thankful

it is 6 pm on a thursday evening.   and it just rained.  wow, that is nice...it cooled things off beautifully.  we've had dinner, showers, the house is picked up, the chairs have been put around, the couch pushed back....and now, i am just listening to worship and relaxing by a fan on the couch.  we love thursdays.  kind of like we love sundays.  we look forward to see how many people Jesus will bring to our house each thursday.  school started and i know that is good and bad for attendance...kids adjusting back to school hours, but also around their friends who they will invite.  so good and bad.  did i mention that we just got an amazing rain shower that totally cooled off my house?  we love thursdays:)

This is what I'm listening to right now:)

oh, and it is cool enough that i actually lit a candle...my house smells nice...ready for fall, but think i still have a wait before me:)

praying our home is a place of refuge and hope for young people...somewhere safe and people they can trust...who point them to a Jesus who will never let them down...

Getting back to normal...

This was our second Sunday back at LifeNet and I definitely felt more like normal.  We had a tough morning getting there...poor Lee...but we finally made it, got things set up and I love our resident photographer, Alina, and her skills...she caught these first few photos.

Erika was happy about something or up to something...not sure which:)  

Alina, Tori and I ministered to the kids...and yes, that includes being a superhero...or singing about one named JESUS!!!

And while I was downstairs ministering to the kiddoes, Lee was preaching upstairs...recovering from being sick Friday and Saturday.  I must admit, I was a little worried about him, but he did and he even looks great...God is merciful.

IT HAS BEEN HOT, HOT, HOT, here in Belmopan.  Thankfully, the nights cool off because the days are excruciating...  In the afternoon, I am just so tired from the heat...it drains you.   Plus I wake up early to hang laundry, go to market, etc...before we start school.

Today, we decided to try out a snowcone place we have wanted to try for a long time...and it had moved!!! So, as we were driving around trying to decide what to do next, we saw one of our girls from church, walking.  We picked her up and drove her over to UB.  Cause remember...it is HOT.  And she told us where the snowcone place had moved.

And it was good...and cool...and we are so glad we finally tried it.  And hey, for $5 US for the whole family, not too expensive a treat.

I know my Facebook friends have seen a lot of these, but don't think I ever posted these beautiful pictures, our pastor friend, Faloo, took of Erika at the wedding.  She is such a beautiful girl.

Well, tomorrow and Friday are full days of school and ministry, then looking forward to relaxation on Saturday. Boys are doing their thing and girls, our own thing:)

School has begun

Sunday was a great service at LifeNet.  We had a full crowd even with many people out of town.  Worship was amazing.  It was so good to be back home and with our Belize family.  Sunday afternoon and evening were low key in preparation for the first day of school.  Erika was so excited, that she did not fight us in going to sleep.

Bright and early Monday morning, I made a healthy breakfast to start everyone off right.  The kids got right to work, which was good, because it is HOT right now in Belize.  And the hotter you get, the harder it is to work.  Erika loved every aspect of her school day.  I still have to spend a lot of time teaching her, but also she has lots of things she can do on her own this year.  And being ms. independent, that works nicely for her.  I work with her on and off for about two hours and then she has about two hours of work she can do independently, checking in with me.  As the year progresses, she will do more and more work alone like the big kids.  She is so hungry to learn, it is precious.  She is so excited to go to sleep each night and wake up for school the next day.

Last year, our first day of school ended in the clinic with Erika getting stitches.  I am thankful to report, she is still fully intact and healthy:)

Sorry, no pics of the big kids.  They don't really get ready until AFTER school.  Why bother?  But they are both off to a great start as 8th and 11th graders.  Josh's load is much lighter this year, which is a blessing for him.  It is a tight year for us starting later than last year and needing to end sooner.  So, they will not have Mondays off this year unless I see that we are ahead.  I think we will plan to do something fun one Monday a month, though.

It feels good to be back in a schedule, routine.  This morning, Lee and I went to market at 6.  I loved it.  It was cooler, less people, more produce choices.  I think we will do that on Tuesdays and then go later on Fridays because we are usually dragging after our Thursday nights.

Erika and I both have colds.  I don't know how since it is hot?  I will head to bed early tonight just to see if rest will help.  And yes, Mom, I am taking vitamins:)  

Refreshed

I have a million things to be catching up on, but thought I'd stop in for a moment.

In the weeks, well maybe a few months, before heading to the states, I was just feeling that I just needed a break.  To go home to the states and get recharged, refreshed, loved on by our family and friends.  And honestly, that is how I feel.  I feel like my batteries are recharged and I'm ready to get busy.

Coming back, the first day was a little rough, adjusting back and dealing with some issues, but after two very good nights of sleep in my own bed, with my fans blowing on me...I feel refreshed.

Right before we left, we finally got a new car.  I have driven the other, very old car the first 18 months, and feel especially blessed to now be driving a 9 yr old SUV.  Erika doesn't even want to get out...she just loves riding.  And I love driving it.  I feel very blessed to now have a car with auto-locks, that is up high, and beautiful.  And it will be a blessing on Sunday, with the huge trunk to haul the sound equip back and forth.

