The Riches of His Word...

As Thursday morning (@5:50am to be exact) approaches, I am finding myself much like the first time I ever went scuba diving. I sucked the air out of my tank like it was going out of style... nervous... uncertain... having NO CLUE what I was doing... I sounded like Darth Vader on steroids! Currently... I'm sucking wind... "it's go time!"

What I love is that my sweet Jesus is constantly filling my tank with the necessary air.

"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

His word is my air. A battle is going on in my mind between what makes "earthly sense" and what God has called us to.

My child is sick... How are we going to get all this luggage there? What in the world are we thinking? I can't even drive well on American highways... now I have to change sides of the road AND sides of the car?

Thoughts of this world become heavy... and then... HIS SWEET, wonderful, Rich, purposeful, full of life WORD comes to meet me this morning.

All is quiet, I can literally hear the birds singing and there is a Fall chill in the air as the sun rises. This morning has my Creators invitation all over it. And here... is what He fills my tank with today.

"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

"Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and ALSO it's lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." 1 Jn 2:15-17

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor 4:17-18

These verses may not speak to your heart... but it certainly did to me this morning as I am so tempted to look at the temporary, to get caught up in the things that do not matter in light of eternity. Living in the riches of His word is the only way to receive the air necessary for the journey...

From Shaky to Sure footed...

Over the last few days, there have been so many opportunities for God to speak to my heart. Recently, my sweet E (and KG for that matter) put his feet into the ocean for the first time. He has always had some struggle with things that move, or appear to move, beneath his feet. The ocean completely freaked him out at first. I could tell that he couldn't understand what was happening... was He moving? was it moving? are we all moving? Needless to say... he did NOT like it at first. He lost all confidence and became frozen in fear. .... well... see for yourself...

New experiences can be really scary. The unknown, lack of understanding, etc can engulf you and leave you frozen in fear. What I love... is that it didn't take long for E to adjust... and then check it out...



Here's some verses God placed in my mind, and how it could be very similar to me in a few days...

"The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:19

"For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." Proverbs 3:26

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Ps 143:10

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12

easy does it... remember who's placing my feet... and soon the confidence, peace, and joy will come and I will be "jumping the waves" with joy in Zambia.

Rest...

In 12 days... we will be on a plane heading to Zambia... our new home... the place where God has so clearly called our family and planted our hearts. Our bags are packed.Everything is complete. SO... the next 9 days will be spent with some great friends and family... resting... laughing... and building memories as a family.
I hesitated to even write about it. I think often times I have guilt for taking time to rest. Many moms can probably relate. Well... most of you can probably relate. Maybe I'm afraid people will label me as selfish...
But, let me share with you a couple of lessons I've learned over the past 2 years.
1. While, ultimately, there is no "balance" in being completely surrendered... God certainly calls us to times of rest...
2. While we are created to reach out... pour out... and give away... we cannot do that in a way that honors God if we neglect those closest to us: our marriages... our children... our families... and most importantly... time to sit quietly before the LORD.
So, with that said... I pray the majority of my days on this earth... I hope are spent in service to those around me... the next 9 days will be spent in rest... focusing our minds on things ahead... and simply enjoying our greatest blessing= each other.
I hope to share it with you... along with all the many things floating through my mind about what stands before us in just 12 DAYS!!

the 12th mile....

2 years ago, before my 30th birthday, I decided I would do something I've never done before. I trained and ran a half-marathon! Believe it or not, back in the day I was pretty athletic... but let's just say that part of me has come and gone. Nevertheless... 2 years ago= half-marathon.

When you are training, you never actually run the entire 13.1 miles. I ran 11 miles on my last long run before the race. I was told that the "runner's high" would have kicked in and the last 2 miles would be a cinch. a.cinch. it WAS.NOT.

Day of the race... nervous, but excited. Starting... good to go. Mile 4... too many hills. Mile 7... saw my family... awesome. Mile 10... ok... I can do this. Mile 12= DEATH. I hit quite the Wall. Was certain I might not even make it to the end. ha. kinda thought... this could be the end!

