeping my eyes on Him, my outlook is upbeat. My husband -- nicknamed the Eternal Optimist -- is much the same way. He's the most cheerful guy I know -- looking for the good in people, looking for the good in ALL situations.

Our "match" has been beneficial for both of us. When life's thrown a curveball at one of us, the other one of us has usually been able to float us both up to the surface by encouraging and reminding each other of God's love . We have a blessed partnership, and know we are both "answered prayers" for the other. We both have a heart for Africa; we both appreciate optimism; we have many similar likes/dislikes. We met each other later in life (in our mid- to late-40's) and our own "history and baggage."

But when you KNOW it's right, and you KNOW God has brought you together, "history and baggage" is just that -- past and gone. I am not the person I was 10 or 20 years ago; neither is he and I dare say that neither are any of you who may read this blog.

Working with our ministry has brought us such a great joy. Seeing people being able to drink pure, clean water as a result of the work we've done makes my heart flutter because I know it is what God wants us to do. Seeing kids who have to scrounge for food in a dump (because that's where they live) become able to go to school, able to have a real meal each day -- it's an indescribable feeling to know that you're helping the coming generation.

There is always a struggle between good and evil; spiritual battles are waged in areas that we mortal humans know nothing about. Just becoming a follower of Jesus Christ does NOT make everything peach-keen and rosy; in fact it often has the opposite effect.

I recall Reverend James -- my pastor and spiritual mentor in Ghana -- telling me once that life is like a huge highway with all the cars speeding down the road. When one becomes a follower of Christ they TURN AROUND, going in a different direction from the rest of the world. That turning around, though, gives greater potential for head-on collisions, because you are going in the way of TRUTH -- as opposed to the way of the world.

Back to bobbing like a cork ---

Within the past few days, we've both had some issues to arise that caused us to feel dragged to the bottom. We've felt bombarded by attacks from satan, sucking us both into an ocean of hurt and despair. We've slogged through what seemed like endless days and each step felt as though we were dragging in quicksand.

And yet, we realize that our lives are in the hands of Christ. We ARE working in ministry, doing the things we believe God intends us to do. We try our hardest; we share our faith; we share the transformations that have taken place in our lives as a result of turning around and living for Jesus. We've received encouragement in the form of prayers and scriptures from friends. And we've found that we've been bobbing back to the surface. Only this time, we're wrapped around our faith in Jesus to bring us back into peace and tranquility.

Life gets hard sometimes; slings and arrows can hit us from all directions. Our protection comes from the Helmet of Salvation, the Shield of Faith, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Belt of Truth, the Sword of the Spirit, and our feet planted firmly in the Gospel of Peace.

Funny to think that all that "armor" can float us back to the top, and it can hold us up -- but it DOES!! We're still standing, we're still smiling, and we're still believing that ALL THINGS (the good AND the bad) -- ALL THINGS work together for GOOD for those who love the Lord and have been called according to His purpose.

So the "cork" that brings us floating back into the Light is Jesus, reminding us in many ways that God is in control; that even in the worst situations God can and will create something good.

(That's our Silver Lining. It's the BEST "silver lining" there is.)

We praise Him in the good times, we praise him in the not-so-good times.

We praise Him when we're floating in calm seas; we praise Him we we're being sucked beneath a tidal wave.

We praise Him when our hearts are singing, we praise Him through tears and heaving sobs.

We praise Him for deliverance; we praise Him for pain because that is what helps us grow.

We praise Him for all gifts, and we will praise Him with our last breath on this earth.

We praise Him, we wrap ourselves around Him and hold on for dear life as we bob like a cork through sometimes heavy seas.

Selah.

Leaf Lessons

The sun was shining, the air was unusually warm for late October. David had an early morning appointment in Columbia, and we decided to spend a little time at River Walk. http://www.riveralliance.org/West%20Columbia%20Riverwalk.htm and

http://www.scgreatoutdoors.com/park-westcolumbiariverwalk.html

It's a lovely "secret" in downtown Columbia, SC, with miles of paths alongside the Congaree River. If you get the chance, come and visit!

