the Giver of life

by Alanna

These days run together, long days of being on my feet, evenings of cooking or planning or spending time with my husband. Weekends of sleeping in, and the smell of crepes which my husband has been starting long before I’m up. Later the smell of bleach and laundry soap, the feel of dough for tortillas, the books laid out for another week of teaching. Walking these streets with my husband’s gentle pull on my hand, guiding me back from fast motorcycles and big buses. These things are familiar to me- the way the iron gate swings open to our apartment complex, the sights and sounds of all three grocery stores, the mountains a 10 minute walk from our door.

It seems to me that our time here is drawing to a close, although we still have 3 months left to go. I’m thankful for this time we’ve had, thankful for the small changes I see in 1^st grade as a whole, thankful that one of my worst students suddenly decided he wants to learn everything. (He is a joy to teach, just far behind from having been tuned out and not willing to work the last 7 months.  Every day in class he raises his hand and says, “Mrs. Hailu, no entiendo!” So I’m trying.) I’m thankful for shared laughter with my husband over Honduran logic. The things they failed to think of- a shower that is sloped toward the drain, a doorknob and the space for it in the frame lined up correctly, planning out street construction rather than stopping halfway. For us it means a perpetually wet shower that needs to be cleaned every week, an un-shuttable bedroom door, and dirt roads just a little worse than they were before the government got involved. 

I’m thankful for my husband’s flexibility; the way he gets up to lead worship by himself at a church although he had no idea it was coming. I’m thankful that he shares with everything here at the house, and helps me with even my own schoolwork when I feel overwhelmed. I’m thankful that Spanish comes easier, to understand and even to speak. I’m thankful for my assistant and the way she has become my friend. I’m thankful that some things I have only Jesus to speak to about. I’m thankful for the obedience of the prophets, although their writings baffle me. I’m thankful for e-mails from family. I’m thankful for the ice cream shop here, the beautiful park with the huge tree, and big stone benches with my husband beside me.

I didn’t mean to make this blog a list of the things I thank God for. It started out so very hard, today. But then when I sit down to type, here it comes. He is so good, even in what is so often the ugly mess of me. He is my Rock, my Refuge, my only Hope. He makes all things new. He is building and restoring and fortifying my heart. He is my Father.

He gave us something, recently. A gift I’d been asking for but knew that it was His to give. A little one inside of me. A miracle baby. And I’m in awe, because I realize now more than ever before that He is the Giver of life. He is the Creator, the Giver, and the Sustainer. We are so happy that He blessed us with such a precious gift! Due to “arrive” officially in October. Praise the Giver of all good things =)