Selamina

08.02.15

    Last time I wrote I forgot to mention that Messy made us Habisha (Ethiopian) food for lunch that day! It was really good! I also ate hot sauce with mine, [and] Messy was having a hard time with it! [lol] Yes it was hot! But it was good!

    On to today! This morning I woke from a very eerie dream with a very eerie feeling at about 4:15. It felt as if every hair on my neck & arms were standing straight up! And I [heard] some moaning coming from one of the churches. It felt different somehow and I started to pray away [the] dark feeling that had come over me. Once I had peace, I fell back to sleep. But I found that was really odd! Krystal said it may have been the Muslims instead of the Orthodox. That may have been it, but whatever it was, I never want to feel its presence again!

    We went shopping after this morning service and Krystal found Jelly! Yay! There are some things that if you happen to find them it makes your day! Peanut butter being one of those top precious items! LOL! We also got some freshly made donuts from the bakery! So good! There aren't like the donuts in the US, but they're good! 

    After lunch and supper we had the evening service then sent the boys to bed. All of which were [already] asleep with the exception of Joshua.

    Heith and I had a really good long talk after everyone else went to bed. We talked about a lot of random things, then it slowly got into some more serious stuff. We started talking about Bible stuff and commitments and other things. I think I needed that. He gave me two verses to help me with out with something I've been dealing with in my mind for quite a while. I'm really hoping that I can stick to my commitments. No. I'm going to! I'm desperately trying to grasp onto that very same thing Heith did when he was younger. Determination to do right no matter what. I want that! For the first time in a long time I truly want that! I am reaching for it! I want the faith and dedication of Darlene Deibler Rose (I'm reading her book for the first time)! I want to learn the Bible. I've become thirsty for it. I look forward to devotions and reading my Bible every morning. It's not a chore anymore and I don't, I desperately don't, want that to ever ever change! Oh God, give me the strength and the wisdom to do what's right whether everyone else is or not! Whether it is hard or easy!  

    Even in Africa I face the challenge of music! It's everywhere I go. It's in my head. But I'm learning to be annoyed by it. I know I can't get it out of my head, but I'm trusting the Lord to cleanse my heart of it! It is very tiresome carrying all of that around everywhere I go, but I found a Resting Place. In my Savior, my Lord, the Worthy Lamb of God! I'm learning to trust Him a little more each day.

~Sarah

P.s. Selamina = I have peace.

I realize that some of this post may be a bit weird, but the spiritual battles shouldn't be overlooked simply because they make is uncomfortable. This is real. The battle is real! Taking this trip made me realize just how real! Not only are we in a battle to lead lost souls to Christ, but we do have a spiritual enemy! Thank God we also have a spiritual Ally! He will win the war! But please stay strong for each battle my friends! 

I truly enjoyed looking back at this entry, thinking of how far I had to come to come to this place of peace! Wow! The Lord has blessed me! What sweet peace my Father gives! :) Can you say truthfully in your heart that you have peace? I hope so! 

      Simply,

           Sarah

07.31.15

07.31.15 

    Not last night but the night before, there was a party going on in the street! It was quite funny to listen to! Another weird thing is every morning the orthodox [pray, aka] moan and groan, and it can be heard from a mile away! They also do it later in the day. Most everyone considers themselves orthodox, including Meseret. 

   We were talking about food the other day and Messy said she doesn't eat bacon because it's pork and the Bible says not to eat pork. The conversation continued and she said she really enjoyed ham! Ha ha! Krystal told her that was pork and she just sat there saying "no! nah-uh!" So she didn't even know! Yesterday Krystal was trying to make a grocery list and she found some pepperonis and just started to laugh! I asked her what was so funny. She said both Messy and Daniel have eaten pepperoni pizza she made for them! Yet they don't eat pork! LOL! They don't seem to know what is pork [and what isn't]! 

   Yesterday Heith got the pipe to the kitchen sink unclogged! It was clogged with concrete! Hoping that fix the leak in the hallway! He and Daniel also went to the old house to grab a few things so maybe we will have the basketball goal up soon… Maybe! LOL! He has a long list of things to build and do! He is supposed to build a dining room table and stand for the Berkey, some bookshelves, a desk, put up the rest of the curtains… Etc.! It goes on! 

    Last night we tried a new restaurant. It was pretty good! The meat was still chewy, it is everywhere [here] though. The boys got pizza, Heith and Krystal got beef fajitas, and I got a steak burger. We passed it all around trying everything and it was all pretty good! We were really impressed with the rolls for the appetizer! They were soft and tasted like something you could get in America, which is rare! We also got chocolate and strawberry cake slices for the boys to share. it was pretty good! Heith ordered Krystal, himself and I all mochas. It was pretty good too! Their coffee is strong here but it's not anywhere near as bitter! Oh I almost forgot! My steak burger came with chili peppers and I tried one! Whew! Hot! LOL!
    Heith bought a bag of coffee beans from the area for my dad try. If he likes it I'll bring some home for him but I'm definitely bringing some home for myself! Because I love it! 