We walked along the winding path, hand in hand. The Walk itself is neatly maintained with boardwalks and concrete paths. Occasionally we'd meet someone jogging, or walking a dog; a few people were taking advantage of the sunshine and enjoying picnic lunches.

Eventually, we stopped underneath a bridge for some CO2 time.

Not Carbon Dioxide -- CO2 stands for Church Of 2. Just the two of us, worshiping together, on a glorious afternoon by the water's edge. Underneath a canopy of red and golden leaves, we sat on a large rock and worshiped God. David read aloud Psalms 23, 24, and 25. We shared quietly with each other what we thought the Lord was telling us in these verses. Then we meditated a while on what we'd just read.

I sat there on that rock, watching water flowing downstream, joined by more water gushing through a spillway, splashing over the rocks below. Colorful autumn leaves fell like snowflakes from the trees along the riverbanks, and some fell into the water.

I watched those leaves -- red, gold, brown, and burgundy -- drifting, swirling, dancing in the water. Some landed in rushing water and whoosh! Bouncing and splashing, getting bruised in the process against obstacles, those leaves quickly got caught in the current. In moments they were far, far downstream.

Others slowly lazed along, bumping into rocks and logs, sometimes getting caught for a while before turning loose and catching the rapids. Still others seemed to cycle over and over again in the same tidepool: they'd be pulled under the water, eventually swirl to the surface, nearly break away to flow downstream only to be sucked right back underneath in the same place by the current.

It occurs to me that those leaves are like us humans. Some folks dive right into life, rushing through the rapids, taking things in stride, bouncing over the obstacles -- but making it past the rough parts quickly and easily.

Others take things slowly, more tentatively. They give thought to the process. Sometimes, they might get stuck in a tidepool, but they eventually work themselves through it and can continue on with life. Occasionally they are afraid to let go, afraid to leave the calmness of their security, content to watch others go whooshing past them.

The last group is to me the saddest ones. They get sucked into a continuous loop, never making it past immature thought patterns or bad habits, always making poor choices that land them right back into the murky stagnant area where they re-circulate the same old issues over and over and over again.

So which leaf are you? Are you hung up on some issue that seems to keep you from being able to move into the freedom of life? Are you clinging to the banks of the river, afraid to venture into the rush of the deep waters? Or are you jumping right in, immersing yourself in the joy of living -- even if it includes some rough patches?

Honestly...I think I've been all three types, at different stages of my life! But right now, I'm whooshing down the rapids, splashing and bobbing, sometimes smacking into walls but bouncing off with only minor dents to my soul, giggling with joy as I go.

Life is short -- enjoy the ride!

Romance 101 and beyond!

Sometimes you just have to let a guy know that he's doing the right things. I've got a husband that works really hard to do what is right. So this blog entry is a little testimony about this special guy I married!

I may be over 50, a bit pudgy, and silver-haired, but I'm still a girl at heart. And a little romance can go a long, LONG way! David truly amazes me, with the "little things" he can say or do that makes my heart flutter.

For example -- just yesterday, we were at the SC State Fair. As we walked by one stage, we could hear a fellow singing a beautiful ballad. David pulled me into his arms and in the midst of the crowd we danced for a few moments. Right there, near the rows of crazy fair food and a few steps away from the rides. It was almost like the rest of the world just sort of stopped and all we knew about was one another. I never in a million years thought I would ever be with someone who would even think about a dance in a crowd -- much less actually DO it!

He brings me flowers sometimes, for no apparent reason other than he likes to see my smile. We light candles at dinner -- even if all we're having is a plate of turnips and greens, that little sparkle can ignite our smiles.

Today, while I dusted and folded the laundry, he vacuumed the house. Now that doesn't really sound very romantic, does it? But believe me -- ANY kind of help with the housework scores big romance points in my book. And I'd wager that MOST women feel the same way. As I think about it, the fact that he keeps up with simple household repairs is romantic. If there's something broken -- he fixes it! I don't have to resort to my meager carpentry/repair skills (using my itty bitty hammer, duct tape and fishing line, mostly) .

