Radiance

I love Psalms 34:4-5: I sought the Lord, and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Those verses blow me away. How often have I not sought the Lord? Instead I have lived in those fears. I was not delivered because I looked everywhere else to meet my needs. And instead of those fears shrinking, they grew. I love that when I seek the Lord, He answers. I love that these two verses go together. When I am delivered from my fears, my face is not covered in shame. Fear varies for each person, but so often it covers us in shame. Maybe it's for something we did, maybe for something we didn't do. We all deal with failure, and I know I fear that failure. But when I seek the Lord, I am delivered from that fear of failure. How often am I not radiant because I have not sought the Lord? Oh Lord, may I seek you above all else!

NOT my goal...

Contrary to popular beliefs, it is NOT my goal to visit the hospital of every country where I live. Yes, I have already managed to wind up in a Kenyan hospital. Yes, I realize I have been in the country 7 weeks. That's a record for me. And this is a record stay for me as well--going on 5 nights. I am hoping hoping hoping to make it home tomorrow. I have been sick almost two weeks, so I am glad they finally figured out that it's an infection. I just got started on the medicine yesterday. I have been here since Thursday night. I am very thankful for all my new friends who have come to visit. I am also grateful for good insurance. Though it has been lonely and tough, my Jesus is bigger and my Jesus is stronger. He will never leave me, and I love that.

Some things that have made me smile while here:

-All the new friends who have come.

-One of my staff kids came with his mom and sister. So fun having a student come to see me!

-I emailed my students' parents yesterday and let them know what was going on. 11 of them have emailed me back to say they are thinking of me and many are praying for me.

-A couple of us have had the FUNNIEST email chain going on today. It has made me crack up more than once. Sitting in the hospital by myself. Haha. Love it! Thanks guys!

-My friend brought me my stuffed Nemo. The first night I had it here the nurse was like "I like your fish." Yes, I am 24 years old and have a stuffed fish with me in the hospital. I am that cool.

-The same friend brought me a TV show I had never heard of on Saturday. I finished it today. Yay for new fun shows!

-I have been able to chat with my friend Amanda in the DR. We had each other cracking up today reminiscing about some FUNNY FUNNY events in the DR. Love her and love that I could chat with her!

-I have my computer and internet now! Yay!

Life is so much better when you count your blessings. Please keep praying that my body heals completely and that I can go home tomorrow. I am more than ready! I miss holding babies. I asked my friend to bring me one today. Haha. That probably would not be the smartest choice, but I would love it. I am so thankful for friends who care!

Held in His arms,

Mindy

Life

Well, I am not really sure what to write, but feel like I should. How do I describe my life even more fully in this little white box? Wow. I guess I can start by saying I am blessed. I get to spend all day with 18 little second graders that sometimes drive me crazy but are such a blessing. This morning I was able to share the gospel with them through the bridge illustration. I will never get tired of being able to tell little kids about Jesus! I love it! And one of my boys blew me away today! We were talking in Social Studies about needs and wants and the difference between those. We had read about them and then I asked what needs were. The kids mentioned the normal (water, air, food) and then one of the boys said, "God." I gave him a huge high five and said "You are totally right. All people need God, but not all, umm... (I was at a loss of words on how to explain this to second graders) and he said "want Him." Wow. He hit it on the spot. I couldn't have said it better. I almost cried. He is so right. We all need Him. Desperately. Yet not all want Him. Is living for Him worth it? Absolutely. Is it easy? No way. But it's amazing. I love the things He does in our lives when we let Him.

I am excited to see what He will do in and through me here. I know the road will be rocky, but I have an excellent guide. I miss my friends and former students in the DR a lot, but I know God has great plans for me here.

And what could be better than spending THREE DAYS IN A ROW with the cutest little African babies in the world? Here are some pictures from Sunday.

Snuggles with a new one. She just chilled in my lap for probably a half hour!

He was the most smiley baby I have ever seen!

My roommate Emily. She comes with me a lot.

Happy.

This little guy has the CUTEST laugh I have ever heard! He was really going at it today. It was hilarious! I can't help but bust out laughing every time he starts laughing.

If you think of it, pray for these babies. Pray that the orphanage would have the funds to finish their new building. Right now the babies are crazy crowded (two to three in a crib) and don't really have a great place to play. Pray for people to adopt them and love them. They are so precious!