Harvesting rice

Fresh and ready for the garden

Today we learned a new skill: how to harvest rice. Our church has a farm and the rice crop was ripe so as many of us church members that could go, went to "bring in the sheaves." You guys, I'm so exhausted I can't even tell you!

As I learned how to grab handfuls of rice and slash it with the sickle, I kept thinking of the story of Ruth in the Bible, when she would glean behind the harvesters and collect anything that was left behind. (There actually is a lot that falls to the side.)

Growing crops like rice is how people can pay their kids' school fees and feed their families. Just like Ruth and Naomi, the harvest is their livelihood.

It really is a beautiful thing how hard work and God's provision of rain and sunshine, can yield this delicious outcome!

I loved that  Carson wanted to join in and learn how to use a sickle. He is such a hard worker.

 Eli's job was the threshing. He took handfuls of rice still on the grass, and beat it on this contraption made of bamboo and as he beat it, all the kernels of rice fell off and were gathered below. I can't begin to express what hard work this is and to to mention, in the blazing heat. I am always amazed at our friends here and how many days they spend in their gardens digging, planting, weeding and harvesting. They work sooooo hard. They are so strong. And we love it when they let us join hands and learn from them.

Prayer Mountain

Last weekend I got to go on a  retreat for women in ministry. It was clear across the country but Eli was gracious to release me and take care of the boys and everything at home. An extra blessing was that I arrived a whole day earlier than the rest of the ladies so I had some quiet and alone time. My main prayer was that I would be able to hear whatever the Lord wanted to tell me.

The place was beautiful as you can see. I spent the first afternoon walking around, sitting and soaking in the view and praying. 

 One night we enjoyed a bonfire and worshipping the Lord who shines light in the darkness.

I couldn't help but take pictures of all the beautiful flowers!

So, did I hear from the Lord? I sure did and His message to me was convicting and comforting at the same time. 

        #1: I need to sing a new song

                I realize that since this year began I'd been dreading it knowing that Isaac would graduate and move back to the States for college. Instead of celebrating how far he's come and that he's a capable adult thriving in his new life in America, I dug myself a pit of self pity and have been feeling sorry for myself. Especially with Evan, our 2nd born, also applying for college this year, the "song" on repeat in my mind has been, "Life is hard, I'm sad, I don't want things to change." The Holy Spirit showed me that it's OK to grieve and feel sad but that shouldn't be the narrative constantly setting the mood for each day. I can rejoice and grieve at the same time. And God has been soooo good and I have sooo much to be thankful for. So my first big lesson is that I'm working on shifting my heart "song" to more thankfulness so I can recognize all the beauty in my life and family.

        #2: I am enough. God loves me no matter what.

                Over the years that I've been in ministry I have consistently battled lies that I'm not enough. I'm not doing enough. I should be doing more. I'm failing. I can't do it all but I want to do it all. Instead of finding contentment in the beautiful things I've done each day: raising my toddler, homeschooling my  kindergartener, mentoring my house helper, and all the other things that God gives me to do each day, I focus on what I didn't do. I didn't call so and so. I should have gone to visit so and so. Another repeated message in my head of what I didn't do and how I fell short that day instead of being content with what I  did do (which is usually quite a lot!)

                I still have some work to do on this one. I need to dig into God's Word to see what He says about this and write them on posters or notecards as reminders to preach truth to myself every day. I know I can't do it all and I'm not meant to. My calling is to do what God wants me to do each day. 

So that was my incredible retreat. I am so grateful for that special time away and I came back so refreshed and recharged. My circumstances and life hasn't changed but I have deeper joy and renewed passion for my season of life.