Christmas in January

As much as I love Christmas and being with family, that is not what it is all about. I was reminded of this continually during the Christmas season as I wrestled with whether or not I would share the Good News with my Senegalese family.

God gave me the idea through some missionary friends here. They had a Christmas party for their Senegalese friends, gave them presents, and presented the gospel. When my friend was telling me about what this, I really felt like God was saying this was the opportunity I'd been asking for. I could do the same thing with my Senegalese family. I was already planning on giving them gifts. Why not share with them the greatest gift I've been given? The greatest gift they will ever be offered?

I was still nervous about this because my language skills are lacking, especially in religious terminology. After trying to translate what I wanted to say on my own, I asked one of the missionaries here in Senegal to help me. It was a learning experience for me both in language and in asking for help.

As I worked to learn what I would share with my family, I really tried to think about the words. What did they mean? As I shared about God's heart hurting because of our broken relationship with God as a result of sin, my heart hurt. My heart hurts because I know the God who came down and mended that broken relationship, but they don't. What I feel is nothing compared with what God feels, though. He longs for them to come to know Him more than I ever could. It's comforting to know He's in control.

The day I went to share with my family, I was nervous. I knew this is what God wanted me to do, but how would they react? Would they ask questions or interrupt? Memorizing something for a speech is one thing. People don't generally interrupt those. But with this, they could interject at anytime.

Well, worry never pays, so I prayed about it. God is faithful! Normally the tv is going and kids are making all kinds of noise, but it was really a very quiet day. In fact, as I was getting ready to share the tv kept freezing up. It stayed that way the whole time I was talking. The baby didn't make any noise. And, the three women and the teenage girl in the room listened respectfully. Though I don't think they really grasp what I was telling them, they heard the good news. I keep praying that God will bring things back to their minds as they use their Christmas gifts. I believe this has also opened a door for me to share more Bible stories. Pray with me as God works here among my friends.

One of my roommates gave her this nickname. She said that everyone's got a relative who's a little nutty (except for me, of course!).

Pop was excited to get his baby powder and pictures. Okay, so maybe he really didn't care about any of that. He was happy, anyway!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Well, I never actually thought I'd see a white Christmas. And really, I still haven't, but a white Christmas Eve is about as close as you can get. I'm so glad we were at my Grandma's house when it snowed. It was great to see my cousins and nephew out there playing with Walmart bags on their hands for gloves. Oh the ingenuity! I'm thinking Mom had something to do with that.

Anyway, I loved getting to see my family over Christmas. We had a good time just hanging out and sharing about our lives. God has been good to provide me with such a loving family. We really do just enjoy being together. Merry Christmas!

Look at that snowman! It's a work of art, if I do say so myself! And, I do! Though it may look small and feeble, it made it an hour and a half car ride home without coming off. And, it was still there the next morning. That's craftsmanship!

This masterpiece is not my own. One of my cousins braved the snow to make this angel. I, on the other hand, was not even thinking about lying down on the cold, wet ground. Look how thick that snow is! In Texas! It was so beautiful!

Well, I haven't been this cold in a long time and probably won't be again for an even longer time. I'm okay with this. I like being warm. It's a very nice feeling. However, the snow falling on the ground outside made the cold weather worth it. This is a great Christmas memory!

Grandad's little helper! My nephew was helping my dad build a fire. He's just about the cutest little guy around. I'm so glad I got to see him even though saying goodbye was tough.

Hum, Hum, Hum-Hum, to Me!

Well, if you don't recognize this post's title, it's a familiar song that we sing to people when they become another year older. So, I'm singing to myself. I just celebrated my 23rd birthday, my first ever birthday out of the country. I can't believe I'm 23!

This birthday was my first birthday away from my family, which was hard for me because birthdays have always been a time where I love to be surrounded by them. Fortunately, I will get to celebrate with them very soon. Also, God provided for even my birthday needs. I have made some awesome friends here who took me out for ice cream, made me dinner and breakfast, and baked a cake for me. I have felt very loved, though I still miss my family. God's provision is amazing!

Look at that huge cookie sandwich cake! Oh so good! Oh so sweet! I am so thankful for the McIntires. Having them here really has made the transition easier.

