No matter where you are, you’re circumstances aren’t always joyful. Your day doesn’t always go smoothly. Everything you planned on doing doesn’t always get done. You don’t always find everything falling into place perfectly and effortlessly. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Ohio or Uganda-some days just don’t appear joyful.

I was recently reading one of the She Reads Truth devotionals on the fruits of the spirit. One particular post that has stuck with both Dustin and myself was the devotional on joy. It was emphasized that joy is not found in our circumstances. It is not found because our day went just as planned, we had loads of fun, or accomplished a lot. Our joy is found in Christ. So even on the days when we’re tired of everyone staring at us, we really wish a Dalton Dari-ette would magically appear in Tororo, or we just miss our family and friends,we can still find joy. Even when everything is strange, and new and the learning process and relationship building feels slow going, our joy rest in knowing that Christ alone guides us.

The gift list continues…and you can see I haven’t posted it in awhile! In these gifts I find so much joy. Not just because these are things that make me happy, but because of the joy that is found in giving thanks to the Lord who has provided these things.

I’ve also reached 1000! And here I start back over,  with new friends in a new place.

#965-1000

Lillie saying “kitty” and “hi kitty”//Lillie point to things when asked and saying “there”//Gracie tracing numbers//zoo day//hikes//Lillie’s feet and fingers in creek//Emily’s baby shower//movie with Dustin//gentle breeze and a babbling brook//Lillie’s warm cheek and smell//cleaning out house//friends and family to help//lunch date with a new friend//Gracie sleeping with leg in the air//supportive church family//walks in woods with Dad and Lillie//fairy garden//Elsa braid//girls running around in church//Uganda countdown//time spent with family and friends//Gracie and Lillie’s first boda ride//Dustin killing cockroaches//mosquito nets//skype with mom//rain//cold bath water//chipate and curry//naps//chairs//clothesline//hugs from kids at orphanage//driving around Tororo//Gracie’s arms around my neck//Lillie’s restless sleep//Lillie saying “book” and “rock”

#1-7

fellowship with new friends//nursing in public//being malaria free//Gracie dancing on stage with other kids at church//Lillie backing up to sit with you and read//girls playing in mud//skype with family and friends