The last few months have found me cracking open a journal (a
beautiful one at that, made by a very dear friend) chronicling moments of
gratitude. I am trying to incorporate
this into my daily life, recognizing the beauty around me and thanking God for
His provision. His grace and love are
abundant in each day, if we only notice it.
I hope these snippets (both big and small) give you a glimpse into my
life as of late. And I would challenge
you to start this practice. Write down
moments or things that you are grateful for.
Jot down that moment when you saw a glimpse of the Divine in the
everyday. Look for joy. Look for peace. Look for beauty.
- Sun. Everyday. In many forms: rays, heat, shadows, and streaming through windows.
- Big, powerful thunder that rumbles through the hills, even into my chest.
- Children running along the road, chasing each other with huge smiles on their faces.
- The sounds from the valley near our house: two different churches worshipping, motos whizzing by, children’s laughter, an occasional chorus of dogs barking, and birds chirping and squawking.
- Second graders praying for one another.
- Spending New Years with some of my favorite people in the world: the kids at New Hope and a bunch of adults who support, love and care for them.
- A discussion with local teenagers about Ruby Bridges and her influence.
- Tall tales written by seven and eight year old kids.
- Walking up and down hills, splashing in streams, and playing cards with the kids of New Hope.
- Good coffee from Ethiopia, brewed in the fridge and enjoyed with ice and milk.
- Seeing their [New Hope Kids] new home, almost built, almost occupied.
- Swimming in Lake Kivu. In February.
- Finding nectarines (!!!) in a local supermarket.
- Sun tea on the porch.
- Children singing Bless the Lord Oh My Soul at the top of their lungs.
- A backpack to carry the many things I need to bring with me each day.
- Visiting with Josephine (fabric vendor) at the market.
- Planning an epic Rwanda trip for Peter, Laura and Olivia.
- Cooking broccoli and red pepper stir fry.
- Finding said red peppers in the market. (New discovery.)
- New friends who lend perspective and depth.
- Regina Spektor, Sigur Ros, First Aid Kit, Gungor and Patty Griffin. (Music playlist as of late.)
- Psalms.
- A house church here in Kigali with people from many places and backgrounds.
- The thought of all the people back home who make life here possible.
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| Cute Mwami. |
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| Human pyramid! |
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| The kids by the stream.
Thank you. Thank you
to all of you who have supported me in so many ways. You have been on my mind a lot in the
past few weeks, and I realize that I could not be here without your prayers and
support. I am so incredibly grateful for
you.
If you are interested in supporting the kids I love even more, there is an opportunity to give toward their new home, which is under construction and very close to being finished. New Hope is hoping to move the kids into their new home in March, but we are still short some funding to finish the project. If you'd like to donate, go here:
Sending love from sunny Rwanda,
Abby
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