Another romantic thing -- he knows I do not like to cook. He LOVES to cook -- so from the beginning of our relationship HE has done most of the grocery shopping and cooking. I set the table, and wash the dishes. It's a great partnership that works for us, because I really don't mind cleaning up!

He offers encouragement to me. He tells me he thinks I am beautiful. He lets me know nearly every day that he treasures me like a gift.

We've based our marriage on our faith in God, and from the very start, we've shared prayers together. I remember telling my mother once, "This man prays with me, for me, and about me every single day!"

"Appreciate and Reciprocate" -- that's our main slogan. We appreciate each other's efforts and actions. Then we reciprocate by our own words and deeds. That can be practical or romantic! But it is beyond romance. It's all about trying to help each other. It's all about taking a marriage and creating a true partnership. It's all about sharing the last scoop of ice cream in the box. It's all about encouragement. It's all about a sweet slow dance in the middle of a crowd. It's all about appreciating our strengths and helping improve our areas.

It's all about loving God -- through loving each other.

Blessings!

Mathematics and THE REAL THING

2

4

16

I wasn't very good in math. It has bamboozled me ever since the 4th grade when my parents would make me stay in my room and try to memorize the multiplication tables. YUCK. I still hate it. I limped through Algebra 1 and 2, making the absolute lowest grades of my high school career. I almost enjoyed Geometry, though. I could draw pictures and figure out the right answer, many times. My teacher would be provoked that I didnt follow the same steps as those she demonstrated (I'm sorry, Mrs. Randall!), but hey I still got the right answer.

My senior year of high school, I was forced to take Advanced Math. According to the guidance counselor, ANYBODY who planned on going to college MUST take Advanced Math. That turned out to be a crock, unless you were going to major in engineering or something. But I sat there struggling through that class, taught by one of the biggest male chauvinists I have ever had to associate with it my life. There were only about 6 girls in our class of 30; we were rarely called upon -- unless he was fairly certain we wouldn't know the right answer, so then he could berate us in front of the "guys."

All that being said....I'm still able to look at some numbers and see a pattern, a progression. I can still use the word "exponentially" and know what I'm talking about.

And I am seeing an exponential increase on the horizon.

Last year, our team to Ghana consisted of 2 people.

This year, we doubled that to 4 people.

And next year...thanks to a partnership being forged with a nearby church -- we may have as many as 16!

2 x 2 = 4 4 x 4 = 16 See, exponential increases!

Nearly every week, we meet people who express an interest in the work we do in Ghana through Waters Edge Ministries. Many of them ask about accompanying us on the journey. It is so exciting to think about this, because it is answered prayers. It's long been a dream of mine to take other people with me to Ghana, to share in the experience. (My greatest dream is for my own children to accompany me there. Perhaps one day they will have that desire.)

I can tell you about how it looks, feels, smells, tastes, sounds to be in Africa but my feeble words dont compare to the REAL THING! It's all about relationships. Meeting people, becoming their friends, sharing in each other's lives, learning about each other's cultures and traditions. Seeing life there first hand can give you a whole new "world view."

Relationships -- another exponential explosion.

I have a friend, then we meet each other's friends, then that branches out further to include our friend's friends' friends. CARING for each other. Ultimately, that is the meaning of life -- to care about people.

I've been asked "why?" Why bother with helping someone on the other side of the world? The answer is simple. It's my purpose to help my brothers and sisters, wherever they might be.

Truly, that is life's purpose for everyone -- to CARE.

The Ultimate Relationship I have is with Jesus Christ -- and it is through my walk with Him that I see the need to care about other people. They might be next door, or around the block, or halfway around the world. I can describe my feelings and relationship with Jesus just like I can describe Africa -- but for you to truly "get" the Real Thing -- you've gotta have that relationship.

Numbers might still bamboozle me at times, but I still know when I see a good thing increasing!

Blessings!