It's Different Here!!!!

Oh my, just when I thought I was fitting back into southern california culture, we went to the San Diego County Fair. Now, THAT'S a weird place. . . !!!!!

Last Saturday the whole family went to the San Diego County Fair to see my nephew Marcus perform "hip hop" for a featured singer. We had a great time together, the nieces, nephews and their friends went on the fair rides, pet the barn animals, people-watched, and ate some REALLY STRANGE FOOD!!!!! Fairs are known for their fatty, weird, disgusting, never to be found anywhere else, food . . . but chocolate covered bacon????????? Who comes up with this stuff??????????? Can you see me asking that question as I stand here in a quandry??????

My sister Glenda went farther than wondering, she actually bought some!!!! The look on her face pretty much says all that needs to be said.

Marcus did a great job performing hip hop. I wish Toby, Acacia, Kevin and Geoff could have been there!!!!!

My favorite people watching moment was in the small animal barn. My sister and I watched a young family walk by and the little girls exclaimed, "OOOOOO we can already hear the chickens and we're not even there yet!!" to which their Dad replied, "Yeah, see if you can find the one that has a hairdo like your grandma."

I have 6 more days before I begin my journey home. It has been a very FULL visit. Lots of emotion, tears of sadness, tears of joy and tons of family time.

I feel like I need to make a sidenote here. As I have seen many people during the time I've been here I've been surprised that numerous people, due to the accident in March, have expected me to be in more pain than I am, in worse physical condition than I am and generally in a fairly compromised physical state. I realized today that I must not have made it clear just how much healing I have received by GOD these past few months. He enabled me to recover from the hepatits much more quickly than expected. And the injuries incurred in the accident are healing well. Though I still have little aches and pains, I am able to exercise, walk, run and pretty much do what I want--except kneel down. Our God has proven Himself faithful as healer and provider and I am grateful.

Thanks for your prayers and friendship,

Mary

Well where do I begin. We have now survived the past 12 days with out Mary. Let me tell you it is not as easy as you may think. I desperately miss my wonderful wife and can’t tell you all how blessed I am to have such a Godly woman. During this season apart my heart is longing for her fellowship, part of me is missing.

I know some of you are saying why is he writing this for all to see. The bible is very clear that he who finds a wife finds a good thing, and I want to praise God for giving me Mary. When we trust Him with all we have He can take care of what we need. And He knew I needed Mary. This has definitely been a season to trust God, as you know since January we have been on a journey through some difficult times and situations but through it all God has proven himself so faithful and kept His word. So for another 10 days my ability to trust him is being tested, that is when Mary gets home. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that as we come to the throne of grace that we will find help in our time of need. For those of you reading that my be experiencing hardship know that as we abandon our lives to Jesus and His kingdom there is grace for you. He can be trusted, but it is often us who hold back our lives and don’t trust Him to work out the details. I could be caught up on the fact that we have had to suffer some difficult times this year, but the truth is that through all we have been through He has been there with us. God is good and no trial or tribulation can change that.

My Dad passed away last night and I’m on my way to the U.S. to be with my Mom and the rest of the family. He had been in the hospital 2 times in the past 2 weeks. The doctors felt that he would live another 6 months to a year, but last night while Dad and Mom were watching tv Mom noticed that Dad’s chest wasn’t rising and falling, so she tapped his hand and said, “Bill.” When he didn’t respond she went to the nurses’ station and by the time she and the nurse returned, Dad’s heart was just beating it’s last beats. And he had gone to be with Jesus, peacefully. Just two days ago I asked my Dad about Jesus being his Lord and Savior and he said, “Oh yes I’ve always believed that and I still do.” Mom said Dad was talking about Jesus and asking God to help him all these last days. Friends from the church were there to pray with them just about 30 minutes before he died.
I fly the a.m. of the 5th and am able to stay overnight in London with a team that has been here at New Hope for the past few days. They will take care of my accommodation.
I will be home for about 3 weeks.

This place is for the birds!!!!!

It's the little things that 1) crowd our days or 2) make life enjoyable. You pick which you want, but it's the one who lets the little things be a source of enjoyment that will find true joy. Some days I am clinging tightly to #1 and today I felt like I was going in that direction when the kids found some newly hatched baby weaver birds just before lunch. The birds were totally naked, one or two feathers each, none bigger than 1 inch long and all struggling for life. Acacia desperately wanted to feed them sugar/salt water and so, instead of taking my "after lunch 10 minute siesta" I found myself gently holding baby birds and trying to feed them with a medicine dropper. They lived about 1 1/2 hours and then were given a proper burial behind our school banda. The kids took it well and I was glad for the "interruption." (And by the way, I still got 10 minutes after the funeral and managed to also get a nice cup of java later which helped me make it to this point in my day!!!!!)

We will go into Kampala on Monday in preparation for Toby's piano exam on Tuesday. Here's a picture of him practicing. His hair was spiked in honor of the last day of science last week. Our little Einstein look alike. I pray Toby's faith, however, stays strong and grows, unlike Einstein's sad lack of belief in the ONE who makes IT all possible!!!

That's it for now . . .