So... why recall that now? Well... I'm in the middle of my 12th mile. Shane has been gone for almost 4 weeks now. One week to go. The rush of emptying a house is over. I'm sitting here staring at a loft full of 10- half unpacked suitcases with things strung out everywhere. It's 10 pm and I still hear voices coming from the one room we are all 4 sleeping in. (yes, that feeling you are having is jealousy... don't be alarmed) I'm finishing my 27th day of bedtimes, bath times, etc... alone. While my parents are around... the kids want me. I get that. AND... We started homeschooling this week. Yes... yes we did. I know that sounds insane... but honestly we were all craving the routine... and it's helped everyone. But... this momma is tired. My mind vacillates between molasses and tornadic like conditions. If I owe you a call, an email, or a returned message... just keep trying! (OH MY WORD... I JUST REMEMBER I FORGOT TO CALL SOMEONE RIGHT BACK TONIGHT! KRISTEN PENNINGTON IM SORRY!) That wasn't for effect... that was real time there. haha.

So... thus... the 12th mile.

I'm learning what it is like to live in His grace... to extend His grace... and to run a race that's way more difficult than 13.1. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm doing it well. I want to walk in it WITH grace... shining HIS light... but some days it just feels like I'm barely putting one foot in front of the other. It's looking sloppy girls. (and a couple of boys)

Don't be too concerned... I finished that half-marathon alive... and fully expect the Lord to show off again in this one. Just know that if you see anything resembling ANY kind of sanity... goodness... etc... it certainly isn't coming from me... but HIM.

Pressing on... and honestly craving Zambia like never before. (not that I think it is going to be any easier... but living in your calling is quite joyous... and being TOGETHER certainly makes any load lighter)

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining for what lies ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Philip. 3:13-14

kinda ready to be there...

Since Shane has been in Zambia, part of my heart feels home... Only a few more weeks!

(Some of our kids at the school)

(The farm workers cooking their lunch right outside our house gate)

Sorry for the stinky photo quality... The Mr. left the camera with me so this is from a phone... :/

When you experience the Body of Christ....

So often, we hear negative things about the Church. Some words I’ve heard are: hypocritical, judgmental, self-righteous , or even self-contained or absorbed. I’m not saying that isn’t true of some people… or all of us at any given moment… Overall… there “should” be something powerful when you encounter the body of Christ at work. I find myself reflecting on the past few weeks and coming up completely overwhelmed… humbled… and in awe of how Great our God’s love is for us.

Since Shane has been in Zambia, I have seen MANY people… all from different places of worship… making up “The Body of Christ.” My burdens have been beared and shared… and WELL CARED FOR. Here’s a list of some of the things that we experienced as a family:

· *Having a friend come and finish laying flooring in our house so our renters/friends could move in to a completed house. He worked several evenings and HOURS of work…. I felt so helpless, but God allowed me to see this isn’t about ME or THEM but about all of our mutual love for HIM.

· Having friends show up to pack our bags and organize our stuff

· Friends being willing to run errands and pick things up for me.

· * Friends who come and say “I have a couple of hours, what can I do?” And they end up vacuuming our van, or CLEANING MY TOILETS!?!?!?! (You know I’m feeling really vulnerable when I let someone do that… lol)

· *Friends that will come and pick up my kids and feed them lunch, let them play, and go swimming while I clean and get things done at home.

· *Friends who check my car to make sure it’s ready for a long journey, or offer to mow my yard, or come and fix the fence and other odds and ends that need to be done.

· *Friends who bring my kids super fun, HUGE bags of individually wrapped treats for the coming airplane ride!

· Friends who just text and say “How can I pray for you today?”

· Friends who let me cry with them… and pray with me on the really hard days.

· *Friends who come and pack my vehicle like it’s a tetris game… in 107 degree heat…

· *Friends who want to know… “What can I do while you are in Zambia? For you? For the children there?” They want us to know we are not alone on this journey.

Seriously? How could you experience this, and NOT know the love that the Father has for you… to see that love for HIM is the common bond… the motivating factor… When the Body of Christ works together to love others as He loves us… it’s a powerful experience. It’s powerful to be a part of… and it’s powerful to be a recipient of it. I LOVE my Texas friends like family… thank you for being Christ to us… Looking forward to working with you in a powerful way to love on my 210 + 3. :)

(on a side note, we did make it to TN! It’s been quite the adjustment, but all is well! I do not have internet besides my phone at the house, so you can envision me sitting outside of the only McDonalds in town mooching off their wifi just to post a blog… )

a little miracle...

