Sukuun- an unusual lesson in Arabic

I should be sleeping. I woke up early and have been running non-stop all day. Writing. Translating. Voice recording. Shopping at Sam's (oh joy). Eating a granola bar for dinner. Talking. Listening to music. Smiling. Washing laundry (not by the river though...*phew*). Cooking. Thinking. Driving. Classical music to calm the soul. Practicing my Arabic homework, right to left, many-many "HA-ja-KHa-ha" variations of the same "h" sound to me.

So this is my one thought for the night. I learned a "marking" in Arabic. It's called a sukuun. It's not a word nor a letter. Not a vowel and not a consonant either. It's not even a sound. So why bother to learn it? It's a small little circle the size of the top of a needle. You write it on top of a letter and it means "silence, stillness, the absence of sound". My jaw dropped a little as I stared at my beautiful Egyptian teacher. She must have thought, "what is YOUR problem looking at me weird like that? is this too hard to grasp?" I was just amazed. I found God (or Allah) in my Arabic lesson today. I found a small little reminder in the middle of my crazy day that means, "shhhhh....." Silence. Stillness. You want to jump and make a sound, but just stop, stop the vowel and stop the consonant. Don't say any more! Like someone placing their finger on their mouth to call for silence. Like someone covering your mouth with their palm. Be still. And listen to the next letter. The next sound. The silence in the middle of the word, speaks volumes!

So with that, I go to bed and think about the small little circle called the sukuun. My dryer is making noises, but I will try and think of sukuun. Perfect lesson right before our Silent Prayer retreat tomorrow. Buenas noches, Inés

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." Isaiah 30:14

A Wonderful Surprise Visit!

Yesterday, I got a call from Erica Schroeder, a dear friend of mine from seminary who out of the blue says that she's in Little Rock this week! Too cool! Ines and I had her and my mom over for dinner (followed by a visit to Shakey's). We all enjoyed catching up on the last 5 years and laughing about old times.

Erica is the first seminary friend of mine that I've seen since leaving Chicago in July 2003. She now lives in Memphis and is getting married this summer in Tuscaloosa, AL (only 30 mins away from my mother-in-law's family). Ines and I look forward to more spontaneous visits and fun times!

Un nuevo amanecer

I'm going thru a difficult time. And what better time of the year to suffer yet a little more in life, than on Good Friday, when the ultimate sacrifice truly, really happened. My pain. How can it compare to my Lord's? It doesn't. BUT- my pain: was carried BY my Lord! so on Friday (well, you know, not quite 2008 years ago), my Lord was carrying this pain on the cross. He looks down on me today and reminds me, "I know. I carried it. I was there. Remember? I know how painful it is. The burden of the whole world was on my shoulders. BELIEVE me. I felt it. The sins you committed against me. And also the sins committed against you. Now, please let me continue carrying it for you. No need for you to be nailed on the cross."

So my wise father tells me, as hot tears run down my face, in Spanish of course it sounds more beautiful, "Every great sunrise, has a really dark night before." It doesn't quite rhyme in English, "Cada buen amanecer, tiene un gran anochecer." So, I'm looking forward to that dawn of hope. Sunrise that brings life. And I'm SO glad that God has brought me not only eternal life, but abundant life on earth (and the best part is that the Greek truly means, "soul life"). So, though my circumstances are painful, I wasn't promised happy circumstances, I was promised a soul full of hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, temperance, self-control. Oh Lord- do I need patience and self-control today and the rest of this year!! Crucify my flesh Lord and let me be risen with You today! I desperately need you because you are risen. Help me rise above.

alhamdulillah,
~Inés

Top 10 Tithe Check Memo notes...

10. Gross, not net—as usual!
9. Hush Money
8. Casino winnings!
7. For voice lessons for worship team!
6. Thanks for last night…
5. This equals 12%
4. Don’t cash before Wednesday
3. $1 less for every minute past noon
2. Please don’t spend on crack, again.
1. NOT for children’s ministry!

