Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Another busy couple of weeks. I'm loving it.

I finished up granny-sitting with Miss Juanita on Sunday, the 17th, so I wasn't able to stay for the Cuerpo Vivo church dinner. Someone was nice enough to make me a plate to go. It was yummy! Although my lips are still stinging for the green sauce on one of the meats.

I spent all last week concentrating mostly on the Cuerpo Vivo Marriage Conference. I think my shortest workday was 10 hours that week and the longest was 17 hours. It was action packed but I loved it all. The conference was a huge success. It started on Friday night with the couples in the sanctuary for the speaker and the kids were in the nursery wing and gymnasium. We were scheduled for 2 hours, but of course, we went to 3. Everyone loved it. Saturday we had a dinner for the couples before the speaker part and the youth served as waiters and kitchen help. They did such a good job. My friend Cathy did the food planning and most of the prep. I helped with shopping, prep and then cooked off the food before the dinner. We had salad, roast pork tenderloinl, sweet potato casserole, sweet & sour green beans, roll and tres leches (3 milk) cake made by another friend, Becca. Everyone loved the food and even asked for some recipes. At the end of the dinner, Pastor Jaime asked that all the dinner helpers come out to the dining room. The couples gave us a standing ovation. It was great to see how happy the guests were.

The couples wore dress-up clothes and had their pictures taken when they came in. The room was dim with candles and special harvest-type table decorations. Each couple was given a glass candle bowl with wedding rings tied on with ribbon. It was really pretty. I had a great time making the decorations with different friends who helped at different times.

We fed the kids pizza on the dinner night and they were happy. They got to play all kinds of games and even won some prizes from contests that the youth supervised.

Sunday morning was the end of the conference and they showed pictures of the couples on the screen. I got very teary-eyed as I looked at these lovely couples and thought about the families that I have come to love so much. Then Pastor Jaime took the stage wiping away tears and was choked up and couldn't speak at first. Then my tears really began to roll! It's such a loving church family. I am so blessed.

Last week I was also able to meet with Heidi and Katrina Mills, a mother/daughter team who are going to direct the Christmas Angel Tree and Christmas Food Boxes projects this year. I'm so excited for them to take the raines on this. I will miss being here for those December mission projects, but I will be loving that I get to serve in Nicaragua over Christmas, too. God has blessed me soooo much!

I need to get some more communication out to the people interested in the Free Friday Meals project. Hopefully, we'll get it staffed before I leave for Nic in three weeks. Becca Janes graciously volunteered to head up the meal planning and menus. Now we just need a Volunteer coordinator to help lead that part of the team and we'll be set to start up. It will be nice to get going.

I get to sleep in my own bed for 2 nights in a row! woohoo! Then 10 days of doggy sitting. This helps me save up for a new (used) computer. Maybe I can get it before I leave. Hmmm.... that's only 3 weeks. Looks like it will be after Christmas instead. But that's okay. I'm excited anyway!

Time to head home and get some laundry and housework caught up on. I'm in the midst of packing for Nic, so I have clothes everywhere in my room. I'm starting to feel the pressure of getting all my personal things done before I leave. I know it will all work out though. God's timing and plans are always the best. I'm so thankful.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Wow! It's been 2 weeks since I've posted. I've been so busy with work and with many, many sitting jobs (for which I am very grateful!).

I have been able to earn enough money for my new glasses (which I love, by the way), a dentist appointment and putting some cash away into savings for a new computer. It's kept me hopping getting everywhere I'm supposed to be. I haven't missed anything yet, but I'm keeping a list on my phone as well as on paper (in case I lose the phone).

I got to doggie-sit with Gus Krupka again. He is such a cuddler, but so heavy! He also has to sleep with you and he is a bed hog, not to mention that he snores like a lumber jack! I like being with him though. Those big brown eyes sure get to me...

