House full of laughter

I fell asleep at 10:30 last night, but was woken up around 1:30 to a house full of laughter and screaming!!!  The joys of having a teenage girl.  I am so thankful, though, that Tori has such great friends.  It is so hard at her age, to have to move to another country and start over fresh with all new people in her life, but the Lord is faithful and has blessed her with some wonderful girls.

We got up early, went to market and came home and baked this cool tie dye cake.

Then we headed to the city to pick up some amazing friends who came in from the island for Tori's birthday. What a blessing.  Their whole family will come to church in the morning.

On the way to drop off the car, we saw this police ceremony...new cadets...

Pretty view at the water taxi.

Getting a quick lunch before heading home.  I was so thankful for the girls help as we decorated for the party.

Picture wall...I thought it turned out pretty neat...and stuck with our tie-dye theme.

To balance out all the sugar, I made this huge veggie platter...and the girls ate it up while we waited for the pizza...  Big difference between girl and boy parties....girls actually eat the healthy stuff too.

Josh, being the amazing brother he is, made a fire pit, so the girls could make s'mores.  There apparently was a shortage of hershey's bars, so after the sixth store, we decided to use kisses...they worked okay.

Wini had left these cool glow bracelets and it was the perfect time to use them.  The girls, being girls, even put one on Stormie...after all, she was in the middle of all the action, for sure.

Then, we came in, changed into old clothes and tie dyed.  I have never done this before, but Tori wanted to do it so bad.  Thank you, Uncle Wayne and Aunt Jodie, for rescuing us.  It was a blast and most of the girls had never done it before.  Hopefully, Tori will post some pics of her wearing her cute shirt soon.

The tie dye cake was super yummy, if I do say so myself:)

Tori was blessed with a few gifts, one being Christmas lights...she has wanted them to decorate her room...

All the shirts drying this morning after I had to individually wash each one since we don't have hot water in our washer....They turned out beautifully.  And she has enough kit to do this again with another group sometime.

And most of the Charlie's Angels girls last night...what a fun group.

Mayan Ruins with Nicole and family

Today is Tori's birthday and I am just trying to catch up a little on what has been happening down here in Belize.  Life got real busy, trying to find a place to meet, and then when we found out that Nicole was coming and would sing, we knew we needed a bigger place for sure.  So, we rented UB auditorium, but that entailed lots of extra things.

So, this past Monday was the perfect day for our family to relax with Nichole's family, road manager and another family that was traveling with them.  We headed to San Ignacio and ate first.  It is always nice to have a playground for Erika to play on...more of a rarity here.  She didn't mind having all the extra kids to play with too.

Then we took the ferry...it is new, but still hand cranked....that is always a fun thing.

It was a beautiful day.  I had forgotten what a walk it was up the hill to the ruins.  But it was fun.  The best part was just getting to chit chat with the ladies.  And all of our kids got along so well.

Of course, Lee was bent and determined to find them a tarnatula while they were here.  He could only find a baby, but they all kept their distance:)

Here is a photo one of the other girls caught...I love it because it truly catches Josh's personality.  A side not everyone necessarily sees...  He is such a ham.

And Tori just loved Jasmine and Jojo.  These pictures are all from them.  They are beautiful.

It was a great, much needed day of relaxation.  We were tired the next day, but it was good.

Halloween Outreach

Normally, we meet every Thursday night for NetGroup at our house with the younger (16-24) crowd.  Halloween fell on a Wednesday this year, so we thought it would be cool to have a movie night and open it up to everyone.  We ate pizza and watched "The Last Sin Eater."  The movie is a little scary in parts (it is Christian), so Erika went over to Sara's house to play with Nava, and had a blast.

One of the people in our church makes amazing pizza, so he and his wife baked tons of pizza...it would sell out as soon as they would deliver...

Our "helping" crew waiting on more pizza...

We had about 65 people show up for the movie night.  It was great.  A lot of our young people came and many even brought their parents.  It was awesome to have kids in a safe environment watching a movie that shares the gospel instead of out doing things that are unhealthy.

Afterwards, everyone just hanging out and visiting...  I love our people so much!!!

My Sweet Victoria Joy

I wanted to name you, "Victoria" long before I even knew you existed.  But when I found out I was pregnant, and that you were a girl, I knew you would have the middle name of "Joy" because that is how I felt every time I thought about you.