I am a liar sometimes

Last Spring a bunch of us sisters dug into 1 John and spent hours and hours listening and imagining all that the apostle John had "seen and heard and touched" concerning the Word of life. Like when you know someone who knows someone famous and you're in awe at their 'luck' of meeting them and taking a picture with them. Or like when I met the Queen of Spain and presented her with a bouquet of flowers to welcome her into our little developing country, Nicaragua...I was so star-struck that all I could say was "Welcome to Nicaragua, Your Majesty!" and then kissed her on both cheeks as is tradition. Then I just stared in awe of this woman of Greek-descent who was literally like one of those fairy tale stories with a crown and everything, and couldn't say anything else, but smiled really big! The little nun who was standing next in line to me quickly bumped me out of the way as if saying, "okay little girl, my turn if that's all you can say". Watch out for those nuns....That's my 5 seconds of fame! I've got the picture somewhere.....*oooh* where is it? I must scan it so you can laugh. I've got bangs, braces, blue/white suit representing the colors of the Nicaraguan flag, and cheesy WHITE pantyhose *ugh* But I can say I've seen, I've heard her voice, and I've touched her Majesty's cheek and I'll never forget that at 12 years old!

So when John said, "my eyes have seen Him, my ears have heard Him, my hands have touched Him...." I'm jealous! and I wish I had someone to picture in my head! So we began the study claiming that there were 2 themes in 1 John: love God and love others. But by the time we got halfway through, or maybe even before, we realized there was only one: love God=loving others. You can't live out one without the other. So here's the verse that shook me the most,

20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also (1 John 5)

I tried to find an exception or righteous justification for not being *able* to do this sometimes. But it's crystal clear. If you can't love a brother or sister, you don't love God. Sometimes we pray and pray and romantically beg of God, "oh God I want to love you mooore! show me!! show me!!" and it's clear here, "then love others". "No! but those others aren't more important than you! I want to love you!" Honey, did you hear what I said? "Oh God! help me love you without having to deal with those people!! I just want to love you!!oh Lord this world needs your love, have you seen the news lately? ohhh! time to not do anything at all!" and we miss it by a mile.

Another vision that God showed me is that if I want to see God, I should be able to see Him when someone else is loved in His name. If I love another person in word and deed, God is manifested right then and there. I had never seen it quite like that....more of God through each other. I find God in Scripture, in nature, in music, in a poem, in pretty much anything on my own without anyone's help-- but I forget to look for Him in the desperate eyes of a hungry child, and then further in alleviating that hunger-- there's God! for me and for that child! together we see Him, but apart we cannot see Him, or only see a glimpse of Him. More of God though each other.

More of God by loving and serving another. Who are your "another's"? do they all look like you? do they have to meet certain criteria in order for you to love them? Last week my friend Amy shared how God told her years ago to house a girl who was a drug addict, in her home. She said she felt inadequate to minister to her, but that she clearly heard God's voice telling her to do this. So off she went housing this "other" person. The girl had never been loved like that by anybody, because she had already burnt so many bridges. Some time later she came to Christ, was mentored by someone who had walked in her shoes, got married to a believing man, and now he's been called to be a minister.....all because Amy loved this other person. That just rocks my world and leaves me in awe. I've seen Him! My ears have heard Him! My hands have touched Him! Love appeared! Amy was not a liar like the verse above says! She claimed, "I love God, I hear His voice, I will obey it, and I will love this girl". The rest is up to God. What stops us from loving? results? laziness? prejudice? flat out disobedience? complacency? envy? jealousy? anger? pride? lies?

I love this piece of song from good ol' Ross King,
I'm thinking back to when He said the sinless shall be first to cast the stone,
so maybe....I'll just lay these rocks of condemnation down, and that's why Grace is
not just for me, it's for everyone...

