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1 Corinthians 3:4-9

"For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."

1 Corinthians 3:4-9


Monday, September 27, 2010

Long overdue pictures

I've been wanting to get these pictures up from our time with Matt's parents, but I've been without my computer so I haven't been able to get a post in. I am still without a computer- it is in fact- fried- but thankfully, we have been blessed to have one school computer and Matt also had a laptop. So we are down to one but thankful.

Anyway,here are pictures from our time with Rog and Sue in Nicaragua, Costa Rica's Independence celebration, and the rest of our trip. Enjoy!























































































Friday, September 17, 2010

Early morning thoughts

Before the sun wakes ups this morning, in the depths of a deep slumber, I am awaken by the needs of our littlest princess...as I get up to attend to those needs, I find I am pleasantly refreshed from such a good nights sleep. As the little princess settles back in, the older princess awakes with needs of her own that need to be met. I tell her to close her eyes and try to sleep some more- it is early. She says, "But Mommy, there's horses out there." I look out to the field and she is right, there are three beautiful horses out there. She continues to watch them from her window, mesmerized. I realize it is time to begin my day and start the coffee as the older princess settles in to meet the needs of the little pup :)

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

As I fix my coffee, I stare at the horses, seeing their beauty, their strength. I realize how amazing the God of creation is - how skilled, how creative...from a tiny little bird like a hummingbird or a microscopic organism; the very blood in our bodies to this beautiful animal outside my home.

The air is misty, the sun not yet up. Hardly a sound to be heard, I quietly open up the door to see them better. There are three, dark brown, muscles rippling as they move to find better selection of greens for breakfast. The leader hears a sound or decides it is time to head back home, wherever that is, and moves down the drive to the main road. The others sense him moving on and they begin to follow. He waits for them in the main road, as they make their way to him. They stop once or twice in the path to the road, greet their leader, then the three begin their journey home together, as a unit, with the leader slightly in front.

I read and reflect on God's holy word, the only way to begin my day. The Lord reveals to me my need for Him, my need to be obedient to him, and my proper place in my relationship with him. Just as the three horses were together as a unit, the two followed the leader. I wait upon my Leader, my God, my Savior, my Counselor.

I read about Mary, the mother of Jesus. I read about her encounter with her Son and the moment she understands her need for Him as her Savior and the moment their relationship changes from that merely of mother and son, to that of a sinful woman needing to be cleansed by the One who can, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Mary, upon realizing this, responds in complete obedience. (John 2; 2:3-5)

As I think about the horses as they obediently followed their leader, as well as Mary and how she followed her leader, her son, Jesus, I pray today that I always obediently follow my Savior, Jesus.

The day has begun, the sounds of neighbors beginning their day, getting ready for work and school, birds and animals waking and singing praises of their Creator...I smile in praise of the God who was, the God who is and the God who is to come!

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." Psalm 150:6

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Home Sweet Home

We made it back yesterday late in the afternoon. We had a great time in Nicaragua, but it is always good to be back home. Almost as soon as we got home, Matt and I left to go and meet with Mike Rozell who started Potter's Field Kid's about 5 years ago. We had a wonderful time getting to know him and some of his staff. It was a real blessing to have a few hours to hear his story, vision, and receive counsel from him. We are also very thankful that Matt's parents are here with us and kept the kids so we could have adult conversation! :) and know our kids are in good hands! I will update more later with pictures...

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Nicaragua

Sitting by the pool, listening to the girls splash and play, surrounded by the beauty of another country we have grown to love, Nicaragua.

We are on a four-day 'vacation' that we, by Costa Rican law, must take every three months, in order to renew our tourist visa.

This time, we have the blessing of Matt's parents beign with us. We crossed the border yesterday in record time, very muddy, but happy to have no problems. Usually it is a dry dusty place at 'La Frontera' or the border town between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, but yesterday it was a sloppy, muddy mess. We rented a car, drove it to the border and dropped it off, then walked across to the Nica side, where we met Carlos, our Nicaraguan friend we met about two years ago, who is a taxi driver from Rivas.

We had all day yesterday to relax from the early morning, ate by the beach, came back and rested and then hooked up with our good friends, Dave and Tamra,who are studying Spanish here in Nicaragua and are staying in the same hotel we are.

