Surrender

We just dropped my in laws off at the airport.  We had such a great time.  I have looked forward to them coming for months.  And now, it is over.  I will not see them for a year.  That thought is overwhelming to me.  The thought that I will not see my parents til December.  It seems so far away.  six more months...a year....

Somehow having family here made the heat a little more bearable, hanging my clothes a little more fun...and the going out to eat was not bad either.  Now back to real life though:)

Something really neat is how much of an impression our family made on Belize.  Last night, one of the ladies brought by some food she made for them, and today, one of our young couples brought a gift, a picture of their family, so Howard and Tricia would remember them, and the sweetest card.  My mother in law cried as she read it to me.  And they were awesome grandparents to adopt and bless Winnie as one of their own.  And she felt it.

But having such a great time made the goodbye so painful.  It came so fast.  We enjoyed one last coke together before we said our goodbyes.  I did not cry too much there, but when we got in the car, we began listening to music.  I was okay until Kim Walker's
I Surrender came on.  Then I just couldn't hold back the tears.  Please understand me.  It is worth it.  God has us here...and shows us over and over.  But there are sacrifices.  I do not get to see my family.  And that is hard.  It makes our times with them sweeter and more special, but after living close to family for the past ten years, it is hard. 

I am so thankful, though, that our family could come and see us, and bless us.  They blessed us over and over.  And even just times of just being with them...all were so precious.  And for them to get to experience, really experience our lives here...all of it.

Now, we prepare for the School of Ministry from the church we used to pastor, Life Church in Katy, to come this weekend.  And I will soak up my time with them...and enjoy every second. 

The enemy fought our family hard last night...which always means God is about to have a breakthrough.  I do not know what it is yet, but wait expectantly.  He is moving in amazing ways, and we get to be along for the ride.

And I am thankful for the pupose He has for our family here in Belize.

And thankful for the time we had with Lee's parents:)  Even if it did go by way too fast.

one last out to eat at Spanish Lookout

so thankful for these two

erika loved the slide on the side of the porch

way overpriced coke at the airport...trying to soak up our last little time with them...

So much to say, so little time...

I have about three different posts stirring around in my head, but they will all be combined into one, simply because my life is so busy at the moment.

First of all, my cousin's death has really impacted me.  The fact that he was Lee's age, in a foreign land, and I love my aunt and uncle so much.  His wife makes a daily blog post that comes to my email.  Reading about her walking into this place of grief is so moving to me.  And really making me appreciate my family, my husband, my own life.  We never know when tragedy could be around the bend.  Yesterday we were at a pool party for a little 7 yr old girl in our church.  It was also the day of her baptism.  About halfway through the time, she had taken off her life vest and given it to a friend to use.  I had seen, but assumed it meant she could swim.  And she was doing fine.  About 30 minutes later, we were all in the pool, enjoying the coolness, when her father began to scream her name (and I think mine, but can't remember).  I turned to see her struggling, having floated into the deep end.  Her eyes were full of fear and I got to her as fast as I could to pull her up.  She took in a lot of water, but was okay.  As her mother got her out and was holding her, I just started to cry.  It was very emotional to me to realize how fragile life is.  The lives of our children.  A moment of joy so quickly could have been tragic.  Later, Lee baptized this precious girl in the pool.  And I am thankful to God.

The other thing I wanted to share is how our view of time has changed here.  I RARELY wear a watch anymore.  I occassionally glance at my phone, but there are just so few reasons that I have to keep up with time here now.  People come and visit and there are not usually time restraints.  Even if you tell them you have somewhere to go...they will just stay and leave with you.  Saturday night we had a seniors dinner for Vivian an hour away.  And one of our young couple stayed, so the wife could do my hair.  I did not ask her to, she just wanted to serve me:)  But we do have time that we start church, and things like that, but time is just not locked in stone like it was for us in the US.

