So 4^th of July is something that just sorta sneaks up on me.  Americans that come short term are always so excited about this holiday, but when they ask me I usually say, “Eh, it’s no biggie.” 

Let me clarify….I understand the importance of the day and am grateful for my freedom as an American, but it’s a bit hard to be patriotic here in Africa!  In thinking about it today…..Kev and I will be married 10 years in a few weeks and 8 of those 10 years we’ve spent 4^th of July on the mission field…..either short term or full time.  I haven’t spent a 4^th of July on my own soil in over 5 years!  I do have some great memories of 4^th of July celebrations as a child though and once Andrew gets a bit older I intend to educate him on the importance of this day and incorporate traditions of our own.  I hope one day he’ll be able to see a real fireworks display like we would watch when we were kids!

This week Biatse (pronounced by-ate-see) our favorite security guard came to the house with a present he had been working on for Andrew.  It was so simple, but touched me and Kevin so much.  It’s an abacus, but a special one……..

 

You see on the one half you can see and American Flag, and on the other a Botswana Flag.  On the wood he wrote little messages to Andrew (not sure if you can see them clearly) and they are so precious.  Some are totally random, but really funny.  My favorite one says, “I would like to thank God for the special friend He gave me- Biatse”  He said, “I had to make it half and half because Andrew is both American and Motswana.”  When he came to check in tonight he said, “Happy 4^th of July…..its your American day, but don’t forget……now you have to celebrate Botswana’s Independence day too Andrew!”

 

On a side note, I wanted to make something “American” tonight, but we settled on spaghetti which I hadn’t made in a long time and quite honestly, it stunk!  Andrew on the other hand, throughly enjoyed every bite of it!

 

As I was putting Andrew's toys away for the day I noticed Big Man had managed to sneak in and find a comfy spot on the floor.  Lawrence is out for the night so I think he's lonely.  Also he hates fireworks so I am sure that soon he'll be in my lap shaking like a leaf.  He and Carlo always hated the fireworks!(This one is for you Patricia and Trudy too!) 

 

So Happy 4^th of July America…….thank you for those of you who fought or continue to fight for our freedom!

PS......So many of you messaged me and said that Brooke Fraser is a singer on Hillsong United....thanks for the scoop.  I love Hillsong stuff so I guess maybe that's why I liked it so much!  Another to download is Ryan Edgar....both are good "cup of coffee" music!   

  

The other night I called my mom....I just needed to hear her voice. We don't talk on the phone often, but we do email a lot.  Honestly, I hate phones.....I always have.  Maybe this is part of the reason that we don't talk on the phone much.......anyway.  When I called she was in town so I talked to my dad for a bit.  He was keeping me on the line in hopes that my mom would return while I was still on the phone. I don't think I've ever had a long phone conversation with my dad because like me, he's just not a phone talker.  We chatted for about 10 min....probably the longest phone conversation we've had, but it was SO good!  It felt good to hear his soothing voice and just hear him tell me about what was going on.  His voice raised and he giggled when I told him I was making pizza's and he said, "Well I sure wish I was there...you know me, I love pizzas!"  "Yes Dad....I wish you were here too!", I said. We decided that mom probably wasn't coming home soon so we said our goodbyes.  I couldn't help but smile.....that 10 minutes just blessed my heart.....I love you dad! 

About an hour later my mom called back.  I discovered my snazzy new phone has a speaker phone option so I put her on speaker and let her talk away to Andrew.  She sang and sang and Andrew smiled so much his eyes were almost closing!  Then Kev move it closer to his ear and Andrew grabbed the phone and just started chatting.  For like 10 minutes he just went on in his jibberish and you could hear my mom's precious giggle in the background.  He had a lot to tell Grandma! :)  (Kev later said that the money I spent on that phone was worth every penny because of that speaker option! and that sweet "conversation". :)  For the record, my phone isn't that nice but I like it! :))  So while Andrew "hogged" the conversation I still had the chance to hear my moms voice and that sure did help! 

So, now.....my point......I do have one, promise!

I've been walking through something for the past few days and it's really consumed most all of my thoughts and prayers.  In times like these I wish that God had a cell phone that I could call.  I am sure that you would hear a "busy" signal most of the time.....after all He's a busy guy.   When you have a big decision to make don't you ever just wish you could call Him up and be like, "Hey God......it's me Sarah, do you have a second......I need your advice on something?"   Only this time you actually get to HEAR the reply of, "While sure my precious daughter.....fire away!" 

I know I do have a "direct line" to the Father.  I talk to God much like I talk to a friend. He's a great listener and never interrupts me.  I do hear His voice, but only when I really tune my ears to it.  It's much like that soothing sound of my dad's voice or my mom's voice.......something that when I hear it, I know it and my heart is at peace. 
So today.....I am listening.  Listening for His voice! 

I think I need a good cry!  The only problem is, I can’t seem to muster the tears to start it!  Bah! 

 

Really, I am fine……it’s just been a hum-dinger week!  On top of that I’ve not felt so great……can’t seem to put my finger on why I am not feeling well (and no it’s not pregnancy!) so that always makes things hard too. 

 

There are two things though….blessings, that happened this week that when I look at it, it makes going through this bad week good!  Or at least I should say makes me smile and forget about all the drama for a bit.  It may seem silly to many of you, but remember I live in Africa!

 

·        Jessie, one of our summer interns receives packages almost every other week.  I miss packages a lot……we don’t get many anymore.  I remember Kendra telling us when we arrived almost 5 years ago that she used to get packages all the time but then once she rounded that two year mark the packages slowed down to almost nothing.  It’s true……people “forget” us.  (Am I making any of you feel bad yet, I can forward my address if I am. Ha!)  Well Jessie’s momma asked if there was anything Kev and I needed.  I said, “Hair stuff and a big bottle of Excedrin Migraine”.  Yesterday……two bottles of hair stuff and a big bottle of Excedrin migraine were at my house…..and a packet of good bubble gum for good measure!  I was thrilled! 

·        The second thing is that just last week I was telling Kev that I wanted to get an exercise ball so that I could do a portion of my Biggest Loser Workout DVD that used the exercise ball exclusively.  I told him that the next time someone went to Gabs I was going to send money with them to bring back one……of course you can’t get them in this little town!  I didn’t tell anyone but Kev that.  Yesterday night when I came home from church, I found a box on the counter that had an Exercise Ball in it!  I was like, “Kev where did this come from?”  He was like, “Johnstin and Agnes stopped by and they brought it for you and a soccer ball for Andrew.”  I was like “really!”  He said, “I tried to pay her for it because I thought maybe you had talked to her about getting you one while they were in Francistown, but she wouldn’t have it!”  I was like, “Kev, I only told YOU about the ball….no one else!”  He was like, “Really……..well then the Lord must have told Agnes you wanted one!”  When I called her today I asked her, “Did I mention to you that I didn’t have one of those balls and wanted one?”  She was like, “No……I just knew you had started working out again and I thought maybe this would help and give you something different to do!”  I then told her the story and she was like….”So I blessed you then huh?”   It just made me smile…….just one more reminder that the Lord does hear even the LITTLE things we desire!  Who would have thought?  Now of course this means that I now have no excuse NOT to do that part of the DVD! Ha! 

 

So the Lord put those little things in my week to remind me that I am loved!  Despite the stresses of the week there is always a silver lining……even if it comes in the form of an exercise ball!