What a week we have had, or should I say what a month we have had! Surgery for Wayne, Working endlessly, company (for which I am sooo thankful)Work, Dr. Appts. Did I say work?
Work, work, work!!
I am so thankful for all that have prayed for me. Such things going on that if God wasn't here, I am not sure I could have made it!
Dear Friends that have encountered disasters in their lives. I want to fix everything, do everything, and be everywhere! Not sure what to do first!
My dear daughter and son in law have been such a blessing to us. We will be leaving for Guatemala the day after christmas for another 6 months! We are really looking forward to it, as God always moves! It is tiring in some ways, but we are blessed. As most know, we spent 6 months last year, came home, went to work, and then surgery for Wayne etc. Workers at the CC have left for school and there are only 2 of us working most of the time.
Anyway, back to my daughter and son in love, they decided that we needed a vacation! I received an email from my daughter with ticket information for a trip to Italy! We will be there for just 3 days short of one month! I can hardly wait to see her. She is like one of my best friends. It has been a long haul, but our relationship is restored, and I just have the best time spending time with her. She loves to knit, do crafts, and buys her mother wonderful things. She has bought something wonderful for her dad, but shhhhhh..... it is a suprise!
God is so good. He has brought restoration, given me my hearts desire for missions, and a wonderful husband to boot!
Wow, what more could I ask for. He has also given me a wonderful prayer partner and friend. Sue sticks closer than a sister! I can tell her everything and she still loves me in spite of myself.
Beth has always had a listening ear, and provides places for us to stay when we need to be in the area. Not only that, but she loves to do the things that I love....... Crafting, quilts, knitting, puzzels, and most of all laugh!!! What a blessing!
Guatemala is on my mind, and I think of all of the women that God brought into our lives while there last time. They grew up with such a burden for the Lord and direction for their lives. Each one receiving a special call for the Lord, either in other countries, or our own country. (Which by the way, has a tremendous calling!) I often wonder where they are at, and how they are doing, I have entrusted them to the Lord, knowing that in His time, all things work together for the Good!
Looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us this year. Who will he bring to the school? What will they accomplish. I learned so much from the last group, too bad I didn't know all of this when I raised my own children. One of the hardest things for me to do was to realize that I wasn't their mom, because I loved them so much. But they needed someone to just be there and hear what they had in mind. But praise God, I think I have learned That we are all individuals, and we all have special needs, cares and experiences!
Well, for now, I will finish up, but one more thing, Just 27 more days, and I get to see my family in Italy, play with the grandkids, and see the sites! Yea.............................

We are just 3 days short of being here two months.  We have had a marvalous time.  Working in the mission field is one of my lifes dreams and desires.  However, it does not come by easily.  Today, as I look at my grandchildren's pictures, I realize just how much I miss my family.  I only wish that they knew how much that I love them.  I feel so lonely tonight, wondering what they are doing, waiting for them to reach out and give grandma a hug. Oh how I miss them.  I wonder what my own children are doing as well.  My son, who I just love so much is so busy with his life and family, I wonder if he even knows how much his mom longs for him.  My dear daughter who has has so much sickness in her life, is one that I am so concerned with.  She is so much like me. Miss independant.  Always so quick to tell me that she is grown now and has a husband.  I wonder as she holds her little ones what it will be like when they grow up and leave as well.  How I want to hold my children once more and let them know that I am mom, and I will always love them no matter how big or old they get.  Children grow up, but never in their mothers hearts.  

Mission School

We have been so blessed being able to attend some classes at the Mission School here in Guatemala!  The students here are so wonderful.  There are 8 young women attending. It is wonderful to see how God molds their lives in such a way that they grow continuosly. I have grown to love each and every one of them.  There are students from the United States, Guatemala, and  Nicaragua.

I have learned so much from each of them.  They are earnestly seeking God's will for their lives.  There are 2 students that have felt led to go to Mexico for a calling on thier lives.  It isn't always easy to follow the leading of the Lord.  Families are not always willing to give up their children as they answer the call of God on their lives.  I pray that God will give me wisdom to help them hear from God and to be able to do His will in their lives.

We have been asked to be CC's for the Mission Students until the end of their year.  They will graduate in June.  This is such a wonderful opportunity for us.  I have been blessed to visit the classes whenever I would like.  I have learned so much.  It seems that God has answered so many questions that I have had in the past. I am so hungry to know His will in my life on a daily basis.

One most important lesson that He is trying to teach me is about submitting to authority.  I never really thought that I had a problem with that until I saw things that just didn't seem right to me.  I ofcourse would have "MY" idea of how it should be, but found out quickly that is not what God wanted.  As I was thinking about some injustice that I thought was going on, the Lord quietly spoke to me and said, "Who are you looking at?"  I realized that I had my eye on the person, instead of my master.  It may seem easy for some of you, but as I listened, I realized that only God can change the circumstances right or wrong.  Forgive me Lord, I didn't have my eyes on you.  Giving it over to Him, allows Him to work.  

It is interesting to know that as I submit to Authority, God has also shown me how to have authority!  I see that He allows me to speak and speak with that Authority that He has given me.  What an awsome God we serve!

Today was one of the hardest days of my life.  While we were in Bulgaria, we say many homeless people, but today, as we went to the center of the city of Guatemala City, I saw one of the worst sites ever.  Small little children, left alone on a step as the mother helped herself with her drug habit.  Two little boys, one 4 and another around 6 left cold and hungry.   It was a terrible site, to watch little ones so hungry.  As we talked with them, the smallest boy just sat and watched.  He didn't touch his food.  We prayed for him for some time and I think he even fell asleep!  He still wouldn't touch his food.  Occationally, he would look up and smile shyly.  

I realized that he wouldn't eat because we were there.  I told the others to walk away so he would eat.  Sure enough, when we left, he began to eat and drink.  

Lord, you said your kingdom was such as a small child.   Please protect them while here on earth.  Keep them safe and bring their mother to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ.  LOrd send your angels around them to protect them not only from the elements, but from predicessors,and harm.

I also ask that you would keep that young boy who traveled from Hondurus at the age of 8 all the way to Guatemala, just to keep away from his parents.  Lord, keep him from gangs, and drugs.

Even that women who had that young boy, as we prayed and the smell of glue that stiffled me, please protect that young one.  He is so helpless.  

A great day in guatemala! God is moving and I am so glad to see the students at ODMI get excited about street evangelism!  Wow, just to think that the C church here allows the native people to have an alter underneith the sanctuary to offer up their pigs for a sacrifice to their gods!  What compromise!

Lord, help me to rid myself of any idols that I try to hide under the sanctuary of the Lord!  Show me what they are that I may renounce them and serve only you!

Great day to be here!  Started out with pouring out lalundry detergent instead of sugar! Doesn't mix good with coffee though!

Had a great time in Church as well.  Message on watching your words!  Jer. 1:17.  We will get what we say!  How many times have I heard that, and still say things that I shouldn't.  Thank God for His grace!

We had a great afternoon, spent time with the DeVinney's.  Had chili, watched football, and chatted with Diana.

Tomorrow starts our new work, and am excited what God has in store for us.  I want to be open and willing to hear what He has to say.

Thats it in our day in the Life!

We are finally in Guatemala!  What a wonderful place to be in.   I had some concerns before we came, but now that I am here..........................

Praise God, He knows our every need.  It is a wonderful place to be in.