Whats going on...

First of all, I brought a little girl to Belize a year ago...when did she grow up????

A team from Katy, TX and Montana are here.  Donnie has been a friend for years...and Erika is loving every second of him being here.  I'm sure the balloons he keeps making for her don't hurt:)

And Ms. Sue.  Erika is always looking for her as well.  After all, they have almost the same birthday and the Elliots were here for Erika's birthday too...

The children's church loved a special visit from Donnie on Sunday.

The house Monday night.  Delores is so happy...

This morning, Josh and Tori are helping build the house, so I spent a little extra time with Erika.  She loved these sheets I found on Pinterest.  And the Banagrams we got for Christmas are just perfect for her to work on her letters. They are from Curious George, which we just got the movie yesterday, so perfect timing.

We have no shortage of Vitamin C these days.  With oranges 20 per $1US and grapefruits 12 for $1US, my juicer is getting lots of work...

And remember the sweet baby bunny Tori rescued from being eaten by snakes....  Well, to thank us for saving his life, he decided to give us some babies...  Apparently within the week according to one of the men on the team.

Which means Patience will be a mommy soon...

Erika and I went this morning to pass out some banana muffins and banana bread we had made to the team.

They were all working hard.

We had plenty for others who stopped by.  These twins will be two on May 28, Lee's 42nd bday...

Always a monkey...

Its almost finished.  This team can be proud...it is a beautiful, solid home...

And Erika is loving all the yummy BUBBLE GUM Charity gives her.  Can you tell she is a grandma?

Two Years into Adoption

Last night, someone on the team, who is here building a house, asked me about adopting Erika.

It is hard to believe that Friday was two years that she is legally adopted.  I have decided not to celebrate this date, rather it is just a day for me to be thankful and reminded of God's miracles.  The true celebration is her birthday.  I won't ever keep her adoption a secret, but have decided (at least at this point) not to constantly need to remind her about it.  She is our child.  Simple as that.  If she asks questions, I answer honestly.

We met Erika the first week of March 2007.  I remember is being one of the most special days of my life.  We had a baby shower to get to, but her foster parents were going to be in town and asked if we would like to meet her.  I was nervous and unsure if we should.  We were not even licensed with the Foster home yet.  But Lee said, "Lets do this."  So, as we drove, I pleaded with God.  "If this is my daughter, let me know instantly...if not, somehow block my emotions."  We met at Bass Pro Shops, right out front by the rockers.  She had just woke up (she was 14 months old).  They set her down on the ground and she literally toddled right to me and fell into my arms.  In that moment, yes, I knew, deep in my heart...that this was my baby.  And that I would do everything I could...to make it work.  In that thirty minute meeting, it tore me up to even have to say goodbye.

By the time this photo was taken, in November of that year, she had lived with us over 6 months, and was very much part of our family.  And very much had won my heart.  I was so in love with this baby God had given us...

Two long years of foster care visits from the Methodist home, and the state, evaluations done on us, on her, so much...  During that time, God calling us to sell it all and move to Belize.  So much.  Working, raising a family, gaining one more foster child.  Those two years were long and at times, very difficult.  But, when I would hold this sweet girl, the answer of years of outcry to the Lord...it was all worth it.  My faith grew so much during this time.  There were times I was shaken to my very core.  Fear that we would lose her...was always that little voice I could not get rid of.  Because she was never a foster child to me.  She was my daughter the moment I held here that morning in March.

Fast forward to February 24, 2010.  We all got ready, dressed in matching colors.  Our family was all there.  Friends and even a photographer friend, who I am forever grateful to because she "caught" our day so perfectly.  I remember, finally, going into the courtroom and standing before the judge, surrounded by our family, that had walked this journey with us.  She asked several questions.  I held back the tears, the emotions so heavy in this long-awaited moment...  Then the judge said, "Do you feel, that as a mother, you have adequately bonded with this little girl, to raise her as your own daughter?"  Here, I broke, I cried, as I said "Yes, ma'am."  This picture shows such joy for me in this day.

After going and celebrating at Rainforest Cafe, Erika's favorite place, I remember going home, and Lee, Erika and I fell asleep.  A deeper sleep than I had slept in months.  Because now we were at peace.  There was such a burden that was broken that day, as she was officially our daughter...recognized by the state.

Adopting Erika was a long, journey...but I would do it again.  I would cry every tear again...  Because it grew me stronger...it grew me closer to God...and we were so blessed with such a wonderful girl.

