Psalm 146:2 "I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Monday, January 31, 2011

First Day At The Sending Base

Hi Everyone,

Today went well. There is a video below for you to enjoy. I am really tired---just got back home at 8:30 p.m. and will be getting up early tomorrow again.

It looks like my sending base days will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday--so that is good. Right now we as a team are busy getting things ready for our annual conference next week. I'll try to update more in the next few days.

Please pray for sleep at night-I've just been moving around so much these last few weeks. I am not anxious or anything, but my body doesn't seem to like sleeping in different places. It will be good when I finally have a set place to sleep each night at Olga's for awhile.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Cultural Lesson Number One-How To Eat A Taco!

Hi Everyone,

Here is a quick video....and a post related to the title will be below.



Last night when we went for tacos and brought them back home I put some salsa verde (green salsa) on mine---yum.

Well in the course of waiting, my tacos got a little soggy. The wife handed me a fork and all of the sudden I felt extremely awkward. In Mexico we eat a lot with our hands (using tortillas to scoop up things etc) and most of the time if we do use tableware, we use a spoon.

So I felt really awkward. I knew I wasn't going to be "eating them the right way." I began using the fork and then the wife's husband came in and saw me eating and said, "Do you see how she is eating?" The wife began to explain, "Well her tacos were soggy."

I finished eating and said to the wife, "You still would have picked them up wouldn't have you?'

"Yes," she said.

It really turned out fine----it probably means I have adjusted to the culture more than I realize being here.

So lesson number one on Mexican culture is "Use your hands as much as possible whenever the foods permit."

On a side note, I had a really great morning going to church and spending the afternoon with some people. I ate the best hamburger I have ever tasted in all of my years. Tomorrow I go to the sending base office to start work with some of my team members.

The Amazing Story Of My Arrival to Mexico!

Hi Everyone!

I have arrived! Somehow, it feels like I am sort of home. God is so good and it so clear that He is with me and taking care of me.

When I finally got into Mexico city last night, I had to take a bus to Cuernavaca. I must have looked really tired in the airport because everyone was asking if I felt alright. Well, when I got to the window to buy my bus ticket, they said that IA literally had five minutes to get to the bus and get on it. So you can imagine that the next five minutes were quite intense-getting to the outside spots where the buses were, getting my baggage tags for the bus, getting through security to get on the bus, and getting on the bus itself. The minute I stepped on that bus, it pulled away from the terminal.

They actually had a semi-decent movie playing on the bus in Spanish, (usually they aren't worth watching) so I alternated my time with looking out the window, and following the movie. It was some type of star trek related thing----and had scenes in it from back in IOWA---which is where I had just come from! I thought that was really interesting.

Then I got to Cuernavaca and was suppose to be meeting up with a couple that was from Fernando and Flor's church, but in my haste trying to get to the bus, I hadn't had time to pick up one of the cards that they have to use pay phones here. (It is not god to be here without one) I stood around for awhile praying and trying to figure out what to do next. I found out they sole phone cards in the other building for the terminal across the way, but I couldn't go with all of my luggage to get one. A woman was nearby with her small children. I asked if she had a cell phone. She said she didn't but her husband came up and gave me his. I called the number of the people that I was suppose to be staying with but the credit to the phone ran out. I gave the husband about three bucks worth of pesos and he went to the other building, bought me a phone card, and called my hosts back getting their address so I could tell it to the taxi driver.

The family from the bus station was actually heading in the same direction close to where I was going. In the taxi as we drove my mind began to be flooded with memories as I saw certain places--like the day that I stood on the pedestrian bridge by the park and God had made it clear to me that I wasn't his. I am so glad for that day. The last time I was here (before our august mini-conference) was a crazy intense process----but God has worked so mightily.

I got to the family's house where I was staying for the night. The amazing thing is that the family I met at the bus station actually called later to make sure I had made it. The weather is awesome-65 degrees-and it was complete with tacos that we bought from the neighbors to celebrate!

God is so good! It is wonderful to be here! I have arrived--a new chapter has begun!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

It Is Really Happening

Hi Everyone,

I am in awe and almost not sure what to think. At the moment I am actually quite exhausted because I have been up most of the night. The next time I write from this blog I will be.....



IN MEXICO!!

Have a great day everyone! Most likely you will have an update from me on Sunday afternoon.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Nothing To Prove----Absolutely Nothing to Hide!

Hi Everyone,

Maybe I have said this before but it is absolutely amazing to live a life where I have nothing to prove and absolutely nothing to hide. There are no secrets and nothing I fear anyone "finding out."

And even better, in God's eyes I know that I am "more than okay." What matters is what He thinks--not whether or not others "approve" of me.

