Song of the season....

I have always loved movies and music.  They can thrust you to a world away, or allow you to re-examine your own world.

I used to post a song of the week....a song that spoke to my soul for that time.

A friend of mine (thanks MIKE!) led me to this song.  It is exactly what I needed to hear and echos the longing of my heart.  It helped put words into mi mente y alma.  It allowed me to express, for a second, a hollowed Amen.

It is a great reminder that we need not simply trust Jesus for our future, but for our day to day.
Lord, today's schedule will not allows turn out the way I envision it to go: I will trust you.

Lord, learning a new language, and wanting to learn it well, is hard!: I will trust you.

Lord, after 14 years of youth ministry, a master's degree, and this being the third place...and making the least amount ever with the largest our family has been (#s, not pounds as we have lost a few): I will trust you.

Lord, with everything today and everything tomorrow: I will trust you.

Today, my favorite words in the song were not the ones sung, but the ones that rested within the framework of the bridge: The words of my heart......

May you find yourself LONGING to trust in the one who holds tomorrow in the palm of His hand.  May you be blessed...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00hVZ86OpGI

Thank you Aaron Keyes for allowing God to speak in and through you...

Thank-YOU

Thank you God for an amazing sunrise outside of our window.

Thank you Jill for sending us this word from Above!

“Look at the nations and watch—
    and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
    that you would not believe,
    even if you were told.

Habakuk 1:5

just for the fun of it........

Over the years of living in ministry as a family, there is one thing that both Vicki and I have learned:  We have to find fun to keep sanity close by!

So what do we do when it is Guatemala's Independence Day and it is raining buckets?

We have fun.

What do you do when the kids say that they miss their school mates?

We have fun.

What do you do when the internet is not working because of the rain?

We have fun.

Theology: The study of God.  Sometimes we take Theology too seriously.  I mean, we all desire to know God more.  Yet, if we solely take "knowing" as a mental state, we miss something major with God....heart and soul.  There is Theology in service.  There is Theology in ministry.  There is Theology in rest.  There is Theology in play.


So, with that...we let the fun continue.  We still take Spanish classes, hold meetings, clean, organize, plan retreats, e-mail potential partners, help the kiddos with their school, planning events like TIM HAWKINS in IOWA APRIL 9!!!!, gearing up for a construction team, and planning for the board to come....and more......

Eating fish given to us from a Pastor Friend (fish was in the ocean four days earlier)
Playing Just Dance 4 with Debora and Noemy and the family
Emilee playing piano
Making up a game in the rain (pine needles were confusion bombs, red leaves were healing, and green    leaves were poison).
Naomi looking good!

"Hey guys I look like a cowboy" said the great Pastor Jesus (of course he said that in Spanish)

The locals call it BELA fish.....it was THICK and amazing....

Fish Tacos made from the fresh fish!

Princess Naomi

Emilee having fun

silly fun out in the rain

The work must be done!

The work must be done.

Naomi, Yohana, Lesly~Working

We can take this statement many ways.  I need to do the work now OR the work is complete.  Or is there even more?  My writing has been silent for a bit.  I am being worked on.  Sometimes this work is enjoyable and other times it is strenuous.  I would say that the work for me as of late has been difficult, maybe even listed as a trial.  I have stayed true to our Heavenly Father and as I have I’ve felt HIS presence and reassurance.

On Aug 8 I was reading my devotion out of “Jesus Calling”  and the LORD spoke.  I need to find Joy in the little things.  “The best response is a heart overflowing with gratitude.  I am training you to cultivate a thankful mind-set. “  I think I’m a thankful person, but am I really thank-ful for all things the Lord has given me. . . even my trials?  UMmmmm  much thought and contemplation went into this simple lesson on thankfulness. 

1.     I’m thankful for a loving God who will never abandon me . . .”Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love HIM.” James 1:12

2.     I’m thankful for my husband who is supportive through thick and thin. (In our life sometime it feels more thick than thin J)

3.     I’m thankful for my kids.  Sometimes this is my biggest trial and I need to turn that into abounding joy and thanksgiving.

4.     I’m thankful for the small place we call home in Guatemala.  It keeps us warm, dry, and a family.

So as I walk this journey of life I am reminded of the need for Joy.

Got it God now let’s move on.

The beautiful volcano Agua, off of the patio!

OH no, another lesson? 

This one has been one that I have worked on for a long time and still have much to learn.  I tend to be task oriented or maybe a different and stronger word is a work-ahalic.  I enjoy making a list and then at the end of the day seeing how much I’ve accomplished.  It brings me much joy to cross it off!  I know that accomplishment is not always what God wants for me in a day.  Sometimes HE wants me to sit and enjoy all that HE has created!  Again, “Jesus Calling” was my tool to hear HIM speak.  “REST IN ME, MY CHILD.  This time devoted to Me is meant to be peaceful, not stressful.  You don’t have to perform in order to receive My Love.  Be careful that your devotion to me does not become another form of works.  I want you to come into My Presence joyfully and confidently.”  Oh man I need to rest and do the resting peacefully!  Okay Lord.  I will rest in your grace and peace, joyfully.

Watching the fog roll in!

The tale of 3 trees~sometimes we need to
rest a while to realize our full potential!

The work must be done, sometimes the work is different than I thought it would be.  

Thank you Father for continuing to work on me!

vicki