Some Lists...

So I have been thinking to myself...hmm I am back in the states now so when is it that I officially stop blogging?...Should I even stop? Should I continue? When have I fulfilled my blogging quota?...I haven't really come to any solid conclusions yet...so I guess I will just continue to post things as I feel led to post them.

Today I have 2 lists for you...one is funny and one is more serious :-)

Here is the first one...

You know you live in the bush of Africa when:
     -You get excited about going to the bathroom in a toilet
     -Herds of cows, goats, and wild dogs are regular visitors to your yard
     -Despite your best swatting efforts you still have like 10 flies on you all the time
     -When you get really excited and stop everything you are doing to run and look at an airplane that is flying overhead
     -You become extremely attached to your mosquito net and look forward to tucking yourself in at night
     -You adopt a daily routine of applying sunscreen and bug spray
     -You become extremely conscious of the best brands of baby wipes
     -You have gotten so good at using the chimbutzi/squatty potty/pit latrine you don't even have to look or aim anymore (yes I am proud to announce that I can pee in a hole the size of a 4x6 note card with excellent precision and accuracy...maybe a little more than you wanted to know haha)
     -You never go anywhere without a roll of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and your headlamp
     -One year olds toddle around with machetes and no one seems alarmed
     -You cut your grass with a golf club like knife that you swing about
     -People don't know how to open a car door
     -The minute you step out of the "shower" you are already dirty again
     -You get frequent whiffs of air that smell like the Elephant building at the Pittsburgh zoo
     -People come calling at your bedroom window NOT your front door- at anytime of day or night too! Even when you are sleeping!
     -People use matches for Q-tips
     -You boil the chicken you just killed in the same bucket you use to heat up your shower water
     -You wake up to donkeys, goats, chickens, bats, crazy owls, cows, and hyenas making noises outside your window

ok and now the more serious list...

One afternoon I was lying on my bed in the village and my window was open and there was a sweet breeze blowing in playfully fluttering my curtains and there was just enough sunlight coming in to make the room light but not overly hot or sunny and it was quiet! which NEVER happens...it was perfect!...so I was lying there reading through some of the Psalms and I came to Psalm 105 (see below) and had the overwhelming urge to start a list detailing the "wonderful acts" of God during my time in Malawi. I started it that day but continued to add to it throughout the rest of my time there and even a bit now that I am back and have a little different perspective. This list is in no way complete but it is just a glimpse of how God moved there in Malawi and in me...

Psalm 105: 1-6 NIV
1 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always
5 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
6 you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

Some of the "Wonderful Acts" of God during my time in Malawi:
     -Provided all the money I needed to get here!
     -Allowed me the opportunity to go to Cape Town, South Africa on holiday when I really really needed a break
     -Has kept me healthy for the the most part and has protected me from injury
     -Brought the High Desert Church team in September and the World Race Team in December
     -Taught me to see myself as God sees me- as a beautiful woman of God who is totally worth spending time with
     -Taught me how to accept grace and give grace
     -Showed me so much more of my sin and taught me how to accept forgiveness
     -Given me encouragement in sweet moments with Gili and Ethero (two of my favorite girls from school)- funny walks home from school, headstands in the back yard, fast walking lessons...
     -Given me a consistent time to work out everyday
     -Given me peace and comfort in very hard situations
     -Protected me from Satan's attacks at night- both travelling and in the village...witchcraft & satanism
     -Kept me safe on public transportation
     -Has provided exactly the right people in exactly the right moments to guide and protect me
     -Given me the ability to communicate with my family while in the village via skype to cellphone connections
     -Helped me build some really sweet relationships with people of the village...Magaedina, Misozi, Lena, Gili, Ethero, the choir girls, Judy
     -Got our ministry car back to the village just in time to take me to the hospital when I was really really sick
     -Placed exactly the right doctors in the Kasungu hospital to treat me and Chico when we were in crisis
     -Brought the team from Oregon to the JTW conference
     -Allowed me to pick up Chichewa relatively quickly so I could communicate with the people
     -Allowed me to visit Lucia (my best friend from Malawi 2008) and actually communicate with her
     -Grew my trust in Him exponentially- especially in relation to my family
     -Grew my self-confidence and independence
     -Provided the extra money so I could buy cereal, apples, and raisins in the city to help keep me relatively healthy in the village
     -Gave me a great friend in Michelle (someone to encourage me and have fun with) and a place to retreat to in the city
     -Provided amazing fellow JTW staff people to work with
     -Provided an AMAZING family to live with who loved, cared, and looked out for me
     -Brought Gift and Esnart to Dzuwa from Matapila (ask me about this story)
     -Gave me a travel buddy for the trip home
     -Kept my computer alive the entire time in Malawi
and sooooo much more I could go on forever!!!