Happy 16th Josh

JOSHUA AARON

How is it possible that I am once again going through photos because it is your birthday?  Where has the last year gone?  You have grown in so many ways, mainly, your height:)  Seriously, weird that you are actually taller than me now.

I am so proud of you.  I am proud of your character.  Proud of how hard you work.  Proud of the example you are to other young men.

I'm so thankful that you got a week with your cousin, Tyler, right before your birthday.  It was nice to see you guys together again.  Most memorable spring break...

I forever love this picture that Tori took of you that day we had to wait in Belize City while Wini took her ACT.  I know you hate your picture taken, but you are quite photogenic:)

I love how, of all people, your cake had the wrong name on it, but you could still laugh.  Even as we all sang, "Happy Birthday, Jash".  The Belizeans said it was creole for Josh...

Sorry you didn't get a car for your 16th bday...you can't drive til next year anyway (in Belize).  But I love how thankful you were to get a phone.  So many of your friends have gotten phones over the years much earlier than you...but I love that you are so thankful to finally have one of your own.  

Josh, the years have flown by.  You will understand someday when you are a dad.  I love you more every day.  You make me laugh every day...  Thank you for bringing joy and laughter into our home...

Happy 16th Birthday

PS, love that, like your dad, you choose the cheapest place in town to go out for your birthday...you are a true money saver, even if its not yours:)

Watching the "found" videos

Tonight, my heart is racked with so many emotions...and I drank coffee at 5 pm...never a good idea.

First of all, thinking about life 16 years ago.  Lee and I were pastoring our first church.  I was 4 days past my due date.  I was 22, Lee 25.  We were so excited waiting for this child, that we had desperately prayed for.  We literally had just found out this day that we were having a boy...and I went home and walked three miles with friends, trying to get closer to meeting this boy!!!  We had one of the most stressful business meetings ever at church...to change the name of the church and some other things.  All during the meeting, I was having regular contractions.  We went home, exhausted.  Only to be awakened within minutes because my water broke!  We rushed to the hospital, but Josh did not enter this world for several more hours...around 1:30 pm the next day, by c-section.  Just remembering the joy I felt that day...

Just now, Tori and I tried to sneak to decorate outside his door...a new tradition I have started here in Belize.  Well, it was a "fail" because I popped a balloon and almost fell off the chair because it scared me.  We all had a good laugh:)  Josh made some funny quotes from inside his room, letting us know that yes, he heard!!!

Onto other things:  Tonight, Josh loaded some videoes he had found, onto my computer.  I spent the night, watching, labeling, deleting a few.  It was an emotional night.  1.  Because I thought we had lost these, so they were a treasure found.  2.  They were of our final months in our home in Katy, TX.  It was interesting and emotional for me to watch Erika's last birthday...noone really knowing we were about to move, our last Christmas in the house...just remembering how it was bathed in sadness for me, knowing we were about to give it all up.  But also, there was laughter and joy, as we watched Josh and Tori at the awkward ages they were...I had forgotten.  To hear Josh before his voice changed.  And before maturity stepped in.  For Tori as well.  And Erika was so little...just a baby (really 2 and 3rd bday).  She still had a toddle to her step, and spoke so differently.  It included her adoption party we had at the church, where I shared our testimony of the adoption.  Yes, I cried watching it...stirring up all those emotions again.  Then, of course, my thoughts turned to old friends from Life, family, as they showed up in the video too.  All the things that we had to say goodbye to.  Yes, it was an emotional night of remembering.  But yet, that really seems like a different life now.  I can't quite explain it.  But that we have moved on.  We are settled in our new home now, our new life.

The evening ended with a phone call from Lee's brother...sharing of a blessing for our family.  God is so good to us.  He takes care of every detail for us.  And I think it was no coincidence on this night of remembering the past, that God showed me in such a powerful way, that He is in our present and future too.  Still taking care of us.  Still blessing us.

