Sunday, January 23, 2011

Lucky-one of my pupils. He was living on the streets just days ago. If you saw him on Monday, your heart would have broke

January 21, 2011

Week two of school is officially over, my how the time flies. I am starting to see progress both academically and in behavior with my kids. Just like any other children they have their good and bad days. I think to some extent I know how parents must feel when seeking to effectively shepherd their children. Having 25 students, many of whom who would be classified as disruptive it would be easy to become overwhelmed. I have been on the verge of that feeling more than a few times. The Lord has been good to me though and has given me wisdom when I am lacking. After trying and seemingly failing to maintain some form of class order on Friday I was at a loss. Kids were fighting, stealing pencils and erasers from one another, talking to each other and making all kinds of noise. The pupils actually doing their work were in the minority. I was very aware of my weakness. I decided to leave the room and get one of the other teachers. I told her of the situation and had her talk with them in Bemba. There was a big improvement with most of them but a handful were still very disruptive. So far I have tried kneeling near them and talking to them about doing there work, I have tried moving them to a different table and as a class they are having to constantly repeat the following phrases when prompted: “Mouths should be what?.... Closed, “Pencils should be what?... Writing. “ or “Ears should be what?...Open” and “Eyes should be where? …On the teacher” It works for most of them most of the time. Friday however was a bit different. Maybe they were hungry or restless, I am not sure but the normal stuff was not working. I prayed and asked God to give me wisdom and he did. My next move was to take whichever student was talking out into the hall and have a one on one talk with them. I had to do that with about 5 of them but they needed it. I squatted to their level resting my hand lovingly on their shoulder and talked to them about how by talking in class they are being a distraction to others, not respecting me and not honoring God. Then I would say a little prayer with them asking God to help them obey and stay focused on doing their work. I think this is going to be my new practice. God is at work in the hearts of his children, including me J

Some verses I was reflecting on this week are as follows:

Lamentations 3:21-26, “ Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait on him. The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

Isa 41:10, “ So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Ps 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Ps. 9:10, “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 25:8-9 “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his ways.

Psalm 29:11, “The Lord gives strength to his people, the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I know the feeling :) (pre-school student)

Boiling water for tea

January 14,2011

Well, the 1st week of school is officially over and I survived J by the grace of God. The first two days were basically orientation and many of the kids did not show up until Wednesday due to the heavy rains in the morning. I am thankful that the Lord has been giving me the grace and strength to do what he has called me to do. There are so many things that I am having to adjust and adapt to while teaching. By the end of the week I was finally fairly comfortable with the format of teaching. My final number of students will be between 25-30. The classroom poses an interesting dynamic in that the pupils are somewhat fascinated with me but also testing me to see what they can get away with. After the first day I felt like I had just refereed the entire day. Breaking up fights, telling kids to stop talking and do their work, reminding them that we don’t walk across the tables or chairs and oh yeah teaching the lessons. J We are still waiting on the new tables and chairs to be built for my class so for the time being we are using the small plastic chairs the 3-4yr olds use in the mornings and the short tables from the 5 yr old classroom. So I am sure things are a little uncomfortable for the kids. I am using a small chalkboard, which is less than half the size of the one I used in the states. This poses its own issues being that ALL information and notes the pupils need to know must be written on the board for them to copy. I can only fit so much in the space and must wait for the entire class to finish copying before I can erase it and write the next bit of information. The board is also low to the ground so I spend half the time squatting to write. I am not complaining, I am just giving you a taste of how things are. Thankfully by term 2 we will be in our own big classroom with plenty of room and the proper chairs, tables and chalkboard The kids are suppose to bring in their own supplies, like pencils. I decided to make them leave them at school with me to insure they will “be prepared” for the next day. One of the things I have brought in is 2 pencil sharpeners but many of the kids opt to use what they are most comfortable with, a razor blade. In all honestly it made me very nervous seeing this for the 1st time but it’s a cultural thing I guess and their normal I am thankful for the rest of the teaching staff and their support and encouragement to me during this 1st week. They have made themselves available to me in the event that I have any questions or need anything. I am confident that God will continue to work in and through me with thee kids as I rely on God to help me shepherd their hearts. I am firm when I need to be but I know they know that I care for them. They cheerfully greet me in the morning and all want to shake my hand and get some attention before they leave. I just smile when I think of them. They have my heart..that is for sure. I will get some pictures up of them once week 2 starts.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Just another bug

