Shaarda's Story - It's God's Story!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Picture Update

Fun with Grandpa & Grandma Beute

Beautiful snow!

Enjoying the indoor water park

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Preparing the turkey with Aunt Rebeka

Going Hunting

Thanksgiving!

Family ice skating with church

Thanksgiving Chapel

Daddy got a deer!

The kids love to ride horses

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Well as I write we are getting our first bit of snow. The girls were so excited this afternoon hearing about the possibility of snow they wore their snow pants outside to play (before any snow was in the air). At supper the first few flurries fell and all three kids were pressed up against the window looking with excitement. We will see what morning brings…

Our speaking has begun and is going really well. Sundays are busy but always a blessing. Josh has been sharing testimonies from teaching and talking about Freedom in Christ. I share about God’s call to Obule and our team working with us. I also talk about the baptisms and thank the church for being apart of all God is doing in Obule. It is a joy to testify of all God has done and give Him glory for all the lives changed.

I love sharing. Each week I am reminded of all God is doing, how much I love our team and friends, and that we are called to be in Obule. I appreciate each person who has been praying for us, supporting the work, or is touched by the message. It is so encouraging. This past Sunday the pastor just let the Spirit lead the service and let the church ask us questions then had the church gather around us and prayed as God led. What a blessing.

Josh has also been preaching. Last week he was all prepared but realized he hadn’t asked God what he should preach. So after asking God gave him a new word and he changed the sermon the two days before the service. It was so God ordained. We were all move and challenged by God’s Word. Josh preached on Philippians 3 about sharing in the sufferings of Christ. The Spirit was there. After the sermon we sang “Grace Alone” and it fit beautifully. I just have to share some of the words with you (I love the second verse):

Every promise we can make
Every prayer and step of faith
Every difference we can make
Is only by His grace.
Every mountain we will climb
Every ray of hope we shine
Every blessing left behind
Is only by His grace

Grace alone Which God supplies
Strength unknown He will provide
Christ in us, our cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone.

Every soul we long to reach
Every heart we hope to teach
Everywhere we share His peace
Is only by His grace.
Every loving word we say
Every tear we wipe away
Every sorrow turned to praise

Lydia and Grace have both expressed their desire to go back to Uganda. Not that they aren’t enjoying it here but Uganda seems to be home. Isn’t that great! Sometimes they get sick of the homework here or getting up early so they want to go to Uganda. It is a good time to remind them that home schooling is special too. Lydia would like to take her school back to Uganda with her. Sunday night she was longing for posho and pork. Really! She loves it. Grace had to write about her favorite food in school so she wrote about atop. How funny.

I want to share one more thing before I go. Last Wednesday when I woke up and found out that we did not have a new president I literally cried. We have been praying for over a year for a godly leader. It felt like everyone was sad. But I continued to pray and trust in God. He taught me though it too. In my devotions I read 2 Timothy 4:3-5 where it talks about a time that will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them teachers who say what their itching ears want to hear and will turn their ears away from truth. That is what is happening. I also realized the Bible tells us the world will become more and more evil in the end times. So there is hope in this -- Jesus is coming! We need to have an urgency about us to get ready, pray, and to know and stand firmly in the truth in these evil times. We know God is in control and already has the victory!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Colorado

November 4, 2012

Josh and I had the treat of going to Denver, CO for a long weekend last weekend. Last year we were bumped from our flight and received free tickets, so we decided to fly to Denver. It is a blessing for us to get away for a few days when we come to Michigan. The kids love staying with family, our families love having time with them, and Josh and I love having time together. So it is a win, win situation for all!

Josh and I had fun exploring the area. We really like the mountains. We drove around the first afternoon in the mountains taking in the heights, small towns, and snow. We took a beautiful walk in the snowy woods. It was so peaceful. We also went up to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a blustery winter day up there. We also did something crazy for us and went to the Broncos game. We didn’t have tickets till about five hours before the game - which we got on Craig’s List, that was a bit risky. It was a really fun experience to be at an NFL game. We were in the 11 row so that made it fun too. We saw my favorite quarterback Peyton Manning so that was cool. Over all we decided it was a once and a life time thing for us. The money involved and all people put into it is crazy. Oh, another highlight was when we got our economy rental car and they were out of them so we could pick anything to drive - from a Mustang to a SUV! We decided on a truck since we were in Denver and would be in the mountains. Going away together is always special. I love all the uninterrupted time together, no schedule, relaxing, laughing, and being romantic. I thank God for our get away.

