Faces of famine.

When we woke up this morning,

My children had a good breakfast, not only did they have one, but they had the choice of having their type of cereals, they had eggs to go with that, some fruit as well.

I thank God for every meal on the table, but today, my heart is in pain as I think on the kind of famine that has hit this country. 

They say it is the worst drought in 60 years in the Horn of Africa with parts of Kenya and Somalia experiencing pre-famine conditions.

I am really praying that God shows me what to do about it, and since I am not Jesus (meaning I cannot save the entire world at a go) I know I can help one or a few.

Please think in your own way, how you can help...

Faces of famine

We will be intentional with my family and plan to do something about it and while at it, share the love of Christ. Please do something too. 

The seers!

Hey! People say I see tomorrow and when I wink, you would think someone clapped their hands!

Well grab yourself some oranges, eat the peels as well and join my world of great sight!

If you think I am being funny, check out my Mums' boyfriend-He sees tomorrow too, His eyes found their way to my generation!

End of term 2

It feels like yesterday when I blogged on this

Now the term is done and my lovely girls are at home, having fun and playing by themselves.

Will take some leave to spend time with them, during this time when they are at home.

They will also be attending DVBS-Daily Vacation Bible Study at Nairobi Pentecostal Church –Parklands (where we worship) for a week.

Always good to invest in teaching our children the word of God. I still remember my Sunday school teachers’ to-date, the bible stories they taught us and how they impacted on my life.

I thank God for a safe term in school for the girls.

That Tana adjusted well to her play group and she loved it.

That Kendi has had a ball (as always) and has a few more boyfriends; she loves the company of boys! She likes the action.

Thank you Lord, for that term, for seeing us through from the beginning to the end of it. Helping us through the challenges of colds and fever that some time comes up and watching over our children. Who is like you Lord-Worthy of all praise!

We are looking forward to a great time with the Kids at home and we know in you, we shall have more fun and enjoy your abundance!!!!

Before I was a Mom.

BEFORE I WAS A MOM. . .

(author unknown)

Before I was a Mom, I made and ate hot meals.

I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom, I slept as late as I wanted.

I never worried about how late I got into bed.

I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom, I cleaned my house each day.

I never tripped over toys. I never forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never been . . . puked on,  pooped on, spit on,  chewed on

peed on, or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a Mom, I had complete control of my mind, thoughts and body.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

Before I was a Mom, I had never known . . . the warmth, the joy, the love,  the heartache

the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much . . . before I was a Mom.

"She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed." (Proverbs 31:27-28a).

May God's richest blessings be with each of you mothers and mothers to be!

******************************************************** 

Courtesy of Rose Nguku, My Niece!....one day, you will feel this too and say the same, one day  very soon!

Of late

These kids are growing rather too fast. I have just been wondering what has been taking place in my house of late and a few thoughts come to mind.

They are becoming so good at telling on each other.  They like reporting each other and watching the consequences, I am still wondering how to deal with that? Any ideas?

Kendi loves to share, but trust you me, she has come a long way on this one. If you give her something, she will always ask, “and Tanas’?”, I find it so cool. I was wondering if she does this because she doesn’t want to share hers, but even when i have asked her to share what she has with Tana, she has no problem at all.

Okay, Tana is in the stage of Mine, Mine and Mine…she really thinks she scores points on this one. Did I tell you that even when she poops' – She shouts, a big one and then finalizes with- Mine! Oh, and the other day, she was telling on Kendi, so she runs to Mum saying:

“Mum, Kendi is disobeying me! “….I burst out laughing!!!!

Ethan has two teeth, so cool, but my nipples are suffering!

He can sit down comfortably; I think he has grown too fast. He laughs more when Kendi and Tana try to make him laugh, than we would with Chris, with combined efforts! He loves his Sisters, and the Sisters just love on him.

 I thank God for them. They are just great Toto’s and I am praying for them daily, that God will use them as He so desires. i like that they are different, each with their own mind and personality. 

To Timothy, my dear son

To Timothy, my dear son: 2 Timothy 1:2

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

Did you know your faith today as a Mum will affect generations?

For these two women, they were so key in Timothy’s’ life that it had to be recorded in the Bible.

The mothers’ mother (grandmothers’) faith influenced the mothers’ faith and the mothers’ 

faith influenced the sons’ faith.

The bottom of the story is, these were Mums, just like you and me!

So, take stock of your faith today and think of how you are influencing your children and how that will influence their childrens' chidlren. If you figure out that it is important, then get to business and ask God to help you be the Mum He desires you to be. 

When I read this verse in the bible.

This is what I would love it said of me, many years to come!

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Emmah and in your mother Kendi/Tana and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also ( their children)

Pine cinnamon.

