Learning to Adore

{Dominican Flowers}

     I've been at a loss for words, but still longing to share what the Lord has begun leading me through. Well, an email popped into my inbox last night from one of my favorite blogs, a blog that generally leaves me teary-eyed and greatly encouraged; filled with stories centered on a family and their journeys of adopting their four beautiful African kiddos. And last night's post just simply said everything that I hadn't known how to say. If you're dealing with an angst of being perfectly content in the Lord and where He has you, and yet constantly longing for more...of something; I think this post will be a great encouragement to you as well.  

Our New Lambs...

While playing with our camera, and my video software, I came up with this little glimpse of our sheep herd. :) It was mainly supposed to be an experiment to figure out a few things for another project I've been working on, so I only spent about 15 minutes on it - but it turned out to be a good way for you all to see how cute these little guys are. :) (Please excuse the mud. They do have options of drier places to go...it's just that their favorite patch is pretty waterlogged after these days of rain we've had.)

Going Back.

I fell in love with the Dominican Republic the first day I spent there. (And that day was just a little over two years ago now - one week after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.) I think it might often be shrugged off as just a tourist spot, a cruise ship stop; I know I was guilty of thinking that once. It is truly an amazing place - banana trees, ocean, a rugged mountain back drop, and a fascinating eclectic mix of Spanish and African culture, in the food, music, and even the distinctive look of the people. I felt so blessed to be there once, and hoped, but hardly expected to go back. But I did.

My Grandpa, little brother, and I just returned this past weekend from 10 days there.

Our mission was to finish up construction on a local church building.

In a funny twist of providence that only the Lord could

have planned -

it turned out to be an enlargement project on a church my

Grandpa had helped build 35 years earlier. 

He hadn't expected to ever find that church again,

let alone return to work on it once more with 

two of his grandchildren. 

It was amazing to be able to work alongside

the pastor, and even his own small grandchildren,

as we improved and repaired their home and church.

l-r: Missionary, my little buddy- Aylin, and I.

I knew absolutely nothing about tile and grout;

but after three days of non-stop tile work,

I feel pretty proficient. ;)

Despite the fact it's a country hidden in the Caribbean mirage,

it's still a hurting place. 

As much as I struggled with the Creole accent last time,

I truly didn't expect to understand much of anything -

(I certainly haven't studied any Spanish in the past two years.)

So it really struck me as a blessing from the Lord

that my comprehension, and even ability to have basic

conversations was so much greater this time.

I love it when the Lord makes it so obvious that it's Him.

Not me. 

My brother and I found photographer backdrop heaven...

And we found the propane guy again...

And we still complain about gas prices?...   ;)
(That may or may not be in Pesos...)

The increased ability to communicate, along

with lots of insight from a local missionary couple

helped to expand my understanding of this beautiful place. 

In the area we were working,

the clinic down the road receives several

cholera cases a week.

Sanitation, especially unclean water, contributes to this. 

"Dengue Fever" and other mosquito borne illnesses are also

a somewhat common issue.

The Haitian communities especially, are struggling.

Extreme poverty continues to hide in the shadows

of nearby resorts. 

And yet...

The Church is alive and well there.

What a blessing it is to worship alongside Dominican Christians.

Their joy is vibrant.

It doesn't matter how little they have,

or what struggles they are up against.

They testify that their God is greater -

and He continues to show Himself faithful.

A little friend at a local Haitian Church.

And as I've said before -

it becomes more and more evident,

it's when you have nothing else -

that you discover that He is truly all you need.

A 3rd trip seems unlikely, but my Grandpa's been back

8 times...

So we'll see what the Lord does in the future.

On the tearful morning we all parted,

the message exchanged was:

"No Adios, Hasta Luego!"

(Not Goodbye, See you later!")

 

10 year old Aylin, (pronounced Ilene) and I.
Work buddies. :)

Meanwhile,

We're back home;
 at the moment. :)

Two Years.

Hello Friends!
     Perhaps you noticed the season of unannounced silence that descended on Kate's little nook of the blogging world? Has it truly been five months!? Well, I sat down to put together some sort of explantion half a dozen times I guess, but eventually decided to indulge in the mystery of simply disappearing. Today though - marks two years since Shirley Goodness and Mayhem's inception, so I'm back for an update.

     Truth is, it was conviction about Time that called me away from blogging for awhile. The Internet was truly stealing my life away with moments here and there, and the Lord's pricking, (and eventual pounding over the head) of this realization brought me to a choice. As if there was really a choice to be made. :) It was becoming more and more clear that it mattered very little what I felt I was "accomplishing" with my days. Striving for a sense of "time-well-spent" was proving to be a complete waste, my delight must come from abiding in the presence of my Savior, not checking boxes off of my self-compiled lists. So, I deactivated the Facebook, unsubscribed from lots of things, and yes, stopped blogging. I've been looking for an adjective to describe these past five months, and gave up. :) It truly is a peace, (and joy) that passes all understanding. 

