Back at the team house in León for the night. We finished up our fiestas and other ministries and packed the van and left for 'home' about 3:30pm. We made it in to the team house a little before 8pm. Very tired and glad to be back in the dryer air and heat. The mountains were cool and damp!
We got a lot done this week with the team. Tons of Fiestas, school visits, conferences, radio/tv spots during the day and crusade events each night. The rain affected us a little bit, but we had some plan B options for most of the time. Many salvations. I don't have the total number yet, but I think it has been a fruitful week.
It was cool and damp at the camp. It truly felt like camping in the mountains. I was glad to get back to the hot weather. Everyone was freezing, but I was okay. I only disliked the dampness. All of our clothes, whether worn or not, have to be laundered because of the dampness. But it was a lot of fun to be there this week.
I met a lot of new people on the team and also in the churches of Jinotega. I'm looking forward to keeping in contact with many of them.
I'll be leaving with Kaylie tomorrow morning for Managua to get a hotel room for the night, pick up another intern, meet up with the Jinotega team on their Fun Day excursions, stay at the hotel overnight, escort Kaylie to the airport at 5am on Saturday, meet the Hulsey's and Mary back at the hotel mid-morning for some team shopping in the city and then back 'home' to León on Saturday evening. We're going to Todopoderoso church on Sunday morning and then Las Quimeras church on Sunday night. I hope to be able to get some of my laundry done on Monday. It will be almost 2 weeks of collecting dirty clothes by then. I'm ready to sleep in 'my own' bed here at the team house, too!
God is really blessing the ministry like crazy right now. It is so wonderful to see some of the plans and dreams He has put on our hearts come to fruition. I know it's very exciting for the Hulseys, German and Mary, especially, since they have been working so hard for so many years. God is so good.
I guess I should sign off and get some sleep. There will be many hours in the van over the next few days. ugh! But I'm looking forward to the adventure.
Bendiciones
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011 Nicaragua (Jinotega Crusade)
We arrived in Nicaragua on last Wednesday. It was nice leaving XNA at 3pm, which meant that we had to be at the airport at 1pm. That gave me good time in the morning for washing the last of my dirty clothes, washing the sheets on my bed, finishing some communication and leaving.
Kaylie and her mom picked me up for the ride to the airport. We arrived and the guy at the curb helped us with a cart for our extra tubs. He asked if we were with people who had just arrived. I described Sherry and he said that was them. I think he recognized the tubs of supplies. It was so good to see Mike, Sherry and Manuel.
We had a good flight, except for Manuel throwing up on the t-shirt of his bear, Caleb. Thankfully, Caleb didn’t get anything on him. ☺ We met Mary in Houston and jumped on our next plane. No problems on the flight to Managua. All of our tubs and suitcases made it and we were so happy!
German met us at the airport and he was looking great! He had lost 27 pounds since March and looked very healthy and happy. We jumped in the van and headed to the team house. We got in and unloaded our stuff and got settled for the night.
Sherry fixed us breakfast and we started getting things pulled out of storage to get the house set up. We also had to start packing the stuff we would need for the week in Jinotega, where the Crusade would take place.
Kaylie and I took a nice walk around the neighborhood and Sherry and Mike went for a run on Friday morning. Mary and I walked the beach a little Thursday evening, but the sand was very soft and we sank about 6”, so we only walked half of our usual route along the beach.
Kaylie and I moved into the little room outside the big house (just across the patio/driveway), where I will stay from now on and will share it with Beth and interns when they are in Nica. Otherwise, it’s my humble abode. I love it!
Saturday, we took off for Jinotega, about a 3 hour drive. Mike took the other van to Managua to pick up some of the team coming in. German dropped us off at the camp and then headed into Managua for more of the team and got back to the camp about 1am. Then Manuel (driver) brought a group in that night late, too. There’s about 50 people here. The camp is nice, by Nica standards. It’s much cooler here in the mountains. The Nicas are freezing to death because it gets about 60 at night. It’s been rainy during the day.
We’ve had a good time serving so far. On Sunday, we split up into groups to go to 10 churches in the morning and 10 in the evening. Today, we split into 2 teams for Fiestas, 1 team for radio and television, 1 group to visit schools. We don’t have services tonight (Nicas usually don’t have church on Monday nights) so we got to come back to the camp for dinner and stay here. Some people had testimony time and worship in the dining hall. Kaylie, Mary and I came back to our cabin to prepare the supplies for the Fiestas tomorrow. The rest of the week will be full of more Fiestas, Conferences, Radio/TV spots, School assemblies, Street Evangelism and Crusades. It will be a very busy week.
There are a few different churches represented on this trip. Lots of different personalities. I still haven’t learned everyone’s names. I doubt if I get them all down by week’s end, either. Lots of God’s children to see in Heaven.
We had over 250 salvations today in the fiestas and street witnessing. There was a lot of rain and mud, but God was glorified and Jesus accepted by many.
We don’t have cell service or internet here at the camp. We can get cell service when we go down the mountain into Jinotega. I try to catch up on emails and facebook when we’re in between fiestas and lunch. I’ll be trying to type up my blog notes and post them when we get back to the team house on Thursday night.
I know I have forgotten many things that I would probably have written, but I just didn’t have the time to stop and write. I’ll try to be better about that. Maybe I’ll just reflect on this week a little later.
I’m tired and ready for bed and it isn’t even 7:30 here yet. Time is so different here. You just go and go and follow what the plan is and don’t think about time too much. I always get mixed up on what day it is. It doesn’t matter as long as we are getting God’s work done and sharing Jesus with as many people as possible.