Tomorrow, we have a very busy day.  Honestly, every day seems busy lately.  That is why I drank coffee so late, so I could make it through this evening.  And now I am awake!  But we will celebrate Josh's life.  And the gift that life is to us.  We will also celebrate with our leaders tomorrow night, for completing a very long Leadership Training, with a special dinner.  Yes, tomorrow will be full.  Lee will be teaching a class in the afternoon, and I will be discipling someone.

One other thing I really have on my heart tonight is how blessed I am.  I have three amazing kids.  Really, they are.  And a wonderful husband.  We will be married 20 years in a few short months.  We have grown up together and walked through so many things over these years.  We are still walking through new journeys on a daily basis.  But I go to sleep with a thankful heart for all HIS blessings on me, my family, just overwhelmed by His goodness.

How Life is different...

Today the big kids and Lee went out on an adventure to a Mayan cave...hoping to have some pics to post later and tell you about it.

I opted not to go because (1) I'm not that adventurous, (2) Erika is too small so we would have had to get a sitter...which I am just not up for, and (3), we have a Baby Shower this afternoon for a lady in our church that I need to go to.

So, I saw this as the golden oppurtunity to spend the day with Erika.

The challenge is, that there is just not that much to do here locally:)  I can think of all the easy little things I could do with her in Katy.  Here, it is truly a challenge.

But, we have had a great day...she seems pretty happy...and it didn't set me back too much financially:)

We woke up early with the family (6:30 am).  We washed and hung two loads of laundry.  She wanted desperately to help me hang, but is just too small, so I hung and she brought me the clothespins.  It actually took me longer, but she was thrilled to help.  Then we ate some fried eggs (her very favorite breakfast) and OJ.  I washed the dishes, while she collected all the trash from the house.  She was so proud to help clean.  We watched a movie, while I prepared everything for tomorrow's children's church...as it was still too early to go anywhere.  We made our list...she loved that part...of what we were going to do....

First stop was A & R.  They have candy you can buy with a shilling (12 1/2 cents).  She had 4 shillings in her pocket and a plastic bag.  We were so dissappointed because they were out of her favorite candy.  We did find glitter play-doh for $3US for two small containers of generic, but still exciting.  We found some tiny water animals.  And a couple other misc. things I needed.  Since we didn't get candy there, we headed to another store so she could still use her shilling to buy a sucker and that made her happy.

By now, it was lunch time.  She chose to go to Antonini's because she could have ice cream for dessert.  Sadly, we drove there, and it was not open:(  So her next choice was Formosa.  We decided it would be more fun to take it to go.  So we ordered a chicken salad sandwich to share and a fancy ice coffee for me.  While we were waiting, we went to a grocery store to look at the movies.  All of them seemed like horror movies!!...but we did end up finding one children's movie...so she was happy.(less than $2US)  When we got home, we got the lunch ready, and discovered the sweet lady had put in two small brownies in with our lunch.  That made Erika's day.  I let her eat  both of them...  After all, I had my fancy coffee...

Well, I will not bore you with the rest of our day.  We are currently getting showers because we are sweating like crazy, before heading to the baby shower where we are responsible for the punch.  We have everything prepared and ready to go.  The laundry is folded and put away, house fairly clean and very quiet.  Hoping everyone comes home before we leave.

Anyway, life is different here.  I think of all the things in Katy, there were for us to do.  We would have been gone all day.  Here, there was really not much to do and we were gone maybe an hour.  It was good to get Erika out of the house.  She was happy.  But she was content being home too.   She made a cute bday card for Josh (on Wednesday) and is now taking a bath with her new sea animals.  I see how she has come to appreciate our simple life as well...

What I love about Belize

Living in Belize, our lives are very different than they used to be.  One major way is that crime is a very real part of our life, and of those in our life.  This week has been a little sad in this area...

But, instead of writing about that, I wanted to write about what I love living here in Belize...

A little while ago, the girls, Lee and I walked down to the corner store to get stuff to pack their lunch tomorrow and some things I needed to take for a baby shower tomorrow.  I love that it is close...and love that the family goes together.

