Numbers

The last few weeks in our work we have been quite focused on numbers.  Joe has been working on several projects for Alabaster Funds, as well as the budget for the new year.   I have been working to prepare for the upcoming assemblies; lots of reports to complete and figures to verify.  It is easy to get lost in the to do list and checking items off the list.  But each of the figures that we are working with are attached to a person. Each Dollar, Rand, Emalangeni, or Pula was given by a person.  Each new member received into the church of the Nazarene came with a story.  Every new church that was organized is filled by people. 

The reason we are doing what we are doing is not only about numbers, although we spend a lot of time working with those.  The reason we are doing what we are doing is about people.  It is about the lives that are changed through the ministries, churches and outreaches that we help support. 

A number is never just a number, numbers are connected to lives and stories. 

September has flown by.  We were home for most of September which was nice.  It allowed us to get caught up on some work projects and some things around the house as well.  The last week in September we are going to a week of vacation in our caravan in the mountain about 45 minutes away from our home.  The camp ground is along a river and we are looking forward to hiking and exploring those trails.  There is also a pool and playground on the grounds and I am sure Peter will spend lots of time using those. 

October will be busy with 9 assemblies happening, as well as various other meetings and the installation of a new leader for the Africa Region.  Thankfully we are almost done preparing for the assemblies. 

Peter continues to grow and change.  He has an amazing ability to melt our hearts and raise our blood pressure in a short span of time.  He has moved to sleeping in a twin bed and Is making other strides away from baby-land and straight into little boy world.   He has moved to an older class at school and loves it.  He loves being outside, playing with his friends, playing with play dough, and sand, reading books, coloring, riding his bike and playing with cars. He is learning new words everyday and most of the time we can understand what he is trying to say. J Since this blog started off talking about numbers Peter is 2 years and 3 months old now.  He usually sleeps 11-13 hours a day.  I would love to have a step counter on him to know how many tens of thousands of steps he takes a day.  One day in particular he ate a muffin, string cheese, 2 yogurts, 2 fruit and veg pouches, 2 bananas, 3 hot dogs, 3 pieces of pizza and who knows how many cheerios and pretzels.  Thankfully (for now) a day like that is an exception not the norm.  

Until next time: Never show your 2 year old something you aren’t willing to repeat 100 times.  I would list examples but there are too many to list.