So, now, two years into adoption.  Erika is a beautiful girl.  Five years old.  Sometimes, I am just struck by how beautiful, smart, healthy, joyful that she is.  She has forever changed our family.  Our extended family.  Even the missions team.  They said it is her personality that the Lord uses to break the ice.

I am so thankful that many years ago, God would always put it on my heart...that there was one more child.  I am so glad I listened.

Passion for the Lord is Contagious

All day today Erika has been excited that it is Thursday and the "Thursday night kids" are coming over....I love her joy and expectancy.

Tonight a couple of our girl leaders were not able to make it, so I combined their small groups and led it.

There was a girl, 20 years old, that has just started coming.  I really do not know her that well.

Her mother just died 3 months ago and she is from Canada and came to live with family for a while...

But we were talking about the Word and how important it is to be a priority.  And she just began to share...so raw, so passionately.   She shared how easy it is to run to drugs or alcohol to mask your pain, but if you would just run to Jesus and read His Word, it is all you really need.   It excited me.  I talked to her after the group to try to find out a little more about her.

Her passion stirred me.  She is trying to decide about maybe going to Bible school or what it is God has for her life.

Her final words to me were, "I just want to tell people...don't wait for a tragedy...live for Him now...run to Him now."

It is interesting and exciting to me who God is bringing into our midst.

If you are not excited and passionate about Jesus, find someone who is...cause its contagious:)

No Internet, No Electricity

One thing that can be incredibly frustrating at times....living in a third world country...is that you cannot always count on the Utilities.  Of course, there are times in the states that we were without internet or water or electricity.  But we definitely encounter it more here.

Tuesday night, I was blessed to get to join an over the internet Bible study with a lady from Texas and four ladies from California.  It was the most awesome thing until we lost the internet for 45 minutes.  And I couldn't just call them and tell them what was going on, because we also use the internet for that.  But at the end, it came back and I got to be a part for the last few moments.

Today, the electricity went out from 7:30 am until about 12:30 pm.  Thankfully, it was not too hot a morning...or it would have been unbearable with no fans and no cold drinks.  We could not open the fridge, not knowing when it was coming back on, because of the potential of all our food going bad...and trust me, that has happened a few times already since we lived here.  We have had two fridges (fairly new) break on us, and one get blown by the lightning...

It made me realize how much we rely on these utilities, though.   And made me so thankful when everything was back to normal again.  And how blessed that I get to minister in a country where at least we have electricity, clean water and the internet.

But I sure have enjoyed my fan this afternoon and enjoyed being able to put on a movie for Erika, and enjoyed being able to use my juicer to make Orange Juice.

When Ministry is Pure Joy

I only have a minute...and not really...I need to be making dinner right now...

But I want to jot some thoughts while my heart is fresh.

I have been discipling a young adult, a University Student.  It has been pure joy.

During that time, her mother began to regularly attend LifeNet.  A couple of weeks ago, she asked if I would begin discipling her when I finished with her daughter.

Today was our first meeting. 

Today was busy, crazy, and all that:)

But can I tell you, what joy to spend an hour with this woman?  She is so excited about what God is doing in her children and her own life.  And the impact it is making at her job even?  Two of her employees are beginning to attend the church as well.

I want to look back to a Past post of the first time I visited the Children's Home...

That day, I knew God had a reason that He was connecting me to this home.  Today, I feel that He showed me.  As I met with the Housemom, now so passionate about Jesus, I was overwhelmed with Joy.  As the teen girls were happy to talk to me...the babies so precious...  This time I left in my car with not unexplained tears, but tears of joy.  That He would call me to pour into this awesome lady, that she will in turn pour into these children and her employees.

I look forward to, over the next several weeks, getting to know her better.  I also will enjoy being able to be in the home.  There is just something there.  The children are precious...the teen moms are precious as well.  God has a plan for each of them.  I just am thankful that I get to be a part of showing God's love each time I walk in the doors.

People are talking about LifeNET

Yesterday, there was an excitement in the air as the service started.  Usually, people continue to come in after the service starts.  But yesterday, as the Worship Team began, the room was already full.  Just a few seats here and there were open.  But people continued to trickle in.  The ushers set up all our reserve chairs...and then there were no chairs left.  So they had to go downstairs and get the chairs from childrens church and bring them in.  And still, we did not have enough chairs.  Several men stood at the back the entire service.  But what an exciting problem to have.  And as the children were dismissed, we had to carry back down those chairs.