Well, I hope you aren't expecting anything heart-warming or moving... BUT to me... this is a little miracle...
When You can fit this:




Into this:


It classifies as a little miracle!
Tomorrow I start the drive... away from my home... and to family. I will hopefully do better at blogging, since the heavy labor is now over. :) Love to all...

Our House, in the middle of the....

...Farm! I've been wanting to give you a sneak peak of our home in Zambia! I'm figuring that you will think it is actually pretty nice! I think it is NOTHING like people envision! It's not a hut, and it's about the same size our home is now! It's located about a 20 minute walk from the school, and is on the "outskirts" of the compound (what people think of a village... only it isn't a village, it's a compound). The house sits on about a 6 acre farm that LifeSong owns. We are kinda on the front middle acre, with a wall around it. Anyway... check it out... Shane got to stay last night in the house for the first time! Now, if he could just get water in the house he'd be doing a lot better! Pray that happens this week!!
This is the front... obviously. Shane is hoping to get a screened in porch on the front so that in the evenings we can sit outside without getting eaten by mosquitos.
One of our bathrooms! Don't be jealous of the pink tub... KG will like it! Getting tile on the floor to... from what I hear.
This is the living room and dinning room! spacious huh?
This is where the work happens.... ha.
Here is our front yard. I think those are mango or avocado trees (the big ones) and some lemon and lime trees... so I'm told... YUMMMY!!
We are so grateful for our new home... and I have visions of what that home holds for us.... Praying it glorifies God in a mighty way.
On a different note...I'm thinking that we are getting into our new groove. The first week is over. This is our last week in TX... too bad it's gonna be the hottest one yet... 108 they say. AND I'm missing my only winter (in Zambia) right now... won't get another one for another YEAR!! Blast! ;)

Not a piece of cake...

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Let me just be honest... while it is easy to blog about the good things... funny things... exciting things... it's certainly not easy to blog about the hard things. Yet, to fantasize something is not truth, it is only a lie.
This is hard. Are we surprised or caught off guard by it? Not really... but that doesn't make it easier. While I'm fighting daily demands whining childrenpacking up a house...
He's having reality smack him in the face of how hard life in Zambia really will be: the HUGE learning curve, the endless to do list, being alone, Rats, death, etc...
And before we know it, things we thought we had given over and surrendered, we find holding once again. Fear, anxiety, desire for comfort... the list goes on and on. But, we must combat it with truth... and of course, Jesus never disappoints with His word:
"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. and take the helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph 6:16
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." Is 12:2
"For nothing will be impossible with God" Luke 1:37
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor 12:9
"I AM A MIGHTY GOD. Nothing is too difficult for Me. I have chosen to use weak ones like you to accomplish My purposes. Your weakness is designed to open you up to My Power. Therefore, do not fear your limitations or measure the day's demands against your strength. What I require of you is to stay connected to Me, living in trusting dependence on My limitless resources. When you face unexpected demands, there is no need to panic. Remember that I am with you. Talk with Me, and listen while I talk you through each challenging situation. I am not a careless God. When I allow difficulties to come into your life, I equip you fully to handle them. Relax in my presence, trusting in My Strength."
~Jesus Calling~
(Shane... I believe this one was just for us both... I know we are well aware of our weaknesses, especially when we are apart... But we MUST rely on the TRUTH and true strength that comes only from the LORD... and He is here with us both... I love you & the man you are...)

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................................................... feel it??? That's called writers block...
It happens to me when there are so many emotions mixed with so many demands. Where to start? How do I sort through all this? Where's my mom and a big glass of something?
I talked with the Mr. today... and after a delayed flight or something like that... He and my dad finally made it to Kitwe and are settled into the SHAMA-BINGA-BABY! That's the super sweet lodge... It's really just called the Shamabinga Lodge and Resort... but we like our name for it, personally. It's really quite a beautiful place... and you can't beat the kind people who own it! See here....

