This past week I was feeling a bit sad, wishing for a few things from home. One thing that was very much on my heart was a very good friend here in Zambia. I know this is something I have asked for prayer for before I ever arrived, and continue to do so. So without really putting much thought or prayer into it, this last week I was just reflecting how it would be nice to have just that one friend you can spend hours with and just laugh with, even to the point where you feel like you might pee your pants or start crying.
Now, I have to admit, while my prayer life has grown tremendously in the past three months, for some reason I didn’t take the time to bring this heartfelt request before the Lord. Or should I say I didn’t so much express it in words to Him. But I am confident He heard my heart cry.
How do I know this?? Because this week, He answered that desire. I had the opportunity to spend time with a friend, one that I have gotten very close to and had some incredible conversations with. It just happened this day we were attempting to make an American cake. And I say attempting because, well, it was kind of a disaster. As I think through the entire process, I’m not really sure what happened, but let’s just say it did not turn out like it should. It was rather crumbly. Making it quite difficult to assemble it into a two-layer nice looking cake. I must remind you at this point, that presentation is VERY important when it comes to food here, so even though this friend and I were just making the cake to enjoy ourselves, presentation was still of the utmost importance. Everything I thought of that might help, only made it worse when it came to the appearance. It was bringing forth scores of laughter from the both of us. I was laughing almost uncontrollably and just had the giggles over our disastrous looking so-called cake. (I must put in at this point as well, that my house was also currently being repainted at this time, and they use oil-based paint here. And my house is quite small. Therefore, the fumes were quite strong, and I might say they were adding to our giggles.)
No matter the catastrophe that appeared before us, I had an incredible time. As I think about the past few weeks, I can see how God is taking care of me over and over again. I was too self-absorbed to even bring this request before Him, but yet He still answered and showed His love for me. What an incredible God!!! I feel so very blessed. What an encouragement to know that God knows our hearts so deeply that He can feel our desires even if we can’t put them into words. I am continually in awe of His power and just who He is!!
Oh, and by the way, the cake ended up looking not so bad. The taste was a bit off, again, I have no idea why, but worth the adventure. I was told by another friend that he was surprised I took on this adventure as he didn’t really see me as the type to do kitchen things. Oh, what a laugh that got out of me. How true it is! I wish I liked cooking and was good at it, but alas, it’s not so. At least I can use this to defer any Zambian marriage proposals, as cooking is VERY VERY important here!
You can check out the photos by clicking the “Photos” link to the right!
#1 by Jess on January 21st, 2010 - 9:55 pm
Yeah for a heart friend
! I’m glad you decided to start posting on your blog again!! And way impressed by your desire to bake! Fun!!