tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6812785243279197762024-03-05T18:59:34.971+02:00Handfuls of BlessingsSally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-61528618340567354712022-11-02T16:23:00.000+02:002022-11-02T16:31:14.240+02:00NEW LOCATION<p> I have moved!</p><p>Facing 6 weeks of I.V. antibiotics can be daunting. Facing it away from family, yet on the same continent...it was something I was not looking forward to. Having a PICC line, I am unable to fly anywhere, so we were hoping that our daughter could fly to Florida, we could rent a car, and drive to Austin so that I could be with 3 of our 6 kids during recover. However, being in Florida during a hurricane clean-up time, there were NO car rentals available -- not even U-haul vans! Praise the Lord for kind-hearted friends. Shae-Lynn's second cousin and herself drove from Austin, picked me up after my appointment of having the stitches removed, and we drove back to Texas. It was a long trip, but I am so glad to be around my kids. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWvEWv-k41xQMBx0-RdEptBpCjBjnTwuIFx08BLfd5QpGvrQUIonA4EHYAZwvvuJtF28Cq9UjVYhNUPCrGkHDZJnuzq7xuDI1urr8n6IrBEmkbpAZ5CPYESgj9BDpzfgXzK_1LNktvnzi77orrECqVCRj_Ozy7QAoK1o8FrUgfrWOPqAzDSsl7i_Y/s4032/IMG_8320.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWvEWv-k41xQMBx0-RdEptBpCjBjnTwuIFx08BLfd5QpGvrQUIonA4EHYAZwvvuJtF28Cq9UjVYhNUPCrGkHDZJnuzq7xuDI1urr8n6IrBEmkbpAZ5CPYESgj9BDpzfgXzK_1LNktvnzi77orrECqVCRj_Ozy7QAoK1o8FrUgfrWOPqAzDSsl7i_Y/w300-h400/IMG_8320.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I.V. bag hanging from the coat hook during the trip.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>An added blessing was that we arrived in time for our home church's missions conference. Hearing messages from Dr. Sisk, Dr. Randy King, Pastor Brent Logan, and many others was such an encouragement. What a wonderful week it was.<p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWN8LiwW90xiw1SBnGWEhRHtbQ9ollaa2dN2vB9A7GHKoE68t8pxQVmYjgYWZCzMpbIAstLu4eTgjXrj7PgHqg_Gs7AU9hOZFFFowCgjpEvREBORMPOjfphk6KREZ1WONyRMEPZ_-0jbsnesH_OISds-19qM9HtCDDcSXx5fLo6lFlj_e7LXnp8Dn/s3487/RenderedImage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3487" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWN8LiwW90xiw1SBnGWEhRHtbQ9ollaa2dN2vB9A7GHKoE68t8pxQVmYjgYWZCzMpbIAstLu4eTgjXrj7PgHqg_Gs7AU9hOZFFFowCgjpEvREBORMPOjfphk6KREZ1WONyRMEPZ_-0jbsnesH_OISds-19qM9HtCDDcSXx5fLo6lFlj_e7LXnp8Dn/w400-h348/RenderedImage.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shae-Lynn is overjoyed that I get to stay with her and Stanley.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of the things I have discovered in being back is how complicated the medical system is here. I have spent hours and hours on the phone, trying to set up new doctors here in Texas so that my home health care can continue (medical supplies delivered and a nurse to change the PICC line bandage and draw blood). Last week I was able to get a primary care physician for here in Texas, and he is very accommodating to my situation. What an answer to prayer! I will see an orthopedic surgeon on Friday to make sure he is able to draw knee fluid at the end of the month for testing. <div><br /></div><div>Please, earnestly pray that the infection totally clears away.</div>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-12963504738928069302022-10-18T15:32:00.002+02:002022-10-18T15:32:31.571+02:00KNEE SURGERY WEEK<p> That was a long week!</p><p>As I mentioned in the last post, I checked into the hospital Thursday, October 6. On Friday, the surgeon's mother-in-law (Christian lady who also works at the hospital as an anesthesiologist) came and sat with me as I was prepped for surgery. Several people told me, "You must be a very special lady for Mary to come in on her day off!"</p><p>I know I'm no one special, but I serve a God Who enjoys sending special blessings. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFSNDNHrfKqHLgNKRDqrmI8HEDn-9gGks4tF7zRDAANFf6xy6EWwZjCAkykOiZmoX6b6YzvV6IEeV0iC9-UKf5_W-otI6jBLvekm9D8MXYFgQDUY69W9ZMTBcilPNM9PY9V0VP4SgmFmlMLgMli6cDMX8nn-oeOal_DSASfkFdW6iT3VI-kLTzSgyo" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFSNDNHrfKqHLgNKRDqrmI8HEDn-9gGks4tF7zRDAANFf6xy6EWwZjCAkykOiZmoX6b6YzvV6IEeV0iC9-UKf5_W-otI6jBLvekm9D8MXYFgQDUY69W9ZMTBcilPNM9PY9V0VP4SgmFmlMLgMli6cDMX8nn-oeOal_DSASfkFdW6iT3VI-kLTzSgyo=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When Keith buys me roses, he always requests 1 yellow (Yellow Rose of Texas).<br />I feel doubly loved as this one was a double bloom!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">The surgery went well, and the surgeon even shared pictures with me. The reason I kept having repeated bouts of swelling in Uganda is that the bacteria made pockets inside of my knee, so when I would get it aspirated to relieve the fluid, not everything was being drained because of the many pockets, so the bacteria would just regrow. However, the doctor said getting it aspirated 9 times probably saved my life and prevented the infection from causing sepsis.</div></span></div><p></p><p>Two days after surgery, the doctor removed the wrap, gave me a brief look of the long incision and stitches, and then slapped a large bandage on it that is like my second skin for two weeks. On Saturday I got to experience the insert of a PICC line. Tubing that goes from my arm to an area near my heart - that is a different feeling!</p><p>On Sunday, my potassium levels were low, so I had to drink potassium fizzy drinks to get those levels up. My hemoglobin levels (which were already low) were fluctuating too much for the doctor's liking, so my iron supplements were increased.</p><p>We thought I would be released from the hospital on Monday, but we hit a snag. The hospital couldn't identify the bacteria. All of the cultures kept coming back negative. My doctor finally took the fluid off-site to a large lab with more sophisticated equipment, and the rare bacteria was finally identified. Then came the process of finding antibiotics it wasn't resistant to which took another day. </p><p>When the medicines were started, I was told to notify the nurse of anything that felt different. Wednesday I woke up with a feeling of pressure in my chest. This set off alerts because the PICC line delivers the antibiotics so near my heart. Wednesday afternoon I had an EKG, which came back with an all-clear. By Wednesday evening the pain had lessoned, and the nurse and I were thinking it was probably heartburn (I was taking several oral medicines) or I had pulled a muscle in turning or getting out of bed. The floor doctor wasn't convinced, so another night stay in the hospital so that I could have an echocardiogram Thursday morning. I was SO ready to leave at this point! Both the doctor and nurse called the technician and asked them to read the report as soon as possible, and I was finally cleared to leave. The nurses were clapping and cheering for me as I was wheeled out and got to view the Florida sun for the first time in 8 days. </p><p>If you are needing rest, a hospital is NOT the place to be. I slept a lot the first two days out of the hospital trying to recover from exhaustion. The typical hospital schedule was something like this: </p><p>3:00 am Vitals<br />4:30 am Blood Draw<br />5:00 am Start I.V. and Vitals<br />6:00 am Changing of personnel started - the night personnel would bring in the day personnel (new nurse leader, nurse, and tech over the course of 2 hours).<br />7:00 am Vitals and Stomach injection (blood thinner)<br />8:00 am Breakfast<br />9:00 am First I.V. Finishes and Second Begins. Vitals. Cafeteria retrieved tray.<br />9:30 am Physical Therapy<br />10:00 am Floor Doctor<br />11:00 am Vitals<br />12:00 pm Lunch<br />1:00 pm Vitals. Start I.V. Cafeteria retrieved tray.<br />3:00 pm Vitals. Housekeeping.<br />5:00 pm Vitals and Supper<br />6:00 pm Cafeteria retrieved tray<br />7:00 pm Vitals<br />9:00 pm Vitals. Start I.V.<br />11:00 pm Vitals and finally quiet until 3:00 unless I needed pain meds</p><p>I was taking two different pain medications - one which was every 4 hours and the other was every 6 hours. Then there were the extra personal coming into my room - a person to check the oxygen supply in my room, a person to check the sharps container to see if it needed emptied, a person to resupply the disposable gloves...<br /><br />The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful couple to stay with. They have a walker for my use. They live in a one-story house. She is a great cook and very attentive to my needs, and they keep me laughing. I have been blessed with flowers, cards, dark chocolate and fruit. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I am so thankful to God for providing just what I needed. Truly, He loves His children.</b></p>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-68825255706716752782022-10-06T20:54:00.003+02:002022-10-06T20:54:45.103+02:00That Was Quick<p> Results are back, and there is an acute infection. I will check into the hospital in about 2 hours, and tomorrow the doctor will perform open knee surgery to totally clean out the infection. I get a weekend stay at the hospital and then will be released with a pic line to wear for 6 weeks to administer strong antibiotics. THEN . . . I will be able to have the knee surgery I came for.</p><p>The other day I was reading Exodus 2, and the Bible said that Moses' mother laid the ark of bulrushes in the flags by the river's brink. I feel as if that is where God has placed me right now. My ark seems to have one purpose right now - to keep me alive. Not to sail. Not to race. Not to carry cargo. God has pulled me out of the fleet of ships serving . . . to float. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbY756SGuUULJQxEQTtCAquw9YIbiwnz2QSs4hhM-TepqZ-A5Evyi6-EwyRjyzyn2QMur-VJFqAyYcS3AZXXxUXMj8apXmo-kugOuOw9B1waCNMmaVI0879tl39dvsayFHpGM5YfFGTfa0QJq_muJpvHl2KjUqfI5a8tFTku2cCKOvKtLpipw4w_hD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbY756SGuUULJQxEQTtCAquw9YIbiwnz2QSs4hhM-TepqZ-A5Evyi6-EwyRjyzyn2QMur-VJFqAyYcS3AZXXxUXMj8apXmo-kugOuOw9B1waCNMmaVI0879tl39dvsayFHpGM5YfFGTfa0QJq_muJpvHl2KjUqfI5a8tFTku2cCKOvKtLpipw4w_hD=w320-h240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>God's ways are not our ways - I want to be with my family . . . I want to be serving. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Yet, I will trust Him! He is my Heavenly Father. I know He loves me. </b></p>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0Florida, USA27.6648274 -81.5157535-0.64540643617884541 -116.6720035 55.975061236178846 -46.3595035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-5267406959328230392022-10-06T18:50:00.000+02:002022-10-06T18:50:02.971+02:00Luggage - Malaria - Doctor<p> It is hard to believe I have been here five days already, but life has been eventful!</p><p>When I left Uganda, the airport in Orlando was still closed because of Hurricane Ian. I wasn't sure if I would have a flight there or not, so I packed several changes of clothes in my carry-on luggage. Because Chicago was my point of entry, I had to claim my checked luggage and then re-check it in. As I did so, the lady reassured me that the airport was open and my flight was good, <i>"But you had better hurry!"</i></p><p>I looked at my watch and discovered there was just 20 minutes until the doors were supposed to close. The wheelchair attendant suggested I just go to the United desk and schedule a later flight, but I declined and said that I had to try to reach there and then started praying. Despite the long line in security, we arrived at the gate to find that the airplane door was still open! Praise the Lord! Unfortunately, my checked luggage didn't make my same flight but opted for the later. Great customer service was shown by delivering the bag to the place of my residence the next day. </p><p>During the flight and throughout Saturday, I experienced several episodes of severe chills. I thought it was just my body trying to adjust to the coldness of airplanes and buildings, even though I felt feverish at times, too. Sunday morning, after a sleepless night of chills and fever sweats, I decided to start going through the testings. </p><p>COVID - negative.</p><p>MALARIA - positive. WHAT? After 26 years, a malaria parasite hitchhikes with me to America to make me sick? What are the odds? Truly, everyone was shocked. Thankfully, I had brought medication along with the test, so I was able to start on it right away. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfOXlvYMqrTIORdIrItLjS46sBXNu_t-gCsCKg8vmu5bb5y7gqRMvtsWf14TuJy7loSLFCJXF3ZCNVzWLgZF2tIIy0VprTFt48L7pVZKjoX9yPKfuCG6ijAYcuKKptwd6q2D6ailz7XLDn9z8j_Ko1zH5eYc8jCVPIwYQjJ3dW07QXOZYs3Q7TCTdD" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfOXlvYMqrTIORdIrItLjS46sBXNu_t-gCsCKg8vmu5bb5y7gqRMvtsWf14TuJy7loSLFCJXF3ZCNVzWLgZF2tIIy0VprTFt48L7pVZKjoX9yPKfuCG6ijAYcuKKptwd6q2D6ailz7XLDn9z8j_Ko1zH5eYc8jCVPIwYQjJ3dW07QXOZYs3Q7TCTdD=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sad part of malaria was not wanting coffee. Glad to enjoy a cup after doctor's appointment.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>By Tuesday morning I was feeling well enough to make it to my doctor's appointment. Dr. Turnbull was very attentive and knowledgeable during the visit, and we are confident he will take the best course for bringing healing to my knee. He first wants to rule out the possibility of infection, so my knee received its 10th draining. (My mother-in-law recently went through some of this. When she got her knee aspirated, she told me she barely felt a thing because of the numbing medication. So I got hopeful thinking, <i>In America the doctor tries to make you as comfortable as possible.</i> I think my knee sends hidden messages to the doctors, <i>No worries - she can handle pain. Don't worry about trying to numb me.</i>)</p><p>The desire for our friends to connect us with this doctor and pave the way has been so helpful (and the ride from the airport).</p><p>I am blessed to be staying with a very sweet couple that have done so much to make me feel welcome and at home (as well as their dog). </p><p>Although electricity was out when I arrived, it came back on Sunday night (as did the internet). </p><p>The doctor's mother-in-law is a surgical nurse and has daily been checking on me and assuring me that I will get all put back together (her positivity and energy are infectious). </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">The Lord had blessed me with friends and wonderful care all around. </span></b></p>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-77388006794695607352022-09-27T21:37:00.000+02:002022-09-27T21:37:44.930+02:00C-O-M-F-O-R-T<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">As I was preparing to teach the pastor’s wives in Kaliro last week, in my file I found an old booklet I taught to our Ladies Bible Study in Masaka probably 22 years ago.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It is entitled</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><u style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">A Woman of the Word</u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">based upon Psalm 119. Although my intention was to use this study for teaching the ladies the importance of making the Bible a priority in their lives, I believe God was also giving me something to cling to during this time in my life.