KEEP on GROWING

"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will KEEP on GROWING in knowledge and understanding.  For I want you to understand what REALLY matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return."  Philippians 1:9,10 NLT

The time I spend in the Drakensburg Mountains must be my God-given sabbatical because every time I go, the Lord works such amazing things in me. 

This past trip, as we took a beautiful hike through the Fern Valley, we enjoyed seeing plush greenery, trickling streams and felt the comfort of damp cool shade trees.  We continued on.  The hike was relaxing as we approached a row of steps that shot upward into further unknown territory.  The trail had been, thus far, marked well, but as we viewed the steep row of steps, our destination seemed a little uncertain.

  We began the climb upward.  The trees became thin.  As we topped the rocky climb beyond the row of steps, the plush greenery was left behind, being exchanged for a dusty, uninhibited trail.   There we stood looking out over a blazing hot, mid-afternoon, sun-scorched land...no trickling stream, no green ferns.  Just a lot of chapped and parched grime and a path that rolled hill over hill of seemingly oblivion.

  "Do you have the map?" I ask.  Kyle's response was no.  "Do you know where we are going?"  His answer was "No, but I think this is right."  "I don't see any markers and the nearest thing I recognize is some Hotel way, way, way, beyond those trees!! Are you sure? Maybe we should go back down the mountain climb and back the way we came?!" Kyle's response was "I think this is right."

   My confidence in that man was a bit wavering to speak honestly.  I wanted the map.  I wanted to know for sure that this was the right way.  There were no markers of any sort.  There was only the scorching heat, 5 kids that had already hiked for well over an hour, an empty bag of snacks, only drops of water left in water bottles and NO sun-screen...I thought we were hiking in the ferns.  My concern for children was escalating by leaps and bounds.

 We hiked on...and on. Over every hill we hoped for some respite, some acknowledgement of accuracy that we were heading in the right direction...then, it would be another hill.  "Are you sure we are going the right way?!!!" Kyle's response was, "I think this is right." He had skimmed the map he said. 

As you would guess, we were headed the right way.  As you might be thinking, I should not have doubted for a minute.  As you would spiritually say, don't worry.  As I might be advised, get a grip.  True.  It's all true.  Life sometimes has a way of turning paths down very unknown territory and the walk seems very dim, lifeless, empty.  Even for believers in a Risen Savior our hearts can be drawn towards things that really don't matter.  Our eyes can only see the heartaches, the hopelessness.  The distress of life situations can become consuming.  I see people everyday in this country who struggle to just find bread.  Their needs far outweigh anything most of us could imagine.  They fight to see that there is a glimmer of green beneath the rock of life that weighs heavy.  

 As I saw this plant growing beneath this stone, it was such a reminder of how we can flourish even in the midst of drought.  May you truly keep on growing, knowing what really matters so that you may flourish all the way to the end!

Lost cats, bunnies and kudu...

A couple of weeks ago, we had quite a "traumatic" loss when our newly adopted street cat, Scruffy, tragically made an escape and bolted from his cat carrier on the way to the vet. He and Gingersnap were being formally brought into the family with immunizations and check-ups, yet due to their still wild nature, a terror of not knowing what was going on left them frantic.  We finally caught Gingersnap, but at that point, Scruffy had disappeared.  My kids were devastated.  Canon had deemed Scruffy his cat and he was solemn.  My kids first inclination was to call upon God! I, as well, instantly began praying for this cat, but clearly out of desperation for my heartbroken children instead of dependency.  To our amazement, the next evening we got a call that Scruffy was spotted."The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the Name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)  Canon, amidst joyful damp eyes, said, "I knew God would help us find him."

As we continue to broaden our family (It was either babies or bunnies and Kyle says, no more babies!) with bunnies, last week, we brought home two adorable little fluff balls!  Fluffy and Bolt.  After numerous days in our kitchen, we decided (Mom mostly) they needed a proper place to live.  The boys and I began building a lovely hutch, but as it was, there was an escape hatch.  A brick, strategically placed, was moved askew and our little bunny Bolt...bolted! We searched and searched in the darkness of night and all throughout the morning to no avail.  My younger kids, in their childlike faith, immediately called upon God to find Bolt! Myself, in all my spiritual wisdom, knew that God is not a genie and it may not be His desire for us to find Bolt. As Isaac said on the way to school, "We might have lost Bolt because God is trying to teach us something."  Yet, we still prayed together that God would take care of our little lost bunny and if He chose, bring him back to us. Amazingly, that afternoon, an unknown neighbor from two houses down came to our gate clutching a bunny!  "How did you know it was ours!!?" I said.  I don't even recall his answer. "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the Name of the LORD." (Job 1:21) Even still, we added one more bunny to our bunch...Flash!

