Heart to Heart

Today we had to take our newest van to the mechanic in Spanish Lookout AGAIN to have him work on the butane tank that is still not right.  So Lee and Josh went in the van and the girls and I took the 30 minute drive through the windy, crazy roads in my SUV.

The car is sometimes the best place to have Heart to Hearts with my kids.  Here, we don't take as many long road trips, but lately it seems we have had some 30 min to hour long drives, which I love for that reason.

A very important topic came up.  How God honors us when we do right...even if noone else sees.  He blesses us all the time.  I know it is because He sees what sometimes noone else sees.  There was a situation years ago where we (our church family) worked really really hard and put a lot of money and time into something...and then another church literally came and took the credit.  We said nothing.  But almost days after that, someone came and gave Lee and I a prophecy that He saw...and that He would bless our congregation.  AND HE DID!!!

I guess Tori had never known that story.  We began to talk about some other things.  She shared, with tears, a conversation she had recently.  Someone who said if it weren't for her...her life would be in a very different place.  And it just blessed me.  Blessed me that my almost 15 year old daughter has impacted another life for Christ and already sees the fruit.  I told her that I believe there will be many more stories like that in her future.  Her sacrifice, of living here in Belize, is not futile.  Her life is a of great worth.  And Jesus sees.  And Jesus blesses her all the time.

It was just such a moving "moment".  She was greatly ministered to at YFN about her call here in Belize, separate from us.  How God is using her...and will continue to use her.  I am praying that on the hard days, the Lord will bring it back to her heart:)

The last two weeks in pictures

The Simmons family ministered at the Tutor Center.  The Lord was gracious and gave us a nice breeze.  I love how Erika wanted to read to the children just like us.  And she did great.

We also did a water outreach, ministered to the ladies in Maya Mopan, the Simmons led a NetGroup that recently branched and brought much encouragement, and taught Children's Church.

One afternoon, we went to visit Banana Bank.  My  kids love this monkey...and well, I guess he loves them too!!

These five are close as cousins...and have basically grown up together...

so blessed with this friendship that runs deep!!!

We got an overnight getaway in...and what a blessing...no tv, no internet...and the Lord gave us an unbelievable deal.  This place is new and needed business...and we were so blessed.

Then to top it off, a visit from the Brockinton cousins...we had a great day with them in the city!!

Surreal

This morning, we woke up REALLY early and headed to Belize City to fetch some important cargo off a ship!!!  Wayne, Jodie, Ryan and Tyler came on a cruise and spent the day with our family.  I kept telling Jodie it just didn't seem real.  Our life.  We live here, in Belize, and our friends and family are so amazing to come and visit us.  And bless us.

Ten times today my kids told me it was such a fun day for them.

You see the blessings have been flowing.  We went to the states, got spoiled.  Tom and Francine came for a week and SPOILED us rotten.  They left and then Wayne and Jodie came.  And SPOILED us.

I kept thinking today how blessed we are.  The family God placed us in.  The friends He has given us.  It seems that lately that I have been too busy to write much.  But it has been good busy.

We are so blessed.  But God knows exactly what we need.  We live in a country that can be very difficult at times.  Last Thursday, I took the Simmons to Banana Bank to swim, enjoy the animals, relax, in between the busyness of ministry.  In the back of my mind, I remembered in May, when someone was held up by guns on the bridge we have to cross to get there.  It is a little abandoned driving back to the pool.  But I felt that it was okay and it was safe now.  Then, Friday night, the next night, a missionary couple was driving that same road to their  home back in one of the villages.  They saw two men approaching with guns, so the man sped up, only to accidentally wreck the car.  His wife is now in critical condition.  One day after we had driven that same bridge.

So, now, a place that was fun to take my kids and relax...is now off limits.  You may think No Big Deal...find something else to do.  But we are already so  limited in the things we can do here.  So, it grieves me.  This crime.  Why they win.  It breaks my heart that a family who was here to serve is now dealing with what they are dealing with.  Please pray with us for Vicki Weaver...that there would be a miracle.  And that the men who did this will be caught and charged.

In the midst of a week of being showered with love, I am reminded of the reality of the crime in this nation.  

