10 Year Pin

We attended our Cluster's Spiritual Retreat last week. It was a great time of fellowship. I really enjoyed the preaching and prayer times.

It was a special retreat as Ruth Anne, Janna Kay, and I were recognized for having served with the IMB for 10 years. JK and I received these pins.

Only one IMB family has been in Joburg longer than we have, so we have had a pretty good run. Janna Kay was giving me a hard time because 10 years is the longest I have ever held a job.

I am thankful that the LORD has seen fit to use us here in Joburg for the past 10 years. As a strategy leader for our work in Joburg I can not imagine being "through" in the next 10 years!

Please continue to pray for our family and our city.

Doggie Treats

It isn't a great picture, but I wanted you to see Lexie's new favorite snack.

This snack, I imagine, is only available here in Africa.

Lexie is enjoying his first Ostrich Windpipe.

Who comes up with these things? What's next?

Actually, I don't think I want to know or guess.

I just finished reading my pastor's book - Breaking the Islam Code. I highly recommend it.

In the words of Mark Driscoll - "If you love Jesus and Muslims, you will love this book."

Batting and Bowling !?!

Joshuwa played his first cricket game last week. All the boys play every position in the field (including bowler) and bat 6 balls (an over).

Joshuwa was thrilled to represent his school but his biggest thrill was riding the bus to the game.

Joshuwa batted for 7 runs and his team (King's School West Rand) won by 2 runs.

We celebrated with ice cream cones.

The new website www.africastories.org did a story on our soccer tournament in Dobsonville.

I think you will enjoy it.

I Count My Blessings

One of my personal Christmas Traditions is to not listen to Christmas music until after I eat the Thanksgiving Feast. Two things happened this year that changed that for me 1) my boss was listening to Christmas music about a month ago (what am I gonna do tell him to turn it off?) and 2) It was freezing cold last week and got me in a Christmas mood (remember it's summer here). All that to say I cheated this year and started listening to Christmas music a week or so early.

Last night on the way home from Baptist Theological College's graduation service I was listening to a great Holiday Jazz CD called Christmas Songs by Diana Krall. One of my favorite CD's from last year. Our family favorite was X Christmas by Various Artists (check it out here but try before you buy). This year I have fallen in love with How Many Kings by Downhere (go to iTunes and download the single right now - I promise it will be the best buck you spend the rest of the year).

Ok, I digress - sorry about that. I'm passionate about my Christmas music.

I was listening to Diana Krall last night and the CD ends with the song Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep.

Her lyrics say:

When I'm worried, when I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep.

And I fall asleep counting my blessings.

On this Thanksgiving Day 2009 - what great advice - fall asleep counting your blessings!

I won't wait until I fall asleep to begin thanking the LORD for all He has done in me and through me this year. It might take all day - He's a great God. But, I hope the last thoughts I have are of thankfulness as I fall asleep tonight.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Don't forget to enjoy some Christmas music . . .

Little Drummer Boy

I bragged about my daughter's beauty last month, and now I want to brag about my son's skills.

Yesterday at his drum lesson, Joshuwa found out that he passed the TRINITY GUILDHALL Grade 1 Examination. In US terms it would be a 5th grade test. It is the entry level exam but at a much higher level than Joshuwa's actual age.

TRINITY GUILDHALL is a worldwide organization that judges competency in several components, such as - Sight reading, Improvisation, Rudimentary study and playing 2 pieces of music.

I share of of this because (to Joshuwa's instructor's knowledge) Joshuwa is the first pre-schooler in Africa to have earned a passing mark!

Well done my boy!

Actually, I can't brag because he doesn't have any of my genes - but I am so very proud of him.

May Josh develop a passion to praise the LORD "according to His excellent greatness!"