We had 98 people in service yesterday.  Several visitors, but also several new families that have been coming over the past few weeks.  One of the most exciting things to me is that several of the young people that we have been ministering to for awhile...are now bringing their parents.  Their parents are hearing about LifeNet and want to be a part as well.

I just finished taking one of our young leaders through the Life Manual.  And this week, I will begin taking her mother through it.  She is excited as she sees her daughter growing in the Lord.  I had the honor of baptizing this young lady just a few weeks ago.

Our children's church has grown from a steady 6 kids to now close to 20.  It is a lot of kids in one little room, so we are going to eventually need to split it into two classes.  Please pray that God would provide the workers.  Originally, we had just Tori and Alina teaching each week...now we have a steady rotation of about 12 women, ministering on a rotation basis.  Tori and Alina still are mostly  in there, but now are in service every other week...so it is working out well.

When we first moved here, we had to establish ourselves.  That was hard.  After coming from Katy, where we knew so many people.  But now a year into this mission, it is nice to know people, to be known.  I took Josh to get his hair cut this week.  And the lady who cuts his hair shared how blessed she is for her girls to be coming to LifeNet.  I believe she will eventually join them because she sees God changing her girls.

People are talking about LifeNet.  It is exciting, because it is not anything we are doing...it is the Lord.  They come in to the service and feel His presence.  They don't want to miss a service, because they are afraid what they will miss.  We have one lady coming who does not speak English, but she continues to come, because she feels the Lord when she comes.

I also ask for you to intercede for LifeNet.  Whenever God is doing something good, the enemy does not like it.  So, please pray for unity among the church people, and that the enemy would not have any openings into this body.

This morning, Lee and I are creating a video for Life Church in Katy's 10th Anniversary.  So often, when I go to church on Sunday morning now, I am reminded of those early days in Katy.  Figuring out childcare, ushers, setting up and tearing down each week.  But also the excitement as people came and found relationships with God and relationships with people.  Because whether you live in the states or live in Belize...that is what people are longing for.

making up some music while waiting for service to start

still more children came after I took this picture

This weekend, we had a pastor from Arkansas come and spend some time with us.  He needed to go to Banana Bank to a ministry on Saturday, so I asked Lee if he could take us to swim.  It was a perfect day.  Hard to believe it was hot enough to swim in February, but the dry season is definitely here.  And when I say dry, I mean no rain, because our clothes are definitely not!!!  Sweaty Season is what they should call it.

Just had to post some pics of our beautiful day.

Valentines' Day in Belmopan

Last year on Valentine's Day, we had just arrived in Belmopan, just moved into an apartment, were dealing with just learning how to live in this new country.  Figuring out when our shipment from the states was coming, where it would go...so many details.  So much newness.  There was not time to worry about making cute cards with the kids...in fact, I did not have any of my stuff at that point...we were still living out of suitcases (remember the year of living in suitcases:)).

So, this year, I was happy to pick up a little special candy for the family, and make valentines with Erika and Tori.  There is a story there, too.  Lee had a meeting at Bullfrog that night with the Foursquare ministers, so the girls and I had all our crafty supplies all over the kitchen table, the house was kind of a mess, we were in our jammies...just enjoying a quiet evening...when Lee called.  They couldn't meet at Bullfrog...so they were coming here....NOW.  Oh my, talk about kicking into overdrive...all the kids and I hurriedly starting picking up, sweeping, wiping down the bathroom, etc...  But then we finished making them in our bedroom.  I am thankful we have a large bedroom with a tile floor.  

Valentines Day, I was given a very special gift from a friend, Francine, and her church in California.  She will be conducting a Bible Study on Biblical Womanhood via conference over the Internet.  So, I get to participate.  Just in time, I received the three books on Friday.  I am so enjoying this study, even though I am only on the third lesson.  So, Tuesdays, I will meet with women in California and Texas, and we will discuss what God is showing us.  And potentially, I may eventually be able to do this here with the women in Belize.  Tori will join us on the third book, which is on Purity.  I feel very blessed that they would want to include me and minister to me in this way.

So, for Valentine's Day, we enjoyed a bag of conversation hearts...

Erika enjoyed waking up that morning to candy lying beside her bed.  Good day to start her morning...she was so happy...

Lee and I snuck away for a much needed kid-free lunch...it was so nice and QUIET...

