We were eating Sunday lunch and Jared told me that today is a day of rest, and I was working when I cooked lunch! He decided it was necessary to work when I suggested we go hungry next week.
We have been rushing about getting ready for a surprise birthday party for Sharon. She was at Brian's for lunch today, that was very convenient for us! We have the conference room set up all pretty, and the menu is her favorite meal, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, jello salad. and lemon delight for dessert. Sharon thinks we are having her special meal tomorrow night and she is making her own 'cake'. It is two different kinds of baked cheesecake. So we will have that tomorrow evening and laugh about the sunday surprise! Yesterday, Prisila, Jared and I walked to a roadside flower stand and got flowers for two beautiful centerpieces, made by Prisila. When we were walking back we had to walk past a blockade set up on one traffic lane. There were police and army guys with their fingers on the trigger. They were on the look out for someone. It felt funny to walk past and know the gun was pointed at our backs. One street down from there, we saw two men being handcuffed by some more police.
Today has been a beautiful sunny day and we revel in it even though the air has a chill that makes me long for a small wood stove!
We are getting company this week. One family from Pa. coming for 2 weeks to visit family here at headquarters, another family flying in and then heading up to El Chal. There is one special group that our family is all excited about, some home youth! Jeana has the days and hours counted and has made plans over and over; fortunately, she is aware of the Guatemala saying: " Go ahead and make plans but they are subject to change any moment". I made that up, but that is how it goes. Maybe I could say, "making plans is like the weather in Idaho, wait 10 minutes and it or they may change!" We are also getting a few workers coming in this week to help do concrete work on the new church floor. Sounds like the days will go by swiftly!
Today Brian preached about trying to take short cuts to heaven. I got the gist of what he said, God is our Creator and allows what comes into our lives, some by our own choices, but it is our responsibility to take what comes and use it to serve Him.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Coping with Change
Last night Vernon and I went on a date. We have very interesting dates:) This date took us to zone one at 10:00 pm. A family wanted to take the overnight bus up north and the bus stations are in the zone uno. We had a good time talking while we drove home. Zone one is considered a dangerous area, and some of the people I saw walking seemed to be on their guard. This morning we woke up to more rain! Our tropical depression is giving way to a low front that is moving in, so we should have more days of rain. Living in the city protects us from the reality of mud slides, floods and misery that people in the country are dealing with.
Linda, Miriam, Sharon and I went to Norma's house for an 'english' coffee break. We decided to get together once in a while to talk together and share heart talk that is impossible to do when you can't talk the language. Miriam asked me to share about how I cope with change. Interesting, how about throwing a temper tantrum?!
It made me look back over my life to some of the big changes. Our lives all have different stories, but I think we all have similar struggles.
These are some of the lessons I have recognized and am learning:
Isa.29:16, Jer. 18:4, Isa. 45:9 - Shall the clay say to Him that fashioneth it, what makest thou?
1. First is to have a correct view of God. If I don't view God in the right way, I will be looking through a distorted filter.
2. Allow myself to grieve the change
3. Lay it down before God, over and over and over and...
4. Look for something to be thankful for
5. Treasure what I have and hold it with an open hand
6. Choose to believe that God loves me
7. Choose to trust God
8. Tell God it's ok because I know He loves me and is with me in all life's changes
9. Do not listen to feelings!
These were some of the things we shared today, and I was refreshed and encouraged to keep on giving my whole heart to God. What a mighty God we serve!
Isa. 40:31 - They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Linda, Miriam, Sharon and I went to Norma's house for an 'english' coffee break. We decided to get together once in a while to talk together and share heart talk that is impossible to do when you can't talk the language. Miriam asked me to share about how I cope with change. Interesting, how about throwing a temper tantrum?!
It made me look back over my life to some of the big changes. Our lives all have different stories, but I think we all have similar struggles.
These are some of the lessons I have recognized and am learning:
Isa.29:16, Jer. 18:4, Isa. 45:9 - Shall the clay say to Him that fashioneth it, what makest thou?
1. First is to have a correct view of God. If I don't view God in the right way, I will be looking through a distorted filter.
2. Allow myself to grieve the change
3. Lay it down before God, over and over and over and...
4. Look for something to be thankful for
5. Treasure what I have and hold it with an open hand
6. Choose to believe that God loves me
7. Choose to trust God
8. Tell God it's ok because I know He loves me and is with me in all life's changes
9. Do not listen to feelings!
These were some of the things we shared today, and I was refreshed and encouraged to keep on giving my whole heart to God. What a mighty God we serve!