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One of the lessons is “God’s Word – My Comfort in Affliction.” I printed up the acrostic it had of finding comfort in the Word of God, and I plan to keep it handy and review frequently. I hope it will be a source of strength to you, too, in whatever you are facing today.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvRqVKd7nvRrvAcydf_mOuVMamiuepo9kcATfUxGqXk6q4SgHSPTgNveEtZsIVuLucP6V6hcSh4Fdzu9o2za6P1m1-kP0pd_7VEd2kvL042FOU-JXQTT1XbWgJEBKi0nowYQMY28Pnc_OyhJQPrSG-QA1NZZnzpXPYJyR1nCTrqokvzMeFrRGF-4G4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2168" data-original-width="2891" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvRqVKd7nvRrvAcydf_mOuVMamiuepo9kcATfUxGqXk6q4SgHSPTgNveEtZsIVuLucP6V6hcSh4Fdzu9o2za6P1m1-kP0pd_7VEd2kvL042FOU-JXQTT1XbWgJEBKi0nowYQMY28Pnc_OyhJQPrSG-QA1NZZnzpXPYJyR1nCTrqokvzMeFrRGF-4G4=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">C</span></b> - “<u>C</u>asting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” <i>(1 Peter 5:7)</i></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O</span></b> - “<u>O</u>ut of the depths have I cried unto thee O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” <i>(Psalm 130:1-2)</i></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">M</span></b> - “<u>M</u>any are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” <i>(Psalm 34:19)</i></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">F</span></b> - “<u>F</u>or our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” <i>(2 Corinthians 4:17)</i></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">O</span></b> - “<u>O</u> God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” <i>(Psalm 108:1)</i></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">R</span></b> - “<u>R</u>est in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” <i>(Psalm 37:7)</i></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">T</span></b> - “<u>T</u>rust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” <i>(Proverbs 3:5)</i></li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-47395505298074799922022-09-26T15:30:00.001+02:002022-09-26T15:39:45.834+02:00IT'S A FLORIDA FLIGHT<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">There is a lot going on in my life right now, and frankly, I am having trouble remembering who I have told what to.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">So…I figure it is time to resurrect my blog. Here we go!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMjjqtrNYTRlZwdDDESaziVqWK0M1TZLp-YkDLro2jxCVFDJbnFpNemBZsp2zljnz8VVTyN6YllQq4SsYx-kNvoLgQnEf5G5AP69fXfdPxFppAf3BvJGes4y7LBgDSZySEuSFnKC44W8p0P_YAJtFfKwWuSnKvs4NAQT8m4CVC6Q-TozcGDkMDLeyP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2678" data-original-width="2009" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMjjqtrNYTRlZwdDDESaziVqWK0M1TZLp-YkDLro2jxCVFDJbnFpNemBZsp2zljnz8VVTyN6YllQq4SsYx-kNvoLgQnEf5G5AP69fXfdPxFppAf3BvJGes4y7LBgDSZySEuSFnKC44W8p0P_YAJtFfKwWuSnKvs4NAQT8m4CVC6Q-TozcGDkMDLeyP" width="180" /></a></div><o:p> </o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The plane ticket is bought. I’m flying to FLORIDA!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">On April 12, 2022, I had surgery to repair both the lateral and medial menisci of my knee. Many of the things I went through right after surgery, I am discovering were not normal for this day and age of modern medicine. However, we trusted this doctor and felt as if he was capable of this surgery as he is listed as the best in the country and has been practicing here in Uganda for over 20 years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">However, as my knee kept painfully swelling up, we realized that something was not right. When the doctor ignored my orders of no more steroid injections (he gave me 3 in 3 months without my knowledge) and by the eighth aspiration (draining of the fluid on the knee), we found an alternative doctor who ordered lab work of the fluid at the ninth draining and also an ultrasound. Neither one revealed any abnormalities, so I reached out to doctors in America. One doctor (a friend of one of the missionaries here) requested I get an x-ray and an MRI. The x-ray is showing I may need a knee replacement. The MRI (which shows that my knee is in worse condition now than before the surgery) is showing I may need an ACL/PCL reconstruction. Because this doctor has been so helpful and has shown so much concern for my health, we made the decision to set up an appointment with him instead of starting at ground zero with another surgeon elsewhere. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Truly, God’s ways are not our ways. I have already had 5 surgeries in the last year (4 for the eyes and 1 for the knee), so I did not volunteer to take this exit of more surgeries in the journey of 2022. I do not know why this doctor in Florida – far away from any of my family – is the one who has been so kind and informative. But the God I know can be trusted. The God I serve is dependable. Already, He has planned for this trip to correspond with three visitors from the States that I am sharing a flight with until we reach Chicago. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Do I want to make this trip? No.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Do I want another surgery or two? Definitely not. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Do I want to visit America and not be with my kids and granddaughter? Positively not.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">However, I <u>do</u> want to see God work and do amazing things. I have already been praying specifically for certain things in this journey that I am trusting God to attend to. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Please pray with me as I lean upon His wisdom and direction.<br /><o:p></o:p></p>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-30179292870247894162020-08-04T23:37:00.001+02:002020-08-04T23:42:37.407+02:00TO MY VIOLIN CHILDRENThe night before one of my children prepare to take flight out of the family nest, I don't sleep well. Last night was no exception. During the moments of prayer and contemplation, the thought came to me that children are a lot like violins.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPZM5vd8YUD-R9ngU2sLkfgn7w2ncmVxb7TI9MhHnQUghmc4QBBUFATNc5slm9H10uOMH5WPqgC3mshfdowpXGmTkn0qW8fB_0Gepo9gxBI0OdmUhIUvuv67yDrglF34QMwEyxDMQJ0A/s799/violin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="799" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPZM5vd8YUD-R9ngU2sLkfgn7w2ncmVxb7TI9MhHnQUghmc4QBBUFATNc5slm9H10uOMH5WPqgC3mshfdowpXGmTkn0qW8fB_0Gepo9gxBI0OdmUhIUvuv67yDrglF34QMwEyxDMQJ0A/s640/violin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>God is the master Craftsman lovingly creating each unique instrument, but then He places each unpolished gift into a parent's hands. The violin spends time aging and maturing, sometimes being exposed to sunlight to darken its beautiful grain and expose its hidden beauty. Layers of varnish are added through years in training and teaching. Sadly, some parents don't take the time to brush the varnish on evenly with smooth strokes, and their work is evident in the appearance and behavior of their children. Some parents push the children out into the world without adding a protectant coat, and the instrument is quickly damaged. But those parents who realize the value of the gift God has entrusted to them, lovingly spend years with that brush in hand, patiently waiting for layers of varnish to dry before adding another coat. Each coat takes on a different appearance depending on the circumstances, influences, and culture the child is exposed to. </div><div><br /></div><div><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="910" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDz5X82WxjW64LHWNwn2O_CF-Zo6aXv54IpMV5PGQJaE9uszDOmfwyILj9rB0Rfim6hFPEMZ8zQv_dBDQJWVfMVpYM66_gNmieIEQ25vW7A-OMLPUriXDhVZ2hoDPMS4obes-3sMzlRg/s640/violin-music-fiddle-classical.jpg" width="640" /></div><div><br /></div><div>As the strings are slowly tightened, there are some intense moments as the wood adjusts to the pressure. But as we have completed the work on each instrument and tuned it one last time, our hearts clench and our eyes weep as we watch each child walk away to begin their symphony of life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although you came from the same wood, your personalities are different and circumstances changed, so the pigments and dyes added to your varnish will be varied. Each one of you received a different type of polishing, but the purpose was all the same: to shine for Jesus. Your strings have carefully been fitted and tuned to the same tone: to praise the Lord. This is the music we have desired for you to make. This is the sound that will bring such peace to our minds and such joy to our hearts -- that your music be to praise the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the polishing and tuning isn't just a one-time project. Now it is up to you, my children, to keep your violin looking its best. It is up to you to keep it in tune to sing the praises of the Lord by keeping your eyes on the Director and your ear always open to His instruction. If a wrong note is played, but quick to correct it and get back in tempo. It is your daily duty to wipe the smudges off through confession of sin, Bible reading, and prayer. You must protect your instrument from damage by listening to instructors who themselves have learned through years of performing. </div><div><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1919" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbvFzAY-JE2q7dN77uDIZkcfHZFh3RAEuY-EPC6NaTuFa3DymjqDPw7DykwkPdtKo3WevvNPRtXD41KUSydLbe_sUBoCU506TlJHMihhvDluDt7K9P1f0d2uuHV4sBmxe2Ui8js4lsCo/s640/violinist-1425526352v9A.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br />You are now playing in a larger orchestra than the family band. More people are watching you and listening to you. You are on a bigger stage. You will not sound the exact same as the person next to you because you may have a deep tone as opposed to their smooth tone. But differences add the beauty to the music as long as you are playing the same song. By wisely choosing which orchestra to join, your music will always be beautiful and bring glory to your Maker. Play with knowledge, knowing when to be bold and when to be soothing. Don't be embarrassed to follow the lead violinist for a time, but play with the goal to be that lead some day. Let your "behind-the-scenes" warm-ups and daily practice be as beautiful as the watched performances.<br /><div><br /></div><div><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="910" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGHiIh7quKIPiTJKhZL_3CH1NW6r7BCMGQul5i59hfaky5M3I7X1Ay6Ryjw-SdQO6ZQMQSouqf8XwIhk4UMT1OowmAQbWGTGQHqPtQbbvIBzWoj669cmDeNq-hrxgjLSpu8cKvmKVlug/s640/orchestra-symphony-stage-performing.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you, my instruments of grace!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font size="5">"Come thou Fount of ever blessing,</font></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><font size="5">Tune my heart to sing Thy praise!"</font></b></i></div></div>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-46653561080786688852020-07-29T18:00:00.000+02:002020-07-29T18:00:13.932+02:00FURLOUGH 2020 Growing the Family<div style="text-align: center;"><b>In case you haven't heard - our family is increasing!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk3sHLD87hIrpXOqnjGuzdEW7G9476BW2LGXTeYiCKAZC59Rq1wJc7DkZmUn7u-wR9MPAG9lmOAIgKN0KQYypsHCztzioEUpH7E2kZ8UrMR4xRsI7Jopje_r6PH3L5I-fGwUzq-x7PmI/s2048/IMG_E0968.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1486" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk3sHLD87hIrpXOqnjGuzdEW7G9476BW2LGXTeYiCKAZC59Rq1wJc7DkZmUn7u-wR9MPAG9lmOAIgKN0KQYypsHCztzioEUpH7E2kZ8UrMR4xRsI7Jopje_r6PH3L5I-fGwUzq-x7PmI/w290-h400/IMG_E0968.jpeg" width="290" /></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We are so excited to be able to add another girl to our family, </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>but we are grateful that she has already been raised by fine Christian parents.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="893" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidspdzJ2IE4oU3UMJNCGzVGXb_xneRPAQ6dXkzeq2ixj4QTwceRRgwVeKiL8xDtvQETyUw3HW6ILosmfd7jZqkuZ6BB0F1YdFR2aglJL6sjlYE0YW18mfD58lWMUW2Y4_TDCSPewtUQJ0/w245-h400/IMG_0922.jpeg" width="245" /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Although Shane (our oldest) has been living and working in Ohio and Rachel was going to college in California, Dad Stensaas took the opportunity to introduce them to each other via FaceTime. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrACJUVQTIfR_bcvNjWN-LUD2jkRs5DFqbtbxQuHzGBKfdxyvMa3OYyOBvnWGUuZEjkXoCC7a1zxjhM4jRCT4Hx-vgeb2rDSN2xMSmBnTD54MjNTV7_BXbOnifmLwZdB7QlSas3Gdrvc/w266-h400/DSC_0146.jpeg" width="266" /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Long distance dating isn't easy, but they have made it work. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL_ih3uiVB8gV4ApWJp_TlisSgOQ3l6JKOv8MjCfKeg7e1MgdV3olCEW25TflXNupe056CGWkOLq184d94eyCHGsmqwlRaCcFdLZ6WtAlY0JVEqpXEHlb4_z1vfGewg_C0HXsbXYXDlI/s2048/DSC_0424.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL_ih3uiVB8gV4ApWJp_TlisSgOQ3l6JKOv8MjCfKeg7e1MgdV3olCEW25TflXNupe056CGWkOLq184d94eyCHGsmqwlRaCcFdLZ6WtAlY0JVEqpXEHlb4_z1vfGewg_C0HXsbXYXDlI/w266-h400/DSC_0424.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rachel "just happened" to be visiting Shane in Ohio last week during our surprise visit there, </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>so we were thrilled to be able to spend time with her.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A-I7blOZsgGjalXt4uQwEEhDdrNbn2Gf2Q8G6c_rNdT8cRFmE7RXY5iWt-otwmk8-r4vBzLua0TvghkZuFqZ6x54t-3_R6hnVZcZrCuHyVJ7d_3UNCLlF-teWbwfdIsntjccSJMq748/w266-h400/DSC_0495.jpeg" style="text-align: start;" width="266" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We love you, Shane and Rachel.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font size="2">(Shae-Lynn did a great job taking pictures of them together during our quick visit.)</font></i></div><div><br /></div>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-67968361747178315942020-07-28T18:00:00.000+02:002020-07-28T18:00:01.261+02:00FURLOUGH 2020 Happy 50th Anniversary!<div class="separator"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tEVfeC2_S_3REXis_qWyc7vjFnJVPkGUAlgYyQwrKFVNtmGvBRDJVWmhoEF3Rdgz6dnnoCuoJmhwVNRMcCbfIJkq9hYK7GHkp0aWM892FKFYT7OnYYm5T9oVnKg3qneqt4m_RiRHFes/w400-h266/URMB7237.