This morning, Lee and I woke up extra early and went to market.  We needed water/tennis shoes for the kids tomorrow.  So after buying my regular veg/fruits, we went to the garage sale type booths and found shoes for both girls...later found Josh some at a store.  I came home and made some yummy OJ.  I love that my family eats/drinks so much fresh food here.  And they consume more fruits and veggies here than we ever did in the states.

I love the church family we have here in Belize.  Just saw a few, spoke to a few on the phone, chatted with a couple on Facebook.  But I am so thankful for the people He has brought into our lives.  Their friendship is genuine...and it goes both ways.

I love the support network that the Lord has given us in the states.  We are constantly blessed with special snacks, toiletries that are hard to get here, books, etc.  We are also bombarded with prayer and encouragement.  It is much different than we ever experienced simply being a pastor.  God has set up people who take it seriously to keep in touch with us and encourage us.  

Most days :), I love that I homeschool my children.  It is just something we thought about in the states, but never probably would have done.  Some days are long, some days are crazy.  But I feel it has really drawn my children and Lee and I together.  We are together all the time, but it is neat too.  Today, the kids were being silly with me, we were all laughing, and I thought how much I enjoy that part of my life.  Our years with them are so short...I am thankful to have this extra time with them.

I love that my family appreciates the simple things more here.  After sweating all day, we are so thankful when it begins to cool in the evening.  And trust me, when we are in the states in July, we will greatly appreciate being in homes with AC, even if just for four weeks.  We had an extremely simple party for Josh last week: nachos, cokes and birthday cake.  Simple, but appreciated.  I love that.

There are many things that I have had to learn to do over this past year.  But now, I find comfort in the simpleness of hanging out my laundry to dry (most of the time), cooking for my family...from scratch, and going to six stores to gather a weeks worth of groceries.  It has become my new way of life.  And I'm finding that its not too bad:)

The Day After

Today is the day after...

Lots of laundry...

Lots of cleaning...

Back to school and work...

Back to normal...

I know a few thousand miles away, it is the same for my sister-in-law today...

I never wanted to nap while they were here, not wanting to miss something.

Today, that nap is about to overtake me.

I didn't really want to clean while they were here, not wanting to waste my time on unimportant things.

Today, there is a lot to do.

It always feels good to get back in the routine, but so thankful for the memories that were made last week.  They will be with us always.

When the kids are adults, there will be those stories of "remember that time, we visited you in Belize, and there was a scorpion at church..."  or "remember that time, your house was full to the brim with people, cots, chaos...remember how much fun that was????"  or "remember when we buried Erika in the sand, and Ryan and Josh???"

I am so thankful that life is not about the details of day-to-day, but rather about the special times.  They are the moments that really stand out.  The ones that make washing clothes and dishes, teaching school, vacuuming...are all about.  It is those special moments.  When you hold your breath, waiting to see your family or friends you haven't seen in a while, those fun, rare trips, those special times away.  They are the moments that make all the mundane moments in life worth it all.

Yesterday, when we left the airport and got in the van, I noticed it was REALLY quiet.  Like everyone was in  their own little world.  Everyone was a little tired from a fun week.  I think we were just taking it all in.  I put on some worship and we all sang along as we drove the uneventful, now familiar, hour long ride home.  We came home and the house was really quiet too...for a little while, then all was back to normal.

Now, back to our kingdom work...why we are here.  Sometimes I really miss Katy, Life Church, our family.  I am sad that I had to move away from all of them.  But then I begin to think about my new family, here in Belmopan.  And that is why.  And they are worth it.  And someday I will look back and have even a greater understanding of His purpose.  Because as in all of my life, it is only in looking back, that I can really see God's hand, the bigger picture.

What an awesome week...