Told you I like cinnamon quite a big deal! I could have Githeri with cinnamon.

So, the other day we had dinner at  Pampa Churrascaria. Thanks to my hubby.

They served us, some pineapple with cinnamon; you bet I ate the most of it and so I had to try it at home.

Cut the pineapple into some thin slices, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon

Bake for  3 minutes in a hot oven, or microwave for 4mintues (I am guessing this one) but the product was exactly what we ate in the hotel. They had roasted the pineapple and served whole.

It’s a great dessert!

Simple and great to go!

Is home made pizza some junk?

So last night we had some pizza

And I was wondering who decided that pizza is part of the junk food?

Some of the toppings  

Olives

Pineapple

Mushrooms

Pizza sauce

All that on fresh baked bread-covered with Mozzarella cheese-which is milk to some good extent

Okay, may be the saturated fat in the cheese is not so good.

But to me, home-made pizza is quite some healthy stuff after all!

Have a great weekend.

How do you argue with Jesus?

Kendi came home on Monday with a hurting heel; we had bought her some new shoes that did not go very well. You know those first time blisters with new shoes. It was bad, it was almost bleeding.

The next morning, Tuesday (it’s usually games day in school) they are supposed to wear sports shoes, she loves her sports shoes to bits! She can wear them every day if allowed. Though the previous night she had convinced me that she will have to go to school in crocs, it clicked in her mind that  morning that its games day and so the story changed.

When I told her she must wear her crocks because the heel was still hurting, she told me firmly.

“Mum-Jesus healed me at night”

Okay- what was I supposed to say?

Do I tell her, no- Jesus has not healed you yet?

Well, I told her that, yes Jesus has healed her, but sometimes the wound takes some time to heal.

She continued to emphasize how Jesus had healed her and to make the matter better; she started practicing her memory verses as if preaching to me.

So I decided not to “weaken” her faith in healing.

I said – “Okay, Jesus healed you, so wear your sports shoes!”

She finally said – you see, I am healed; I am not even feeling pain.

I was so sure, she was acting strong and she was likely to limp the whole day, but how do I argue with Jesus.

Have a good  weekend. 

Cheeky Smiles

Just thanking God for the cheeky smiles that I am sometimes given.

Tana must be saying – ‘Okay Kendi, let do this and get it over with’ Surely are these girls smiling or are they just trying to make me happy! 

These two girls are wonderful and I bless God for them.

Despite the cheeky  smiles sometimes, I pray that they grow up to be real.

Sometimes  I get a genuine one.

Love you girls and boy and I thank God for you!

Not much

Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with fears you didn't know existed.  ~Linda Wooten

I did not say much today, because I was travelling out of town.

But it"s been a great day, up and down, dealing with it all, family and work.

God has granted me so much favour and grace it overwhelms me.

The assurance that, where I am is not a mistake,

and I do not want to be anywhere else.

Who I am , is what God intended and I do not want to be somebody else.

Even when I am not sure of what to do, He shows up and leads me.

He guides my paths and reminds me, not to be wise in my own eyes.

Because He has the big picture and He is my GOD!

Fun and responsibility

After a good swim on Sunday and a few laps on the bouncing castle, I asked Kendi to carry for me a small bag on our way back to the car.

She was quick to say-Mum I am tired and the whining began, coupled with tears and sudden moods.

What? After all the fun-this is what Mum and Dad get?

So, I told her that she needs to learn both fun and responsibility and she carried that bag to the car-in the midst of her tears?

I am so saddened at what our community has become, children on cell phones all day in the estates, watching movies on laptops and all sorts of things- I guess they have to keep themselves busy, after all, the house helps are doing everything.

Recently, my hubby asked me if I ever got bored when I was growing up.

BORED YOU SAY? WHAT? My life was so full of chores- the word bored never appeared in my vocabulary. The what to do list in my Mums world was always on the overload!

I cooked chapatts, Ugali, Mashed Mukimo – before I hit 8 years. Literally, i could have been married off and taken care of  a family. 

Fun, was catching up on a wheelbarrow with two 20 litres of containers and rushing to look for water with my brother seated on the same, hoping to fill a whole drum of water and sometimes two, need i say that we had to cook dinner after that. 

Fun-was washing my uniform after school, polishing my shoes and ironing my clothes.

Fun – was inculcated in the normal daily chores and no matter how much I wanted to watch He-Man on the black and white  TV, it was impossible.

Fun was going to look for clay and bamboo sticks kilometers away from home, because the art & claft teacher needed us to make pots and flutes the next day in school.