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan and Cheri Stensaas<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>This past week we really put the miles in. We are on the east coast for the next month, visiting churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Last week, my in-laws Bryan and Cheri Stensaas celebrated 50 years of marriage. A party was planned for them, and we decided to surprise them by attending, although we were 7+ hours away. </b></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJTzlwtro-dlWilG8A15AzK8SiFoVz_cMXMvxU-btzDB9iVDEU6pGTteYWkuWUSn5k8CvBNxynfhaSj9eIhXFil2yZF6GCIA0xmomG_-IqVgHXOXt8xQfrpB2HkEj21Gl5S7_ln_-HYw/w266-h400/QQMP3112.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cake Was a Replica of the Original</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Andrew and Jacky (Andrew is the 3rd Stensaas kid) invited Mom and Dad and our son Shane to their house for lunch on Thursday. We had arrived just minutes before them and hid in a bedroom. Before praying for the meal, we walked out and surprised them.</b> </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cx9D4yv9d1jzQhX5LFPWc6gHxIhJpS1ySIZ4yQwwqqIOLlyNbI_MggKh9Pdwto6XqJAbv518d7Wjyl8Z7httHNFCWPF6w9XlHe8PJuzEh-yok11UudsNhm-z2MMT79ucuCu9dj8yyhU/w400-h225/IMG_5084.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith Captured His Mom in a Hug as I Hugged Shane<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHecwtiMRaPlUkgkbxjA5DEHAqzJFA2NdsW_yWuIk_r1_cWMZnzBaW2dH_LrBC6hYlAMD0PO06G7AbEhYcjtb3VXMKy32p0_8TQ5sPG0WlLl5jOEg1d3dIgSK0FrVXSyf1ER-co3sK0M/s320/IMG_0926.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stensaas Cousins (and Aunt) - Blessed with Great Family</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It was so much fun being with family. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Many years ago, all of the Stensaas families served in Uganda, so we greatly miss that connection.</b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVXvlHaQEL5y4cMAOh52mNRhViIy6kk1UwvFyqM3vX0_n3VMmrqtDAyAaayFfd02uQI4XTUUIb5nRFSJ_f_KURCdzJoVt-MO-Pi_BdXfoiW2kjwMcpY-8zcOEee8ZZhksCtjK4Dv0vCI/w400-h266/WUBZ7341.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew & Jacky's Family with Mom and Dad<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpXA5r5j_Q-V6LBiajRx59m5y10wm-fKZ05Tf63xMUuJ6s04d7B0ei9y553wZNzzru1aKaedkVj8ZAd4uc2D8PuVaBIUOY2guEov4QIS1In1COIk3JGe-KDatD8ky_4512nYeOncwnpQ/w400-h266/YCDX3787.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Family with Mom and Dad</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>On Friday we enjoyed celebrating with mom and dad and the great church family of First Baptist in Eaton, Ohio. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-PfbKgo3G_jp_pao3ngSguaQVd9dIMXYO4ViOGvZCyQuS3JWY9sgw2PXztVqnFliAdVRKxBXO4idcnNM7C2atMYlB778HdxQO5KXpf9vMsM1nMpW3_HjEmF5FAMria0WKANIZLmAhQ0/s320/IMG_0943.jpeg" style="text-align: start;" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am so blessed to claim Bryan and Cheri as my in-laws.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Love you much, Mom and Dad.</b></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-91939584247503714592020-07-28T04:00:00.000+02:002020-07-28T04:00:08.439+02:00FURLOUGH 2020 Where Have We BeenDespite the restrictions many states have had on travel and meetings, the Lord has been so good to us in opening the paths before us. In the 4-1/2 months since we have been back, we have been in 24 States. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno0k56nKc4hv0hzBAUG1Npd_iDkbhclGr7BSuHjByHcCYBd1l2Amy9qixM8i4FMJU8XRoXt_pfhFD4OGfMVnzPdDwF-LTSz0wizpvBKCOQqlqljLqH5iTz_CIp-_czN6liTt_0jDdRL4/s650/AZARCAGAIDILINIAMONENVNMNCOHOKORSCTNTXUTVAWAWVWYCC3399xlg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="650" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno0k56nKc4hv0hzBAUG1Npd_iDkbhclGr7BSuHjByHcCYBd1l2Amy9qixM8i4FMJU8XRoXt_pfhFD4OGfMVnzPdDwF-LTSz0wizpvBKCOQqlqljLqH5iTz_CIp-_czN6liTt_0jDdRL4/w400-h259/AZARCAGAIDILINIAMONENVNMNCOHOKORSCTNTXUTVAWAWVWYCC3399xlg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The variety of beautiful landscape God has created has given us many opportunities to say, "What a great Creator we serve!" While in California, we were able to enjoy walking and wading in the Pacific Ocean. I love to feel the warm sand beneath my feet as I walk the beach and watch the power of the waves. One of our friends was stung by a stingray the week after we were with them at the very same place we had been to. One of my favorite things to do is to pet stingrays at the aquarium, but I do not want to experience their sting!</b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLySfxEFKh6n-9tZgDZGFQjjxGVRnc8E5xA5NURJSuGOAOT_flNhR13pjjc7cqF4c1-_YsZDriymedYt3HMFX4rNi4C1ffxLdM9JVzzR8l72DrgAw2oTPLgXW6MpLmGqYZYNU_hVWZBs/s2048/IMG_0042.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLySfxEFKh6n-9tZgDZGFQjjxGVRnc8E5xA5NURJSuGOAOT_flNhR13pjjc7cqF4c1-_YsZDriymedYt3HMFX4rNi4C1ffxLdM9JVzzR8l72DrgAw2oTPLgXW6MpLmGqYZYNU_hVWZBs/w500-h375/IMG_0042.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Ocean<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-5HQtu2Ho3qWs44G6zLZb79eMUZVqxBA_5h-t94ynzqgsX3vZjwX_PgLceZC9bCmHQcp399BP1OInWnmMqzA0nDwUfHoI3A-diwpXjFc_znJYAgKQGeBDUVVTE9gbvVAR1StQGWMyTY/s2048/IMG_8385.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-5HQtu2Ho3qWs44G6zLZb79eMUZVqxBA_5h-t94ynzqgsX3vZjwX_PgLceZC9bCmHQcp399BP1OInWnmMqzA0nDwUfHoI3A-diwpXjFc_znJYAgKQGeBDUVVTE9gbvVAR1StQGWMyTY/w500-h375/IMG_8385.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppy Flowers In Bloom<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b>In Northern California we enjoyed forests, lakes, and hiking trails. </b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0dvhjjKa_8wRhUJQS5-ONdlptvRxiYiY8fV6pw48kaQeQmWqMsZaT5FrkYP2_TaaZovNIi2aGP2ReUnxWpEVX-akIgM-eww8cXUAkiIYleaczIRxUfdekecL1RLGPQflGhqQES-_fWM/s2048/IMG_0423.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0dvhjjKa_8wRhUJQS5-ONdlptvRxiYiY8fV6pw48kaQeQmWqMsZaT5FrkYP2_TaaZovNIi2aGP2ReUnxWpEVX-akIgM-eww8cXUAkiIYleaczIRxUfdekecL1RLGPQflGhqQES-_fWM/w500-h375/IMG_0423.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yosemite National Park<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjN_8Mjyb_2k56zO5twTnHfJlMj-tVOJlaL3OW_hU0g50IaFXeQ9gveUpGn5ee0O8fbWDGRI3-7focCcx3Uj8w7WrnnlRf_f3rvEyUS2DQGXbE9hZAq-xB4OOzL-Qs5Td9TfI0VOhQmw/s2048/IMG_0478.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjN_8Mjyb_2k56zO5twTnHfJlMj-tVOJlaL3OW_hU0g50IaFXeQ9gveUpGn5ee0O8fbWDGRI3-7focCcx3Uj8w7WrnnlRf_f3rvEyUS2DQGXbE9hZAq-xB4OOzL-Qs5Td9TfI0VOhQmw/w500-h375/IMG_0478.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yosemite National Park Glacier Point</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Idaho surprised us with a beautiful canyon right under the highway that we explored with beautiful waterfalls and underground springs.</b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74SihCksuZrpPux-dKHgi7-iXXY9avnPwN_hZf0GJecm9YsUfzqKsJk0PgNw2vEglKZ8T5FeFIbOvzOT7bbTQgRZYMoeu6N_imDrLnOTt7rT0M6LBJUJGr3t7sATlRAxFVtlpA0ffUaM/s2048/IMG_0672.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74SihCksuZrpPux-dKHgi7-iXXY9avnPwN_hZf0GJecm9YsUfzqKsJk0PgNw2vEglKZ8T5FeFIbOvzOT7bbTQgRZYMoeu6N_imDrLnOTt7rT0M6LBJUJGr3t7sATlRAxFVtlpA0ffUaM/w500-h375/IMG_0672.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malad Gorge State Park<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV3SGx8dDAHVUggXHL2lB1GfO8z_NEYoZl2XiX374qPHvJeZd7jCXBx7ORFNZaCh94TV6gQZ4ghWsLWU6Eq9AD1uEZi0EXBt_tnk_3PM6tDPsCGi7tRtcuN-8kyB-M_Sq8hF2mimQ0ew/s2048/IMG_0736.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV3SGx8dDAHVUggXHL2lB1GfO8z_NEYoZl2XiX374qPHvJeZd7jCXBx7ORFNZaCh94TV6gQZ4ghWsLWU6Eq9AD1uEZi0EXBt_tnk_3PM6tDPsCGi7tRtcuN-8kyB-M_Sq8hF2mimQ0ew/w500-h375/IMG_0736.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on July 4th<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tennessee was beautiful with its forests and Christmas tree farms.</b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GJ7oJ8p5YxkyJiT1sP-kdfFh6IOhvBnbqCA_lo3DceTYg6R8OrCWNmacCSHhfJ0yZJujEY_Y7kjCj3sZYF20_D1LiyCy8M56Ffm3lE8k2C4TEHYYj1H1G-22w0iEJC7tbcFgh1nqt48/s2048/IMG_0900.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GJ7oJ8p5YxkyJiT1sP-kdfFh6IOhvBnbqCA_lo3DceTYg6R8OrCWNmacCSHhfJ0yZJujEY_Y7kjCj3sZYF20_D1LiyCy8M56Ffm3lE8k2C4TEHYYj1H1G-22w0iEJC7tbcFgh1nqt48/w500-h375/IMG_0900.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain City, Tennessee<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FGN-cnPCP7WfCKSHouWSQWTnaie6rXvIxGbvT6ILRVOWRgBhYjuvnm0Hph_d0rIsGoqx4dENQKNJg_R7WeTE-rqY032vXPqipRdYS7dWzlifp2TgG2HCbP-f97y5w5FAZ94AvZzT7x4/s2048/IMG_0885.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FGN-cnPCP7WfCKSHouWSQWTnaie6rXvIxGbvT6ILRVOWRgBhYjuvnm0Hph_d0rIsGoqx4dENQKNJg_R7WeTE-rqY032vXPqipRdYS7dWzlifp2TgG2HCbP-f97y5w5FAZ94AvZzT7x4/w500-h375/IMG_0885.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a Rainstorm</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We are so blessed by the vast beauty God has created in nature.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What beautiful scenery have you enjoyed lately?</i></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-25907413733763519522020-06-22T21:16:00.000+02:002020-06-22T21:16:42.363+02:00FURLOUGH 2020 Motels On Covid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Part of furlough for a missionary is living out of a suitcase and sleeping in several different places each week. Sometimes the church has a mission's apartment. Sometimes we stay with a family. Sometimes we stay in motels. Even though so many businesses closed during the COVID restrictions, motels were considered essential and have remained opened. However, their service has greatly changed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the things our children look forward to while traveling is the motel breakfasts. Our first meeting, which was a mission's conference, they thoroughly enjoyed the pancakes, eggs, biscuits and gravy, yogurt, cereal, bagels, juice and coffee. But then....COVID happened, and all changed. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbQFE97Xg0Vg_-BJatkCbAlz0ZhXwmgGsNEvKkvQPpANNuFOPZgYvPzfWveBYvSn9lr5tT8HkgWPrNZUTUYSTEGoNByOtxM5yT1JO_XDSBuOBZVzKZUJeGBoWEdTkvV255urkUc9UQgU/s1472/DAZK2227.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1472" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbQFE97Xg0Vg_-BJatkCbAlz0ZhXwmgGsNEvKkvQPpANNuFOPZgYvPzfWveBYvSn9lr5tT8HkgWPrNZUTUYSTEGoNByOtxM5yT1JO_XDSBuOBZVzKZUJeGBoWEdTkvV255urkUc9UQgU/w400-h300/DAZK2227.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So what does a motel breakfast on COVID restriction look like? We have noticed a trend - if it is a nicer motel then there will be no breakfast of any kind served. The middle class motels will serve a sack breakfast with water, granola bar and a fruit. During our trip out to California, we stayed two nights in New Mexico at the cheapest place we could find, and they were the most generous with juice, 2 granola bars, fruit cup, fruit, muffin and yogurt. Sad to say, most of the motels have done away with coffee. After three consecutive days of staying in different motels, none with coffee, I think it must have started showing on our countenances. We attended a Wednesday night service that was being live-streamed with few attending. Because of social distancing, we just sat in our seats and greeted people who were close-by. A staff member greeted us and offered us bottles of water, but then added the fact that they could bring us coffee, too. He probably thought we were going to pounce on him. We were so elated to get a cup of coffee...and it was very good!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3D8AmAfKQJy_e1hfH9WYxMg3j-S4YuCH1Ynnz9JW0uPUYoXSLkWJDXKt0pvdO6m57blU_60RSK3hj3woucnvvEa2t68ftDVRTaT1XNIpd4sk8lsIvwibLEd1CwM2pI-iGvWZz6vEv0E/s4032/IMG_0561.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3D8AmAfKQJy_e1hfH9WYxMg3j-S4YuCH1Ynnz9JW0uPUYoXSLkWJDXKt0pvdO6m57blU_60RSK3hj3woucnvvEa2t68ftDVRTaT1XNIpd4sk8lsIvwibLEd1CwM2pI-iGvWZz6vEv0E/w400-h300/IMG_0561.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We don't know what changes will remain permanent in the hotel industry, but we certainly hope that they bring back their breakfasts and especially the COFFEE!</div>Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-5301021409803848542020-05-06T23:57:00.001+02:002020-05-06T23:57:13.750+02:00IT'S TIME TO MEET<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHnNYMXVdN7nfgSfB0s4t7TES0PZNHdsv4BmW4x7-0CEmgj1fzGXeTQ2qnaNsRAj4m-dwoiQ7Cb50FVRlmppo4SnqQm8zmSMl14JC0JfcqR4w_Gyuw-aFi-j6gySng6sIXjj1IBOYw7s/s1600/img20191231_21105595.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHnNYMXVdN7nfgSfB0s4t7TES0PZNHdsv4BmW4x7-0CEmgj1fzGXeTQ2qnaNsRAj4m-dwoiQ7Cb50FVRlmppo4SnqQm8zmSMl14JC0JfcqR4w_Gyuw-aFi-j6gySng6sIXjj1IBOYw7s/s400/img20191231_21105595.jpeg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Engagement - New Year's Eve at Midnight 1992</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One of the things Keith and I pray daily for is godly mates for our children. Our prayer and desire is to see our children continue to grow in their Christian life after they leave our home and to marry someone who will help them accomplish more for God.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXjPmxVWTjkriZdv0pzSbbjJTwlziBQb-swHb6Th0q6FQ33aIR4eiSqBCO3OFW4mQQgcXOetTj-RSyxO9_37oiW4CGc007t7Ph5O_Yi3K5LfOLS1z9mGJuukL5oetYrHFu2CjQTg1Cgw/s1600/IMG_2500.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXjPmxVWTjkriZdv0pzSbbjJTwlziBQb-swHb6Th0q6FQ33aIR4eiSqBCO3OFW4mQQgcXOetTj-RSyxO9_37oiW4CGc007t7Ph5O_Yi3K5LfOLS1z9mGJuukL5oetYrHFu2CjQTg1Cgw/s400/IMG_2500.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel - A Beautiful Lady Inside and Out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With help from his Grandpa, our son Shane was introduced to Rachel in 2018. She took several of Dad's classes at West Coast Baptist College and became better acquainted with Shane through FaceTime, texting, and phone calls. (Shane lives in Ohio, and Rachel was in California.) After graduating from college, Rachel accepted a position at Hope Children's Home in New Mexico. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPznYjH5KOsN1k0yiwR2fxrDgfawbAT1wp6g_e_SyjEL6aaIKEzToMuCRUoFp2ReYLZZ_SsBs5bmyfZNOXkYW4uIPn1KO-XV0iv-Ez7a6erTZNy2pVpMeEpUdDjFJJ3lfsOwuYw-zRbNE/s1600/IMG_2381.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPznYjH5KOsN1k0yiwR2fxrDgfawbAT1wp6g_e_SyjEL6aaIKEzToMuCRUoFp2ReYLZZ_SsBs5bmyfZNOXkYW4uIPn1KO-XV0iv-Ez7a6erTZNy2pVpMeEpUdDjFJJ3lfsOwuYw-zRbNE/s400/IMG_2381.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel said, "YES!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Their relationship blossomed into an engagement on Christmas Day 2019. On our way from Texas to California, we were blessed with a couple of extra days to meet the lady who stole our son's heart.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKQ0yAnKxeSO6wVWRw_iSK_PlSE8liapavT7L_SESh7SSZA-0OzpQPv1opv_syie67U37-o9Ng3CDwLkgyftKFxAjhzGECUqN1mDxNtUGRzsi1jmHSzGh7Z7A_SHSsH3qKH7QIwBmgR8/s1600/IMG_3068.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKQ0yAnKxeSO6wVWRw_iSK_PlSE8liapavT7L_SESh7SSZA-0OzpQPv1opv_syie67U37-o9Ng3CDwLkgyftKFxAjhzGECUqN1mDxNtUGRzsi1jmHSzGh7Z7A_SHSsH3qKH7QIwBmgR8/s400/IMG_3068.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are excited to welcome another member to our family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Rachel King is as sweet as her smile is. Although we had just a couple of hours together, we enjoyed the time together, and she survived the meeting of the in-laws all alone! We know she will be a great help meet to Shane, and that together they will accomplish great things for God.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBROchg0Hpg0G6HAk9VtgK440SJzH8HoppH05jsoTWJGmKKFz1UMSgwDgn0HmUgOpSmiaz0fPW-O16ehjsMPyN0AfCvDgG7ylJ4mcFclCIEr-Azp9jxUheJgBacGZO38f4-dmuurqYcTU/s1600/IMG_3073.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBROchg0Hpg0G6HAk9VtgK440SJzH8HoppH05jsoTWJGmKKFz1UMSgwDgn0HmUgOpSmiaz0fPW-O16ehjsMPyN0AfCvDgG7ylJ4mcFclCIEr-Azp9jxUheJgBacGZO38f4-dmuurqYcTU/s400/IMG_3073.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like an Oreo - the sweet stuff is in the middle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Shane and Rachel, </div>