I was blessed to kid-sit for Manuel Hulsey this past week. I picked him up from school and we ran errands, including have a nice meal at Olive Garden. After running to Walmart and then to my house to take care of the pets, I told him we were going to his house next. He said "Praise the Lord". I think he was getting a little tired. He played the drums for me with the Rock Band video. I had to clap and woohoo like I was at a concert. He is so funny. We had a very nice time together and then I took him to school the next morning. He told me that Don (his imaginary friend) knows Deanna. Evidently, he thinks that she is my imaginary friend since he didn't see her at my house. Manuel said that I could come back and stay with him another time if I want to. I think I'll take him up on that!

Deanna came home yesterday. yay! Of course, I'm granny sitting with Miss Juanita again, so I'm not at the house much. But it's nice to know that she is there. Jet is very happy. She gave him a huge brushing this morning. He laid on his back with his feet up in the air so she could get his tummy. He looks so much slimmer (for him) without all that extra hair. I was not very good at getting him brushed while Deanna was gone and it really showed. He is such a sweetie.

We had an informational meeting for potential team members for the Spring Break Nic Team. I'm working on getting more info out to the interested parties this week. I'm on the move so much, and a lot of places that I'm staying at don't have internet, so it's hard to get everything done and sent like I would prefer. It will all come together, though. I'm excited about getting the team put together and all we will experience as God works around us and through us in Nic.

I met with some people about Thanksgiving Meals. I will be in Nic this year, so I won't be involved with the meal project here, except to get the flyers printed. I'll be serving beans and rice to a community on Thanksgiving day. I can't wait to get back down there!

Well, better get off of here for now and finish my work at the church so I can get back to Miss Juanita. I'm thankful that there is work to be done while I'm at her house. God sure blesses my socks off!

I'll be running around this weekend buying more supplies to fill 360 more Compassion Kits for Dubai. It's fun to buy so much stuff and get to talk to the sales clerks about why I'm buying it. It's fun to share what God is doing and how easy it is to be a part of His work. I'm hope I'm planting seeds everywhere I go.

There's so much to do and I'm so thankful that God allows me this life to help with His Kingdom! All glory to Him in everything!!!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Friday evening and I'm chillin' with Miss Juanita. I like hanging out with her. Especially when she laughs. It's a sweet sound. We are both tired and thinking of going to bed before sundown. :)

This has been a busy and productive week. It started out as a sick day on Sunday (too much contraband over the weekend). But Monday was a full day of Food Pantry, Staff Meeting and then childcare for the Cuerpo Vivo classes in the evening.

Tuesday started out with attending Cuerpo Vivo class and then quarterly (sort of) Team Celebration for workers at FBCR and the Christian School. We had lunch out on the patio on the grounds of the new church. It was a nice fall day.

On Wednesday, I picked up the 4 oldest Janes kids and put them to work at the Olive Street church building. We worked on cleaning out a resource closet and helping to get some items ready for Trunk or Treat later in this month. We moved many hymnals, Bibles, coffeepots, office supplies and other items out of some of the classrooms. I think Matthew's favorite job was to ride on the cart. They worked hard and our 'pay' was lunch at Schlotzkys. It was yummy! Then I dropped them off at the new park for a play date.

Thursday morning, Shirley and granddaughter met me for another hard work shift of cleaning out some more of the classrooms. It's amazing how much stuff is left in these rooms. It's taking lots of hours of work, but it is worth it to get it all cleaned out and spruced up for the realtor to show the building.

This morning, Shirley and Elizabeth and I worked very diligently on cleaning out and organizing the small kitchen. We moved many cartloads of stuff to a staging area for a 'yard sale' later this month. It felt so good to have that little kitchen all ship-shape. It worked out great to have Sam there at the Food Pantry to cover that while we worked on the 'stuff'. I did a little computer work, and then left about 2pm very tired. I actually went home and took a nap before coming over to Miss Juanita's house.

One of my exciting things this week was to be able to get my eye exam and order my much needed new glasses. My sitting money added up to covering the cost and I was so excited to get them ordered! I should be receiving them next Wednesday. yay!