I was very spoiled and did not cook once while in the states.  Either someone cooked for me or we ate out.  I was not looking forward to getting back in the kitchen, but now that I am home, I really am enjoying restocking my fridge, and feeding my family again.  It is a blessing that we can afford to go buy groceries and a privelege that I have a beautiful family to feed.  Oh, and the pickles I made before the trip?  AMAZING....we have already eaten one jar.  I am so going to do that again:)

Yesterday was full of me getting ready for us to start school on Monday.  Erika's first twelve weeks will be intense as I teach her to read.  But, even with that, I was doing some worksheets with her this morning and was shocked how much she can already read.  She is anxious to start...but I need a couple more days:)

It is a blessing that the weather is on and off rain and so it is cooler...I think 86, right now.  And the nights are great.  We actually pull up a blanket during the night.  I was worried about the no AC thing, but feel we are adjusting fine.  Of course, it is not real hot right now:)

My office is full of donations to our children's church...what a blessing and I cannot wait to incorporate all of it soon.  Yesterday, Lee and Tori took suitcases from our last missions team and bags and bags of outgrown clothing to Maya Mopan.  I am glad that as we are blessed, we can bless them as well.

Tonight, we will have our first Thursday night group here in weeks.  I am wondering if it will be big or not?  Lots of kids out of town I am sure...but anxious to see who comes.  Have missed that part of our life.

Well, just wanted to touch  base.  We are glad to be back.  Lee is incredibly busy...so many things to do...but happy that we get this oppurtunity.

the beginning of our very long journey home...

Just a few pics...

Wow, its been busy...thought I would show you just SOME of what has been going on over the past week...

Friday, we went and enjoyed dinner and games with my parents.

after Tori, Lee and I had picked up our new glasses...yay...I can see...

Saturday, we enjoyed the wedding of someone very special to us...Love how God wrote their love story.  Very beautiful, very tearful wedding.  God's plans are always way better than our own.

Nice seeing so many people we love:)

Made a quick visit, then home to do laundry and pack before our non-stop Sunday.

Lee preached at Next Level in Katy.  It was wonderful to see all God has done there as they planted their church, just like we did.  It is neat to spend time with people with a like heart.

Erika had a blast in children's church and Susie taught her some moves with a tambourine and then gave her a banner for her to take home.  She was so thankful.

It was pouring as we left church and our wonderful husbands dropped us off...but got soaked when they had to run in....Love you honey:)

Then we rushed to the other side of Houston for Lee to share in the church he grew up in.  They had ice cream and cake afterward.  Lots of Lee's family joined the church service for the evening.

Then, early Monday morning, we headed off to celebrate 20 years of marriage.  I am more in love than ever and realize that I am very blessed to have a husband like Lee...  It was so great for us to get away for a few days with no kids and just get to be a couple.

Then we came back on Thursday to join our in-laws and kids up at the cabin house at Artesian Lakes.  Uncle Wayne taught Erika how to swim under water and she could not wait to show us.  She is a little fish.  The big kids were sunburned from a week of non-stop fun.  Oh, and Erika caught NINE fish with her Papa. It was nice to enjoy one last day with them before coming back to Katy and getting busy for another full weekend, then packing to come home to Belize.

When I woke up this morning, Howard, my father-in-law, was already up in the boat, fishing.  Such a beautiful, peaceful scene.

The next few days will be very busy, but we are soaking up our time with friends and family.  God has greatly blessed us on this trip...and yet, we feel home calling us back to Belize.  Looking forward to unpacking our suitcases and sleeping in the same bed for more than a few nights:)

Happy 20th Annniversary to the Love of my Life

Today, we are celebrating our twentieth anniversary.  It is hard to believe it was that long ago, that we walked up the aisle and pledged our undying love for each other.  Never knowing all the things we would go through together, the moves we would make, the joys we would have...just knowing we wanted to be together forever.

I made this video for Lee as a gift, but loved it so much, I want to share it with you...it is our story, in short...

Please enjoy this video:)

Tired

Please pray for us, as this morning I am feeling that our family is getting tired...  Poor Lee has a headache and we are all just a little worn out from the whirlwind of new babies, weddings, sharing in churches, meeting with pastors, visiting with family.  

This week should be a good week to restore, though.  It is more of the "vacation" part of our trip...and I am thankful it is falling right when it is...because I feel that we all need it right now.

Our entire family is overwhelmed by the LOVE that we have felt while here.  We have had so many people give to us, do for us, bless us...that it is a little hard to take in.  We feel very loved, especially by our families and our church family at Life.

But my heart is also thinking, this morning, about why we are here, travelling place to place.   There is a little group of people in Belmopan, Belize, waiting for us to come back.  Because they love us too.  And they need us there, to continue what God has started.  That is the reason we are on this trip, wearing ourselves out...so we can stay and continue that work.

I never really thought about the life of a missionary...and now, in becoming one, I have such a new perspective.  And I think we are very blessed missionaries and am thankful for that.

Heart in two places

The thing about being a missionary and pastor's wife is that your heart is constantly torn...You know God is using you in the foreign land, yet, your heart is still so much in the one you came from.

I am having such a great time seeing old friends, people we have ministered to over the years, family, and fellow pastors...I am enjoying all that America has to offer.  But it is not all fun, always being on the move, switching suitcases and duffle bags around...for a family of five.  My husband is so busy as well...from sunup to sundown...But it is MOSTLY fun...we are having a great time...

But in the back of my mind, as I reunite with loved ones, I know the goodbyes are around the bend again....AGAIN.  That is the hard part for me...

Well, here are a couple pics of our past few days...

And as we savor our last few days here with our family in the States...we also know our other family is waiting for us back in Belize...

Hello

Hey:)

We are having the time of our life here in the states.  It has been overwhelmingly busy, but so much fun too.  Lots of spoiling for all of us.

I am putting lots of pics on Facebook...but here are just a few...

We have a day to relax before going and ministering tonight.  I am hoping my brother can come hang with us a while...the baby is too small for Amy to come.  Tonight, we will see old friends here in Dallas and then minister in Fort Worth.

Oh, and can I tell you the joy that the Lord allowed my niece to be born while I was here...I love her so much already:)