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We love you and pray for God's blessings on your relationship </div>
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as you grow closer to each other through your walk with God.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Xc6qAnN0qRTxKdSG6g_6vBRUvoJ80NbAm7EblHg9UrmcLXp2HqQmMjHpB5OEWBI_F1F9llveVPqwRjQul1yA_bdnceVCaCt6c1Vux2JAURpBIsHaHsf6Tk4ujmvkLeDbdFOPCNZwh4w/s1600/IMG_2377.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Xc6qAnN0qRTxKdSG6g_6vBRUvoJ80NbAm7EblHg9UrmcLXp2HqQmMjHpB5OEWBI_F1F9llveVPqwRjQul1yA_bdnceVCaCt6c1Vux2JAURpBIsHaHsf6Tk4ujmvkLeDbdFOPCNZwh4w/s320/IMG_2377.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mark Your Calendars for September 26!</span></b></div>
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<br />Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-90414500209115603632020-05-03T04:44:00.002+02:002020-05-06T23:11:59.808+02:00FURLOUGH 2020 - April<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MONTH 2</span></b></div>
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What a change the COVID-19 restrictions have made to our furlough. This has to be a record for the amount of time we have spent at our home church. But God is taking such good care of us. We have a great place to stay, friends to be with (at a distance), and great online devotionals and messages to listen to from our home church. A great blessing to me has been to hear our pastor's wife teach the Ladies Bible Study each week. Normally, these aren't put on our livestream, so Shae-Lynn and I have really been enjoying hearing Mrs. Kim. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_Znvi7dFff93kSq0mX1ybNnoQiUL6-gSn9t6XI_ReIf_wOnqL20QUnWy4k2oHXg_6A5mmVknJRaFOJQ8Z_S4Zw0BGqizOOXfeW-IpbDg_h04IESu2KIvKNO78VSSPVwGPZ35Z50QJ_Q/s1600/Screenshot+2020-04-10+at+4.06.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_Znvi7dFff93kSq0mX1ybNnoQiUL6-gSn9t6XI_ReIf_wOnqL20QUnWy4k2oHXg_6A5mmVknJRaFOJQ8Z_S4Zw0BGqizOOXfeW-IpbDg_h04IESu2KIvKNO78VSSPVwGPZ35Z50QJ_Q/s640/Screenshot+2020-04-10+at+4.06.17+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made this to keep in our Bibles to remember one of my favourite lessons Kim taught.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Yes, we have had cancellations even though we are in Texas where churches are exempt from restrictions. Pastors are still being very careful and moving with wisdom to avoid the preaching of the Gospel being blamed for any outbreaks. Several of the churches that cancelled have still sent a love offering, and we thank God greatly for this act of kindness that is helping meet our daily expenses.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_FjZiGzYkpe8lkoVdfO9tUidR31lewU5v25BtOjvVenkoAkv37M7dYlY1RlwBDl5nIGcKyu11qraIkKK0bohfjsnscL8IukdWS2QWufR36Sv4ekTp7XoRU5sZzxJkK9iLifEXxHk8pc/s1600/deb920ae-dc2c-4a12-9d19-ed0a703653d0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_FjZiGzYkpe8lkoVdfO9tUidR31lewU5v25BtOjvVenkoAkv37M7dYlY1RlwBDl5nIGcKyu11qraIkKK0bohfjsnscL8IukdWS2QWufR36Sv4ekTp7XoRU5sZzxJkK9iLifEXxHk8pc/s400/deb920ae-dc2c-4a12-9d19-ed0a703653d0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin stores had mandatory mask-wearing regulations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Uganda is under strict lockdown until May 5, but we are thankful that they have had no COVID deaths despite the 85 confirmed cases. The Lord is taking care of His children, and the Christians are learning to trust God in new ways. Our radio station is being listened to by hundreds of new people as they sit at home with little to do. Especially in third-world countries, the radio ministry is a HUGE outreach tool. The Gospel is reaching into thousands of homes through radio broadcasting and is not being thwarted by a virus scare. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipHhzGE0n_85hFSrxouD9WXgdV0RtbGYhQbS2kHSCV_KhOa9tC4I-1ViCUYYk3ISNtW9ns2PILKegL5IoKnx0t0bfcjwyDehXoBnRtmPhbAKSw7GZQkl17NMFNvuBVs9cRxpxV6etgNQ/s1600/IMG_2952.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipHhzGE0n_85hFSrxouD9WXgdV0RtbGYhQbS2kHSCV_KhOa9tC4I-1ViCUYYk3ISNtW9ns2PILKegL5IoKnx0t0bfcjwyDehXoBnRtmPhbAKSw7GZQkl17NMFNvuBVs9cRxpxV6etgNQ/s400/IMG_2952.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah really misses being able to travel so she came up with this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As Shiloh celebrated his 18th birthday, the scales tipped to the majority of our children being adults. Shae-Lynn and Shiloh are quite disappointed that they aren't able to get their learner's permits this month, as was planned, since all the license places are closed. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74MQ5ZKqv7dxK5w_QFF3RqsI43vRRUAApGoggPR4LcsBVwHEKcC2pYte2qoKJSH8nbXnuR9A-0aN-bfyEDASIiZRqstAaVhhwJ6p7cQYs2silLdZUEw2NgqVMYaM_z1EhJ-NhO6vbFPc/s1600/IMG_2999.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74MQ5ZKqv7dxK5w_QFF3RqsI43vRRUAApGoggPR4LcsBVwHEKcC2pYte2qoKJSH8nbXnuR9A-0aN-bfyEDASIiZRqstAaVhhwJ6p7cQYs2silLdZUEw2NgqVMYaM_z1EhJ-NhO6vbFPc/s400/IMG_2999.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ice cream cake for Shiloh's 18th birthday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This week we made the decision to stick to our furlough schedule and travel to California. We are praying that restrictions will be lifted, and even if we aren't able to attend regular services, that Keith will at least be able to livestream with the churches. The Lord provided us a place to base out of, and we are anxious to see our son Stanley.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Pray with us for this nation and for the world. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pray for Christians to be bold and take a stand for what is right. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pray for lost souls to turn to Christ.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our God is more powerful than a virus or the politicians who desire to hurt our nation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trust in the Lord!</div>
<br />Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-76308139201919449222020-03-29T05:12:00.000+02:002020-05-06T23:13:06.128+02:00FURLOUGH 2020 - March<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It's Furlough Time!</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">2020</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>COVID-19 FURLOUGH!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LLxoEze8XbsFBwNSda9a2hQArbdxzSsvijxMZrHSRArjI10MRMamBOWI_YRvDOR0BmMi_UF2OApmoDIi8u-k5hhOZ1OOlpo_iqqokikNBAFNKYmGHJyi457hFugdLgrPgVvRXRhsdus/s1600/IMG_2788.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LLxoEze8XbsFBwNSda9a2hQArbdxzSsvijxMZrHSRArjI10MRMamBOWI_YRvDOR0BmMi_UF2OApmoDIi8u-k5hhOZ1OOlpo_iqqokikNBAFNKYmGHJyi457hFugdLgrPgVvRXRhsdus/s400/IMG_2788.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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That means I might be able to start blogging again - fast wifi and extra time with everything shut down. </div>
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Since it has been a long time since I have been on the blog, </div>
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I will be doing some flashbacks just to keep a record of events. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I print my blog into books, as my kids love to look through them and reminisce.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But before a flashback...let's look at the current month - <b>March 2020.</b></div>
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On March 2, we left Uganda -- which was a big deal for Shae-Lynn and Shiloh as they will not be returning with us in 2021. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17xLNUUIrsVMAOH9nmrT4poY3VWcrckEAM6l6bIAQrM6fojE0KokARlUCtsxqMaiRM6yUcbNpnBJFvmJKFPy2KyIrIeAiNIFoPp4LYpQz_QJt1LcgIWt8RggBrTBnsypG3p00g9Dmpxk/s1600/IMG_2778.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17xLNUUIrsVMAOH9nmrT4poY3VWcrckEAM6l6bIAQrM6fojE0KokARlUCtsxqMaiRM6yUcbNpnBJFvmJKFPy2KyIrIeAiNIFoPp4LYpQz_QJt1LcgIWt8RggBrTBnsypG3p00g9Dmpxk/s400/IMG_2778.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Siblings waiting for the first flight</i></td></tr>
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As we had our last Cafe Java's meal (our favourite restaurant in Uganda), the manager, who knows us so very well, brought out a going-away dessert for us to enjoy. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCttFMvtrPeCjKjdSy1bHOK2aaAZrNWg8TFV1TJVX0aFKQJUgG7Drykx3mpWyksWuazuikOqRz1sKsWbSGEIdGKOB_DgOmA8b_6gLLhBdJAjC8y7Jne3ACTyAuUy7gc_hB6MZcuANyn8/s1600/IMG_8033.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCttFMvtrPeCjKjdSy1bHOK2aaAZrNWg8TFV1TJVX0aFKQJUgG7Drykx3mpWyksWuazuikOqRz1sKsWbSGEIdGKOB_DgOmA8b_6gLLhBdJAjC8y7Jne3ACTyAuUy7gc_hB6MZcuANyn8/s400/IMG_8033.jpeg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Manager's gift to us</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a great start for our journey - a sweet blessing for us. We are very thankful that we got through airports before all the panic and that we had no delays. Our third flight was nearly empty, so we were able to get a little bit of sleep. Our first week was full of shopping (new clothes are a necessity after intense Ugandan sun and life), acquiring a rental van (thank you BMTM), unpacking and repacking (one suitcase each to live out of), and greeting family and friends.</div>
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After just one week back in the States, we left the house at 4:30 in the morning to avoid</div>
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the I-35 Austin-Temple-Waco traffic. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbPdOOd9qytbtWNBVks4dHC-33pScWrHl8iWzL59zyq2BKsNWoXhPCGvznL8ZAPDIoJ6Wb_NtvUqbQ-P5FmeGTux_1_XoqYRhVPTjhVbINDeA3KOkQ48-FO4JXBRqYFe5n0-ZKIILmeM/s1600/IMG_2826.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbPdOOd9qytbtWNBVks4dHC-33pScWrHl8iWzL59zyq2BKsNWoXhPCGvznL8ZAPDIoJ6Wb_NtvUqbQ-P5FmeGTux_1_XoqYRhVPTjhVbINDeA3KOkQ48-FO4JXBRqYFe5n0-ZKIILmeM/s400/IMG_2826.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>American roads - so wide and smooth</i></td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our first night on the road we spent with longtime friends of the Stensaas families and had a great time catching up on the years. The next day we reached Illinois for our first meeting which was a great missions conference. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpani5VVdGRt7Qcobb0l72zz_0x3Dx3d2ek2xohovid-NA3tQrj0icGTiq-KkjvE_H-b3ZX2uofuo_3CZbemTCfgqednbsKpDg94v7fv8FF0gpcCU3NbdXjmY2f4q3QssHBWvsrMyPHP8/s1600/HKVR7235.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpani5VVdGRt7Qcobb0l72zz_0x3Dx3d2ek2xohovid-NA3tQrj0icGTiq-KkjvE_H-b3ZX2uofuo_3CZbemTCfgqednbsKpDg94v7fv8FF0gpcCU3NbdXjmY2f4q3QssHBWvsrMyPHP8/s400/HKVR7235.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The cold weather has caused our consumption of coffee to double</i></td></tr>
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By the end of the week, Covid-19 restrictions were starting to get tighter, so our next meeting was home church with the pastor's family, then a cancelled meeting, and so on. We have come from Uganda, Africa - where many people fear to even visit - to arrive in an America that we don't recognize. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1O_9GOnG8qe5Vy-qTMH1NHQz5KriiT7dFYF2Sv7dnbwtfuQc0LbUkdJboVepOpfEHxhLwHciTLYaiUWUgqYlg_EZu2yGC9zyAP48LQm9Jx-hCLGURF8MU-1hvoONfrezVG1jsfRR410/s400/IMG_2832.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We had just entered a restaurant for lunch when they shut down dine-in</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1O_9GOnG8qe5Vy-qTMH1NHQz5KriiT7dFYF2Sv7dnbwtfuQc0LbUkdJboVepOpfEHxhLwHciTLYaiUWUgqYlg_EZu2yGC9zyAP48LQm9Jx-hCLGURF8MU-1hvoONfrezVG1jsfRR410/s1600/IMG_2832.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i></i></a></div>
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People are walking around with masks. Roads are void of traffic Store shelves are empty. </div>
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The stores that are open restrict the number of customers and remind you to stay 6 feet away from each other. Restaurants are drive-through only. </div>
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Returning to America is always a culture shock, but this is culture shock on a different level. We are sincerely praying for the world, as everyone has been affected in some way by this virus. The furlough road we had planned now has detours, but God is still in control. We will trust Him. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOv9FlXLndYJ9mpueVwdtEGT_o9rPCvKxht6gCHlrbKT8Ftk_61IM-YVKJSVmmNfafcAHmqS9Ju-3f6bTsbiA1E6ZwsDxqt8l0c-wxGuYlXa5E1hRGGkc0xKMMSSBotSY8TcHE1mqXT4/s1600/IMG_2895.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOv9FlXLndYJ9mpueVwdtEGT_o9rPCvKxht6gCHlrbKT8Ftk_61IM-YVKJSVmmNfafcAHmqS9Ju-3f6bTsbiA1E6ZwsDxqt8l0c-wxGuYlXa5E1hRGGkc0xKMMSSBotSY8TcHE1mqXT4/s400/IMG_2895.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Please keep us in your prayers.</div>
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Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-51889332791157463072018-09-15T18:38:00.001+02:002018-09-15T18:38:46.060+02:00COLLEGE MKsIt's that time of year - Back to School. Of course, my kids hear that phrase several times a day. <br />
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<i>"Put the puppies back in their pen. Let's get back to school." </i></div>
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<i>"Throw the dead rat over the wall, and let's get back to school."</i></div>
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But for many missionaries, there are some of our children who are too far away to hear those words from our lips. They have completed their schooling at home and are now in a different country facing the "Back to School" frenzy all alone. These are the MK (missionary kid) college students. Some are very blessed to have their parents able to take them shopping for new clothes and school supplies before dropping them off at their dorm and catching the next flight back to the mission field. But there are so many others facing college alone.<br />