I have realized how much Belize has become my home.  That LifeNet is our family.  They bring joy and laughter to our hearts.  We cry with them and for them.  Yesterday, one of our young boys that comes with a group of about 5 15-17 year olds, had to leave and could not stay for church.  I was just talking to him, and sensed something was hurting him.  So I pushed a little.  He shared of some tough things that had happened to him that week, and my heart broke, as I am sure his mother's did as well.  He is okay, but living here is tough.  And it hits close to home that my son is the same age.  This young man is a good kid, plays on the Youth National Futbal team, and still has to face danger.  And he is my family now.  And so I will do what I can, on my knees, praying for him.  Another young man, a senior, brought his mom and sister to church for the second time yesterday.  I felt his joy as his family is wanting to walk this journey with him.  We took them home in the van and his little sister put the crown (for Esther) that she had made with Tori, on his head.  And I love his big smile.

It has been a busy weekend for my inlaws to be here.  And hot.  They are true missionaries now, experiencing all aspects of our life here in Belize.  I know they will go home and rest and recover.  But they will not forget these amazing people that Lee and I have come to serve.  And I know they see as well, the need for us to come.  As we had our biggest service yesterday of 29 people.  Most of whom have come to the Lord through LifeNet.  I dont say that in boasting, rather, that God shows us continually our purpose here.  Reminds us when our house is full of people who love and want to celebrate Lee's birthday on Saturday and give him a fountain symbolizing him pouring into their lives.

Here are a few pics of our weekend:

pizza for lunch for the birthday boy

look carefully and you will see Andreas belly...cant wait for her baby to be born, and Akeem is just one of the friends that is serving the Lord due to Terrance inviting him

everyone LOVED the cake Lee's mom made!!!

thankful for our church family

Vivian, all dressed up for Senior parent night.

The restaurant was so nice, food yummy, and service emotional...as three of the kids are active members of LifeNet.

This is Rianie and her mom, grandma, and step dad.  We love this girl:)

We were thankful to enjoy this evening with Vivian.  She was stunning.

the girls all just happened to wear pink on  Sunday

Brian, with his precious sister behind him.  She put her crown on him.  Their mother came as well.

Erika and Amarie at the party.  Their family attends LifeNet as well.  She is about a year older than Erika.  She could be a model.

The birthday girl and her baby brother.  Tirzah is a born leader and precious spirit.

Winnie enjoyed the pool

Tori did too

there was even a little one

Happy Birthday, Lee

Happy Birthday to one of the Funniest guys I know....

No Chuck E Cheese party this year...

but something better, your parents flew all the way to Belize to celebrate with us.

and to make the best cake ever...

19 + years ago, when we fell in love, I had no idea the journey we would take.  Its been a mostly-fun-but-very-exhausting-journey.

I love you more NOW than then.  It has been fun to get to Grow Up with you.  And Grow old with you.  Well, at least you have grown old according to Erika...you are 59.

You really know how to charm me:)

Thank you for the joy you bring into my life...and helping me to find joy, when I don't feel very joyful.

Thank you for being the coolest Dad around.  And always trying to get everyone to guess you are 21...even though you have a 15 yr old son.

I'm glad you still make me laugh, even after all these years.

And I am so thankful for you, that you finally got some DP in Belize.

I pray that even though this is a busy day today, that you know how loved you are...by your wife, your kids, your parents, and now your new congregation.  You are easy to love.  Your life radiates love to those around you.

I know Jesus is so proud of you.

I love you and Happy Birthday, Lee.



Keeping Busy Still

We have been so busy and just soaking up every bit of fun with my in-laws we can.  Today has been crazy, from a day with not a lot planned, to non-stop activity.

Wednesday, we took my in-laws to the Cave and the Blue Hole.  I actually went in the cave this time...it was so dark.  And my upper legs are still sore from our adventure.  But I figured if my mother-in-law was going to do it, so would I.  And the water at the Blue Hole was so REFRESHING after our long hike.  We brought a picnic lunch.  It was a fun day.

Every day they have been here has seemed to fill up.  It has been nice to eat out a little more, have  help in the kitchen and hanging laundry, and just having my in-laws to visit with.  I wish they could stay forever:)

Today, we woke up, went to market, came home, and now it is 11 oclock and I cant believe what a busy day we have had.  We made OJ, did laundry, went to lunch at Morenco's (the family in our church), came home.  My mother in law and Tori went with me as I needed a haircut, etc.  My mother in law got her first pedicure, here in Belize.  It was neat because as Tori and her visited with the UB student doing the pedicure, she shared that she has been invited to our church and has thought about coming.  Isn't it neat that Tricia decided to get her nails done?  We came home, did some more  house chores, and then friends from our church came and visited all afternoon.  They are so precious and we enjoyed it so much.  Erika and Christopher had a blast playing all day.  Then tonight, we had the night of worship where all the churches came together.