{A daily miracle; sunset over the lake.}

     The timing of my Internet "fast" was perfect. (Like everything the Lord leads us through!) It was within the week just after all of that, when the Lord made the next step I was meant to take very clear to my parents and I both. I have been nothing short of completely satisfied (and thrilled) to be right where the Lord has placed me with my family for this season, but when the opportunity came - the Lord gave us so many assurances that this time of seeking Him intensely was part of His plan. 

{A day at Lily Lake. Yep. Sun spots.}

     

     That was the week I applied, and was accepted to spend nine weeks at a place called Ellerslie. I knew next to nothing about Eric and Leslie Ludy only a year ago. I recall hearing about them only a few times before a friend of mine went last Fall. Soon after that another friend introduced me to the treasury of sermons on their website, which my family has continued to be greatly blessed with in the year since. I also saw Depraved Indifference for the first time around then. (Of course, I definitely think you should watch it if you haven't!) A year later, it suddenly became obvious to us that Ellerslie was meant to be more to me than just an online resource. They have plenty of information available on their website if you want more details about what a semester there is like, as words now fail me in describing that too.

     I've been home for three weeks, and think I will simply continue to always be awed at what God has done. My time there seemed so short, and yet I'm amazed at what the Lord packed into my life in just two months. If you've been blessed by Wrestling Prayer, Bravehearted Gospel, Set-Apart Femininity, or others of the Ludy's books, then you have had a taste of what we were encouraged with there - definitely an overwhelming blessing. But even in this short time of being home, the Lord has only continued the work that He has begun. It has all grown so obviously clear, and though I think I knew it before, I know now, that it's not about me, or Ellerslie, or my life, it's just all about Him.    All.

{Then sings my soul: How great Thou art.}

  
     And thus I've begun 2012, chastened each day by the smallness of my view of the Creator of the Universe, but Daring to Ask for More, seeking His face, surrendering all. Trusting Him to bring to completion the work He's begun.

      I'm not sure if I will make a complete return to blogging or not. As you can imagine, with a five month break, there is plenty to be shared, so we'll see. 

     In the meantime, I'll just finish up with these few snapshots of my Colorado adventure, and thankful praise of God's faithfulness in all that He does. His timing is perfect. Down to the second, perfect. 

{The Lake}

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are My ways higher than your ways,

and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:9

{A snow covered campus.}

"Forbid it Lord that I should boast,

save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood."

Why Sheep need Shepherds...

A sheep will be a sheep;

that's all there is to it.

So while it might be a little disappointing to find the patriarch

of our flock in this predicament, it's not all that surprising...

Well, hey - Woolly smelled some yummy chicken feed,

and there was nothing else to be done.

As you can see, it backfired for the poor guy.

The rest of the herd ran from him like he was some

terrible monster. Pretty funny.

The best part had to be his "amplified" bleating for help...

Good thing we noticed though...

he would've been mighty thirsty after awhile.

And we are like Sheep...

Where would we be without our Shepherd?

Foto Friday: Sunsets

I've been a frequent visitor to Renaissance for...

yikes - a couple of years now, I guess;

and have often contemplated joining in the fun

they have over there on Fridays...

I enjoy photography,

but feel that I have a few too many hobbies

in my life already to label anything else as such...

My camera is simply my means of capturing the

moments that I don't want to forget about,

I don't aspire to much beyond that.

Still, getting to share my unforgettable moments 

each week sounds rather delightful, 

and having a theme to inspire where I look for them?

That sounds lovely too. 

When I saw that the theme this week was sunsets,

I figured today was as good a day as any to begin.

I'm fresh back from Florida you know,

and my do they have sunsets.

That last one is my official favorite. I think.

(Definitely go visit Rebecca at Renaissance if you haven't before.

Her blog is such a sweet, happy, and inspiring one. :)

My Room...

These aren't the best possible photos 

(natural lighting in my room isn't the greatest)

but I thought you all might like to see how my room turned out. 

My new orchid in my window.

I promised updates on our new house months ago.

Thus far...I believe you've seen the bathroom... :)

So, without further ado,

a very undetailed glance at my new room.

I went with Robin's egg blue, and white for the main colors.

The view from the door.

My extra-wide window sill is one of my favorite things;

I really don't like clutter, but I find myself decorating with unusual objects.

For instance, there's "Wellington", my knitted monkey that a 

friend made for my eighteenth birthday :), (he gets moved periodically-

right now he's in my window along with my orchid), a teacup full

of buttons, a tiny bust of General Grant, 

a rock from Little Round Top (Gettysburg), 

and a Polish pottery mug of my favorite drawing pencils.

Spencer knocked this teacup off a few months ago...

It's full of cracks and glue,

but it works great for my button collection. :)

And here's my desk,

or shelf, rather.

Painting stuff, camera, knitting stuff,

and a clock to keep track of time... 

This is my knitting corner...

The portrait I painted of my cat "Favorite"

keeps an eye on my bowl of leftover yarn.

In the corner is my converted picnic-knitting basket,

and there's the computer chair that goes with 

the desk in the last picture...

And there you have it. :)