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I can vividly remember our first child leaving for college. Of all days, it happened on Mother's Day. After church, we hugged Shane, cried, hugged him again, and watched him walk out the door with his dad to drive three hours to the airport to fly 21 hours to the States to start a whole new life. I cried for hours. Then I cried through his Freshman year every time he would face a "bump" in his college road. His first bad grade. His first car accident. His multiple times of being called into the Pastor's office. Just because our children grow up with American parents doesn't ensure an easy field-to-America transition. There are "100 Do Not's" for them to learn as well as "100 Do's." <i>(How much easier it would if these were written down and the same for each kid!)</i> We as parents do our best to prepare them, but times have changed since we were in college. Living in a foreign country, we can be as ignorant as our children in new American customs.<br />
<br />
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<b>So what can be done?</b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AiJvkS4MsBo_NAfwpthJzD8JElU2Cze1u5Tf__AWo4Z4gyyoYNNRgGHU9eSU5EEunCM7sBZynWUfGcAIRGmUyRruXz-bhn6JlFUI3yrtsp3Bwkj1Rv5o1wkXSEpYrVBGgw_MeDcvbCg/s1600/IMG_6188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1105" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AiJvkS4MsBo_NAfwpthJzD8JElU2Cze1u5Tf__AWo4Z4gyyoYNNRgGHU9eSU5EEunCM7sBZynWUfGcAIRGmUyRruXz-bhn6JlFUI3yrtsp3Bwkj1Rv5o1wkXSEpYrVBGgw_MeDcvbCg/s400/IMG_6188.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stanley, the oldest of the three we have in college</td></tr>
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<b>Pray.</b> Pray for the parents. Pray for the students. This new step in life isn't easy for either one.<br />
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<b>Check Your Criticism. </b> There will be A LOT the MK doesn't know. Do NOT criticize the child or the parents. If you were to visit his home on the mission field, you would be able to see how competent they are in their normal setting. MKs aren't dumb; they are just knowledgable in different things than you or your kids are.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfuRrinu_VoE2rH2__TinRmZnyO4g40C7KpPeucAgGxtrkBIlDlw7rWpAcZSTHN44nkHBozWyQlN9z7pwFaQZYBpeujOTc8PUgfTa3_lBz5h_8d2iGj4XW7B0Mz9f8MiqnaOX9b9e9Xo/s1600/IMG_5995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1436" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfuRrinu_VoE2rH2__TinRmZnyO4g40C7KpPeucAgGxtrkBIlDlw7rWpAcZSTHN44nkHBozWyQlN9z7pwFaQZYBpeujOTc8PUgfTa3_lBz5h_8d2iGj4XW7B0Mz9f8MiqnaOX9b9e9Xo/s400/IMG_5995.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shae-Lynn often does her studies holding this cutey</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Make Yourself a Mentor.</b> If you live near a college MK, make yourself available to them. They need help getting a driving license, opening a bank account, buying a car, applying for a job, and a host of other things that mom and dad can't be there to help them with.<br />
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<b>Share The Style.</b> You can be stylish without becoming worldly. However, most third-world countries get first-world countries' clothes that have gone out of style...sometimes way out of style...so missionaries are limited by the selection there is. Show the MK how to put together a stylish wardrobe that doesn't scream, "My wardrobe came from Grandma's attic!" Having well-put-together outfits will go a long way to giving the MK confidence.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJexICMehkCEIbffkldg6WgyF_ynvnwll2n-AOrBv7C5BeQJZAuMKOOcPlW-9SCl6kdx4VC4DqCzXvL2HACjZ3Lul0amqwh9AB-i2ryztswsrFYtGMUrQyL612lbKXU5JbE6RRu2kBj0/s1600/IMG_6186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1273" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJexICMehkCEIbffkldg6WgyF_ynvnwll2n-AOrBv7C5BeQJZAuMKOOcPlW-9SCl6kdx4VC4DqCzXvL2HACjZ3Lul0amqwh9AB-i2ryztswsrFYtGMUrQyL612lbKXU5JbE6RRu2kBj0/s400/IMG_6186.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stanley is a Junior at West Coast Baptist College</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Tip and Treat.</b> You don't even have to live near a college MK for this one. Nearly all college students consistently lack two things - <i>money and food</i>. If I remember correctly, my college budget allowed $5 spending money each week. Our dorm food could not be bragged about, and I ate just an apple for supper each day since I worked until midnight. This is still what many college kids face, but many have parents not too far away they can turn to. So, send a college MK a box of delicious, healthy snack foods, vitamins, and gum, and include some gift cards for restaurants, coffee shops, department stores, and gas stations.<br />
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<b>Help the Holidays.</b> One of the stark revelations that hit me after our son went to college was that when his birthday rolled around, I wasn't there to make him a cake. Birthdays. Thanksgiving. Christmas. College MKs feel forgotten or left-out because no one knows it is their birthday, or they have no where to go for the holidays. Send a birthday card with birthday money or a gift card. Invite them to join your family for a holiday meal or an outing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJOoI0GdO5Qm4ZU97uN8U86UR8IFjb3bslyqEt0zI1jjl9Nwu4OwDgbTCT6Dr4Y7hf2pN9uWHDkQXTmVZb8ugDA0KNA774JeuQcyUfd4f9Z6lYNZip7LFJYizChM2u28RhJy7_v2lmV8/s1600/IMG_6181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJOoI0GdO5Qm4ZU97uN8U86UR8IFjb3bslyqEt0zI1jjl9Nwu4OwDgbTCT6Dr4Y7hf2pN9uWHDkQXTmVZb8ugDA0KNA774JeuQcyUfd4f9Z6lYNZip7LFJYizChM2u28RhJy7_v2lmV8/s400/IMG_6181.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shiloh working on his college correspondence courses</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Consistently Communicate.</b> Make a point to regularly stay in touch with the MK. Send a card the first of every month. Text a "I'm praying for you today" message every Friday with a Bible verse. Your consistency will remind that MK that they aren't alone.<br />
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<b>Encourage and Encourage.</b> These college MKs need encouragement. They will be corrected by teachers and employers. They will be hard on themselves. Deadlines will slam into them. Problems will quickly find them. They need a cheerleading team to encourage them. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpYToz2Bd0TW8WYidJNKHQFyOEDe5ty1TMW22RUP_XPW-z6MtyNXPjiTHmkf3mt8uzROoVLe5NpSDsMJu_S5R-K8WWx2rqungRYs5cnu990garV5dQ-LtCvBDYoWpQ7Z3eL-4W_wE0_E/s1600/IMG_4866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpYToz2Bd0TW8WYidJNKHQFyOEDe5ty1TMW22RUP_XPW-z6MtyNXPjiTHmkf3mt8uzROoVLe5NpSDsMJu_S5R-K8WWx2rqungRYs5cnu990garV5dQ-LtCvBDYoWpQ7Z3eL-4W_wE0_E/s400/IMG_4866.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In addition to correspondence, <br />Shiloh and Shae-Lynn also attend our church college</td></tr>
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Maybe <b>you</b> will be the one that our MK looks back to one day and says, </div>
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<b>"Because of them . . . because they cared . . . because of their help . . . </b></div>
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<b>I stuck it out and didn't quit."</b></div>
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Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-53919458729506892362018-08-06T16:37:00.002+02:002018-08-06T16:39:29.196+02:00REAL LIFELife gets really busy. Life can be overwhelming. <br />
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Homeschooling gets pushed back. Catching up does not make for great school days.<br />
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Headaches develop. Still the cleaning needs done, classes taught, and laundry washed.<br />
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Water goes off. Internet doesn't cooperate. Then electricity goes off. A sink decides to leak.<br />
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This is real life.<br />
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So, when it comes time for lunch and the only green thing on our disposable plates is jalapeños -<br />
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PRAISE THE LORD!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvIT3RmcaA3aa-LtEOEYeFBpmscW8UmxZ8kGgUiziR9aNz8gUCYFQq2NqgX4yCMTB34dhAhbUouST-_bF-wATKb0prri56c3xs5STMFSA54u5sxTknwSUWjCj75ZW35AX0Gg2tEt4SLA/s1600/IMG_5900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvIT3RmcaA3aa-LtEOEYeFBpmscW8UmxZ8kGgUiziR9aNz8gUCYFQq2NqgX4yCMTB34dhAhbUouST-_bF-wATKb0prri56c3xs5STMFSA54u5sxTknwSUWjCj75ZW35AX0Gg2tEt4SLA/s320/IMG_5900.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Praise the Lord for a really understanding husband that does not complain of my overflowing desk in our bedroom.<br />
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Praise the the Lord for children's unconditional love and hugs.<br />
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Praise the Lord for one out of three loads of laundry done.<br />
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Praise the Lord the macaroni and cheese was on clearance.<br />
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PRAISE THE LORD FOR JALAPEÑOS!</div>
Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-68049398312364240512018-06-24T19:19:00.000+02:002018-06-24T19:19:37.239+02:00HOW MANY CAN FIT?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Can 16 people fit into an 8 passenger van?</span></div>
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Today I asked the deaf man who attends our church to introduce us to some of his deaf friends so that we could invite them to church. He took us to town and said he knew that three of them were watching the World Cup on television. We waited outside the place and soon many people started coming out of the building. We thought, "Surely these aren't all deaf; he mentioned just three." But these people came across the street to us, and we were soon surround by 11 deaf. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT03n5nSHZFiKQyJFbys8N9LsYGzH99uygDucmzYV5eiC76X09Cv_LcBPm3ACftJZyetPCP2XC7QG85ASrk1Y7YGxbWcTLSFc41F4PkodQfFPN3nJ9w-JBAXNBoPqmRLi7qJW5oNucB08/s1600/IMG_5630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT03n5nSHZFiKQyJFbys8N9LsYGzH99uygDucmzYV5eiC76X09Cv_LcBPm3ACftJZyetPCP2XC7QG85ASrk1Y7YGxbWcTLSFc41F4PkodQfFPN3nJ9w-JBAXNBoPqmRLi7qJW5oNucB08/s400/IMG_5630.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lady to the right is a deaf teacher.</td></tr>
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What a fun time we had learning their names, what work they do, and where they live. They wanted to know where our church was, but they kept thinking it was very far away. I suggested I take some of them and show them where the church was located. I was unprepared for all of them to join the four that were with me, but all 16 of us took the trip to the church. After showing them the buildings, they gathered around me as I shared the Gospel with all of them. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlWzzmh_XnucoE8L60F9S82nCqHxW0BkkEJQVwX6_L2FUIF7Q21kDSFFIPM-1mGghbh04ymvW7ut57RGEBaJPoxFM2QqOwUgnze74Yu5ukPJ_O7B4o13lHZukLOH10Fnith3DdclqscE/s1600/IMG_5641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1280" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlWzzmh_XnucoE8L60F9S82nCqHxW0BkkEJQVwX6_L2FUIF7Q21kDSFFIPM-1mGghbh04ymvW7ut57RGEBaJPoxFM2QqOwUgnze74Yu5ukPJ_O7B4o13lHZukLOH10Fnith3DdclqscE/s400/IMG_5641.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shows 12 people; 4 more are in the front seats!</td></tr>
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My heart's desire for years has been to reach out to the deaf, and I am blessed with nine students who faithfully attend class and who are willing to sign with their limited vocabulary. I have so many more signs to learn. I am not fluent, but I have asked God to bless my efforts. Please pray that I can rapidly learn more signs and better understand the deaf and make sure that they understand the Gospel clearly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiabpPq2GzK6kQYnMZBIT8fvJEvD7auXFiFsK8Y0uMKOVmBNjFch_1kvt2pYuKi5TVhxFv4AFzxOyLcKKNAtpxt9noLcD-A4suepVX9zeMM-n3gw_m9Ge7b3XbMuqe72pEqy63GHzE7ts/s1600/IMG_5624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiabpPq2GzK6kQYnMZBIT8fvJEvD7auXFiFsK8Y0uMKOVmBNjFch_1kvt2pYuKi5TVhxFv4AFzxOyLcKKNAtpxt9noLcD-A4suepVX9zeMM-n3gw_m9Ge7b3XbMuqe72pEqy63GHzE7ts/s400/IMG_5624.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man to the left is the one who attends church.</td></tr>
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Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-52271009960528763092018-06-12T20:53:00.000+02:002018-06-12T20:53:18.186+02:0025 YEARS OF LOVE<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj041EMEgjhGlVKNSZpbIrgbghtKSGhdAaNuFCR5U59_6BWlNAsaQICE3WZp9hGpZxxGS8NIU4hyphenhyphenFkRL1RRl-mtc7qssYVG8SQ_cUNTP8BX4G__SBAiD5fvLJFkZg2rpn_AZw6ZSl-pu64/s1600/IMG_5550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1124" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj041EMEgjhGlVKNSZpbIrgbghtKSGhdAaNuFCR5U59_6BWlNAsaQICE3WZp9hGpZxxGS8NIU4hyphenhyphenFkRL1RRl-mtc7qssYVG8SQ_cUNTP8BX4G__SBAiD5fvLJFkZg2rpn_AZw6ZSl-pu64/s400/IMG_5550.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 12, 1993</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Where does one start to describe what a blessing it is to be married to my best friend for 25 years. </div>
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I love being married. I love being married to Keith.</div>
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I love the fact that God has been the center of our marriage, </div>
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and that we are able to serve Him together.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpen6-5KIFi1wDPrPIRpcmTXUL_nJ3Z-3iBt7uLuBo3rHaLeqDD0iCHcMqbSqtdT_oixpsnH3u_8lwpYNOrNNdMa5JQ_7coEKBbulQbZsTw8nvZR8REP1wLMMHruRP4OkvS0SH48liTdU/s1600/IMG_5551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpen6-5KIFi1wDPrPIRpcmTXUL_nJ3Z-3iBt7uLuBo3rHaLeqDD0iCHcMqbSqtdT_oixpsnH3u_8lwpYNOrNNdMa5JQ_7coEKBbulQbZsTw8nvZR8REP1wLMMHruRP4OkvS0SH48liTdU/s400/IMG_5551.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Young Love That Has Grown So Much Stronger!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I was just 9 years old when my parents celebrated their 25th anniversary.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dT3FjtUCmkRt8dth8CAj9HOoA4WJZsSNLAL7hu8348FJEeJ-8YYYOW9c357choA2UhSXmFJeci8x29hHtLFCgo3-rKbdti4t4DczjdOU7GDanZjojPYiwBSnmgO6p8vKEVcJN5cg2mM/s1600/IMG_5865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dT3FjtUCmkRt8dth8CAj9HOoA4WJZsSNLAL7hu8348FJEeJ-8YYYOW9c357choA2UhSXmFJeci8x29hHtLFCgo3-rKbdti4t4DczjdOU7GDanZjojPYiwBSnmgO6p8vKEVcJN5cg2mM/s400/IMG_5865.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1982 - My Family for My Parent's 25th </td></tr>
