Discovery of a Continent…January 13 (Genesis 36 and 1 Chr.1:35-2:2

Yesterday I received the SWEETEST thing in my mailbox from a photographer in Asheville, North Carolina. I can’t believe I’ve never met this sweet family in person because we have so much in common and have kept up with each other for a couple of years now through photography—our hearts connected when we discovered we both had hearts for Africa. They not only have a heart for Africa…but also for the Lord and especially for children. I have a feeling they will one day be on our same journey but for now it’s amazing to see how the Lord is using them as foster parents. They blessed my soul yesterday when I got a package and found this inside…

Discovery of a Contenent: Foods, Flavors, and Inspiration from Africa
You can get this at Starbucks–but I’m sure you can get it online as well. It’s amazing because it’s FULL of recipes that are favorites all over the continent! Even cooler—is that Samuelsson explains the history of the people with the food…looks like it’s time for the Young’s to stir up some Ethiopian cookin! I was so excited to see so many Ethiopian dishes—and this is going to be a treasure for us as I want to make Ethiopia a part of our lives for our child’s sake. And well…it’ll be really good for my stay-at-home mommy brain to branch out a bit, learn some history and to get my cook on.

THANK YOU COLLIE FAMILY FOR THIS GIFT! You made my day…and I’ll smile thinking of your precious family every time we whip up lentil stew with berbere (berbere is used to flavor Ethiopian stews and each Ethioian family has its own recipe for this universal seasoning…and thanks to the Collie’s and Samuelsson…we now have ours too!)

Today’s Reading: Genesis 36 and 1 Chr. 135-2:2

So today’s reading…was quick. A run through of the descendents of Esau. We needed a little break after all that drama though didn’t we?! BUT I did read a GREAT commentary…on EVEN this. Today’s reading is a rundown on the success of Esau and prosper of those who came after him. And while he and his people were growing in rule–they were also not following the Lord. This can be such a hard concept to grasp–and watch. But here we sit today–watching the success of Esau. It is said “children of the world have their all in hand and nothing in hope—while the children of God have their all in hope and nothing in hand”. We have to remember as believers–we were not made for THIS world. We just weren’t. I feel that EVERY day. And when you feel like you are different…no one gets you…things just aren’t what you thought they would be…hold fast the Lord—and remember…it is better to have Canaan in promise than Mount Seir in hand. Let us keep our eyes fixed on the race the Lord has called us to. I tell my friends all the time and I tell you today “do not look to the left or right–keep your eyes focused on the prize the Lord has set before you AND do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough trouble of it’s own”. Esau. The Jone’s. The success of man here–is just here. Let us not become distracted from our calling by it. But the success of man living through the power of the Holy Spirit is forever. May you live through His power today!