A lesson from Dixie

We now have dogs! 

 We have Bruno and Dixie. I have not taken a photo of Bruno but i have one of Dixie. We lost one, his name was Poppy...and we hope to get another one soon so that they are three.

 This is the day Dixie arrived in our home, she was just calm. It did not bother her that she was now going to be living with a new family.

 

 She even enjoyed a good nap right in-front of me. As i watched her i wondered, how could she trust so easily, well i know she is not a human being but really, where was all that confidence and calmness coming from?

 

She could even play with the kids like immediately...

 and enjoy the sun

To be very honest- i prayed that i could develop such a trust with God. Just to relax and know that i am safe in Him.

Okay a part from that, the kids are having a ball with the dogs.

Bruno is a German shepherd, so Dixie is more playful than him.

He Provides-Caroline Part 2.

God truly does answer our prayers. He is an amazing Father!

Last year in August we prayed that God would grant us the finances to assist Caroline with her college fees.

For more about her story, please check here....

We trusted the Almighty, all sufficient God and He did it! We give praise to His Holy, Awesome, and Wonderful name!!!!

 

 Having lunch after the  graduation to celebrate her achievement and God's goodness!

 You are likely to see this two in my blog a lot. They are great company. Bro and his wife Sly.

 I just loved this two faces! Ethan and his cousin Samara

 Cute! Don't you think so...full cheeks!

 Trying to make faces too.

Caroline-proud of her.

 Caroline with her Mum

 Caroline with her Mum and brother.

 Caroline with Sly and myself.

 Caroline with my family. 

I know God has great plans for her life. We are blessed to be part of her life. She is currently an  intern with a Non Governmental Prganization, she loves her work and we know God will lead to the rest.

Just a Mum being thankful

I am thankful that I am a few days to getting back home. At least the week is half way done.

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I am thankful for God’s grace and technology too, I can Skype with the kids, I get to see them in the evening and talk for a while, sing together, pray together and kiss each other goodnight.

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I am so so grateful for my husband.

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I am thankful that my niece Samara has started school. She lookslovely doesn’t she? This girl is a wonder.

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I am thankful that while I am away, there are friends who check on my family and my hubby’s male friends plan keep him company on Saturday afternoon and evening.  We have family oriented great men in this generation.

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I am grateful that while my hubby and I were brainstorming with the idea of getting a healthy cake, which we had been requested to go with for a school breakfast get-together this coming Saturday (knowing that i would still be away) when somehow my friend Rachael got to know about it, she volunteered to make a banana cake and drop it over this Friday evening! Seriously – Thanks Racheal!

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...and am so thankful that Ethan is now walking!!!!!!!!! I know that might mean troubleshooting a few current and expected challenges but here we go Ethan.... 

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I know life can be tough- but I am sure we all have GREAT things to thank God about. Let’s cultivate a culture of gratitude!

Sweet Eliana

When i shared this last week...i did not know it was going to be this fast....

The soldier was downloaded!!!! How great is our God! He knits us together in our mothers womb, His works are wonderful, we know that very well. Welcome Eliana, all, the days of your life were ordained before any

 of them came to be!!! We love you girl! We thank God for you!

Lots of thanks

I travelled to Naivasha this week. And while away, my hubby joined me on his way back from Nakuru (site visit). So one of those days our boy got sick and my help called – so scared that Ethan was not good at all. So I called on Sylvia to help. I was amazed that she took time off with her hubby (my brother) and took Ethan to hospital and literally spent the entire afternoon with my boy. Did all the tests and instructed our help on how to administer the medication. hanks Sylvia and Alex, only God know how grateful we were. Not to mention that she was in our house the next day – very early to find out how our boy had slept. Thanks. We thank God for you.

Look below. Some gorgeous looking lady! Hurray I will be Auntie again. This is our Sister Mesh! We love you Mesh and are looking forward to that little one. Look at her, she looks all elegant in her pregnancy.  We thank God for  you and for the lovely gift in there. 

I was recently was interview  by Christian working Mum and on one of the replies, I had this to say and I would say it again:

"... being a mother is not just a sign of fertility, neither is it a platform for self righteousness when it comes to adoption, as a matter of fact, it is a declaration of war against the powers of darkness as we raise a few more solders for Christ"

Esther!!!!!We are waiting for that awesome Soldier!

