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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


Saturday, December 17, 2011

day by day...

November and December...in pictures :)

Ging-ging and Ethan

Thanksgiving dinner
Meredith, Landon Brooke and Alejandra

Father and son

Corey and James

Playa Carrillo

My two mothers

lunch at Playa Samara...after a day of shopping

Playa Carrillo

Joel and Ethan

our family...Playa Tamarindo

the only way I want to see a snake- if it's dead! Ethan killed this guy a few days after we moved into our new house

beautiful sunrise

walking on the beach

Ethan and Kou Kou (coo-coo) at Playa Carrillo

boogie sisters



Reina at the beach

Reina swimming

Izzy and her dog



Shaylene, Brooke, Karlee, and Janessa on the beach...discipleship can happen anywhere, anytime...and it SHOULD! (As we go...)

Isa and her M.A.S. (mejor amiga siempre...or BFF!)

Reina sleeping...that dog! You gotta love her!

New friends Clint and Joanna...Thank You Jesus for your plans - so great and so wonderful! Tamarindo sunset

After months of teaching baseball to the PFK kids...we saw this 'pick-up game' happening one day...notice the bat?

Thank you to all of you who sacrifice time to pray and finances to give...so we can serve Jesus in this land...We cannot thank you all enough for the blessing you are to us and to this area through your partnership in ministry!!!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

December Prayer Letter

Below you'll find our December Prayer Letter. We are thankful for those that support us through prayers and financially.

“But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In the fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.”
Psalm 5:7



Buena vista...a good view…
Sometimes a change in perspective makes a world of difference. The Lord has demonstrated this in our lives over the past month. He has given us a fresh, new perspective along with a fabulous view of His amazing, beautiful creation. The Lord opened the door for us to rent both a new home for our family as well as a second home to use as a mission house for visitors, mission teams and others who come to bless the ministry and community. Once again, the Lord has directed us in a way we could not have imagined and blessed us abundantly. The majestic mountains of Costa Rica greet us each morning and the early morning song of the orioles, jays, parrots, and many others are almost as good as the coffee in our cups. We look down on the village of Villarreal and give thanks to God for the work He has done in so many lives in the past two years, including ours. The hummingbirds flutter about and we think of all the work there is to be done in this little area. The harvest is ripe. The Lord is faithful day after day. His providence is true, His omniscience indescribable, and His ways are perfect. It has been an amazing few weeks spent basking in His love. In the past four weeks, we’ve cleaned both houses from top to bottom, moved and arranged all of our furniture, appliances and belongings, along with those in the houses, we’ve hosted many young adults for meals, welcomed our parents and PFK intern Janessa to Costa Rica, hosted our first Thanksgiving dinner in 5 years, enjoyed a weekend away, said good-bye to our parents, prepared the mission house for new friends, the Bearden’s, and also welcomed them to Costa Rica! We walk ahead in faith, believing that where He has guided, He will also provide. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have or if you’d like more information on the needs associated with this new aspect of ministry or if you’re planning on visiting Costa Rica this year and need a place to stay! We’d love to have you visit and partner in ministry!



SURPRISE! Can you spot the surprise Roger and Sue brought with them to Costa Rica?
We are so very thankful for the time we had with our parents. The time passed way too quickly.
THANK YOU Pappy, Mimi, and Ging-ging for coming to visit us!!! We love you!!!

Prayers and Praises!
Praise God with us for the healthy delivery of Ezra ‘Cyrus’ McKay! Both Momma and baby are doing well and Cyrus is loved and adored by all who meet him! Please continue to pray for the McKay’s as they adjust to life as a family of six. Praise God that both Pastor Phil’s parents as well as Rebecca’s parents were able to be in Costa Rica during this special time. Please also pray for the process of purchasing property for Calvary Chapel Villarreal. Leaders from the church have been talking with the owner of a large lot near the high school. There is still many steps in this process before this property is deemed ‘the one,’ and we ask for your continued prayers for the Lord’s guidance and direction. While the money for a deposit on property has been raised, more than half of the purchase price needs to be raised. Please pray for the Lord’s provision. Please pray for a new group of elders who will begin serving in the coming year. Pray for continued spiritual growth in the entire church body. Pray for the youth as they end this school year. Pray for those who will travel to visit family during summer vacation (December—February). Praise God for a few weeks of much needed rest during the holiday season! Thank you to all who continue to pray for Brooke’s health. Merry Christmas!!!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Family

Just wanted everyone to know that we are all alive and well. We have had several weeks without internet, therefore, no updates.

