My Valentine's

I don't have just one special "Valentine," but I count myself very blessed to be surrounded - both in the U.S. and in Uganda - by some very special and dear people.

Today's "Valentine" just proves the point. This morning, two blonde-headed boys eagerly popped out of the screen door of their island house to present me with the following:

My response? My heart melted. :) Did I feel loved? You betcha! 

Above all on this special day, I thank my Heavenly Father for creating love, for being love Himself, and for sending His love daily (not just on Feb. 14!) in numerous tangible ways, often expressed by His dear "ambassadors" - in their smiles, hugs, kind words, listening ears, faithful friendship, and steadfast love.

Feeling blessed and loved, and I hope you do, too. :)

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Lovin' to Keep It Simple

Rose, Martha and Anis - Some of the dear island students whom I love.

I had read the chapter numerous times and even memorized it a long time ago, so I didn't really expect to find something "new."

But God's Word, which is living and active, pricked my heart - in the deepest part.

There is a question I frequently mull over - "How can I be most effective here?" Then I add other musings - "Is what I am doing making a difference?" "Is doing this or that the best way to reach this group of people?"

Such questions had been making circuits in my brain when I came to the "Love Chapter" in my Bible reading. Yes, I Corinthians 13, consists of only 13 verses, but it is a passage with incredible depth and truth.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." (vs. 1-3)

Truthfully, sometimes I feel like I am sacrificing a lot being here - 1000s of miles from my dear family and friends, possible missed chances on meeting the "Right One," comforts and pleasures of my home culture, worshiping in my own language, avoiding daily contact with mosquitoes, innumerable flying insects and other pests, etc., etc.

Yet, though I make "sacrifices" even as great as giving up my body and possessions - without love, I gain nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Ouch.

And if I have great faith and can pray for healing and restoration for others, but do not exhibit love, I am nothing. There's that word again. Ouch.

Even if I have remarkable and admirable spiritual gifts, such as studying and teaching the Word of God in an effective and memorable way, but I am not walking in love, I am nothing. Gulp.

It was as if God was reminding me that effectiveness in ministry or even in living the Christian life is as simple as walking in love. 

"If I want to know how I can be more effective in my life, work, ministry, relationships, I need only ask, 'How am I showing God's love?'" I jotted down those words after meditating on this chapter.

"If I am failing to show love, then I am not being effective. I either need to change what I am doing or how I am doing it...I need to let two questions guide me: 'Why am I doing this? How I am doing this?'"

The chapter concludes with these remarkable words:

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (vs. 13)

Wow, love is listed even above faith! What is done in love will endure - forever. What is not done in love will die, fade away, be burned, be forgotten. It will not last.

Do you want to make sure that what you are involved in will endure forever? Bathe it, submerge it, infuse it with love - love for God and love for others.

Anis and I. Love this girl!

Even Jesus summed up all of the law and the prophets with those two simple commands. Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27)

We can complicate life. We can complicate ministry. We can complicate relationships. We can complicate a lot of things, yet God wants to us to keep it simple - Love Me, love others.

One of My Most Favorite People in the World!

I can't remember a time in my life in which she was not a part of it. Folks have asked if we are twins, while some have even questioned if we are sisters. I asked my aunt the other day if my sis' and I resembled each other at all. She admittedly said no.

We are pretty different in personality, too. She is methodical and patient. I have the "get-it-done-as-fast-as-possible" attitude and don't have as much patience. Leah is naturally a planner and I am learning to become one. She is neat and tidy and I have "pile-it" programs on my desk, the floor, in the cupboard, etc. Leah being a mercy is the family peacemaker and dislikes conflict. I don't like conflict, but have been known to share my opinion too freely. As a teacher, I like facts and want the story straight. She is an extrovert and LOVES to have people around. I am an introvert and love blocks of time by myself. She is a talker, I am a writer. She is a self-sacrificing server and I am learning from her example.

Though we are so different, we do find much in common.

Leah is my only sibling and my best friend. She was home in June for 12 days. It was the first time we had been together since October 2009. I would never have dreamed as we grew up - and did nearly everything together - that someday we would live 1000s of miles apart on different continents and have virtually separate lives, with different focuses and ministries.

But time nor distance can separate the hearts of sisters. I am blessed to share my sis' with others and proud that God is using her in such incredible ways. I just thought I would share with y'all just how much she means to me - hence this post. :) (BTW, for those of you who don't know - Leah works at Mt. Zion International School of Ministry in Pennsylvania. She graduated from Mt. Zion as valedictorian of her class in 2007 and has been on staff since then.)

When we were younger, it was tradition every one to two years for my mom to take us, in matching outfits, to a photo studio. Those photos are now scattered around the house. I just thought I would share a few with you, as well as some other less formal shots. :)

1983 - Our first professional photo together. Leah refused to smile, so the photographer was doing everything to make her crack a grin - even, as my mom says, bouncing balls off her head. In later years, Leah was much more cooperative. I believe she was probably around 2 and I was 3.

 1983

March 1985 - I think we had just had an argument.

My little sister wishing me well on my first day of kindergarten - Sept. 1985.

1985 - She hasn't stopped smiling for photos since. :)

 1986?

 1987

 Angels in the Christmas Program (1986 or 1987?)

 Who's taller? 1991 - Leah has been taller than me for sooo long. The photographer set up the photo on the right, and then my mom kindly asked if we could stage one where I was taller. Presently, we are only a half-inch apart in height. Yes, she is still taller. :)

Various years. Notice that between 1993 (top left) and 1994 (top right) we had our long hair cut.

Singing with Mommy at Mayger's Family Camp. (Not sure what Daddy is doing, but I am sure it was helpful.)

2000 - Leah's graduation photo

2000 - My graduation photo. Yes, we graduated together, though we were two years apart in school. We were blessed to participate in a homeschool graduation with four other graduates. This is just one of life's milestones that Leah and I have shared together - baptisms, driver's permit and licenses, GEDs, and more. I wouldn't have chosen to share them with anyone else!

Father's Day 2011 - Indian Beach, Oregon Coast

We may not look alike or have identical personalities, but I am so grateful I share so many other things with my dear Leah - our family, friends, our faith, experiences, memories, curly hair ; ), and that we are sisters and best friends.

I love you so much, Leah Joy!  You have brought incredible joy to my life!