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Keith's parents were in Uganda for their 25th, and Keith was 23. </div>
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There is quite the age difference between our families with Keith being the oldest and I being the youngest. (In fact, my sister went to college with his parents!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvQECfFu7Vneslgh0iD0E2ljwhnZOZ_YDHyNFutQ4YT2AzQQ6QtImRUTz2KFFSMfXEX6YJ2e_aPz8qBSHNswLcjVYQ54_G0xxRHfo1w6OI7GXIJvxwks7LKXaYLKUf7J6YNTm0qlwFjg/s1600/IMG_4290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvQECfFu7Vneslgh0iD0E2ljwhnZOZ_YDHyNFutQ4YT2AzQQ6QtImRUTz2KFFSMfXEX6YJ2e_aPz8qBSHNswLcjVYQ54_G0xxRHfo1w6OI7GXIJvxwks7LKXaYLKUf7J6YNTm0qlwFjg/s400/IMG_4290.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1995 - Keith's Parents on Their 25th</td></tr>
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We happen to be in Uganda, too. Keith's parents visited last month, </div>
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so they brought some decorations and treats over to help us celebrate. </div>
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The kids did such a great job in making the day special for us. We have awesome kids.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5gxBJNaGK3mRlZumua1cFtxCvEsjdiSGM1IRLMuoQWK1f_h7caw0KLX26IAavq8bs7l19PD6unIW8RmBuCG-rrNO9YM2xFQKaMnFdzTGY5YD_k2yztT_Z1uawrD0lgbmnyKV3i2lugc/s1600/IMG_4430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5gxBJNaGK3mRlZumua1cFtxCvEsjdiSGM1IRLMuoQWK1f_h7caw0KLX26IAavq8bs7l19PD6unIW8RmBuCG-rrNO9YM2xFQKaMnFdzTGY5YD_k2yztT_Z1uawrD0lgbmnyKV3i2lugc/s400/IMG_4430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then we were shocked when one of our church members brought us a hamper </div>
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tonight in honor of our anniversary. </div>
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We were telling our kids that by the time any of them celebrate their 25th that we will be in our 70s! </div>
Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-19746512614290020142018-04-26T15:33:00.000+02:002018-04-26T15:33:45.740+02:00BASIC SIGN LANGUAGE COMPLETEDFor many years I have desired to begin a deaf ministry in our church, but not until this term has God opened the door AND provided the deaf. For our Christmas service on December 25, 2017, we had a deaf lady attend. She graciously survived my interpreting, which was mostly American Sign Language, and she regularly attended for the next two months. Her cousin that would accompany her to church had to return to school, so she now only comes periodically. However, the Lord led us to meet a deaf man who has been coming every Sunday. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEzceCBWIsUsa5lcikCLDbbFn1ZMVa1dzHnb62GXQSZr6NkA6Bg_HgqVTr4jLhks30IrzskqZ2LSECu0vFm-m-jRxeAzfoxSCbpfaG562GeA1-lOq0QszhmYOo6j1drVvps0_p0LqgDE/s1600/IMG_4103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEzceCBWIsUsa5lcikCLDbbFn1ZMVa1dzHnb62GXQSZr6NkA6Bg_HgqVTr4jLhks30IrzskqZ2LSECu0vFm-m-jRxeAzfoxSCbpfaG562GeA1-lOq0QszhmYOo6j1drVvps0_p0LqgDE/s400/IMG_4103.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself with Bena, our first deaf visitor</td></tr>
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When our church members saw me signing to Bena, the deaf lady, they got excited and asked me to teach a class. I wanted to sync with the college class schedule, so I hurriedly put together a curriculum in three weeks and began teaching. However, with teaching, I, too, am learning. Sign Language is NOT universal. Every country has its own signs. I grew up knowing American Sign Language (ASL), so having to train my mind to learn and think Ugandan Sign Language (USL) has been a challenge! There are very few USL materials, but this week I found a contact that has some dvds and other materials I hope to be able to purchase and put to use both with my students and the deaf. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFKBjS2nm647wzz3sAg89nRLrJhxn4qLmzlyA9SgBAfNc0-coEjHMp4RGvTmxfKuZgkGEJqm0jaq-O-qu3_Kfgn26lhuNchJoqlTDnr9ok5sla84jyaV1zTZqe4KyoEEN9jg3ym3TmhY/s1600/IMG_4975+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFKBjS2nm647wzz3sAg89nRLrJhxn4qLmzlyA9SgBAfNc0-coEjHMp4RGvTmxfKuZgkGEJqm0jaq-O-qu3_Kfgn26lhuNchJoqlTDnr9ok5sla84jyaV1zTZqe4KyoEEN9jg3ym3TmhY/s400/IMG_4975+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the favorite parts of the class was game time.</td></tr>
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My class of ten students did great, and they all stuck with it to the end. As I announced the last class, they were already asking for when the next course would begin. <br />
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Since the Lord also placed the children's Sunday School class in my charge for the past 6 months, I decided to teach them USL, too. We have had so much fun. Last Sunday members from both classes quoted and signed Psalm 1. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjB7u7aLTmuVBEc4O15iF7zQR-J0kC034qBw_0NGv4oOIQsoGI8iCmn517Fp8YrVxCEn3DAHa5RGVCUF0nJSnUo4DKD7cUjJFR4eHC4J-0vSBhDC6oO5T_Cwhu4gmWxgqMvdxzQ5gtik0/s1600/Frame-26-04-2018-12-19-14.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjB7u7aLTmuVBEc4O15iF7zQR-J0kC034qBw_0NGv4oOIQsoGI8iCmn517Fp8YrVxCEn3DAHa5RGVCUF0nJSnUo4DKD7cUjJFR4eHC4J-0vSBhDC6oO5T_Cwhu4gmWxgqMvdxzQ5gtik0/s400/Frame-26-04-2018-12-19-14.tiff" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quoting Psalm 1</td></tr>
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There is a hair salon in town that employs only deaf. I have visited the workers there, but none have yet attended church. Please pray that our church will be a beacon of light that will draw the deaf to Christ.Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-80887154375724409152018-03-15T21:12:00.001+02:002018-03-15T21:12:18.962+02:00CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!I know. You are thinking...this is only March. Who graduates in March?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA46hDL3fY0rKUHKuMqCHxcXj4-WZEssJ-3XAF0IgRM35VnGEiCe8Vp_PeHwdWsCs0hRYo96z_GBmKkzhGnSuegPGlFtHoWxnaBpZs_8MFbOjIU3cMFMGL9EV0WHM0A8tKF60IvYPbK9o/s1600/IMG_3379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA46hDL3fY0rKUHKuMqCHxcXj4-WZEssJ-3XAF0IgRM35VnGEiCe8Vp_PeHwdWsCs0hRYo96z_GBmKkzhGnSuegPGlFtHoWxnaBpZs_8MFbOjIU3cMFMGL9EV0WHM0A8tKF60IvYPbK9o/s400/IMG_3379.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel, Abigail, Shae-Lynn and Shiloh singing a special</td></tr>
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Being missionaries, one thing you learn is adaptability. We are good friends with another missionary family here whose kids have grown up with ours. They are leaving for furlough next month, but wanted to have a graduation party for their graduating son before they left. We have two graduating, also, so we combined everything into just one party. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnwNtQwXiLZPlI_8QFnuadFcmO6jJtVXyJkHV9R7dhB_JEOtr3z5gF1-7JrVt2CDzoBs861-CUnR71BjqCSCs1wUzXK4oPais9hHy-9D_U0WjbqcVdt2Z9PLIrccn3-ZBPW-nT0ZgAKA/s1600/IMG_3364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnwNtQwXiLZPlI_8QFnuadFcmO6jJtVXyJkHV9R7dhB_JEOtr3z5gF1-7JrVt2CDzoBs861-CUnR71BjqCSCs1wUzXK4oPais9hHy-9D_U0WjbqcVdt2Z9PLIrccn3-ZBPW-nT0ZgAKA/s400/IMG_3364.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel wanted a rice crispy cake, so that was the cake on the left. <br /> On the right is just a regular cake.</td></tr>
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Something that is different in Uganda is that there is no graduating ceremony for when you finish secondary school (high school to Americans). But our church had a great time enjoying our tradition, especially enjoying the food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT71UYKv8oJzZ9suHW92jhsPC_aXog78J6Oet5kI9z0znPSjRwuUpRZKksDOkU5Y-moH75oVuZH0V5ld5fn4d1o5KgQO5AccYFQzX27jcSl9VWhs6-BL2JT8vvESKJOYAKF13asACW8E/s1600/IMG_4792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT71UYKv8oJzZ9suHW92jhsPC_aXog78J6Oet5kI9z0znPSjRwuUpRZKksDOkU5Y-moH75oVuZH0V5ld5fn4d1o5KgQO5AccYFQzX27jcSl9VWhs6-BL2JT8vvESKJOYAKF13asACW8E/s400/IMG_4792.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great time of fellowshipping and eating after the service</td></tr>
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Your next question may be, "Why do you have two graduating together?" One of the misconceptions about homeschooling is that the mom is teaching every subject times how many different grades there are. I am no super teacher, so I have never taught 6 different subject levels to 6 kids or even 6 different classes to 4 kids. We combine A LOT! I just require more out of the older children than I do the younger ones. That being said, a couple of months ago I realized that Shiloh has been doing nearly everything Shae-Lynn has done in the last 4 years. So, after consulting with a couple of other people as to the pros and cons of letting him graduate early, we decided that it was the best decision for us. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW5uK_5UobuOddVq-k5AnvG_aOD5AhPKSNDjTsT0HR07cBr8qaFe6PBZGk7eq-tY35wpfY0RRbaIzYhfHbr6W-tUNS1ilpnfnQIxkh_A2EnEjsYxjCeHdmHAwtscWF8HrvWn4eeojpbQ/s1600/IMG_3365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW5uK_5UobuOddVq-k5AnvG_aOD5AhPKSNDjTsT0HR07cBr8qaFe6PBZGk7eq-tY35wpfY0RRbaIzYhfHbr6W-tUNS1ilpnfnQIxkh_A2EnEjsYxjCeHdmHAwtscWF8HrvWn4eeojpbQ/s400/IMG_3365.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends for 18 years (well, Shiloh would be 15 years)</td></tr>
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Shae-Lynn and Shiloh will be taking college classes via correspondence until we go on our next furlough, as well as continuing to attend our Bible college here at our town church.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq-9lG6BpD232qptKpY4MCKB4KhXuwMeNUnH-eBz_uabxA7ehOCC7wH-FYAWRZdZCsh-LapJzDFV-jNx_Rh2tnNJ41sVSgxxhMm3ZMuwsz71MAgYceszEKleXSLxbgqcgpKFGuhsp3_M/s1600/IMG_3371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq-9lG6BpD232qptKpY4MCKB4KhXuwMeNUnH-eBz_uabxA7ehOCC7wH-FYAWRZdZCsh-LapJzDFV-jNx_Rh2tnNJ41sVSgxxhMm3ZMuwsz71MAgYceszEKleXSLxbgqcgpKFGuhsp3_M/s400/IMG_3371.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Job!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Please pray for the children of missionaries. It is daunting knowing that after high school, you have to move to a new country to learn a new culture and begin adult life - without your parents. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv_6xDBg3GvtxwfzpATv4uQcQJw08dGWIVHseL-rD06QwQ043KpYbV5jPBdDXzim4ipg-WlMNLSZ_X7nWmX1VQmW9pwsm8IKF0wguUF3-UBeKSWzt5OtgwO01JdHU8_vXd_Cu7TXjM9I/s1600/DSC_0450-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv_6xDBg3GvtxwfzpATv4uQcQJw08dGWIVHseL-rD06QwQ043KpYbV5jPBdDXzim4ipg-WlMNLSZ_X7nWmX1VQmW9pwsm8IKF0wguUF3-UBeKSWzt5OtgwO01JdHU8_vXd_Cu7TXjM9I/s400/DSC_0450-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Missionary kids need your support, understanding, and love. </div>
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They need friends. </div>
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They need your prayers.</div>
<br />Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-82447659192519779552018-03-05T21:06:00.001+02:002018-03-06T05:34:23.646+02:00VMAM ON FIREWhile we were on furlough, my husband presented the new ministry he started upon our return to Uganda. If you have seen any of our prayer letters, you have read the great reports from the Village Mentorship and Assistance Ministry (VMAM). One of the questions frequently asked was whether or not I would be going with Keith to the villages. No, I do not travel with Keith. He travels with two men, so sleeping accommodations would not be ideal as he stays for 3-8 days in the bush. However, that does not mean I am totally out of this ministry. As the Bible mentions, there are those staying at home who "tarrieth by the stuff." (1 Samuel 30:24)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWbLefD14JSXlS-xT3pQAdC-ja9HUcHSUifPzg36wIjrFr-7EteGNckOZ8CLMCG235jR3iETwvWfX9lMGP1wSr-RpU533NlRhmmkUxDujDvFZKNbp_aEguaihAp5fUYpsR92cD5q7vbg/s1600/IMG_4563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWbLefD14JSXlS-xT3pQAdC-ja9HUcHSUifPzg36wIjrFr-7EteGNckOZ8CLMCG235jR3iETwvWfX9lMGP1wSr-RpU533NlRhmmkUxDujDvFZKNbp_aEguaihAp5fUYpsR92cD5q7vbg/s400/IMG_4563.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith leaving early in the morning for a village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Besides the curtains, covers, and other things I have sewn, there is the weekly work I have for this ministry. Yes, the biggest part is laundry. But it needs to be done, right? Praise the Lord for a washing machine and very long clothes lines.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaYS2ZqDLqrLFYaaeLxPPs7G5FkZJuZCP_7F1Zag5O-TsvoDCJm2GDPncbxKfgCweO4KPtdOdQyq9YfO3oVOtbe08RSqs63NMdjIEmcTQSLNRIzIlUng6n9wA3WqK_pFZEO41aeOEuxY/s1600/IMG_4652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaYS2ZqDLqrLFYaaeLxPPs7G5FkZJuZCP_7F1Zag5O-TsvoDCJm2GDPncbxKfgCweO4KPtdOdQyq9YfO3oVOtbe08RSqs63NMdjIEmcTQSLNRIzIlUng6n9wA3WqK_pFZEO41aeOEuxY/s400/IMG_4652.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piles of blankets, towels, sheets, and clothes waiting to be washed</td></tr>
