A special family came over for dinner tonight. We would like to spend a bit more time with them because over the few years since we met them in church, our children and theirs have become good friends. And I found a very good friend in Carol, the mom of this lovely family. I have been immensely encouraged by her stories, her experience and her love for the Lord. What started as a simple playgroup for our kids turned out to be one of the most meaningful friendships I ever have. Our meetings are scarce but well-spent for it is always for me a refreshing, exhorting and definitely encouraging time. I am not a very sociable person and so is my husband. We have very few friends yet we feel blessed that the ones God provided for us here in Colombo while we were away from home are really for a lifetime to keep. They are our family away from home.
I remember during our first year here in Colombo, we have been attending a church for many months yet I have not developed meaningful friendships and felt very isolated. I have prayed for a friend and God gave us this family with whom we share so many things in common, I believe. It didn't take long for me to consider them a part of us. They homeschool, too. And from the many stories we have shared about parenting, discipleship, faith and spiritual growth, about many things.. I learned so much from them. I praise our God in His goodness gave us not just friends but more like a family. They took my children in when I had to go through surgery. God has shown us His goodness and love through this family, the Raneys. Paul, Carolyn, Caleb and Micah, may our paths cross again someday through God's Providence.
They gave us a song.. a beautiful one. A prayer. Psalm 91.
We utter the same for them.
On Eagle's Wings by Michael Joncas
On Eagles Wings
Written by Michael Joncas
Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
Our 3 yo Lil Ruffin has been sick since Saturday. She had a swimming class that afternoon and after she had taken a shower I realized that she was shivering and her temperature was very high. She was alright before she attended the class.
She didn't get any sleep that night and had chills. Early Sunday morning, we had to rush her to the hospital. She was throwing up all the time. For three nights, we never get enough sleep. Her fever went off and on each night. She lost appetite and would just drink water. The doctor examined her yet said nothing conclusive but advised ORS and analgesic. She also advised a blood exam for dengue or chikungunya (like dengue but a different virus transmitted by mosquito bites, too. Tuesday, we brought her again to the hospital for the blood test due to recurrence of fever and aching joints. They told us it will take 2 more days to get the results so that will be tomorrow. We were praying through all this. But just this morning, she woke up and asked for food. I observed her throughout the day, the fever never came back. She insisted even on playing downstairs with Vibrant Bea, Fuzzy and other kids. So right now, she is with them enjoying her afternoon while I am also trying to catch up with the blog.
We were really worried. There is presently an epidemic of dengue and chikungunya on the island. My son caught it 2 years ago with the same symptoms. I know God answered our prayers. We are thankful to those who prayed for Lil Ruffin during this time.
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We haven't forgotten the 30-days commitment. Lil Ruffin's sickness just kept us off the blog scene for awhile so I wasn't able to post anything about it. The 30-day prayer for the muslim world ended yesterday but our commitment to keep the lost world in our prayers continues. Thank you for praying with us.
The joys of living in Colombo include finding friendships with two homeschool families. We do not have coops, conventions, or curriculum fairs but we make do with whatever time we can spend with each
other.
One of them is the Raneys, an American family living here for about 10 years, whom we have been in touch with mostly. They homeschool 2 boys of the same ages as my children. We have known the Wolvers with 3 children from UK, however, for a very short time. We had the pleasure of having our kids play together in few occasions. We even joked that the Wolvers are our distant cousins since we are the Lobos - get it? Mr. Raney, on the other hand, spent childhood years in Palawan as a missionary kid. So, there's the affinity!
Today, the Raneys came and visited with us. We try to meet weekly as time allows. Afternoons like this always seem too short. It is such an encouraging time to spend it with a mom who shares her faith, beliefs and passion unselfishly. Our families have known each other for a few years. My children attended her eldest son's birthday party last weekend. And today, I heard from her, I should say, the most rewarding remarks a homeschool mom could ever receive about her children. I never even expected it.
It went something like this: "... while my husband and I were cleaning up after the party, your son came near to us and offered, 'Auntie, may I help?' or it is like..'May I do that for you?'.. I want you to know, since you were not there and not looking."
"Oh, there's this other thing," she continued. "We had a word game and I selected some advanced words and their definitions which I thought they wouldn't know. But he got two words and I never imagined he knew them!" Hmmm. Curiously, I asked what the words were but since I didn't teach them myself it quickly slipped my memory. I just remember that these are history words. My son loves reading history.
My heart fluttered. It wasn't just glad. It was singing! I admit, my son has done me proud. But what can I say? I must be careful to thank God for His grace. As parents, we have been trying our best to instruct them, train them. While tears mingled with prayers and patience often groaned to snap, we discipline them. Too often, we felt like there is nothing happening to the seeds sown each day. Now, I know there is, it is there and growing. O, me of little faith! And today, my friend's story attested to this work, this small seed God is nurturing. I thank her for making it sure that I know. You don't find people like her everyday. Other moms could care less.
What's the point? You might ask. Admittingly, I am just too proud. On the other hand, I would like to encourage moms. If you are a mom who is trying to find the fruits of your labor, just wait. If you have been counting sleepless nights about a child who doesn't seem to get it, be patient. If your voice gets hoarse all the time admonishing, instructing to the point of screaming when at wit's end, be calm. Find peace in God. If you know you have prayed for that child and lifted him up in tears to God, don't despair. Maybe, you have been doing it for years and it seems like character and virtue plus academics are just too hard to instill and too overwhelming to teach. You felt burnt-out and homeschool seems to fade with your vision, have faith.
If you know in your heart that God has led you in the path of Deuteronomy 6:1-9, go back to His Word. Do not be disheartened. Keep and do diligently the work you have been called to do. It may seem slow but you will, I assure you, YOU WILL get there.
And as my other blog says- it is a heartwork in progress. _______________________________________________
