This has been some week.  Some kind of flu swept over my family like an unholy flood.  I’ve never had something hit so quick.  I was struck with fever and chills and fatigue that would come and go without any apparent rhyme or reason and then the our youngest came down with it….Lovely too all at the same time.  I have no idea if this is the swine flu or not and frankly I don’t care…I just want it GONE!  I got up today to see a note that our friend from Ireland won’t be getting his visa which on the surface is another slap in the face if taken out of the context of faith however I just don’t chose to see it without faith.  One thing I really believe:  though it may not appear today to be working out God remains in control and He has our best in mind…and He always wins!  Many times people take hold of faith and they are very controlling with it feeling that if they say the right sequence of scriptures they can back God into a corner with their “understanding” and get what they want but guess what?  It’s His word, you can’t use it to force God to do anything but you can submit to it, find peace and ultimately victory according to His plan and purpose.  Religion is all about controlling God, controlling circumstance…it’s about control period but I believe that real relationship with Christ is more about ending our fight with the Lord on everything and letting Him be what He is:  Almighty.  Bottom line is though the times might be troubled I’m not going to let my heart be troubled nor am I going to surrender my faith over these things.  I’m also not going to dwell on this for the whole blog which I’m sure you’re glad to know!

Edinburgh, Scotland holds many a wonder for people like me.  I long to see things that aren’t what I’m used to.  I don’t necessarily have to see a real live castle to be impressed.  Street corners like this look enough like a castle to fill me with wonder .  We really enjoyed the wonderful little cafes and restaurants as much as anything too .  We found one little Italian place that was an absolutely wonderful place.  Not only was the food and atmosphere great  but the staff was fantastic!  They were always very good to the kids and fun to talk to.  We left with full stomachs and a thirst to see more.  Walking along some scenes seemed to me to tell a story…this one sure did in my opinion .  I just loved this dog, he looked like a Scottish gentleman in his own right.  He wasn’t the least bit disturbed as people walked by.  Paths led in many directions but we chose the main thoroughfare this time and just took in the beauty of Edinburgh.  Each step held something delightful .  It’s funny that even the “new” parts of the city look far older than what I’m used to here in our state .  I think part of that is the use of stone for many places today…even the individual houses…that’s new to me and the intricate beauty of these buildings and the neat little gardens had a charm all their own .  They say every rose has it’s thorn but if Edinburgh has a thorn, I’ve not yet found it .  I really think I can safely say we all love Scotland and her people . 

No matter what we saw we always felt the call to Africa in all of this.  Seeing Joseph again in Ireland had stirred something deep in us all.  How ironic that though we were in Europe the cal to Africa was everywhere.  Part of this was that while in Ireland we worked with Africans…mostly Ghanaians and Nigerians .  But more it’s the move of God to put us back in Africa and Europe again.  Even the children had an uncanny grace to walk with the new people we were meeting …and my dear brother Joseph…well, he’s their uncle…no doubt about that!  Pastor Thomas and Edward our driver became more than just friends…we are all caught up in the plan of God together .  Watching my brother African Joe, hearing him preach…it grabbed us all and pulled us in

I don’t know how it’s all going to work out, I don’t even know what the rest of today holds but I do know that God is moving and I do believe that we will return to Europe and surely go on to Africa.  We are believing for this next year…perhaps as early as spring.  This is impossible with man but with God it is all indeed possible!