I’m so thankful to be here serving my awesome God. I am so blessed.
Kaylie and her mom picked me up for the ride to the airport. We arrived and the guy at the curb helped us with a cart for our extra tubs. He asked if we were with people who had just arrived. I described Sherry and he said that was them. I think he recognized the tubs of supplies. It was so good to see Mike, Sherry and Manuel.
We had a good flight, except for Manuel throwing up on the t-shirt of his bear, Caleb. Thankfully, Caleb didn’t get anything on him. ☺ We met Mary in Houston and jumped on our next plane. No problems on the flight to Managua. All of our tubs and suitcases made it and we were so happy!
German met us at the airport and he was looking great! He had lost 27 pounds since March and looked very healthy and happy. We jumped in the van and headed to the team house. We got in and unloaded our stuff and got settled for the night.
Sherry fixed us breakfast and we started getting things pulled out of storage to get the house set up. We also had to start packing the stuff we would need for the week in Jinotega, where the Crusade would take place.
Kaylie and I took a nice walk around the neighborhood and Sherry and Mike went for a run on Friday morning. Mary and I walked the beach a little Thursday evening, but the sand was very soft and we sank about 6”, so we only walked half of our usual route along the beach.
Kaylie and I moved into the little room outside the big house (just across the patio/driveway), where I will stay from now on and will share it with Beth and interns when they are in Nica. Otherwise, it’s my humble abode. I love it!
Saturday, we took off for Jinotega, about a 3 hour drive. Mike took the other van to Managua to pick up some of the team coming in. German dropped us off at the camp and then headed into Managua for more of the team and got back to the camp about 1am. Then Manuel (driver) brought a group in that night late, too. There’s about 50 people here. The camp is nice, by Nica standards. It’s much cooler here in the mountains. The Nicas are freezing to death because it gets about 60 at night. It’s been rainy during the day.
We’ve had a good time serving so far. On Sunday, we split up into groups to go to 10 churches in the morning and 10 in the evening. Today, we split into 2 teams for Fiestas, 1 team for radio and television, 1 group to visit schools. We don’t have services tonight (Nicas usually don’t have church on Monday nights) so we got to come back to the camp for dinner and stay here. Some people had testimony time and worship in the dining hall. Kaylie, Mary and I came back to our cabin to prepare the supplies for the Fiestas tomorrow. The rest of the week will be full of more Fiestas, Conferences, Radio/TV spots, School assemblies, Street Evangelism and Crusades. It will be a very busy week.
There are a few different churches represented on this trip. Lots of different personalities. I still haven’t learned everyone’s names. I doubt if I get them all down by week’s end, either. Lots of God’s children to see in Heaven.
We had over 250 salvations today in the fiestas and street witnessing. There was a lot of rain and mud, but God was glorified and Jesus accepted by many.
We don’t have cell service or internet here at the camp. We can get cell service when we go down the mountain into Jinotega. I try to catch up on emails and facebook when we’re in between fiestas and lunch. I’ll be trying to type up my blog notes and post them when we get back to the team house on Thursday night.
I know I have forgotten many things that I would probably have written, but I just didn’t have the time to stop and write. I’ll try to be better about that. Maybe I’ll just reflect on this week a little later.
I’m tired and ready for bed and it isn’t even 7:30 here yet. Time is so different here. You just go and go and follow what the plan is and don’t think about time too much. I always get mixed up on what day it is. It doesn’t matter as long as we are getting God’s work done and sharing Jesus with as many people as possible.
I’m so thankful to be here serving my awesome God. I am so blessed.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday again. Seems like a good day to catch up.
Lunch at Lisa George's was really nice. She hosted the Ministry Assistants and since Janalyn and I are the only other 'ladies' on staff, we were invited to attend. How fun. Lunch was tasty and we got to hear about a special thing that Lisa is doing with a healthy adventure. It was an answered prayer for me, since I'm looking for ways to supplement nutrition while I'm in Nica. I'm getting the shake mix and will substitute one meal a day with the shake. It's full of good nutrients and stuff. It is used for weight loss, too, if you do 2 shakes a day. And even though I need to lose weight, I'll start out just getting nutrition and see how I do from there.
Friday I had fun helping at the Community Meals at FBCR. It was rainy and I walked out one of the doors and ended up on my behind in a puddle of water. I drenched my backside, all the way to my feet, and also banged my left knee and cut my right ankle. I don't know how I managed to do that, but I'm thankful that I didn't hit my head. I did have to walk around for hours with wringing wet pants. Oh well, it's still not the most embarrassing thing to happen to me. :)
Friday night I got to spend time with my friend Zandra and her daughter Hannah. Hannah calls me Vickie Bead, from the days that she would visit me and we would make all kinds of stuff from plastic beads. She's 13 now. Can't believe it! Anyway, we had dinner at Mimi's Cafe. Yum! Then went shopping for a bridal shower gift and then stopped in at a beauty store (Hannah's request). While walking around I found some great clear plastic totes with pink ribbons for breast cancer. They were on clearance for only 99 cents! I bought 10 to take to Nica for prizes for the women. I really enjoyed my time with Zandra. I don't get to spend enough time with her at all. Going to have to change that in the future.
Saturday, I worked more on catching up on some of the ministries here in Rogers as I prepare to be gone for 2 months. I also worked more on my room and packing. I fit in a nap and a walk with the dog. A pretty good day.
