☔️
May there never be a
drought
of Your presence.
☔️
May there always be a
drop
near here.
☔️
May Your Spirit ever rain.
explore
I Love You; Prove It.
Antarctica, explore, faith, family, Uncategorized, worldviewI wondered why I was drawn to Colorado this week with Cousin Samuel.
Higher elevation appears critical for me to rise to a place of action–to have the difficult conversations with myself.
Now, I pause to glance back at my hearty writing session from only an hour or so ago.
I am allowing you in on this fiercely floral conversation.
Tickled by my tone, cadence, and posture, I now grow even more thankful for my growth.
DISCLAIMER: Don’t be alarmed; I’m not always this cold, blunt, or rigid. But some days require it.
💐It begins here:
I dug, trespassingly into my comfort zone and •went• there. Asking rhetorical questions, I ripped at my own ego.
Zulu Song Collected in Saudi Arabia
explore, faith, family, Foreign Language, travel, UncategorizedMy time in Saudi Arabia was sweetened by the people. Both the students and staff from the universities and the members of my church home in Riyadh added sweetness to each day.
Below you’ll find one of the treasures of my trek. This song, until this very hour, held lyrics that I never understood, but always enjoyed hearing members of my church sing at various points in the service. Asking invites answers. It’s just that simple. Google invites answers too. But it’s always fresher to get it straight from the source.
This Zulu song and is truly music to my ears. Now the lyrics ring even louder in my soul.
Please enjoy it today.
Ithuba Lokuthandaza (A Moment to Pray) Lyrics by Benjamin Dube
Ithuba Lokuthandaza (A Moment to Pray) Lyrics by Benjamin Dube
(Sung in Zulu)
Verse 1:
(Ithuba lokuthandaza), sinalo, sinalo, ithuba lokuthandaza
(I have a moment to pray) we have it, we have it, we have a moment to pray
(Ithuba lokuthandaza), Nginalo, nginalo, ithuba lokuthandaza
(I have a moment to pray) I have it, I have it, I have a moment to pray
(Repeat)
Verse 2:
(Ithuba lokudumisa), Sinalo, sinalo, ithuba lokudumisa
(I have a moment to pray) we have it, we have it, we have a moment to praise
(Ithuba lokudumisa), Nginalo, nginalo, ithuba lokudumisa
(I have a moment to pray) I have it, I have it, I have a moment to praise
(Repeat)
Chorus:
Ungithatha la, angibeke la (You took me from here, and raised me here)
Angisusela angibeke le, unobubeleka (rescued me, and established me)
uJesu unobubele ngami , uJesu unobubele ngami, unobubele ngami
(Jesus is gracious towards me)
uJesu unobubele ngami , uJesu unobubele ngami, unobubele ngami
(Jesus is gracious towards me)
Have you ever heard a song in a foreign language that spoke to you although you didn’t know the meaning? How long did it take you to find the meaning? I hope I’ll never wait this long to dig into the meaning of a song.
(The video is NOT from Grace Outreach Global Church in Riyadh. All details are on the link to the Youtube channel.)
The Discipline Song
explore, faith, family, travel, worldview#Unedited ❤️
Yesterday, I gleaned from my students as I taught a new song that neither the students nor I have ever heard. In this segment, we work together on the lesson of discipline. This song is now called, “The Discipline Song.”
🎼
As a substitute teacher in my former school district, Papillion-La Vista, I take pleasure in empowering students to take ownership of their lives by being disciplined. No notes were used for this lesson. Instead, I simply allowed the Lord to guide me as I taught.
✨
I had the pleasure of working with many students in this class last year as a paraprofessional, including Mason who is mentioned in the video multiple times. He, along with the other gems in class, truly stood out and sparkled!
💋
A special thanks to all of my teachers throughout the years from the Papillion-La Vista School District, Oral Roberts University, China, Saudi Arabia, my parents and grandparents, and countless members of my community who have rendered lessons throughout my life.
🌍
Visit sevenby30.com/books to read more of my story and to snatch my eBook about #Antarctica for only $.99!