    Well, I've been sitting here writing for 30 minutes now! I better get my day started! 

    Simply,

        Sarah

We Moved!

07.29.15

    We are moved into the new house! We moved in on the 27th, Monday. Everything is going good with the neighbors and everything. but we have had a few plumbing problems! The sink has been leaking and we just found that once I drained the kitchen sink, water started pouring from under the wall in the hall! So Heith is calling landlord, and we are hoping she will have it fixed! I met Daniel Monday, saw him again yesterday, and will possible see him again today! He has been helping Heith with lightbulbs and the washer and the sink. Various things around the house. He seems pretty nice but I haven't spent much time with him though. So I don't know yet!

    We cleaned the new house for a whole day and half! It was so dusty! And paint splatters were a nightmare to get off the floors! But we did get it done! Hallelujah!!! I don't think anyone had fingernails after that! Some raw fingers maybe! lol! In the main rooms at least! So, yes, there was more!

    We may be going back to the old house today to clean and make sure we left nothing behind. The day we moved in the new house, our new neighbor brought us lasagna and green beans for supper! It was very good!

    Messy will be working here at the new house too, so she is trying to get used to coming here instead! lol! She keeps getting lost on the way her though it's not far from the old house! For her sake I hope she adapts easily and soon ! :) In the new house I have my own room with my own bathroom! I had my own room in the old house, but we all shared one bathroom (not counting the outside bathroom) [Just a half bath,] but it is still nice!

    We had hamburgers and fried potatoes from the suke down the road and some mac-n-cheese. It was all pretty good. Heith  got the boys bed built today so they wouldn't have to sleep on the floor anymore. Heith and Krystal and I all watched some Leave it to Beaver tonight. Well Heith joined us for the first episode so he could have some of Krystal's Peanut butter M&M's! lol!

    Oh yeah, the plumber came today and let's just say my hopes are not high! He came in telling us what was wrong before we even told him what had been happening! Heith thinks he knows what it is, but the plumber is thinking something completely different. So, I don't know! But I hope they figure it out and get it fixed so we can wash dishes in the sink again! We've been washing dishes in a small blue tub and dumping it out back  when we finish.

    Well, it's kinda late and I'm very tired! I sorry my writing has been scattered, but I've just been writing as I think of it!

        

        ~Sarah :P

P.S. I cannot believe I didn't mention this before, so I'll tell you now! Heith and Krystal had been praying for some good neighbors or friends for the boys. When we went to look at the new house for the first time, we heard a little boy saying hello in English. We looked over and there were white people next door! English speaking white people! We all introduced ourselves and found out not only did they live next door, they were from Indiana! What's more, is they had five kids! three girls and two boys. The four oldest were all about the same ages as the Fussner boys! If you have never been on a foreign field you will probably never understand the depth of how great a blessing this was! The Lord had given not only Krystal and Heith friends, but each of the boys! Our God is awesome! :)

   
         Simply,

               Sarah

Blessings

Where do I begin? At this moment a chorus simply just popped into my head. It says:

♪♫♪

My God is so great,

So strong and so mighty

there's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so great,

so strong and so mighty,

there's nothing my God cannot do.

The mountains are his,

the rivers are his,

the stars are His handiwork, too.
My God is so great,

so strong and so mighty,

there's nothing my God cannot do, for you!

♪♫♪

I know this is seen as a children's song, but it rings true even as 20 year old! My God hasn't changed!

 I can't help but think how gracious and good my God is when He shows me each and everyday how He cares for me! Yes, my God is strong and mighty, but He is also loving, kind, and giving. He gives me what I need, and sometimes if it pleases Him, He throws in what I want just because He can! I have so much to be thankful for and I would like to expound on that this morning!

My heart is full this morning. Full of gladness and thankfulness.

♪♫

I have been blessed!

God's so good to me!

Blessed are His thoughts of you and me.

No way I could count them there's not enough time,

so I'll just thank Him for being so kind.

God has been good, so good.

I have been blessed!

 ♪♫

I am thankful God has given me a song a bunch of good godly songs! I don't struggle in my mind as much as I used to with music. Yes, every now and then some old song will bring me back, having me remember my time in bitterness and self pity, my time of selfishness, but (thank God there's a "but"!) He brought me out of all of that! I can think on that worldly music in sorrow for lost time, or I can praise God for deliverance from myself and my sin! Praise His dear lovely name! 

Thank the LORD for family! Though we don't always see eye to eye or understand one another, we love each other and that is priceless! I could not have picked a better family for myself! My family is amazing! Yes, we are human. We make mistakes, we get under each other's skin! We yell and have "discussions", but we care for each other and I know if I needed them they would be right there! They are anyway! lol! In all seriousness, we have been through a lot together. We have laughed together, cried together, been angry together, and plain silly together! We are all a part of each other. I honestly don't know what I would do without them, and I hate that saying! lol! But I truly mean it! They have always been right there real close (sometimes too close!) Yet I find my family to be one of the biggest blessings ever given to me!  

