THE GRACIOUSNESS OF UNCERTAINTY

Christine a friend of mine who also lives overseas posted this quote from Oswald Chambers on her blog yesterday. It came at just the right time, although I guess everytime is the right time to remember He holds our lives in His hands. Hope it encourages you too!

THE GRACIOUSNESS OF UNCERTAINTY
"It doth not yet appear what we shall be." 1 John 3:2

Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty, consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says - "Well, supposing I were in that condition . . ." We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in.

Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time.

When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said, "Except ye become as little children." Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.

"Believe also in Me," said Jesus, not - "Believe certain things about Me." Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him.

Girls Goodbye

Some of my wonderful friends here got together for cocktails (fruit cocktails that is) and a little group goodbye for me. It was such a blessing that Honida in the blue with the headscarf planned the event. She is such a blessing, she even said that if I don't have a ride back from the airport when I return she will come get me. What a sweetie!

After that we went to visit our friend Suhad who broke her foot. I was happy to be able to say goodbye to her tonight also.

Things are going well and I am loosing sleep I ams SO excited to come home. Only 3 more days and I am on the plane ride home!

Driving, NKOTB, and 9 more days!

Today I was driving (I rented a car) and I smiled to myself and thought 'I wish I had my camera with me'! Driving here is like putting a puzzle together the goal is to try to fit your car into the smallest place you can find within the madness. For the most part we have roundabouts(like England) instead of traffic lights on the major roads, so you have to maneuver your way around in order to turn left. Sometimes people's mirrors touch, it just cracks me up. I try to think of as a game instead of getting stressed in traffic.

This morning in my inbox I had an email from my sister with a link to New Kids On the Block's new video. Here's the link for those of you NKOTB fans www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FG-kj0zbJU&feature=related I like the song 'Summertime' and have been playing it over and over. I found interviews from the time that the song was released last month and just sat there smiling. There is just something about the time I was a fan, junior high is such and awkward time and my best memories seem to revolve around New Kids. So it was fun to listen.

And finally, only 9 more days and I am coming home!!! I can hardly wait...

The goats are goners!

This blog is not for the faint of heart. Those adorble rams from yesterday have been slaughtered for the celebration of a birth of a baby boy. The last photo is taken from our kitchen window. Oh the joy of living here. ( :

Goats and Garbage!

Today I came out and found 3 rams next to my apartment (which happens to be next to the dumpsters). I found one of the nice teenage boys who works at the local shop near them and asked him if they were his families'. They are and it's just because his cousin had a son! Wow!

How can I not miss these adorable faces?

Just 2 more days left. ) :

One thing I won't miss and one thing I will...

This morning in the shower I barely got wet and the water stopped. I realized that my roommate and I had forgotten to pump water to the tank on the roof. We usually pump on Sunday but I wasn't home, so it was forgotten. For some reason it only happens to me!!! Oh well, I pumped and at least I got to wash my hair. I am looking forward to Wednesday when I get to take a longer shower (since it's water day).

The thing I will miss is the women that I work with at school. Today it was our principle's birthday and so they had bought a cake. Little did I know they had a cake for those of us (4 ladies) that are not coming back next year. It was so sweet to be remembered. They gave me a cross. I don't usually wear crosses, but I will wear this one for sure. I am going to miss them so much.



Our principle Sister Vicky recieving her birthday gift.



My beautiful cross