Sunday was a wonderful day of worship. I enjoyed the music at Cuerpo Vivo and really enjoyed Pastor Jaime's message. Probably because I can understand about 80% of it from listening and can figure out the rest by using my bi-lingual Bible to follow along the scripture references. Isidro took me and Mark brought me home. It's nice to have friends willing to help me out. Mark let me stop in at my favorite Chinese restaurant for a to-go dinner. Yum! I got to take a little nap and then went with Deanna to church at FBCR for the special service. We voted unanimously to call Jerry Medlin as our new Administrative Pastor. We also had a beautiful Lord's Supper service. I always love getting to see everyone at FBCR. We headed home and prepared our 'safe place' in the hall bathroom. Storms were terrible and tornadoes were headed our way. We ended up with little in the way of dangerous weather, but Joplin was hit very hard. It was a busy and scary night in the air!!!
Janalyn picked me up for Staff meeting on Monday. I had gotten a quick walk in early before the rain started up. It was raining hard by lunchtime, but we stopped in at Maria's for lunch before the meeting. Our summer interns were present and thought being at staff meeting was quite fun. It did make it more interesting for the rest of us who go every week. We had an interesting and fun meeting. I got to take time to meet with Jaime and Oliver and talk about things with Cuerpo Vivo. Since the leadership structure with the church is growing stronger, I'm not needed to be involved with as much as in the past. It's wonderful to see the church growing and being blessed. I feel kind of like an empty-nester. I do feel proud of them all and I'm humbled at their passion and commitment. I'm very blessed to be able to worship with them every week and to call them friends (and family). It was a great time of sharing with Jaime and Oliver. Then it was time to head home.
I had a lunch meeting on Tuesday with Lori Gamradt of 'At the Table' ministry. We always get so excited as we share what God is going. We had a great healthy lunch and wonderful conversation. Lori was gracious enough to drop me off at the Olive Street campus and I got some work done before leaving with the Lopez's to set up tables at the Northside Elementary School Kid's Health Fair. I got to represent FBCR/ICVI churches, the Food Pantry, Community Meals and Medical Clinic. The Lopez's represented Puente and GANE ministries. They were lovely to let me ride with them and to bring me home. We actually had to close up early because of dangerous weather heading our way again. I had signed up to give blood (Red Cross had 2 blood mobiles there), but after waiting over 1 1/2 hours I had to leave because of weather. It was great that so many people had come out to give blood. I hope they have more drives and that I can make it to one.
Deanna and I had left our blankets, pillows, supplies, etc in the little bathroom each night. We ended up watching different weather stations on different TVs and having our Weather Radio going off and on all evening. Deanna finally went to bed (in her clothes) with a TV on and I went to sleep on the sofa in the den (in my clothes) with a TV on. Jet just gave up and went to sleep under the bed, his usual spot. Who knows where the cat ended up. I'll be good and ready for a nice night's sleep tonight.
A few people from FBCR and some from Cuerpo Vivo went to Joplin over the last few days to help with the clean-up and searching. I haven't been able to go, but my prayers are with everyone touched by this tragedy. It is so huge and unimaginable. But it makes me think about how Big God is. He is bigger than everything going on in this world put together. I pray He is glorified in everything, no matter what it is.
I received good news about changes and growth of the ministry in Nicaragua through Voice of Hope. I'm so excited for the summer. God is working mightily there. I'm so blessed to be a part of it. It's going to be a very busy summer, but I'm going to try and journal every thing God does. It will be more than I could remember on my own. So I hope that I am diligent on taking the time each day to journal.
This post is getting long so I'll sign off for now. I need to post more often.
There is so much that God brings across my mind and heart each day, and by the time I sit down to post, I've forgotten most of it. Shame on me!
Going to bed thankful for this life that God has given me and the call He has made on it. He is so busy all around us and all we have to do is jump on and join the ride! How blessed are we???
Lunch at Lisa George's was really nice. She hosted the Ministry Assistants and since Janalyn and I are the only other 'ladies' on staff, we were invited to attend. How fun. Lunch was tasty and we got to hear about a special thing that Lisa is doing with a healthy adventure. It was an answered prayer for me, since I'm looking for ways to supplement nutrition while I'm in Nica. I'm getting the shake mix and will substitute one meal a day with the shake. It's full of good nutrients and stuff. It is used for weight loss, too, if you do 2 shakes a day. And even though I need to lose weight, I'll start out just getting nutrition and see how I do from there.
Friday I had fun helping at the Community Meals at FBCR. It was rainy and I walked out one of the doors and ended up on my behind in a puddle of water. I drenched my backside, all the way to my feet, and also banged my left knee and cut my right ankle. I don't know how I managed to do that, but I'm thankful that I didn't hit my head. I did have to walk around for hours with wringing wet pants. Oh well, it's still not the most embarrassing thing to happen to me. :)
Friday night I got to spend time with my friend Zandra and her daughter Hannah. Hannah calls me Vickie Bead, from the days that she would visit me and we would make all kinds of stuff from plastic beads. She's 13 now. Can't believe it! Anyway, we had dinner at Mimi's Cafe. Yum! Then went shopping for a bridal shower gift and then stopped in at a beauty store (Hannah's request). While walking around I found some great clear plastic totes with pink ribbons for breast cancer. They were on clearance for only 99 cents! I bought 10 to take to Nica for prizes for the women. I really enjoyed my time with Zandra. I don't get to spend enough time with her at all. Going to have to change that in the future.
Saturday, I worked more on catching up on some of the ministries here in Rogers as I prepare to be gone for 2 months. I also worked more on my room and packing. I fit in a nap and a walk with the dog. A pretty good day.
