Two Successful Meals
Saturday I was faced with huge disappointments when I took my first trip to the supermarket. I found only about half of the ingredients that I had on my list. I am learning that life here is about making adaptations and being flexible (two things that I am not always the best at). I began to feel discouraged not knowing what or how I would cook for my family. So we ventured out farther and looked harder. In the end we began to find most of what I was looking for or possible substitutes for those things. So far this week we have had two successful meals! Two meals that the whole family would eat made from ingredients I can find here. I am still trying to come up with what our normal lunch and breakfasts will look like, but I still have some time for that. At times I feel like I am learning how to cook all over again and in some ways I am. My parents can attest to how I like to strictly follow recipes. I think living here might change that.
Beach Trip
It has been a long week and so we decided to head out the beach for a much needed time of relaxation. The beaches here are beautiful. There was shade, sand, and nice cool ocean water. We swam, explored the beach shore, and just relaxed on a towel. Being here has reminded us of the importance to taking a break. We all came back refreshed, renewed and covered in sand. I am sure by the end of our stay here in Dakar we will be very familiar with the beach.
I am so thankful you have a beautiful place to go to and rest. As your Dad said it is important for your mental and physical health. I bet the boys loved the beach. You definately are not alone on ‘following the recipe.’ I have made my Mom’s pancakes and waffles for years but still pull the recipe out to be sure. I bet I would have a very difficult time finding substitutes for the ingredients. I commend you!!
Keeping you all in our prayers.
Mom and I were debating over who you got this personality from that likes to strictly follow recipes and struggles with being flexible. I would say it comes from mom, but then I remember that I strictly follow the recipe for things like Top Ramen and Mac&Cheese. 🙂
One of the lessons the Lord has been teaching me is the lesson of the Sabbath. I have always struggled to understand that. But two things that seem to stand out to me right now:
God says to keep the Sabbath because “I am the one that makes you holy”. I think we derive so much of our identity and sense of worth from what we do, but God wants us to remember that our sense of worth comes from Him and Him alone.
And God knows we need rest. We need rest to be at our best for Him.
What a great lesson to learn early on. Guard that rest. Don’t let the busyness of training or life rob you of what God says is for your good and His glory.
What beautiful pictures of the beach. Now I know that Senegal is indeed a vacation spot!! Saving up.
Love,
Dad
Beautiful pictures.