It was a good day.

But I want to share something that the Lord ministered to me tonight.

When our friends were here, we knew we needed to go at 7 pm to the city square.  So, I was checking the clock occassionally and thinking, Should I start dinner?  But thought that might make them feel they should leave, so thought, I will just make sandwiches when they leave.  Well, they ended up staying past 7.  So, I was not sure what we should do.  But we had invited people from the church to come to the night of worship.  I think Lee was willing to go alone, but I felt we should go as a family.   My inlaws were exhausted...this heat is so hard.  They offered for the kids to stay, but I really wanted us to go as a family.  I was tired, a little hungry and so hot, but quickly got Erika and myself ready.  And off we went.

It was an awesome night and we came home and made sandwiches, cleaned up and now everyone is in bed.  My family is in a very real battle every day here.  And I really believe that just the simple act of honoring the Lord in an evening, really just a couple of hours, of worship, was so important.  For our children to know that it is important.  And for my family to be immersed in an evening glorifying the Lord, with the other Believers of Belmopan.

We are already beginning to get busy.  Last night, our living room was full of teenagers hungry for discipleship.  Some do not even attend LifeNet.  This is exciting.  It is what began as our need to take two of the kids through before they left for college, and now kids are asking to come.  It was neat for my in laws to see this and be a part of it.  We are blessed that the Lord brings hungry people to us.  And that He guides us how to minister to them.

We have already dealt with the demonic.  It is real here.  Sin is real.  Like everywhere.  Our children are ministers as well.

So, I am thankful that there is a gathering once a month, of the local churches.  Where we come together as the church of Belmopan.  And do spiritual warfare for this land.  I am thankful for my children to be a part of it too.

Tomorrow is my sweetie's 41st birthday.  My mother in law came all the way from Texas to make his favorite cake.  So I invited everyone over to share with us.  It will be a neat time to fellowship as a church family.  And celebrate someone really special.  Then we will rush to get ready and go be Vivian's parents for Senior Parents Night.  While Lee's parents watch our kids.

Then Sunday is full as well.  My inlaws will need to go  home and rest from their vacation...and they will definitely enjoy their AC when they go home.

Enjoying our Family

WHEW!!!  Its been a whirlwind of a few days for us.

All last week, we prepared for my inlaws to come.  It seems that we have known for so long that it was coming and now the dates finally arrived.

We ate lunch with our friends right by the airport, which was perfect, because we only had to drive a few minutes. Oh, and by the way, they had DR PEPPER for us for lunch...can you believe it???  MMMM....

  As we drove the van to the airport, we looked over and saw my inlaws plane...so cool, how small the airport is.

It seemed forever waiting for them to come through customs, but it actually wasn't that long.  I was so choked up when my mother in law walked out, followed by my father in law.  Such excitement for all of us.

 They brought lots of American goodies for us from a few people and themselves.  It was better than Christmas.  All the special foods we have missed so much!!!  And Erika couldn't wait to take a bath and wear her new princess jammies.

 Sunday, we had the special treat of having Tricia sing for us.  It was beautiful and you could really feel God's presence as she sang.  In fact, the whole service this past Sunday was so awesome.  Worship was amazing.  It is so exciting to watch everyone grow.  And Howard and Tricia got to experience our typical full house for lunch on Sunday afternoon.

 Today, we got up early and headed to San Ignacio to see the Mayan Ruins.  But had to take my mother in law on the bridge to YWAM.  We were so proud of her because this is the scariest, highest bridge...Yeah, Tricia. 



riding the hand-cranked ferry




wonderful Mom with her awesome son



It was quite hot today.  We ate lunch at one of our favorites, Hodes, then headed to Spanish Lookout.  After a little shopping, we ate ice cream at our favorite eatery.  We all came home and took cold showers and relaxed this afternoon.

