Whirlwind

A newsletter from Cambodia is in the works, but this is not it.

We have been home now two weeks and life in America has already moved us onward.  It's a good thing... but hard to accept!  When an experience - such as a mission trip (even if it's your 12th trip!) - changes you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, it's... simply put: HARD to transition back to "life as normal."

So while I am still trying to piece together my stories, reflections, and emotions from our recent three week trip to Cambodia, here's a few pieces of what has happened since:

Tuesday evening, following a fun-beautiful-moving concert of the Ugandan Thunder Children's Choir, Titus and I hosted these two fun-beautiful-moving girls from Uganda - Teopista and Amina. Though our time together was short, it was special! Lots of laughter and even prayers!

The Ugandan Thunder African Children’s Choir is touring the United States to raise money money for and awareness of orphans in Uganda. The choir is composed of 22 singers, dancers, and drummers ages 10-14. They are students from the Royal School and Orphanage in Mityana, Uganda. Donations are collected during the choir concerts as love offerings, and the money covers fuel expenses and buys posho (the staple food in Uganda) for 14 orphanages throughout Uganda. If you would like to learn more about this incredible ministry visit: penniesforposho.org. (I'm hoping my church will decide to donate our VBS offering to Pennies for Posho in Summer 2013!) Here's my unsolicited plug: child sponsorship through Pennies for Posho is only $9/month! $9! (The organization has chosen not to buy TV time, saving them lots of dollars!

On Tuesday morning, my beautiful friend Jenny died in a car accident on her way to a job interview. I couldn't believe the news! Shocked. Incredibly shocked. Jenny was always happy, always smiling (such a beautiful smile!) and always laughing (such a memorable laugh!) WHY!?!? is DEATH our best reminder that... life is fragile. Life is precious. Life is short. Friends are special. Memories to be cherished.

Tuesday morning on K-Love radio, hours before I heard this news, I heard "Slip On By" for the first time and I HATE that it's so true in this moment.

We're only here for a little while,

And God give us only so much precious time.

So don't let it slip on..

Don't let it slip on..

Don't let it slip on by!

Friends, hold your loved-ones close! You never know... I don't think I would want to know!

On January 6th, while sweet husband and I were in Cambodia, my older sister had a beautiful baby BOY!
Don't these pictures of baby Spencer with Uncle Titus give you BABY FEVER?!? (OK, probably just me.) He looks so good holding a baby, doesn't he?!

More to come... life is always happening around here!

Love, Love, Love,
Jewel

Irashmo: The Boy I Can't Forget

During Summer 2010, I spent two months living and ministering on the coast of Mozambique at the Wesleyan Bible College in Xai Xai. At 7:00am sharp, I arrived at the Bible school for the conclusion of breakfast. The students went to various classes and I spent my mornings ALONE with 12 beautiful children between the ages of 1 and 6, with whom I only have fond memories.  With only 3 beach balls, various sticks and rocks, and a few broken plastic cups, we played hours and hours and hours.  They had the most fun riding on my back or spining circles in my arms; I had the most fun cuddling, rubbing their soft skin with my fingers, and capturing mental pictures of their big smiles.

Video of a precious moment with my crianças:

During the afternoons and early evenings, I spent my time with the Bible college students - teaching and learning, talking and laughing, dancing and singing, eating and working. I cannot tell you what I enjoyed the most because I truly LOVED every single minute I spent at the Bible College (except when we had shima for lunch;) but I can tell you one thing: one little baby boy stole a large piece of my heart - a piece that will never let anyone else or anything else in.

His name was Irashmo.



From day one, snotty-nosed Irashmo was my favorite of the children in the creché. There is this common disbelief that we aren't supposed to have favorites, which I suppose stems from the truth that everyone should be treated equally. Nonetheless, Mo was my favorite.

He smiled big [but not for the camera,] sung loud, and cried a lot. Like his sister Maria, he is a cry baby and was bullied a lot by João and the others because the kids knew Mo would react in a big way. He would scream "maaamaaa" and run into my arms with crocodile tears running down his dark, soft cheeks. He was also very forgiving, because João was his best friend. Mo loved bubbles and every morning he would put grab my bag and ask, "balão?" (balloon) in his endearing, squeaky voice. He also loved riding on my back, or swinging in my arms, and he was very jealous when I did either of those two things with another child, especially João. That's why I was often seen like this:

Irashmo and João


Irashmo and Japhete (another boy who has a special place in my heart)


Gabriele, Maria, Timoteo, João, and Irashmo


Irashmo at front, with friends

I don't know why, but God will not let me forget this boy.  He brings him to mind almost daily, and I go to sleep thinking and dreaming about him: the softness of his skin, the glow in his eyes, the joy in his smile, and his precious voice (so squeaky and unique.)  I do not know if I will ever be blessed to see him again - to embrace him again - but until then, I will continue praying for Irashmo and for his parents, Isak and Mama Sala.