If my mother came into contact with a spider web in the house or some weeds on the compound – she only had one questions for my brother and I. “Do I feed you with carrots?-Then use your eyes wisely!!!!!!!”. Meaning, walk around looking for dirt in the house and pass each other NOT!

I want to be intentional in teaching my kids to be responsible. So when my house help leaves on Saturday, we do the dishes with the girls, we clear up, we clean the car and the like, soon we are starting to clean up the shoes, wash the socks that they run around without caring where they step on and the chores goes on and on.

I only intend to have helps to a certain age. It is going to come at a cost-Mum may not rest as much over the weekends and evenings, but I am willing to sacrifice because my kids must learn to be responsible!

Pitched camp

Do you ever feel sometimes like the enemy has pitched  camp (I Samuel 17:1) in your house and sticking out his tongue ( you know how the kids do it- nye nye – bu-bu) on you-declaring that there is nothing you can do about your situation?

Like you are going through some stuff and no matter how much you pray, things seems to be getting worse if not changing at all.

I have felt like that many times and for days and years-struggled with a situation to the point of despair! Yes serious despair, prayer fatigue, chronic tears and most of all, to the point of having suicidal thoughts-coupled with serious depression.

As I write this, my eyes are tearing because despite it all, I have seen the Hand of God. Helping me sail through the storms! ABSOLUTE FAITHFULNESS! GOD IS A MIGHTY WARRIOR AND NEVER LETS US DOWN!

When we think it almost over, He picks us from what we would call, rags , ashes and restores our souls!

Am reminded of the story of David and Goliath (the Philistine). It may sound like a story that we narrate to our children on God’s might through David, but mark you, for forty days,(1 Samuel 17:16) this Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand ( meaning 80 times), scaring Saul and all the Israelites, actually, the bible records that Saul and the Israelites were dismayed and terrified!( 1Samuel 17:11)

Then one bright day it was OVER!  GOD TRIUMPHED OVER THE PHILISTINES through David with a sling and stone!

 They were victorious and the name of God was glorified.

So my dear Mums, if you feel like the enemy has pitched camp in your home. Hold on. Don’t give up; he may seem to be mocking you 80 plus more times, reminding you of how bad things are, every morning, evening and sometimes lunch time, but I ASSURE YOU! It’s not over! Your victory is coming, though you feel dismayed and terrified! I CAN TESTIFY OF OUR GOD! That is HE is faithful and TRUE!

Have a victorious week and stand firm as the soldier of the Most high God!.

Psalms 144:1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Going Naan

Last week, I had some visitors coming for dinner, so I decided to go Chinese and I made some Chinese sweet and sour chicken with cashew nuts and pineapple; together with some stir fried rice. Since there were some remains of the stew in the fridge, yesterday I decided to make Naan for dinner to go with it. 

I got a good recipe on line and I tried it. And they came out well. I really like Naan, it falls in the class of chapati and for those of you who know, I am a chapati addict. Okay, my kids still think I made Chapati. 

Hope you are having a blessed weekend!

French-cinnamonato.

 I am still cooking new stuff, my hubby told me this morning, to keep at it and that the fact that he is still alive it means  that nothing so far has been poisonous! Talk of encouragement! - So I kicked his stomach as always!

Some time back I went to Massai Lodge for my usual meeting. They gave us some French toast which I gathered must have had cinnamon and sugar. They were GREAT! So today morning I woke up and made them.

Since they are so great, it felt unfair to just call them French toast with cinnamon, hence i decided to label them, French-cinnamonato, so that the complication of the name carries the weight of the goodness.

Don’t ask me for the recipe, I only asked the waiter in the hotel who told me to add cinnamon and sugar to the egg that makes the French toast! So there we go! I love cinnamon in anything and these we inhaled and my hubby is still alive! Ha! 

The toes

Mnara munching his toes!

Traditionally, it is said that once your baby starts eating their toes or rather putting their toes in their mouth, it is time for Mum to get pregnant again.

I am told that this is what our grandmothers and great grandmothers used to determine when to conceive the next baby-no wonder the spacing of our parents!

So, am I thinking about another baby? Lets see. 

Am I a traditionalist? Well if you look at how I have spaced my kids-may be, though I was not informed by the toes.

Have a good weekend and take care of your toes-a pedicure would work just right!

Just thankful

I try as much as I can to be thankful, and we are trying to teach our children the same.

Sometime back Kendi slept with a hurt knee, just a bit bruised from the normal playing.

The first thing she did the next morning was to look at her knee and exclaim-“Jesus healed me!”

The Dad told her-“Tell him Thanks then”

She shouted-“Thank you Jesus for Healing me!!!!”

Then I remembered this story

 

Luke 17:11-19

¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Please remember to be thankful today.