Tomorrow back to real life:)

Speaking of real life.  In the midst of having a great time with our family, I got some hard news Saturday night.  My cousin, Bruce, had been killed in a bicycle accident that day.  I have not seen Bruce since I was little, but have such great memories of him.  And have seen his parents many times over the years, even though they live in New York.  They came to Texas and we went there.  They drove all the way from New York for my wedding 19 years ago.  My heart is broken for my Aunt and Uncle.  To lose a son so young.  My cousin served the Lord his whole life.  And was serving as a chaplain in Japan for the Marines at the time of the accident.  Bruce's wife has a blog, much like mine, chronicling living as an American family in a different country.  I recently began following the blog, after the earthquakes over there, when my friends here in Belize told me they are good friends with Bruce and his wife and gave me the blog.  Here is her post today, a tribute to a wonderful man.  http://westgoeseast.wordpress.com/  Saturday night when I received the news, I just couldn't stop crying.  But even though I have not seen Bruce for years, my life has paralelled his in many ways.  He served with Campus Crusade for Christ for many years and then felt called to go to Japan as a chaplain recently.  We have pastored for years and recently came on the mission field.  Bruce was around Lee's age.  And this hit so close to home.  How would I feel, being in his wife's position, all alone now, in a foreign land?  I shared this for two reasons.   Please pray for Bruce's wife and 3 children.  And also, Bruce has left a legacy.  He served God with everything he had and with great joy.  I am so proud of him.  My heart aches for his family.  These things are so hard to understand.  And appreciate your husband, your kids, your wife.   And live your life for Christ...because eveything else is just in vain.   Life is fragile.  And noone knows when their life could suddenly be turned upside down like this.

I am thankful to have Lee's parent here.  I am doing better today.  But to have family here at a time of hearing hard news has been a blessing for me.  We miss everyone from home, and it is just a breath of fresh air for me.  Just like we never left.

Pray for cool weather.  It actually is not as hot as it could be, but it is still pretty hot during the day, but Lee's parents are troopers and seem to be doing great.

Anticipation

With Anticipation, we wait today.

I have been baking, cleaning, shopping, all in anticipation for our first guests to arrive from the US.

It is kind of like Christmas Eve around here.

Just trying to keep the kids busy and out of the way...

so I can get done what I need to do.

Tori finished school today:)

Yipee:)

And she finished strong.  I am proud of her.

We have baked No Bake Chocolate cookies, banana muffins, have the chicken thawing for tomorrow, oranges ready to squeeze, have our list for market for the morning.

We are ready and excited for Memaw and Papaw to come:)

I am ready for Erika to have some undivided attention.

She is ready too.

I am anxious to see what they think of Belize.

I can see my father in law, now, enjoying sitting in our wooden chairs on the back porch, just enjoying Belize, enjoying his grandchildren.  I can see my mother in law enjoying going to market, enjoying reading books or coloring with Erika.

We are looking forward to doing some fun things with them.

And just some "living" things with them.

Because Living here is so different.

I am praying for a miraculous cold front with lots of rain to blow through.  He could do it.  He is God.

We are thankful to have a 4 bdrm home, so they can stay with us instead of a hotel.  So all three of mine will bunk together for a few days.

It will just remind them of the good ole days in the apartment.

On another front, yesterday I had a really neat, intense prayer time at lunch with one of the ladies in the church.  Our kids were all so good.  It was definitely the Lord.  But it reminded me of my friend, Laura, who I used to pray with.  It was neat.  And I feel that God heard our prayers.  He is so awesome.

So, I am off to make brownies for our crew coming to do the Life Manual tonight.  Then finishing a few things off before our company comes.

Anticipation is the best feeling:) 

I HOPE I CAN SLEEP TONIGHT...

Just a typical Wednesday

This morning, we started out with a family Bible study time.  Lee had challenged the kids to learn the books of the Old Testament.  He gave them a monetary incentive and Tori got an extra incentive to teach Erika.  And she was successful.  I taped Tori too, but it did not turn out...and did not get the camera rolling quick enough...but watch Erika.  We are so proud for her to learn these being only 4 years old.

And they were all excited to receive their reward as well.  Next week's challenge: learn the books of the New Testament.

Erika knows the books of the OLD TESTAMENT

Then we worked on school and household chores.  We are very excited that Lee's parents will be here the day after tomorrow.

