The Llama's Logic

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:58:34 +0000ZambiamissionsthoughtsministryGodlifeprayerJesusSports Friendsloveprayer letterChristmasGod's plansLusagracesupport letterChristchurchculturegospelsintravelvillageSIMbabygoodbyesmoneypaintimeweatherBibleFaithGod's willMama YobaMichaelSacrificegiftsgivinghopelanguageprayerssupport raisingAfricaBible StudyChristianGrandmaKansanshiPaulchangesdeathdepressiondevotionsfamilyfriendskidslaborpovertyprayer requestpregnancyservesports ministryEthiopiaGod's planGrandpaKimasalaMike RauenReginaSatanSolweziVideoblessingcallingcelebritieschangechildbirthcomfortcommentaryconcernsconfidencecookingdoctorevangelismfearfoodfreedomfuneralsgloryguiltheadlineshospitaljealousykidneylaborers are fewleavinglonelinessmarriagemissionariesmovingnewbornpeacerainsalvationschoolshamesleepsonogramsupportthankstrashtriptrustwaitingwork2 CorinthiansAIDSActsAnnalynnAugustBlythe O'SullivanCharlotteDallasDavid MyersEasterFacebookFox NewsGod's gloryGod's loveGrandpa AllenHabakkukHarambeHeidiJakartaJen HatmakerJonahJosephJoyKikaondeMaryMission tripMosesNarniaNateNew Year'sNgankouObamaOlympicsOpen EyesPhilippians 1:18-24PlumbRomansSoccerStuffThailandTranslationUSVictoria FallsWhite HouseWomen of FaithYodaaccessaccidentaccomplishmentsadjustmentadviceanimalsarmadillobakingbarsbeautybeggarsbikiniblessingsbombingsbook reviewbrokenbudgetburnoutcameracarcar accidentchallengecheerleadingchildrenchocolatechristlikeclasscoachcomfortscommitmentscommunicationcommunioncommunitycompetitioncomplacencycontrolcookiescopper minecovetcrossdate nightdeceitdeficitdefinitiondifficultiesdisciplesdisciplinesdrunkdryelection thoughtsemptyencouragementenvelopesequalityeternal lifeeveextroversionfaithfulnessfallenfallen soldierfalse prophetsfamefinancial partnersfleeingfliesfocusfollow Jesusfootballfriendfrustrationsfuturegenerositygiftgiraffegorillagratefulgratitudehard stuffharvesthealthhelphippohomehome assignmenthonestyhumilityjobsjournaljusticelisteninglongingmeet a needmemorial daymercymiraclemissed opportunitiesmissionmission strategymissionarymisunderstandingmodestymotherhoodmotheringmotivationmourningmovienationalsneednervesnew looknewsnumbnessobeyingoccultodd newsofferingpackagespackingparenthoodpastorpeopleperfectionperseverancepersonal responsibilityphotospicturespinkpoliticsprayprideprostitutionprotectionpumpkinpunishmentpuritypurposequestionsrainbowsramblingrandomratsreasonsreflectionrefluxrelationshiprelationshipsreliefreturnsafarisanctificationsandsanityschool closingssecretsselfsendingsensitivesexsiblingssicknesssocial mediasoldiersongsspiritualitystarfish storystrengthstressstress reliefstrugglessufferingsufficiencysuicidesunsetsuperior racesuperpowersurvivingtearstelevisionthank youthanksgivingthe boardtheftthen and nowtheologythoughstoddlertomorrowtornadotrainingtransformerstransportultrasoundurologistutilitiesvictoryvisitorsvulnerabilitywarweaknessweddingsweinermobilewhite rock lakewisdomworthworth ityouthzebraThe Llama's Logichttp://pastorllama.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Luke)Blogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-4751873677476652646Sat, 09 Sep 2017 02:21:00 +00002017-09-09T12:28:49.372-05:00Charlottedeficitfinancial partnersharvestlaborers are fewministrymissionssendingSIMsupport raisingtrainingZambiaThe Significance of Senders I didn’t realize Michael was listening (though he’s always listening) when a few moms were talking about jobs at the park today. All of a sudden he chimed in with, “my mommy is a missionary – and I’m a missionary too!” He likes to tell Luke he’s a missionary, usually followed by, “so that means I need to come to work with you.” We’ve talked a lot about how Jesus calls all of us to be http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-significance-of-senders.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Luke)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-6059314080963180252Sat, 25 Mar 2017 14:59:00 +00002017-03-25T09:59:08.489-05:00AnnalynngratefulJoyMichaelmotherhoodnewbornparenthoodsleeptoddlerRamblings of a (grateful) Sleep-Deprived MommySo much on my mind tonight as I rock and nurse my sweet baby to sleep. So many thoughts I haven't had a spare second to think and feelings I haven't had the energy to feel. There's the desperation for more sleep, as Annalynn still confuses day and night. She's really an easy baby, but whereas during the day she'll pass out anywhere and nothing will wake her, at night she just doesn't like going http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2017/03/ramblings-of-grateful-sleep-deprived.