I know I have not updated for a while.  That is because we have been busy enjoying our cousins:)

Today, we said goodbye to Wayne, Jodie, Tyler and Ryan.  I didn't cry at the airport, but when we got home to the empty house, I was a little choked up.  It was a wonderful week and absolutely flew by.  I am tired tonight, but a happy tired.  It was so neat to see the cousins hit it off, as if they hadn't ever been apart.  At the airport, negotiations were being made to trade the two youngest:)  But of course, we could never do that.  During church on Sunday morning, Ryan, sweet as could be, turned to me and asked if he could come home with us next summer (2013).  He makes my heart smile.

We had a whirlwind week of Lee still trying to get some work done, while having a little fun too.  Wini was off on Monday and took off a couple extra days (:) to have fun on the beach with us.  It was our first trip down there.  This week we made it our kids Spring Break as well.  It was nice to have a break from school.  Tomorrow it is back to work and school and life as normal.

Here are a few highlights (for the moms) of our week:

Four kiddoes anxiously awaiting the plane...

We took them to the Baboon sanctuary, from the airport, got POURED on, but then got to see a bunch of monkeys and feed them...

Tuesday, we made the impossibly, long, slow, drive to Placencia.  It was hot, but so awesome when we finally arrived at the beach, very hungry:)

Erika played from after lunch until dark...and only came in because we forced her.  She was in heaven.

Only time she was still was when Uncle Wayne buried her.  He also buried Ryan and Josh.  It kept things quieter:)

There was an ice cream shop, that we were told was amazing.  Lee wanted to skip dinner and head straight for  the ice cream, but the adults in the group said a light dinner first was necessary.  Erika saw the strawberries on top and said, I would loooove a strawberry...I havent had one in forever (before we moved here), and the kind man put it right on top....He made this momma very happy.

As always, Josh found a tree to climb:)

Friday, we made a trip to the Blue Hole.  Ryan and Tori enjoyed the clay part.  Josh had a blast having his cousin there with him...

Friday night, we had some people over to celebrate Josh's 16th bday early.  We enjoyed Nachos and cake.  And  especially enjoyed hanging out with everyone.

Yep, they wrote "JASH" instead of "Josh".  The Belizeans said it was creole:)  Its okay...the cake was amazing...not one piece left!!!

Good to have the brothers back together....it was a lot of "Brockinton" in one little house...but we had lots of laughs, thats for sure...

Not wanting his nephew to leave dissappointed, Lee searched every chance he got to find a  HUGE tarantula for him to hold....UGH.  Ryan, I'm glad you got your wish...

Sunday morning, we found this on the floor...I screamed to Kill it, but...Let me get my camera first.  One of the boys took off the stinger and so then Lee posed with it:)

Then, this afternoon, we headed to the airport.  The goodbyes were hard...  But we know we will see them again in July, so that helped...

So, tonight, we rest.  Tomorrow...back to market, back to school, back to real life....

Just a couple of videos: Enjoy

Here is a video we made for Life Church a few weeks ago.  Today is the 10th Anniversary of the church and they showed this in service.  Can't wait to see everyone in person again:)

Here's another one...that the team that just came and  built the house made.  Trish did a great job.

Company is Coming

There is excitement in the house tonight, as we are just a day away from Uncle Wayne, Aunt Jodie, Tyler and Ryan coming in for Spring Break.

Lee and the kids washed both vehicles, both dogs, cleaned out the shed, cleaned up the yard, while I worked on several loads of laundry, linens, cleaning the fridge, etc.

We are so excited to see them...it has been so long.  And to show them where we live, who we spend time with, and show them around our little section of Belize.

The kids are all pretty excited.  That is just what happens when we get visits...

Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of Life Church in Katy.  Hard to believe.  I was just looking at this picture on Tori's dresser...when we first started Life....they were so little.

Tomorrow, Life will be celebrating big.

Last Sunday, we celebrated our first year of LifeNet.  Thank you, Alina, for getting such great shots!!!

our (LifeNets) little miracle baby...she is doing awesome!!!

We had 95 people in service last week...so I just kept cutting smaller and smaller...