Sunday was a wonderful day of worship. I enjoyed the music at Cuerpo Vivo and really enjoyed Pastor Jaime's message. Probably because I can understand about 80% of it from listening and can figure out the rest by using my bi-lingual Bible to follow along the scripture references. Isidro took me and Mark brought me home. It's nice to have friends willing to help me out. Mark let me stop in at my favorite Chinese restaurant for a to-go dinner. Yum! I got to take a little nap and then went with Deanna to church at FBCR for the special service. We voted unanimously to call Jerry Medlin as our new Administrative Pastor. We also had a beautiful Lord's Supper service. I always love getting to see everyone at FBCR. We headed home and prepared our 'safe place' in the hall bathroom. Storms were terrible and tornadoes were headed our way. We ended up with little in the way of dangerous weather, but Joplin was hit very hard. It was a busy and scary night in the air!!!
Janalyn picked me up for Staff meeting on Monday. I had gotten a quick walk in early before the rain started up. It was raining hard by lunchtime, but we stopped in at Maria's for lunch before the meeting. Our summer interns were present and thought being at staff meeting was quite fun. It did make it more interesting for the rest of us who go every week. We had an interesting and fun meeting. I got to take time to meet with Jaime and Oliver and talk about things with Cuerpo Vivo. Since the leadership structure with the church is growing stronger, I'm not needed to be involved with as much as in the past. It's wonderful to see the church growing and being blessed. I feel kind of like an empty-nester. I do feel proud of them all and I'm humbled at their passion and commitment. I'm very blessed to be able to worship with them every week and to call them friends (and family). It was a great time of sharing with Jaime and Oliver. Then it was time to head home.
I had a lunch meeting on Tuesday with Lori Gamradt of 'At the Table' ministry. We always get so excited as we share what God is going. We had a great healthy lunch and wonderful conversation. Lori was gracious enough to drop me off at the Olive Street campus and I got some work done before leaving with the Lopez's to set up tables at the Northside Elementary School Kid's Health Fair. I got to represent FBCR/ICVI churches, the Food Pantry, Community Meals and Medical Clinic. The Lopez's represented Puente and GANE ministries. They were lovely to let me ride with them and to bring me home. We actually had to close up early because of dangerous weather heading our way again. I had signed up to give blood (Red Cross had 2 blood mobiles there), but after waiting over 1 1/2 hours I had to leave because of weather. It was great that so many people had come out to give blood. I hope they have more drives and that I can make it to one.
Deanna and I had left our blankets, pillows, supplies, etc in the little bathroom each night. We ended up watching different weather stations on different TVs and having our Weather Radio going off and on all evening. Deanna finally went to bed (in her clothes) with a TV on and I went to sleep on the sofa in the den (in my clothes) with a TV on. Jet just gave up and went to sleep under the bed, his usual spot. Who knows where the cat ended up. I'll be good and ready for a nice night's sleep tonight.
A few people from FBCR and some from Cuerpo Vivo went to Joplin over the last few days to help with the clean-up and searching. I haven't been able to go, but my prayers are with everyone touched by this tragedy. It is so huge and unimaginable. But it makes me think about how Big God is. He is bigger than everything going on in this world put together. I pray He is glorified in everything, no matter what it is.
I received good news about changes and growth of the ministry in Nicaragua through Voice of Hope. I'm so excited for the summer. God is working mightily there. I'm so blessed to be a part of it. It's going to be a very busy summer, but I'm going to try and journal every thing God does. It will be more than I could remember on my own. So I hope that I am diligent on taking the time each day to journal.
This post is getting long so I'll sign off for now. I need to post more often.
There is so much that God brings across my mind and heart each day, and by the time I sit down to post, I've forgotten most of it. Shame on me!
Going to bed thankful for this life that God has given me and the call He has made on it. He is so busy all around us and all we have to do is jump on and join the ride! How blessed are we???
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Another week has flown by.
Thursday, I was blessed to join the WOM ladies for their meeting and workday on making Salvation dolls to take to Nicaragua. We have fun working together and listening to the story of Jade, a college student who shared about her father who ended up homeless before his death. It was very eye opening. She was a treasure. We also had some yummy lunch provided by Dixie.
I was under the weather for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so I stayed home and worked and napped. I was glad not to be bad sick, just very nauseas. Maybe something I ate...
Monday I went for my morning walk, did my Bible Study, worked a little and then got ready for Staff Meeting. Janalyn was going to pick me up on her way to the meeting. It was starting to get late and I texted her to see if she was on her way. She had forgotten me and had to come back for me. How funny! We walked into the meeting a little late, but Bro Wes was later, so I guess we got off easy. After the meeting, I got a few things done at the church and then Janalyn took me to Walmart on the way home. I picked up some groceries and some items for Nica, as well as some tubs to pack away some of my stuff here at the house. It was a good day, and I appreciated Janalyn's willingness to take me to Walmart for the much needed shopping.
I've been trying to take Jet for walks in the afternoons when it's not raining. He goes to the front door and lies down waiting for me to get his leash. Unfortunately, it was raining today and we couldn't go. He gives me 'that look' that makes me feel really guilty!
Yesterday, our Bible Study small group met for our monthly meeting during the summer. There were only about 1/3 of us there, but we had a great time of discussion. I will really miss the next two meetings in June and July, while I'm in Nica. I look forward to the August meeting!!
I'm still loving the Chronological Bible Study. It's like getting little bites of candy every day. I got an extra Chronological Bible to take and leave in Nica, since I'm there so much of the time. I can't wait to start over again in January and see how much deeper God speaks to me the second time around!