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Upon Keith's arrival back from the villages, our entry way and living room are usually holding places for the trunks and equipment until the truck is cleaned and all the linens are washed and repacked.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjoT38Kg9udmeVwdhJPkND7gkrKNgxDh16KSPnndSGJMbFCs-we-LYDyS0_8yt7eZBEF_BYJL4ollRorJSjzI5Xcfz54hsjKP7I-VVFzjwmL2eFTSkYvELweQkBVKNI40qfFSF4tUc5w/s1600/IMG_4749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjoT38Kg9udmeVwdhJPkND7gkrKNgxDh16KSPnndSGJMbFCs-we-LYDyS0_8yt7eZBEF_BYJL4ollRorJSjzI5Xcfz54hsjKP7I-VVFzjwmL2eFTSkYvELweQkBVKNI40qfFSF4tUc5w/s400/IMG_4749.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the stack of trunks, the coffee bar is still accessible</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Keith has seen many people saved as he preaches and goes soul winning in the villages and has been able to encourage many pastors. While we do not like the separation, what a small price to pay for seeing churches getting grounded in the Word of God and helping pastors better reach their people.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-slJ_pWurr4IgKHIjtPX9SEe56NLZI88SVTstMT2dY4x3V6xJUlzXKbxYHImBHcwO9IJGEMRs_bT4ryC-Cxlwdj_yo_mtbXMcFuiYqrdeUNrBevzJfCqOdWMRsuj2gh8WZz8oWa18sk/s1600/IMG_2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-slJ_pWurr4IgKHIjtPX9SEe56NLZI88SVTstMT2dY4x3V6xJUlzXKbxYHImBHcwO9IJGEMRs_bT4ryC-Cxlwdj_yo_mtbXMcFuiYqrdeUNrBevzJfCqOdWMRsuj2gh8WZz8oWa18sk/s400/IMG_2004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parked in the village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But no ministry is all a bed of roses. Yesterday as Keith was driving the VMAM truck to the church with Savannah, the back caught on fire. I was about 5 minutes behind him in our van, so when I came upon him parked alongside the road, flames were shooting out of the tarp. The locals were throwing dirt at the truck in their attempt to try to put out the flames. We always have plenty of water bottles in the van, so the kids jumped out with a couple bottles each to throw at the fire. Keith was then able to get in the back and reach a 5 gallon jug of water to pour on the remaining fire. I then grabbed the empty jugs and drove fast and furiously to the church to get more water.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAgfh-dsvsuTvFOWlxWdSI4o0YEltwAGMlJ-1Wz4SdswPXmzEw4KxBeEdrpN-LB1twtvqdvVdWz6_bhZRZXhlppdbNIacUgDB8kGSgRHWhbIZUJ4i-2FunsdIJT2c8Imzjei2EUD-KcM/s1600/IMG_4735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAgfh-dsvsuTvFOWlxWdSI4o0YEltwAGMlJ-1Wz4SdswPXmzEw4KxBeEdrpN-LB1twtvqdvVdWz6_bhZRZXhlppdbNIacUgDB8kGSgRHWhbIZUJ4i-2FunsdIJT2c8Imzjei2EUD-KcM/s400/IMG_4735.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The burned tarp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The culprit was a can of bug spray that had either rolled or had been put by the batteries which are used to run lights, sound equipment, and charge electronics. With all the bumping around, it had evidently sprayed out starting the fire. A mattress was right above the batteries, so it caught on fire quickly. When it was pulled out of the back to smother the flames, the locals wasted no time taking off with it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iYr0i3myQ-_XcX5Zschtm8TE-0i1j2Ih4eTjidv4ljGomSKH1XB8ySAmq73QwKTm5aRPcGlHIjWryCXaQDU08YDJ8TjijmCRihEegIQvvzKGtyJzuQj6Ju_9FH0hDWrYf0oMaSajWVU/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iYr0i3myQ-_XcX5Zschtm8TE-0i1j2Ih4eTjidv4ljGomSKH1XB8ySAmq73QwKTm5aRPcGlHIjWryCXaQDU08YDJ8TjijmCRihEegIQvvzKGtyJzuQj6Ju_9FH0hDWrYf0oMaSajWVU/s400/IMG_4745.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fire starter - a can of bug spray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWED3TZT0_od53myZszbHgNSc3eYk1ycl7Wx-wlsmtc8Un3qzWxxWCHqJ9N5Fem2nzu_M7m3cSDUhXXzwVe6BMPHtorubXrhKHG-Th_yKk70q2Sc_-Qwm8ewQQdxWLlwdplekiTzByjiw/s1600/IMG_4740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWED3TZT0_od53myZszbHgNSc3eYk1ycl7Wx-wlsmtc8Un3qzWxxWCHqJ9N5Fem2nzu_M7m3cSDUhXXzwVe6BMPHtorubXrhKHG-Th_yKk70q2Sc_-Qwm8ewQQdxWLlwdplekiTzByjiw/s400/IMG_4740.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the fire started at the batteries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The truck itself is fine, and just needs a little bit of paint on the bars. The tarp is being patched. New batteries, wiring, and a mattress will need to be bought. Keith suffered a burn on his forehead, and his church pants are ruined, but his life and Savannah's are spared. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80j2PxjQzKtOSOCaarld-q7NjEJtWB4ryrHULunPaLF0pUqjU0duj8gp94E0docO1yubEraDZoyGKt15zVQqb8spYpzNHgHr19Yq9-XFYlifE16I0ELg7E8j8DEjKas9YK3vg81YmeOM/s1600/IMG_4744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80j2PxjQzKtOSOCaarld-q7NjEJtWB4ryrHULunPaLF0pUqjU0duj8gp94E0docO1yubEraDZoyGKt15zVQqb8spYpzNHgHr19Yq9-XFYlifE16I0ELg7E8j8DEjKas9YK3vg81YmeOM/s400/IMG_4744.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This trunk was on a shelf near the top of the bars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Keith is scheduled to be in another village on Friday, so please pray that everything gets fixed and replaced before his scheduled departure. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwTCcvfds9IJzi-P0HZ1jcwz5c0QeADXfukmM2hidf7PzmnocRjkvTxJo6I2R31hmmW4oI_qnSelPnnPMMR8wwgn-4J5FDL7hxTnklMBiL2ohDEgk17raoUJtABTkS0guPA-wafJkFSo/s1600/IMG_3394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwTCcvfds9IJzi-P0HZ1jcwz5c0QeADXfukmM2hidf7PzmnocRjkvTxJo6I2R31hmmW4oI_qnSelPnnPMMR8wwgn-4J5FDL7hxTnklMBiL2ohDEgk17raoUJtABTkS0guPA-wafJkFSo/s400/IMG_3394.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last sight I have as the VMAM team leaves each time</td></tr>
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Thank you for praying for us. You never know when our lives are in danger.</div>
Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-40435150917740045192018-02-10T20:30:00.000+02:002018-02-10T20:30:13.737+02:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHAE-LYNN<div style="text-align: center;">
Our precious daughter has turned 18! As much as I have enjoyed every step of our children's childhood, having a teenaged daughter who has such a beautiful heart is a special joy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykdvEQg9A_gN2-WqSaOgD9KJVu8VdE6M2CI0MSStbak6aWTk-Frh5cyc9zZq2aLUt9MWmKpkS-SDJwLcz6rk_IEU6CAU2gR73LJZv3Zx5WAnCfxgbmg0iWNLE1hopJO1uwdx1ABgjTvg/s1600/Blue+Pose+5.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="577" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykdvEQg9A_gN2-WqSaOgD9KJVu8VdE6M2CI0MSStbak6aWTk-Frh5cyc9zZq2aLUt9MWmKpkS-SDJwLcz6rk_IEU6CAU2gR73LJZv3Zx5WAnCfxgbmg0iWNLE1hopJO1uwdx1ABgjTvg/s400/Blue+Pose+5.00.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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When the kids turn 18, they get to pick any type of cake they want. Shae-Lynn chose the chocolate lasagna cake I had for my last birthday. It is so good and rich!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitguwc24grQNdlHr7MFtHUZofe9PHJpZNRbEPp3umcIlF7G2i-gNKkdDpyS90XcqR71rTc-wlIza5TO_4o9fvz3myI3cM1k_MXiReYSjqOSpsgyDKFTD22yXG7aONG8HCEihg-m39IbX0/s1600/IMG_4502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitguwc24grQNdlHr7MFtHUZofe9PHJpZNRbEPp3umcIlF7G2i-gNKkdDpyS90XcqR71rTc-wlIza5TO_4o9fvz3myI3cM1k_MXiReYSjqOSpsgyDKFTD22yXG7aONG8HCEihg-m39IbX0/s400/IMG_4502.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We had a great time celebrating with two other missionary families with food, fun, and fellowship. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRY1yPk_GSC1LM5cW9dqjymBxnJqOV1ev1sQoXL-QsIf-adaoLi7iT9yS2RiOoZoXmq3UERGiyxzl3fUFpBAEqAPjqZA2KQ0hjZp2sWJqb-MxLHNWJGby7f7atbf30IEUgCfm8A7T6WU/s1600/IMG_4509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRY1yPk_GSC1LM5cW9dqjymBxnJqOV1ev1sQoXL-QsIf-adaoLi7iT9yS2RiOoZoXmq3UERGiyxzl3fUFpBAEqAPjqZA2KQ0hjZp2sWJqb-MxLHNWJGby7f7atbf30IEUgCfm8A7T6WU/s400/IMG_4509.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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A couple of months ago, Shae-Lynn had stumbled across some Short Best Friend / Tall Best Friend shirts on Amazon. She sent the photo to her tall friend Abby, saying that it describes them so well. Abby's family took the photo down to our local t-shirt imprinter, and he was able to replicate it exactly. Shae-Lynn's gifts reflected her love for coffee, coconut, and photography. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1jyp9b0GcMXWgQ-fubJGt51eWJabaC7H0kGcu0XkzJrUSY2Wp1IMiENs0YGbhieVDTzT9vaDSpeQ5D9YVjhZaMt4SZgLeETJ8K-FnqpTpVRJm-Teu9yn3301E2a2cymVWcnkV5wq3co/s1600/IMG_4513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1jyp9b0GcMXWgQ-fubJGt51eWJabaC7H0kGcu0XkzJrUSY2Wp1IMiENs0YGbhieVDTzT9vaDSpeQ5D9YVjhZaMt4SZgLeETJ8K-FnqpTpVRJm-Teu9yn3301E2a2cymVWcnkV5wq3co/s400/IMG_4513.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We are so thankful for each of our children and look forward to seeing how God uses them in the future in His service.</div>
<br />Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-1299877960896166292018-02-03T13:26:00.000+02:002018-02-03T13:26:21.455+02:00BARBECUE JACKFRUITQuite possibly, we have found a company that will alleviate my frustrations with internet that has prevented me from frequently posting. We are giving it a try, and so far so good. With other companies, I could only upload photos at 6:00 in the morning, and even then it would take about 30 minutes. Any other time of the day, it would take up to 2 hours or just get stuck. Right now, in the middle of the day, I just uploaded 2 photos, and it literally took less than 10 seconds. I realize this still isn't as fast as most American internet, but I am so excited and hope this good service continues. It will really help with school work, too.<br />
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My kids will admit, when it comes to meals, I am very good to them. I am not a mother who forces Brussel sprouts or sauerkraut down their throats. I remember once when Shane was little that I made him eat squash. As I was cleaning up the mess of him throwing it up, I declared I was not going to be that mean mom. Instead, I have learned that if I want my kids to like something, fix just enough for myself, eat it in front of them, and they will soon come begging to try mom's special food she is eating. It truly works!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrDyJUq2Lpgu4RQk2TbosuyFvF8xJccckuIyQSt0Fd8PyF5HjgPhcm5ElIKBJFPLQokjdynkUNzi4MhIkmhye2tLtpAnf184Sdgt7dOgkfIp2ueje0Sum96EpwdP0AajL_XFHSDqamqk/s1600/IMG_3829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrDyJUq2Lpgu4RQk2TbosuyFvF8xJccckuIyQSt0Fd8PyF5HjgPhcm5ElIKBJFPLQokjdynkUNzi4MhIkmhye2tLtpAnf184Sdgt7dOgkfIp2ueje0Sum96EpwdP0AajL_XFHSDqamqk/s400/IMG_3829.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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However, I do enjoy trying new recipes, especially when I see a savings in them. We have an unusual fruit called jackfruit that is as big as a watermelon and grows on trees. It is very messy to harvest the fruit, but it is very good raw or dried. We had heard how some people, especially vegetarians, use the fruit as a substitute for beef in meals, specifically barbecue shredded beef sandwiches. We were given some jackfruit, so I decided to try it, closely following the recipe online. <br />
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<i>It was a failure! </i> </div>
I even had a hard time swallowing it without the gag reflex kicking in. My kids were so good in trying to eat it, but they were greatly relieved when I didn't even make them eat the usually required 1/2 amount that was on their plate. I told them that since they didn't have any stories of their mom making them eat horrible stuff, that I had to provide at least one for them.<br />
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Don't feel too sorry for them. The barbecue jackfruit was quickly forgotten and I was forgiven even before these cinnamon rolls appeared for breakfast the next day.<br />
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<br />Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-52253980685761201082017-12-26T20:35:00.002+02:002017-12-26T20:35:51.030+02:00DECEMBER 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I. LOVE. MY. LIFE. Having my family with me all day. Serving our Lord in a foreign country. Knowing people from all over the world. I am so blessed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNfdfMmIXi_K7QFYytBjp8BYZW3a5QPRb_k2Jn4C98CUGJvWGk-AtQTo4JWtibPXi7zEEoO3KdnWEqGw2ov0gBn-oH49MEMW4k266FR5r0uOpYD0VUPH6LaYQrRGNSX_lEZnDeKTqEgw/s1600/IMG_3838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNfdfMmIXi_K7QFYytBjp8BYZW3a5QPRb_k2Jn4C98CUGJvWGk-AtQTo4JWtibPXi7zEEoO3KdnWEqGw2ov0gBn-oH49MEMW4k266FR5r0uOpYD0VUPH6LaYQrRGNSX_lEZnDeKTqEgw/s400/IMG_3838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But life isn't all a bed of roses. One of the recent thorns in my life has been our internet. Whenever I want to sit down and blog, then internet is SO slow, that I am not able to accomplish anything. So, you, my readers, will just have to bear with me as I try to figure out how to be more up-to-date with the postings.<br />
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To try to finish up the year, I am just going to do a photo recap of the past few months.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU53o1Hx66Ei_wzNUI1wvrfMlf8xK2StIZ4LCOr7-IpZekiH_YQXv2S70GFsS01c5tCznyA1rfhIFjCqbVKkQ3FFInRkRda4QP7oc6hvJl7JAVAYn2nR_fOPAtTaaa2TsfMmSGb2P_maA/s1600/DSC_0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU53o1Hx66Ei_wzNUI1wvrfMlf8xK2StIZ4LCOr7-IpZekiH_YQXv2S70GFsS01c5tCznyA1rfhIFjCqbVKkQ3FFInRkRda4QP7oc6hvJl7JAVAYn2nR_fOPAtTaaa2TsfMmSGb2P_maA/s400/DSC_0335.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fair came to town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPRBHLwMzj0_DcoychK22G7H46CFSH59GfbPn5H6NbecAlrk0W3eE7PKr8hFi2_AZ1AEqJfw_jBp6e7BUUuASkVb-EOnHxPhA_evaYb2jxcfyVsKBjW7cD-2jKf4sic08Qfi2kthkzt8/s1600/DSC_0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPRBHLwMzj0_DcoychK22G7H46CFSH59GfbPn5H6NbecAlrk0W3eE7PKr8hFi2_AZ1AEqJfw_jBp6e7BUUuASkVb-EOnHxPhA_evaYb2jxcfyVsKBjW7cD-2jKf4sic08Qfi2kthkzt8/s400/DSC_0399.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we held this snake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVQmywmAEyRTr_sfJkNnIuAsrgAdySZrKsTlR06ZRKeohBDnQePyBP6dXQj-_mRgSssMAHfazRN4ezz44hs5f-bBb3zVV_kRSXM7pKg6fG7YY8VsNATZUPOivSZIklLQKwl2UdK5pwH8/s1600/IMG_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVQmywmAEyRTr_sfJkNnIuAsrgAdySZrKsTlR06ZRKeohBDnQePyBP6dXQj-_mRgSssMAHfazRN4ezz44hs5f-bBb3zVV_kRSXM7pKg6fG7YY8VsNATZUPOivSZIklLQKwl2UdK5pwH8/s400/IMG_3121.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyler, another teen in our household.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa1GINUt9CO6QZ68Wf0henU_Ho5hwE3wzzDrzeg7yV1_VUaMupzfD1WFMNRelIagx_yXMKAhN-UNUsbxYRubcw8OtxIwVvmGaDBgK3zUGrS8eOAoQRwp-OnbbXHtCnhzhYjanytM5ecE/s1600/IMG_3124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa1GINUt9CO6QZ68Wf0henU_Ho5hwE3wzzDrzeg7yV1_VUaMupzfD1WFMNRelIagx_yXMKAhN-UNUsbxYRubcw8OtxIwVvmGaDBgK3zUGrS8eOAoQRwp-OnbbXHtCnhzhYjanytM5ecE/s400/IMG_3124.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith left on his birthday, so we just did cupcakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y4gB2__XcmugyqgZNKrpTrO0-lyPkvUx2NlnLBsMD2eFvePt7skOHGwZhyphenhyphen4yIwDnJ1tAZETp_-Dav9hlJiSySnnxvNPxGiZgJyA8faltI94WWnMOikch58FhRf1JT0cICePmu-FTfRY/s1600/IMG_3202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y4gB2__XcmugyqgZNKrpTrO0-lyPkvUx2NlnLBsMD2eFvePt7skOHGwZhyphenhyphen4yIwDnJ1tAZETp_-Dav9hlJiSySnnxvNPxGiZgJyA8faltI94WWnMOikch58FhRf1JT0cICePmu-FTfRY/s400/IMG_3202.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter made me an amazing dessert for my birthday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnsMLqSGaCd_rkogOrwMfnKLBfxzWJ9J7Mh0RpRRHseV6DaGGSiGRpt_uPnshkNahkL-1hUbra7CG-A7E2q306tgkU9dErsbdzFl-Cpjr664hvxehkBN-ffPOFOU1GPGGX8Baf8WJH_Q/s1600/IMG_3392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnsMLqSGaCd_rkogOrwMfnKLBfxzWJ9J7Mh0RpRRHseV6DaGGSiGRpt_uPnshkNahkL-1hUbra7CG-A7E2q306tgkU9dErsbdzFl-Cpjr664hvxehkBN-ffPOFOU1GPGGX8Baf8WJH_Q/s400/IMG_3392.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith began the village ministry in September.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5gMxXXGYYHYdGHPijyIb_zM1Yd3A22fdqZJC0BvksCJztNQX91NGtMKrJPYYQ0_P6YE7WGHcPqHSAVhyi7BHoNnTRCd591x-cYxOChZB7oDohvolcOE4tk6GDPeBXiMFqNNI_D4O-mU/s1600/DSC_0426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5gMxXXGYYHYdGHPijyIb_zM1Yd3A22fdqZJC0BvksCJztNQX91NGtMKrJPYYQ0_P6YE7WGHcPqHSAVhyi7BHoNnTRCd591x-cYxOChZB7oDohvolcOE4tk6GDPeBXiMFqNNI_D4O-mU/s400/DSC_0426.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October 9 was our Independence Service.