Deanna's son was sick this week, so I took a few shifts of getting Mel to and from school and gathering groceries for the family. It was fun. I'm glad that I can fill in for Deanna when she is away. I can't wait till she gets back, though. I sure miss her.

Jet is tired of me running around and leaving him alone so much. He was sleeping by the front door this morning and he followed me around everywhere while I was getting ready for the day. I thought he was going to get in the shower with me for a minute there! ha I'll get to spend most of tomorrow afternoon and evening with him, so hopefully he will be happy. The cat doesn't seem to mind as long as there is fresh litter and catfood. I do need to clean the filter for the fish pond tomorrow and they will undoubtedly be happier with me, too.

God has been so wonderful to me. I appreciate all His blessings. Even the hard times. That's when I grow closer to Him. I am so happy and thankful to be able to live this life that He has given me. To work with so many different people on many different projects. He makes my life full.

Friday, September 24, 2010

It's Friday night and I'm happily relaxing with my laptop and internet, kid-sitting for the Caubbles and watching the dogs wrestle. I slaved away ordering pizza delivery for the boys' dinner. Tough job. ha So far everyone has gotten dropped off and picked up as scheduled. And I've been able to run back and forth to my home to take care of the pets and get my shower. It's working out well.

The timing of kid-sitting has been good this week. Since my work schedule is usally flexible, I've been able to run errands and also get work done at the church, at home, help in the Food Pantry 2 days this week and drop in at the Medical Clinic.

Today, I picked up 4 of the Janes kids and they helped me with cleaning up the remnants of my Local Missions stash in the Game Room at the old church building. I paid them off with limeades from Suzy Q drive-in restaurant. I dropped them off at home and ran over to the school to pick up Jonathon and a couple of buddies after ball practice.

I had lunch with Sherry Hulsey and she filled me in on some dates for teams going to Nic for next year. We have one team coming down over Thanksgiving and another the week after Christmas. I'll be going down around the middle of November and staying till New Year's. Then I'll go back in March and spend most of the spring and summer there. I'm ready for whatever, whenever. Hopefully, I'll get to go to Dubai to work with the Caubbles and Phillips' in either January or February. We'll see how God works it out. In the meantime, I'm working on all kinds of projects to be ready to go.

I've been busy getting things planned for FBCR Local Missions this fall/winter. Details are pretty much worked out, I just need to get more people on board to help run things while I'm in Nic. I'm coordinating volunteers to help get the Olive St church building cleaned out and staged better for the realtor to show it to potential buyers. It is a big job, but it will feel so good to have it in the best shape possible. And I like working with the different volunteers.

Time to run over to the house and take care of the critters. Then back to hang with the guys here at Caubble-land. Life is good. And God is even better.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Time has flown by. I haven't had much luck with internet service at the house and I have been really busy this past few weeks running errands to prepare for the block party, so I haven't had much time to sit at the church office and get on the net.

The Neighborhood Block Party went really well. We had a good turn out and lots of food and fun. I made a challenge for myself to use as much of the 'left over' craft supplies from previous years' of VBS that were stashed around the old building. There were hundreds of empty babyfood jars. I came up with 2 crafts and 1 game that involved using the jars. We only have about 20 jars left after the party, so I consider that a success!

I was running all over town, especially in the evenings the week before the party, to get food, prizes, supplies, etc. I had a budget and came in at only 75% (that includes a donation from Sam's Club...which is another funny long story). I love coming in under budget. We had 2 inflatables for the kids to jump in, simple games of ping-pong toss into babyfood jars willed with candy, ring toss, ball toss, decorate-your-own-cookies, face painting, a crafts station with 8 different projects the guests could do. A couple of sweet teenagers from FBCR played guitar and sang. It was lovely. We served hot dogs, chips, popcorn, nachos, sno-cones and drinks. And of course, there was candy given out! There was a drawing for prizes from the Christian bookstore. People could come and visit and some members of Cuerpo Vivo and FBCR talked with the guests and invited them to church. We met about 30 new households and 4 families are interested in coming to worship with us at Cuerpo Vivo. 2 of the families did come this Sunday! I was thankful for all of the volunteers who came to help serve. I love working with people who have a heart to reach others in honor of Jesus.