As we caught up with them yesteday, I was reminded of God's infinite goodness and grace. And His mercy and blessing on our obedience to Him. Dave and Tamra have shared with us many times about God's amazing work in their lives. I can't imagine them living any other life, but their 'old life' was much different than their 'new life in Christ.' They have been obedient to the Lord in their 'pasos' or steps in their walk and we can see how God has rewarded that obedience.

I shared not too long ago about my sinful selfish moments during the cleaning up after the flood. As I cleaned I became envious of those who had a nicer home than us or lived a different life than us. I shared later about my friend that I met with and studied the Word and we would stand at her balcony overlooking Villareal and I would pray for the city in those moments. That friend was Tamra. She is a wonderful blessing in my life. She is an example to me. She is a gift sent straight from the Lord. She grounds me, encourages me and sharpens me. Her and Dave left a life of 'much', and God called them to a life of 'little' and they have embraced theat life with open arms. In their obedience, God has blessed them abundantly. They lived in the jungle of Guanacste for about 9 months in a small one room bungalow. Everything they own fits into about 8 suitcases! They are able to move in a moments notice as God calls. But as they go, God has blessed them. He has directed them to wonderful homes, even if for a short time in each. God has made the price right, provided adequate furnishings, and quiet spaces to study Spanish.

So, I share this today because I believe strongly that God honors our obedience to Him in wonderful ways that are different for each of us. I want to be careful when I share that my 'covetness' of that evening a few weeks ago, was a in those moments only. I love seeing what God does in our little neighborhood and I love seeing what God does through our friends like Dave and Tamra who truly live out their faith wherever they are. I hope that was clear a few weeks ago.

Tamra took Sue and I out to the market yesterday and while we were out it started pouring. Of course we had no umbrella...we took off in the rain. Tam kicked off her sandals and took off barefoot like any local would do and I followed in amazement as she dodged the holes and effortlessly weaved through the worst rivers of water racing down the cobblestone streets. Sue seemed as if she knew what she was doing and kept right up with Tam. I however, was the only one having trouble as I was slipping and sliding in my flip flops...One day I might get the hang of this life! :)

Anyhow, we are enjoying our time with our parents and will be back in CR Saturday. The founder of Potter's Field Kids will be flying in to CR today and when we get back we'll be able to meet with him- we are super stoked about that! :)

More later...

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Please pray for Ronny

It is with great sadness that I write tonight asking for prayer for Ronny. He has remained sober for 5 months. But last night, he began drinking again. Today, Dinora was understandable upset. Our hearts are broken for so many reasons. The thing about loving people is that when they fall you feel it too. When they are sad, you feel their deep sadness. When they are hurt you feel it in your gut.

Ronny left mid-morning today and had not come back yet by the time we left for church.

We'd really love it if you'd join us in prayer for this family. For Ronny. Please pray.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Campus Ministry

One thing God has done in our hearts recently is lay down deep the financial burden for other ministries focused on discipleship as well as orphans. As God blesses us with a little more resources, we feel more and more compelled to bless others who share our passion to make disciples in the nations, wherever 'their' nation is around the world.

Today, I'd like to share a little about a young man I've known since he was born. (I'll post more about the call God has placed on us for orphans in another post). In fact, I was able to be part of this young man's first week of life, sharing in the changing of his diapers, feeding him his bottles, entertaining him and learning to love him while learning all about babies. You see, this young man is my cousin, Andrew Trey McCarty.

I've watched him grow up and he's been as much a part of my life as my brother has been, since it seems like we were always together growing up. (He's only about 10 years younger than me). Even though we lived an hour or so apart, our moms (who are sisters) made extreme efforts to always be together and therefore, we've got tons of memories together.

He used to drive me nuts when I had hit the teenage years and he was in the prime of being a boy at about 7 or 8. He would tease me like any good-natured little boy would and boy, would it work!

Well, as the years went on, I watched him grow into an awesome kid who gave his life to the Lord very young...and never looked back. Despite my rebellious example, he continued on the path of the Lord throughout high school, always in some form of discipleship relationship, and beginning the life of a leader.

I watched him graduated high school as the salutorian with honors and his speech gave glory to the One Most High God.