The kids stayed with their Uncle Chad and Aunt Katie (Josh’s sister). They had a great time too. I am glad they were able to spend such special time together and make memories too. Katie said they are such good kids and she missed them already. I am so proud of our kids.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Pray for me

Oct. 23

I have a prayer request. Last week I told you that my glucose test came back just fine but now it is a different story. Thursday the doctors office called and said my sugar was high and that I would have to see a diabetic councilor to know what to do. I was so confused. The nurse said I failed my three hour glucose test and have gestational diabetes. She said it is serious and effects everything from my brain, eyes, to the baby. Unfortunately, she didn’t tell me what to do other than wait for the hospital to call to set up an appointment with the councilor. I was quite shocked and very bummed. I didn’t want to deal with this. I didn’t want to give up sweets while in Michigan and during the holidays. I wanted to cry.

I knew most of my sadness came from selfish reasons but I also worried. Would the baby be ok, too big, would I have to have a c-section, would I be diabetic my whole life, how can I poke myself everyday…? So I stopped and chose put my trust in God. He was with me and in control. I have nothing to fear. God made my body and our baby and He is able to help us through this. I also praised Him. We are not dying nor do we have any serious disease. We have so much to be thankful for.

Soon the hospital called but they wanted to get me in two weeks later. I said what do I do for two weeks? She told me not to eat any sweets, fruit drinks and regular pop, stay away from carbs, eat three meal and three snacks a day, and I can eat meat and cheese. She said she would try to get me in earlier too. Two days later she called again and got me in on Monday.

Instantly my eating habits changed and it was hard. Temptation was all around me! We were camping and the first day the family had ice cream, there were donuts out for all to eat, there was a potluck with desserts galore, and the family finished the night with smores. It is hard not eating sweets and watching your carb intake.

So yesterday I had my two hour appointment with the diabetic councilor to learn how to test my blood and how to eat. I was glad Josh went with me to help me with all of this. I admit I was all worried when I had to prick myself and was afraid I might faint, but I was pleasantly surprised how little it hurt and how easy it was. I have to test my blood four times a day so I better get use to it. We went over a meal plan too. I do get to eat quite a bit it is just choosing the right things to eat. (It really made us realize how bad people eat and how many people are at high risk of diabetes.) It will take thinking and discipline. The difficult part will be when we are away from home or out to eat.

It has been less than 24 hours since then but I have already tested my blood three times and they have all been in the normal range. Must be going good so far! Pray for me as I make this life style change. If I stick to my food plan the baby and I should be fine. It is a benefit that I exercise and am not over weight. The only thing I was on the at risk list was over 25 years old. My doctor will keep a close eye on me and the baby too. And in almost all cases of gestational diabetes it goes away after the birth of the baby.

Mom Shaarda also had her back surgery yesterday. It was about 2 and a half hours long and seemed to be successful. If all is well she will go home already today. (Just found out all is not going well and she is in too much pain to go home today.) Pray for her during the next 6 weeks of recovery.

We had a great time camping! It was fall weather with on and off rain and chilly temps but it didn’t stop us from having a good time. And thankfully we had a nice tailor to keep us warm and dry. The kids had so much fun with their cousins and doing all the activities. We played games by the fire in the fellowship room, played ball and ping pong in the gym, craved pumpkins, trick-or-treated, line danced, had camp fires… Camping is great and we made wonderful memories.

We have sung and heard the song 10,000 Reasons many times and every time our family just looks at each other and smiles. It reminds all of us of Elliot and our whole team. We miss and love you all!

The other day Lydia said to us, “sometimes I don’t understand kids here.” I asked her why and she said because they are mean to each other. We had a good talk about how God wants us to treat others and how she can be a good influence.

Now you are updated. Thanks for your continued prayers! (Cause there are sweets and food everywhere you go in this country so I will need prayer to not eat them!) We are thankful to God for His love over us and the way He is working here. Josh and I will be flying to Colorado this weekend for a get away together. We thank God for his love for our marriage and providing this time together. Pray for our kids and their uncle and aunt as they watch them. Blessing!

I realized I may have never put our speaking schedule on the blog so here it is incase you want to come and hear us speak.

Speaking Schedule in MI

Oct. 14 Kellogesville CRC am service

Nov. 4 Ivanrest CRC am services

Nov. 11 Calvin CRC (Mc Bain) am service

Prosper CRC pm service

Nov. 18 Cadillac CRC am service

Nov. 25 Rudyard CRC am service

Dec. 2 Jamestown CRC am service

Dec. 9 Highland CRC am service

Dec. 16 East Martin CRC am service

Dec. 23 Vogel Center CRC am service