Grace in the Valley
For sharing with friends and family our experiences and thoughts while serving through medical ministry in Africa.
May I find His joy even in my sorrow and His life in my death. To God be the glory!
Friday, 3 January 2025
America
One year ago today we landed in America… cold, tired and temporarily homeless. Our journey across Congo, then Africa, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean was one we would not soon forget.
We were taken in by the Lightners first, then the Pinkertons. We collected enough winter clothes from these families to keep ourselves from freezing.
Then we arrived on Barry mountain and hunkered down for the next week at Moot hall, sitting in front of the fire and spending hours of uninterrupted family time together for the first time in years.
Several people stopped in with food for us and half of us experienced snow for the first time.
This is how our life in America began.
Today, one year later, the Lord has added a son to our family, several thousand to our almost empty bank account and many new friends here in our next temporary home.
Thursday, 2 January 2025
One year ago today we were on a plane bound for America…
...I'm on the road, dog
Got my back pack, maps and my road dogs
If you could see what we see
You would want to go where we're going just to be where we'll be
In the presence of more than a baby boy
The Lord who can save you and save me, or
Maybe if it's still not clear
Let wise men open your eyes and take you there
..We'd studied the script
Next step was to study the trip
Packed up, we were ready to dip
Ready to roll
Wasn't even sweating the cold
We were convinced of His hotness
Ready to go!
Don't forget the planks that anchor the tents
And with the gold, grab myrrh and some frankincense
Let's go!
...It's been a minute but we're still steppin'
Still trekkin'
Can't wait to put our eyes on what our heart's expectin'...
(Cross Movement)
Saturday, 21 December 2024
Unto you a child is born!
It was a beautiful thing to deliver Enoch into the world so close to our celebration of Jesus coming to be with us.
Looking back at some pictures of Enoch's birth, this Christmas song came to mind:
Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Hope that You don't mind our manger
How I wish we could have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home
Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sins and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world
(Welcome to our World by Chris Rice)
Friday, 13 December 2024
Christmas Things
Christmas cookies and painting
Salem is learning to walk
Snowflake making
Stockings! (one is turned around)
Snack time with Salem, featuring Aunt R's recipe I made with large pretzels since the minis were sold out
Orcxance’s first deer; it's hunting season in WNC
our Christmas tree
My blueprint table did a snowy baby boy shower for our last meeting on Tuesday
Snowy morning drive to Orcxance’s work
Thursday, 28 November 2024
In which we have a ladies night out and do some Christmas crafts, get snow, celebrate Thanksgiving, and Orcxance pulls off another great dinner for Barry Mountain.
Ladies craft night at church
First real snow
We hosted a Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday. It was a ton of work but everyone loved the food!
Christmas trees in Banner Elk on my drive to work
Thanksgiving day craft from Grandma B
Family Thanksgiving day lunch
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