Hallucinations, Diarrhea, and Fairy Tales

We are 3 days from taking a 17+ hour flight to Africa to pick up our boys.  We are vaccinated, medicated for malaria, and filled with anxiety.  Despite the ominous warnings, we have started our malaria medicine.  Apparently, normal side effects are diarrhea, hallucinations, and heightened feelings of sadness/fear/anxiety.  Sounds fun, huh?

But, even more troubling is something Brian said the other night.  He stated, "Please pray for us...the fairy tale is about to end."  Since he said that, I have been thinking about how this is so true.  For over a year and half, we have prayed for, planned for, and talked about bringing our boys home.  Now, in just a few short days, they will be home.  How will our lives change?  Will the transition go smoothly?  It is one of those moments when you are standing on the precipice of a huge life change and you really have no idea how the next few steps are going to go.  So, for now, I am looking at the faces of my boys and trusting in God's goodness...and hanging on for the ride!!!

Isaac
 

Malachi

   

Giving Thanks

This summer, I started reading a book One Thousand Gifts.  In this book, Ann Voskamp challenges the reader to follow Christ's example and "give thanks" by counting our daily blessings.  She even states that a grateful, thankful heart (eucharisteo) always precedes a miracle...and inevitable leads to joy

Luke 9:16  Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.
Matthew 26:27  Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you".

To put this challenge into practice, she asks the reader to start a journal counting blessings...all the way to one thousand and beyond.  I have taken the challenge and I am up to #44.  I must admit that slowing down, looking at the blessings/gifts God has given has led me to be grateful for my life, my children, nature, everything.  On the days when being thankful is in the forefront of my mind, I am more relaxed...I enjoy time with my children...I enjoy the beauty of nature.  On the days when I am rushing through life, too busy to stop and see "His gifts", I am on edge. 

So, here are some of my blessings...
~Porch swing moments with my girls
~Pink clouds in a blue sky
~Morning snuggles with Noah
~Naps on the couch
~Sunflowers from the garden
~12 years of marriage
~Summer lunches on the patio
~Brown chicken eggs

What are your blessings?  Will you take the time to slow down and count your blessings?  Henry Warch Beecher said, "Pride slays thanksgiving...A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves."

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened