Greetings from Botswana and Happy New Year to each of you—oops, I guess I am a month late already. It is hard to believe that January has already flown by! I hope you had a good holiday season and are now busy serving the Lord in this New Year. When I was a kid, I could never imagine living past the year 2000 and here we are at 2012 already. For those of you who are wondering if the world is going to end this year because the Mayan calendar predicts it, just put your mind at ease. I can say with assurance that we have at least 7 more years until the world ends—and that is only if the Lord comes back in the rapture this year and takes all those who are saved home to heaven. So just keep your eyes on the Lord and stay busy doing what He has called you to do!
Hide & Seek
I love hiding where I can see my kids, but they can’t see me. I love to watch the creative ideas they come up with for hiding places. And how generous they are with the tiny spaces they think Mom can fit in!
Debbie Wilhite – Africa’s Ambassadors
We as a family are indebted to the numerous people who sympathized with us and prayed for us during my recent eye trial. We are also very grateful to our church for their love, and especially the Jim Hall family for putting me up–and putting up with me!–in such a sweet hospitable way. I shall take this month’s opportunity to share what occurred, trusting God may be glorified in the account.
Love
Valentine’s Day…it’s the season of love! If you are like my little girls, you like anything that has to do with hearts, flowers, red, pink and celebrating a special, lovey-dovey day like Valentine’s Day! It’s fun to decorate with hearts and Valentines and craft special messages, gifts and treats for the ones we love! But what is real love?
The Lost Art of Discernment
My little boy just turned eight months old and everyday he becomes more aware of his surroundings. His eyes and ears are constantly perking up with interest. Soon he’ll be able to identify shapes, colors and animal names and sounds. Unfortunately, I can’t just download all that information into his head, but rather he must learn it…a process which takes time and practice.
The Potential of a Thought
And thus begins February, the month of love. Chocolates, flowers, hearts, everything pink and glittery and romantic – all pointing to one particular holiday that some of my friends like to call “Single Awareness Day.” Perhaps the most depressing day of the year for a single girl, one might feel like all the married people are taunting with their relationship status. Every decoration, every bunch of roses, every couple with starry gazes just reminds you that you are yet single and unattached. There’s no one to send you chocolates and flowers.
Contemplative Cleaning
Recently while I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the bathroom floor (it really needed it!) I made some observations about sin and dirt. Maybe it was the Pine-sol that put me in a pensive mood, or perhaps it is just that dealing with sin and dealing with dirt are so obviously alike, and I don’t naturally like addressing either of them! Why should we deal promptly with sin in our hearts (and dirty bathroom floors)?
Expectations, Part 2
We started looking in the last issue at the subject of expectations. This month we want to continue with that subject, and consider where expectations come from.
One Book
John, the disciple that leaned upon our Saviour’s breast, the one so privileged with having received the heavenly vision recorded in Revelation, closes his gospel account with this melodious and intriguing sentence. John was a witness to the Creator’s dealings with mankind as that great One walked in feet of clay, when the constraints of time and physical being clothed His eternal being.
Character
There is so much to be learned about the all-important subject of Character. There are so many character traits. How can we learn about them all and then do them? This book will help you become acquainted with Godly Christian Character and give you lots of ideas on how a Christian should behave.
Not All Good Things Must Come To An End
The fellowship of friendship
The laughter and the fun;
The moments in our life that make
The long race worth the run
Sunday Crockpot Potatoes
Recently I have had requests for quick Sunday meal ideas. Sunday Crock Pot Potatoes is a side dish that Gina Hall and her daughters, Nina and Selena have cooked up (excuse the pun). This is a super easy way to prepare delicious potatoes and have them ready to serve when you return from church.
Eggs
Eggs contain the highest amount of cholesterol per unit weight of all common foods. It is this fact that has created a wide spread fear of eating eggs. It was feared that eating a diet high in cholesterol would increase heart disease. The research and reasoning were faulty. In the 1940-50’s the average person ate more than an egg per day. Today, that number has dropped, as more people have switched from eggs for breakfast to cereal. Millions of Americans gave up eating one of the most nutritious, cheapest and available food sources, because of this false fact.
Contentment
Here’s an interesting explanation of contentment for you to ponder this month:
“Contentment is wanting what you have.”
About Dr. Michelle Zarrillo
Be not wise in thine own eye: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 Joyfully serving …
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from Grace & Honor!
We hope that you will have a wonderful and Christ-centered Christmas this year, surrounded by the people that you love best. Thank you for being with us another year. We are looking forward to 2012 with anticipation at what God is going to do!
Michelle Castner – The Castner Chronicles
It is hard to believe that the year is quickly drawing to a close. We will have spent 7 months of 2011 right here in the United States! As I reflect back over these months, I find that the Lord has been very faithful to us.
Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert
Greetings from Botswana! It is a beautiful COOL cloudy day with the promise of rain in the forecast. We have enjoyed about a week of delightfully cooler days and lots of rain showers. On our trip to the village yesterday, I noticed that there is a little water in the riverbeds—a very unusual sight. The rains have started early this year, so we are hoping that is a good sign and will mean lots of cool days and lots of rain.
IBS
She was young, full of anticipation, and overflowing with dreams of the future. She had high energy, optimism, goals and dreams.
Rhoda was a young believer mentioned in Acts who attended a prayer meeting held at Mary’s house for the imprisoned Peter. Now in Rhoda’s day Christians feared death or imprisonment by the Romans. Perhaps it was her youthful ignorance that kept her in the house praying instead of at home where it was safe. Nonetheless, she demonstrated faith in God despite the potential danger.
How to Receive a Gift You Didn’t Want
The whole family is gathered together. Twinkling lights reflect in children’s eyes as they gather around and Grandpa reads the Christmas story. There is hot apple cider to sip and fresh cookies to munch. Then the fun begins – it’s gift time! The gifts are distributed, and soon it is your turn. You open a soft, lumpy package from your Great Aunt Martha. It’s a… sweater! Yes, a sweater in a color that you despise, in that odd 90’s style that is definitely not modern, but not yet vintage, and hence, a style you would not be caught dead in. Worst of all, there are rabbits embroidered around the bottom edge. Too kitschy, too outdated, too childish, too UGLY. Now what happens?