Isa. 40:31 - They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Rain drops keep falling...
Rain has been our constant companion these past weeks. Yesterday we saw sunshine for the first time in a week and it lasted about 10 minutes. I never knew there were so many types of rain. There is the deluge, the downpour, the steady rain, the fine rain, the rain mist and the sudden rain! Our clothes are always damp, papers curl at the edges, and we have webbed feet! (not quite)
Today we canned tomato juice and tomorrow we will tackle 100 lbs of apples for apple pie filling. We don't do a lot of canning, but try to keep a few things on hand. Canning doesn't make a lot of sense when a person can get so much fresh produce; although, canned food does come in handy when we are in a crunch for time.
I was trying to think of the comedy for today. I would have to say it was my husband cracking a real funny joke at the supper table and every one was talking so loudly, I was the only one who heard it and got a good laugh from it! Next on the list was Jody laying in bed this morning and telling Jeana she needed to get up and help me with breakfast. Since teaching began to rule Jody's life, I don't get so much help as I used to, but I guess I get some kind of help yet! Note: both girls would like to insert a comment just now.
Thought for the day: ?
Today we canned tomato juice and tomorrow we will tackle 100 lbs of apples for apple pie filling. We don't do a lot of canning, but try to keep a few things on hand. Canning doesn't make a lot of sense when a person can get so much fresh produce; although, canned food does come in handy when we are in a crunch for time.
I was trying to think of the comedy for today. I would have to say it was my husband cracking a real funny joke at the supper table and every one was talking so loudly, I was the only one who heard it and got a good laugh from it! Next on the list was Jody laying in bed this morning and telling Jeana she needed to get up and help me with breakfast. Since teaching began to rule Jody's life, I don't get so much help as I used to, but I guess I get some kind of help yet! Note: both girls would like to insert a comment just now.
Thought for the day: ?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Milestone
This weekend marked a time of conquering fear and emerging with victory!
July 1999, I went flying in a small airplane for the last time in 12 1/2 years! I had such a fear of flying and my flights were spent in praying and placing myself in Gods hand, but the knot of fear was big. September 1999, my husband died in a small airplane wreck. I had no desire to fly again and the thought of it was enough to say a hearty no!! Now I am in Guatemala and............ when we came down I did wonder what I would do if I had to fly in the mission plane...........................
This weekend, our family flew to Santa Rosita to pick up Jeana and bring her back home. We were planning this for a few weeks and I didn't talk about it, but did spend time praying. I didn't know what my feelings would be!
We headed for the airport at 6 am on Saturday. It was a lovely morning in the city, but cloudy up north where we were heading. Santa Rosita is a 1 1/2 hour flight or a 13 hour bus ride over rough, crooked roads. We took off and I didn't have a fearful, panic feeling at all. I know it was Gods answer to my prayer! I also think I have learned to trust God more over the years and I believe that God holds us in His hands!
We had a good flight and as the clouds got thicker we did pray for an opening. Just as we got close there was a hole and as we flew over it we saw the runway below. It had a horse, a tuk tuk, some people walking and a truck on it! By the time we circled to land, had to do a pretty tight spiral, the runway was clear.
We got picked up and headed to the river to finish the last 30 minutes of travel in a wooden Guatemala boat
that feels very tippy, but supposedly, doesn't tip.
The village of Santa Rosita is small and coming in by boat made it feel like we were in a different world. We enjoyed our short visit very much and it was fun to see another part of Guatemala. As we walked through the village with Jeana, we could see her love for the people and also realized how much she enjoyed her time there. On Sunday afternoon we drove out to El Naranjo and caught a bus to El Chal. We spent the night at mission headquarters in El Chal. The village there is much larger and the mission has a clinic and school for the village children. The freedom to walk around was extra sweet because we recognize how precious that freedom is! Monday night we took the over night bus back to the city. I would like to drive the road during the day sometime. I think we went through some very rough terrain! A few times it felt like we were right on the edge of the corner!
Now we are back within the walls :) It has been raining all week, and forecast is for lots more!! Where is the dry season?
Last night I planned a campfire supper. We had hobo meals with cake and strawberries and hot chocolate. It was so cold and rainy my plan for a campfire didn't work, so I took the 'campfire' indoors! I made a centerpiece with lots of candles and wood pieces and turned off the kitchen lights and we ate our hobo meal around a 'campfire'!! I think some of our group wondered about this strange Idahoan idea! Variety is the spice of life.
