To Love...

Just completed a thrilling/invigorating/envisioning 3-day retreat that we in the Family International hold yearly...the launch of a special new witnessing push has begun..

n-e-way, that explains my abscence since the 15th till now..

back 2 my post: a friend sent me this story...funny, i'd actually never heard it b4..may-b som of u r already familiar w/ it..it's a powerful story actually...I had no idea that Valentine's day actually has a strong history in the Christian faith & is a story of...well, u can read it 4 urself below..enjoy!


THE LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE

The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian martyr. The emperor was Claudius II. The Christian was Valentinus.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and he made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was so dedicated to the ideals of Christ, that not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his belief. He was arrested and imprisoned.

During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind since birth. Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her. He described the world of nature to her. He taught her arithmetic, and told her about God. She began to see the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia asked one day.

"Yes, my child. He hears each one," he replied.

"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"

"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said.

"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe," Julia said intensely, "I do." She knelt and grasped his hand. Then they prayed together. Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia cried, "Valentinus, I can see, I can see!"

"Praise be to God!" Valentinus exclaimed.

On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God, and he signed it "From Your Valentine."

His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each February 14, St. Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love and devotion are exchanged around the world.

Traveler tip..

If you can at all avoid it, don't fly with a head cold...

When landing in Lagos on my flight back from Accra, i wondered if enough pressure would actually make either my ear-drum collapse, or my head implode/explode, one or the other...

Just got back from a 10 day trip to Ghana & Port-Harcourt..doing some JT projects..

pics on the way..

New Year's Resolution 2--Nutrition & Exercise!

Firstly exercise..

I've always strived for fitness for a variety of reasons...Thank the Lord, I made it
a pretty firm habit to gym regularly last year(on average, minimum of 4 times per week, maximum of 6), with a balance of resistance & cardiovascular training...I've committed to the same this year (it's life-long really, but the thot of gyming 4 the rest of my life scares the "bejeez" out of me...i just trick myself into goals of "1 yr. @ a time"..)

Here r some of the benefits of good cardiovascular exercise & resistance training taken from research published in a recent magazine by the Family International:

Benefits of resistance (weight) training:

* Increased bone density, as well as stronger tendons & muscles, which are harder to injure & recover more quickly & easily.

* Improved balance & shock absorption, making it less likely you'll fall, or less likely to get hurt if you do fall.

* Improves your posture

* Improved ratio of muscle to fat makes it easier to maintain a proper weight; also makes your cardiovascular exercise yield faster results in weight loss.

* As people get older (for any of you who are aging), muscle mass is naturally lost, making it harder to perform even everyday duties. Weight training helps overcome this if already set in, or helps avoid it if it hasn't.

(note: this doesn't necessarily mean lifting huge weights. This is resistance training, not bodybuilding)


Benefits of any exercise:

-- Improves metabolism

-- Improves blood pressure

-- Aids in hypertension

-- Reduces body fat

-- Controls cholesterol

Sounds good to me...I think I'll stick to this resolution...


A few more benefits of exercise:

builds muscle, tendon & ligament strength; strengthens your heart & respiratory system; builds endurance; cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow & the ability of the blood to carry oxygen; increases the body's ability to use oxygen; lowers risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, and many other diseases; improves your immune system; helps you sleep better...

Benefits of eating healthy coming up...

New year's resolution 1--Wear my "Praise Glasses".

On the last day of 2007, about 2 hours before the countdown, I had prayed that the Lord would help me be more positive & praise Him for everything this year...

Here's a message from Jesus I read this morning that I believe will help me & all others with my same prayer to do just that...


You are special, created by My hand. You are unique, one of a kind. There's only one you, and I made you to perfectly fit the role and purpose I had in mind for you. You have special talents & qualities that I know you need for the job & calling I have for you, and you have liabilities that help balance you out, and keep you humble & close to Me.
The secret to finding My peace and contentment in your heart & mind is to thank Me for making you the way you are, flaws & all, and letting Me live through you. Praise Me for your weaknesses, which make you dependant on My strength. Glory in your infirmities (2 Corinthians 12:9) and in times of sadness which deepen your life and make you cling to Me more fervently. Be happy in the sad times, knowing that they are working in you a far greater eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).
When you come to Me at the end of your days, I will gather you into eternal glory, where all tears will cease, and where there will be constant joy & happiness forever. I have some wonderful surprises for you up here that you will be deligthed with. I can't wait to have you here, but in the meantime, I will be with you in your heart, whispering to your spirit, and helping you through each day. I love you so much, and I love it whenever you think about Me and acknowledge My presence.
Thank Me for everything! Thank Me for the little things I do for you throughout the day. Thank Me for the loved ones I put along your path, and revel in My joy & prescence. This will keep you happy till you come to be with Me here. I love you.