Thank you for your grace! :)

Last Monday (11/21) my mother and father-in-law arrived with a special surprise- my mom! We jumped right in finishing up moving the last of our things from our old house to our new house (we've moved! - more on that in another update), then began preparations for Thanksgiving Dinner. We hosted 22 people in our new home for Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday afternoon. It was our first time hosting Thanksgiving dinner in 5 years and it was a blessed day! Thursday we left for a vacation with our parents. we've been enjoying each other, the beach, seeing crocodiles, a blue macaw, living in the jungle, playing games, eating, and just being together!

Hopefully I'll get pictures up soon- but we have no internet at the new house.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Multitudes

"Brooke," my friend says, "they are all over."
"Even in the high school?" I ask.
"Yes, even in high school."
I had seen them before, standing on the corner, as I was coming back from Tamarindo one night around 9:00 pm. I've heard about the other known corners. And I've seen the change in my neighbor over the past several months. Her face once held a smile. Now she looks stoic, as if she has no emotion at all, no feeling left in her thin, frail body.
But in high school? This I hadn't known. I hadn't anticipated it. I'm not sure why, given that our particular province or state is one of the leading in the country for human trafficking, being that is close to the Nicaraguan border.
Then, I saw them. I was coming home around 7:00 last night. Night had fallen, as it does every day around 6:30 or so. I was almost home and I saw them walking. My neighbor, whom I had suspected of having a new, umm…profession. And then I realized she was with her sister, who is still in high school, although she already has a small son of her own.
And suddenly it was hard to breathe. My heart hurt. My chest tightened. And they passed. And there was nothing. Not one emotion, not one glimmer of hope in their eyes.
I woke up this morning, burdened for them. The tightness in my chest had not subsided. My head began to ache. As much I want my headaches to go away, they remind me of the drastic effects of sin in the fallen world we live in. As do the emotionless faces of those women.
I have been given the opportunity to praise God and glorify Him through what could have been a life-altering event in my life- the discovery of a tumor in my brain. Yet, God in His mercy, has allowed this in my life with a purpose that I do not totally understand, yet that I embrace as grace and as a gift and that I will use to glorify Him.
I remember when I was young and my Gran would give all of us grandkids Christmas presents or birthday presents. Especially at Christmas, I remember everyone opening the gifts she gave because you never knew what the outside of the present would look like. You see, my Gran thought it quite senseless to purchase special boxes for gifts when she could save and reuse boxes from household items, packaging from things she had purchased or even empty food boxes- specifically and most often used were empty cereal boxes. Often when they were no boxes around to reuse, the Sunday comics became the wrapping paper of choice! So, we'd open our gifts and often see a corn flakes box or Wheaties, as that was my uncle's cereal of choice back then. (remember the commercials?- "Have you had your Wheaties today?") It would be somewhat a disappointment at first. Especially when we were younger and expecting a He-man toy or a Barbie and we thought we were receiving cereal. But as we continued to unwrap the gift, we saw what was inside the disappointing cereal box. The real gift our Gran had picked out with love or painstakingly made by hand. You see, by that point we'd all but forgotten the package the gift came in and were by now elated and excited and all smiles and full of hugs and kisses for our Gran. She had given us what we had wanted all along, it just came a little different than we expected.
How I long for all to embrace life and all its hurt, pain, suffering, injustice, all that is good for what it truly is- grace- a gift in wrapping that may not seem like much to us, may not be what we expected, and in fact may look very, very disappointing at first. Having this tumor could have been much worse than what it is and in fact at this point, still believed to be minor and responding well to treatment. It was very disappointing to me though when I first heard the diagnosis. I was full of fear. And then, the Lord spoke to me. I realized I had the option to remain in that fear or move on and accept what the Lord had given me as grace and a gift. The packaging was disappointing, however if I kept unwrapping, I would realize the gift was what I'd always wanted. And it is, it truly is. I feel wonderful and I know and feel the Lord's healing touch. The ways in which this past month have blessed me are beyond what I can share in this post, and beyond what I could ever imagine receiving, and much more beyond what I ever could have deserved.
Although not life-altering in a negative way, this illness has been so very life-changing for me. I wake up each morning thankful and meet the day different than ever before. I realize the depths of sin and the effects of sin on our complex, wonderfully designed bodies. How mysterious is the human body. So very complex, yet so easily contaminated by disease and sickness and foreign material that is in the evil world we live in. Never was this the Lord's desire, to see all the suffering in what He once looked upon with great joy and called "Very Good." Yet, for thousands of years, life on this earth is still a gift given to us by our loving, caring Creator. Even in its decaying condition, the earth is full of beauty and wonder and it all points to Jesus. We are a sinful people. Completely undeserving of the love and mercy and grace God pours out upon us. When we choose to live in the disappointment of the packaging, and stop unwrapping, we miss out on the True Gift. We miss out on what is beyond anything we could imagine.
And, isn't that the way our God is? So much more than we ever could imagine.
My heart still hurts for my neighbors. How Lord, can I minister to them? Their hearts are hard. How long will you look upon them with your grace? How long will it be before you 'give them up' to their sinful desires, as it says in Romans?
Oh Jesus, I long for Your return. Yet, Father, mercy I pray for the many, many who wander, still lost and dead in their sins, so far from You. They continue to open packages not from You Lord. They open what has the nice fancy wrapping and looks wonderful on the outside but really is just dark, black, sharp and painful on the inside. It really isn't a gift at all, although it looks like it from the outside. Father, open their eyes, let them see what the True Gift is- Your Son, Jesus. Time and time again, some have heard. They know the Truth, but have yet to let it free them. They continue, stiff necked.
Father, have mercy on them. I pray for their repentance and return to You.
Thank You Jesus, for the greatest gift of all- Salvation in You. Thank You for shedding Your blood- again a gift that at first was so very disappointing, so very sad. Yet, what was found? An empty tomb. Empty burial rags. And then…You. Risen again. Risen Indeed! Not dead, but fully alive!!!



