i have a friend from spain who has been living in the US on and off for a year. she's taken the TOEFL i think 4 or 5 times now. each time she is within 4 points of passing. each time she has failed. the most recent time she failed this was her fb status:
"Hey guys, thanks for praying; I didn´t pass the TOEFL; Let´s give thanks to the Lord for He is good and He always answers our prayers :)"
uhh....really?
thats not what i was thinking after hearing she failed. i mean, i was frustrated for her. but all she wanted to do was give thanks to the Lord for He is good and answers our prayers?!?
i can't tell you how this has hit me. this un-wavering hope in the promise of God and trusting that if we pray for His will to be done and believe He is good, and so that whatever comes is where and what He wants to be coming.
I don't think I can explain it all fully. but her grateful heart amidst disappointment has rocked me.
so i will offer more of the endless gifts. the giving back to Him of what he has given me.
1) a fun hat from the parentals. one that the boys love as much as me.
(because you asked, my dear missy. only because you asked...*smile*)
2) manassah. who continues to let me bless others and be free to seek encouragement myself.
3) various care packages that arrived this week
4) a 30 minute phone call with my mom last night to hear joy and enjoy her friendship
5) health
6) dove chocolate bars
7) wonderful responses from supporters after my recent update letter.
8) my SA poppa introducing me to a good men he wants me to marry and the hilarity it brings me living in this house
9) celebrating Mothers Day here with my Roelene saturday, and having vetkoek for dinner and Harry Potter for dessert
10) random strangers who carry tool boxes in their car and help me out
11) surprising my SA poppa by holding a conversation in Afrikaans with him over supper
12) headaches that my fortitude in studying this language brings.
13) worship, especially semi-old songs that still move my heart in gratefulness and awe.
14) my bed. a warm place to lay my head in sleep.
15) students named PP and Dudu. yes, i said pp and dudu. every time i call them i giggle. only in africa!
16) little african brother going on picnic's with God
15) students named PP and Dudu. yes, i said pp and dudu. every time i call them i giggle. only in africa!
16) little african brother going on picnic's with God
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Tee hee hee! That is awesome! Thank you my dear for posting a goofy picture of yourself wearing that creepy hat! I don't know, just something about it is a bit creepy, reminds me too much of Carrot Top, and he is creepy...so there ya go! And, if you can have the randomness of students named pp and dudu in SA, then surely your SA papa can find you a pale sparkly man in that country too! Or perhaps a dark skinned man with brilliant soft eyes that sparkle and shine only for you when you look in them.
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