Week 13

Hello everyone!

Another week of my kiddos out of school means another week of tagging along with other ministries. I attempted to do some tutoring and Bible study with my kids this week, but it never seemed to work out. I guess that's just how it goes with school holidays. I'll catch up with them when they're back in school in two weeks. :)

I went with some friends to a Bible club in town. They had a team in town from the States. The team was doing some teaching on listening to God and praying for healing in a way that young kids can understand. They explained to the children all of the different ways that God speaks to us, putting special emphasis on the fact that no way of hearing from God is better than any other way. They gave the children an opportunity to listen to God for an encouraging word for their neighbor. I partnered up with a little boy named Joseph. God gave me a picture of Joseph as a cornstalk in a field. He was growing up rapidly, surpassing all of the plants around him, reaching up into Heaven. God showed me that Joseph is going to grow strong in the Lord, in knowledge and understanding. After God gave me this picture, my mind began to wander and I started thinking about a friend in America that I miss very much. When the listening time was over, I told Joseph about the picture God gave me of him. I asked him if God told him anything for me. At first he shook his head no. Then he said, "God told me to tell you that He loves your friend very much." Wow! It was awesome. The team then taught the kids about praying for healing. They shared a story from the Bible then taught the kids about basic steps to use to pray for people. The kids then practiced by praying for one another. It was an awesome day of learning- I absolutely loved it!

A friend of mine works for a local children's home and invited some of us out to the home for a day of fishing with their kids. We split the kids into two groups and went in shifts. We started by collecting grasshoppers in a nearby field to use as bait. The kids found poles on the way down to the river. We helped them tie string and a hook on the end, along with a small piece of cut up flip flop to float like a bobber. Baiting the hook with a grasshopper was probably my favorite part. I think the final count of fish caught by the group was something like six. I didn't catch any fish, but I did catch ten grasshoppers and of that fact I am quite proud.

This week was my lovely roommate's twenty-fifth birthday. Happy birthday, Callie! Here are twenty-five of my favorite things about her:

• She always has good advice.
• She’s always ready to have fun.
• She isn't afraid to make fun of herself.
• She loves the kids in her care with a fierce love.
• Self sacrifice is second nature to her.
• She loves people.
• She makes me laugh.
• She makes me food.
• She always knows when something is wrong. Always.
• She never shames people.
• She always smells good.
• She loves people.
• She watches New Girl with me.
• She always tells me I’m pretty even when I am really, really not.
• She encourages me.
• She loves people.
• She gives the best hugs.
• She laughs at my jokes.
• She loves people. Like, she seriously loves everyone.
• She’s honest.
• She wants everyone to feel comfortable.
• She tans really well.
• She speaks life into people.
• She smiles all the time.
• She loves people.

I really couldn't ask for a better roommate, workmate, and friend. You’re the best, Callie dear.

Em