--From Jesus with Love, Link, Issue 30, January 2008

Yankari/8-year-Africa anniversary 10th Jan, 2008!

pic by Ikumi

we just got back yesterday from a 3-day holiday with the other homes here at the National Game Reserve in Yankari, Bauchi state, north of Nigeria...

It was great! I had a blast! Being in nothing but God's creation, surrounded by nature & wildlife, enjoying hot springs, BBQs, fellowship & safari trips was just the vacation the doctor ordered...truly refreshing. Getting back to work is gonna be tough, but I know I'm gonna enjoy that too as I get back in the groove. Let Adventure 2008 begin!

It's also my 8 YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN AFRICA TODAY.--I was so busy cooking that I forgot to tell me home...8 years ago today, Josh & my sister, Phebe picked me up at the airport in Lagos. I remember it like it was yesterday. Landing in Lagos, was like visiting a foreign planet...without telling you my whole life story, I'll just let you enjoy the Safari pics...(I would post the whole remembering-my-time-in-Africa pictorial, but it already takes me half a day to post a review of one year, or one place I've been...8 years would probably take me just that...)

Have a good one!

P.S. All pics taken by me, unless otherwise noted (copyrights apply...;) )


7:00 sunrise on the way to early morning Safari...


by the river where we saw Crocs, Egrets, Herons & later that day Hippos..


I had the privelege of going on 4 Safaris in 3 days ("How?", you may ask..). Here's what I saw between the 4:

Baboons, Bushbuck, "Brown-Shoebill-Bird-Thingie", Crocodile, Elephants, Egrets, Guinea Fowl, Hippo, Kingfisher (the most brightly colored bird you ever saw...but they're so shy & fly away quickly.."I neva snap am") Vulture, Waterbuck, Water Buffalo, Wart Hog, Western Hartebeest, another kinda monkey...forgot the name..and a few more animals whose names I can't pronounce..if I could remember them...



Mother & baby elephant I "snapped" on "Safari 3"...

On "Safari 4" we got up at 5 a.m. to go & find Lions...ended up being a "wild Lion chase...but we did see elephant, Bushbuck & a couple monkeys, and riding in the trunk of our pickup (the only Safari I went on with our own vehicle) with dust in my eyes, getting stuck in the sand & eating Safari snacks (literal name) was all part of the adventure...


All of group 2 during Safari 2 (go figure) in front of about half the herd of Elephant that we found just near the water front at a certain spot where the ground is phosphorous & they dig for salt/minerals & kick dust everywhere...about 3 of the males charged us (bluff charges, TTL)...should have brought our camcorder...


Practicing my monkey communication skills.. pic by Ikumi


enjoying BBQ with Mark & Jenny (& everyone else not pictured)
pic by Simon


Wikki warm Springs

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I prayed for you all today that the Lord will give you a wonderful 2008 & that this year will be better than the last.












my very first 2008 "snap"...




As typically done every year around the world among missionaries of the Family International, we took sometime last night to reflect on last year, thank God for what He did in each of our lives, as well as state our goals, desires, vision, verse/scripture for the New Year ahead.--A wonderful time of reflection & a great way to enter another year--with faith & purpose for what lies ahead.

I thanked God for my family, friends, learning experiences, new challenges, health, happiness, travels, etc.


My goals for this year are:

--2 be a more consistent & active prayer warrior. This year is particularly important to all of us in the Family & I want to accomplish everything that I can, but I know that it can only be done through the power of God working via prayer, our spirit helpers, the keys of the Kingdom, etc.

--I also want to speak His words to others & use prophecy more in my life, to both benefit my own life/spiritual walk, but also to encourage & strengthen others...



My prayer for the New Year:

That I will continuously praise this year & see my life thru the "glasses of positiveness" every day. Rather than thinking about what I don't have, I've determined that 2008 will be a time to thank God for everything He's already given me.--which is so, so much!



Below are a few selective shots I took throughout 2007...enjoy....





Robert, Arturo, Ayla, Mary & Anisa, Ayla's B'day, Oct, O7



Ronald Reagan building, Washington DC, April, 2007



Jasmine during outdoor class, FDTP, South Africa, July, 07



Neighbor kid and friend at his B'day party, September, 07




Botanical Gardens, Birmingham, Alabama, April, 2007

Christmas Day!

A pictorial of how December 25th went for our home...

Of course Christmas eve came first...neighbors/friends came over..a friend gave 2 Turkey's & cooked them for us, as our oven's kinda small....take a look at how that went..


introducing the "spirit's of Christmas present"..