That is also where the Zambia bloopers was taped.
In the next day or two I'll give you a tour of our home in Zambia! Quite exciting!!

On the home front... yeah, that's the part I'm not quite ready to process yet. Let's just say things are quite busy here... and leave it at that. ;) I've got a little over a week to be all packed up and leaving TX... one. step. closer.

Twas the Night before...

2 Years ago today... We saw THIS sweet face for the first time...


In less than 3 hours... the Mr. will be boarding a plane to take him to THIS place...

Kinda glad God doesn't give us a flash forward of our lives... we'd never believe it if we saw it in advance!!
(for those who have emailed and left messages... thanks. We are doing pretty good. Of course, 2 days down... 37 to go! ask me again in about 20 days.)

The next 24 hours...

There really are no words to describe the emotions... You KNOW God has called you to it...After the initial hesitation and physical illness (no, really)... We're IN completely...The preparation to get to this point was really... sometimes hard, but not horrific...And you suddenly realize that you will "never be ready" for this... When you THINK your faith is strong... but then it's time to actually jump...You realize that it takes WAY MORE than what you have.
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I can't do this... alone. I'm dreading the next 24 hours, where I'll say goodbye to my best friend and husband... the leader of my family. You say "this is worth it"... but there are moments I doubt it. The dread of tears shed... by me... by my kids... by my man... ugh. 6 weeks is a L.O.N.G. time (you military wives out there, feel free to make fun... I'm a complete wimp!)
Despite all these emotions... I lift my eyes from my feet *attempting* to tread water and I look for HIS face. And there... We find our strength... JOY... and ability to look PAST the next 6 weeks and into a life God has most certainly called us to.
Please pray for us... Pray for the Mr. as he travels from here to TN... and then to Zambia on Monday.
It's then... the stories will begin. Our life in Zambia begins... NEXT WEEK!

Our Story...

Our story... wow. So much to say. Where to start? How do we even adequately express all that God has done in our lives? The redemption, the stretching, the beauty from our messes, the so many blessings, the stripping of control, the journey we never thought we'd do... wow.
Here's just a small glimpse of "us" and "our story" ... at least from the past few months... This will be added to the "Our Story" section soon.


***A HUGE shout out to Corey Lamb and the communications team at our church for putting this together as part of our send off. YOU.ARE.AWESOME. ***

And the survey says....

Ok friends... if you have ever wanted to express yourself... now's the time to do it! We are heavy in the packing stage of things, which has brought forth quite a few questions. So... this is my survey! If you read this, I need you to help! Just leave your comments answering any or all of my questions.

1. What are the top 3 kitchen items you would take to Africa?
2. What are the best children's books you would take?
3. What are the best toys/activities that occupy kids on a VERY LONG plane ride?
4. What would you put on your iPod? Favorite Worship Songs? Best all around music?
5. What Podcasts do you listen to?
6. Favorite games?
Thanks for your input!!

What it looks like on the inside...

Well, my friends certainly whipped me into shape... it feels overwhelming and like a ton of pressure to pack 10 bags and call it your life. What to choose, what's the most important, what can't We do without? Honestly, it's quite convicting to see that when it comes right down to it... we really don't NEED that much. And yes, even in 10 bags for a family of 5, there's still quite a few luxuries.
All that to say... my house is quite empty....



BUT, my heart is SO FULL!!!

Goodbye says it all...

This past week we had 2 amazing "goodbye" parties. In less than 2 weeks, the Mr. will get on a plane to Zambia!!
We've had an amazing time connecting with friends that, honestly, feel more like family. The challenge, generosity, and love felt through these friendships have been indescribable. It's been great to be with such amazing people. However, when the party is over... you have to say "goodbye"... that's the downside.
Here are just a few pics from our "goodbyes" thus far. I really stink at taking pictures and being social at the same time. You can guess which one I chose, thus I really don't have that many great photos with everyone! (I took a picture with my heart, ya'll)




And now... let the packing begin!! In a couple of hours I have 2 amazing "home organizer" friends gonna come and whip me into shape... I'll let you know how it goes.