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Luke)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-4251604972070081920Sun, 23 Oct 2016 21:08:00 +00002016-10-23T17:20:52.294-05:00BiblechildbirthchildrenevelaborMichaelpainpregnancypunishmentsinPain in Childbearing “To the woman he said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.’” – Genesis 3:16a Pain in childbearing. This was Eve’s punishment for disobeying God and eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve had barely processed her new relationship, and with that the command to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28), and now http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2016/10/pain-in-childbearing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-5269154918192879374Mon, 30 May 2016 19:49:00 +00002016-05-30T15:21:08.932-05:00fallen soldierfreedomgorillaHarambeJesusjusticelovememorial daypersonal responsibilityservesocial mediasoldierGorillas, Social Media, and Personal Responsibility I’ll be the first to admit that I would much rather find someone to blame than take personal responsibility. Maybe I’m part of the “entitled” generation, maybe I grew up around too many lawyers, or maybe it’s facebook, but even in there, I tried to place the blame for my attitude on anything but myself and my character. The interwebs blew up yesterday with the news of the endangered gorilla http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2016/05/gorillas-social-media-and-personal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-8292629846788687458Thu, 15 Oct 2015 01:09:00 +00002015-10-14T20:12:37.631-05:00burnoutdepressionfriendlisteningministrymissionarypastorreflectionsuicidethe ones with it all together In April 2014, a good friend and former pastor of ours committed suicide. The shocking news came about a week before we went back to Zambia, and we were barely able to process it before getting on the plane to head back into the trenches of full-time ministry in Africa. Ministry can be hard. Isolating even. Though you serve so many, you can only be real and safe with a precious few. You’re http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-ones-with-it-all-together.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-2333729244669761874Tue, 03 Mar 2015 22:54:00 +00002015-03-03T16:54:43.165-06:00christlikedepressionfutureGod's willgoodbyeshopelongingministrymisunderstandingperseveranceprayersanctificationsufferingwaitingZambiaOn leaving. On waiting. On growing. There are days I really miss Zambia. And not just because it’s crazy cold here and I want to throw open all the windows and doors and walk around in flip flops (though all of that is very very true). But I miss the culture. The pace. The people. Our sweet little house with all its flaws. The music. The color. The red dust in every corner and crevice. Laundry and diapers drying on the linehttp://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2015/03/on-leaving-on-waiting-on-growing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-9067423692592500332Fri, 31 Oct 2014 13:58:00 +00002014-10-31T08:58:41.482-05:00ChristmasfamilyGod's willgoodbyesleavingmissionsmovingprayerZambiaHome for Christmas and..... deep breath. and as I breathe that deep breath, an amazing sense of peace washes over me. A peace that says we're doing the right thing, at the right time. We have made the decision to leave Zambia. There were a myriad of factors leading to this decision, and it certainly did not come easily, but the decision has been made and we hope to be home by Christmas. Home is such a strange http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2014/10/home-for-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-3144960750765258553Fri, 03 Oct 2014 11:34:00 +00002014-10-03T06:34:38.778-05:00BibledifficultiesfleeingJonahmissionsobeyingprayerstruggleswaitingRelating to Jonah We are fast approaching the six-month “anniversary” of our return to life and ministry in Zambia. Many of you have been keeping up with our Tiffany's facebook posts, prayer letters, and certain blog posts since our return, so it should therefore come as no surprise to you that these months have been marked by a great deal of frustration, stress, and questions. If you were to ask me my http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2014/10/relating-to-jonah.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Luke)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-3454491671090539543Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:24:00 +00002014-07-21T13:26:56.617-05:00deathfaithfulnessfallenfearGodhard stuffpainpeacesintheftvictorywarGreat is Thy Faithfulness Sometimes hard, ugly, painful, scary stuff happens.  