~Inés

Loving the Blockers - Needs list

We are collecting donations of your used/new items for the Blocker family of 7, returning from Tunis to the USA on March 5 (but will arrive in Little Rock the weekend of March 8-9), for a furlough of 6 months. If you can donate any of the items below, please leave a comment with what you can provide. You will be much appreciated! Items will be collected at Mosaic, Mon-Thurs, 9am-5pm, leave at the front desk for Ines (562-3336)

BLOCKER FAMILY - HOUSEHOLD/KITCHEN NEEDS LIST 08

UTENSILS
Spatulas - got it
pasta servers - got it
measuring cups - Alana Leiva
ice cream scoop - Alana Leiva
oven holders - got it

STORAGE
storage and freezer bags - Sarah A
aliminum foil - Linda Miles
plastic wrap - Sarah A.
canisters for flour/sugar - Beverly Chesser

POTS/PANS/CASSEROLES
muffin pan - Kara G.
cookie sheets - Kara G.
pizza pan/stone - Kara G.

APPLIANCES
coffee maker - Kim Roth

CLEANING / LINENS
Dish deter (Amy B) /dishwasher detergent -

laundry detergent - Melanie Li
all purpose cleaners - Amy B.
kitchen towels
wash cloths - Amy B.
bath towels - Linda Miles (need a few more)
broom, dust pan - Melanie Li
vacuum cleaner - Ines
Linens for (2) queen (1 set -Alana),

(3) twin -(2 sets-Alana)

and (1) double bed sizes

additional random furniture:
dressers or plastic storage drawers for kids clothing.
desk or table for a computer - Amber Mickey
TWO CARSEATS! (gracie is almost 4; sam is 2)- Ines/Dana
Bikes or skates for the bigger kids
Toys for sam and gracie ( 4 and 2 yr old) - got some, could use few more

Amber's idea for Shawna:

Girly lotions and soaps-- Amber (great idea!)

"wow...i'm overwhelmed to have received this email soliciting our needs. again, thank you so much." Shawna on behalf of the B7

Dad's 67th Birthday Dinner at the Flying Fish

alpha loves omega

My father jokes around our house about my youngest sister, Sara Lydia, who is 1 yr old, and I (*ehem* I won't tell you my age, but sufficeth to know that I'm the eldest of the 7). Due to our age difference and birth order, he calls me "Alpha" and the little one "Omega". He claims that his child-bearing years have come to a close in a funny coincidence. "Omega" was born one day after my b-day and that closes the baby factory in full circle. I don't think they planned that, it just happened.

So, while my father Ali, who should be also known as "Abraham", is getting senior discounts at IHOP and Kroger pharmacies, Omega and I have the grandest of times when we're together. You see, 7 kids in a bunch can fight over the attention of the parents. So, I just gladly give Omega the attention she doesn't get because she can barely talk. (that's a joke about her not getting attention...) And for that, she likes me a lot. She can barely say my name, and thus calls me something that sounds like, "Ness", like the Lock-NESS monster. But I dig that.

Today my heart melted when my stepmom said that Omega was eating in her high chair the other day and heard some noise outside. Thinking that it was me coming in thru the garage door, like I'm used to, she popped her eyes open and exclaimed, "NESSS!!?" Like, could it possibly be that girl that can't stop kissing me and holding me and always asks me if I want to sleepover at her house? Sadly, they inform her it's not Alpha. To which she drops her head in her criss-crossed arms and cries as if it's the end of the world. Okay- maybe I exaggerated! But she DID cry I was told! What a thought...that a 1 year old could remember me past her short-term memory. That's just got to be the warmest feeling in my heart ever!

So, you don't have kids? Me neither. That's why I borrow other people's to find joy in those little faces with little questions and little worries and little anxieties and little problems. As I grow older and forget the joy of being young and innocent like those early years, little Omega reminds me of those days when you just have no worries except to eat, sleep, and get your diaper changed. And you just trust that someone's going to do it. As I consider my future, every day can be a struggle if I let my flesh worry about what I will eat tomorrow (not so much about getting a diaper changed, *cough-cough*). I'm really trying to submit my flesh to God's will in my life, and with it trust that my Dad up there will take care of me. Isn't that hard for some of you?

