Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this : to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. -James 1:27

Friday, September 16, 2011

"You are lost."

Often times, when you meet a Ugandan you haven't seen in awhile, they will tell you, "You are lost."  I have come to understand this as merely an extension of their typical greetings.  My response of choice is either, "Yes, somehow." or "No, I have always known where I was."  So, I do recognize that I have been "lost" from my blog for some time.  But thank your for your faithfulness to continue checking and reading.

I have been challenged recently by the thought, “Wherever you are, be all there.”  And I suppose this would also be my attempt to explain my blogging absence.  After a wonderful, but very busy summer, the children then were released for second term holiday (basically all of August). 
This is my favorite time of the year.  With all my little friends back home, not occupied with the rigorous school schedule, I had plenty of activities and fun that I wanted to have with them.  So, abandoning the world of computer, internet, emails, and blogging, I spent August playing with legos, snuggling little ones, taking groups out to visit a babies home, swimming with P5 and doing arts and crafts.  Evening hours would have been a great time to catch up, but power is only on every other night- if that. 





So, all that to say, I have been intentional to “be all there” for the children while at LCH and with my friends, playing games and sharing time together in the evenings.  

The biggest news to share is that I have “shifted” houses.  I am living in the same neighborhood with my closest friend here, Tiffany.  In the month that I have lived in my new house, it has already been a great blessing.  There is a beautiful vegetable garden in the back, along with a little covered patio to sit on and take evening tea.  Also loving to cook and  host people, I am excited to see who the Lord brings our way to show the love of Christ.  


This is my house as you enter from the main gate.
The back porch and lovely patio.  These are two of our four dogs.
The kitchen that faces the backyard.

The sitting room.


View of the sitting room and dining room.

The hallway to the bedrooms.

My room.  This is the view as you walk in the door.

My room.  A view from the opposite angle.

9 comments:

Elizabeth Weiss said...

Love your new place! So glad to hear what a wonderful summer you had with the kids! Hugs and blessings to you all!
Elizabeth

cathy said...

May God bless you in your beautiful new home with much joy, peace, laughter and love of friends. May He protect you and be the gatekeeper.

Your gift of hospitality is beautiful. Thankful you have such a nice place to exercise it. Can't wait to come over for some delicious beef stew and cornbread!
Love Cathy

The Tamplins said...

Ahh your words n photos make me smile. Oh how I miss it there and our fun times together. Thank you for 'being all there n making such a difference in some many children's lives ;)

Jacquline said...

YEAH Pictures of the new house!!! I love, love, love it. Really, it is just perfect :)

PS. Remember to tell me that thing you wanted to tell me the next time we talk ;)

<3

Erin said...

Yay! So happy for a blog update! I am LOVING the new house! Seriously, so beautiful. I love how cozy and calm your room looks.

Thank you for sharing sweet friend. This makes me miss you even more.

Love, love, love,
Eddie

Jeff McDonald said...

Natalie, great post ... thanks for sharing. Had a chance encountyer at the photo kiosk in H.E.B. I was visiting with one of our missioners from 1st Prez-Midland, and mentioned youer name ... and was overheard by a young woman who knows you! Her name is Laura Ann, and she attends Midland Bible Church, and has visited LCH.

What a small - and wonderful - world we live in!

Jillian said...

Oh Shmatalie, I miss you and hope you are well. Love you new place. Love you

Ashley said...

Love your heart for those kiddos Nat. Such an encouragement. Love the pics too! You look beautiful! The Lord is shining through you. So great to hear from you! Love you Nat!

Anonymous said...

what a lovely place you have to stay and what a lovely heart you have to offer those you work with! tears of joy down my face as i read your blog and catch up - what a good use and investment of your time. i'm so inspired, and in an very broken world, encouraged to hear stories of hope and healing. i hope you have many more times of laughter and growing and learning to share with your students. so long has it been since i first met you for a brief time overseas and how glad i am to be able to read of what you are doing now! wish i could be there in person. take care and best wishes for the new school year!