But I am also reminded of why we are here.  To change a nation.  One person at a time.  Or rather let Jesus change a nation.  Tonight, my home (and neighborhood via the open windows) will be filled with a beautiful night of worship.  A young people passionate about Jesus.  Because we need Him more here...so we seek Him more.   We NEED miracles here.  We NEED protection here.  We NEED healings here...so we pray, believe and see God move.

I am so greatly thankful for the people the Lord has put into my life here in Belize, and in the states.  There is a fullness of love and support and I am so appreciative.  Last week, the Simmons family came and blessed our family, our church family, our community.  They served in one capacity or another for seven days.  Even the simple act of hanging paper laterns that Aunt Jodie had bought for Tori's room.  Because it was important to her...so they made it important to do.  Today, my brother and sister in law brought treats and then just treated us to a really fun day and lunch.  We are so blessed.

Next post, I will get you some pictures...but I need to get ready to worship Jesus:)

Having a Home Church

While in the states, we visited several different churches.  Obviously being at Life, we are the most "at-home".  But even there, it is not our Home Church any more.  So, two weeks ago, I came "home" to LifeNet...and that is what it was...  I was surrounded by the people I live life out with.  I feel like I was still adjusting back to Belize the first week.  This past Sunday, it felt even more like home.  One of the ladies who had her baby the Sunday before we left, brought in her sweet boy and said, "You haven't even held him yet."  So I took him and soaked up all his little newborn sweetness.  I had already held his big sister that morning...she is adjusting to not being the baby of the family anymore.  Another of our babies that is now a toddler ran to me full speed, but then cried for Mama when I picked her up.   But she recognized me and that meant so much.   Not to mention all the big kids, teens and adults that I was so happy to see and hug and catch up with.  Even our worship.  LifeNet worship is so Wonderful!!!  I know that Father God is blessed as our congregation lifts up their hearts to Him.  And our services are full.  Not many empty seats.  There is a hunger here.  People who are excited to come to church...and who are early.  We have very few stragglers at LifeNet.  And I love that.  I am so deeply proud of our church family here.  It is my family.  We go to Jesus together.  We cry together, laugh together, pray together.

One of the girls that I am very close to, lost her father last week.  The service was on Father's Day down in PG.  So there was no realistic way for Lee and I to go.  But what I love about LifeNet is that several people did go.  They drove all the way down and back to support her.  And that is what family does.

I do not know exactly who my audience is.  But if you do not have a home church...that you not only attend, but faithfully serve in, I encourage you to do that.  Serve...with your children.  Let them have a home church. It is one of the things that is most important to me as Josh goes off to college.  That he finds a local church and has a family there.

Okay, off my soap-box.  But it is just great to be home.  To be with my family in Belize.  I love them:)

Quiet

Yesterday, Belize experienced a  Tropical Depression.  It actually wiped out a couple of piers at Caye Caulker.  But Belmopan just got a lot of wind and rain.  One of the first things I did when I got home last week was to prepare a hurricane kit.  We didn't need it, but its nice to know its ready if we do:)

Last evening, the rain was coming in pretty hard and cool...so I went around and shut all the windows.  We never shut the windows here.  And we had no fans going.  I was reading and realized how QUIET my house was...with the windows closed and fans off.  I think Erika was playing in her room.

That is how my life has felt the last few days.  Very quiet.  Erika is loving the one on one attention she is getting, but she has also been playing in her room a lot.  Something that has always been a struggle to get her to do.  I have things to do.  I could clean my house from top to bottom...but I really am just doing the basics, cleaning sheets, etc, cleaning from the house being empty.  I have so much less laundry and am doing so much less cooking.

But I really MISS my older two.  I know they are having the time of their life.  Their last week in Texas, they are at Camp.  We watched it on the internet last night...and my heart was so happy that we made the decision for them to stay.  I am so thankful for family and friends that are feeding them, housing them, taking them shopping, washing their clothes...the list could go on and on.  We could not do it without our families.

Today we ate lunch out for SO CHEAP!!!  Lee was like, "this is how it will be in a few years..."   Really, did he really want me to cry right now???  