My sweet Irashmo

May God protect you, as He protected Daniel.

May He give you a heart of love, like David; a spirit of power, like Elijah; and courage, like Esther.

May He make you wise, like Solomon; devoted, like Hosea; forgiving, like Joseph; a leader, like Moses; an encourager, like Barnabas; and patient, like Job.

His sweet hand; I never wanted to let go... eventually I had to.
That hand is almost two years bigger now, and it still has a strong grip on my heart.

With tears in my eyes, 

Jewel

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." [Psalms 139:13]


"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." [John 16:21]


"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him." [1 Samuel 1:27]


"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." [Numbers 6:24-26]


"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." [John 1:16]


"...when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." [Proverbs 3:24]


"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.." [Psalm 127:3]


"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord!" [Psalm 113:9]


"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." [Jeremiah 1:5]


"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." [Mark 10:14]


"Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." [Psalm 127:5]


"Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name." [Isaiah 49:1]

Praying and waiting,
Jewel

BABY FEVER!

Sweet Motherhood

Belly Laugh

 

My Husband



Irresistable Asian Baby



Baby Legs

Yawnin' Baby

  

Dreamin' Baby

Cuteness Factor



1st Moments of Motherhood

Love love love,
Jewel

Immeasurably More!

I took this picture this morning from the parking lot at my work:

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
Psalm 8:1

I am humbled.  Humbled by His power. Humbled by His presence.

Humbled by His goodness.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

A week or two before Christmas, IWU (Indiana Wesleyan University) called me about a job interview. A what? A job interview? I already have 3 jobs! Since May, I have applied for almost every job at IWU that I have qualified for and I couldn't believe that I was finally chosen for an interview. This is a big deal... like a real, professional, GROWN-UP job.  I traded in my jeans and t-shirt for dress clothes and told the daycare that I would be an hour late, and I interviewed in front of FOUR very intimidating professionals.  A few days later, my would-be-boss called me saying that they were recommending ME to HR for hiring.  After enduring Christmas (& New Years) break without any news, I finally got a phone call on Tuesday with a job offer... a real, professional, GROWN-UP job offer.  I took it.

I knew after the first phone call that it was a blessing from God (seriously good benefits, including a salary that is twice what I make at 3 jobs right now, getting paid to work out and participate in the wellness program, and BONUS: free tuition for hubby) but I prayed about it everyday for three weeks, and God has finally given me peace.

I don't want to leave the daycare. I really don't.  I don't want to leave my babies. :( I don't want to not see them grow and learn and become little boys and girls that walk, and talk, and pee on the potty.  But... I don't want to be guilty of not embracing God's gift - His provision, His favor.

So, next Monday - January 16th, 2012 (I seriously just wrote 2010 and had to backspace!) - I start my new job as Program Support Specialist in Graduate Organizational Leadership.  I really do not have a good idea yet of what I doing (and that FREAKS ME OUT) but I know that eventually, I will.  Until then... this is what you get:

Love love love,
Jewel

Baby Fever

After watching these two little ones [sweet Jacky and little Levi] last night and this morning, I'm feeling a little Baby Fever [NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH BEIBER FEVER]

Maybe this time next year in two years. ;)



So, after dropping the boys off with Mrs. Momma and arriving at my office, I connected to the MGH nursery and browsed the sweet little newborns of Marion.


Handsome LITTLE MAN!


Princess


Sleeping Beauty


Angel


Sweet Little Boy

You may or may not find me browsing through the baby clothes during my lunch break today...

Love love love, Jewel

Friday's Fave Five: My Weaknesses

Log on at Living to Tell the Story and share your own Friday's Fave. Five!

1. Babies – Whether it is my friends’ baby or a stranger in Wal-Mart, my heart pitter-patters when I see a baby, especially a dark-headed baby [although I am partial to my blonde-haired neices.]  When  am shopping, I love looking through the baby clothes [and Jessie says, "Ugh... no!!!"] I love love love babies.

2. Peanut Butter Pie – Even with my wedding dress alteration appointment quickly approaching, I could not say no to peanut butter pie. I’m craving it right now!!! I haven’t had a piece in weeks. I have a little more control when it comes to peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter cookies, and peanut butter fudge… but not much. I love peanut butter.

3. Jack Johnson - I can never be in a bad mood when I'm listening to Jacky J.  He's great.


4. Books - I cannot pass by a book sale without stopping. I never go on a trip without a book. I have almost two full shelves of books that I have never read, but have good intentions to read. I’m currently reading three books: Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne and John Perkins, Radical by David Platt, and The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine by Somaly Mam. I love books.

5. Romdenh Chamnol - Few things can keep me up past a certain hour of the night; Romdenh Chamnol is one of them. He's my best friend, and I can't wait to marry with him, live with him, and share my life with him.

Love love love, Jewel