And Tori's bunnies get cuter every day.  I'm so excited my nephews will get to see them when they are so cute.  Unfortunately, we lost one this week.  It was so sad for Tori.  I know as we get rid of them eventually, she will miss them too.  They are sooo cute.  And no, we are not planning to have a bunny farm...we now have separated the male from the female:)

This beauty LOVES her rabbits.  She checks on them all the time...

Cute buuny~~~manicure by Wini:)

So now, we are settling down for the night.  Josh was discussing what movie to watch when Erika went to bed...and I said I was going to go read a book...  He called me a Nerd???  Can you believe it?

Goodnight...Im about to go read:)

A visit to Springfield

This morning, we woke up to cold and rain.  Nice for staying home.  I got up and did two loads of laundry (and yes, I used my dryer...I knew it would not even be worth attempting to hang them.  Good decision.)  It was nice to get that done, pancakes made and a little bit of yesterday cleaned up before heading out for our Family Day.

Lee had discovered this little Mennonite Community that was very primitive.  They had a market and we had a friend, who has been here as a missionary for years, who was willing to join us.

We were not sure if it was a good idea to still go since it had been raining all day, but just left a little later than we originally planned.  It is on the Hummingbird Hwy, South, on the way to the Blue Hole.  As we turned off, there was a lot of mud.  We were still wondering if we should go ahead, but our friend assured us that we would be okay.

Not too far up the road, a van had slid off the road because of the rain and mud.  This worried me some.  We are actually heading into the dry season, so I am wondering if this is our last bout of rain like this.

But the drive was beautiful, even in the rain.  The girls and I had all put on modest dresses, and the guys wore slacks, as a respect to the people there.  We did take pictures, but tried to be respectful when we were around the people.  And I must say, every single person we interacted with was so friendly.  I would have loved to have taken a picture of some children, barefoot...because their children are all barefoot, playing outside and looking at our van like we were from another universe.  I would have loved to have taken a picture of the young men that we talked to when we went back to the market, which by 11 am, was totally sold out.  That was a little disappointing.  I have been told that we can get strawberries and blueberries back there, so hope to go back sometime.  Even though pictures of the people would have made this post more interesting, it is more important that we respected those people and honored their wishes for no photos.

This was truly one of those days that it was about the JOURNEY moreso than the DESTINATION.  The market was sold out when we got there.  The general store was closed.  So we got back in the van and headed out.  But it was still nice and nice to just enjoy a drive in the rain.  And I am thankful God kept us safe and we didn't slide in the mud or get stuck.

sawmill run on HORSE-power...see the place where the horses would go if not raining...

Erika really enjoyed the homemade donut..

the women were packing up all sorts of vegetables: carrots, potatoes, etc.

A slow Thursday

Its just a slow Thursday around here, after a very busy week.

Tuesday night, we went and celebrated with the team after they finished the house.  Josh could barely stay awake.  But I am so proud of my kids, working out there.  It is an experience they never would have had in the States.  I gave them the choice Tuesday morning of school or building...they both chose to build.

Here is the finished house:

And the tired team that night after dinner...they became such good friends while they were here. 

It was hard to say Good-bye on Wednesday.

Right now, I hear some Punta music playing in the streets.  It is either for the upcoming election next Wednesday, or for Prince Harry.  We will go watch a parade with Prince Harry tomorrow afternoon.  That is one thing about living here.  There is always a parade, always music playing.  With our open windows, if someone around is having a party, we have free entertainment for a few hours, whether we like it or not:)

Last night we had an amazing time with our leaders.  They are all just so awesome and I love them so much.  The next step is that we will be multiplying into smaller Net Groups.  It is neat to see how God is already forming some of the groups.  It is also neat how God has binded us together in such a short time, well, it has been over 20 weeks, but still.  Last night, we prayed for each other.  It was neat, as now an "older" woman, getting to pray over an 18 yr old girl and a young mother.  I am now able to "look back" and remember what it was like....but it was a while ago now.

And now, we excitedly await our next guests, Lee's brother and family.  Can't wait:)