January 9, 2011

Today on the way to church we were driving behind a white pick-up truck, which had about 9 people sitting in the back along with a coffin. My attention was particularly drawn to the small size of the coffin and then to the face of whom I believe was the mother. She sat at the rear of the truck, her legs hanging off the back and her arm resting on the box. Her gaze was downward and countenance full of grief. My heart went out to her as I reflected on what she must feel. What must it be like to bury your young child? I don’t even want to imagine such a thing but I full aware of the fact that many here in Africa must walk that path. As they turned down a different road I asked the Lord to comfort the family in a way that only he can. Once again I am reminded of the brevity of life and the reality of death has never been so much in my face as it is here.

In the afternoon I took walk along the all-familiar path I have traveled on an almost daily basis. I enjoy observing the different people and greeting them as they pass. Walking off to the side of the road there is a small short cut I often take that has 3-foot grass on each side. Today there was a group of 4 children gathering small snails near the grass edges and I was amazed to see close to 30 dragonflies swarming around them. One of the young girls shouted to the other children, “come quick and look, the snail has come out of its shell!” I just smile as I pass, appreciative of that pleasant little snap shot of God’s beautiful creation. I then pass the shoe repair “shop” on the corner and greet the owner. He is a young man of maybe 27 who has build a little shack and sells used shoes and repairs old shoes. Today he is leaning over a small brush fire he has made, melting some rubber from tires to repair some holes in a pair of shoes. The strong smell of burning rubber fills the air as I turn the corner near the produce market. The mud parking lot is full of large puddles from the heavy rains and people carefully walk between them as they come and go. A young mother carries a very large container of mangoes on her head and her young daughter of about 6 or 7 hurries behind her carrying a bowl of about 20 mangoes on her head. I think that has to be the most adorable thing I have seen since I have been here. I smile at the girl and she smiles and waves to me. Behind the market is a large pile of gravel and 2 young children spend their time climbing and sliding down the pile as their mothers work in the market. 3 elderly men wave to me from the shade of a small tree as I pass and approach a group of men cutting the grass with machetes, something I am eager to try. I decide to visit the apartment building where I will be living just to see what the atmosphere is on a Sunday afternoon. There are about 30 kids outside in the parking lot playing games and laughing as the mothers lounge nearby in the grass. Upon entering I notice that 2 of the 3 elevators are not working and the line for the working elevator is ridiculous. I will be living on the 8th floor and being that this may be a common occurrence I decided to brave the stairs. Who knows how often I will have to use them, so I might as well start getting use to using them. J My legs were burning by the time I got to the 8th floor but the views from there are amazing. I stood gazing from the windows out to the north, in the direction of the Congo, which is only about 6 miles away. The views from this height are something I do love and I have found that it is now common for me to come to the 8th or 10th floor to look around the city and spend time praying. It will be nice when I can do so from my own apartment.

