Seasons of life

Summer is almost over, the leaves are green with tints of brown around the edges. It rains from time to time but the sun is steadfast.This marks the first year since we relocated.

It feels like we have been here a lot longer. We are adjusted for the most part. I have learned to work faster and cook simple meals. I'm told there are 2 magic kitchen tools I need to get and I'll be set - a rice cooker and a crock pot.
I've let go of certain battles, if I ask a certain young man to take a shower and he wets his hair for inspection, I don't sweat it.

It's been a quiet summer with people traveling on vacation. Office has been sparsely populated but people are trickling back. Most conversations center around summer vacation destinations.
4 years ago, Uganda was my dream destination, I yearned to return. I'd listen in envy as friends recapped their travel episodes. I missed the food. I laughed and listened intently to the latest news on the streets of Kampala. Now, I simply smile, I'm not desperate to make the trip, what used to be so dear is paling. I would love to see family but with technology, the ache is bearable - the yearning hushed for a period. I want to see and experience other parts of the world; Tuscany, Spain, France, maybe in that order.
Seasons of life, I believe that's what they are called.

This past weekend was awesome! I had a full house for the entire weekend. Five adults, 1 teenager, 2 tweens and a toddler, great stuff!
We had fun - something about being with family, no pressure to impress or fuss. The silence was comfortable, the laughter was loud. The guys visited museums, the ladies went shopping.

Enjoying the simple things in life.

Kiprotich - a reflection of God's Glory!

“I always keep it in mind. I dream that I can maybe look like John Akii-Bua in time. Today, I joined the champions. I’m happy for that.” 

My tear glands act up each time I see a picture of Kiprotich running to the finish line with the Ugandan flag flying over his head.

I’m drawn to his simplicity, the humility sculpted on his face from years of struggle, hard ship, pain and determination. His dream finally fulfilled.

 Two joyful parents.

His family, excited at the news of his victory. It is beautiful!

Kiprotich brought home gold! The only medal for the country at the 2012 Olympics, the only gold medal since John Akii-Bua some 40 years ago, it is beautiful!

“Being unknown, now I am known,” the gentle and gracious Kiprotich said. “I am happy now that I am a known athlete.”

Kip was hardly known before he won the 2012 Olympics men’s marathon. He was probably not famous in his village, but he wished and prayed for this moment. Could he have been created for this moment? Has he fulfilled his purpose here? May be in part?

His experience reminds me of 2 bible stories:

John 1:45 - 51

Nathanael heard about Jesus and questioned if anything good could come out of Nazareth;

 ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote —Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

⁴⁶ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”

⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

⁵⁰ Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.”  He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Ugandan’s wondered whether anything good could come out of their own country and ta-da! Kip did it!.

2 Samuel 12: 1-3

“The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. ² The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, ³ but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.”

I compare two Gold medalists who are worlds apart; Usain Bolt, fascinating, even funny, he hushes his naysayers’ as he crosses the finish line and then strikes his signature pause. He has got it and he knows. Kiprotich on the other hand breaks new ground, humbly, when we least expected it.

America won over 50 medals, we won just one and how we treasure it.

I hope Kip doesn’t get corrupted by genuine and not so genuine offers that will come his way. I’m glad he has a wife and kids, sudden fame brings girls out of the wood works too you know.

Kiprotich you've made Ugandans proud, raised our drooping heads. You have touched my life and pointed me to scripture. Isn't that what God would have each of our lives be? A reflection of His Glory!

2012 Olympics! How is it going with you?

The London 2012 Olympics are quickly drawing to a close and I haven't watched a single sport. I should shut up and go embarrass myself elsewhere right? For a girl who grew up in a sporty family with memories of Munich, Helsinki, Barcelona, Singapore..., it's pathetic! Blame NBC for their greedy monopoly. Showing the opening ceremony several hours after the fact was just wrong. I could have watched the ceremony in office, if they had shown it live for example. Secondly (maybe more importantly), I don't have cable nor do I have friends whom I can budge in on for a few hours of TV. How much worse can it get?

Not all hope is lost.  Thanks to newspapers and Internet, I've seen and read about Gaby, Phelps, Mugula, Bolt, Kipsiro, Nzikuru ... I  like the photos. The lens captures expressions and holds them in that moment for ever; the determination, commitment, and focus curved on their faces. The muscle tone and posture, clearly a result of hard work and grueling training. Sleepless nights, planning and calculating moves, dreaming about opponents and how to kick butt.
Paul picked the right image to illustrate our walk of salvation - it's easy to comprehend through the Olympic eye.

I Corinthians 9: 24 - 27

^24-25You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.

 ^26-27I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Hebrews 12:1 - 3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The Message version.
"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

The joy of winning a race. I have seen the tears of exhilaration and those of disappointment. The pressure is intoxicating, it either builds or breaks. Keep your eyes on the prize because, when your hair becomes an issue just know, the yapping  will never stop.

Keep your eyes on the prize

Determination

It's never easy

Oh! the joy of winning

Pure bliss

So, how are you doing in your race? Are you training hard? Do you see the goal? Does attaining that Gold medal consume you? What about the obstacles? Are you clearing them or putting them there?