Last week I borrowed a book, The End of the Spear from the library at SEND's ministry center. You've heard of it, I'm sure. This is the story of Steve Saint, son of Nate Saint. Nate Saint was the MAF pilot killed, with four other missionary men, by Waodani in the amazon rain forest in the 50's. Steve grew up with the Waodani, and later brought his own family to live and serve in the jungle.

Honestly, I don't read very many missionary biographies. It turns out they are a little too real and too scary for me. This one was different. If you haven't read the book - do. Even if you saw the movie, consider reading this book. I didn't see the movie, but I learned through conversation that much of what happens near the end of the book was not in the movie. From my experience ~ which involved reading until 3:30 am because I couldn't put it down ~ that which happened after the movie credits rolled was the most impactful part of the story!

There is a passage I wanted to share with you all, when at a time of great pain and sadness, the author described his faith this way:

"This had to be part of the story God was writing with our lives. It was an excruciating chapter in our story, but I suddenly found I believed that somehow - beyond our ability to comprehend - this terrible trauma would eventually and mysteriously prove to be a cornerstone of God's plan for our lives.

If I asked God to change things, and He gave in to me, how would my change alter the rest of His plan? I did not want to ask God for what I desperately wanted in the short run, only to find it had cost us what God wanted for us in the long run.

Maturity sneaks in on us while we aren't watching most of the time. I realized that as much as I yearned to take {this person} home with us, I was not willing to risk giving up God's plan A for something else."

Where ARE my slippers?!?

Every year it's the same thing... I try to remember whether the heat gets turned off on the 15th of April or the 15th of May. And you know, I never really pay much attention to our trusty warm friends in every room of the apartment until they're suddenly not hot anymore!! Yes, I know today is only April 14th, but of course they can't actually flip the "off" switch on a Sunday, so it had to happen early.

So, I'm hunting for the recently-tucked-away slipper basket and reheating coffee from this morning... I'm cold!!

Wheels...

Transportation seems to consume a bit too much of my thoughts these days... hmmmm. We are watching and waiting to see what God will provide for our summer transportation need. At the same time, we are beginning to think about a car we'd like to buy for life here in Kiev.

We've been given permission to raise funds for such a purchase, but of course we don't actually HAVE any of said funds yet, making the shopping and research a bit complicated! Too many minutes... okay, HOURS, have been spent looking online at Ukrainian dealerships and online in the States. There are plenty of nice looking cars, and those close to me are starting to tease about which car is my favorite 'today'... implying that I'm much to fickle in my car preferences?

Anyhow, it doesn't really matter at this point, we're not buying until God gives us the money we need. I think my obsessive nature is not helping me in this situation, and I'd rather better think on something else... maybe that full scale rearrangement of our apartment that I've been concocting? Hmmm... stay tuned!

Rules of Civility

I have always loved history, and American history in particular. Just yesterday I found a history-based handwriting excercise for the boys.

As it happens, there is a set of "Rules of Civility" as written down by none other than George Washington when he was a boy practicing good penmanship.

M & S are loving history anyway, and GW is a new favorite personage in our home. As I read over these "Rules of Civility" I was inspired by the realization that they are so biblical! Only mildly old fashioned, and really just good principles... I thought you might like to read some of them. There were 110 when George wrote them down... we've copied far less here. I've italicized my favorites...reflect and enjoy!

George Washington’s Rules of Civility

• Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.
• In visiting the sick do not presently play the physician if you be not knowing therein.
• In writing or speaking give to every person his due title according to his degree and the custom of the place.
• Be no flatterer, neither play with anyone that delights not to be played with.
• Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for doing it, you must ask leave.
• Come not near the books or writings of anyone so as to read them unasked; also look not nigh when another is writing a letter.
• Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave.
• In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommodate nature rather than procure admiration.
• Keep the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly with respect to the time and place.
• Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
• Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of commendable nature; and in all causes of passion admit reason to govern.
• Undertake not to teach your equal in the art he himself professes; it savors of arrogancy.
• When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.
• Wherein you reprove another be unblamable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precept.
• Use no reproachful language against anyone, neither curses nor revilings. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of anyone.
• Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.
• In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a humming voice, nor drum with your fingers or feet.
• Speak not when others speak, sit not when others stand, and walk not when others stop.
• Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not on anyone.
• Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.
• When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered.
• Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.

he gets me

My best friend is a missionary. I met him a long time ago, it seems. This weekend we will celebrate 12 years of married life.

One of the things that I am blessed by is the realization that he's paying attention. He knows that I am not a lace & crystal kind of girl. Today he came in from an appointment and said he had a present for me. He said he'd been walking through the market and he walked past one of the sellers and then went back to it. This is the bowl he pulled out of his bag... it has a smaller cousin settled happily on my kitchen shelf.

I love knowing that he knows me. Twelve or thirteen years ago, he maybe would have bought lace & crystal for me, because he grew up with this kind of elegant feminine beauty. Today he knows and appreciates a different kind of beauty.

We joked about it today... our sons might grow up and marry elegant and lacey girls. The first gift they give could be a pottery gravy boat - won't she be impressed?!? The cycle continues, I suppose... as for me - I have a great best friend.

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