William with his brother and grandmother

Here is William- I was able to pay for his school, books and uniform, for the whole yr. with the money my brother and his wife sent me for my birthday

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

January 7, 2011

Yesterday a grandmother came in to the school with 2 of her grandsons. The grandmother has lost 7 of her 9 children and these two boys along with their brother are under her care in the local slums. She came seeking to get the elder boy sponsored so that he can go to school starting this term. Both boys had their “report cards” from last year and were both rated #1 in their own individual class. (The class sizes were 60) The grandmother also brought the admittance letters for the new grade levels and a list of the costs for the public school he was to attend. The teachers at the school also approved him to skip a grade because of his excellent grades and intelligence. But I knew that with school starting in 3 days it was not very likely for him to get sponsored in time to start by then. I looked at the paperwork and figured out that once converted it would cost less than $100 for him to go to this public school for the entire year and that would include his books and uniform. I went home that night and all I could think about was this boy, William. I knew that there are hundreds of children in this type of circumstance and that I cannot help them all. I prayed that God would give me wisdom and direct me because I know I can’t on my own help them all. By morning I was sure of what I would do. My brother and his wife had sent me $100 for Christmas/my birthday and in my mind I could not think of a better way to spend the money. When I got to school the grandmother was again there, waiting to hear some news. I wrote a quick note to the pastor’s wife who is also the principal and informed her of my intentions. She took me into a back room and I shared with her how God had burdened my heart for this boy, William and we cried together. I love working with people who share my heart and burdens. We then called the grandmother into the back room with us and Zicky told her in Bemba that her grandson’s fees are being covered for this year of school and that God will provide a sponsor for him before the year is up. She fell to the floor crying and worshiping God with her hands raised. She then proceeded to kneel at my feet, hugging my legs and thanking me over and over again and asking God to bless me. I fell to my knees as well and we embraced. The three of us could not stop crying.

You too can make a difference in the life of a child like William. As of today William and his brother are not sponsored and there are many that await sponsorship. You can change the life of a child forever by visiting covenantmercies.org and choosing to sponsor a child or make a one-time gift. I guarantee there is no better investment of your money! So please visit the website and make the choice that will have a positive, eternal impact from generation to generation.

January 6, 2011

I am simply amazed time and time again at the goodness of my Lord. I have been really struggling the past 2 days with lesson planning. The Zambian way of teaching is very different and there has been no time to really train or prepare me in the new format. But I am confident this is what God has called me to do, thus he will give me the strength and resources I need to do my job well, to his glory and honor.

Wednesday I got to school early, an hour before the other teachers arrived just to spend some much needed time “catching up” on planning. I had already finished the 1st term overview planning for all subjects but needed to work on my weekly, more detailed plans. Many of the teachers have finished their plans and are starting on the charts for the walls. We don’t have the luxury of going to a local teaching supply store to get charts; we have to make them on our own. I sat once again in the shade of the trees working on my lessons and humming worship songs as I diligently worked. When the head teacher arrived she came to see what I was doing and to my dismay I learned that the format I had used in the weekly lesson plans was wrong. So, that hour of work I did…wasted, or so I thought. Next we began discussing phonics and I learned that the “American phonics” is not used at all here in Zambia. They use the British’s phonics system, which is a good bit different. The head teacher explained to me the importance of learning this pronunciation and that the children need to learn it this way in order to succeed in their higher education. Her intention was not to discourage me or reprimanding me but in my sin my response was quickly going down hill. I sat thinking about all my failures so far, the wrong lesson plans and not knowing the “correct” phonics. These thoughts raced through my mind: I am going to screw these kids up, I don’t belong here, I will do more harm than good, I am failing before I even start. My eyes began to well up with tears as the teacher slowly and emphatically was pronouncing the phonics sounds and having me repeat them. In my pride I felt like a fool. When finished I took a walk around the grounds of the school, I knew my focus was off and I needed to shift it off myself and back on the Lord. I cried out to him and asked him to help me to set my eyes on him and took some time to reflect on verses like, “ I can do all things who gives me strength.” I went back to work, still a bit emotional but determined to fix my eyes on the Lord. For where does my help come from? My help comes from the maker of heaven and earth.

