Lord willing, Josh and Josiah and the team will be back in the states tomorrow. They’ve been gone for 2 weeks and done a lot of work on the Sister Connection guest house/our future home in Burundi. They worked very hard all day right alongside the locals. I can not wait to hear all their stories and see their videos and pictures. Also, can’t wait to hug them!!! The other two boys and I are very ready to see them and have them home.

For the three of us this week has been quite slow. I fell last Sunday, yep fell…like old people do. Not even doing anything fun, neat or daring, just getting out of the van I sprained my ankle on the curb. I went to the immediate care so that Josh would be put at ease knowing it wasn’t broken, just a bad sprain. The boys and I were going to go to Florida to meet my parents, but this put a wrench in travel plans as I couldn’t put weight on my foot at all.

So, my husband and oldest son are in Africa, my parents are in Florida, I can’t drive (it’s my right foot) we’re in an upstairs apartment and it rained…like all week. The Lord gave me this week to rest. This is not what I would have chosen and this is not what I wanted, but it is obviously what He knew I needed. I was able to read my book, I highly recommend by Tim Keesee called A Day’s Journey-stories of hope and death-defying joy.

There are so many people suffering and going through difficulties, my week pale’s in comparison. As I read this book I was consistently reminded that the best place to be is pressing into my sweet Savior. Paul says in Philippians I’ve learned to be content whether in plenty or in want. Then Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It was somewhat of a conundrum for me this week to be learning by His strength and grace in me I can rest and slow down to this snails pace.

He provided meals through our church for the boys and I and a thoughtful friend even picked the boys and I up one day to get us out of the apartment for a few hours which helped me get some social interaction with an adult! I also read this article I would suggest to anyone about true rest.

I struggled this week, because letting others serve you and slowing down doesn’t feel like I’m doing anything for the kingdom of God. We Americans love to go, go, go and I’m included in that, even if it is ministry things, maybe even especially when it is ministry things. Why do we think rest is unimportant, unnecessary or even at times I can think it’s failure? In actuality God called the first Sabbath day holy, because on it He rested. Jesus was consistently taking time away, alone and resting from the ministry work to be with His Father. He was very intentional to rest.

It’s revealing to rest, perhaps because it shows us just how restless we are. How much we’re neglecting the most important things and it shows us the places our souls are dry and thirsty. I was able to take time this week to let God examine me and show me some hard things, it was not easy at all, but over and over again I see Him preparing us soul and body for what He has in store for our family. He never fails. He has never once left me without what I needed, When I’m in pain physically or when my heart is hurting I can be held by the scarred nail pierced hands of Jesus. He went through so much more pain, more loneliness than I can even comprehend and because of His pain I know a comfort beyond human understanding.

It’s been a great week, not a week I would have chosen…ever, but every time there’s a valley He faithfully brings you through you’d never change what you learned and how much nearer you are to Him.

Hopefully the next posts will be from Josh and Josiah and you’ll get some details from their trip! Thank you for praying for us and loving us well!