July 1999, I went flying in a small airplane for the last time in 12 1/2 years! I had such a fear of flying and my flights were spent in praying and placing myself in Gods hand, but the knot of fear was big. September 1999, my husband died in a small airplane wreck. I had no desire to fly again and the thought of it was enough to say a hearty no!! Now I am in Guatemala and............ when we came down I did wonder what I would do if I had to fly in the mission plane...........................
This weekend, our family flew to Santa Rosita to pick up Jeana and bring her back home. We were planning this for a few weeks and I didn't talk about it, but did spend time praying. I didn't know what my feelings would be!
We headed for the airport at 6 am on Saturday. It was a lovely morning in the city, but cloudy up north where we were heading. Santa Rosita is a 1 1/2 hour flight or a 13 hour bus ride over rough, crooked roads. We took off and I didn't have a fearful, panic feeling at all. I know it was Gods answer to my prayer! I also think I have learned to trust God more over the years and I believe that God holds us in His hands!
We had a good flight and as the clouds got thicker we did pray for an opening. Just as we got close there was a hole and as we flew over it we saw the runway below. It had a horse, a tuk tuk, some people walking and a truck on it! By the time we circled to land, had to do a pretty tight spiral, the runway was clear.
We got picked up and headed to the river to finish the last 30 minutes of travel in a wooden Guatemala boat
that feels very tippy, but supposedly, doesn't tip.
The village of Santa Rosita is small and coming in by boat made it feel like we were in a different world. We enjoyed our short visit very much and it was fun to see another part of Guatemala. As we walked through the village with Jeana, we could see her love for the people and also realized how much she enjoyed her time there. On Sunday afternoon we drove out to El Naranjo and caught a bus to El Chal. We spent the night at mission headquarters in El Chal. The village there is much larger and the mission has a clinic and school for the village children. The freedom to walk around was extra sweet because we recognize how precious that freedom is! Monday night we took the over night bus back to the city. I would like to drive the road during the day sometime. I think we went through some very rough terrain! A few times it felt like we were right on the edge of the corner!
Now we are back within the walls :) It has been raining all week, and forecast is for lots more!! Where is the dry season?
Last night I planned a campfire supper. We had hobo meals with cake and strawberries and hot chocolate. It was so cold and rainy my plan for a campfire didn't work, so I took the 'campfire' indoors! I made a centerpiece with lots of candles and wood pieces and turned off the kitchen lights and we ate our hobo meal around a 'campfire'!! I think some of our group wondered about this strange Idahoan idea! Variety is the spice of life.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wednesday
Technically, Wednesday is my day off. This is how a day off can look..................
Woke up and slapped my alarm three times at 10 minute intervals.
Enjoyed breakfast made by Sharon.
Tried to hang laundry on the line, some is still drenched and hanging on the line.
Did flashcards with some of Jody's students.
Went to Clubco and the market with Vernon.
Got back late for lunch.
Enjoyed a wonderful lunch made by Marta. It was soft shell chicken tacos and salad.
Took time to read some chapters in Amos, not sure why I chose that book, but what I read made me think of America and the choices we have made as a nation.
Checked to make sure that the rooms are all ready for guests, of course they were!
Caught up on some paper work.
Went through all the photos we have taken so far, and ordered some so I can make the six scrapbook pages that Deb asked me to make.
It took a long time to look at all the pics! They were so much fun to see! :)
Helped Sharon finish getting supper on the table, had 6 extra guests.
Helped washed up piles of dishes.
Started to work on chicken marinade for tomorrow, ran out of seasoning so Vernon made a quick run to Walmart. Tomorrow is Pastors Meeting and Ruth is making lunch. She asked Vernon to grill chicken. We are looking forward to a real treat!!
Tomorrow is our Anniversary! Nine years of wedded bliss :) with a few grouchy times in between :)! God knew what I needed when He gave me Vernon for my husband! I am proud to be his wife!
Life is Good!
So ends my "day off"! ...................
I Love You
Woke up and slapped my alarm three times at 10 minute intervals.
Enjoyed breakfast made by Sharon.
Tried to hang laundry on the line, some is still drenched and hanging on the line.
Did flashcards with some of Jody's students.
Went to Clubco and the market with Vernon.
Got back late for lunch.
Enjoyed a wonderful lunch made by Marta. It was soft shell chicken tacos and salad.
Took time to read some chapters in Amos, not sure why I chose that book, but what I read made me think of America and the choices we have made as a nation.
Checked to make sure that the rooms are all ready for guests, of course they were!
Caught up on some paper work.
Went through all the photos we have taken so far, and ordered some so I can make the six scrapbook pages that Deb asked me to make.