That night after I got home I spent time in prayer and in the word. I was so emotional and partly due to the fact that I was missing my family. I was thinking how nice it would be to just pull up to my parents place and just spend time with them and talk to them about my hard day at work. Even for a moment. I am thankful that I was able to talk to both my mother and father on the phone that night, even though it is not the same. As I lay in my bed I realized that this was yet another opportunity for God to work on my heart. I was thinking, “I need my family” and he was telling me, “You need me” All I could do was cry, and I have not cried like that in a while. I audibly cried out to him, confessing my sin and telling him specifically how I needed him. This turned into a time of sweet worship as he brought songs to my mind. One in particular rang in my mind over and over again and I just kept singing it..”better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house than thousands elsewhere, my heart and flesh cry out, for you the living God, your spirits water for my soul, I’ve tasted and I’ve seen, come once again to me, I will draw near to you, I will draw near to you” That song got me thinking so I went and grabbed my bible to meditate on the scripture that song is based on, Psalm 84 which reads:

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns and even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-a place near your alter. O lord Almighty, my king and my God. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayers, O Lord God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. “

Does it get any clearer? Any more specific? Any more encouraging? Now, may the Lord change my heart so that I say and believe, “better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere!” One day in his courts is better than thousands with my family? Do I believe that? I know its true but do I truly cling to that? Not fully but God is prying my hands away from all that I cling to in order to free both my hands to cling to him. So for that I am thankful, even though it is difficult.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Now that is a grasshopper!!

My pet for a day, isn't he so cute :)

The avocado I never finished

The road in front of where I currently stay

The Tuesday students:Benjamin, Morgan, Jeff, Mwansa, Christine, Grace, Emmanuel, and Zawadi(from left to right)

New rule: ALWAYS check shower before entering, you never know what may be lurking!

January 2, 2011

Wow, so hard to believe it is a new year and that I have been in Zambia for 1 month. We have begun doing lesson plans for school and I have to say that I have been enjoying it thoroughly. All of the teachers sit outside at a table under the shade of the trees and we take a break for tea and fresh mango. I have learned that there are 3 mango trees on the property that are fully stocked with amazing mangos. We take a shoot of bamboo and knock the ripe mangos to the ground and then gather them in a bucket and take them to the kitchen to wash them. To eat the mango in the proper Zambian form you must hold the mango like you would hold an apple. Then you bite through to break the skin and peel the skin off one side in strips with your teeth. You then proceed to eat the sweet, juicy mango down to the seed and then repeat the above steps for the other side of the mango. Once you are done eating the mango your teeth are full of mango hairs, which are a pain to get out, but I have grown wiser and now carry floss in my bag in anticipation of the daily event.

In addition to learning Bemba I have been learning some French and sign language. There are a couple of Congolese members of our church and one of their main languages is French. Judi’s cousin, who attends our church, is deaf from a bad case of malaria that he had at the age of 3. I studied sign language briefly on my own when I was like 18 and was surprised at what I remember.

Pastor gave an excellent message on the brevity of life today at church and it was very moving. It was a good reminded that our time here on earth is limited and we need to number our days wisely as is says in Psalm 90.

Psalm 90:1-12

“Lord you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. You turn men back to dust saying, return to dust O sons of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like the watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning- though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years- or eighty if we have the strength; yet the span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

There is also a great importance to commit our plans to the Lord and make the most of every opportunity as it says in Ephesians 5:15-17, “ Be careful then how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” I am reminded that it is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life or in “time wasters” and miss out on opportunities to do something more meaningful or something that is a more wise use of that time. God does not tell us to only do some things to his glory, He commands us to do EVERYTHING to the glory of God. My prayer is that God will teach me to number my days more wisely had that I will make the most of every opportunity. I am thankful that the pastor gave us a tangible opportunity to do this… he passed out a reading plan for reading the Bible in a year.