Kyle's recent trip to the bush claimed a Blesbok with his bow and placed lots of meat in our freezer, but his first shot aimed for a Kudu struck the beast without landing it...it ran.  After tracking it with no hopes of finding it, Kyle was pretty disappointed, yet God gave him a clear definition that his worth is not in what he does, but who Christ is in him.  Just yesterday, Kyle gets a call from the manager of that plantation to say, "We've got your kudu!"  It was found wounded and shot down.  Our meat is on the way!"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the Name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)

 Day 14, today,  in my study~"God is real, no matter how you feel.  It is easy to worship God when things are going great in your life...but circumstances are not always pleasant.  How do you worship God then?  What do you do when God seems a million miles away? During times of spiritual dryness you must patiently rely on the promises of God, not your emotions, and realize that He is taking you to a deeper maturity." (Purpose Driven Life) Surely, there are many of you who have had much more vastly painful things taken away from you than bunnies, cats and kudu...but what a great reminder God is giving us.  No matter what the loss~a person, a relationship, a home, a job, a dream...God is still real and He wants to become even more real in our lives everyday. Worship HIM in saying, "Blessed be the Name of the LORD!!"

Life with the McLane's

Instead of going on and on with the details of our lives, I just posted some photos so you could see for yourself! Cub Scouts, Ballet, Vacation, New Cat (Gingersnap), and lots of lots going on!! 

Pulling Away

You know, these blogs only come from moments of time when God displays His Words on my heart. Often times, He really has to slow me down and I am so thankful that He chooses to! Why He continues to speak with me remains a wonder, yet in my soul I can hear Him saying, "I would speak to you even more if you would only stop and listen." 

As I sit here in the stillness of the morning overlooking the completely breathtaking view of the Drakensburg Mountains, I AM listening.  It's peaceful, tranquil, still...a little dog barks in the distance, a bird caws...I think we could all be spiritual "gurus" if we sat where I am sitting...taking in the beautiful Creation of God, without distraction, confusion, and frustrations. 

I guess it is when this peacefulness is overtaken by the reality of life~that is what makes being "spiritual" so hard, hey?  That is why I think it is essential that WE PULL OURSELVES AWAY to a quiet chair in the corner of our house, to a walk down the street, to a few minutes earlier before the world wakes up, to a time and place where you mind is not cluttered with the tasks of the day...because God is speaking~to you.  Will you take time to listen? Or will you LET THE WORLD PULL you AWAY? 


"GRACE TO ALL WHO LOVE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH AN UNDYING LOVE." (Ephesians 6:24)

FORGIVE! From the heart!

"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness."  And, only when we forgive others can we truly receive the forgiveness that God has to offer us.  Don't be like the unmerciful servant, forgive your brother FROM THE HEART.  (Matthew 18:21-35)  

Obedience

Obedience.  It is one of those things we constantly pour into our children..."Obey your father and mother, obedience brings blessings, obey God..."

But, we as adults, do we obey our Heavenly Master? As our lives continue on and our faith proceeds, our passion and desire for spiritual things can get diluted by the worldly things that seep up around us. Continuing to obey in our daily personal decisions can become increasingly difficult. 

Obedience. Often times we pair obedience with shackles in our minds, yet the freedom that comes from it results in... blessings~"Obey me...that it may go well with you." (Jeremiah 7:23)
love~"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love..." (John 15:10)  
and unmeasurable joy~"The prospect of the righteous is joy..." (Proverbs 10:28)

          Doing the things that God desires are not often the easiest, yet if we press on in His direction, His Word promises us we will be blessed.  Don't allow your life's journey of faith to be swallowed up by bitterness, apathy and cynicism.  May your faith be genuine, and your walk of obedience filled with the strength of the Lord!

Be Still...