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM_3PRJPlx5JqmNVeaejf4UjnErqir1rfteoH-cL462jY1mjsVWZ5t3FpQRumeqoNBBZ1EMkCgWaZsPrBL6zWhODOI9fSa8IVYbonkLCxy_zHAfK_066j-FoYQUPhgSgmdaFEJeSi1xU/s400/DSC_0372.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visitor to our compound.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQmkDTT_87RhfNCUlabqtdJ11X1AtWDDGe6NQ5HOCpbj1QDMPw2KXUbzuJ2FrKubqg0lJJwl7ZtmJO8XFqu7eqvLDViciv6RjDSocMrSx9vNag24m2qBs89fHh8uSjZOEVOpTKng-4RE/s1600/IMG_3437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQmkDTT_87RhfNCUlabqtdJ11X1AtWDDGe6NQ5HOCpbj1QDMPw2KXUbzuJ2FrKubqg0lJJwl7ZtmJO8XFqu7eqvLDViciv6RjDSocMrSx9vNag24m2qBs89fHh8uSjZOEVOpTKng-4RE/s400/IMG_3437.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No more single digit kids in our family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTlHIVJU60gf_Vumwfv5Cwhda2Zyskam038ESyHJit26AllKBfKlpyWmHQ8fzW8zS6feOttpLWzohVXigjzKj5FR2Jx97NUI-QmKPMvovLSHdIw81JBJZ4jbdDD89J0uB6e88q2mOiFE/s1600/DSC_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTlHIVJU60gf_Vumwfv5Cwhda2Zyskam038ESyHJit26AllKBfKlpyWmHQ8fzW8zS6feOttpLWzohVXigjzKj5FR2Jx97NUI-QmKPMvovLSHdIw81JBJZ4jbdDD89J0uB6e88q2mOiFE/s400/DSC_0173.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moreen and Robert were married December 16.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pWvrgH9tGF9HzdcRLkr5ePBjz09ldsNe7vFWs190J1wPbYbykF8YhRfjK9SQGlSiSvNGYoZMsltF3JMFY26gXrKCAy5HBVN2Ce85bUkaYcifv61rxbxOpAVIyTEyLPOHt16zUPqfLJQ/s1600/IMG_3990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pWvrgH9tGF9HzdcRLkr5ePBjz09ldsNe7vFWs190J1wPbYbykF8YhRfjK9SQGlSiSvNGYoZMsltF3JMFY26gXrKCAy5HBVN2Ce85bUkaYcifv61rxbxOpAVIyTEyLPOHt16zUPqfLJQ/s400/IMG_3990.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were the cakes I made for the wedding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gvemhxKDtoMF8LTULFBrDKZtUOSGnVhUny8YO-pkwHYqIbYfh7-aJhd11Tkc9k-HB6Z9h-sE4KXz8otXKNSVMbL8zENdJE69zemu0sm1YZ-v5WfVDrdIsgTd5GrYD44g_dvRT5wiu64/s1600/IMG_3957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gvemhxKDtoMF8LTULFBrDKZtUOSGnVhUny8YO-pkwHYqIbYfh7-aJhd11Tkc9k-HB6Z9h-sE4KXz8otXKNSVMbL8zENdJE69zemu0sm1YZ-v5WfVDrdIsgTd5GrYD44g_dvRT5wiu64/s400/IMG_3957.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kids lent their help with trying to get ready for the Ladies Conference.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAXZUukBzVxyu6mqoV0Ud-S19Pdgnuq-EGilubrrHuql3_JmHORWAqNejZyVqRxMPGEigcTrTtNJIe3utcouyuC7gu6ZYruB7QduBHi6O4u41xpVUTRKV0zv4N7YvnFSG3xl8UQrvh8s/s1600/DSC_1082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAXZUukBzVxyu6mqoV0Ud-S19Pdgnuq-EGilubrrHuql3_JmHORWAqNejZyVqRxMPGEigcTrTtNJIe3utcouyuC7gu6ZYruB7QduBHi6O4u41xpVUTRKV0zv4N7YvnFSG3xl8UQrvh8s/s400/DSC_1082.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">54 Ladies attended our Connect the Dots Conference.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0EqaFQS6G5hVWepeG4y_-_DuzUtD8n3EsUAYKH6wLOjQEeK1nfrCKXtf8Rbz7epejrl8MQ8fEs8dUobUu4R7DLVYnz2HSv9MMyNEHwJbrmfDSBPUW07JMknLD0vNB8wUJ4vVXZCChhw/s1600/DSC_1036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0EqaFQS6G5hVWepeG4y_-_DuzUtD8n3EsUAYKH6wLOjQEeK1nfrCKXtf8Rbz7epejrl8MQ8fEs8dUobUu4R7DLVYnz2HSv9MMyNEHwJbrmfDSBPUW07JMknLD0vNB8wUJ4vVXZCChhw/s400/DSC_1036.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were dots everywhere!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyz6tie-9YA1b02TE9egcDziOmObze_L7HR4YJwGBhWeOdN4dVhgpTm-VnNc5SBW9oGuiV57leelGNqEtUuTj8kdlD0Mw1xlRj_GJvMItQvK1tTqizek1vW5_VNfHVNhOrMDCh_1b95AY/s1600/IMG_4067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyz6tie-9YA1b02TE9egcDziOmObze_L7HR4YJwGBhWeOdN4dVhgpTm-VnNc5SBW9oGuiV57leelGNqEtUuTj8kdlD0Mw1xlRj_GJvMItQvK1tTqizek1vW5_VNfHVNhOrMDCh_1b95AY/s400/IMG_4067.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A major bee problem in our roof required a professional to come and remove the roof.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiBM20JkWfCsSa9ava2gyPd-x6SY-N77M7HQcqjs_l6JNpy-FU5RtyfG2FNh1jBRMJOFw_Ayfky2og17wsUA7idlwD2RlvzrUoV153dMPWfIkbWR19fYZJJCRKZXpkRktBVl8Z4TpCl4/s1600/IMG_4074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiBM20JkWfCsSa9ava2gyPd-x6SY-N77M7HQcqjs_l6JNpy-FU5RtyfG2FNh1jBRMJOFw_Ayfky2og17wsUA7idlwD2RlvzrUoV153dMPWfIkbWR19fYZJJCRKZXpkRktBVl8Z4TpCl4/s400/IMG_4074.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 3 days, the queen was finally found.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9xjSJx88Ff4Rw2BgJaYiw7c0zFCB_wU2ynJ9B5q8U9KfElw6bXzrr-zoNZkQFM_ojlMheXgXasWzuKa_eiFMRltPp4MQHr-zK_Al7liro67gFuC73OtKqcdnUIB0twSk-6YBmUBZXGs/s1600/IMG_4054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9xjSJx88Ff4Rw2BgJaYiw7c0zFCB_wU2ynJ9B5q8U9KfElw6bXzrr-zoNZkQFM_ojlMheXgXasWzuKa_eiFMRltPp4MQHr-zK_Al7liro67gFuC73OtKqcdnUIB0twSk-6YBmUBZXGs/s400/IMG_4054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These live chickens are on their way to the market for Christmas.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXb84Z31FDgCnRY3mcIObvpnDsHyIRMOJ5nY5siKoNvTk-5h_AucmQIlc091YY_P2ShzMaijlivevQ0tff5pU0pG_EgGom1k33BvNjbnuUUNmQmCCkEt4PR0-Auju7RP8P_TwPsWbDGBw/s1600/IMG_4102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXb84Z31FDgCnRY3mcIObvpnDsHyIRMOJ5nY5siKoNvTk-5h_AucmQIlc091YY_P2ShzMaijlivevQ0tff5pU0pG_EgGom1k33BvNjbnuUUNmQmCCkEt4PR0-Auju7RP8P_TwPsWbDGBw/s400/IMG_4102.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Christmas service included a deaf lady.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AIK6YNWhPuhdupGBPvuTwmPO_0jAXtFcILQqXCKS1WVdVS0lXGIm0S9sa6YJEmbzXOWpt7YPz5_v1-nkOOACA1uD63K8GDf8nP3yCftqTbM4G3bDYJh37KcIqGHPIEmJEVFjKAAgPs4/s1600/IMG_4107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AIK6YNWhPuhdupGBPvuTwmPO_0jAXtFcILQqXCKS1WVdVS0lXGIm0S9sa6YJEmbzXOWpt7YPz5_v1-nkOOACA1uD63K8GDf8nP3yCftqTbM4G3bDYJh37KcIqGHPIEmJEVFjKAAgPs4/s400/IMG_4107.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins - such love and fun.</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">MERRY CHRISTMAS TO Y'ALL FROM THE STENSAAS IN UGANDA!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM5EVBuqe9Ut24Hi3c95F4dc_th0uDZfxZ0g47hZVc7GDWBenyfaASs42SQasZ_I0VTYVGMcopnA_Q1dqwbBnkLMAV2sl6P3YnFuOTPZ0yLwXOf1PM2KeojaE885ycJyvcDunXbB72bs/s1600/IMG_4094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM5EVBuqe9Ut24Hi3c95F4dc_th0uDZfxZ0g47hZVc7GDWBenyfaASs42SQasZ_I0VTYVGMcopnA_Q1dqwbBnkLMAV2sl6P3YnFuOTPZ0yLwXOf1PM2KeojaE885ycJyvcDunXbB72bs/s400/IMG_4094.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681278524327919776.post-13323041597315442172017-08-25T14:09:00.003+02:002017-08-25T14:12:47.915+02:00BACK HOME<i><b>I am sorry for my long period of silence. This has not been intentional. In fact, I have lost track of how many times I have attempted to post. We have even tried switching to a different internet company. The U factor is at work against me (U=Uganda). I was surprised when I logged in today and found that a portion of a previous attempt was saved. So I will fill in the missing pieces (such as all the pictures that didn't save), post this one, and if it finally goes through - then I can write a current posting. This was written the middle of July.</b></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWMOP3P7PPF8o1CwTqX2pJDKPZ2c-u_gz6rBo7Q4JBomZQZOi6jh7DeIMBUZEWN0Fy1ykGwAqPp_ipP8XD1eSGNmI1tGHANPAphTI7HmCnIsAhFHbyldQ9_Kp5eGvS45piPdQq72983k/s1600/IMG_2852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWMOP3P7PPF8o1CwTqX2pJDKPZ2c-u_gz6rBo7Q4JBomZQZOi6jh7DeIMBUZEWN0Fy1ykGwAqPp_ipP8XD1eSGNmI1tGHANPAphTI7HmCnIsAhFHbyldQ9_Kp5eGvS45piPdQq72983k/s400/IMG_2852.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landing in Uganda - What a Welcome Feeling.</td></tr>
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One of the big adjustments we make when returning to Uganda is the undependability of everything. I actually started writing this post after one week of being here. Due to terrible internet service, it took me until Thursday to finish it. But then when I tried to preview it before sending it out, all the work vanished except for 3 sentences. Yes, I frequently hit the "save" button, but for some reason, the Uganda factor kicked in and getting a post written and sent has been anything but simple. So...we will try again.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDEXht-P7KVQBZBjdyaP2SJTDIQnXqP47A2rvNSavkdtMbfLByHG4g3NnA9oySzX8vLS6qRTMtb5Oc_TDvpTToSEtRgRLAZrFv-GjMS7WACO9zlYCR543o821LE-5zxLHXDhOkDaO7NU/s1600/IMG_2845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDEXht-P7KVQBZBjdyaP2SJTDIQnXqP47A2rvNSavkdtMbfLByHG4g3NnA9oySzX8vLS6qRTMtb5Oc_TDvpTToSEtRgRLAZrFv-GjMS7WACO9zlYCR543o821LE-5zxLHXDhOkDaO7NU/s400/IMG_2845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got a quick tour of Dubai during our layover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It is good to be back home. Sleeping in our own beds. Putting our clothes in closets and dresser drawers. Drinking African Chai and eating sweet bananas and pineapple. Attending the same church. These are every day activities that we miss when traveling on furlough.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkFvmy1ZEAb-mrpKDKo3RoupsW-yHlYPNfenvRLyJ3jDt0ZjMFY7wGKwlBKUycTX451VyoPmXUwtxkgStarZKoMbwLZYTpaHxhSVjhjQFJpdFVH7cqkZkB-sj_2sYILiD8a22cdXrBcc/s1600/IMG_2991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkFvmy1ZEAb-mrpKDKo3RoupsW-yHlYPNfenvRLyJ3jDt0ZjMFY7wGKwlBKUycTX451VyoPmXUwtxkgStarZKoMbwLZYTpaHxhSVjhjQFJpdFVH7cqkZkB-sj_2sYILiD8a22cdXrBcc/s400/IMG_2991.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Kampala, the capitol city, from our motel room</td></tr>
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But there are the difficult adjustments, too. Water going off every - single - day. The Muslim prayer call beginning at 4:45 or 5:00 each morning. The crazy traffic. The dust. The noise of living in town.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lPe3iM48OYzu61D95sks4varYQgdZA0EAW_I2zqwCXNpYyCeVeYYqadQJ0bEPAJA12g51cUmkrs76In95s3BU5cN_CQBufN6qW9MF3yB4iHAd2NGns4654k06i7bqY0P4Qc8UosKLg8/s1600/IMG_2992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lPe3iM48OYzu61D95sks4varYQgdZA0EAW_I2zqwCXNpYyCeVeYYqadQJ0bEPAJA12g51cUmkrs76In95s3BU5cN_CQBufN6qW9MF3yB4iHAd2NGns4654k06i7bqY0P4Qc8UosKLg8/s400/IMG_2992.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadside market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And there is the beauty. Green trees and grass. The welcome we received from our people. My flowers still blooming. The weather (between 62 and 78 since we arrived). <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCSSXr5Cw8KmApIBe0LqXjYDMj_w5HwUjQe0CzSbjoHKy5GKXhDO4Qxwt4XYb6T0_0dvPD7CHljprSWUFQPAdB-Y-Rr_RwnZcCUW2CzrcHL77Wg3GfIUFPwJ5kj0ntXfOxM1TqZGYKtc/s1600/DSC_1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCSSXr5Cw8KmApIBe0LqXjYDMj_w5HwUjQe0CzSbjoHKy5GKXhDO4Qxwt4XYb6T0_0dvPD7CHljprSWUFQPAdB-Y-Rr_RwnZcCUW2CzrcHL77Wg3GfIUFPwJ5kj0ntXfOxM1TqZGYKtc/s400/DSC_1031.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Love Flowers! It was nice to see them still living in my flower beds.</td></tr>
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Our days have been very busy and full as we literally move back into our home. When we left, everything had to be packed up. In addition to unpacking, we also repainted our house. Since the curtains all had to be replaced due to the intense Equator sun, we did some color changing in some rooms. We don't, yet, have everything back on the walls, but the pathway through the house is getting better and nearly all the curtains are hung. We don't have any time to be lazy since we have four visitors arriving next week. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCejfzRcuju5vb1T9lsR1Ifwf7QD_KA9w5uGMGwGkmOanct2Ie2I5qbD4b9LmY4eXsHhhy_f_eG6zVfC50_i8MyIbWLQKq4P5aHecFIJi5uFZmnaGz5QThHu9s93y69G5Ixa7mbYwUuak/s1600/IMG_2888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCejfzRcuju5vb1T9lsR1Ifwf7QD_KA9w5uGMGwGkmOanct2Ie2I5qbD4b9LmY4eXsHhhy_f_eG6zVfC50_i8MyIbWLQKq4P5aHecFIJi5uFZmnaGz5QThHu9s93y69G5Ixa7mbYwUuak/s400/IMG_2888.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shae-Lynn helped in getting the curtains ready</td></tr>
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Keith has accomplished so much in all that is on his list. He found us a van to purchase within our first week, and he has started paperwork on the ministry truck. His Ugandan driving permit should be completed this week, and mine next. During our absence, five of our six dogs died, so Keith has bought 3 new ones to replace them. The kids all have new mattresses and the girls a new bed frame, too. He quickly hooked up the water filter and the washing machine and dryer, so we appreciate their availability. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XysRvo1pOaVBe-qJ3kt-u3B8QhP5KxpHRmMLpmneW2w6FUVHcuyEiAeVORlbnd6WokyoGb6Y9A9UmlQO_uRmOQOoeSm0EgHz_2wTao6DHPGDZBZ7soBvRUofy0jjnNJMU-w_eFDVmJU/s1600/DSC_1086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XysRvo1pOaVBe-qJ3kt-u3B8QhP5KxpHRmMLpmneW2w6FUVHcuyEiAeVORlbnd6WokyoGb6Y9A9UmlQO_uRmOQOoeSm0EgHz_2wTao6DHPGDZBZ7soBvRUofy0jjnNJMU-w_eFDVmJU/s400/DSC_1086.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shiloh exercising the dogs</td></tr>
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One of the things Keith and I missed the most was being able to be involved discipleship. My soul winning team wasted no time in giving me three ladies to disciple upon our return. What a blessing it is for Shae-Lynn to also have some young girls to teach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O09GPLC11b_wcH3l3yRZ2vJuNSM6fdfCIa8NvUtkrCII9mYNsw5d66v7MLZdXpNEGa3yErQGAV1PhZ_dEwynMqkWJcp9T7LKnwajCSc1Gk0fZU3nyxCZy-3xz_rrYHyssdQGmQHjC_E/s1600/IMG_2909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O09GPLC11b_wcH3l3yRZ2vJuNSM6fdfCIa8NvUtkrCII9mYNsw5d66v7MLZdXpNEGa3yErQGAV1PhZ_dEwynMqkWJcp9T7LKnwajCSc1Gk0fZU3nyxCZy-3xz_rrYHyssdQGmQHjC_E/s400/IMG_2909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am humbled that I am given the chair and they insist on sitting on the ground</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpis3CigKU7d0ku9PIUVoIVCo7WvPjgW5PN-DsogXiTYI1CojYcozl5Eu0QYJsGW7C34jmC3ueYIGIDZ_CZDr5bUOjpechMazywSwUCo4uSRYQFAwcO7t9kKPfi9oZ1-MOVWkSjNetsY/s1600/IMG_2980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpis3CigKU7d0ku9PIUVoIVCo7WvPjgW5PN-DsogXiTYI1CojYcozl5Eu0QYJsGW7C34jmC3ueYIGIDZ_CZDr5bUOjpechMazywSwUCo4uSRYQFAwcO7t9kKPfi9oZ1-MOVWkSjNetsY/s400/IMG_2980.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shae-Lynn usually ends up with 10 kids listening to her teach the 3 that are being discipled</td></tr>
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We are home - the place of service God has chosen for us. How grateful we are!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQLvgvcsfVssELJ5jk1dJaQJwyPkpRVAp_BnEJ94C-e4t3s2fSumOofq6BX6V0_m5HVzoMdRD0XcXwo28Q_rzLbS3A-o3kUNgPiyVKpzvHl8WTjXpXFwqA8RTuCyjvKXvcaOP5Ty6uSU/s1600/IMG_3093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQLvgvcsfVssELJ5jk1dJaQJwyPkpRVAp_BnEJ94C-e4t3s2fSumOofq6BX6V0_m5HVzoMdRD0XcXwo28Q_rzLbS3A-o3kUNgPiyVKpzvHl8WTjXpXFwqA8RTuCyjvKXvcaOP5Ty6uSU/s320/IMG_3093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Sally Stensaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535047545489180064noreply@blogger.com0