December 30, 2010

I was invited by Lydia to visit her village, which is about 30-40 minutes from where I stay. She met me in the late morning and we walked together to the bus stop and took the bus to the town center, which is the hub station for all the outgoing busses. We got off the bus and walked around to the back of a building, the streets where crammed with people buying and selling goods and coming and going from the different busses. It reminds me of the crowded streets of NYC in some ways. Finally we found the right bus, which was going to her village. I am in awe as to how they know which bus goes where. They are all blue and there are no signs that state where they are going or where they came from. Maybe each bus has an assigned parking spot in this vast makeshift parking lot. When we arrived to the area near her village we exited the bus and walked for 10 minutes or so down the muddy roads and alleyways in the bright sun of high noon. As we turned a corner the air was full of sounds of laughter. The source was a young girl of about 6 who was being pushed through the streets in a wheelbarrow by her brother. She took time from her activities to wave and smile at me. I would have loved to capture that moment in a picture but will have to be satisfied with the picture that remains in my mind. We arrived to a small mud brick home surrounded by a fence (the norm here in Zambia) and walked around the back of the home to enter through the kitchen. Taking my shoes off at the door I was quickly greeted by Lydia’s sister and 4 children. They prepared a wonderful meal of beef and rice and as we ate we just talked and got to know each other better. Then the rains started…probably the heaviest I have seen since I have been here. Lydia’s brother in law, who lives about 5 minutes away offered to drive me home in his car so that I would not have to deal with public transportation in this weather. I was very thankful and we soon set off.

Oh how I love the rain and I have learned that Rachel, the niece of Wilbroad and Zicky does as well. We have been making a habit of taking walks together to talk or visit her friends and have on occasion been caught and soaked in the rain. Neither of us mind, although we do get some weird looks from the occasional passerby who is safe and dry under their umbrella.

December 29,2010

Well thankfully my work permit is taken care of for the time being. It is good for 3 months. I had to leave my passport, 2 passport size photos, paperwork and $220 with the immigration office. I was a tad nervous about leaving my passport with them for 3 days but I really had no choice. The golden rule of traveling has always been “NEVER be separated from your passport” This is the 2nd time in Africa that I broke that rule. But all went well and I will be traveling to Lusaka the end of January to get my permanent work visa. That is about a 5-hour drive from where I am now and the pastor and his wife will be going with me on that trip. Pray that all will go well with the trip and in getting my long-term work permit.

As I had mentioned in a previous post I went to the home of Morgan yesterday to begin our lessons. When I arrived the children came running out to greet me and Morgan informed me that his older brother had told him that I was not really going to come. The children hurried into the house to get a large homemade steel table and a rickety old bench to sit on. I ended up having 8 “students” instead of just Morgan. I will post a picture with their names. At the end of my hour lesson they proceeded to teach me what they deemed important Bemba phrases. They are as follows:

Good Morning- Mwawukashani

Come Here- Isa Kuno

No, I don’t want- Nakana

You are a baby Uli Muana

You are tall Muli Vatali

You are fat Mualina

You are slim Mualiyonda

You are lying Oliwabufe

It is going to rain Yalaloka

It is not going to rain Tayaloke

When done the kids insisted I come again. I told them I would return next Tuesday. They begged for me to come 3 days a week but I kindly told them that was not possible. I told them it may be possible to come 2 times a week but we will just see how it goes. Morgan asked to escort me home and walked me to where I am staying. It was a good time of chatting and hearing more about his family. Sadly, he informed me that his father was coming in a couple of weeks to take him to a different village so our lessons will be brief. I hope that I will at least get to see him when he is on school break. He is such a sweet boy and so eager to learn though embarrassed at his lack of reading skills when around the other children. Please keep him in your prayers.

