the best and worst of christmas

A little late, but it leads into other places I hope to get to.

Best:

Going to the Christmas Eve party of the African church we've been visiting for the past month. Whoever thought that singing the same phrase "Jesu wa kazaka" (or something like that) over and over for 10 minutes would be inspiring? I didn't even know what the last 2 words mean. Maybe I should ask. I wonder what their neighbors thought of the party that didn't really get going til midnight?

Worst:

Being away from family and friends. Probably why I asked for so many books for Christmas.

Best:

A book. Expect Miracles by Rolland and Heidi Baker. An amazing book about Iris ministries who share the love of the Creator in Mozambique mainly among orphaned children. They see miracles all the time (new testament style) and whole villages become followers of Jesus. Really great stuff. If I was 20 something, I'd probably would be applying to help out and packing my bags.

Worst:

Receiving a book I had actually put on my Amazon wishlist some time ago and forgotten. A Martha Stewart book on housekeeping? A 700 page book at that. Something I must have wishlisted at a moment of weakness. A moment when my utter lack of suburbatopian housekeeping skills was glaringly obvious. When I actually cared that my home is far from perfect. The lived-in look is for me. I feel nervous in homes that would get the Martha Stewart seal of approval. What was I thinking? What to do with it? Return to Amazon? Keep as a reference (just in case we do have a formal dinner party....uh, unlikely).

So actually, if that is my worst, I'm doing pretty good. For once, in a few years now, everyone was well and not sick. This is a great thing in itself. Now I need to write another post on the New Year.....

Comments

[Heidi Renee]

Some of my best friends here just got back from Iris - our church supports missionaries there. I can vouch that it's all true (not that you needed me to) - but the multiplying food, the miracles - it's real and amazing.

I laughed about the Martha Stewart book because I cleaned out my wish list in case my husband got an idea to shop for me there - and I was so surprised at some of the books I had added... not nearly that one though! :)

Happy New Year!