It was also Chloe's 12th Birthday..


some of us enjoying the mini-concert put on by Hendrix & Christina...

Christmas day

up by 10 a.m. (a feat for someone who attempted playing "Secret Santa" till 4 in the morning) for the gift opening..anticipation playing half the excitement..












Last but certainly not least..from one of the kids..
I was actually surprised at how many quality gifts I got...I had gotten everyone in my home a gift, but didn't know I'd get the better gifts...it all comes back...yaaaay!


Jolene with her new tricycle, complete with sunroof...


other happy recipients...


Christmas dinner (in case you hadn't noticed..)


playing "stab-the-olive"....the shirt was my C'mas gift from Abner/Anisa & the tie was from Michelle... "I'd Like to be a Christmas Tree..."



Chocolate Mousse...by Anisa...


Our friend Robert also happens to have his Birthday on Christmas day, so after dinner we went out to his club to "hang"...had a good time & met new friends, bumped into some old friends...




Soho by nite

HAPPY CHRISTMAS..

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!!!

I wish you the very best in love, joy & peace, which is the real meaning of Christmas, as you celebrate Jesus' Birthday & the celebration of salvation that we have through Him...

I thought I'd give you a little Christmas thot via a Christmas story.

What better way to ring in the Christmas spirit...

Much love to all & Happy Christmas,

Brian


took this 1 of Jolene last night....


Dear Admiral McDonald...
Author unknown
Dear Admiral McDonald:
This letter is a year late. Nevertheless, it is important that you receive it. Eighteen people have asked me to be sure to write to you.
Last year at Christmas time, my wife, three boys and I were in France, on our way from Paris to Nice. For five wretched days everything had gone wrong. Our hotels were tourist traps, our rented car broke down, we were irritable and restless.
On Christmas Eve, when we checked into a hotel in Nice, there was no Christmas spirit in our hearts. It was cold and raining when we went out to eat. We found a drab little cafe, shoddily decorated for the holiday.
Only five tables in the restaurant were occupied. There were two German couples, two French families and an American sailor by himself. In the corner a piano player listlessly played. I was too stubborn, too tired, and too miserable to leave.
I looked around and noticed that the other customers were eating in stony silence. The only person who seemed happy was the American sailor. He was writing a letter, smiling to himself.
My wife ordered our meal in French. The waiter brought us the wrong thing. I scolded my wife, she began to cry, and the boys defended her. Then on my left, at the table of one French family, the father slapped one of his children for some minor fault; the boy cried. On our right, the German wife berated her husband.
All of us were suddenly interrupted by an unpleasant blast of cold air. Through the door came an old French flower woman. She wore a dripping, tattered overcoat, and shuffled in on wet, rundown shoes. Carrying her basket of roses she went from table to table. “Flowers?”
No one bought any, and wearily she sat at a table between the sailor and us.
To the waiter she said: “Bowl of soup. I haven’t sold a flower the whole afternoon.” To the piano player she said hoarsely: “Can you imagine, Joseph, ordering only a bowl of soup on Christmas Eve?”
Joseph pointed to his empty tipping plate. The young sailor finished his meal, and got up to leave. Putting on his coat, he walked over to the flower woman’s table.
“Happy Christmas,” he said smiling, and picking out two roses, he said, “How much are these?”
“Two francs, Monsieur.”
Pressing one of the flowers into the letter he had written, he handed the woman a 20-franc note.
“I’ll have to get some change, Monsieur,” she said.
“No ma’am,” said the sailor, kissing the ancient cheek. “This is my Christmas present to you.”
Straightening up, he came to our table, holding the other rose in front of him. “Sir,” he said to me, “may I present this to your beautiful daughter?”
In one quick motion he gave the rose to my wife, wished us a Merry Christmas and departed.
Everyone had stopped eating. Everyone had been watching the sailor. Everyone was sitting in thoughtful silence.
A few seconds later, Christmas exploded through the restaurant like a bomb. The old flower woman jumped up waving her 20-franc note. Hobbling out into the middle of the room she did a jig, shouting to the piano player: “Joseph, my Christmas present! You shall have a feast too!”
With sudden enthusiasm the piano player began to play “Good King Wenceslas,” beating the keys with magic hands, nodding his head to the rhythm. My wife waved her rose in time to the music. She was radiant, looking twenty years younger. The tears had left her eyes. She began to sing and our three sons joined in, bellowing loudly.
The Germans jumped on the chairs and began singing. The waiter embraced the flower woman. Waving their arms, they sang in French. The French man who had slapped the boy beat a rhythm with his fork against a bottle and the lad climbed on his lap. Then the owner of the restaurant started singing “The First Noel,” and we all joined in, half of us crying as we sang.
People crowded in from the street until many were standing. The walls shook, as hands and feet kept time to the rousing Yuletide carols. A few hours before eighteen people had been spending a miserable evening in a shoddy restaurant. It ended up being our happiest Christmas Eve ever.
This, Admiral McDonald, is what I’m writing you about. As top man in the Navy you should know about the very special gift that the U.S. Navy gave to my family, to me, and to the other people in that French restaurant. Because your young sailor had Christmas spirit in his soul, he released the love and joy that had been smothered within us. He gave us Christmas.
Thank you, sir, very much.
(Christmas in the Heart! Part 4 [#050])