These aren't just "nice words." They are my every day living reality. And God can do the same for you.

There is glorious freedom for the children of God!

Good Morning!

Hi Everyone,

My training here finished today. I am actually doing something else that I need to do for the rest of the afternoon. I think the biggest blessing as I have mentioned before has been seeing God work in people's lives---doing the work that only He can do.

Tonight I hang out with Kathie and Jim, two of the directors, and tomorrow I head home to pack and leave for Mexico. It almost seems unreal that I will be there in pretty close to 48 hours....Thank you for praying!

God has been so very faithful and good! What a mighty God we serve!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Walking In The Truth

Hi Everyone,

3 John 1:3-4 "It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Just as John was excited to hear that believers were walking in the truth, being here for me has been a reminder to re-evaluate and see where I am walking in the truth and recognize places where I may be believing a lie. It has been very good for me to be here! I love being here-I feel like I am truly with family in a sense and at home.

The best part is getting to see how God is at work in others' lives as well!

The video that follows is brief-the sound quality isn't the best.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

How Are Your Glasses?

Hi Everyone,

The perception of how we interpret the world around us is greatly affected by the lies and truths that we believe about who God has created us to be.

It's sort of like wearing glasses or contacts. If my prescription is right then hopefully everything is going to be clear--just as if we are believing the truth according to God's perspective, everything is going to be more accurate and we will have an easier time relating to those around us because we see them as God sees them.

However, lets say that the way we perceive the world, God, others, and ourselves is filled with lies instead of aligning with His truth. Our view of things with the lies that we believe is going to be distorted and inaccurate. If we are believing lies, we may find out that it is hard to "be real" with others because we may be afraid.

But when we walk in the truth believing the truth according to how God sees us, we are able to see accurately and take our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.

So how are your glasses today?

Monday, January 24, 2011

Awesome Bus Ride

Hi Everyone,

I am here at the training with Christ-life solutions over the next three days and am totally looking forward to it.

Thia afternoon I had to catch the city bus out to the airport in order to get the bus here and I had a really amazing conversation with a gentleman. He was a believer and we had it in common that the Lord had really worked in our lives in this past year.

I am going to miss those opportunities to talk and share with others on the bus and I hope that the Lord provides opportunities to share with people like that in Mexico.

God uses us wherever we are at! That is pretty cool!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Image Is Not Everything

Hi Everyone,

We live in a world where our image is considered of very great importance. There is a statement that "image is everything." Some people spend hours a day trying to create an image of perfection----perfect hair style, appearance, even buying into the lie that a certain clothing size is what is needed to be acceptable....and they try reach that goal to the point of starvation and self-destruction.

For others "image" may mean something different or in combination with what is above. "image" for some people can be living with the idea that we try to give people an impression that we are something that we really aren't. This can stem from fears that, "No one would love me if they knew who I really am." For some "image" can mean how their status looks to society--like the type of car they drive to work.....and what others think because they drive that car or have whatever it may be.

And from a physical standpoint yes, we need to be physically active and take care of ourselves, and we shouldn't go to work looking totally grungy if we have something better to wear.

Our image and our real true identity are not the same thing. We are NOT what we look like, we are not our job, and we are not the impressions that we work so hard to give others.

If we are trying to get our approval from either a false image of who we want people to think we are, or anything else other than the identity that we have in Christ, we are going to come up feeling empty every time. And the identity that er have in Him has to line up with the truths of how He sees us in His Word.

If we do not let Christ be our identity, the world will surely give us an identity instead.

Image is not everything.

Send-Off and Packing Thoughts

Hi Everyone,

Here is a little video update for today from part of the front entry way of the House of Hope--which is another one of my little favorite places.

I know my updates about packing and preparing might seem sort of mundane to some, but things are going to get more interesting very soon----and for me it really is quite exciting although I really don't like saying goodbye.

I will have a devotional up later this evening about something I have been pondering.

Bless you all and thank you for your prayers!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Video Update For Today

Hi Everyone,

I did a little video update from my old room at the House of Hope for a change, since it has been awhile. I almost can't believe that next week at this time I will be on the plane on my way to Mexico. I am planning to enjoy the next week of training that I am going to have and to be able to prepare more for what God may have for me in the future. I am also looking forward to enjoying these last days in the states. Time goes so very fast! Thanks for your prayers!



I might have another post later today. We will have to see how the time and all goes.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Hidden In Christ

Hi Everyone,

There is a verse and a concept I have been thinking about lately---the fact that we are hidden with God in Christ.

