1,000 Hills

I had a delightful English experience today. It had a backstory, which is this:

 - We watched The Imitation Game Sunday night, in which a character says that in his mind, talking is just like encrypted code (people never say what they mean).

- In school with my Nanny kids I get them to narrate a verse of Job each. (“Okay, he said, 'Are you the first man who was born?’, but what did he mean?")

This morning I wrote this quote on the fridge at my Nanny home:

“God still owns the cattle on 1,000 hills. And the harvest is still plentiful. And the labourers are still few.”

    “What does it say?” my little reader asked. 

    “You can read it,” I encouraged. She worked through it. “Do you know what it means?” I asked. As I explained it to her I realized it had three layers.

1. What it says. Hills, Harvest, Labourers. She got that.

2. What it means. (God is rich. Lots of people still need to get saved. Not enough people are working on it.) I get that.

3. What it is saying. (Never mind getting a job. Go be a missionary!) 

Do you get it?

Right now I'm...

Hey.

I love you and wish to update you about my latest adventures in obedience. Consider this a personal email. 

We’ve Moved!

The family I Nanny and I have moved two towns over to their Bee Farm. We have been in the new house for a month and have loved every minute of it! I go there at the start of the work-week and stay four days. I’m always home on weekends. There are six kids at home now, ranging from almost-17 to just-turned-6. Two of the older four are married, two are at University, and one grandson is new and cute!

Next Up…

I’m off to Camp on June 28, and staying up all summer. No internet or cell service up there, so I’m not snubbing your messages, just ignorant of them. The best way to follow my summer is to watch the weekly YouTube video on this channel. They usually upload on Sundays. They also send out a newsletter, which I can sub you to if you ask.

Bits and Pieces

I have amassed an astronomical collection of quotes. As in, 

“Strength is the capacity to deliver blows, while resilience is the capacity to absorb them.”

- Unknown 

I love quotes. Send me yours, and I can send you some of mine. 

Also, prayer journaling is a new love. I’ve always kept one, but since March I’ve prayed on paper every day, and I don’t think I can quit. Combing through old prayers for recent answers is my most encouraging activity.

And Barn Dances have been a big affection in my life recently. I just love it.

Please Pray

For my heart as I leave my children for the summer (and for the children!).

For campers and staff to have open hearts to the Lord.

For good ole’ strength and resilience.

Joy is Real

In the second last Screwtape Letter C.S. Lewis imagines Wormwood getting the man to think that trauma, sorrow, and disaster are real. To think that all the joy he felt in times of peace was just a feeling. That when the rubber met the road, joy is a feeling but anguish is real.

These are lies.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

At God’s right hand are pleasures forevermore.

God created the world perfect and happy. One day He will restore it to perfect happiness. Sorrow is just a blip, a parentheses in the tale of history.

Joy is what is real.