👩🏾🏫
Finally, teaching was a catalyst for my adventures around the globe to all seven continents. I am so glad I answered the call.
❤️
#LiveAsYouAreCalled #Hebrews11v6
Click HERE for the video!
The Africa They Never Show You
explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldviewSome things need words. Other things can just be shown.
The pictures you’ll see below are from my trip to Malindi, Kenya in the fall of 2014. These stunning photos are taken by Evans Maina of Nairobi, Kenya who I attended church with in Hangzhou, China from 2012-2013.
Scripture focus:
Deuteronomy 31:8 “ The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” NIV
Throwback Thursday – China Summer Camp Video
explore, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldviewIt’s nearly been five years since I scooted off to a summer camp with English First in Hangzhou, China. Below is the video and the initial text from my 2012 video post:
I had a blast teaching English to this group of students this past week at summer camp. I taught them this story which is a version of a paper bow story my 3rd/4th grade teacher Mrs. Gaggiano taught my class almost 20 years ago. I reworked it and added my own flavor. When I acted out the story, the kids ate it up and wanted to perform it as a class. This was their unrehearsed performance based off of watching me two times. I think they did a great job and we all had a lot fun!
One Bus to India, Please!
explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldviewMy trip to India in July was quite a colorful one. I took a 24+ hour bus ride from Omaha to Toronto, Canada so that I could secure a cheaper flight to Kerala, India for a friend’s wedding. I really understood the whole “time is money” thing after that trip. You should’ve seen the lady’s face at custom’s when I told her my route. Believe me, that won’t be happening again.
But what did happen was a heart-felt family reunion. While living in Saudi Arabia from 2014-2015, I was richly blessed to be adopted into the Grace Outreach Riyadh church family. Being thousands of miles away from family was a definitely a challenge, but I was honored to be loved on from such an incredible tribe.
The Unsolicited Translator
explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldviewToday I decided to steal away and visit my home church to write, listen, rest and pray. I was at the altar jotting a few thoughts down and in walked the pastor of our Spanish speaking church, Fey Esperanza.
I was unaware of the church’s schedule and asked if they were meeting tonight. They were planning to pray in about an hour and I let him know that I would plan to join them.
The pastor’s young daughter looked at my things at the altar and said, “Is that a ladybug pillow?” I laughed and said, “Yes.” I quickly gathered my things and snuck away to the library to catch up with my sisters on Whatsapp.
About an hour later, I made my way back into the sanctuary. I kneeled down to pray with the dozen or so that were there. After about 30 minutes of corporate prayer, the pastor began to share with the congregants. I ran back into the library to grab my journal to take notes. I knew I wouldn’t catch everything, but I was sure I would catch something. Five minutes into his message, he gave an instruction to one of the children present.
Broken Silence
explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldviewWhat better way to break a three-month dose of cyber silence, than with thank you?
Photo by Terrence Tryon in Omaha, NE
These three months have been full of lessons, shifts, and awakenings–but most of all, gratitude.
Cyber Silence
explore, faith, family, Uncategorized, worldview
It’s okay to step away from your device sometimes. They might miss you, but you won’t miss out.
cy·ber /ˈsībər/
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of the culture of computers, information technology, and virtual reality.
“the cyber age”
synonyms: electronic, digital, wired, virtual, web, Internet, Net, online
“our relationship was more cyber than face-to-face”
si·lence
/ˈsīləns/
noun
complete absence of sound.
“sirens pierce the silence of the night”
synonyms: quietness, quiet, quietude, still, stillness, hush, tranquility, noiselessness, soundlessness, peacefulness, peace (and quiet)
“the silence of the night”
She sat to the right of me on the couch that night. I was in Hangzhou, China (circa July 2013) and Emma was my roommate.
“We haven’t quite figured this thing out, you know?” Emma said.
Minutes before that statement, I was talking to her about how I accidentally left my phone in a cab. I was frustrated not just about losing my phone, but that I had nearly hit 500 followers on Instagram and I wouldn’t be able to see when I hit that number.
Scary.
sevenby30 