I spent a good portion of the day today on consolidating and sorting my stuff here at the house. I'm moving all my stuff back into my bedroom. I've been wanting to reduce my footprint here at the house and get back to living in one room (like in NYC). It makes a difference in my mind. I don't want to be too comfortable. I was to stay in a 'missions' state of mind. Mobile and no roots anywhere. Freeing up the den from my little bookcase, filing cart and laptop table, makes more room for Deanna's grandkids when they come over. I even moved my bathroom items to the bedroom. I know this sounds weird to some people, but I've never been more 'comfortable' in my mind (even though it was very cozy in my less than 300 sqft apartment) as I was in NYC. I love living out of a suitcase in Nica, too. I just need a bed, bathroom and I'm good. Not being spread out is good incentive to reduce my material stuff, get and stay organized, and trust God to tell me what I 'need'. I still have some work to do in the bedroom, but it's going to be very pleasing to me. Deanna thinks I'm a little nuts, but that's okay. I told her again this week how much I appreciate her opening up her home to me. She is such a blessing. She said she needs a keeper sometimes anyway. Ha.
Tomorrow I'll be having a luncheon with the Ministry Assistants at Lisa George's house. It will be fun. Then I'll try to get some work done at the church. I've got some lunch dates with friends in the next week. I love getting to see friends. And of course, I love to eat!
I leave for Nicaragua 2 weeks from today. It will go by fast. I hope I'm ready!! :)
God is so good to me in so many ways. I am so thankful for all He allows in my life.
Thursday, I was blessed to join the WOM ladies for their meeting and workday on making Salvation dolls to take to Nicaragua. We have fun working together and listening to the story of Jade, a college student who shared about her father who ended up homeless before his death. It was very eye opening. She was a treasure. We also had some yummy lunch provided by Dixie.
I was under the weather for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so I stayed home and worked and napped. I was glad not to be bad sick, just very nauseas. Maybe something I ate...
Monday I went for my morning walk, did my Bible Study, worked a little and then got ready for Staff Meeting. Janalyn was going to pick me up on her way to the meeting. It was starting to get late and I texted her to see if she was on her way. She had forgotten me and had to come back for me. How funny! We walked into the meeting a little late, but Bro Wes was later, so I guess we got off easy. After the meeting, I got a few things done at the church and then Janalyn took me to Walmart on the way home. I picked up some groceries and some items for Nica, as well as some tubs to pack away some of my stuff here at the house. It was a good day, and I appreciated Janalyn's willingness to take me to Walmart for the much needed shopping.
I've been trying to take Jet for walks in the afternoons when it's not raining. He goes to the front door and lies down waiting for me to get his leash. Unfortunately, it was raining today and we couldn't go. He gives me 'that look' that makes me feel really guilty!
Yesterday, our Bible Study small group met for our monthly meeting during the summer. There were only about 1/3 of us there, but we had a great time of discussion. I will really miss the next two meetings in June and July, while I'm in Nica. I look forward to the August meeting!!
I'm still loving the Chronological Bible Study. It's like getting little bites of candy every day. I got an extra Chronological Bible to take and leave in Nica, since I'm there so much of the time. I can't wait to start over again in January and see how much deeper God speaks to me the second time around!
I spent a good portion of the day today on consolidating and sorting my stuff here at the house. I'm moving all my stuff back into my bedroom. I've been wanting to reduce my footprint here at the house and get back to living in one room (like in NYC). It makes a difference in my mind. I don't want to be too comfortable. I was to stay in a 'missions' state of mind. Mobile and no roots anywhere. Freeing up the den from my little bookcase, filing cart and laptop table, makes more room for Deanna's grandkids when they come over. I even moved my bathroom items to the bedroom. I know this sounds weird to some people, but I've never been more 'comfortable' in my mind (even though it was very cozy in my less than 300 sqft apartment) as I was in NYC. I love living out of a suitcase in Nica, too. I just need a bed, bathroom and I'm good. Not being spread out is good incentive to reduce my material stuff, get and stay organized, and trust God to tell me what I 'need'. I still have some work to do in the bedroom, but it's going to be very pleasing to me. Deanna thinks I'm a little nuts, but that's okay. I told her again this week how much I appreciate her opening up her home to me. She is such a blessing. She said she needs a keeper sometimes anyway. Ha.
Tomorrow I'll be having a luncheon with the Ministry Assistants at Lisa George's house. It will be fun. Then I'll try to get some work done at the church. I've got some lunch dates with friends in the next week. I love getting to see friends. And of course, I love to eat!
I leave for Nicaragua 2 weeks from today. It will go by fast. I hope I'm ready!! :)
God is so good to me in so many ways. I am so thankful for all He allows in my life.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
It's been beautiful and hot these last few days. I love it. It's getting me ready for Nica. I love being there and serving as God calls me, but it is still something I have to gear myself up for. It is not a comfortable place to be. Hot, humid, (rainy during the summer), dirty, long days of work, short nights of hot sleep, limited choices in healthy food, carry around bottled water, hours between bathrooms (carry your own tushy-tissue in case you do find a bathroom), dousing yourself with sunblock and insect repellant, and guarding against car sickness. But I love it, because it's where God wants me to be. And physical inconveniences for me (being from North America) remind me what everyday life is like for people in Nica and most of the rest of the world. We are so spoiled. God is gracious to provide what HE says we Need. We think we have to go beyond that to get all the things and circumstances that we think we Want. Oh to be trusting enough in Him to allow Him to make those decisions for us and to accept them and to praise Him and serve others as He directs. That's success!!