Today was very HOT again.  That makes living a little slow.  Because when it is soooo hot, you just dont feel like doing much.  Everyone is telling me it is unusually hot...whew.  I am ready for some relief.

Lee had planned this week to take me out tonight.   And it was such a blessing.  I made hot dogs for the kids and they cleaned up while I showered and got ready.  We went to a little Italian restaurant that had been recommended to us.  It was very nice.  It was awesome to sit in air conditioning, with no kids.  Just very relaxing.  And nice to know that the kids are big enough to help with their little sister.

front table...just shows niceness of restaurant

le menu

my hungry date...he got a steak, of course

my food...the portions were huge, so I brought half home to the kids...they enjoyed it.


This was Lee and my first time out alone since arriving in Belize on February 2.  I must say it was long overdue.  But I enjoyed the short, but sweet time of just being with my husband.  Of course, the air conditioning and someone else cooking was nice, but it was nice to just be able to have uninterrupted conversation.  We were welcomed home by our crew, and I am so thankful for each one of them.  We are also thankful for our sweet waitress.  We invited her to come on Sunday.  Praying she will.

The next few weeks will be full of visitors, which we are so excited about.  I will try to keep you updated.



Belize Reality

 A couple of days ago, we went to the property at the river that Winnie's dad owns.  It was a slow ride out there, as the road is all tore up...and as we came back, slowly, we were listening to a Belizean Christian radio station.  And there was this real cool song that came on, but we were definitely a little surprised by the lyrics...not your US christian music lyrics, for sure.  But then we were listening, and this was written and sung by someone we know.  The girl who teaches Erika ballet, the girl who designed and sewed all the clothes for the fashion show, and the girl whose parents met at YWAM several years ago, and came and built a church, a community, in a community next to Belmopan.  Her parents are from Canada and the US, but I think all four children have been born here in Belize.

As you listen to this song, we love it because it truly captures the culture of Belize.  It was produced for an album trying to help kids wait for marriage (for sex) and stay safe because AIDS is the number one killer here.  It is not taken lightly and children are taught and warned.  There are signs everywhere.  Yet, this disease spreads.  There is a culture that needs to be broken.  Sex before marriage is taught as wrong and shameful, but they are not waiting.  And there are sad consequences all around us because of it.  Not to mention the many girls that are abused and used against their will.

She refers to the boys on bicycles.  And this is such Belize culture.  And wearing "slippers"...that is referring to flip flops.  And the ladies in the wooden chairs.  The halls at the hospital are lined with wooden chairs.  "Far away"....girls are looking for the prince charming to take them away from it all...  "first year"  is the first year of high school...

I am in awe of this all talented young woman, a Belizean, raised here on the mission field.  She is about to go away to style school for the summer.  It is neat to see such a young lady using her talents...so many of them.

Listen to this song, CLEAN, by Rebecca Stirm

Sometimes in the busyness of life, we just need to Stop and Reflect

I was just reading one of my friends' blogs and it just made me think.

This past year has been so crazy and so full of change.  And these last few months, I have literally had to relearn how to live.  I have had to relearn how to shop, cook, clean, do laundry, and yes, even drive in my new home.  I have had to learn how to be home all the time and not go to the church office, not send my kids off to school, and now not send my husband off to work.  He just showers and goes to the office in our bedroom.

But as I read my friend's blog, I was reminded by the Lord, that He has answered my prayer to be home---all of me---with my children.  Not constantly torn with errands for the church, doing the finances for the church, etc.   Of course, I am still in ministry, but at this point, Lee handles all administration.  And it is nice.

This year has been a learning process of figuring out how to homeschool my kids.  And I dont just mean the curriculum.  That was the easy part.  It is figuring out how to manage our time, but still be able to enjoy the flexibility of them being home.  So we can take a field trip whenever it is convenient.  They can go to market with us, the post office, other life skills are being poured into them.  They are learning what it means to live within a budget.  They are learning household skills as well.  Yet, still managing our time to finish their book work.  I panicked often that we would not finish.  But Tori will finish this coming week and Josh will finish the next.  Not too bad.  And their grades are great.