Happy B'day breakfast! My roommate made me breakfast for my birthday. I was really excited! She made biscuits and gravy. It was a great way to start off my day. The candle in the biscuit added a nice touch. Don't you think?

Yeah! This is my huge B'day Bash! Okay, so maybe it wasn't for me; it was the staff Christmas party. But my friends surprised me with a cake. What better way to celebrate than with a party you can pretend is all for you? That cake actually has 23 candles on it, but it's really hard to blow candles out when you're laughing.

Great B'day! Thank you God for another year! I am very blessed!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well, it may not be the Christmas look I'm used to, but I am thankful I got to help decorate one of my friends apartments as well as my own. It's been challenging to get in the Christmas spirit here because Christmas isn't as big of a deal here. I don't know that that's a terrible thing. At least, the focus of the season isn't on gifts, gifts, gifts. It makes me stop and really reflect on what the true meaning of Christmas is. I do miss the lights and decorations and the atmosphere of Christmas in the states, though. I am looking forward to being with my parents for the holidays.

This Christmas tree was in our back courtyard when we got here. It was in need of some help, though. The top was completely broken off, but we thought for sure some duck tape would fix it. Well, it turns out duck tape alone is not a fix-all. Can anyone say "A Charlie Brown Christmas"?

This is our repaired Christmas tree that is decorated and ready for the holidays. My roommate duck taped a stick to it, and "wa-la" it's fixed. I'm very thankful for the people who loaned us some ornaments and decorations. It feels a little bit more like Christmas.

This is our dining table set for Christmas. It even has a plate of cookies. All that's missing is a note to Santa and a glass of milk.

Even our lamp man gets in the Christmas spirit with his nice red bow tie. Little drummer boy?

My roommate fixed up the entry to our living room while I decorated the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, it didn't last very long. Nothing really sticks to these walls. But, it looked nice for a little while, and we both got pictures before it fell down.

Tabaski

Around the time of our American Thanksgiving, my Senegalese family celebrated Tabaski. Tabaski is a Muslim holiday celebrating Abraham's sacrifice. It was quite an experience to spend the day with them. It reminded me a lot of being with my family at Thanksgiving. The men slaughtered the rams and then watched football (soccer) all afternoon. The women cooked and then when in a back room and talked for the rest of the day.

I was warned before I went that I would probably have to eat some liver. I'd never had liver before, so I couldn't honestly say I didn't like it. However, the thought of eating liver didn't sit too well with me. Needless to say, God and I spent a lot of time talking about this before I went for Tabaski and as I was sitting helping cook. I kept telling myself that it isn't really that odd. Lots of people eat liver. My dad likes it. It'll be fine. Then when I saw them serving it, I tried to convince myself that I wasn't really liver. Anyway, I ate it, kept it down, and didn't make a face. I would say it was a successful tasting but not one I want to repeat anytime soon.

I was told I had to wear nice, Senegalese clothing. This is my nicest outfit, which I only wore on the trip there and on the trip back. They made me change into another outfit to help them cook so that I wouldn't get mine dirty. It was an interesting experience. This was taken at the end of the day right before I left. I was there for about nine hours and was a little tired.


This is one of three rams that the family sacrificed. The men were in charge of preparing the meat. Two of the three men who worked on the rams ended up cutting themselves. Needless to say, I kept a safe distance.

The women cut up lots and lots of potatoes for french fries. They make some of the best fries!

The infamous liver (if liver can be infamous) cooking on the "grill." Thankfully I only had to eat one bite. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Brothers and sisters around the world love to torment each other. Senegalese siblings are no exception. I just had to get a clip of this because it reminded me so much of me and my brothers, only I was the little one.

Pictures are a great way to end fights. After getting the above video clip, I told them I wanted to take their picture. Immediately, they were all smiles and hugging each other. Cameras are an amazing weapon to have when kids are around.

Thanksgiving

Well, I just celebrated my first big holiday away from my family, which was difficult, but God provided like only He can. I spent thanksgiving with the missionaries I have worked with during the summers, the McIntires. They have been a blessing during the four months that I have been here, and I am especially thankful for them inviting me to spend time with them during the holidays. I also got to see a missionary couple that I haven't seen in over a year. It was a very welcome surprise for me this Thanksgiving. Since I couldn't be with my family this year, I was very thankful for these two families.

