You just HAVE to read this book!

 

As I was talking with my friend Sherry K about Uganda she asked if I had read this book.  I hadn't.  Then I found it on Amazon when I was ordering something else.  

It is the story of a young American woman and what the Lord does in and through her as she "works" in that country.  I thought that since Andrew is in Uganda that I should read it.  I am so glad that I did.  

On one level it helps me to understand what Andrew is facing everyday.  I hardly can imagine.  I shutter to think of it.  On the other hand I am challenged, encouraged, convicted.  I cried my way through the book.  After reading it, my faith has been refreshed.  I find myself hungering and thirsting for more of the Lord.   
It comes at a perfect time in our family's adventure.  We have just moved.  We are in a neighborhood for the first time in many years.  I have been seeking the Lord for my new neighbors.  My heart swells with excitement to see what the Lord has in mind.  I find myself trembling and saying Yes Lord, Yes Lord, yes yes yes.

Painting

 We have some work to do --- before moving --- to begin making this house "our home"!  One thing was the color.  Almost everything was beige.  We knew we wanted something different, but . . . . . . .  there are thousands of colors to choose from.  UGH  Decisions decisions.   

 Mom joined us for several meals on the "construction site"!

We also knew that the carpet needed to be replaced.  Yikes more decisions.  It seems like the older I get the harder it is to be confident in making decisions.  "smile"

 Then it was time to paint.  There are some very high places to paint!!  Thank you Lord for wonderful friends who helped us so incredibly.  We couldn't have done much if we'd been on our own. 

 

We had two professional painters who volunteered to help us!

 They make it look easy!!

 Building the scaffolding

On top of the world fixing the fan.

  

Painting in other rooms.  What a team!! 

Next carpeting then building in the basement . . . . .

What a Different Christmas!

This year we celebrated Christmas differently than we ever have before.

Yes Gretchen & Kyle came.  The grandchildren as well.  Andrew was also here from Uganda. Woo Hoo!! We did have a wonderful time together. 

However there was no tree.  
No presents.  No cards.  No baking.  
(That was okay.  Kyle baked enough wonderful goodies to make up for our lack!  We are so blessed to have a son in law who enjoys cooking.  Every time they come to visit we wonder and look forward to what he might cook.)

Our family received a large present on the 23rd right before Christmas.

It was too large to wrap.  It was too large to deliver.  

I am sure that you have figured it out. . . . . . 

We have been getting ready to move.   This year has been spent packing!