Update

Okay, so I’m being terribly inconsistent of late (sorry, Danny). Can I be a bum and tell you to go to charlesandkristen.blogspot.com to see pictures of our Chick Night and our 4th of July party? Kristen is great about posting pictures. I don’t even have a charger for my camera right now, so I’m going to have to mooch off of her for a while. Thanks, Friend.

Ben, Daran, Charles, Pat, and Nathie are currently taking kids home from the camp that just finished. Charles said a lot of kids responded to the salvation call. Very cool. May the seeds planted in the kids’ hearts grow strong and healthy. May this next generation of Swazis impact this country for Jesus.

In other news, we are doing fine. Levi had bronchial pneumonia, and Trinity had bronchitis a couple weeks ago. They’re over that, thank God. We basically camped by the fireplace that week. It’s been MUCH warmer, lately. Almost like spring already.

Kayla officially started grade 4 work last week (we’re home schooling). She is excited. Levi is enjoying school, also. Trinity does her “work” along with them (coloring, puzzles, etc.). I am so thankful I get to stay home and teach them. They are also enjoying their extra lessons: art, music, and gymnastics. The kids are often practicing their handstands. I wonder who they get that from… :-)

A week after we had our 4th of July party, some friends of ours had a “Christmas in July” party. Reason? It is so COLD here that it feels like Christmastime! I’ve always wanted to do that, but between the 4th and then Ben’s birthday (and now Kristen’s also!) being on the 20th, I just couldn’t pull off the Christmas party. SO, we enthusiastically dug out our Santa hats and Christmas CDS, and we got festive in anticipation of the party. We even made Christmas cookies. Kristen helped with the frosting part and took pictures (maybe she will post one of those). It was really fun.

While Kayla, Trinity, and I joined the Christmas party, Ben took Levi on a special trip--just the two of them. Ben posted about it, complete with pictures: benrodgers.blogspot.com. I'm so happy for them!

I still get home sick. Sundays are consistently the hardest. (Oh, how we miss HPC! And going to On the Border afterwards!) But the Lord is helping us by filling our lives with wonderful friends and other activities. (Like Kristen said, not replacing the spot in our hearts for loved ones back home, but adding onto the group instead!) Today is Sunday, and when Ben gets back from transporting the Care Point kids we will head to Doug and Tasha’s to play board games. Yea!

So, there’s the update. I’ll try to post again in a couple days.

Mo' Happenin'

Lots of cool stuff is going on. My brother Dan just posted about one of the latest things—and it is something in which you can participate, if you wish. He explained it so well, all I’ll say now is here is his blogspot: danohlerking.blogspot.com
It’s worth reading.

Forgetting to Breathe

This morning was crazy. Hectic. Lots to get done before I rushed out the door. I was racing around, trying to remember everything: Crystal's birthday present, cookies for Bible study, water bottle, extra clothes for Trinity, Bible and lesson book, cell phone (I hate it when I forget that), my watch, etc.

Time to go. I stood in my bedroom doorway, looking around. I said out loud, "Lord, am I forgetting anything?" In my spirit was His prompt reply, "You're forgetting to breathe." I could hear the smile in His voice. My stress went down several notches as I, too, smiled and said, "Yeah, I suppose this is true."

I love how He loves us. Unexpected little moments like that are treasures. He comes along with a Word that diffuses the tension and reminds us that we can trust that He's still in control. "Don't forget to breathe!"

Chick Night at the Rodgers' House

Our church in Baton Rouge, Healing Place Church, has amazing Chick Nights. We missionary gals sit here and yearn to be a part of it.

Well, while Ben was in Tanzania with a team, we had our own Chick Night. Twelve gals (all but one of them being missionaries) came over for home-made pizza and American chocolate. Six of the ladies stayed all night. We did Mary Kay masks and skin treatments. We huddled by the fireplace and talked until we couldn’t keep our eyes open. It was a blast.

Kristen took pictures; I’ll have to ask her to help me get a picture up on this blog to show you. (Should I post the one with us in green masks?)

Anyway, I smile now as I think about the laughter and bonding that happened. Thank You, Lord, for turning what could have been a pretty lonely Friday night into a night I doubt any of us will ever forget.