As he prepared for college, he saw his purpose there not so much as obtaining his degree for the ultimate career, but rather as the mission field God was sending him to. So he chose a secular school with that in mind. He quickly became involved in campus ministry and grew into a leadership position within that ministry.

He graduated last May, after serving in campus ministry with InterVarsity as chapter president and in many more ways than I'll probably ever know. He has developed intimate discipleship relationships with many students and offers grace in a way that closely models the way the scriptures tell us Christ did.

Andrew was planning to become a high school science teacher in the Terre Haute, IN area as he graduated from Indiana State University and his then fiance was just completing her junior year. Andrew had been awarded an amazing scholarship which paid most, if not all of his senior year of school. The requirements for the scholarship were that he serve as a teacher in a school where the students were at a lower level than state levels (I cannot remember the technicalities exactly nor do I have the correct technical jargon- I apologize). My point in saying this is that his plan was in tact, he was on course and he had received great blessings along the way. If he did not complete the required teaching time in said school district, he would have to pay back the scholarship amount - in full. Not too long before he was to graduate, he called us to talk with us about a decision he was trying to make. We had been gone on a visa trip and he could not get ahold of us. By the time he did, he had made his decision but we had a wonderful conversation as he told me his story.

Andrew had decided to go full time into missions and set aside teaching at least for now to be obedient to what God had called him to- campus ministry with InterVarsity on ISU campus. As I described above, he would be giving up much and his decision would be costly- literally!

One of his requirements as campus staff with InterVarsity was to enter a period of support raising and like most mission organizations require, he had to be at a specific level before beginning his campus time.

Andrew graduated in early May and was to be married on May 22, 2010 to his high school sweetheart, Stephanie. (Yes, my aunt is my HERO!!! Her oldest son graduated college and then got married two weeks later!!) We arranged our trip back to the states around their wedding because both Isabelle and Audrey were the flower girls in their wedding and Ethan was to be a junior groomsman.

So, the picture of his first few months or maybe first many months as a newly married man were to be without any type of income AT ALL and having quite a significant debt to pay off due to the scholarship he had to pay off.

I ask you- what would you have done? Would you have decided in your own strength to work the few years to pay off the scholarship, despite a burning feeling deep inside that that was NOT what God wanted you to do?

OR: would you have done what my cousin did- and let go of the wheel of his life and let God lead and followed in obedience?

I want to take the time tonight to share his story with you and humbly ask you to pray for him and his wife Stephanie. They are one of the sweetest couples I know and their wedding was one of the most romantic and godly weddings I have ever been too.

I asked Andrew to write a summary of his calling, purpose and passion for me to post on our blog. He is still in support raising, but, Praise GOD! he has reached a level where he can be on campus part-time. He still needs to raise a significant amount of his support though.

And this is where the plea comes in. I ask you to pray and seek God if it be His will for you to form a partnership with Andrew in campus ministry with InterVarsity at ISU campus. I have spoken with Drew many times of testimonies of those he has discipled through IV, of those who have come to know the Lord through this ministry, of those who've left lifestyles of drinking, drugs and partying and are now serving the Lord and discipling others through IV. That is what is key to this ministry- that it is all about making disciples of Jesus Christ, who make disciples, who make disciples. (Sound familiar?)

So, the following is Andrew's brief testimony of his call, purpose and passion as he enters the mission field of campus ministry. May you be as blessed as we have through our relationship with this young godly man.

"A quick recap of my calling, purpose, and passion...thanks so much for your offer to put that on your blog! Any networking I can do and more people interested in praying and being aware of the ministry is awesome so I welcome the opportunity. I have always felt God's leading to be a teacher. I graduated with a science teaching degree and until March 2010 felt strongly led to "ministry" in the public schools. I have worked with a student driven college ministry at Indiana State called InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for the past 4 years as a student and have seen God's tremendously faithfulness over the past 4 years not only to increase the students involved 10 fold but especially in the development of new student leaders. With graduation approaching, I began to sense more and more that I was hiding behind scholarship to teach that I'd accepted and was not fully surrendering to God's new leading to become the first full-time staff with the ISU InterVarsity students in over 2 student generations. In late March I was officially offered and accepted the campus staff member position at Indiana State University and now the privilege and casting vision for Christian students to boldly extend the invitation of the Gospel to other non-Christian students.