It's early. Almost before the sun comes up. The house is quiet, dim and all are sleeping. I tiptoe to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee and then I sit in my little room at the back of the house. This morning, I just sat there in prayer...listening. I could hear the birds begin to sing a familiar tune, but then, increasingly the sound of cars racing began to overtake my attention. As I sat in stillness, the highway immediately behind us stirred with such a ferocious hustle. Cars racing past, trucks honking, motorbikes sizzling down the highway. I pushed the sounds away and brought my attention back to the tranquility of stillness. Birds chirping, my LORD speaking..."Be still and KNOW that I am GOD."

I love when the Lord calls me to be with Him and quiets my soul when life gets hectic. I hope you are able to experience Him in that way as well. If not, I challenge you to find a quiet place daily to seek His face!

The Latest...

In a nutshell!
Praise: School is sorted and decisions have been made. We are making plans for Canon to start school in a private Christian South African School for grade 9 and Scotland will be joining his brother at a Government South African School for grade 3. The two little ones will continue to homeschool with mom! Thank you for your prayers! Pray: That they will make good adjustments and be a great example of Christ on their campus.
Praise: For the month of February we were able to celebrate birthdays for Isaac (turned 10) and Anna Katharine (turned 4) as we rejoice in each year that the Lord gives us with them! Pray: That God will use them in a mighty way for His glory!
Praise: We were able to make sandwich lunches for many homeless people and deliver them throughout the city. The kids all took part and we were able to invite an unbelieving family to join with us. Pray: For this unbelieving family, that God would work in their hearts. Pray for the people of Africa in such desperate need of basic necessities.
Praise: Kyle has been able to meet regularly with two native African men, weekly for discipleship. They have had some really good discussions as God enables Kyle to be an encouragement in the Word. Pray: That these men will continue to grow in the Lord and be encouraged to be godly leaders of their homes.
Praise: Maya and another girl continue to meet with the ladies in the township and share through the story of Esther. Pray: That these women will not lose hope.
Praise: We love being able to assist the house help ladies in our neighborhood, building relationships with them through just transporting them to the taxi station whenever possible. Pray: That God's light would shine through this example of love and concern.
Praise: Our sweet lady and her daughter who live on our premise are a blessing and we are so thankful to have them. The opportunity to financially support them and give them a place to stay is such a joy! She works as house help for numerous families during the week and recently some of those families left, but God provided her with new jobs to replace the others! Her daughter had a birthday this month and it was our joy to give her a trip to the movies with friends and birthday cake with family! Pray: That they will be provided with jobs as employers come and go and also that our "adopted" family members will continue to grow in the Lord!
Praise: We are seeing more unity within our Center as we continue to work together in one accord. Another family planned a mission team to work with a church here and has invited all of the Center to join. It was a huge joy to participate in evangelism with this team as God worked in numerous lives and over 10 professions of faith were made! Pray: For Northmeade Baptist Church as they seek to reach out to their community through sharing the gospel.
Praise: We are making plans to officially join our local church here and open up new opportunities of service. Pray: That God will guide us and give Kyle an opportunity to use his gifts through teaching.
Praise: As the crime in our country goes on, we are thankful for our continued safety. Pray: For a family that was recently robbed (while they were there)and for our continued safety.
Praise: Kyle continues to stay alert on the safety issues of families throughout Sub-Sahara Africa and works with a team to make sure that they are advised on important issues. He has recently trained a group of Hands-On workers during orientation on safety matters. Pray: For this new group, that they will be blessed by God's work in their lives.

We have had our third Christmas in South Africa and now we will begin our third New Year! Wow...praise the Lord for all that God has done in our lives! As we embark upon another year, we reflect on the past year and the blessings...we look ahead to another year that we pray will be served for our Lord and Savior! I am asking that you would join with me in prayer for the beautiful people of Africa, particularly the house help. These ladies work hard for very little and are often times mistreated. I pray that their needs would be met and that their hearts would be filled with joy! Please pray for our children as we continue to seek wisdom in their schooling. In January we have to make decisions for their upcoming school year. Pray for Maya as she takes on new responsibilities within ministry. Pray for Kyle as he starts traveling again. Thank you for giving to Lottie Moon this past Christmas as it supports us and missionaries around the world. Your support financially and prayerfully will be for His glory!

Photos of our family this past year!