I do feel like, wow, this is how it will be when Tori goes to college.  We only have one more year of Josh living at home and four with Tori.  It is really hard to take in.  And I feel poor Erika will be so lonely with just us:(  But so is life...it happens...we adjust and move on.

I am enjoying no sibling wars, whining, complaining about each other.  But I am really missing my house being so full.  This is okay for a few weeks...but I'm counting down the next six days til my babies get off that plane!

Feeling Refreshed

The trip the states this year felt even more of a whirlwind than last year.  I am so glad that Erika and I stayed a week longer to visit with my parents.  Josh and Tori are still there so they can go to YFN.

Going to Convention in Florida was so refreshing for us as a family.  Our kids made great friends and FMI spoiled our family.  Tori actually roomed with two other missionary daughters, as we were only allowed four in a room.

Poor Lee got sick the day our family went to Epcot.  His birthday and the first ride.  He spent his 43rd birthday in bed.  Good thing his mom had made a special dinner the night before we left.

Erika had lots of oppurtunities to swim on this trip.  I believe she loves swimming more than most anything.  I like that it wears her out:)  I plan to take her here in Belmopan a few times while the older two are still in the states.

Convention was at the end of Lee's part of the trip, so he left so spiritually refreshed.  Sometimes, no matter where you minister, it is just good to get away and let the Lord speak to you free of distractions.  We both were filled up and ready to come back to Belize.

This morning, I have washed so many sheets and towels, clothes, dishes...just cleaning up from the house being (mostly) vacant and getting the house in order.  Erika and I went to the produce stand but I am looking forward to going to Market on Tuesday.  The mango I had for lunch was sooo good.  Today is purely a catch up day for us.  I need to go through our clothes and get rid of some to give away.  So much still to do. But it is good to be home.  Today is rainy and it is only 82.  What a blessing.  The humidity is pretty thick though.  I am anxious to see everyone at LifeNet tomorrow.  We saw two of our Mayan girls as we went to the store and they were so happy to see us and waving.  It feels good to be loved.  Even the grocery store people said they've missed us:)

Lee's mom made fried shrimp for Lee's birthday dinner.

My three cuties on the way to the pool.  I love them so much:)

Tori and her roomates for the week.  I don't think they slept at all.

The Worship at Convention was so wonderful...loved it.

first time to play minature golf and she loved it.

Breakfast on the patio at Conroe.

Tori enjoyed the horse ride so much.

We have a swimmer:)

Back HOME

I am exhausted tonight as I write this...but thought I should put something out there.

My heart is so full.  My family has been loved, pampered, eaten out to our heart's desire, blessed beyond measure.

I woke up this morning in AC, in my parent's home, Erika sleeping across from me.  Today I would make the journey back home alone, without Lee, just Erika.  We did pretty good.  I must say God's hand was on us every step of the way...and all the conveniences of the American airport were a blessing as well.  But people were kind, and helpful.  When my hands were just too full, someone would help.  When we departed onto the tarmac, and I was overcome of the heat and humidity.  The end of the plane ride was quite turbulent and I actually thought I may need the "special bag"  Thankfully I was okay.  As I walked toward the airport, I saw a couple hundred people waiting outside to get in.  But I am a Resident...and what favor that afforded me.  I was taken inside the building to wait behind only 4 families.  God is so good.

It is good to be home.  There will definitely be adjustments to be made.  The biggest is the lack of air conditioning.   My to do list for tomorrow is a mile long.  But I will simply do what I can and not worry if it is all not accomplished.  I am much less productive in this weather.

I am honored to serve the Lord here in Belize.  It is not without sacrifice.  But it is full of reward.

It was especially difficult for Erika to leave her grandparents.  But now that we are home, she seems content.  This is her home.  For this season.  I am thankful for phone calls and facetime:)

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped us along our journey.  Those of you who picked us up and took us to airports.  Those of you who housed us, fed us.  It all counts.  Every bit of it was a blessing.

Our spirits are revived and ready to press on.  

 But my body is EXHAUSTED.  So I will head to bed early tonight.

Pictures to come...and there will be a lot!