Holiday Bible Club

We had a great week helping with Holiday Bible Club. I think overall there were 35 kids registered. It may not sound like that many until you realize only two of them were from our church. Paul worked with the younger kids ages 5-7 and I worked with the older ones ages 8-10. The last day we invited the parents to come and see what their kids had learned and have a picnic with us. So many came. One mom said that they didn't have a Bible in the home so they went on the internet to find the answers for the worksheets. Many of these kids are unchurched. We studied the life of Peter and so were able to clearly present the gospel, really, every day during the story time. It is definitely a highlight of our summer. Now, I'm looking forward to helping with a new kids club the church is starting called 24/7 from Jer. 24:7. It's for kids 9 to 12 and will meet each Thursday evening. Here's one of the kids who'll be coming--Reece. We had a lot of fun at Holiday Bible Club. He loved mimicing my American accent!

Another Book

Last Sunday we reconnected with a couple we had known in Kenya a long time ago. They were in the church we attended. Although they live in Britian they are still very involved in a child sponsership work in Kenya with a man we have known and Paul mentored since he was a teen. What fun we had recalling old times. Anyway, they are trying to get another charity started called "The Giving Tree", a reforestation project. Anyway, today when I was jogging I saw a tree that had fallen over and it reminded me of the book "The Giving Tree". OK, what's the point of all this......that book is definitely one that made me cry and it is only a children's story but one well worth reading as an adult. I think I'll try and find it and get a copy for myself!

10 questions about books

Ok, Meg tagged me to answer the following about books. I love to read so this shouldn't be too hard! I could answer The Bible to many of these questions but I've decided to leave that book out as I answer but it is definitely in there.
1. One book that changed my life: What's so Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancy. He has two chapters on forgiveness that taught me how to forgive someone at a time that I was really struggling. It has helped me ever since and I find myself going back to those chapters and recommending them to others.

2. One book I have read more than once: Little House on the Prairie and Ann of Green Gables.

3. One book I would want on a desert island: Well, I gotta say the Bible here but I just can't imagine being in that situation with out it and then maybe the Trinity Hymnal so I could sing to myself and not be frustrated that I couldn't remember the words to songs.

4. One book that made me cry: Definitely What's so Amazing About Grace since it pointed out the sin in my heart. Also C.S. Lewis' Narnia Tales because they just hit at what your heart longs for. I could name many others--I get kinda wrapped up in what I'm reading.

5. One book that made you laugh: Any of our Calvin and Hobbs cartoon books.

6. One book you wish had been written: More hints on how to be a long distance Mom and Grandmother.

7. One book you wish had not been written: I gotta agree with Meg--The Constant Gardner, what a waste of time and I never did finish it. It wasn't cheap to buy either!!!

8. What are you currently reading: Love Walked Among Us: Learning How to Love LIke Jesus by Paul Miller and Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith. It's one in a series of books that take place in Bostwana about the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I definitely recommend these books for those of you who love Africa. They are fun and an easy read, for sure!

9. One book you've been meaning to read: You're Wearing that? Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation by Deborah Tannen. My sister recommended it in reference to my relationship with my Mom and since I have four daughters and a daughter in law and four granddaughters, it seems a good read for me.

10. Tag 5 people. Sharon Bressler, Sarah Taylor, Rick Cruse, Evelyn Reith

July in Chattanooga

We spent the most of the month of July in Chattanooga working on our house. We were between tenants and decided it would be a good time to get some needed projects done on the house. Our oldest daughter, Rinnie, and her three girls came to "help". They were there for two weeks since her husband was away in Kenya. We were able to repaint two long sides of the house and remove a drop ceiling in one of the bedrooms and sheetrock a new ceiling and paint as well as numerous other smaller projects. It was a lot of hard work in the hot sun but very rewarding as well.

Kirk and Sarah and their daughter came for five days and during that time Anna arrived back from Tanzania and Wil and Amy came over for a day. We were missing Erik (Rinnie's husband) and Meg (in Tanzania) but grateful to be with everyone else.

It was fun seeing all four of our granddaughters together and we had some special times with each one. We are very thankful for our children and the closeness our family feels. God has blessed us in more ways then we can begin to say.

At the end of the month we spent a few days with Wil and Amy in Murphy, NC. It was a nice way to end a month of hard work. Of course, Paul did have to replace a water pump and starter in our truck and Wil a starter in his car but at least they could work together.

