We have had a great Holiday season! Although we have missed family and friends more than usual, we have really enjoyed being together these last few weeks. The Holidays last for about a month here…just a time to unwind and relax. I have to admit, I love Christmas here. It is so nice not to feel the pressure to shop a lot, give a lot, buy a lot, wrap a lot, decorate a lot, eat a lot. It has been, in the past, such an exhausting, busy time that I have a hard time remembering to make it about Jesus. Or even though I remember…it’s just hard. But this year we were able to really focus on Christ. We did a great Advent story (Thanks Carol!!) that we read every night and it was so interesting that the girls were begging for “one more chapter” almost every night. Because we had friends in the hospital, we had many opportunities for serving others and focusing on what OTHER people might need. Which also helped us realize and be thankful for all we already have. We had a great Christmas morning and then friends over for the afternoon and dinner. We didn’t even cook a big Christmas meal….just lots of cookies and dips and BBQ for supper!!
After being kind of “laid back” about school the last few weeks, this week we started back with lots of structure and some new resolutions on the part of the teacher (me) to be more intentional in planning and encouraging the girls to learn. We have had a great week so far and although I am still way behind on my record book (recording grades), I am caught up on grading and the girls have done really, really well this week! I am learning that having the spiritual gift of “Mercy”, is not always a good thing. I am way too easily swayed by a good “sob story”….. even from (or maybe especially from) my own kids. Thankful that God was able to teach me that lesson and I am trying to be more TOUGH!
We also added a pet to the family! Maggie has wanted a kitten for a very, very long time. We finally decided to break down and give it a try this year. We adopted a kitten from the Swaziland Animal Welfare Society and surprised the girls a couple of days before Christmas. They decided to name her Sophie and she has been a lot of fun! Kittens are very sweet, cute and entertaining. I just wish they didn’t poop. One reason to be thankful that we don’t have any carpet, I guess!!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. May God richly bless you and your families this year. Thank you for praying for, loving and supporting us as we seek to serve him in Swaziland. We love you!
Thanks for this update – it’s good to hear about the good parts of Christmas there as well as understand the hard part of missing family etc. I am sure you were missed in your families homes as well on this side. I am praying for you all and I will pray for the schooling of the girls as well.
Thanks for taking the time to make your mission personal to me. =o) It reminds me to pray for you, too. You all are a HUGE blessing to those of us in the States!
Thank you for the update!! We eagerly await news of our Swazi family, I get asked at least once a week why I wear the red “keep em there” bracelet and I get to tell someone part of my church familiy is on mission in Swazi and I pray for them reminded by the little red band. You guys are an inspiration to so many. Keep up the Kingdom work and enjoy each day! I would SO love to come one year…