27 April 2010

more on water

So, we're reading from 2 Kings in the Burnham household these days. There's a crazy story that I don't remember from Sunday school about some thirsty people:

After a roundabout march of seven days (hmm, sounds familiar), the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them (also sounds familiar). The Israelites were parched. Their animals were parched. They decided to ask the prophet, Elisha, for help. Elisha ends up telling the guys, "This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water... 
This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord."
And then, amazingly, the next morning, the water just started flowing. It filled the land, and subsequently even reflected red so that the army that opposed the thirsty Israelites thought it was blood. Weird. And you'll just have to read the rest of the story yourself (2 Kings 3). It's a crazy adventure! Water to drink and a war won. More than those Israelites would've asked or imagined!


It's been ringing in my head. As we look for jobs, as we wonder what to do next, as we wish we lived in a foreign country--in any and every uncertainty, I can know for certain--
This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord.

17 April 2010

water and thoughts

We are going to spend an hour today in following a drop of water on its travels. If I dip my finger into this basin of water and lift it up again, I bring with it a small glistening drop out of the water below and hold it before you. Tell me, have you any idea where this drop has been? What changes it has undergone, and what work it has been doing during all the long ages water has lain on the face of the earth?   (Arabella B. Buckley, 1878)

Yesterday, I spent five hours watching 125 fourteen-year-olds take a test on the Lewis & Clark Expedition. I had a lot of time to think. We were in the library and I picked up a book about water. Did you know that in the teeniest drop of water there are over 300 million water molecules?

I think about how our bathroom faucet drips incessantly. I think about the last National Geographic cover--Water: Our Thirsty World. I think about how Jesus said he was living water, we will never thirst again after we drink him. I think about Arabella's wondering words.

15 April 2010

there is such satisfaction...

in correctly balancing a check register. It's been a bit of a process, but I think we finally have a working, up-to-date financial system. I think I'm unduly excited about having a budget and adding up all the little columns of numbers. I love setting up systems and David is amazing at maintaining systems, so I think we're on the road to making this whole thing work out. Time will tell... :)

11 April 2010

for moms and people like me

So, I know not everyone is interested in seeing 134 of our wedding pictures, but if you are a person like me (who appreciates good photography and always wants the long version with pictures) or if you are a mother related to this situation (that's you--Mrs. Burnham and Mrs. Stepanian), I am certain that you'll be delighted with this latest link.
The password is Burnham.
I would love to hear which are your favorites, so take note as you peruse. We've got to make a list for our picture book soon.

01 April 2010

a great and beautiful joy

For years I've loved Mana and prayed for her to be free and know Jesus. She was totally trapped and it was so difficult, so unlikely, so frustrating. We just kept waiting and praying.
And .... JOY! This weekend she was baptized at the church retreat in Croatia. She started a blog and is telling about her new life. Click here to see it. Enjoy!!!

You know, Mana means manna, as in 'bread from heaven.' Who's ever met anyone named manna, but I do believe that there's a perfectly good reason for her to have such a weighty name.