Refining work

We've entered a new-to-us phase of parenting lately and so far I'm not such a fan.

Jaedon decided to try on lying as a side-job. The pay is lousy yet he persists.

I have to admit- I was really shocked by how frighteningly devious and thought-out his lies were. He lied to several teachers, friends and then Brad and I. After I was told about all of this (thank you, Daddy the teacher!) I was really just plain mad! Then I felt like I had NO idea where to even start with disciplining him because honestly- spanking seemed too nice.
I am a goal-setting, preventative action type of gal and I felt very lost not having a game plan already rolling when this one hit. I know- get used to it right? =) I shared briefly about this during my Tuesday morning Bible study and was encouraged when one friend shared to "just do the next right thing." I don't have to have a big picture plan of action right now- just one right choice after another.
I am also encouraged to remember that my goal-setting ways are sometimes just plain prideful. I think I can fix something when it's not mine to fix. Jaedon is ours to disciple and train up in the way he SHOULD go- but ultimately I guess it's his choice if he chooses to go that way or not right? That is no excuse for apathy or laziness in my role as a parent- if anything it's motivating me to keep disciplining, keep on discipling all the while I pursue a deeper walk with the Lord.
Oh the journeys of refining.

What a recorder is supposed to sound like!

Ry sings his ABC's

Zambia

Here are the pictures from our trip-
Music is by the Zambian Orphan Choir led and directed
by Richman Syabbamba- our Choma host.

Top Ten

Well, it's been a week since we have returned from Zambia. Amazingly enough life continued on here at home without us (although a bit more lenient ;-) and life continued right on after we got home. Shocking, I know.
I however, am finding that I am still processing everything and admid the normalness of life continuing I have yet to write down my own ponderings. So here is my attempt at such.

1. The body of Christ is awesome. We can fly thousands of miles away, meet complete strangers who the only thing we have in common with is our relationship with our Savior- we an immediate friendship is formed.

2. Taxi drivers in Johannesburg- while friendly- WILL overcharge you. We are $85 poorer to prove it.

3. God is the epitome of kindness. He does things sometime just because he wants to show kindness towards us...he doesn't have to but he does so anyway. Largest example of that is represented in the pastor couple we spent time with in Jembo. The VanRipers came to Jembo to take pictures and interview people about the Jembo Bible College with the purpose of making a brochure. In 2004 the VanRipers also decided to start sponsoring 3 children from a Pastors family in Pemba, Zambia. Pembo and Jembo are approximately 15 minutes from each other. So as we made our trek to Jembo, the VanRipers were able to meet the children they had been sponsoring for 6 years! God didn't HAVE to allow those paths to cross...but he did because he can.

4. Without a citylight around for many MANY miles...I have never seen a more beautiful, star-filled sky.

5. Flat spiders are good. Not-flat ones are not. We saw lots of flat spiders.

6. Seeing the clinic in Jembo- the delivery room- was my first eye-opening time. So many sick and so little space to help them. What we here in the US cry as "our rights" (even for a single bed hospital room) is simply unheard of. They want their sick baby to just LIVE....and often they don't. As Richman very somberly told us "Death is very close to all of us."

7. A Land Rover may be a fun car here- it's a necessity there. WOW. Those roads are... better for walking on! =)

8. We were able to enjoy authentic Zambian hospitality. Richman is the leader of the music academy in Choma where Brad worked. His lovely wife Regina and I were fast friends. They have 4 children: Vanessa - 11, Simon -9, Ry (my buddy)-3 and Juanita (the sticker baby)-11 months. After washing our hands with a pitcher and basin we enjoyed Nshima (pronounced "SHEma") and soup as well as chicken, beans and rice. It was also Richman's birthday that day so we had cake and 'ice cream'. Sounds rough eh?

9. Spending time with Richman and Regina was really enriching. One thing that stood out to me and Regina and I got to know one another is that people are people. She and I deal with, struggle with, laugh at, frustrate over the same stuff. Her kids are so sweet and adorable. So are mine. Her kids are selfish and argue. So do mine. She has to respect her husband and submit to his leadership. As do I. She's frustrated by her kids teachers. Boy, Jaedon's music teacher... ;-)
It was a really neat observation.

10. While this can be called a once-in-a-lifetime experience I truly hope it's not.