Christmas Thots....

The simple irony is that during the time when there's so much to blog about, you can't, cause you're too busy doing all there is to do & you don't have time...



a black dude, Art & Rich at Dantata's yearly Christmas party...don't mind my huge grin, I'm just excited that I'm about to dig into the contents of the pictured plastic plate...I can taste the food again just looking at the pic...mmmmmmm
I've actually really enjoyed going on different people's blogs during this time...again, so much going on..(u have stupidity to thank for the fact that I still can't put the correct links with urls, but just have to resort to spelling out the whole web-site here...

Some random thoughts on Christmas (Introducing the Ghost of Christmas past):

--I wonder if that whole "magical", Christmas feel will be with me every Christmas...
My sister Petra, about 4 years ago or so, told me that Christmas (in the tradition part) was for kids...& that's why she didn't necessarily feel the whole "Christmas spirit" every year now that she's grown (her way of saying "Bah!--Humbug!"...lol..)...but yeah, granted, we have Jesus every day, so I can see her point...
But to me, it's still come every year...as soon as I see the tree go up & I hear the Carols playing, I'm in a different world. I know, I'm rather juvenille for a nearly 28 year old male...but hey...it's fun!--To me, it's an exciting thought that every year Jesus' birthday will be so special for me...

--I've officially concluded that at Christmas especially, giving gifts is funner than getting them...

Kids singing at our Sunday afternoon party for friends & Bible students last Sunday..

Some Christmas snippets I've gathered from near & far (far, mostly)...(you have stupidity to thank for the fact that I still can't correctly post urls here, but have to instead resort to spelling out the whole website for you...)

Nyx Martinez has started up a show troupe with her young siblings...I believe they perform for her LAYA project at the prison....I'm not sure...


Mary & Jolene @ the PW party the other week...

The Iceland team are up to all kinds of winter antics...

You can catch a great pic of my neice (my favorite baby in the universe so far) on Jamez' blog...

Family Care Uganda has been up to a lot with their C'mas show for listeners (250 attendees, I heard)...

The aip for Africa went off the other day (15th). Some of these teens are incredible witnesses...the subscriptions soared...here's the link to our teen blog here...it's still in the "birth" stages...don't expect a lot...

half-empty, or half-full? Trying to look on the bright side of the "low-side" of my Christmas Lager at the PW party earlier this month...

Disclaimer for the pics: No cutting, cropping, adjusting, or anything done on these for this post...during the "Yuletide rush" you get the "shrink & slap-it-on special"...enjoy!

Old Gentleman Gray

Said Old Gentleman Gray, "On Christmas Day,
If you want to be happy, give something away".




So he sent a fat turkey to shoemaker Price,
And the Shoemaker said, "What a big bird! How nice!
And since such a good dinner is now before me,
I'll send the roast I bought to poor Widow Lee."

"This is a fine roast!" said the pleased Widow Lee.
"And the kindness that sent it--how precious to me.
I would like to make someone as happy as I.
I'll send Washwoman Biddy my big pumpkin pie."

"Oh my," Biddy said. "`Tis the queen of all pies!
Just to look at its yellow face gladdens my eyes.
Now it's my turn, I think, and a nice chocolate cake
For the motherless Finnegan children I'll bake."

Said the Finnegan children, Rose, Denny and Hugh,
"Thank you so much, ma'am. How kind of you!
It smells sweet of spice, and we'll carry a slice
To poor lame Jake who has nothing that's nice."

"I thank you and thank you," said little lame Jake,
"For sharing with me your magnificent cake!
And in my basket, I'll save all of the crumbs
And give them to each little sparrow that comes."

And the sparrows they twittered as if they would say,
"We heard the tale from Old Gentleman Gray!
He started it all, saying, `On Christmas Day,
If you want to be happy, give something away.' "


--Author unknown

....btw, have the 12 days of Christmas started?? (scratches head, puzzled...)