We are grateful

I am so grateful for niece Samara. This lovely girl went through an open heart surgery in India  a few weeks ago. Having her back, whole and recovering is nothing but absolute favour from God. He truly is an amazing God. Samara has taught us faith, she is a living example of Gods’ infinite wisdom that continues  to confound the wise.

We love you Samara, and you truly are protected by God.  To read more about her amazing story, please check out here.

My Sis Diana, remember Miss Preggy ? She delivered an awesome beautiiful girl, she is Johari. We truly Thank God for this awesome soldier – being raised by wonderful parents. 

Welcome to the army Johari, you are loved by God and we love you. Isn't she adorable? I get to be an aunt and my kids have a cousin too.  

Family

This week has been a tough one to say the least. On Monday, things were not good at all in the office or rather let me say that something’s did not go so well. Since I had asked my hubby to keep me in prayer that day, he sent a text in the middle of important meetings and asked how I was doing. I told him things are rocky, I am between a rock and a rock.

When I got out of the two heated meetings, I could have easily shed tears but I decided to put on a brave face.

When I landed on my desk, I found a whole flower basket and a cute note that had the following photo, printed out and a note saying" Hi Love, we love you and despite the tough times , always know that you have with you a team that loves you and supports you" Now this makes me shed tears.

So I thank God for family. I thank God for my hubby and kids and I am grateful to God at how he uses family to encourage us through this life.

Thanks love for those flowers and the note with this print out photo-nothing could have been more timelier.

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! 

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!

Thankful for

We are thankful today for life.

We are thankful for knowing the author of life. He knits everything together! His name be praised forever and ever!

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalms 139: 16-18

A few milestones

We are thankful to JEHOVAH! Can you feel a sigh of relief in that sentence...

....Ethan is now sleeping the entire night from 8pm – 6am, we feed him with some milk at 6am and he sleeps again till 8am plus, this is the point that we declare, there are no babies in our home, just a bunch of young ones. 

He is crawling and moving very fast, he is confidently standing up all by himself , he is engaging in quite a number of activities with the girls. 

They make the castles using blocks and He destroys them, the girls are always screaming "Noooo! Nooooo! Ethan Stop-Mum Help" and he gets a few kicks from Tana once in a while. 

He has four teeth. He is very strong – Kendi cannot even get a pen out of his hand. “She says, "Ethan you are so strong , Mum please help, Ethan has taken my pen”

Hey-I am Ethan Mnara, just incase you forgot.

Hanging on and walking round 

Sliding with the girls

Crawling to the slide

He likes sitting on these ropes at Amani ya juu and watching other kids jump over!

We thank God for all these milestones, we do not take any of them for granted. When we see this, we stand in awe and say- How great thou art, oh Lord our God!

It has also been crazy around here, a lot of work, the last leg of the year can be overwhelming for me in particular. We have been busy but we thank God for His grace. Always amazing! 

WE LOVE YOU LORD! HOW EXCELLENT AND MAJESTIC ARE YOUR WORKS!

Thankful for

Our Children, they are back to school and have settled in very well. Prior to that they were sick and we saw Gods' hand in it all, they had a bad flu that came along with mouth sores. When your chidlren get to  feed on water using a spoon, that's not good at all. We bless God for the healing.

Caroline, joined Mount Kenya University and she is very happy and working hard. lets pray that God continues to provide all that is required for her to finish her university education. 

Its been busy around here, but Gods' been great-givign me grace and strength for each an every day.

School holiday

When my hubby and I decided that we would have a Minimum of three kids- mark the word Minimum, one of my greatest fears of having the three that we now have - all close together was the whole issue of School Holidays.

I was not sure how that would go with house-helps, I stressed my self over it for weeks looking for the most appropriate and workable solution. Do I need to hire two helps over the holiday? Would one be able to take care of the kids? Would my leave application be grated during holidays so that I can spend time with the children?

I mean I battled  with this over and over again, and we all know when we start getting frustrated on an issue it is an sign that we are now starting to operate in the flesh, for God never authors frustration and/or confusion.

