No-mans’ land

I have named this post no-mans’ land, because when I was sharing what I am about to say with my hubby, he passionately said to me,” I agree with you honey, with God we have no "no –mans’ land".

I agree with him. When it comes to God, there are no grey areas; it is either black or white, hot or cold, no lukewarm. The other day, God put it so strongly in my hear that , all of us, are at any given time, helping the enemy fulfill his evil schemes on earth or  partnering with God for fulfill His eternal , divine  awesome purpose.

This boils down to the very way in which we are raising our children. Last night, my hubby was reading Psalms 127 and the last line caught my attention. Let me just quote verse 5. “Blessed is the man, whose quiver is full of them, they will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Well, here we mean children. There comes a time when they will have to contend with the enemy. So my question is- what are you doing to ensure that when that time comes, they will be ready to handle an enemy? I mean Spiritual war/battle.

This goes back to what I was saying. Everything you do under the earth, you are in either camp as I have said above. My desire is that for each an every Mum to partner with God to raise a Godly generation, seek Him, Hear Him and Obey Him. Let us to choose everyday to walk with God, to partner with Him to fulfill God mandate on the earth. Be part of of His body and boldly declare, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

That will include the lives of our children. Think about it, as you allow them to read what they read, as you allow them to watch what they watch, as you allow them to join certain company, scroll through those phones- All these are either building or destroying their God given destiny.

Have a blessed week. I challenge us, let’s partner with God!

Randomness

I have been extremely busy of late and I have also been taking time to seek God on various issues in my life. I love God and I love the fact that we must always rely on Him to live our every day to day life. I love to hear from Him and I love to walk in His ways. His ways are higher than our ways and it takes more than just saying the grace every day to get intimate with Him. If you are like me, I do not like getting casual with God. He means everything to me!

In the mean time, enjoy some photos, as I put my thoughts on this journey of motherhood and update the blog. 

We had a great time over the weekend. We were informed my Kendis' teachers that as a way of letting go of their current class and as a move to the next, they do some bye-bye kind of painting on white tops. They use their hand  to paint and wave kwaheri, to the year. So here we go. 

Kendi - getting on with the game. 

Tana joined too. I am applying the pain on her hand.

Getting on with it.

I love these girls. We loved the whole thing! with the crowd. it was fun.

We must have been negotiating on something.  

Thats one of Kendis' teacher. Ms. Yvone.

Showing off colours to Daddy. 

Ms. Joy, a high school mate. A small world. now my daughters' teacher too.

The crowd.  

Kendi with her shirt

The boy was just pushing a tyre

Kendi and friends 

I requested Tana to give Ethan a big hi five on the butt! and so she did!

Cannot have enough of it. 

Mums' turn 

Some fun

and more fun. Kendi always with Tana. I thank God they love each others company

It was a pleasant day! Bravo Kendi!!!!!!! you have waved good bye to SIFA(praise) class

Roots

If you are like me, I wish I could know more about my roots. My great great grandmother and the like. All i know about my paternal great grandmother was that- she waa a Massai girl. She was abducted during one of those Massai-Kikuyu raids and was forced to marry in Kikuyu land. She was called Nyokabi because she came from "ukabi" (Massai's). Well, so the other day i thought, i would love my kids to know a little bit about their maternal roots and soon we will be doing the paternal as well. So we went visiting.

Maitu( great Grandmother) with the kids 

Mum in the photo too. 

She made for us boiled Maize-cooking it with the three stone fire.

The kids enjoyed playing in her compound.

Maitu and Ethan

Now as you all may be aware. In the African setting, a Man married many wives. So went to see the second Maitu. I remember the many times she cooked Chapatis for us, I shared a bed with her sometimes. I had a very soft spot for her.

This is the second Maitu - second wife of my grandfather. Sorry, the third wife died sometime back. My grandfather had three wives. Okay-see the tops my girls are wearing. Do you notice they are rather unique?

His Love

Many of us wake up every morning with such lack of appreciation of ourselves. We look forward to the day and hope that someone will say something positive about us, may be the way we have dressed, may be our hair, the shoe, anything.

