Catching up

Over the past few months I have learned so much! Two kids....oh...two kids. I know that some of you have four or even six...OY...six kids. Times full of lessons! They
Two that we have are so vastly different in almost everything. That has been so fun to see and to watch as Lisy's personality comes out more and more. Lisy is beginning to say some words but is not as much of a letter, word and talking girl as
May was at her age. She is much more of a mover, climber, run away from Mom-er. We move a lot faster with Lisy around. She is very confident in her approach to new people she is very confident in her approach to climbing tall ladders, tables and most recently, in the battle of who is the strongest between Lisy and the cars on the street, she is very confident that it is she. I have yet to convince her otherwise and we are always chasing and speaking firmly when out on walks together. She loves very active play so we wrestle a lot. She also loves to laugh and make others laugh with her. You can tell when Lisy is about to do something ( which is very often) by her eyes. They twinkle with a sort of happy "watch this!" just before she does it. I love this about her!she is very emotional and I am a little intimidated about how we are going to grow in this area together since I am almost always struggling to conquer this within myself. God is faithful and just, however and I know that we will have many adventures together, Lisy and I, as we grow in the knowledge of Christ.
may is the quickest little wit of a four year old I think I have ever met! Se loves conversation and is already proving to be a very critical thinker. she reasons with us quite a bit about things of the Lord and she is very discerning of herself as she interacts with others. We have really enjoyed seeing Maylisa grow in areas that we firmly believe God has gifted her in. We know we have not done anything to make her the way that she is and she is kind, and generous and gentle and always very compliant. She is usually very quick to forgive and immediately restore peace between herself and the offender. This has been a gift and a lesson to me many times. It is fun to see Maylisa learn how to care for and be an encouraging example to her younger sister. She takes on the responsibilities that come with being older very well and is excited to learn more about these things. she is also becoming my helper as really seems to enjoy washing windows and dusting furniture and folding and putting away her clothes with me.
I have been learning a lot this year about the practice of love and grace in every day life with my family and anyone who may happen to cross my path that day. This, to me, has been like a breeze of fresh air. Like when you finally open a window into a stuffy, hot room and feel the cool air rush across your face as you breath in the freshness of it. I have been convicted of so many areas of self centeredness and pride but have learned so many truths that have been liberating and exciting! I feel as though I have been given wings! Some of the books I have learned from this year ( as well as learning from the community of the church I am here with) are:
Total Church by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester
everyday Church by that same authors
A Meal with Jesus by the same Authors
gospel in Life, Kings Cross, Ministries of Mercy, The prodigal God and The Reason for God all by Tim Keller
The Forgotten God by Francis Chan
radical by David Platt
These are just some that I would highly encourage to others! I have been convicted and learned many things from these men.
This year Chris and I together have had so many amazing opportunities to see Gods people meet each others needs in huge and generous ways as well as small practical ways,one person at a time, with solutions that seemed either too fantastic to be accomplished or too silly to work at. But in both extremes, God has used his people to get it done and provide. Through His people, for His people and for the people surrounding all of us! what an adventure it has been to put all of these things into practice and have our thoughts transformed by the generous God. our Prodigally generous God who has paid all of our debts so that we might find more than life in Him.
As we get ready to move back across the oceans to the U.S. During the season of Christmas, we hope to remember these things and celebrate the freedom and reconciliation we have been so freely given through this prodigality, the sacrifice of a perfect Son, in order to pay a debt for us, cover our frailties and give us an inheritance beyond imagination. We share this inheritance with many of you and live according the hope that one day, we will celebrate together at an incomparable banquet table with the Lamb who is our promise!
We look forward to this day with you! The day when goodbye will cease forever (we were never created for those-this is why they are so unpleasant) and we will be in constant joy and celebration in Him with you, our friends, our family, jewels in our crown!
We love each one of you, we pray for continued growth, conviction, purpose and intentionality in each of your daily lives as we all live for His glory.
merry Christmas! Eternal and prodigal reconciliation has been made for us and we celebrate this with you! May you be found in Him!