It is hard for me to take in that you are now fourteen years old. It is cliche, but it has gone by way too quickly.  But, I have enjoyed the journey.  I remember I couldn't wait to buy pink things after all that blue.  I dressed you in dresses as much as I could until you began to exert your own opinion.  Now, when I see you (rarely) in a dress, I love it.  I love how you have your own sense of style, feminity...that you love fixing your hair and getting your clothes just right.  I love how you are the most creative person I know.  You always come up with the coolest designs for your nails.  And I love how you decorated your room once you finally didn't have to share anymore.

Victoria, you are a joy to your father and I.  You are our dream come true for a daughter.  We are proud of you.  We are proud of the standards that you have and the way that you honor us even when we are not around.  I am proud that you are an amazing teenager.

Yes, of course, this is where I have to put up some cute photos of you...it is my job...I am your mommy:)

Dancing at Martin and Mandy's wedding...Daddy performed the wedding and you were the most precious little flower girl

Tom and Francine took you to Build a Bear for the first time...so much fun

On top of Masada in Israel...an experience most seven year olds don't get...you loved Israel...

Your first time at camp...the only reason I let you go was because I was there too!!!  You had a blast...

Always and still "Daddy's girl:)"

In love...finally the little sister you prayed for:)

Such a sweet ballerina.

Love this picture with your aunt and uncle:)

First day of 7th grade....its amazing how you have even changed in the past year!!!

But you will always be my little bald baby:)

Just two years ago today.  Your 12th bday.  The last in the states where we turned our empty apartment into one big slumber party before moving out and beginning our journey one step closer to  Belize.

Praying that your fourteenth birthday goes just as you want...that all day you feel loved and enjoy being around the people in Belize who love you....

Happy Birthday to my sweet Victoria Joy!!!

LifeNet Commercial

Well, here it is is...if you missed it on Facebook...LifeNet's first Commercial for Television...I love it!!!


WATCH THIS

The day Nicole C Mullen visited LifeNet

I wish I had photos for you from yesterday, but it was just one of those days, you are so busy enjoying Jesus, there is no time to take pictures.  I did take a couple with my Itouch...but they are not too great.

I have been around a lot of successful music artists over our years of ministry.  I think the thing that is neat about Nicole C. Mullen is her genuineness.  It is different for me to "host" someone here in Belize than in the states.  But I felt she was cool with whatever we did...not demanding...

I love the fact that she is travelling with her husband, children, and dear friends.  We get to see Nicole in her surroundings.  We are so impressed with what great kids her husband and her have raised.

I love the fact that Nicole homeschools her kids, adopted one of her children, and went to CFNI about the same time I was there.  I love that her kids got up and sang yesterday...children full of confidence, but no conceit.  I love that her daughter practiced ballet with Erika yesterday.  I love that all the kids hung out with my kids all afternoon.  It was just a superfun day that I won't soon forget.

Yesterday was extremely busy for our family.  We had extra stuff to take, had a huge worship team yesterday, and were meeting in a new building.  But everything went smoothly.  The Worship from LifeNet was so awesome.  Everyone was dancing and just enjoying Jesus.  The room was full.  I think we had 276 people.  Very few seats were empty, but it was so much more comfortable than the room we have been squished in:)  Of course, many people came just to hear Nicole.  But, we also did have many visitors that hopefully will come back to LifeNet.  We even had one young man that had never been to church.  God is so awesome:)

When Nicole got up to minister, it was just FUN.  Her kids came up and danced with her.  Her kids each sang solos.  And then she just rolled into ministry.  It was beautiful.  Facebook is full of testimonies this morning of what God was doing.  Nicole was truly a vessel used by the Lord.  When Lee gave the altar call, so, so many people came forward.  Every leader we had prayed with about 4-5 people each.  I had the honor of ministering to some of those.  People just weeping before the Lord.  Surrending their lives.  Of course, this is just the beginning.  Now, we must walk it out with them.  It is not just about coming forward and saying a prayer.  Now, comes the work of discipleship that is also a joy.

After church, everyone wanted a pic with Nicole.  I can't imagine how exhausting that must be for her, yet, she never lost her smile:)

Here are some photos Alina Scott caught...she is an amazing photographer:)

Nicole's Manager, who shares our last name:)  with Alina

Nicole's daughter is in the middle...her other son had to fly home with her husband for school..

Nicole's sweet youngest, Jojo

We enjoyed lunch and then coming back to the house and just visiting.

It was a great day:)

Today, we are taking them to the Mayan Ruins.  Another fun day ahead...