Speaking of family I am also very blessed to have the church family that I have! The LORD reminds of that quite a bit these days! Yesterday for example, the fourth of July. A family from church hosted a party and being the introvert that I am, I must say I was quite intimidated when pulling up to a packed house! The time flew so by so quickly I didn't want to leave, even after being there for 4-5 hours! The games were fun! It was nice to fellowship outside of church and simply sit back and enjoy good company. The fireworks were cut short because of the rain, but they were beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed them! My highlight of the entire evening though, was the singing! Oh the sweet joy that comes from praising the LORD with friends! especially when it is voluntary! We sang old hymns accompanied by two guitars. Lifted our voices to God until there wasn't much voice left to give. It wasn't perfect, but it was still and beautiful sight and sound. I know our Father savored that sweet moment of praise!

I also am thankful for our independence! If I only knew how hard it would be to serve the LORD without that, I believe I would be even more thankful! Many people may believe we are losing that independence to serve the LORD publicly, and they may be right, but don't be discouraged by that! Be encouraged and motivated to work harder and faster for our LORD! I know I could do better! I am thankful that we can freely come together to worship the King of kings and praise and share all that He has done with others!

His voice still speaks to me! My heart stops as I hear that still small voice gently calling me. As His hand steadily works on my heart, changing my desires and my plans I notice that I hear Him all the more, peacefully comforting me, and guiding me on to what He would have me do next.

A bit of a story for you: Sunday night, during the invitation, I was praying. My pastor asked us to ask the Lord what allies we had in our lives. To ask what and if something was hindering us in our walk Him. So I did. I asked the LORD,

"Is there anything I need to give to You God?"

I had already given Him my music, my movies, my heart, my plans, what else was there? Was my thought.

"God is there something that is too important to me that I need to give to You?

"Your time." 

"My time?" 

"I want your time Sarah. It is too important to you. Give Me your time. That is all I ask." 

At this I felt crushed, shocked even! God has to ask me for my time? That is backwards and wrong! I should be begging God to spend time with me! Not the other way around! I have been spending my time on vain things, and so much so the Lord has to ask me to spend some time with Him. I know I'm being a bit repetitive but that shocked me! I can't explain it. I am just amazed that God cares so much for me, He will even come down and whisper to my heart a simple "Come." But oh how sweet when He does!

I have been struggling with some things and the LORD also keeps reminding me, "I'm right here. You can talk to Me. I'll listen." I was thinking on some of these things last night as we were singing and my mind started to wander, then I shook loose of those thoughts to get back into the singing, then we started singing "What a Friend we have in Jesus". I prayed in my heart, "oh my God I know. I 'm sorry I worry so. It's yours." I didn't think much else about it until God decided to remind me later that night as I was pondering on some of those questions again. We were outside getting ready to watch the fireworks and the Lord stuck that tune in a man's head as he stood beside me waiting, he whistled that song. Now I don't know about you guys, but I do not believe in coincidences. That gentleman could have thought of any song we sang earlier, we sang quite a handful! But I believe my Father placed that song in his heart, to speak to me and remind me, 

   

♪♫♪

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

♪♫♪

He is so giving and I don't know why it always amazes me but it does! He blesses me with things I don't deserve. I don't deserve anything from Him, He owes me absolutely nothing, and yet He continues to shower me with blessings and I am so thankful! I am thankful God continues to bless me not only in the small things but the big things as well! He takes care of my every need! His timing is perfect as well! He gives and gives and gives, and what do I do? I say thank you and move on as we all do. Yes, I'm thankful for all He has done and continues to do for me, but are the words "thank you" ever truly enough? I don't think so. Not for my God, not for my King! He deserves something in return! If that be my music, take it oh LORD, take it! If that be my TV, You can have it, Oh my God! If that be my plans, they are Yours Father! If it be my heart, mold it as you may, my great Physician! If it be my time? Well, time is a big thing to ask for! But. Who gave me this time? Who knows how much time I actually have? My Creator, my God. Is my God not worthy? I am not. That I know! So take it dear Lord God! Take it and splurge on Yourself! It's Yours to spend! I know this is easier said than done, but making this commitment does not mean I will be in my prayer closet and reading my bible nonstop. God has other ways He wants to use our time too! How about witnessing? Encouraging a fellow brother or sister in Christ? Faithfulness to church? Being a blessing in even small ways, can make a big impact on others. Bragging on God and his blessings can maybe (hopefully) encourage others to keep up the fight. That is what I hope this post will do for my readers: Encourage, and remind you God has been too good to us to not give Him our all! Believe me, I am speaking to myself here! Big time! ( No pun intended☺) I hope you are encouraged and motivated to give the Lord your all, to do as He asks even if you don't understand!  

I feel as if there is so much more I could say, so many more blessings to count, but there truly isn't enough time to name them all! I encourage you to count your blessings as well, even if only a handful. Last night at the party, I saw a sign hanging on the wall as we were singing that read: "There is always, always, always, something to be thankful for." That is true! Even when times are tough! Be thankful! Thank you LORD for everything!

Thank you for reading! Until next week! :) 

Simply,

       Sarah