My Valentine of 20+ years...I love him:)

Josh and I spent some of the afternoon playing Phase 10...nice to have time with just him...

That evening, we had a special dinner and then played Chicken Foot....I know I look horrible...but Valentines Day is still a real life day of laundry, dishes, homeschool...and by the end of the hot sweaty day, this is what you get:)  (Dont worry, I dressed up for our lunch date).

My Goofy family did not want pictures...but I know the grandmas still like to see us in all our silliness...

And Lee, who would have rather played Risk or Monopoly, ended up really enjoying Chicken Foot, which is good, because it was something Erika could play too...

Some have referred to Valentines Day as Singles Awareness Day.  I am reminded today of how blessed I am to have an amazing husband and three children that bring joy and laughter into my life.  Valentines should not be about spending a lot of money...but about spending time with those you love.  Because spending time is more valuable than anything.  Sure, Lee and I both had a million things we could have been doing last night, but one day our kids will be grown up and gone...we must enjoy them now.  And each other as well.

Hope you had a special day with the people in your life you love:)

Belize City

This morning, we had to wake up at 4:45, so if some of this does not make sense...please forgive me.

Wini had to take her ACT and the person she was originally going to go with ended up not going.  The only place to take it is Belize City.

So, this morning, the whole family, plus two more, headed to Belize City.  We left Belmopan at 6 am, wanting to allow if we got lost, weather, etc.  I had the van loaded with snacks, water, extra clothes for Erika if needed, a blankie.  Having a couple extra kids along was awesome for Josh and Tori.

The ride there was pretty mellow.  I think Wini is the only one who slept.  Everyone just enjoyed each other.  Erika enjoyed looking out the window.  A van ride is just soothing like that.  Especially because here, at $6US/gal, we don't leave town all that much.  When we do, it is a fun day.  It was neat, actually, to start out in the dark, watch the sun rise, and kind of watch Belize "wake up".  Being Friday night last night, it was not like a week day morning, but I was really surprised how many people were up, going about their business as we passed all the little villages on the way.

We arrived in Belize City around 7:30 am, and the city was quiet...not much going on.  We stopped to get Wini a drink to take in and then got her settled at the college, for her test.

Now, we had over an hour to wait until the Museum opened.  We asked our local Belizean kids what to do.  We ended up at a brand new playground right along the sea.  What a blast and so beautiful a morning.  Erika thoroughly enjoyed playing (and so did the big kids).  I wish we had something like this closer to home that I could take her to.

And here are a couple that Tori took:

Then we headed to the Belize Museum, built in the former prison of Belize.  It was a beautiful and very interesting museum.  Today was their 10th anniversary, so we got in free...since we live in Belize:)  One room, upstairs, was air-conditioned, so the older kids stopped their tour there and just hung out.

After we were there for about an hour and a half (and suprisingly, we were the only people visiting while we were there), we headed to Mirab.  I remember going to this store 11 years ago, when Lee and I first came to Belize.  It was right up the street from our hotel.  But going today, for me, was major culture shock.  So many American products (majorly expensive, mind you), it was almost overstimulating for my brain.  It was kind of like a JCPenny, or store similar to that.  It really hit me, that when I go to the states in a few months, I may feel even more overwhelmed.  It was beautiful and clean and had so many nice things.  A year ago, I would have loved this store, but today, it just made my head hurt.  Like I really didn't even want to shop there.  It was a weird experience for me.  I looked at the beautiful household items...and they were just not practical for my life anymore.  I realized, while in this store, how much  my views on spending have changed...and just that shopping for me has become more about necessities than being frivilous.

Anyways, by now, because of getting up so early, we headed to Jamborees.  Another American style place.  We were the first customers of the day, I think, but again, it was because we woke up so early.  We all enjoyed a nice lunch, fairly clean restrooms, and Erika got to play some more on the amazing playground.

We got a to-go lunch and headed to pick up Wini, and head home.  By now (12:30), Lee and I were exhausted and needed to rest.  I was actually worried Lee may fall asleep, but he did great.  We stopped at this grocery store, that I absolutely do not like, right outside of Belize City to get another drink to keep Lee awake.  We sent Josh and Trey in, and just had people coming up, asking for money, etc.  It was a little scary and I was happy to get all our ducks back in the van and be on our way.

So, this was our day.  I think I really need a nap now, after I load the pics.  Then I will finish preparing everything that needs to be done for tomorrow.