Anna's Visit

It's been fun having Anna with us for a few weeks before she heads down to Tanzania to be with Meg for about a month. Due to a debt she owes us (which I won't go into here), we've got her making bookshelf units. We've had the boards since 1981 so it's about time. They are unique to Kenya--Elgon Olive. Paul made five units years ago so it will be nice to have a few more.

But all work is no fun so we've also been able to ride our bikes along the canals, plant flowers in the garden, and just hang out together. We'll miss her when she goes but are glad we'll meet up again in the US where we will be in July to work on our house in Chattanooga.

Book for Lauren

I've been having so much fun writing a book for my granddaughter, Lauren's 4th birthday. I've been planning to do this for a long time so everytime we are together I've been taking pictures of us doing some of our favorite things. I'm putting the pictures in a book form and have titled it "My Granny and Me" so it's written from Lauren's perspective. I'm hoping that it will remind her often of me since we can't be together very much. Below is the first page of the book.

Another New Granddaughter

February 28th, Coriena Pam Hersman was born to Erik and Rinnie (our daughter). She weighed 9.4 lbs, exceeding the birth weight of both her older sisters, Lauren and Meredith. I was able to visit the family March 3-13. (a special thank you to some friends in Annapolis whose Christmas gift paid for my ticket). March 5-9, Erik had to be away for business so Sarah and Joanna came to visit as well as Anna. We had a great time together. Here's a few pictures: Coriena in a dress that Rinnie wore; Rinnie and Coriena; Sarah and Joanna; Anna with her two baby nieces; the four cousins.

Our New Granddaughter!

Joanna Elizabeth Ward was born to Kirk and Sarah Ward on Thursday, December 15 in the evening. She was 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 20 inches long. She want home Saturday am and we have been enjoying her since then, since Liz, Anna and I are staying with them through Christmas.

Anna, Covenant College Goalie

We just got the news that Anna made not only the Appalachian Athletic Conference First Team but also the Region XII Women's Soccer All-Region First Team. We're just a little proud. She ended the season with 90 conference game saves.
GO, ANNA!!!

My new motorcycle jacket

It's cold, but in England people ride bikes year round, even in the rain, so proper gear is a great help.

Time for Some New News

It's been a long time since we've posted anything on this blog. So with Sarah's prompting, here I am again. One fun thing I've done since my last posting was to teach in vacation Bible school. The kids were great.

It's hard to believe it is the middle of October. In a few weeks we'll be heading for the US for some meetings, time with some of the family, and to see Granny. Between now and then we have three different sets of overnight guests coming through, Bible studies to lead, driving license tests to pass, and work to do. Meg said recently that she feels like she is finally a round plug in a round hole rather than a square plug trying to fit into a round hole. I think I feel that way too. It is so good to be here.

Today I had communion with a lady who is bed-ridden. So it was just Kath, three of us and Paul Levy, our pastor. I actually got all choked up in the middle of it realizing how special it is to be a part of God's family. I'm doing a Bible study next week from Habakkuk. I've titled it "God is sovereign but is He good". I've learned so much about the goodness of God preparing for this. I hope I can express it in a way that others can learn as well. The meaning of Romans 8 has come alive to me through this and I thank the Lord for what He is teaching me.

Great new punjabi, Meg, too bad you are so cold!!!!! 

I catch Meg napping...do you think she is cold??? 

Meg's Birthday

We had a lot of fun going to an Ethiopian restaurant for Meg's birthday. It was kinda strange to be just the three of us but still fun. The food was really good, served by an authentic Ethiopian woman. Here we are.

At the Addis 

Liz and Paul at the Roman Baths, Bath, England 

Anna and Liz at the Roman Baths, Bath, England 

Our "travels" lifestyle lends itself to needing places to store trunks and reusing shipping containers. I built this shed from 4 shipping crates, put in a wood floor with pallet wood, and installed scrounged counter tops. Not roomy, but more room than before! 

Our back garden is looking up after help from Rinnie & her girls. We even have gold fish in the pond (but still too much algae to see them). Note our Kenyan "jiko" for cook outs. 

Here is a close up of the entrance to Samuel Rutherford's church in Anwoth, Scotland. Above the door is carved "Built AD 1627". The plaque says:
Anwoth Old Kirk
Samuel Rutherford
Minister from 1627 - 1638
Professor of Divinity and Principal of St. Mary's College 1647 - 1661
Buried in the Cathedral Grounds St. Andrew's 1661
Counsellor in the Westminster Assembly of Divines
Author of famous "Letters" and "Lex Rex"
Preacher of Permanent Renown
Reformer and Defender of the Faith
Monument erected to his memory on the near-by hill 1842
"Fair Anwoth by the Solway"
"Glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel's land."