God doesn't always make everything fit into what our checklist of circumstances should be to us to 'be able' to serve Him. But if He calls me, He will make it possible for me to do it.
+He has called me to serve in a very hot and sunny place (my bloodpressure medication says not to spend time in direct sunlight).
+He has called me to serve wherehealthy foods are limited there and raw foods can be contaminated (my liver problems call for me to eat as whole and healthy as possible).
+He has called me to serve where much study and emersion in another language is needed for me to be able to learn and hopefully become fluent in Spanish (I have profound hearing loss in one ear).
But, He has called me to serve in Nicaragua, where He has created some special relationships with people I have come to love, with strangers who I am drawn to love in HIS name and share the truth about HIS power and glory.
He has called me and I will go wherever He sends me, into whatever circumstances await me. Because I know that He is faithful to take care of me. And by the 'inconvenient' circumstances, I learn to look to Him, call upon Him, trust Him and praise Him more and more every day. For that, I am soooo grateful!
I find myself missing people here, especially my church family at Cuerpo Vivo, and my friends at FBCR, when I'm in Nica. I miss my Nica friends and family when I'm here. I'm very blessed to love and be loved by these people and to get to share parts of my life with them.
I think about friends that I met, served with and still miss from my 2 years in NYC. There are so many people, from all over the country, that God has brought into my life while I've been serving Him. Each one makes me smile, some more than others, but I'm thankful for each and every one of them. Each relationship and encounter is like a gift just waiting to be opened. We sometimes limit how much we enjoy those gifts.
I pray that God will help me to focus on the moment He has me in and on the people He has in my path each day. I don't want to waste a single second of the life He allows me to live. There is so much that He can do through all of our lives. He deserves our attention and willingness to share.
Father, help me to submit to You as You claim me as a tool for Your work.
And glorify Yourself in every part of my life. I am Yours.
God doesn't always make everything fit into what our checklist of circumstances should be to us to 'be able' to serve Him. But if He calls me, He will make it possible for me to do it.
+He has called me to serve in a very hot and sunny place (my bloodpressure medication says not to spend time in direct sunlight).
+He has called me to serve wherehealthy foods are limited there and raw foods can be contaminated (my liver problems call for me to eat as whole and healthy as possible).
+He has called me to serve where much study and emersion in another language is needed for me to be able to learn and hopefully become fluent in Spanish (I have profound hearing loss in one ear).
But, He has called me to serve in Nicaragua, where He has created some special relationships with people I have come to love, with strangers who I am drawn to love in HIS name and share the truth about HIS power and glory.
He has called me and I will go wherever He sends me, into whatever circumstances await me. Because I know that He is faithful to take care of me. And by the 'inconvenient' circumstances, I learn to look to Him, call upon Him, trust Him and praise Him more and more every day. For that, I am soooo grateful!
I find myself missing people here, especially my church family at Cuerpo Vivo, and my friends at FBCR, when I'm in Nica. I miss my Nica friends and family when I'm here. I'm very blessed to love and be loved by these people and to get to share parts of my life with them.
I think about friends that I met, served with and still miss from my 2 years in NYC. There are so many people, from all over the country, that God has brought into my life while I've been serving Him. Each one makes me smile, some more than others, but I'm thankful for each and every one of them. Each relationship and encounter is like a gift just waiting to be opened. We sometimes limit how much we enjoy those gifts.
I pray that God will help me to focus on the moment He has me in and on the people He has in my path each day. I don't want to waste a single second of the life He allows me to live. There is so much that He can do through all of our lives. He deserves our attention and willingness to share.
Father, help me to submit to You as You claim me as a tool for Your work.
And glorify Yourself in every part of my life. I am Yours.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Feliz Cinco de Mayo
It's been a busy and fruitful week so far. I didn't get to do a few things that I would have liked, due to not have a vehicle, but mostly everything was accomplished. I'm thankful to be able to work from home.
I didn't get to go to Miss Juanita's funeral, but I will visit with her daughter Kenneta soon, when all the company is gone. I have such sweet feelings when I think of Miss Juanita. I hope people have sweet memories of me when I'm gone.
I got a good report on the ultrasound done on my liver on Tuesday. (the benign spot on my liver has not changed, so we're all good.) Nana Ruth took me for the test and then we had a quick breakfast. She dropped me off at the Pleasant Grove campus before she headed off to work. I attended the Team Celebration (full staff luncheon) at FBCR. All staff is invited, including Pastors, Associates, Ministry Assistants, Custodial staff, Teachers from the FBC Christian School, Mother's Day Out Workers, etc. Nick Hobbs spoke to us about what FBCR means to him and his family. We had a baseball themed lunch, drew names for door prizes and celebrated this season's Faithful Servant Award winner - Teresa Gairhan.
Wednesday evening, I met Bethany Bishop at the church to discuss the opportunity of her going to Nica this summer as an intern. We had a nice conversation and I'm looking forward to serving with her in July. Then I attended a meeting for the Strategic Mission Team meeting. This group will take on the responsibilities of handling duties that would be assigned to a Missions Pastor. I'm encouraged by the progress of this endeavor. I look forward to seeing how God uses this group to strengthen the commitment to missions and facilitate involvement and training for the members of FBCR.
Just 3 1/2 more weeks until I leave for 2 months in Nica. I'm looking forward to getting there. I can't believe the time has gone by so fast. I still tons that I would like to get done while I'm here, but we'll see how God orders my days.
