como browns update

Hey family! We haven't blogged in a while and I think I'm feeling the need for prayer tonight! Here are my random thoughts on Como, the last year, and what's coming next.

We went and saw the movie "Amazing Grace" yesterday with our three oldest. Great movie (even better if you see it after listening to John Piper's sermon on William Wilberforce - our kids were required to listen to it in order to go the movie. Lukey woke me up at 4 a.m. yesterday because he had fallen asleep listening to it on the ipod that night and wanted to make sure he finished it. Funny kid). Anyway, Wilberforce was amazing. Unbelievable joy in Jesus and perseverance. Encouraging watching that and thinking about what God has us in the middle of here. Anything is possible.

Randy and I ate at "Mama Lou's", a little diner in the middle of Como for lunch on Wednesday. Our waitress was 83-year-old Johnnie, Mama Lou's sister-in-law. Randy has been wanting me to eat in Como for at least 3 years now - historical day! Mama Lou died a couple of years ago at the age of 78. She cooked for 25 years out of her house, and not just for the average Joe down the street. She entertained the mayor, city council people, and other "big names" frequently and catered for huge events, including dinners for Van Cliburne (our neighbor, Ms. Murray used to help her). The restaurant (it's about the size of the kitchen at the Lake-okay, maybe not that big) has been featured in the local paper here and in Texas Monthly. Her nephew, Malcolm, opened this restaurant about 6 months before she passed away. He was the previous owner of our house. We met him last night when we went back to Mama Lou's at the end of our date night for dessert - sweet potatoe pie. We met Malcolm and talked for about half an hour. He told us the story of this house and what it used to look like - it was fun and fascinating to hear! He said he bought it in 1994 and it had been sitting here for so long, abandoned, that the "for sale" sign on the front door was almost completely faded and there were trees growing up into the house. He bought it for $7000. Anyway, I won't go into all the details he shared with us (the investor that bought it from Malcolm totally changed what he had done as well! This house has undergone MANY "transformations"), but what struck me was the sweet sovereignty of God. During our first year of marriage when this whole plan would've sounded like an unthinkable nightmare, God had chosen this home for us in this place and He was preparing it for us. At the end of our date last p.m., we sat in the basketball court parking lot around the corner from our house overlooking Lake Como and prayed. 6 or 7 months ago I wouldn't even drive through Como on a Friday night. Now I'm living here and eating sweet potatoe pie. There is a God.

As I reflected on the last year on my b'day, I realized that at the beginning of my last year, I had "crossed the Red Sea", out of slavery that I had been in for years (that was the trip to Louisiana) and then moving to Como was like our "crossing the Jordan" into our Promised Land. Now we're sensing that our time of "settling" is over and it's time to begin "taking the land". That sounds all romantic, I guess, but I'm scared to death. Our season of cell leading has ended and we are entering a new season of ministry. We have a "core" leadership team that only God could've put together - I am amazed at His goodness and His mercy. The Gladneys (some of our closest friends from CF), Mark Benjamin , the Gravitts, and Terrance Butler. All are African Americans except for us and the Gravitts. We are meeting with them once a month and then doing a "Common Ground" dinner once a month. Our first "Common Ground" meeting is tomorrow night. We have invited several from our church, other churches in Fort Worth, other churches in Como, the Mighty Men, and the people on our street. The apartment complex already knew about it when RB passed out the flyers today. They're all coming. Randy stopped calling the Mighty Men and their families because we're already a little concerned about space and food. This feels very significant and like there may be a little resistance from the enemy. Moriah, Josiah, Isaac, and I are all sick with coughs/colds/fever. Please pray for quick healing and protection for our family. This will be the first time that we've really opened up our home to the neighborhood. We've gone through and hidden anything that looks valuable or easily stolen. It's just kind of a vulnerable feeling - tonight I'm kind of wanting to tuck my tail between my legs and go back to "playing it safe". Is walking by faith always going to carry with it this feeling of being rather uncomfortable?

Randy and Van met with some key leaders from a large church here in Fort Worth on Friday a.m. and Randy was very excited when he came home. They have a heart for Como and plan to really promote Op Camp this year with their college students. I think getting campers will be a much easier job this year.

Luke had his 6-year-old birthday party today at the roller skating rink. I don't know of another kid who could've possibly been as excited as he was. We love that boy's enthusiasm. He spent a great deal of time diving off the rink and falling as much as possible (on purpose).

No other big news. Luke has started soccer, Josiah is trying baseball this spring, McKenna is still wowing us with her music, Moriah is consistent in her extremes - she's always being "Mo-Sweet" or "Mo-Ugly"! There are no in-betweens. And Isaac is walking and climbing everywhere and just being plain cute. And oh, yeah. Gracie is a wonderful dog and has managed to survive our family. She sleeps with McKenna every p.m. All-in-all, I've decided that the biggest faith walk of my life is not what we're doing tomorrow p.m. It's walking in steadfast faith in the everyday, mundane stuff that makes life flow with 5 kids and a husband with big vision. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Sometimes it feels like a marathon that has no finish line (of course, this isn't true - I said "feels"). We love you guys. Have a blessed week.

Anda

The "skullet" - Cary's new look

I feel compelled to comment on the mullet having been there first-hand when my older brother denied ever having a mullet. Now I'm not one to know exactly what a mullet is (being fashion challenged) but if it's "business in the front, party in the back," I think this would qualify. I'm not saying he doesn't look GOOD with his mullet (and his fetching vest), and I'm sure some could say that I was JEALOUS of his mullett-growing ability, but I would have to throw my vote for DEFINITELY MULLET.