And again, if you don't have kids, mentor a child or visit a hospital where they need loving arms to hold babies who are in critical care...something about touch and healing babies and such as.

"o Lord, you have searched me and known me...you understand my thought from afar...How precious also are your thoughts to me o God! How vast is the sum of them!...When I awake I am still with you." psalm 139...

~Ines

my kingdom fall. His Kingdom has come.

I had lunch yesterday with Virginia, a delightful woman who has traveled all over the world, but lately made her home in Rwanda for one year. She and her husband helped to build wells to provide clean water to Rwandans- so that women wouldn't have to travel 4+ hours away to get murky, muddy water to cook and wash, among other provisions of having a clean water well nearby...Someone asked Virginia what word God was giving her, and she reached down into her pocket looking for something. She finally found it and pulled out the picture of "her". It was a lady eagle perched on a tree and stretching her wings while looking down at Virginia, sitting on her back porch, the Rwandan blue sky in the background. The lady eagle came to visit her often while she was out sipping tea. Virginia said something about, "stretching your wings and flying" that caught my heart... She's probably in her late 70's and still longs to "stretch her wings and fly". She captivated me with her passion and her tender smile as she said that.

Eagles are beautiful indeed. I saw 7 of them soaring and gliding smoothly in the skies of northwest arkansas during a young adults retreat a couple of years ago. At that time, God gave me a similar word like Virginia's, to "spread my wings and fly". I saw them unafraid, confident that the wind was under their wings and it would push them up or hold them almost still in one spot. The green hills below them never dared to think that the eagles would just fall off from the sky. The eagles were trusting their Creator to do what they were made for: fly. They got their wings from Him. They got their good portion of wind every day. He charted their way to fly. Sometimes with their wings flapping gently, sometimes with them almost still, gliding away. I think sometimes I barely believe that I can fly, so then I end up just flapping my wings despairingly & not concentrating on flying, but instead on not falling. There's a difference.

I don't believe that the only person we disappoint, when we don't fly like we were made to, is ourself. When we are blessed to fly, it is not just for us, it is to teach others to fly. Whatever God has suited you with, it's never just for you, it's for you to make Him look good, and for you to bless others. If He gives you trials & consolation, it is for you to console others. If He gives you money, it is for you to alleviate another. If He gives you encouragement, love, attention, affection, it is never just for you to keep. If He gives you bread, go feed another. So, if eagles are meant to fly, don't just sit there and not fly.

~Ines

Yes, we can...¡Sí, se puede!

I don't endorse candidates- I can't even vote in the USA! but I wanted to share this really cool video about Barack Obama. It engages me because of the history of the words, "yes we can". People of my color have chanted these words before, "Sí, se puede." They are really powerful words in a determined mind! You can do anything if you really believe these words. I think inherently in the heart that God has given us, we truly want to believe that we can "be" someone or "do" something; and it's amazing when we believe that in community, that together we can accomplish something for the greater good of another. When I see how Jesus gave of Himself for others- to do things for others that would make His Daddy look good, I wonder if he, as a human, had to tell Himself, "yes I can!" I bet He did. As he stepped down from heaven, it was with the determination that He alone could heal us, individually for Himself, and as a human race, heal us for each other. His love for His daddy and for us, compelled Him to say, "Alright I'll do it."

And He probably also knew that if He gave us the example, if He could do it, He could cheer us on and say, "Inés, now that I've done it, you can do something, too!" like alleviating poverty, like feeding the hungry, like clothing the naked, protecting the abused and mistreated, sending a child to school, helping the beat down immigrant, speaking for the oppressed who have no voice, speaking love instead of hate, being patient instead of demanding, speaking edification instead of words that belittle others. Sure I can. Yes I can. Do what He said. (John 14)

Alright, here's the video- and again, I'm not endorsing, neither am I comparing Obama to Jesus! don't send letters. ;-)

http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/yeswecanvideo

~Inés

He is a refuge for all!