This past Sunday was the celebration for the 7 year anniversary of Cuerpo Vivo church. We had a special service and then a fantastic meal prepared by Cesar, a church member who is a chef at Abuelos restaraunt. Oh man! Can he cook! It was a fun time of food and fellowship. I was exhausted when I got home about 3:30pm, especially after the long day (week) working on the Block Party, but I was so filled with blessing I was so happy!

Deanna is still in Las Vegas helping to take care of her daughter who had surgery this past week. Elaine is home and healing from the surgery, which went well and had good results. Deanna has been gone 2 weeks now and I miss her. I know the cat and dog do, too. Hopefully, she will be back in a couple more weeks.

Speaking of the cat, she likes to go in the garage and hang out sometimes. She won't usually come in when I ask her to and I leave her out there for a while. Well, last night, I forgot to let her back in. She's comfy out there and it's not too hot for her at night, so she didn't suffer, well, maybe her dignity a little... This morning when I let her in the utility room, she marched right past her litterbox, food bowl, water bowl and went in the living room...spouting off what I'm sure by the tone of her voice were unpleasant phrases in cat language. We'll see if she is speaking to me tonight. I gave her a fresh new litterbox before I left for work this morning, so maybe that will win me some brownie points.

I was cleaning out the airfilter on the pump for the outdoor fish pond and got it put back together and was very pleased with myself. I don't like to touch fish, so I used a long meat fork thing to get a part of the pump pulled out of the water. If the neighbors saw me, they probably thought I was going spear fishing! Anyway, after getting the fish all settled in I started watering plants. Then I noticed that the pump was making a funny sound. I looked over and the pump had fallen sideways and pumped all the water out of the pond! The fish were in about 1" of water and had to lay on their sides. I started refilling the pond with a pitcher and the plant watering can. It took over half an hour of running back and forth with the dog and cat 'helping' me with each trip. The fish survived. I'm glad I didn't have to do fish cpr! Hopefully, when I get back home tonight, the dog will be happy, the cat will be speaking to me and the fish will still be alive. :)

I'm waiting to hear my final dates for serving in Nicaragua this fall. I know that I will get to go back and forth a lot in the future and eventually be more permanent down there. It's all in God's timing and I'm not stressed about the dates at all. When I'm here in Rogers, I get to work with Cuerpo Vivo church and FBCR local missions, so I have the best of both worlds. Make that 3 worlds, I also might get to travel to Dubai to work a while with the Caubbles and Phillips! I'm so blessed to get to serve the Lord fulltime. I can't imagine my life any other way.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

It's Thursday already. This week has gone by fast.

Deanna's great-granddaughter was born Friday. She looks so beautiful in the pictures! I know everyone is so excited. I'm glad that Deanna got to hold her before having to leave.

Speaking of which, Deanna left Sunday evening for Las Vegas to spend time with Elaine's family and take care of Elaine while she recuperates from her surgery that is scheduled for next week. The cat and the dog and I all miss her a lot already.

I don't have very good internet access at the house right now, so I'm spending more time at the church during the day on the net. I can work offline from home in the evenings. So it works out okay. I've had classes/meetings every morning at the church anyway, so it's not too bad running over there.

Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, I got to granny-sit with Miss Juanita. She is so sweet. I really enjoy her. We have some funny conversations. The best time was watching America's Funniest Videos with her. She giggled at many of them.

I loved the worship time at Cuerpo Vivo church on Sunday. The music brought tears to my eyes. I love the congregation.

Monday, I took advantage of some Labor Day sales and a forgotten gift card that I found when cleaning up some papers. I had a blast. It was a beautiful day weather-wise and I took my time and just looked at stuff and enjoyed myself. I went back and forth taking care of Miss Juanita. It was a very good day.