And I do love having them home.  I love not having to rush them to school or rush to pick them up.  I love that if we are in the middle of something, it is our schedule, not the schools.  I love that they dont ever have homework.  They finish during the day, and then can ride their bike, do a craft, whatever they want.  I remember my kids going to school all day and coming home to hours of homework.  I hated it because they did not have time just to relax.  My kids are happier now.

I love that we eat all three meals together.  Before, we ate dinner together.  Most of the time.  I love that Tori is learning to cook.  And Josh is helping in that area as well.  And Erika is my little baker.  I love that.  Before I just did not have time to do those things.  Now they are a necessity.  It is just cheaper and healthier to make things from scratch.  And tastes so much better too.

I have a pot of beans cooking once a week.  If I have to run an errand, Josh keeps them going for me...because they take all day.  Tori prepares a craft and lesson EVERY week for our children's ministry.  Do you know what committment and skills she is learning?  I am available to help her, but she mostly does it on her own.  Josh is pouring into the teens around us.  He is in ministry....real ministry at 15 years old.  And I love that too.

Tori is learning Piano and Josh is learning Guitar.  And they want to do it.  That is the best part.

  But learning to homeschool has been a great process.

And I am thankful that I am home with my kids, that my kids are homeschooled, and my husband works out of the home.  After the busyness of us all going different directions in the past, this is a nice calm season we are in.

Living on one income and not having my own "stash", like the past, is an adjustment as well.  But living on the mission field, we are so blessed.  And learning what things are really important.  And it just takes us another step in our marriage...learning once again how to live on the budget:)  and not having my own little account to compensate me going over:)

But I am thankful for the reminder today of how blessed I am to be home with my kids.  To enjoy their unique personalities.  Josh only has three more years of high school.  Then hopefully he will stay around a little for college, but it is hard to take that in.  And Tori is not far behind him.  I want to learn to appreciate each day I have with them.  And laugh with them...and talk with them...and get to know them even more.

Emotional Day

We tend to mark our lives by significant days.  Today is one of them for me.  I always remember Mother's Days, Easters, Christmas', Birthdays of myself and immediate family.

This week as I was blogging, I realized that I do not have a good pic of Josh and I.  The girls are always ready to pose...Josh always is running off.  So, I played the Mother's Day card and said for my special day, I wanted a picture of my handsome son with me.  Don't you love it?  And isn't he tall?  Taller than me, now.  And I am so proud of him.  Except when he irritates the females in the family:)  I always tell about Tori serving with the children.  But Josh does a lot too.  He operates all the powerpoint, helps set up and tear down things, and basically does whatever he is asked to do to help.  And he ministers, as there are a lot of kids close to his age in our church body.  Josh is an incredible blessing and very spiritually mature.

Three Mother's Days ago was a significant one for me.  It was when we first had Erika come and live with us, and we were traveling home from a fun week in Florida after doing a wedding on the beach.  It was  time of joy and answered prayer for a third child.

Today was significant for many reasons.  I was sad not to be with my mom or in laws today.  But the day was happy, too.

It started out crazy.  There is one floral shop here in Belmopan...and it was closed yesterday, so Lee and Josh got up real early to buy flowers to pass out to the moms today.  They were so busy, so they came back home.  I suggested we go ahead and load up and go set up at the George Price...and the added benefit of AC sounded nice too.  We got there and noone was there.  The other church that meets there was not there and the man who opens for us was not there yet.  After several attempts to try to contact someone, we left the older kids there with all the stuff we had already unloaded and went back to get the flowers.  Meanwhile, the guy came in and the kids had set up.  We rushed to tie ribbons and notes on the flowers so that the ladies could keep one flower and give one away.  Something that we did in Katy as well.  And our waitresses at lunch were clearly touched, by the way.

Today, after a hairy start, we had our largest crowd.  All personally invited as a result of someone already in LifeNet, which is how we want to grow.  One young man's mother came, quite by accident.  She had planned to go somewhere else to visit with a friend, and the church was closed today???  So she decided to come with her son.  And her little girl came as well.  And I believe they will be back.  Then, one of our young couples had three visitor friends come.  We were missing some of our regulars, but had 27 people total.  The neatest thing is that we are slowly seeing the people connect.  And each week, they sing a little more for worship.