But you know what? We need to learn and appreciate the unconditional love of Christ in our lives. This is the one thing that can change us, make us love ourselves as we are and find security and comfort in the love of He who died for us before we were even born.

Now, to God you are this great, wonderful awesome person-that is why he loves you unconditionally- so why is it so hard to believe that and live like you know it?

We need to continue to speak the same love to our children. Have you ever seen a young person struggle for attention or may be an adult for that matter? They are looking for approval; they are looking for someone who will tell them that they look wonderful, that they are loved-unconditionally.

Well, that is the message we must continue to affirm in our own hearts and those of our children. We must let them know that God loves them, over and above everything! But how do we do that if we do not believe it ourselves!

This Monday, just want to let us know that Jesus loves us deeply and passionately. That we need not worry about whom we are and what others think of us. We need not struggle to fit into the society, we do not need to struggle to fit into our circle of friends, and we do not need to match up to other Mums. Let us just be us-God loves us that way and He like us that way too.

Embrace His love this week!

Announcement!

My Hubby and I are starting a new blog on Marriage!  A HEART to HEART...sharing on what we have learnt in the course of our few years of marriage. We hope that we can all learn from each other. We may not update it daily, but we shall update is weekly by the grace of God and talk about various Topics as the Lords leads us. 

So check it out HERE  for our first update.

We are getting there.

We read a bible story to our kids every evening before they get to bed and when we cannot do it, we sing a song or two.

So of late, they have saying certain things that makes us think, we are headed there, even if they do not connect everything, they will by Gods’ grace. These are some of the phrases they on their own; and unless you have been with them for a while, they may not make sense but they do to us.

They say;

Jesus is taking me to heaven and then I will come back

We are going to the cross like this.

We are carrying a bag like Jonah.

You disobey and you will be swallowed by a big whale like Johan

David is going to kill goliath and he will fall down

I want to wear my Jericho

Jesus will heal you and then I will buy for you Piriton

I am not scared, I call Jesus

Hey!!...Let my people go!

Kill the monologue

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who talked most of the time? You try to interject and say something and they keep going on and on and on and on.

Sometimes you wonder how long this monologue will take. I bet with some of us, this can be a weakness, that we should ask God to help us work on. 

The worst part of this monologue, is when you ask a friend out for lunch/coffee to talk about a personal issue that is really been bothering you, and guess what, before you even know it, your friend has talked non-stop most of the time and 5 minutes to the end of your lunch date they ask “by the way, what do you want to talk to me about?’

If you are like me, you are likely to say, well, “I had nothing much to say, never mind, I will mail you later or give you a call “. You may actually end up feeling worse that you did before your lunch date.

Good, so how many times do we treat God like that? We talk, talk, talk and talk to Him and never give Him audience to talk to us. Really, when did God ever say something to you? What was the last thing He placed in your heart? Think of it this way- what we call prayer time, could easily be described as a monologue conversation between us and God and guess what, we talk all the time.

I can only imagine, God has so much to say to us, but most of the time, we are the ones who are always talking. God give me this, give me that, you did not do this, neither did you do that?

Well, I want us to take time to listen to God. Surely if we believe that He hears us when we call on Him, how much more do we think He Speaks? One thing I am so sure about is that I serve a God who speaks just as much as He hears.

Make it a prayer, ask God to help you hear Him and give Him the time to speak to you.

He speaks to us, through His Holy Spirit.

Tune your heart and spirit to listen to God this week!

Anything.

I sent Kendi to get me a diaper for Ethan - she has kind of become our errand girl in the house.

So she goes upstairs and suddenly I hear a lot of commotion, things literally falling apart

So Mum shouts  "Kendi, what is happening?"

Kendi says "Anything"

That is her way of saying - Nothing. 

Have a fun-filled weekend. 

Thanks

Our friends, Tony and Zippy were blessed with a wonderful boy a few weeks ago. He is Ivan Kena. We thank God for them, for taking them through that entire process.

He looks adorable! Doesn't he?

