‘Till Christ is Formed in Me…

…this phrase has been a theme in my mind today.  I feel very humbled by how much God has allowed me to see that at my torn down weakest spot, so much of me is still left and he needs to work with that stubborn area of clay.  I’m feeling continued stress on a number of different levels and this has worn me to a certain level. But taking Dave out of town when I was already tired from lack of sleep and no preparation with a few other events of stress thrown in stripped me free of most other props.  He could have taken more away, but he obviously knew this was enough for now.  He is so kind to me!  Here are some of the harmful offshoots he revealed in my heart:  anger, impatience, apathy, hatred, selfishness, demanding-ness, and self-righteousness.  Pretty ugly.  I’m asking the Master Gardener to do His work and trim off these parts so that I can be even more fruitful (John 15:1,2) I’m so thankful to be attached to Christ and to be a part of Him.  I still need constant trimming and care from the Father.  But little by little He is forming His image even more into me.  What an indescribable grace!

What Happened today:  David (and Matt) made it home to Kara safely after an 11 hour drive from Accra through Lome’.  I am so thankful and happy to see him, as were the children!  The Emersons also arrived safely in Kara from their family vacation to Benin.  Finally, team life is back in swing.  Two of our teachers were out sick today and Gabriel had school cancelled as Asher was also sick.  I am preparing to teach preschool tomorrow since Caden Emerson is back from his trip and getting ready for Gabriel’s birthday campfire tomorrow night.  Today was not as difficult as yesterday afternoon.  I stayed home and even had all the kids come in the house at one point and forbid anyone to leave to minimize chances of accidents and stressful situations.  I made this decision because Caleb let 4 of the bunnies out of their cages and did belly flops 3 times in a row into a mud pool that Elijah had dug yesterday.

Today’s Menu:

breakfast: leftover apple pie, scrambled eggs

lunch: African lunch for school kids, leftover chicken noodle soup for Caleb, Gabriel, and me

dinner:  homemade corn tortilla tostadas, canned apricots, lemonade

Scripture on my mind today:  “I am the true vine and my father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2