I'm working on the details of the Neighborhood Block Party on Sept 18. It's enjoyable and not too stressful. I'm also working on the projects for November and December, so that I can have them planned and people in place to help. Since I will be gone the month of November, I wanted to make sure that I'm ahead of the game on the projects. It's going along well. There are some great volunteers that I get to work with.

I need to be spending more time in Spanish lessons, so I'll try to discipline my time a little better. The Tuesday morning Bible study taught in Spanish is really challenging me and I love it! I also love listening to Hispanic Praise music. I need to soak up all of it I can get.

The Youth from FBCR are planning a mission trip to Nicaragua over Spring Break next March. I can't wait for them to come down to Nic. They are going to have a blessed time. I enjoy working with Brian Sander (the Youth Pastor). And the kids who feel led to come will be a joy to work with. I don't know who God is calling yet, but if HE is calling them, then it will be awesome!

I am so lucky to have some very wise and devoted Christian friends and leaders. Pastor Jaime gave me some wise councel this week that I really needed to hear. He spoke so sweetly and truthfully and I know it was coming from the Holy Spirit.

I was blessed to attend the Women On Mission meeting this morning and fellowship and pray with some very godly women. They are so wonderful. I got to share about some of the local things going on in the next few months and also a teeny bit about Cuerpo Vivo church and Nic. We prayed over the Arkansas missions and different types of ministries. Always lovely to pray with these women!

Time to head towards home and take care of the livestock (cat and dog). So I'll sign off of the internet for today and go home to work and study the old fashioned way. ha

Thank You God for all You allow me to do. Thank You for allowing me to represent You to others. Thank You for Your patience and forgiveness with my feeble attempts to serve. Thank You for the love You put in my heart for others. Thank You for the support system You have put in place for me. Thank You for Hope and Peace and Comfort. I love YOU.

Friday, September 3, 2010

This week has went by pretty quickly. Monday I was still juggling the ears and meds for the ears, so I stayed home and worked on the computer and around the house. It's been up and down all week. I'm so thankful that I don't have pain. It's just very frustrating not being able to hear very well and to be off-balance and dizzy.

I had a lunch meeting with Vicki P, a social worker with the Rogers School system. She helps to coordinate how our church can bless the families most in need, especially those families with kids at Northside Elementary (our adopted school). It was good to spend a little time with her and Magdelina (her intern) and Patsy (the head of the school social workers). And of course, the food was yummy!

I've gotten a lot done this week on preparing for the Neighborhood Block Party. Also, I've been working on getting things around the house cleared out and organized so I can spend more time in Nicaragua in the future. I finally got all my dresses and skirts altered and ready to hem. I just have one more skirt to sew up, but I'm taking my time on that since I am tweeking the pattern a little bit.

I've also got dozens of 'bean bags' cut out to sew up and then fill in Nic. I'm trying to learn how to juggle. It's been a desire of mine for a long time, but I don't spend much time on it. Anyway, I thought it would be cool to teach kids in Nic to juggle with their own 3 beanbags and also teach them about the Trinity in the process. We'll see how that goes...

I'm taking a Bible study class (in Spanish) along with the folks at Cuerpo Vivo church. I broke down and ordered the book in English so that I can follow along a little easier. So, I'm spending time doing the study each week in English and then again in Spanish to see how much I can figure out. It's a good study, so it's a good thing to be spending my time on.

Deanna's granddaughter is in labor as I'm writing this (Friday at 5pm) and Deanna went to the hospital for the big arrival. Everyone is so excited and I'm praying for Mama and baby. She is going to be loved on tremendously as soon as she comes out. Can't wait to see pictures!

I'm going to granny-sit this weekend with Miss Juanita. I'm taking some handsewing and hemming work to do while I visit with her. I haven't seen her since before I went to Nic, so we have a lot to catch up on. :)

Not much more to report on for now. I feel good about getting some 'not so fun' chores done lately. There's still a lot more to do and more decisions to be made by the end of the year, but it's going fine.

I'm so thankful for each day that the Lord allows me to walk beside Him. I'm especially thankful that He is so patient and long-suffering and forgiving. He is my everything.