Colossians 3:2-4 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Think about the comfort that it brings to know that we are hidden with God in Christ-that nothing will touch us apart from the Father's will for his perfect purposes, and even in those hard times that He allows there are greater things happening than we know of. and that nothing will ever change the fact that are hidden IN Him. To be hidden is to be sheltered, protected, sustained by Him.

Fanny Crosby put it so beautifully this way in the following hymn:

He Hideth My Soul

Words: Fanny Cros­by, 1890
Music: William J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

1) A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

Refrain:

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life with the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

2) A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

Repeat Refrain

3) With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!

Repeat Refrain

4) When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

No matter what you are going through today, if you have trusted Christ, remember that you are hidden in Him.

Psalm 61:3-4 "For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings"

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Eight Months

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe that it has been eight months since God totally changed my life and drew me to Himself. These last eight months have been some of the sweetest I have ever known, but filled with some of the greatest challenges as well. I continue rejoicing in Him.

Today also marks the fact that I have 9 more precious days to be with those I love here before returning to Mexico. And I am excited to be able to share with you all that God is going to do there.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Giving Out To Others

Hi Everyone,

Some days in ministry it is like I find myself seemingly constantly giving out to others. And there is nothing wrong with that. I am glad to be able to minister to those that are going through various types of challenges. It has been amazing how God has allowed me to be a part of various situations.

At the same time, I also realize how important it is to get refreshed myself by the Word of God because I do feel a bit drained--in a hard but good way.

I found myself praying a lot, "Lord, what do I do next in this situation? I don't want my words to be the wrong thing-Help me if I say anything, for it to be what you know that person needs at this time."

It is hard to see people around me hurting, but at the same time it is a privilege to realize that God is using me in small ways in their lives and I pray that He would strengthen and encourage all of those that I have interacted with on this day.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Dealing With Disappointments

Hi Everyone,

I think God has been teaching me a lot about dealing with disappointments lately. There are a lot of really good things going on but at the same time there have been some legitimate disappointments as well.

It is really okay though. God has reasons for everything and the interesting part is being able to see some of that too-maybe getting a tiny glimpse of the "why" of the way things happen at times.

Life is hard-but God is good-and that is the best thing to know and truly believe no matter what.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Impact In Each Other's Lives

Hi Everyone,

You know, it really is amazing how God uses us in each others lives and how He can use certain people to impact others that you or I could never reach in the same way.

The really good thing is that most of the time, we really don't have a clue how God uses us. I think if we really saw the whole picture, many of us, myself included, would probably struggle a lot more with our pride.....although from time to time it is neat to see a tiny glimpse of what God is doing in and through us.

Really it is all about keeping our eyes on Jesus and obeying him, and the ways that our lives get used to His glory and shown as a testimony to the watching world around us are a part of what happens as we live for Him.

That impact whether great or small is significant and totally because of His grace to us.

Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

Sunday, January 16, 2011

When What God Asks Us To Do Looks "Crazy."

Hi Everyone,

There are times when God asks us to do things that may look totally crazy to those around us. I had an incident like that this week. Obviously, God is never going to ask us to do anything that is contrary to his nature or His Word. But we live in a world whose principles are expressed in statements like this:

"if it feels good, do it"
"get all you can while you can"
"He with the most toys wins"
"live to please yourself and be happy"

And our culture adopts so many of these into their lives. But we who believe are called to live by many things that are opposite of the world we live in. Some of them are like this:

"Be Holy as I am Holy"
"Freely you have received; freely give."
"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
"In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

And when we are living the ways that God calls us to, it may indeed look strange to the unbelieving world, or even sometimes to believers alike who are at times choosing to live more as the world. But we must keep living and obeying as God calls us to ---no matter how "strange" that looks.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Travel Preparations

Hi Everyone,

It is amazing how God is providing for my travel to Mexico to serve with my team. One thing that I was really truly needing was a new suitcase. I was determined not to spend the usual $80+ on a suitcase and was really praying about it and trusting that God was going to provide something.

However, time has been getting close and I've been tempted a few times to "want to take it into my own hands" and just buy something.

Today my friend and I went to a consignment shop and they "just happened" to have a half price sale on everything in the store. And would you believe it? I got a used but extremely still, in very good condition suitcase for $20!

Another praise report is that I found some good shoes that should last quite awhile for my feet--which is always a challenge.

So God is providing and THAT is exciting to see!!

Friday, January 14, 2011

The Cross Is So Much More!

Hi Everyone,

Sometimes it is so easy for us to minimize the death of Christ and just think about it in terms of our salvation--which is indeed very important. But what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross affects not only the initial moment of salvation where we give Him our trust, but it also affects every aspect of our lives from thereon.

