Sunday Funday November 24
Prayers and Praises
Praises for simple joys like gardening, which I (Rachel) have been doing pretty successfully lately.
Prayers for friends going through an ugly divorce.
Prayers for Aninha, one of the girls from Guadalajara Living Stones—her mother is pregnant, and will probably give the baby away because she cannot care for it—Aninha is 12 and already taking care of herself and her little brother, 4, while her mom is working all day.
Prayers for the heat! We were ROASTING at the 9 year Cajueiro Claro celebration in 100 degree weather, no air conditioner, 3 fans blowing hot heat, under a hot tin roof. Summer has arrived.
Interweb Reads:
Thanksgiving is meant to change your life: ““Perfect like this.” He nods toward the cheese plate. “You being happy in all these little things that God gives. This makes me happy.” Happy in all these little things that God gives. Ridiculously happy over slips of cheese.” (Ann Voskamp)
Choosing the Right foods: “At the time, I was teaching in the US in an inner-city high school. I had built a decent rapport with my students (probably helped I was barely older than them!), so as I was thinking of what dish to take, I shared some ideas with them. I should share an important side note: my husband is African American, as were most of my students. Not overseas, but still two different cultures mixing!” (Velvet Ashes)
Decision Making: “Her second concept is the powerful practice of naming the narrative. Naming those hidden things that are affecting our decision making. This has been a hard, painful process for me. Naming grief, disappointment, dead dreams, and anger are not easy, but the process of doing this and being honest with my emotions has been significant.” (Communicating across boundaries)
I’m Tired of Asking you for Money: “God always surprises you, too. The friends that you think will no doubt support you, don’t, and people whom you barely know, will. We had people tell us that God told them to cancel their cable to support us. Ultimately, financial support isn’t just about someone choosing to partner with you, it’s also about what God is doing in them.” (A Life Overseas)
How to have a digital detox: “So coming across a book called Digital Minimalism felt serendipitous to me. I’m desperate for change. Desperate enough to call it quits on my Smartphone and social media for the whole month of December and maybe even beyond.” (Scraping Raisins)
Chutes and Ladders: “During a group debriefing session shortly after I returned to the States, I was asked to draw a picture of my time overseas. The result was a depressing version of Candy Land. Black and gray squares were interspersed between happy, bright colored squares. The squares represented months and years of blessings and trials. Four and a half years later, I think life is less like Candy Land and more like Chutes and Ladders.” (Chatting about life)