I just returned from Phoenix, AZ from a challenging conference about being a better follower of Christ and loving all people (before you can preach the gospel, you must wear the gospel). Challenging because I was forced to strip myself of any "additives" to my faith in regards to the Christian sub-culture. Scary because it has thrusted me into a whole new ethnic world- establishing common ground with others who are also pursuing the Creator of the universe (and that can be uncomfortable). Radical because I feel comfortable with calling God's name in another language that's not my own (Spanish), nor even my 2nd language that I'm writing in. In repentance because I have seen that I haven't truly & deeply respected other's pursuit of Him and judged them by my own religious prejudices. Revolutionary because I see that not all roads lead to God, yet God has been treading those roads seeking to draw near to Him those He is calling by name in dreams and visions. Controversial because old traditional methods aren't the "one size fits all" in all cultures. Paul & Jesus are the amazing radicals and perfect examples of the above.

"...Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings." 1 Cor. 9:22, 23 NLT

"Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, non-religious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized- whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ- but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!" 1 Cor. 9:19-23 (the message)

alhamdulillah,

~inés

I heart Nina Landis

We just discovered this new singing sister-- rocking lyrics, rusty voice like an angel, with a heart for God's heart for the nations, challenging complacency, crying out what we all want to get over. I highly recommend Your Blood Speaks and Tension, when you go and visit her at
http://www.myspace.com/ninalandismusic

Love much.
Give much.
Touch those who need a touch from you.
Be His hands and feet.
Be His very voice.
To those who are safe.
And to those who are perishing.
Be the fragrance of God in the earth.
the fragrance of Jesus, the Savior of men.
You're more than His child.
A counterpart in all things.
Go ahead and surrender.
Listen.

Road trip!
~Inés

Whom have I but You?

I asked my friend Polly how was her mother doing in Kenya, considering the genocide occurring surrounding the church killings. Here is what she encouraged me with:

"Mom says hi to you, she could not go to work today, too much chaos in the city. Can you believe these people, so much hatred. The rioters are from the opposition guy's tribe and they are now busy burning and killing people. We are all so concerned but we are also placing our trust in God, where else can we turn to? Have a lovely rest of the day.

with love,
Polly
*********

David writes in the Psalms, "whom have I but you? and earth has nothing I desire besides you...my heart and my strength may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Truly earth has nothing to desire that compares to the Lord. You can be at home in Kenya and someone desires to burn your church down as you're taking refuge from the political storms. You can be sitting in the ER somewhere in the United States, and a convict with a gun escapes from the guards and runs rampant in the hospital. Your child can be in school learning away, and a fellow classmate decides to kill and take his life. You can be having the best day of your life and yet, the evening news from around the world don't change.

Jesus Christ is truly, like Piper writes, the greatest treasure and the highest pleasure and our only refuge IN the storm. Everyone else can fail us, but not the Lord. While we're in this world, which is not our home, who else can we run to Lord? You're the only one with words of eternal life.

~Ines

Angelika, Kim, & Inés-- cute elves!

Cuz we've "got mooooves....you've never seen". (julia roberts quote)
~Inés

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1415294055

Salaam alaykum- peace unto you....

I think it's amazing that in the Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 5), "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God...." is the only "blessing" where you are identified with the most High as His child. In every other one you get something in return (for yourself), e.g., "blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted". Being identified with God brings consequences. Peacemakers are right in the middle of the conflicts making peace, and sometimes, that comes with struggle. Peacemakers are not peacekeepers, you can't keep something that's not there! like the blue U.N. helmets during the Rwanda genocide who had guns, but couldn't shoot the enemy who was shooting women & children--these are called "peacekeepers" in that realm. Making peace is a whole other animal, and spiritually, how do you *make* peace where there is none? That only comes if you bring in the Prince.