We ate, had a time of worship through music and a devotion, then ate some more, played some games, and left. I spent the remainder of the day with the McIntires, not wanting to go home and sit alone. All in all, it was a good day, but it was very different.

I did get to talk to my family on Thanksgiving, which was very nice. It was good to hear all of their voices even if I couldn't be there with them. I really just wanted to check up on them and make sure that had followed all of the family traditions. I could just picture them slacking because I was gone. Anyway, they had done most of the normal Thanksgiving activities, and I added those things that were missing, such as the complaining about watching football all day and making fun of my cousin.

Unfortunately, I was also reminded of some other things that weren't so pleasant. (Thank you, Shane!) My cousin so kindly told me not to even think about the food they had eaten. He wasn't even going to mention the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, etc. I really appreciated him being so kind and thinking of me. He said all of this as he was headed into the kitchen to get some ice cream. Cousins! It's great to feel loved!

On Thanksgiving morning, I woke up and remembered I had pictures of my family. It just so happens that all of these pics are from previous Thanksgivings. Isn't God good! I set them up so that I could see my family. Not quite the same as being there, but it made me feel a little better.

It was great to have a place to go on Thanksgiving. I didn't know most of these people, but they let me eat their food anyway. It was good to be surrounded by people for a little while. I also got to enjoy some good Baptist humor.

These are a couple of students who I've been working with on trumpet. We got to play as part of the Thanksgiving service. They are sounding really good!

After eating, I just sat back and relaxed. It was good to eat most of the same foods I would have eaten in the States. They didn't all taste the same, but it was comforting just to have them there.

This is the McIntire's son and one of my students. We laugh a lot! I can't believe that he calls me Miss Mize! After we played our trumpets, he cheered for me, "Yeah Miss Mize!" He cracks me up, but it's nice to have a fan.

Getting Bigger

This post is about all things big. The kids are getting bigger and growing so much. The changes are fun to watch. I also had a reminder this week of the great, big state I came from. Also, some of the fruit here seems to be rather large.

While all of these things are great (and big), this wouldn't be about all things big if I didn't take the time to mention my God. He is the biggest and greatest there is. A couple of weeks ago when I went to the beach for the weekend with some friends, I had the opportunity to spend Sunday morning with God on the beach. I sat on a rock in the ocean and just watched and listened to the world around me. As I watched the tide come in and the waves crash on the shore, I was reminded once again how small I am and just how big He is. It's amazing to sit in awe of the creator and just enjoy Him and praise Him for His creation. How big He is that He can be here in Senegal with me and there in Texas with my family! I serve an awesome God!





Njaga was a baby the last time I saw him. Every morning his mom would give him to me to hold while she worked. Now, he's walking around (staggering) and talking (mumbling). He looks so much like his big brother (Papa) did when he was his age. I really didn't recognise him the first time I saw him because he is so much bigger. Walking?! My little baby?





Papa has been one of the cutest kids around for the past several years. He's looking less and less like a baby and more and more like a little man. It's been great to see how's he's grown and changed with each year. One thing that's remained the same, though, is that he can always make me laugh.

Also, check out the cool Texas shirt he's wearing. That was a gift from two summers ago. It made me so happy to see him wearing it. It's great to see anybody wearing something from the great state of Texas!

Mama is Njaga and Papa's big sister. She is also growing and changing, though she still makes some of the best faces. She is starting to take on more responsibility in her family. Even though she's still really young (about 6), she is still expected to run errands for the family. She is frequently sent to the store that's right next to the house to buy things the family needs. She's still a little girl, though, and I love to play with her.

Look at the size of these grapes! I couldn't believe how big they were. All of the grapes here are this size. I held off getting some as long as I could because I heard they were a little expensive. However, in the end the temptation was too great, and I had to try them. (I have too much of my dad in me. I can't turn down a good grape.) I don't know how much I paid for them, nor do I want to know. I do know that they were very good.