December 28, 2010

I am getting more familiar with the roads here in Ndola, by foot and by bus. I normally walk to the town of Kansenshi, which is about 15 minutes by foot, to use the internet and if I need any more immediate food items. Along the way there is a small outdoor market that I enjoy strolling through. While passing through, I have been admiring some of the traditional clothing the tailor has displayed and plan on having some dresses or skirts made. I try to hold off going into town to no more than once a week just because it ends up being pretty much a full day event with the bus stopping so much along the way and the walking. When I do go into town I take my hiking backpack and fill it up with groceries and produce then head back to the bus station to wait for the bus to fill up. The driver won’t leave until all the seats are filled. As I wait street vendors crowd around the windows of the bus selling everything from pirated DVDs to knives to talk time for your cell phone. (all phones are pay as you go here). It’s always a new and usually somewhat exciting experience going into town. Taxis beeping at me, attempting to solicit my business; street vendors calling to me as I pass; young children begging for money; an old blind woman begging from a mat on the road and the constant bargaining when I comes to the final price of goods. They see my white skin and they think green. Just yesterday I went to buy my next months supply of anti-malaria medication and the pharmacist quoted me $300 for a months supply! That is more than what I would pay in the states! I asked the price for a “local” brand and was quoted 110,000 kwacha. I decided to compare prices and paid 43,000 kwacha for the same medication from a pharmacist in Kansenshi. I guess it is a good thing that I tend to compare prices when it comes to goods that are not marked with a price. I will just have to continue doing that.

Another common sighting is chickens just wandering around in the streets and neighborhoods. I wondered why this was so common and if the chickens get lost or stolen by a hungry passerby. Wilbroad informed me that the chickens are “tame” and know where they live and will just run home when it’s “time to go” or if they feel threatened. I just find that so amusing, who knew..lol

December 25,2010

Well it’s been a great week so far; I have been able to have some of the ladies over from church and had some wonderful times of fellowship with them. Judi lives in the apartment complex where I will more than likely live and Changu is one of the pastor’s wives. I am very thankful to have them in my life. We spent our last time together sharing our testimonies and I think that has really knit us together more quickly. I have also been able to continue to reach out to Lydia, who I met when I was here over the summer. I have had her over a couple of times and have stopped in to see her and Mildred (another of the girls I met last summer) at Spree Guest House, where they work.

I left Friday morning to go visit some missionaries in a neighboring town. It was my first trip that far alone. I took a public bus for an hour and then had to take a cab for the next 20 minutes of the trip and was picked up at a small store by my new friend Stephanie. The bus trip was an experience for sure. We were crammed in there like sardines in a rusty can as the bus sped down the main road into the town of Kitwe. I noticed that if the driver went too fast a loud knocking noise would start. It was a little unnerving but I just said a prayer to myself that God would protect us all as we travelled. A few moments after praying a woman stood up and faced the rear of the bus and began praying in Bemba. My initial thought was that she must have been praying for the same reason I had just prayed for..the loud knocking noise. I soon found I was mistaken. For the second half of the trip she was preaching to the bus. Most of what she was saying I did not understand but from time to time she would say something in English, probably for my benefit, being that I was the only mizungu (white person) on the bus. Some people pretended to sleep; others talked on their phones or stared straight ahead. But I heard a good bit of “amen’s” and “hallelujahs” Just a totally different experience than what I would have in the states and from what I was told, this is a common occurrence on longer bus trips.

I was so blessed to be able to spend time with the missionaries in Kitwe. They are all from the states and they welcomed me so warmly into their home. The Walker family has been here for 5 years and the wife who is about 42 just had her 10th child a week ago. Three of the missionaries arrived the same day I did and two of them where on the same small plane with me when I first arrived. We had some great food and spent time playing some games and as I held the little baby girl I was thinking of my niece Nora, who was born just 2 days before I left. God is so kind to let me have such a tangible gift of holding this newborn. I sat with tears in my eyes, which were a mixture of joy as I reflected on Gods goodness and faithfulness to me so far and as I thought of all the friends and family that I miss so much back in the states. Even the next morning when we were writing out Christmas cards to the new mothers at the maternity home I was given a reminder of how God is so intimately involved in all the details of my life. The last two cards we had to write were for Nora and Elisabeth. That is the first and middle name of my new niece. I just sat on the floor smiling and knowing God is near.