Watching the news (or my Facebook newsfeed), it seems rare that there is ever a time when hard, ugly, painful, scary stuff isn't happening. Seriously. While the media can certainly desensitize us to the ugly things of this world, it can also wrench your heart into pieces and send you to your knees in prayer. Today I woke up to the news http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2014/07/great-is-thy-faithfulness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-6217671559594788090Mon, 07 Jul 2014 14:26:00 +00002014-07-07T10:35:26.511-05:00callingconfidencedepressionFaithgracehonestyJesuslonelinessmissionPlumbSports FriendsstrengthvulnerabilityZambiaWhat happens when you wait on God.... So since the Wesslers are all about candid honesty today, I thought it only appropriate to give an update on how it's been coming back. I mean, how it's really been. Before I do that, I'm going to add to Luke's list of things missionaries won't tell you but we'll tell you anyway. We are not superheroes.  We hosted a team last year that likened our missionaries to members of The Avengers. http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2014/07/waiting-on-lord.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-4990158068344058702Mon, 07 Jul 2014 09:16:00 +00002014-07-07T08:40:03.784-05:00communicationlifelonelinessmissionariesmissionsmoneyprayerthoughtsFour Things This Missionary Won't Tell You (But actually will, because he just did...) There’s a blog post that’s being shared all over facebook that describes the 10 things missionaries won’t tell you. And I’ll admit, I read it. I resonated with a lot of it. And I shared it along with 10,000+ other people (incidentally, that one post has been shared almost as many times as this blog has been seen in the last 7 years combined). It was on my timeline for all of 7 minutes. Then I http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2014/07/four-things-this-missionary-wont-tell.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Luke)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-2866351536383864652Sat, 31 May 2014 07:54:00 +00002014-05-31T03:04:14.680-05:00babyBible StudyGodlovemarriageministrymotheringprayerworthMy Great Ambition You want to hear something crazy? Being a wife and mom is hard work. Before you get alarmed, I’m not saying I don’t love my husband and child. No, my love for them is the very reason the job is so hard. Because sometimes loving them just doesn’t seem like enough. You see, the last month has been a struggle. Me, I feel like I’m doing great – but I also feel like I’m the one holding all the http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-great-ambition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-2500573145931170873Thu, 27 Mar 2014 19:06:00 +00002014-03-27T14:06:47.691-05:002 CorinthianscallingChristconcernsgracemissionsPaulreturnsufficiencythoughsweaknessZambiaIn my weakness...We leave to return to Zambia in four weeks. Four weeks. It sounds so distant, but it is fast approaching, and emotions are running high. We've experienced most of this before - excitement regarding the upcoming travel, sadness over leaving family and friends behind, stress as we wrap up a variety of last-minute details. But this time it's...different. When we moved to Zambia in 2010, we were http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2014/03/in-my-weakness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Luke)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-2278425374411306047Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:23:00 +00002014-02-10T10:51:37.220-06:00babyconfidenceGod's planhealthhumilitykidneyMichaelpeacesupporttomorrowtrusturologistZambiaOn Going… or Staying Tomorrow is the big day. The visit to the urologist. Luke and I have probably put undue weight on the outcome of this appointment in our decision on when, and if, to go back to Zambia. But regardless of the validity of that weight, it's there. Michael has kidney reflux, vesicoureteral reflux, to give you the technical term. We suspected this months ago when his kidneys were enlarged in http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2014/02/on-going-or-staying.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-3350477858348486606Tue, 31 Dec 2013 22:51:00 +00002013-12-31T19:46:25.156-06:00babyChristmasgiftlaborMichaelmiraclenewbornOur Christmas Miracle Last year Luke and I didn't make New Year's resolutions. Instead, we shared our hopes for 2013. One of the biggest was that we would become parents this year. After trying to conceive for 3 1/2 years, we were first starting to feel hopeful about the possibility around Christmas last year. We prayed and prayed that the Lord would bless us with a sweet baby this year. And truly felt hopeful He http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/12/our-christmas-miracle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-2148920514128989376Tue, 26 Nov 2013 23:35:00 +00002013-11-26T18:03:15.165-06:00helplaborers are fewmeet a needministryneedprayerreliefSports Friendsstarfish storysupporttornadoZambiaOne Cup at a Time It’s hard to see people suffering. For many of us, our very nature wants to jump in, meet the need, and end the hurt in the world. But one thing we had to learn early on to survive the mission