December, December oh how I am so incredibly thankful to have had experienced you, but even more grateful you have moved on. I will be forever changed because of you, and surely not forgetting you anytime in the next 100 years. Thank you for making such an impact on my life. Sincerely yours, frazzled and blessed mother of many…

The rains started! The rains ended. The rains started again and yet we still have no consistent water. I am most certain the devil has plugged the pipes coming into our house with a dead hippo or something. Ever heard the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome…I do this daily when I walk to the sink and turn the faucet handle. Call me insane…

Remember the song on Lion King where Timone and Pumba are singing the duet, as Simba and Nala are meeting again? Timone sings “Our trio’s down to two” That couldn’t have been more true for our team this month. I am pretty sure we have all experienced every emotion on the rector scale possible. So, while we have been stretched thin, taught some valuable life lessons, and figuring out a new game strategy, our team was challenged a little more. Apparently, we are “super” people… Catherine had to fly home solo with a shoulder injury, perfect timing on God’s part, with a family emergency that came about just days after being there. We are praying fervently for her and her family there and her immediate family here. Jason has been in Tanzania (2nd time, sorry I don’t have time to explain all of that on this post…possibly a future post) now for days while customs has “lost” the keys to our vehicle. We have been praying fervently (along with some of you) that God would receive the glory and the keys found so he can get out of dodge! Still believing Him for that. All the while, God has been faithful! He brought many joys and peace in the midst of all satan’s distractions and attempts at tearing us down. We experienced Christmas at Esther’s House with all of the children, residential and the non-residential, our widows, the staff. The pics tell a thousand words! Jiles said that’s the first time everyone has been under the same roof. The feeling was indescribable that day. We all sang and danced, shared cokes, cookies and cake, laughed and laughed and heard from the word. Stanley and Bruce worked hard with the kids on the skit of Herrod (Bruce) and Christ’s birth. One word. Hilarious. Sound effects and all.  We handed out goodies to the widows and the children. Let’s just say it takes an army to pull that stuff off and you’d think it was easy! Then you still end up with some bumps, but it’s Malawi no one is phased except the crazy Americans.

Our maize and soybeans have been planted and growing strong, and so is Esther’s House! We have added 3 more children to our non-residential program the last few weeks, and 5 widows. God’s still on his throne! One of our new children we added injured his leg and when I mean injured I’m talking I’m not sure how the infection hasn’t already taken his leg or worse. So if you will kindly lift him up for healing.

Rewards day thrown in, several trips to the city for business matters, airport runs, and supplies, being T-boned by a drunk mini bus driver, a little mini Christmas getaway for our families to rejuvenate and lift our spirits, homeschooling, and life in general just about sums up the last few weeks. I am sparing you some of the details, but trust me it was no less than blood, sweat, and tears. I should have a new baby to show for it, but instead I have a new determination to finish the course set before me. As much as I love kids, obviously, I am sure our family is complete. Kreyton prayed that God would make our family bigger a couple nights ago and graciously I rebuked him under my breath…

Enjoy the pics!! Oh and I almost forgot, our first intern has arrived, SETH!! You can guess from the above that the timing was impeccable. (Another Lion King quote, sorry too many kids movies lately. I blame it on the rain and no where to go)

Happy New Year!
Lace

To see pics visit the blog at www.surrenderhappens.com  Some of them didn't post correctly sorry :(