Adjustments

What a week! It started with the whirlwind of preparation for Chris to come home, and then his arrival and adjustment period began. Poor guy struggled with jet lag on arriving home, but was doing a lot better until...well he wasn't. He woke up this morning with chills/fever and a vicious bronchitis like cough. He said he doesn't need to go to the doctor, and it will wear off, but it is a little intimidating given all of the traveling he just did...and the fact that we are on the mends here from MY hospitalization. So we are praying for a quick recovery for him, and washing our hands alot and praying that neither Lexsey or I catch this bug.

Which made me realize, that in all of the preparations to go to Ethiopia, somehow we missed him getting a flu shot. He had every other shot known to man kind, pills and prophylaxis, I sent him with a medical kit only a nurse would sent their spouse with, but I TOTALLY forgot for him to get his flu shot. I packed Lexsey and I up and over to our respective doctors, but never reminded him to get his. Sigh. Well, if its the flu, at least we know the rest of the family is protected. Poor guy!!

We were sad to have to postpone his welcome back barbeque, because Chris is so excited to share the amazing life changing experience that he had in Ethiopia...but we will reschedule as soon as we possibly can. There is too much good news, and testimony to be heard about the amazing works that are happening in Ethiopia, and the important testimony that Chris has to share...


A church in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia..

As I have been talking to people about the mission trip to Ethiopia, I realized how strongly and passionately I truly feel about the need to serve, and give of ALL of your resources, from labor, time, prayers to money and volunteer time. There is so much work to be done, and so many amazing things that can be done if we helped. I found myself talking about cosmetic surgeries, and procedures, botox and all of the things that have become so common place in the US. The conversation was sparked as I bottom some vitamin E oil for the ever stretching real estate of my stomach, and we talked about how you can have lazer surgery to remove stretch marks. I sighed, looked at Chris and said "but I COULD NEVER do that. There are too many families that won't be eating today, too many children that can't get medical care. How could I go spend thousands of dollars on something to make me look better to myself, when I could take those thousands of dollars and feed families? Feed entire villages?" He smiled, and said "I know you couldn't...thats just not you."

So I challenge you today, if you are reading this, give something up today. Maybe just for a day, for a week, a month, whatever you feel called to do. Maybe its a starbucks run (don't we all love our $4 mochas), or a pedicure, and donate that money to something that is going to make a difference. Put aside the petty little things that make us all feel better about ourselves in a way that doesn't matter in the long run , and invest in the future of the world, of the children of the world, of the kingdom of God here and now. Did you know that in Ethiopia, your $4 mochas money could feed an entire family that would have went without that meal?





Chris gave a testimony while in Ethiopia (from what I have heard) that we need to remember that we aren't storing our treasures here on earth, but in heaven... Isn't that the truth? Our reward is not here, in retirement accounts, fancy cars and clothing...its when you reach the gates of heaven, and you look in the face of your creator, who says "I know you. I know what you did for the least of my people".

The parable of sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46 says it all...




The Sheep and the Goats



31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels
with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will
separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates
the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right
and the goats on his left.



34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you
who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom
prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was
hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited
me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and
you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see
you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to
drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or
needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or
in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you
who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and
his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger
and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not
clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or
thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison,
and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do
for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

I'm not saying that by not doing things, people won't go to heaven. What Im saying is that we are CALLED to help... I hope and pray that today, if you happen to be reading this, maybe you heard the whisper of God's holy spirit in you, saying "what can I do?" and that you chose to listen to that call.

Blessings and love to all