I'm using some of my kid-sitting money to upgrade my phone. It has arrived and I'll pick it up tomorrow and get it all set up. A friend has a buyer for my old phone, so that will be a major blessing! I just need to get it all taken care of. I'm very thankful that God has allowed me kid-sitting jobs to buy these things that I need. He is very faithful!
I got the chance to walk Monday, yesterday and today. Tuesday, my workout was shopping at Walmart for 2 hours - ha! I love being able to walk. It sprinkled on me just a little today, but I don't mind, as long as it's not thundering and lightening. I love walking, but I'm not always disciplined to getting it fit in my day.
I pray for good time management everyday. I need God to order my days, hours and minutes. He does a great job. I don't always do too good listening to him... I need to work on that.
I'm looking forward to a quiet evening, studying Spanish and working on some training material for missions. Deanna and I enjoyed a really yummy semi-healthy homemade pizza. I'll have some berries and yogurt later. Sounds like a pretty blessed evening for me!
God is so good. I'm not worthy. But I'll grab all the blessings that He allows!!
It's been a busy and fruitful week so far. I didn't get to do a few things that I would have liked, due to not have a vehicle, but mostly everything was accomplished. I'm thankful to be able to work from home.
I didn't get to go to Miss Juanita's funeral, but I will visit with her daughter Kenneta soon, when all the company is gone. I have such sweet feelings when I think of Miss Juanita. I hope people have sweet memories of me when I'm gone.
I got a good report on the ultrasound done on my liver on Tuesday. (the benign spot on my liver has not changed, so we're all good.) Nana Ruth took me for the test and then we had a quick breakfast. She dropped me off at the Pleasant Grove campus before she headed off to work. I attended the Team Celebration (full staff luncheon) at FBCR. All staff is invited, including Pastors, Associates, Ministry Assistants, Custodial staff, Teachers from the FBC Christian School, Mother's Day Out Workers, etc. Nick Hobbs spoke to us about what FBCR means to him and his family. We had a baseball themed lunch, drew names for door prizes and celebrated this season's Faithful Servant Award winner - Teresa Gairhan.
Wednesday evening, I met Bethany Bishop at the church to discuss the opportunity of her going to Nica this summer as an intern. We had a nice conversation and I'm looking forward to serving with her in July. Then I attended a meeting for the Strategic Mission Team meeting. This group will take on the responsibilities of handling duties that would be assigned to a Missions Pastor. I'm encouraged by the progress of this endeavor. I look forward to seeing how God uses this group to strengthen the commitment to missions and facilitate involvement and training for the members of FBCR.
Just 3 1/2 more weeks until I leave for 2 months in Nica. I'm looking forward to getting there. I can't believe the time has gone by so fast. I still tons that I would like to get done while I'm here, but we'll see how God orders my days.
I'm using some of my kid-sitting money to upgrade my phone. It has arrived and I'll pick it up tomorrow and get it all set up. A friend has a buyer for my old phone, so that will be a major blessing! I just need to get it all taken care of. I'm very thankful that God has allowed me kid-sitting jobs to buy these things that I need. He is very faithful!
I got the chance to walk Monday, yesterday and today. Tuesday, my workout was shopping at Walmart for 2 hours - ha! I love being able to walk. It sprinkled on me just a little today, but I don't mind, as long as it's not thundering and lightening. I love walking, but I'm not always disciplined to getting it fit in my day.
I pray for good time management everyday. I need God to order my days, hours and minutes. He does a great job. I don't always do too good listening to him... I need to work on that.
I'm looking forward to a quiet evening, studying Spanish and working on some training material for missions. Deanna and I enjoyed a really yummy semi-healthy homemade pizza. I'll have some berries and yogurt later. Sounds like a pretty blessed evening for me!
God is so good. I'm not worthy. But I'll grab all the blessings that He allows!!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
It's Sunday. One of my favorite days. I love getting to gather with brothers and sisters in Christ to worship our Father and King. We take that for granted so much in this country. We take our relationship with the Father for granted too much, too. I am thankful for the freedom we have, but I think that maybe it lessens the value of that relationship sometimes. We seem to give higher value to things we have to struggle for. How ungrateful we are to our Father. I pray that He will help me to experience Him more intimately and to yearn for that deeper relationship and value it more than my life itself. He deserves so much more.
This has been a busy and very productive week. Mostly because I was at home most of the week, getting to spend many hours in my little den attacking projects that are time-consuming. It makes my heart happy to put check marks in my 'to-do' log. In fact, I only left the house for Church on Sunday morning, Bible Study on Tuesday morning and then Friday morning thru early afternoon at the Olive Street campus to help with the Community Meals. All the rest of the week, I spent on the computer, communicating, studying, reading, planning, recapping, etc. I'm thankful for all that God allows me to work on and I am humbled to be a part of His Kingdom work. I'm blessed to work alongside some wonderful Christians.
I signed up to walk in the Race for the Cure on Saturday morning. I had trouble finding a ride, so I didn't get to walk with the thousands who showed up, but I had paid my fee, so the only thing that was lacking was the exercise for my body. I did get the chance to go on my usual 2 mile walk in my neighborhood and then took Jet for a slower half mile walk later. I got my tshirt for the event and I think I'll send it to my sister Pam, who is in recovery from breast cancer. I think she will enjoy it.
Friday night I was a guest at the home of James and Catherine Yandell, friends from Cuerpo Vivo church. I very much enjoyed dinner (a Columbian recipe) and fellowship. It was a wonderful evening and I was blessed.
Deanna had allowed me to borrow her van to go to dinner at the Yandell's, so I snuck it to the gas station and filled it up. I don't get the chance to do that often, but it makes me happy when I can. Of course, I get a very stern look from Deanna for doing it, but I try to bless her whenever I can. She is so good to me.