field, is that we as individuals cannot physically help everyone in need. Shortly before we left for Zambia, my grandfather scoffed at the idea of us helping impoverished people in Africa. There is sohttp://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/11/one-cup-at-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-8568360546076757080Thu, 31 Oct 2013 21:13:00 +00002013-11-04T09:17:34.230-06:00babyChristmasdoctorGodkidneyprayerpregnancyrefluxsonogramtrustultrasoundUPDATE: Mama Prays So we just got home from the doctor (who, by the way, receives our newsletters because we had his information after we visited his church three years ago). The scans showed basically the same results as we had on Tuesday. The one kidney is about twice the size it should be (about 10 mm), and the other is slightly enlarged.  What does that mean? Well, there's no way to know http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/10/update-mama-prays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-6610935835734252361Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:17:00 +00002013-11-30T14:20:42.461-06:00babycontroldoctorfearhospitalprayerpregnancySacrificesonogramMama Prays "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 This may come as a shock, but I like to be in control… of pretty much everything. It helps me feel safe. Comfortable. Grounded. Granted, 2 1/2 years in Africa has helped "cure" http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/10/mama-prays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-108506717212673105Thu, 05 Sep 2013 02:00:00 +00002013-09-04T21:07:45.351-05:00bikiniChristianculturemarriagemodestysexWhat's so bad about a bikini?   <!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/08/broken-and-poured-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-3584492375798187687Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:30:00 +00002013-07-26T11:53:57.683-05:00generositygiftsgivingGodgracegratitudehome assignmentlovethank youthanksthanksgivingZambiaGratitude "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.' Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/07/gratitude.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-7009265266617338955Mon, 06 May 2013 14:14:00 +00002013-06-03T16:54:51.540-05:00changeGodhomepainprayersensitivesicknessUSZambiabe gentle with me In exactly four weeks we will be starting our debrief and reentry meetings at SIM USA’s headquarters in Charlotte.  Are we excited? Absolutely.  Are we ready for the break?  I think we’re a few months past ready.  Are we nervous?  You bet. A lot has changed in 2 ½ years.  I’m sure infrastructures in the States have changed since we left.  Styles have changedhttp://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/05/be-gentle-with-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-4313276598716489603Sat, 06 Apr 2013 08:12:00 +00002013-04-06T03:22:13.034-05:00childbirthculturehospitallaborLusaministrypainpuritytearsZambiaand I cried When I called Mama Yoba at midnight and she told me that a well-trained birthing nurse was able to remove the placenta and that Regina was recovering, I cried.  I cried tears of joy and relief that my dear friend would be okay.  I cried tears of thanksgiving to God for hearing our prayers.  I cried tears of exhaustion.  I told Luke that I think the tears I cried were tears http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/04/and-i-cried.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-922060763503258882Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:41:00 +00002013-04-01T11:22:32.730-05:00accomplishmentscrossgloryGodjealousylovemissionsmoneyserveworth itZambiaBecause He Lives Every once in a while something pops up that makes us think, “what if?”  A note from a former employer or co-worker, a discussion about some past achievement, the Olympics (I’ll elaborate on that one), or a general feeling that we’re not accomplishing anything here… What if we had taken a different path? What if we were still in that job?  What if we had continued in certain sports?http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/04/because-he-lives.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873302424570095.post-2100569893699962863Sun, 10 Feb 2013 11:48:00 +00002013-05-08T08:09:37.881-05:00coachfootballGodministryrainSatanSoccerSports Friendssports ministryZambiaOur God is Greater Do you ever feel under attack?  Like something or someone is out to thwart and discourage your every effort? As we prepared for our first ever Sports Friends Basic Training in Zambia, we were fairly convinced the devil was doing everything in his power to mess things up, throw us off, and make us give it all up. But our God is greater.  This seemed to be a theme over the last http://pastorllama.blogspot.com/2013/02/our-god-is-greater.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0