Something To Pray About

What were you doing on July 26, 2009? Maybe someone cussed you out for sharing your faith, but did they attack you with a machete?

It happened to a lady named Monica in Nigeria. The story was in a Voice of the Martyrs email I recently received. I have shortened the story for typing's sake, but the facts and quotations are correct. I have no intention of breaking any copyright laws here (deepest apologies if I have). I simply feel that I need to raise awareness on this subject.

Monica said, "We had heard rumours all night that there were going to be problems, and now I could hear them walking and slaughtering people as they went." Monica and her husband, Daniel James, ran outside to escape the mob. But they "grabbed Daniel and hacked him to death with a machete."

"Monica began to run, with her Bible and hymnbook tucked under her arm. But members of the chanting mob grabbed her and began striking at her with machetes. Seeing a cross on a chain around Monica's neck, a militant began to chop at her neck, nearly decapitating her. By the time Monica got to the hospital, she could only breath through the gaping wound left by the lethal blade."

"'I thought, I am a Christian,'" she said. "'I am dying today.'"

Thank God, Monica didn't die. "After six surgeries to repair her throat and close the wound in her neck, doctors were able to save her voice. Through VOMedical, Monica, a poor widow with a 5-year-old child, received excellent medical care and post-op follow-up."

"Now that I have my strength back, I have forgiven my attackers," Monica said. "Now I have more courage to serve the Lord much more."

The point: "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (Hebrews 13:3) There are Christians all over the world suffering persecution for their faith. It's happening right now, while I type this and have the religious freedom to talk to the person sitting next to me about God. Please take a moment to pray for Monica, for her child; that God would continue to heal and give strength, courage, hope, and grace. Get this--as though it was you.

Burdened for my suffering brothers and sisters in Christ,

Jenn

Tis' So Sweet...

Wii Night @ Dean and Beck's ~ 2010

Saturday night, we went over to our cousin Dean and Becky's house. Every once in a while the folks have a get-together, which involves playing Wii, and eating pizza, fries and onion wings. Maybe it's just a North American thing to have pizza and "wings"? Anyway, it was all delicious.

Becky & Dean Olivia, their little girlWilliam, the babyWill-Wills!Kat, Neil and Olivia enjoying the action

Becky showing us how it's done.The Smith look of concentration... Dean trying to beat Becky's record.

Aunt Jean power walking her Wii session. Lol. Don't get in the way of those fists! Uncle Mike and Dean get more than one laugh out of the performance.Olivia, Kat and Neil
Aunt Lynda prepping for flight while Uncle Mike snickers.Neil making a "photoblock" while Uncle Mike and Dean watch Grandma flap her 'ittle wings.Grandma sitting on the couch with Lisa, while she plays with Aunt Lynda's hair.Jenn trying her stride at Wii. Dean trying to think of something smart to say while Lisa observes.Dean and Neil, the terrible two.Grandma and Aunt Lynda watching the spectacle.

Sarah attempting to fly to the next island. (It didn't work; the chicken ended up flying into the side of a building. Stunned, but staggering bravely...) Will, Kat, Neil, Olivia, Lisa and Grandma watching. Wish my videos would upload; they were so self-explanatory! ...and great for blackmail! Lol.

Farewell to our little borrowed Budgerigar

This is Cruiser:

Jenn and I took care of some properties while their owners were away on vacation, and bird-sitting this budgie somehow worked its way into the deal. It was easier to take care of her at home, rather than needing a key and going inside every day to feed and clean her, so she moved in with us.

Mom's dad used to have budgies, so she really enjoyed the bird. Cruiser was quite solemn and taciturn to begin with, but as she got to know us, the noise level increased....dramatically.

From squawking at us if we raised our voice in dispute, to warbling along with the kitchen faucet, she became rawther vocal.

I enjoyed pulling Jenn's leg, as I tried to convince her that we'd picked up a bird from down the street. No lies-and almost had her convinced. The look on her face when she came back from Camp B and saw Cruiser sat comfortably in our dining room was precious. Of course, I couldn't keep my face straight and started laughing, which gave it away.

I do raise question with her name. Somehow, the smaller an animal or human is, the larger their name should be. Something along the lines of Methuselah. Or in this case, Jemimah or Kerren-Happuch! LOL

Now she's gone home and the house is oh so quiet. I miss the little seed-scatterer, even if she did have the attitude of a cat!