What's Your Story???

There was a segment on a show like Dateline or 20/20 about 10 years ago....I can't remember exactly what show it was or who the gentlemen was that hosted it....BUT I loved it! 

The host would travel all around the U.S. and stop in some random  town and begin a conversation with the residents.  He would then ask somebody to tell them their "story".  They would begin by saying, "Oh there is nothing special about my life....."  but as they went on an amazing tale of heartache, love, hope, loss, heroism.... or you name it... would eventually come out.  Most often I would end up with crying and my heart touched by what they had overcome or experienced. 

So....if you have read anything I have written on here before you pretty much know my story.  I'm an open book.  I tell everyone because I am a FIRM BELIEVER that we help others by sharing things we triumphed over or lessons we learned to prevent others from the same mistakes or just plain encouraging people that we may experience the same difficulties or celebrate the joys in our lives. 

I am asking you now...it's your turn to share...."What's your story?"  I want to celebrate with you.  I want to pray for you.  I want to give other's hope through your strength.  I truly want to know....and it's not to be nosy....it's to give me wisdom of other's when I am on the missionary field. 

Don't let me down!!!   I usually have anywhere from 40 - 200 people reading this.  I'm ready to read!!   You can even stay anonymous if you like. 

Unconditional Love....

Why do I love these crazy animals that live in my house????  No I am not talking about my husband and children!!!  

   Let me tell you a little about what we deal with on a daily basis. 

First there is Sushi...our Shiba Inu.  She's a great dog....but oh my word that girl knows how to SHED!  I'm sure most of you who live close to me knows this when you see the white hairs all the way down my black pant legs.  She is also the biggest worrier ever!  We know when a thunderstorm is on it's way about an hour before it gets here.  She will pace the house then stop every 2 minutes to look you in the eye and seriously talk to you.  It sounds kind a pirate saying ARRRRR with a question mark at the end. 

Then there is pumpkin our orange cat that acts like he would rather be anywhere in the world than here with us humans.  He hates our newest member of our family Cooper (which I will introduce you to later).  Pumpie also is known to only attack Maddie's legs while she innocently walks through the room.  We have yet to figure out why except maybe he thinks that she is the only one he could actually take....or that Maddie probably tortured him at some point and he's got a great memory. 

Rascal is my grand puppy....Tyler's pup.  He is a little cute white maltese.  He is a caretaker.  He barks to protect the girls in the house.  Sounds cute right????  No!  He barks at Brian when he just looks at him wrong.  He barks at us when we walk into Tyler's room to talk to her until we sit down and not look as threatening I guess.  And if that's not enough he likes to pee on plastic bags.  Yep....you guessed it...we have to put the groceries away pretty darn fast!   I don't know what a plastic bag ever did to him but man....I'm glad I'm not one!!!  Sushi is not as fortunate as me though....he will go on Sushi if they are put outside at the same time.  But he is a major mother to all the rest.  Yes I know he is a boy....but he cleans the other dogs ears and makes sure they eat before him.  Total mom!

The newest member is Cooper.  Technically Maddie's pup so my grand puppy.  We have figured out the he is a Beagle/Welsh Corgi/Wired Hair something????    He is the goofiest dog that is so cute and funny looking at the same time.  He is scared to death of Pumpkin.  He has to sit right up against me just like he is doing at this exact minute....and all night long.  He thinks his big long body can fit where ever he wants it to.  And jealous?????   Don't even think I can get away with cuddling with the others and he is right there....I seriously need to grow a bigger lap!

Oh!....and look how he lays with his hind legs all weird!  People tell me he needs to see an orthopedic surgeon!!!

 

 

 

So back to my original question......why do I love these animals so much?????  Because they love us unconditionally.....they are loyal....they make us smile and LOL every single stinking day!!!  They can't wait to see me when I walk in the door.  They look at you with the most adorable eyes!  They make my kids so happy...they simple make ME happy. 

So a little hair, barking, urine in my house?????   It's totally worth it.    Kind of like how God loves us...we are SO not perfect but He loves us even with all our little quirks!!!

Can I get an AMEN?????

God's promise...

Antigua, Guatemala

Genesis 28:15

15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

 

Wherever you are in your life.....whatever you are doing, please let this promise comfort you and give you peace that you are NOT alone. 

 

Our pastor at Eastview, Mike Baker, preached about this very verse today and it made Brian and I just look at each other and smile.  You see we need as much confirmation as possible these days.  By living in the word daily and truly trusting that God will lead our path as we begin this new chapter in our lives, is the only way we can survive. 

 

We have said YES to moving to Guatemala to serve full time but there are definitely hard steps to take on the way.  One of course is the fundraising.  This is going to be the tough one.  It is extremely hard to think that we have to rely on other people to support us. Nobody but nobody wants to ask people to give one of their most coveted possessions (their money) to help you be the hands and feet of Jesus.  But that is EXACTLY what God wants us to do....be a team...a partnership.   I keep reminding myself that I only have to rely on God and He will do the rest. 

 

And without a doubt....the hardest part will be away from our daughters and extended family.   I have to literally push this clear out of my mind or I will scream...cry and change my mind.  God keeps reassuring me that this is the greatest gift I can give my family.  I always want be the best example for my children.  I want to not just read the Bible but live it.

I asked my children one day...."Would you have done that if Jesus was standing right here in the room with you?"   Of course they fell for it and said "No!"  Why is it so hard for us to realize that He is right next to us at every second, during the good, the bad and the ugly? 

So I will pray for all of us to remember his promise.


Heavenly Father,

Please help my family and my friends as you have helped me today to remember that you are by our sides every second of every day.  You are here in our marriages, in our relationship with our children, you are at our workplace, at our schools.  Let us always act in a way that would please you.  BECAUSE of what you have done for us.....let us give our lives to you.  Amen 

 

 

 

 

I am.....

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale

Pictures are Worth A Thousand Words

I am still processing all the emotions I felt during our trip to Guatemala. I am posting some of my favorite pictures. All I ask is that you pray over each photo of the Guatemalan people. I know we are all so desensitized from seeing poverty and hunger on the TV but when you meet these precious souls in person you can't help but never look at those photos the same again.

 Children from the village of Chituk.

 Casas in the village of Chituk.

 Sweet babies with colds and ear infections.

 Mario playing marbles.  For most kids this is their only toy.

 Tyler teaching the kids to brush their teeth.

 The girls LOVED Keegan and Kallan.

 Village of Hope arranged for 2 adorable young adults to receive wheelchairs (their first ones ever!)

 Their room in the "after" photo.  New paint....cleaned and new shelving! 

 Antigua!

 Waiting for the GRINGOS!

 National Tree

 Cooling off where the village children bathe!

 Amazing Elsa and her boys Alexander and Manuel.  Such an inspiration!

 Addie and Keegan sneaking in photos.

 I will never forget the brokeness in this woman's face.

 Cemetary in Guatemala City

 Vultures over the city dump below the cemetary where human remains get dumped if families can't afford to pay the monthly fee.

 Amazing family that work in the city dump collecting recyclables.  They took in a young pregant girl off the streets to give us a home.  Below is a picture of the kitchen in their home.  They share everything when they have barely anything.  TRUE EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP!!

 We handed out soaps and shampoos to the kids that live at the dump.

 Learning to make tortillas

 Stepping out of our comfort zones in many ways.  Sharing during devotions and.....

 pouring concrete the hard way.  So proud of my team!

Hayvn serving Uncle Brian some cold water.