It took a long time to look at all the pics! They were so much fun to see! :)
Helped Sharon finish getting supper on the table, had 6 extra guests.
Helped washed up piles of dishes.
Started to work on chicken marinade for tomorrow, ran out of seasoning so Vernon made a quick run to Walmart. Tomorrow is Pastors Meeting and Ruth is making lunch. She asked Vernon to grill chicken. We are looking forward to a real treat!!
Tomorrow is our Anniversary! Nine years of wedded bliss :) with a few grouchy times in between :)! God knew what I needed when He gave me Vernon for my husband! I am proud to be his wife!
Life is Good!
So ends my "day off"! ...................
Happy
Anniversary
Sweetheart!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Passing out tracts
It is Sunday evening and we have just enjoyed a delicious meal of Baliatos and now I am listening to an active discussion about passing out tracts and somehow it morphed into submission! Why pass out tracts? Is it a good thing? Does it bring souls into the kingdom? Who is at fault - women who have a problem with submission, or, men who have a problem in godly leadership? Note: I am only a listener :).
Last night we got a phone call from Jody, she was busing back to the city from being in Santa Rosita for a few days. The first bus went from Naranjo to Santa Elena and then she planned to get a real nice bus with the ADN bus line. The first bus she was on broke down out in the middle of nowhere and what should have been a 3 hour bus ride turned into a 5 1/2 hour time. A micro bus (van)came along and everyone on the bus piled in. Jody figured there were about 30 - 40 people!! When they got to Santa Elena, her bus had left. There was a bus from another line ready to head out to the city, and so she hopped on and we went to zone 1 to pick her up at 6:30 this morning. I felt vulnerable, thinking of my daughter on a dark road, 10 hours from us, and bus breakdowns actually a reality! God used this to remind me that Jody is His child and as much as I love her, He loves her even more, and she is in His hand! I thank Him for answered prayer in watching over her. Now that it all turned out ok, she says it was a great adventure!
Last night we got a phone call from Jody, she was busing back to the city from being in Santa Rosita for a few days. The first bus went from Naranjo to Santa Elena and then she planned to get a real nice bus with the ADN bus line. The first bus she was on broke down out in the middle of nowhere and what should have been a 3 hour bus ride turned into a 5 1/2 hour time. A micro bus (van)came along and everyone on the bus piled in. Jody figured there were about 30 - 40 people!! When they got to Santa Elena, her bus had left. There was a bus from another line ready to head out to the city, and so she hopped on and we went to zone 1 to pick her up at 6:30 this morning. I felt vulnerable, thinking of my daughter on a dark road, 10 hours from us, and bus breakdowns actually a reality! God used this to remind me that Jody is His child and as much as I love her, He loves her even more, and she is in His hand! I thank Him for answered prayer in watching over her. Now that it all turned out ok, she says it was a great adventure!
Saturday........
Good health is such a blessing! We don’t realize how precious it is till we catch some sickness and ache all over and feel like we got run over by a motorbike! That’s how I felt today and I immediately thought of those strong folks who have constant pain and never let others know how they are hurting. I have a mother in law like that. Over the years, she was always busy, working and doing interesting activities, and any time I dropped in, she would welcome me and I would realize later on that she had been in great pain and just kept going anyways!
Saturdays here at headquarters are very busy. I have been here almost four months and still am not in the groove. It starts with the ‘pancake prayer breakfast’, then a quick run to the market for fresh produce, after which I rush into lunch prep while most of the others go to the park for Children’s Bible Club. Making sure supper is ready on time (5:00) because youth is always Sat. evening and starts early. Today Vernon went to market for me because I was making lunch for Cesar and Eva and their family. She finally had her baby girl and we are so excited for them! So most of Saturday is taken up with cooking and I am learning that it is the wrong day to try to have ‘family’ moments. Any day but Saturday! Today we had a family come in for the night and then they are heading to one of the outposts early in the morning for the service. The youth were here at 5:30 for youth night and I made their snack since Jody and Jeana are gone. I made caramel popcorn and finger jello. It’s easy to forget the humidity factor till soggy caramel popcorn reminds me! I had to retoast it in the oven.
I was reading in Joel for my devotions and found this verse that intrigued me. Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. I don’t know what all the deep and profound meanings are here, but the thought of multitudes in the valley of decision, aren’t we all in the ‘valley of decisions’? And what a profound effect our decisions have on our lives! Those small decisions that we make every day on how we will react to tones in voices, unexpected circumstances, burnt food, feeling sick……….. They matter and they make a difference not only in our own lives but the lives of those around us. If only I would remember this when I need it!
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