The kids are now on mid-term-Alah! Time just moves. We praise God! They have been having a blast in school and we have to talk to them to really convince them that they will not be going to school till Monday.

It’s been a busy week, Mum has been to Mombasa and back and I still owe my life and everything to Jehovah, how He takes care of the details and gives grace for each an every day! 

A new one.

This past weekend I was caught between a rock and a rock.Okay we have potty trained Tana, so most of the time when we travel, we usually ask her to go for a short call, knowing very well that the next time we stop-hopefully in an hours’ time or so, we shall assist her again. So we are always cautious about where the next toilet will be.

However, last weekend, we somehow ended up in a place where there was no toilet.  I am also always careful about the toilet, and if I am not sure about the cleanliness, even a bush will do. But this time round Tana started demanding that she wants to pee. We were at a place where there were no toilets at all, public with no bush nearby. My hubby had rushed out of the car to pick something. I tried to ask Tana to hold on for a bit, but she kept saying “Mum pee is here, it’s here, it wants to come out”

Within a second I thought, why not sit on a diaper! Good to go! So I placed an opened up diaper on the car seat, and I asked her to sit on the diaper and help herself. Phew! I wish you saw the relief on her face, but mostly, the relief on my face. So there I  go! I will not have to struggle with that again. I just folded up my diaper and moved on.

I know, potty training saves diapers as well, but for me, my objective right now, is to have her trained. Trained enough to hold on for a bit and to know when to ask for assistance.  But I have been thinking, it’s easy for a girl because she sits on it, what about the boy? You may have to hold the diaper bowl shaped to assist him help himself.

Thanks you Lord, I appreciate it all, even the small things.

Being silly at Kentemere

It’s amazing to watch our kids grow and we thank God for each an every moment we share with them. It’s beautiful to see God’s grace unveiled in their lives, to celebrate the beauty and the wonders of God. Kendi- who takes care of Ethan and Tana so well, Ethan who values his sisters as much and Tana, she is just what they needed between the two of them, full of life and joy and blends in with either at any given time.


So we were recently at Kentemere club and had some fun with this Totos'. Its a nice place to have fun with kids. 

Kendi was having a one on one with Ethan. Honestly, she was telling him to stop picking dirt on the floor and eating it. I thought that was pretty cool. She talked to him for a few minutes. 

Then she tells him-"Ethan we love you but you cant walk right now, but don't worry soon"

We rolled and rolled on the grass. The girls were so amused to see me rolling, so they did the same.

Dad tried his luck too.

Look at this girls rolling. 

Running up again to roll all over again.

And the boy did what he knows best-crawl. Soon Ethan...very soon...you will be up and running.

Have a great Totos' Tuesday!

Mercy

This past weekend, I experienced grace and I thanked God for the growth that has taken place in this sinner saved by grace. My house-help broke a valuable item in our house. When I met her in that state of shock, I told her pole (sorry) and then I asked her to be careful not to hurt herself with the broken pieces of glass.

Okay – for a moment I was like “Was that me?”…..Saying sorry to her, she should be saying sorry to me!!!!!!!Oh No..What is happening to me?!!!! She needs to pay for her sins and first and foremost she needs to apologize before we negotiate on how much I will deduct from her salary!

BUT NO!-Grace, Mercy - I decided to let it pass and to be honest, I felt nothing. I have been through that road before and sometime back I decided to let go of the baggage of seeking apologies from people and making them pay for all their wrongs.

Later in the day, my help requested me to blow-dry her hair, which I did gracefully and the next day- I packed for her some milk and juice to go with over the weekend so that she can take it with her friends or family.

I have learnt painfully about mercy- I believe that God does not treat us as our sins deserve. Otherwise – we would not be having a life in the first place.

Mercy overlooks and extends grace to those who we think need to be punished for their wrongs. Its takes grace and a deep desire to be merciful, but it is very rewarding and very fulfilling.

 And when you know your self-worth, apologies do not make you feel better as a person; in fact demanding apologies sometimes portrays weaknesses within us. 

  

Next time someone in your house or in the office wrongs you and you think they need to pay for their sins, remember MERCY, God has been to gracious to us, let us be merciful to others.