Thankful for all the Lord has done for you.

Count your blessings and have an attitude of gratitude

Are you a thankful person? Do you appreciate what God has done for you, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year?

On motherhood and weight issues part 2

NSSF Building - Valley Road

You will not believe what inspired me to write about weight issue part 2-I went up 24 floors of NSSF building, non-stop and it felt good. Really, when I began using the stairs, ( which I do sometimes) I would take two floors and rest for a while and then move on! 

Please if you are wondering where this is coming from-read mother hood and weight issues part 1

So now to my lessons;

I joined a gym

In 2009, I decided join a gym, and I  bumped in to a good gym instructor . After weighing me, he went like- you are Obese-yes I know I was!. But, his next sentence shocked me. He said. “Thanks for joining the gym, but your efforts in the gym count to 35% of losing your weight. 65% depends on what you eat!

What? You mean I am coming to the gym to address 35% of my problem? Well, I hang on, and decided to be going thrice a week.

I asked for a diet plan

The gym instructor was quick to sell one and I bought it for a price. And within a week-I was tired, so tired to the point that I did not want to look at the diet itself. Who doesn’t want to eat Pizza, have a scoop of ice-cream and eat a good black forest or carrot cake from JAVA?...So the diet was driving me crazy! So I threw it away.

I bumped

Them I bumped into this book by Joyce Meyer! Look great, feel great! This was truly the turning point in my life. I read how I need to involve God in my losing weight project. Like 100% depend on God and ask Him to give me the will and power to keep to it.

So I started praying to God to guide me in this losing weight project. Oh...to be honest, I started experiencing a measure of grace that I did not know before. I prayed, I prayed and ask God to help me with self control and discipline. This book, I would recommend to any Christian struggling with weight issues.

The food part.

• After I threw way my diet plan started something called  mindful eating.
• I was careful of what I ate.
• I halved my food portions, increased the vegetables and reduced the starch.
• I planned my meals and thought about them.
• I started thinking about the packet juices that I used to inhale – I halved that too or diluted them.
• I reduced the amount on milk in our tea,
• I reduced my portions of meat, especially red meat.
• I increased my vegetables and reduced the sugars and the starch.
• I stooped eating all the sweets placed on the tables while attending workshops.
• I started eating better breakfasts and reducing my amounts of food during dinner 
• I started eating 6 small portions of meals a day-but a good breakfast.
• The good news to me was, I could eat everything in manageable portions. That was freedom on my part! No more diet plans!
• Well and eventually, I had to stop going to the gym, my life is full, packed with three awesome kids- so what I do is walk, walk , walk, walk up the stairs when I can, walk and jog around the court when kids are sleeping, I bought a few stuff that I use at home.

These ones are good for putting around your legs( around the ankle) and walking with them in the house or outside. they are like 3kg each. So you walk around with 6kg. 

This ball is good for pelvic exercises 

This weight are good for the arms.

They are all from Nairobi Sports house. I hope this keeps me going. I am not promising not to add weight, but I do intend to keep fit. So there you go. To God be the glory! 

No magic, no pill- but it takes time! Be patient.

Our two year old teenager

Of late, we have been dealing with our 2 year old teenager. She is our dear sweet girl Tana. Okay, at some point we have it all together then we realize that we need God more than ever to raise the awesome kids in our home. They are His after all, so today morning I was thinking about a book that I was given -the power of a praying parent and I think I need to read it again.

We try as much as we can, not to allow our kids to train us.

Yes, did you know that a child can train you instead of you training them?

When you find yourself yelling at them-to usurp authority and yet we all know that shouting has nothing to do with being authoritative.

When you find yourself- running around feeding them instead of having them sit down during feed times.

Yes, when you have to repeat many times-to have them obey a simple instruction.

When you have to rock them to sleep-All these and more are ways that our children train us.

So Tana was whining and yelling most of the weekend. Testing our patience to the limits and bringing out the human nature in us that Christ needs to deal with.

Everything is MINE to her- even when I hold Kendi and Mnara- She is screams – My mummy! The same happens with My Daddy! – Okay we know this is a stage that they all must pass through but we need to deal with it in the appropriate way.

She removed her wet diapers and on her way to disposing it in the dustbin- she went saying – Mine, mine, mine! Like anyone of us would want it to be theirs!ha!ha!

When my husband could not explain all these, he had only one thing to say!

She must be celebrating the victory of South Sudan!

There we rest our case!

We love her SO MUCH and we are daily learning to wait on God to raise our kids in the best way that God desires!

Oh, the stick she is holding - that is what i buy at the supermarket-it meant for making soup- i cut out the edge that looks like a cross and it becomes a spanking rod.