For example, one thing I have been thinking about is how many of us as believers get stuck living in traps of condemnation but Romans 8:1 tells us there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are IN Christ Jesus-----to be IN CHRIST is to have a relationship with Him.

What an amazing gift Jesus has given to those of us who have trusted in Him. The above example is just one of many.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Stay True

Hi Everyone,

It can be easy to start believing the lies-especially when things get challenging. I know that the last few days have been kind of tough for me in that regard----as I am facing the reality of my life transitioning--which in reality is a wonderful thing. But I know for me since I easily struggle at handling transitions, I am more vulnerable....but that is the importance to staying true to the truth.

But God has been helping me and reminding me of His truth through the Word during these days.

And at the same time even though I struggle with transitions, I am excited too. I received an e-mail from my Mexico field leader and am excited about the ways that things are going to be when I get there-like the sending base team will be eating together once a day for the next three months while the candidate orientation is going on.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Home

Hi Everyone,

I've been thinking lately about where "home" is

I don't have a physical house to call home where my family is anymore, but when I think about it home is partially all of the following:

1) It sort of is where my parents are, although that changes every few months from their volunteering--maybe it's more like home is the ability to call their cell phone number and connect for a few minutes from time to time.

2) It is sort of here in my community, with my home church, and dear friends here that my heart just about breaks to leave....but hopefully one day more will be with Jesus joining us, in a tiny small tinge of a part because I left and obeyed God.

3) It is in Mexico as well..at least I hope it becomes more that way--and I expect it will become so with more time.

But yet even though I love all of these, none of these are quite exactly "perfectly home."

In a way I want "home" to be wherever I am at the moment. I want to be fully enjoying life in the present...but I don't always take advantage of the moments I am given......and even then, even when I do live to the fullest, I realize I am still in so many ways a stranger...in a land I don't totally fit into....I don't really fit into either culture....although there are many things I love about them both...and not so good things as well.

Home is where the heart is-----they say.

So I guess my heart is all over the place----here, Mexico, and yet sometimes longing to at least visit with my parents in their RV, but I realize more and more that HOME is a place I have never seen----I'll truly be home when I am with Jesus in eternity--and there won't be anymore awkward moments or being reminded of the reality that the truth is that this life is but for a moment.

It will be wonderful to be FINALLY HOME!!!!....but I plan on enjoying life wherever I am with the Lord and those He places into my life until I get there!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Held In His Hands....Close To His Heart!

Hi Everyone,

It is interesting to me that two really special friends have mentioned on separate occasions lately about me being held close to God's heart...it has meant a lot to me and been quite comforting in this time of transition.

I also found another song that has encouraged me beyond words. It is called "Your Hands" by J.J. Heller.

"Your Hands" by J.J. Heller copyright 2009.

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

What an awesome God that we have who walks with us each step of the way in life.....and we will never leave His hands for He has promised to never leave or forsake us!

Monday, January 10, 2011

My Anchor

Hi Everyone,

How wonderful it is to KNOW and truly have Jesus as my anchor holding me up. There are moments when things seem kind of crazy...and yet peaceful at the same time.

He is the one that holds us even when storms are all around us-He is our strength and His very presence, through the Holy Spirit, indwelling us is our peace.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

When Others Fail Us

Hi Everyone,

It's sad, but true. People fail us and we ourselves fail others because we are humans with sin.

A man shared his heartache with me the other day about how he had given up on God as a result of the pain of his wife cheating on him while they were married. He had planned for their marriage to be for a lifetime---but it hasn't worked that way. I felt his pain...and all I could say was that I would be praying.

How wonderful it is to know that God is always true to His promises and that although He often gets blamed by people in hard times, He is perfectly faithful and constant. The best part is that He doesn't give up like we do---and sent Jesus to die in our place for all of the times that we are unfaithful and untrue--for each one of us was born into sin.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Results Of "Going Through The Fire"

Hi Everyone,

When we "go through the fire"---those challenging times, there are some things that trials produce in us.

1) A test brings a testimony of how God has been faithful

2) Trials bring refinement--sin and other things are brought to the top of our lives to be dealt with-----

3) We gain greater experience---experience that allows us to comfort, intercede for, and relate to others in ways that we wouldn't have previously. Our trials and experience may also allow others to see Jesus in us in ways that they may not have seen as clearly otherwise. We may also learn more about God by facing the trials of our current situation.

4) Trials have the ability to strengthen our trust in the Lord.

5) We are transformed to be more like Jesus by going through trials--really that is one of the main objectives.

WE MUST REMEMBER THAT GOD IS DOING SO MUCH MORE THAN WE REALIZE AS WE GO THROUGH OUR TRIALS IN LIFE---HE SEES THE WHOLE PLAN AND PURPOSE.

