Christmas came today when my daughter arrived home from four months in Africa. As she ran down the escalator, her carry on hopping up and down as it was dragged behind her, my heart filled with joy. Even after twenty eight hours of traveling, and a fifteen hour flight with movie screens that were not working, she was full of excitement and smiles.
She seems older. She has a renewed commitment to God, a calling to work with the youth in Africa, and a maturity that comes from serving God and living with a host family. Poverty and hunger are now relative. The sufferings of others are engrained in her heart and memory. She has seen the world through the eyes of Jesus and has been changed.
My hopes in sending her on this trip have been fulfilled. This was all I desired when I tearfully put her on the plane four months ago.
Christmas came today as I realized so many of my prayers have been answered.
Hope is rekindled as I know that God hears my heart’s cry and he will continue to work on the other requests that I have lifted up to him over and over again.
In this season of waiting on the Lord, I continue to ask, believe and expect.
You have a beautiful daughter who is beautiful on the inside as well. The best Christmas present you could get!
ReplyDeletewonderful! glad she made it home safely!
ReplyDeleteWow how awesome praise the Lord
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a perfect gift for Christmas to have your sweet daughter home. I love that she had the opportunity to do God's work in Africa. I can't think of a better way to teach about true love for others. My In laws served a mission in Nigeria and Ghana. We would love an opportunity to do the same when we retire.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours for the great work you do.
This is such a life changing experience to travel to other lands. God bless you and your lovely Godly daughter.
ReplyDeleteSuch a precious daughter you have been blessed with.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing gift and answer to your prayers Shanda; He is so faithful! :) Your daughter's picture is a delightful portrait that expresses happiness, beauty and His grace! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love!
Denise
Oh friend your heart is full of love for your daughter. God's heart is full of love for her as well, and is doing amazing things and what a joyous gift that is this Christmas. Nothing fills us more than when our children are serving the Lord. Nothing like it!
ReplyDeleteGod is so amazing! Thankful for the safe return of your daughter, a daughter changed by her four month experience, joy and laughter to decorate your life this holiday season. God is so amazing! Your posting "Magnifys His Goodness"
ReplyDeleteAmen...how awesome and what a wonderful opportunity. My daughter is playing on going this summer...I will send her this post. Enjoy your time together...your family has such a rich international Godly heritage.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better and healing fast.
Shanda all I can say is thank you for the privilege of being chosen by you to take care of your daughter while she was in South Africa. We watched her grow in the Lord - but more importantly we grew to love her so much. Her laughter, honesty, pure joy, strength, determination were all so relevant. She left such a huge impact on all of us and obviously on Jeremy. God is amazing when He answers prayers so exactly as they were requested. God bless
ReplyDeleteWell I agree with the others - I am so thankful she is home safe and sound with you. And she is beautiful - not only on the outside!
ReplyDeleteLove, sandie
JOY..JOY...what a wonderful Christmas gift...
ReplyDeleteenjoy..enjoy...blessings~
What a beautiful Christmas blessing! God is so good!
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet!!!! I just cried a little, these have got to be the best moments of being a mom!! Love ya
ReplyDeleteSo glad your beautiful daughter is home! I am sure it did feel just like Christmas for you!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful a Christmas present you have received. And what an opportunity for your daugther to have been in Africa.
ReplyDeleteYay, She's back! So happy to hear. xooxox
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! It sounds like your daughter must have had an amazing time in Africa. Hope you all have a lovely Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWonderful news! Enjoy your Christmas together!
ReplyDeleteGlorious! Simply glorious!!! Praising Him with you for what He has done in and through her!! :)
ReplyDeleteHow precious. Christmas is surely here for you. So glad I hopped over from Faith Barista. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteTo believe and hope regardless of the situation. Thank you for such a good reminder of this. I love this: "I know that God hears my heart’s cry." Yes, He does!! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteShanda, that's so exciting- a great Christmas present! :)
ReplyDeleteSo precious! A wonderful Christmas gift indeed. And how great for your daughter to serve and to love in Africa...she must have one great mama who has raised her well :)
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda, give a big welcome home to your daughter. I don't know why this touched me so much but from the first few sentences, I was already tearing up and ready to boohoo by the end. I love that picture of her with the baby. The best way to love and accept any country or culture is to spend time with the children. It is the little ones around the world who live with innocence, unaware of their circumstances. Blessings to you and yours this holiday season. Tammy
ReplyDeleteA wonderful Christmas present and such a beautiful daughter with a heart for Jesus.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings,
Joan
Rejoicing with you that your daughter has returned home. Rejoicing more than God has done a mighty work in her heart that will forever brand her for the work of His Kingdom! What a glorious Father we have!
ReplyDelete{tears} My heart is full of joy from reading your post, knowing your daughter's life was forever changed. My daughter went to Haiti so I know a bit of your joy. In May she will travel to Africa. Enjoy the Christmas season with that precious girl!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pamela
Wishing you much joy as you spend time together. Blessings!
ReplyDeletewhat a precious daughter you have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda - so good to hear this. At the end of the day she is closer to God and you guys are reunited. Always love reading your post. Thank you for all your encouragement and prayers this last week. I really appreciate it and thank you for linking up. Always excited to see you there.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, hope all is well with you
Tracy
How beautiful! What an inspiration. I hope all my kids have a heart for the world one day. Thanks for linking up. :)
ReplyDeleteHurray for you and your daughter.
ReplyDelete