Have a MERCY filled week!

Kisses

I was informed by Tanas’ teacher that if any of her classmate’s cry- she always tells them. No crying here-you are not a baby, only Ethan (Her brother). Talk of picking Dad and Mums words verbatim.

*************************** 


Every time Tana scratches her butt, she says "there is a crocodile in my butt". Can someone tells me what she means? What has a crocodile got to do with an itchy butt?


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

The other day – the girls found Dad and I Kissing (nothing more-just kissing) Kendi shouts-"Hey…why are you guys kissing?" Dad says- “Because she is my babe”.

 I am not sure how to deal with this, the last time this happened- a few days later, I found the two girls kissing in their room. Any help or advice?

Have an awesome weekend!!!!

Books

When the girls are waiting for Dad and Mum to clear up with their breakfast

This is what they do! I bless God for them and I am grateful that they love to keep themselves busy with books.

Thank you Lord for these girls!

Today- Mnara turns 9 months. Thank you Jesus! It takes YOU, nothing more, nothing less! We praise you!

Motherhood let goes

I have had to stare at a box of grapes and apples on my desk in the office because, regardless of the fact that i bought them, I cannot eat them because I  need my kids to carry them to school for the week ahead.

I have learnt to give up sleeping in late- because I have to be up to take care of the kids, even during the weekends and even when i choose not to hear them, they come to my room anyway!

I have had to let go of some of the  church activities for a while so that I can take care of these toddlers and a baby and spend as much time as possible with them over the weekend.

I have had to turn down some of the coffee dates with the girls after work so that I can rush home to take care of the family.

I have had to let go being overly tidy; I sometimes i am wearing messy clothes, with a few stains of porridge and pawpaws and yourgut and be glad all the way.

I have given up being bossy on house helps because even my very own mother cannot take of my house and meet my standards (meaning all our homes are unique, reflecting our own values)

I have had to give up-trying to be perfect, running a perfect home and allowed the Lord to just carry me through each an every day.

Yes, I have learnt that life is a sacrifice, you cannot have it all together, but you must truly treasure and enjoy what you have. Despite all the things I have to sacrifice and give up, I am super happy to be a mother and I would give them all up all over again for the sake of raising Godly kids!


So the list goes on…what have you had to let go?

Women of wisdom

The other day I asked a question on what determines how many children we should get.

Three beautiful awesome ladies answered the questions. Please read their comments here.

I was left speechless, thanks Sylvia, Alice and Cate. Please for mothers who are struggling with this issue, it would be good to have a look at what this incredible women said. I liked the way God was the reference point to their feedback. Yes, it all goes back to God. All said and done- He is the Author of life and He has the final say.  He speaks to us in many ways. So allow Him to speak to you and if you are at peace with Him, then you can relax and enjoy your children.

When people ask me how many children I want-I always choose to answer the other way round. I let them know that I am so grateful for the ones I have.  Because that is what I know, as for other to come or not come, that I leave to God, after all, motherhood is not just defined by giving birth, motherhood is more than that- debate for another day!

Have a wonderful, Tuesday!

Speculation

Who and what drives you Mum?

Is it the new tends in the market?

Is it the hearsay, the rumors the opinions and advises that you get from friends?

Is it the global trends?

Is it the feelings of the moment?

Is it fear of the unknown and the known?

Are you just leaving another ordinary life-with no extra-ordinary results?

Well, sometimes I ask myself this questions then I realize that I CANNOT afford to live my life in speculation. In speculation I mean, either far away from the truth or near the truth.

We must learn to live in truth and by the truth, to live out Gods’ to will for our lives, accomplish His very purpose for us. The bible says that every moment of our lives was laid out before a single day came to be. Psalms 139 16-18.

In other words, every day, every single moment of our lives counts and is in record. The question is  simple…are we living every day of our lives as God had planned or are we living as we desire, informed by other choices that we make, feelings, peoples opinion or global trends.

How far or near or are you exactly living out Gods’ will for your life?

Ask Him and pray-whatever it takes, seek Him- He is the Author of Life.