Edges of Your Field

Leviticus 19 was in our Bible reading this week. Verses 9 and 10 intrigue, convict and compel me. This is a law that was put in place as a protection for the poor.

When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God.

This law is repeated in Deuteronomy 24:19-22.

When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

The spirit of this law is this: God is generous, openhanded and extravagant toward us. His people are to reflect His character. God was instructing the Hebrews to provide for those in need. He instructed them to do this by leaving the edges of the fields unharvested and to NOT go back over their fields a second time to collect the harvest they missed. It's a picture of not using up every ounce of provision on ourselves.

There's Got to be an Easier Way

Recently, we were watching the Olympics.  Specifically, we were watching the Cross Country Skiing.  Those guys have to ski 18 miles!!!!! (with lots of hills!!).  It looked brutal.  Josh commented, "There's got to be an easier way to win a gold medal!"  Seriously.  - like maybe being the 2nd man in the two-man bobsled (all we could figure out that he did was push the sled for 5-10 seconds, then get in and duck), or curling............ what is there to say here? 

I Never Thought I Would Say This

Hooray! We're staying in Alabama!!!

Twenty-five years ago, when Robert and I were dating, we were talking about different places we might live. I remember telling him at that time, "The only two places that I DO NOT want to live are Alabama and Mississippi." Twenty-five years later, I found myself facing an eminent move and not wanting to leave.

One year ago, Robert had to close his residential construction business due to the crisis in the housing industry. We were so blessed for him to be offered an engineering position with Barnhart Crane out of Memphis. So, for the last year, Robert has lived out of a suitcase and has traveled to and worked in either Memphis or different parts of Texas. As we looked toward our future with Barnhart, a decision had to be made as to where we would go. Houston, Texas has been the location on both of our hearts and minds. In December, we even traveled to Houston to find a place to live. We were all set to go. We were just waiting to hear from Barnhart on some final negotiations on the move package.

Squeezing Every Ounce of Fun Out of Every Inch of Snow!!

Ok, when you get as little snow as we do in Alabama, you learn to make the most of it.  Our kids squeeze every ounce of fun there is to be had out of every inch of snow.  This is evidenced by the following videos.  Notice how much grass you can see through the snow!!! 

I had to rag Crawford for his terrible take-off.  It's apparent he is NOT a seasoned sledder! :-)

A Beautiful Young Lady

Bekah turned 14 on January 9th (while I was in Africa). We finally got around to celebrating her birthday. She is really starting to look like a young lady. It made me feel a little nostalgic so I decided to pull out a few old photos and remember "my little girl".

Meet Ephraim

I'd like to introduce you to Ephraim.  He is the manager of the Ethiopian Guest House where we stayed during our trip to Ethiopia.  He was one of our guides and translators.  Ephraim was kind, likeable and had a deep confidence in God's sovereign control.  I was blessed to be able to spend some time getting to know Ephraim.  I hope to have the opportunity to work with him again.

Listen to his testimony.

Listening to Ephraim's testimony reminds me of a verse we read recently in our Bible reading.  It is found in Genesis 41:52.

Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.  Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because Gods has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."  The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."


Ephraim embodies this verse.  Even though he has walked through sustained periods of suffering, God has made him fruitful.  He has brought him to salvation and has inspired Ephraim to take the message of hope to other young men living on the streets in need of Christ.