Do we thank God for our afflictions?

In reality we would be missing so much if we didn't "go through the fire."

1 Peter 1:6-8 "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy."

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Motives

Hi Everyone,

I've talked about this lately but I have been challenged yet again with the fact that there is flesh and self in everything that I do. There is nothing that I do out of a perfect pure motive simply because I love the Lord-self sneaks in.

I wish it wasn't that way. But I am grateful that one day I will be in His very presence and every hint of wanting to please, live for, or "glorify" self will be gone--AND HE WILL REMAIN.

John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less.”

So I guess I have been thinking a lot about why I do what I do and realizing I fall short every time--but God knows that. His grace is AMAZING!!!!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

I am so blessed...............

Hi Everyone,

God has been so very good to me. This chapter that is closing in my life is filled with so many amazing people. My life has been enriched like never before. I would have missed so much if I had not returned home for this past year. ...I know it was the right thing. The only thing about knowing you are loved is that you know you'll miss people, but that is a good thing......

I must be one of the most blessed people on the earth...I guess it feels that way.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Bitter-Sweet

Hi Everyone,

Things are getting quite bitter-sweet in these days. With less than three weeks before I leave for Mexico, days are busy trying to get together with friends, take care of miscellaneous business, sort, pack, and a host of other things,

I am so glad to be going back to serve the Lord with my team and I am thankful to know how loved I am here as well as there by people.

The bitter part is a lot of the "last's" for awhile---the last time for seeing a person, or doing this or that----and trying to get as many people seen as possible--but realizing I can't do it all, and realizing how much I will miss this awesome place of ministry and life that God has placed me in these last seven and a half months.

I think one thing all of the frequent transition teaches me is to enjoy wherever I am at the moment and make the most of it......and yet be ready to enjoy the next part of life as well

I don't like the bitter part......and I am not trying to come up with spiritual answers. But yet I know that my treasure is in Heaven and that my treasure is obeying the Lord, and even though at times it is hard, I really don't want to do anything else at this point--I mean at least at this point God hasn't made it clear that He has other things in mind.

But all of this is reality.....and I think it is okay to say that.

Monday, January 3, 2011

When What We Do Doesn't Show

Hi Everyone,

A friend of mine wrote me the other day and mentioned that she is "busy but all that she does really doesn't show."

Many times the things that we do aren't obvious or even noticed by others but in those times we must remember that God has seen everything and not missed any of it. We must remember that at the end of it all, He is the One that we are living for and who we will give an account of our lives to.

Because of Him and done as unto Him, it is worth it even though most of the time what we do doesn't show.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Thoughts On Prayer

Hi Everyone,

Often when we start out in our journey of faith and trust in the Lord our focus of prayer is our specific personal needs.

Now there is nothing wrong with telling God our own personal needs, but God has a bigger than that. As we grow in out relationship with God and focus on Him we find that it isn't always so important to "get our needs net." But rather what is important to God becomes important to us----

And we discover as we pray that our focus slowly changes to praying about others and other things that God lays on our hearts-----and maybe we aren't praying quite so much for "our specific needs" but as we walk with God, we discover that God is definitely taking care of those as well....because He truly cares for us!

What Affliction Teaches Us

Hi Everyone,

This morning our sermon in church was about Job. Pastor Bryan shared some really good points.

He shared that affliction-be it great or small--tests our thinking about God and that it also reveals our true thoughts about God. Suffering can show us what we really believe about God.

Here are a few questions he mentioned:

1) Do we simply serve God because of His blessings to us as Satan assumed of Job?

2) Or do we serve God no matter what because He is worthy?

3) What thoughts come to my mind about God when I am afflicted?

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Our New Year Mexican Meal

Hi Everyone,

we celebrated the New Year at the House Of Hope by having a Mexican feast of Enchiladas, salad, chilaqiles, Mexican rice, and cake for desert. It was really good--and fun to cook up the chilaquiles, which is really simple.

It was really fun because some friends of different residents came to enjoy it as well! What an awesome blessing to be able to celebrate together!

Here are some pictures of what we ate!





I am just getting warmed up to go back to Mexico on January 29th.

Welcoming 2011

Hi Everyone,

2011 has just begun. It is currently 12:02 a.m.

May the Lord continue to teach us in these next 365 days, or 8760 hours---(assuming that God allows us to live all of those days)-----so that at the end of this year we could see a little but less of "us and self" in the picture and that rather we would see a tiny bit more of HIM shinning through us.

May we have His wisdom and remember to number our days, using every opportunity that He gives us to point others to Jesus and be faithful wherever He places us.