As I try to discern God's purpose for my life, I continually revisit my passions for relational evangelism with non-Christians as well as leading all types of people into study of God's Word. As a student, I had the privilege to lead over 100 Bible study to junior high, high school, and college students as well as a handful of adult groups. God is continually rebuking, encouraging, and challenging me to improve my personal devotion time with him and it's amazing how he using an imperfect (but passionate) follower like me to introduce many people to the Word that provides life for their souls. Since high school, I always remember having at a least a couple pretty intimate friendships with non-Christian friends and I love to not just ask them spiritual questions from time to time but show them the power of Christ across the full spectrum of life. I'm not perfect but it's still mind boggling when I look at where I mess up but consistently hear people refer to my "reputation" as a "good Christian person." It's clear in Scripture that there isn't much good about me but I know the ultimate purpose of my life is to have the light of God shine through my imperfect self so that others will be pointed to the cross. There's no better purpose in life than to teach and model that lifestyle and then rejoice as I observe students of all types of backgrounds do that same."







WOW! Can I get an AMEN?

If you'd like to find out more, talk with Andrew personally or just want more info, please leave me a comment and I can get you any information you'd like.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

September 2010 Prayer Letter

Here is the text from our latest prayer letter. If you'd like to receive our letters by email please drop me a comment and I'll add you to our list.

This month, we ask you to join us in focused prayer and joyful praise to God, the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. We praise God this month for clear direction to move forward with the after-school ministry after some concern over available funding. We’ve spent the past month preparing budgets, choosing discipleship curriculum and English curriculum, meeting with parents, enrolling students, determining ministry vision, timeline and goals and purchasing and preparing supplies for each student. It has been a wonderful time of seeking the Lord and His plans for this ministry. Please pray for the 22 children, nearly half who are un-churched, that are enrolled, that their lives would dramatically change as they learn about Jesus and they would surrender their lives to Him and make the decision to be His disciples. Please pray for the resources to continue the program, clear communication between all involved in this ministry, and that God would be glorified. Please continue to pray for our disciples and the church leaders in discipleship with Matt. Pray that they would be fully committed to Jesus. Pray for their lives to exhibit fruit in the form of more disciples. Praise God for those who continue making disciples on their own, teaching others to study God’s Word. Pray for those who have chosen not to continue studying and growing in God’s Word in discipleship. Pray for their hearts to not become hardened to the Word of God, that they would fully surrender their lives to Jesus, truly be His disciples and resist the temptations of the world in their lives. Pray for us as we seek to demonstrate God’s merciful heart to those around us. We praise God for His unending grace in our lives and seek to offer that same grace to others. Pray that we would never get so wrapped up in service that we would lose true genuine love and compassion for the people of Villarreal (Hosea 6:6). Pray for those without income and are struggling day to day. September and October are the most difficult months for this area and many are without work and without the possibility of work because many businesses shut down or cut staff. Please continue to pray for our marriage, parenting, and our family. Pray for our continued spiritual growth and for that of our children.

Praise God with us that Matt’s parents will be visiting us this month! Pray as we all travel together to Nicaragua, for sweet time together, for safety traveling and crossing the border, and for our return trip. Praise God also for several supporters that will be visiting with us during the remainder of this year! Thank you to those that continue to keep in touch with us. We LOVE hearing form you!

De los NiƱos (From the Kids): Look how much we’re growing and changing! We have a new dog named Daisy. Isn’t she sweet? Gatita is learning to share the house with Daisy. Reina and Lucy just love the beach! We love math and are learning so much in school. Thank you for praying for our family and for giving so we can make disciples of Jesus in Costa Rica!

Please pray as we enter the heaviest part of rainy season. Pray for those who experience extreme flooding. Pray for protection and safety as we travel on washed out roads and areas that are more pot holes than roads. Pray for the upkeep of our home and give thanks with us for our kind, caring landlords.









Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Happy Birthday, Mom

Today my mom celebrates 56 years young. When we called her this morning to sing her Happy Birthday, she told Audrey that she was 50 years older than Audrey. Audrey's mouth dropped open and then Isabelle said, "Well, she's not old!" Audrey said, "Maybe when she turns 100 she'll be old!"









Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you!