If my little brother has digitally altered this picture because of some petty jealousy, I would withdraw my vote. Tod, I await your rebuttal.

cb

Mullet or Not a Mullet: You make the call

Following our lunch discussion where I accused Tod of once having a mullet haircut, I located a picture which I believe confirms my assertion. However, in the interest of fairness, I thought I would poll the rest of the family to see whether Tod's haircut in this picture qualifies as a mullet. The date is May, 1995, and the little baby girl is Allison at 3 months old.

Please vote: Mullet or Not a Mullet


Alan

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day to all! I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

Much love to you all!

April

Lena

Well, we just found out this morning that Lena is allergic to milk. It's not a bad allergy. She just has to avoid milk, and we have to be careful how much other milk products that she can have. Like, she might can have a little cheese, but no other milk product that day. Things like that. I just have to find out what she's okay with.

Other than the milk thing, we are all doing pretty good. I'm excited about the Ladies Retreat in a few weeks. I hope everyone is well. See you all soon.

April

Cooking at Camp

These pictures give you an idea of the challenge of cooking for 200 at Faith Quest! Wood has to be split. Then moved near the cooking stones (most cooking "stoves" use 3 rocks--a Ugandan tradition). The students ate on plastic bowls (they were asked to bring a spoon) but I don't really know how they were cleaned and I don't want to know (my bowl was cleaned by Cheryl Cash--who made my meals in Uganda a real treat!!!) I'll add some pictures soon of the new hospital kitchen soon!

Baking ovens

Here are the new baking ovens--they worked great!

Food in Uganda

I know our family loves to eat (again, reaching deep into our extended families) -- and I just had to show you these pictures of what it's like trying to feed 200 people at Faith Quest. You've got your basic food staples: beans, rice & plantain bananas (matokee--like mashed potatoes kind of). Then you might have some bread (there were new ovens built and locals were being taught how to make bread!)--that was very special. But here is the kitchen at camp....

When Worship Smells Great!

Most of us would say that we've had some phenominal worship experiences in the last 10 years. Our family, in-laws included, love to worship. I love to worship. And as I got to worship with our brothers & sisters in Uganda--I found that I don't even need to know what the words mean to encounter God. This is good news for me.

I didn't know the tunes that my brother Vital led (a brother who fled the Congo when over 4 million people were butchered in 3 years. In fact, he left camp early due to his sister being killed!)--but God was overflowing from the hearts of the Ugandans. They swayed, they twirled, they literally danced and laughed and rejoiced in God. I watched. Amazed and inspired. My heart was so full of joy--and that was the just the first night!

Every day kept getting better and better. As I got to know their songs and they learned a few I taught--it kept getting sweeter! I learned their names--Dick, Derek, Ronald, Diane, Spike, Charles, Samuel, Ruth, Sarah--so many more, and they became real people to me. I heard their stories. I learned their slang (can I have a snap? ie, take your picture?) I heard their concerns: Students who were begging God to provide money to continue their studies, orphans begging for God to give them peace about their future, young men and women who wanted to find a "WOG/MOG" (Woman of God/Man of God) to marry someday. Overwhelming heartache and hope, joy amidst struggle...and the worship continued.

One man who came to clear the land on Saturday prior to "Faith Quest" was on his way home in the evening when he was jumped, beaten and left for dead. A few days later--he was jumping up and down in praise on his one good foot. I didn't even know that he was injured until Jeff Cash--my missionary friend--told me who he was! I was speechless. What would I have been doing after being beaten like that?

As I observed them sing to God, worship was far from routine. It was alive with God--dynamic, celebrative and joyful. I'm just jabbering on here struggling with trying to describe an aroma with words. That's it--a sweet aroma that I got to enjoy. I really want to share that aroma with all of you. Perhaps what I really mean is that I want God to enrich your worship today. Whether when you're alone with Christ or with your church--may your worship be full of the presence of God!

Gate code changed 2/4/07

new code is 6635

Puppy Graduation

Have I sunk to a new level or aspired to new heights now that I have officially blogged pictures of my dog's "Puppy Graduation?" Full of pomp and decorum, Lexi and Piper graduated with a class of nine other pups today. It was a proud dog-owners moment. Cary was not in attendance, but we didn't take that as non-supportive (he was actually out of town).

Grandma was proud of Piper today

Mitch is a good trainer


The"graduates" - intently listening to the Dog Whisperer

Zanatta and Jacqueline Bost's mother

We just got an email saying Jacqueline Bost's mother died on Thursday in Dallas. She went into the hospital last Sunday and was in ICU when Bryan and Jacqueline arrived from Brazil on Thursday. The funeral is Monday in Dallas at 10:00.

Yesterday Leila called to say that she put Zanatta in the hospital with a clot in his right leg as soon as she got home from the U S on Thursday. They are treating it with the expectation he will be hospitalized for at least five days. Please pray for healing and especially that no complications occur. You know that they are dear to us and we feel that their service in the Kingdom is crucial to a positive future for the church in Brazil.

Also pray that we can find the right solution to Larissa's visa challenges. Alan has found a great lawyer specializing in the visa area so we are moving in the right direction, but it is tricky to meet all the requirements to get the right status when so many in the world are competing for limited access to this wonderful country.

Thanks.

Dad