Last Tuesday was our last Spring class for the Ladies' Bible Study. We will continue to read the Chronological Bible and journal, but we won't meet weekly until fall. Our small groups will meet once a month through the summer. I will get to meet in May, but will miss June and July. The large group lecture time led by Lisa will be missed very much this summer, too. It has been sooo good. I'm still loving this study. It is making such a big difference for me to be able to read all the events in the order that they happened and to read all the scripture relating to those events together. And Iva May's commentary is a step deeper. I'm loving it and will continue to study it and be blessed by it.
We had a couple of days of sunshine and now we are back to more rain. We had some hail this afternoon. It was coming out of the drain pipes and looked like suds flowing down the driveway. It's supposed to rain until Tuesday morning. Soggy...
My friend, Miss Juanita went home to Heaven last Wednesday. I used to stay with her some weekends when her daughter and son-in-law needed to be away. I loved being with Miss Juanita. She was such a sweet lady and I loved chatting with her and just hanging out with her. I know that she is having a wonderful time with Jesus. I can just hear her laugh. I pray for the family as they begin this time of missing her. I'm thankful that they know our Savior and can rejoice in her Homecoming even though they are mourning her absence from their lives. I'm thankful to know Miss Juanita and I will be happy to hug her in Heaven some day.
Now that I have gotten my to-do list back under control, I need to allot more time for studying Spanish. I really need to spend quite a few hours each day on that, and I'm going to try to do that for these next 4 weeks before I head back to Nicaragua. Even with hearing loss, God will help me learn and understand it. I have faith that this is what I'm supposed to do and that He will make it happen. He is so faithful in all things.
I'm so happy to be a child of the King. The message this morning at Cuerpo Vivo was about being enthusiastic and fervent in our Christianity. I don't want to be a dud! I want my life to show the joy that comes from my relationship with Jesus and to give him the respect that He deserves. If you are around me, please remind me of this constantly!!! Our God deserves all we can give Him of our lives! He is Worthy!
This has been a busy and very productive week. Mostly because I was at home most of the week, getting to spend many hours in my little den attacking projects that are time-consuming. It makes my heart happy to put check marks in my 'to-do' log. In fact, I only left the house for Church on Sunday morning, Bible Study on Tuesday morning and then Friday morning thru early afternoon at the Olive Street campus to help with the Community Meals. All the rest of the week, I spent on the computer, communicating, studying, reading, planning, recapping, etc. I'm thankful for all that God allows me to work on and I am humbled to be a part of His Kingdom work. I'm blessed to work alongside some wonderful Christians.
I signed up to walk in the Race for the Cure on Saturday morning. I had trouble finding a ride, so I didn't get to walk with the thousands who showed up, but I had paid my fee, so the only thing that was lacking was the exercise for my body. I did get the chance to go on my usual 2 mile walk in my neighborhood and then took Jet for a slower half mile walk later. I got my tshirt for the event and I think I'll send it to my sister Pam, who is in recovery from breast cancer. I think she will enjoy it.
Friday night I was a guest at the home of James and Catherine Yandell, friends from Cuerpo Vivo church. I very much enjoyed dinner (a Columbian recipe) and fellowship. It was a wonderful evening and I was blessed.
Deanna had allowed me to borrow her van to go to dinner at the Yandell's, so I snuck it to the gas station and filled it up. I don't get the chance to do that often, but it makes me happy when I can. Of course, I get a very stern look from Deanna for doing it, but I try to bless her whenever I can. She is so good to me.
Last Tuesday was our last Spring class for the Ladies' Bible Study. We will continue to read the Chronological Bible and journal, but we won't meet weekly until fall. Our small groups will meet once a month through the summer. I will get to meet in May, but will miss June and July. The large group lecture time led by Lisa will be missed very much this summer, too. It has been sooo good. I'm still loving this study. It is making such a big difference for me to be able to read all the events in the order that they happened and to read all the scripture relating to those events together. And Iva May's commentary is a step deeper. I'm loving it and will continue to study it and be blessed by it.
We had a couple of days of sunshine and now we are back to more rain. We had some hail this afternoon. It was coming out of the drain pipes and looked like suds flowing down the driveway. It's supposed to rain until Tuesday morning. Soggy...
My friend, Miss Juanita went home to Heaven last Wednesday. I used to stay with her some weekends when her daughter and son-in-law needed to be away. I loved being with Miss Juanita. She was such a sweet lady and I loved chatting with her and just hanging out with her. I know that she is having a wonderful time with Jesus. I can just hear her laugh. I pray for the family as they begin this time of missing her. I'm thankful that they know our Savior and can rejoice in her Homecoming even though they are mourning her absence from their lives. I'm thankful to know Miss Juanita and I will be happy to hug her in Heaven some day.
Now that I have gotten my to-do list back under control, I need to allot more time for studying Spanish. I really need to spend quite a few hours each day on that, and I'm going to try to do that for these next 4 weeks before I head back to Nicaragua. Even with hearing loss, God will help me learn and understand it. I have faith that this is what I'm supposed to do and that He will make it happen. He is so faithful in all things.
I'm so happy to be a child of the King. The message this morning at Cuerpo Vivo was about being enthusiastic and fervent in our Christianity. I don't want to be a dud! I want my life to show the joy that comes from my relationship with Jesus and to give him the respect that He deserves. If you are around me, please remind me of this constantly!!! Our God deserves all we can give Him of our lives! He is Worthy!
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