*

I was bothered with the news this morning that a man boarded a subway in New York, exclaimed "happy hannukah everyone!", and another passenger yelled something along the lines of, "you killed Jesus you *bad word* Jew!", followed by about 10 other people who beat him up. Why do crazy people do stupid things like this?

A: the violent passenger is nowhere near being a follower of Christ with that kind of attitude.

B: IF he thinks he is, check the Matthew verse AGAIN.

C. Can some Christians from New York please call that Jewish family & show them some love, support, & respect?

No Christ, no peace.
Know Christ, know peace. (bumper sticker I saw a few years ago).

So I add:
Know Christ, make peace, child.

Kim's making me answer these introspective questions

1) What did you accomplish this past week?
I hung the Austrian & Swaziland flags in our missions corner, finally (oops, sorry, I meant to say Rob hung them becuz I don't climb scaffolding); I advanced planning on the missions conference, I babysat my five (5) siblings, I brought my lunch to work and lost 3 lbs doing so, I translated documents, I babysat the 5 again, I cleaned my inbox down to 3 emails from 50 something, I had meetings & survived them, I cleaned house, did laundry, cooked some, I made my bed almost every day (which I hate), I ran errands, we celebrated my dad's 59th b-day at Cracker Barrel...

2) Did anything not go as expected?
I missed my Arabic class because my day got busy, how in the world will I ever learn to read those squiggly lines if I don't make it to class?

3) What was the highlight of your week?
I made it to worship rehearsal & had a rehearsal full of worship, it was SO refreshing! I haven't had time to sing with the team in like a whole year. Some say it's because *i sound flat* (inside joke). :-)

4) Did anything exciting happen that you did not expect?
I had to drive to Conway to meet with Kristi, a woman I'm trying to get to know better. I didn't expect to make it from Alexander to Conway in 30 minutes in the rain. I didn't expect to have such a relaxing drive listening to Classical music. You must really love God to drive 30+ minutes to go to church every Sunday! (in my personal opinion, and that's not a judgement if you drive less than 30 min. to go to church).

It's Angelika's turn now ;-)

Life without sugar...Day 3

The negative:
My head hurts.
Coffee doesn't taste nearly as good.
No more Cookies 'n Cream milkshakes from Chik-fil-A. :(
No Shakeys. :(

The positive:
I've overcome the temptation of a couple different cake offers.
My hands aren't sticky.
My teeth are healthier.
Other than a slight headache (probably due to low calorie intake today), I feel significantly better physically and emotionally.

The deal is that I woke up Sunday morning (Dec. 2) with the strange feeling that God was telling me to put down sweets for the month of December. Great timing, God! :) I have an insatiable affinity for all things sweet especially ice cream (anytime of year), homemade cakes, pies and cookies...oh yeah...and anything with the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Seeing as how there will be LOTS of said food available this holiday season, I must put the brakes on before I get rolling. And by rolling, I mean a huge (huger) spare tire around my waist as well as a diminished self-image. Yes, guys struggle with that, too!

My fast guidelines
Not allowed: adding sugar to anything
(I'm a couple-of-teaspoons-in-my-

cup-of-coffee kind of guy),
sweets such as cookies, candy, cake, pie, ice cream, etc.
What is allowed: adding honey to my cup of tea, cereal and instant oatmeal that already contains sugar (because this is a self-control issue, not an oatmeal or cereal issue) :)

So here I am 3 days into my sugar/sweets fast, and everything seems ok, especially emotionally. I haven't felt any guilt that I normally associate with my somewhat regular impulsive splurges, and my energy level is good.

Ask me how I feel on Sunday. :)

In His grip,

Rob <><

Cotton, a YouTube celeb?

LOL! My dad's video Hang, Your Head Down Dooley has been viewed on YouTube 3,202 times!

If you haven't seen it, click here.

So I'm an Extrovert...Who knew? ;)

me, an engineer? this is weird.