Loving the Fall

The weather is so beautiful right now. I'm loving the balanced temperature though it does make dressing the kids a bit difficult. The kids and I had a great evening. We went on a nice walk around the complex with the Powells and then went with the Al-wahibs to Target. I love knowing and spending time with my neighbors. It was like that when I was a kid, but as an adult we knew who our neighbors were but did not spend time together. I am really enjoying helping the Al-wahibs learn English. I have never wanted to be a teacher and I'm starting to realize that the reason for this is I do not like the structured environment of a classroom. I enjoy situations that teach and using the things around us to help people learn. For example, Nada rode with me to Target and I taught her the different names for vehicles. As we walked around Target I taught her different words and how to ask for things. It's wonderful! And it is nice when people ask you to correct them when they say something wrong. This is a completely new concept for me. It seems as if people want to be right even when they are trying to learn. But I have been asked to correct them when they use incorrect words or grammar. They really want to learn. It is humbling because I know I am one of those people who wants to be right even when I'm not. And I know there are many times when I am not. So I challenge you, me, all of us to be willing to graciously take correction. Do you avoid trying to learn because you are afraid to mess up? Do you make excuses when you do something incorrectly? This is pride and pride is sin. I need help with my pride and every day I realize it more.

On another note I spent all of this wonderful time with people (which I do believe is more important) instead of working on my SWI homework. To be perfectly honest I am really struggling with it. I am suppose to write a paragraph about a positive feminine trait that is a strength and a paragraph about a negative feminine trait that I pray to change by God's grace. Both of these lists are extensive and I cannot figure out one that I believe is really a strength. That's why I signed up for this class. And the negative I could probably write a whole book. Again why I signed up for this class. Maybe I'm too hard on myself, but I really do feel lost in this area. By God's grace I will become a Godly woman and be what He wants me to be.

Balance

This is the word God has been continuously teaching me since moving to Louisville. We have to balance everything in life and it is much more complicated sometimes that we think it should be. Balance family and church and ministry and friends. Balancing school and work along with everything else for Jim. But I am so thankful that I serve a God who can teach me this balance and guides me in the balance and corrects me when I tip the scale too far in a particular direction.

My biggest struggle right now is learning balance within the home. Should be easy, right? No. As I really evaluate what all needs to be done to run a home efficiently, I realize how inadequate I really am as a human to do this. Only by God's grace can I run a home. Only by God's grace can a be the helper my husband needs. Only by God's grace can I raise my children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Only by God's grace can I do anything. And I thank God that He has saved me through the blood of Jesus so that I can do these things to bring Him glory and honor.

I love my Embracing Femininity class. It has reiterated this concept to me. As I look at scripture I see how God wants me to be. I see that I need to make the appropriate choices to be the woman He intends for me to be. I know that only by His grace can I do these things. And I pray that by living in His guidance that others will see that there is something difference in me.

I am also truly learning the truth that there are enough hours in the day to do what God wants you to do (paraphrase from Nancy Leigh DeMoss). This too is part of the balance. Some days some things get done. Some days some other things get done. I know that God and my family have to take priority and that after I take care of those things everything else seem to fall in to place. Not always perfectly as this world is still fallen, but I have gotten some things accomplished the last couple of days that I have been wanting to do. The Lord is gracious and is directing my path. I am still having difficulties in prioritizing some of the other things that need to be done, but God is teaching me and it is coming along.

I can't believe it's been a quarter of a year since we moved here. 3 months plus! Crazy!

Wonderful Weekend

This Sunday was parent-child dedication Sunday and we dedicated Lillian to the Lord. It was a wonderful time. My family came up and our friends Ali and Asma came to the service. It was such a blessing to have friends and family there.

Monday evenings twice a month we have conversation English classes at the meeting room in our complex. It is so much fun as we get to learn about people and cultures while teaching them to speak, read and write English. This week we talked about marriage and family and the lady I was working with was married at 12 years old! Her mother was married at 7! It is amazing to hear this. We all know that it happened in times past but to hear of people married that young in the last 50 years is so interesting and to meet someone who it happened to is incredible.

After class the kids and I spent some time with the Al-wahibs doing English conversation as they were unable to make the class. They are so loving and welcoming. I seriously need to learn better hospitality.

My SWI class will start tomorrow and it is Embracing Femininity. Hopefully this will touch on hospitality as that certainly is part of learning to be female but there is another class on it i hope to take in the future.

I have so much to learn to become the woman God wants and has designed me to be. It has been quite a struggle recently as many times I just feel inadequate and helpless. But that isn't right. That minimizes the Gospel because I am in Christ and in Christ I have been made adequate as He gives me help. I am looking forward to a day when this will all be natural and make since, but I am in no hurry.

I am enjoying raising my kids and loving on them. Jamey is starting to really eat more finally, though he still has his days. Lillian and I exercise to help her learn to sit up. She is trying. These kids grow so fast and I am really beginning to realize how little time we really have with them.

We had a nice morning with our friends Ann and Ian. We tried to go to the pool but it was closed so we walked around the seminary and neighborhoods around it. Great exercise but I was exhausted afterward.

This is the first full week with Jim being on his "normal" schedule and school so we will see how it goes. Thankfully with his schedule he does still have time at home during the day and 3 evenings off a week, however half that time is spent on school. I just have to remind myself God has put us here and now for His purposes and I just have to look to Him.

Fall

So somehow it got to be October without another post. I suppose as life becomes more routine it seems a bit "mundane" to put the everyday life into an online posting.

In Louisville October and fall actually are simultaneous! I can't believe it. It turned October and cool almost at the same time. It is amazing actually enjoying Autumn weather more than just once in a while. Love it! Though as quickly as it has gotten cool I do wonder how cold the winter will actually be. The only real downside is I cannot seem to keep Lillian warm. She is wearing full sleepers all the time and her hands are still icicles! Poor girl. Hopefully that will stop.

We've had a fun month still meeting people and getting to know friends better. Jim is getting settled in his job and praise the Lord, has Tuesdays off so we can continue in our community group! God is so good and provides in the best ways.

The third week in September my family cam for a visit. We mostly hung out and just enjoyed time together. They will be up again this weekend for Lillian's dedication. I'm excited to see exactly how Sojourn does it as it is a group of people all dedicating their children to the Lord.

God is still working on me and it is taking lots of time. But I guess that too is part of the journey that we are on. I love to learn and I am thankful for the opportunities I have hear to learn. Meeting new people is always educational and exciting.

I finished my first SWI class last week. It was a great class and so excited to be a part of this program. Next week will begin class 2. This is another great educational opportunity. I will say though, I do not think there will be another class like Cross Cultural Ministries. I learned so much about people and cultures and ministry. Things like that are invaluable.

2 and a half months. Where is the time going?