Victoria had 6 children today.  And they made gifts and cards for their mothers, while learning about Isaac and Rebekah. The kids made this cute gift with the cupcake liners for our moms from my friends' blog.   I am always so impressed how this little 12 year old girl does so well with the children.  She definitely is gifted from the Lord.  We have one family in the church mostly because their little girl loves to come so much for the children's ministry.  I am so thankful that Tori allows the Lord to use her. 

We broke into small groups at the end, which is a little uncomfortable for visitors, I am sure.  But God moves in those small groups.  I had two of the visitors and to hear them share and pray aloud at the end, just broke my heart.  God is doing something so powerful and neat here.  And we get to be a part of it.  Lee had taught on worship and one of the questions was What did you learn new about worship today?  And the visitor said   "I have never been to a church where people clap  (and I wasn't sure where she was going with that), but I liked it!"  Another thanked God for bringing her here today and was looking forward to this new beginning.  It was awesome.

Another significant thing is one of our young ladies did not want to come today.  She was upset about something at home, but pressed in and came anyway.  Through tears, she shared with me just how thankful she was that Lee and I came to Belize.  This also broke my heart.  See, God constantly reminds us and shows us of His calling us here.  For those who did not have any church fellowship they belonged to.  That we get to start from scratch with them and pour into them.

After an awesome service, we enjoyed a nice lunch.  The Lord told me last year at Mother's Day, as I was surrounded by my 3 children, and 3 children that were not mine, that my next Mother's day would be the same.  And, it was.  I had my three and two others that I am their spiritual mother at the moment.  We had a great lunch and went home and watched Blind Side.

In the evening, one of the other young ladies that we meet with often, who missed this morning, came over.  And she gave me a Mother's day gift.  The thing that meant so much is that she is special to me.  And her gift spoke to me that the feeling is mutual.

So, today was significant for many reasons.  Reminders of God's calling.  Seeing fruit coming forth.  And I go to bed with a full heart.

Some days are hard, but days like this make it worth it.  I am so blessed to be a mother to Josh, Tori and Erika.  And even more blessed that they are willing to share me as we minister to other kids.  Tonight, we had a full table for sandwiches for dinner and ended the evening just having a good time playing some games.  I am thankful God has given us a home and relationships here.  And it has only been a couple of months.

Style Show

I really enjoyed the style show last night.

For those on Facebook, you have already seen my pictures, but I will put them up anyway:)

All of us girls spent time showering, doing our nails and hair and makeup to be beautiful for the show.   That part was a lot of fun, but a reminder that we have no air conditioning too...hard to get ready when you are sweating, but we did manage somehow.

They gave Erika cookies to give me for Mother's Day:)

Last night was very enjoyable and relaxing.  Having a four year old, it is still iffy if I should take her to something like this.  But she was awesome.  She loved every  minute of it and  let me cuddle her.  She sat on my lap until about 3/4 of the way through, when her "friend" Maggie danced.  She wanted to go up front to watch.  So sweet.  She is fascinated by dancing.  Just as long as we can keep the dancing godly.  I am thankful for her to be taking ballet at a Christian dance studio.  But I just really enjoyed the girls. 

The clothes were all beautiful.  She handmakes each item and it is made to fit the person who orders them.  This may be a nice birthday gift in the future for my girls.  The clothes are pretty reasonably priced and most were modest.

I am thankful that we had something fun to do last night.  Entertainment is sometimes hard to find here in Belmopan.  And last night was just a wholesome, fun evening, that I was not worried what I was taking the girls to.  And Lee and Josh had a good night as father and son having the house to themselves.

It is still hard being the new person.  I know a few people, but not many.  I was thankful that one of my friends and her little girl came.  So we were not just by ourselves.

And I ended the night coming home and chatting with one of my friends on Facebook.  We stayed up late as the kids watched Narnia.  Erika could barely hold her little eyes open as I finally laid her in bed.

It has been a  nice Mother's Day weekend.  Lee and the little girls just brought me a coke and chocolate...nice gift.  And we will go out for lunch tomorrow at a nice restaurant...two blessings...I dont have to cook and I get to eat a yummy lunch:)

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mothers (most of my readers) and especially to my mother and mother-in-law.  I am a blessed by godly examples that go before me.