So I am thankful today because, the past August Holiday, was the first holiday with three kids under four in the house. It was nothing but PURE GRACE.

I am so thankful to God for seeing us through the holidays, with all the good times and the challenges that came with it too.

It has been more than I would have ever thought, AWESOME and once again I am reminded that it is not mine to worry about the future, God does take care of the details. 

Today, I thank God, from the very bottom of my heart, for His faithfulness, for being my pillar, my strength and taking care of the school holidays and replacing all my fears with His immeasurable GRACE.

Two weeks of thanksgiving

Today, I am thankful that I have been home (sometimes) with the kids for almost the last two weeks. It’s been great, it has helped me appreciate many things and love my kids all the more. The house help has been away and it has helped me realize that my kids are now all grown up. That I can do most of things I would love to do while still taking care of three kids. My hubby has also been very supportive. The best part of the leave is when we ALL get to sleep at 2pm and wake up at 4Pm, take a walk and get home for dinner-which have to make. We have traveled in a smelly car, yelled in the car, sang, played together, spanked more often but all in all, had a great superb time!

We are thankful to God and we know it’s through him that we are able to enjoy such times.

On what we have been upto while i have been on leave;

Just played at home.

Visited Bomet to see Caroline

Attended a great wedding. Congrats to Esther and John

Visited Nyanya

Swang the big Man-a little bit-He loves it and the girls love the pushing!

Attended Mercys' Graduation- these are great friends of ours, we were a best couple to them on their wedding  Mercy is now a graduate on United States International University (USIU) with  a degree in Hotel Management. Go girl! with Sammy-Her Hubby! 

Riding the bikes and "elephant"

 

Mum and Dad-out with friends. I am the one hanging on to my hubby! I love this man to bits!

Celebrated Auntie Shirohs' birthday. We devoured her cake!

Travelled to Kiboko- the roots!

Fed grandmas; cows

Fed cows again

Met more grandparents

Walked through the Shamba with another grandma and harvested Kales ( Sukuma and spinach)

Eaten loads of Sugar cane.

Thank you Lord. I have enjoyed my leave. its been two weeks, i have been with great people, learnt great things and most all of all in the company of family- Blessed be your Holy Name!

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2Peter 1:3 

Report...

We are thankful

The kids have been attending the Daily Vacation Bible School for this week

We were so thankful and glad that it has been going on well.

We got a report that despite our girls’ being the youngest in the class,

They are the most disciplined and their teachers really love them.

We thank God – for that kind of favour. 

Truly it only comes from GOD. 

Nothing short of busy!

This week as been nothing short of busy!

We have been busy working on logistics to take members of parliament to Mombasa to lobby for a separate Gender and Equality Commission. A bit of information and news on this click here.

I have worked late, spent days with no lunch and had nightmares on logistics-the whole office has been on standstill.

What I thank God for is that-My hubby has been dropping me in the office almost every day and picking me up in the evening – together with the kids!

What a site, what a joy!

My hubby has sacrificed so much to make this week easier for me; he has taken care of the kids very well and given me the support that I have needed. The hugs and the kisses have been many too.

I love you hubby – You ROCK my world! Thanks for being there and I TRULY thank God for you!

Knowing how hard it can get for working Mums- to juggle between work and family-I am nothing but super grateful to God-for giving me an understanding and Super supportive hubby! I get to leave him for Mombasa and he will drop and pick me from the Airport. Thanks Love.

I also thank God that the kids have been sleeping very well this time-they wake up after 8am, and sometimes, they have had to be woken up at 9am. Pretty cool, especially when Mnara gets to sleep the entire night, it makes us rest much better. Thank you Lord!

Kendi, yesterday asked me when I was kissing her goodnight-"Mum are you fine?" I think she could see the stress all over my face. Then she gave me a big huge hug. I thank God that she can be able to see when Mum is stressed a bit and ask if Mum is fine. What a blessing! I just want to be a friend to my children and let them see me for who I really am.-Just a mum-saved by grace. 

More than everything- who do I give the glory? GOD! He is faithful and His grace-always more than sufficient – He is Lord over all! I PRAISE HIM!

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!!!!

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!

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?