Choosing Thankfulness and Joy

"I want to go back to America, " he whimpers.

Four out of five of our children have gotten sick since we've been here. Thankfully, it was just a virus taking its course and nothing more serious. But, when you're not feeling well and out of your comfort zone, it's a bit more challenging to keep going forward. Jonah learned that this week. I am blessed to watch my children be trained by the Lord... even when it's hard.

Jesus never promised us comfort, health, security. He promised heaven to a surrendered soul. He promised He wouldn't leave us here to walk through life alone. We cling to these promises, and endure to the end.

After reminding Jonah of all that Jesus gave up to show us His great love, and reminding him that God is the one we are obeying by being here in Uganda, he got over the pity party and said, "I can't wait to see what God's big plan is for us!" So far, we have just learned how to breathe here. "Ministry" consists of playing with new friends all day, and learning how to live in Uganda. I told Jonah, "Sometimes God's big plan doesn't seem all that big to us. He just wants our hearts to obey Him in love. Today, His great big plan is for us to love on 11 children. We will honor Him in that today."

No matter how big or small we consider the call God has on our lives today, we will choose to serve Him in joy and thanksgiving… doing it all for His glory.

With all of the material sacrifice in moving here, I chose to give thanks and look for the blessings all around…

I never knew how thankful I'd be for misquito nets until I saw this.
It's not poisonous, just really ugly.

Rain. I wish I could send you all the SMELL of this rain! Refreshing.

Do I need to explain?

Him. Wherever the need is, there is Tyler.

Lots and lots of papaya. It's no good in America.
Don't even buy it to try.
You have to come here and taste it for yourself.

YAY! Lilah is out of diapers!! Thank you Jesus!

My Ergo baby carrier. So very thankful!

New friends. 2 are missing from the picture, but you get the idea.

I wish I got a picture of our two ladies that work here as "house help." I'm sure I will get them on here eventually. At this point, they are vital for our survival! These two, Santa and Katherine, are the hardest working women I've ever met. They love Jesus, and beam JOY. So thankful to be with them all day. Laundry for 13 children and 4 adults is going to be interesting when they get a week off for Christmas! Please pray!

If God were to send us home tomorrow, all of this would not have been in vain. The lessons we are learning here are invaluable and, I'm sure, only the beginning.