May I continue to see all things as they are- gifts from You.
- new life- Welcome Ezra Syrus McKay!!!
- Shaylene's desire to start discipleship with the older PFK girls and Natalia
-Shaylene's work ethic
-You giving Matt the words he needed when he needed them
-Karlee's knack and gift of organizing a space and decorating well
- the joy of a new home!
- the joy and excitement of life as a journey with You!

PS: Last July we were in the States for Audrey's 7th birthday and we had a birthday party for her with all our family. My mom, being my Gran's daughter, creatively used a frozen mini pizza box to hold one of Audrey's presents and an Oreo cookie stick box for another present. Our third child, who loves food, was so excited when she saw theses two boxes! She truly believed that what was in them was what was on the box was her present and since food is something she loves and these two particular food items were ones she does not get to eat in Costa Rica, she was thrilled!!! She was even more excited when she opened the boxes and found her presents, but I had to share that story! 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Gran

The past two mornings I've gotten up around 5:30 am- that is pretty early for me. I've wanted to lay in bed for longer, but I felt compelling, overwhelming desire to get up and meet with Jesus. So that is what I did. The past two mornings I've been overjoyed and overwhelmed at the depths of God's love for me. He has filled me with His Spirit and I've felt new and fresh and alive.

This morning, as I sat writing in my journal, I became aware of the date and how it has been 13 years since my Gran went to be with Jesus. The memories flooded back and filled me with an inexpressable joy.

I thought of last night on the plaza with the PFK kids, running around in my barefeet and how much fun that was, and thought how she would have been right there with me, running around in her barefeet, too, had she been here.

She took such joy in life. Her smile brightened this world, as did the twinkle in her eyes. Her hands were soft, yet firm. Her hair brilliant silver.

As I began thanksgivng Jesus for all the memories I have of her and for her life and love and influence on my life, my joy grew as I thought about the day Ethan will meet her and all the things he'll have to say to her and how she will sit and listen with great eagerness to learn about her great-grandson. Then I thought about how excited Isabelle will be the day they meet in heaven. Isabelle loves meeting family members and it will be so special the day she'll get to meet her great grandma in heaven. Then, I remembered my Uncle Larry, Uncle Bud and Uncle Jody telling me the stories of how she used to try to catch the pigs and ride the pigs around the farm. Oh how much fun she'll have with Audrey when they meet in heaven.

My thoughts then turned to heaven and the joy and eagerness and longing for HOME turned and stirred in my heart. Tears streamed down as my thoughts drifted to the day when we'll meet, Sweet Jesus.

There is much we know about heaven, and yet so much more we do not know.

Will we know each other as we do here? Will I recognize Gran as Gran? Will my children meet her and know that she is their great-grandma? When I see her will I smell teaberry gum? In her new body, will I still recognize her hands? Will we retain memories from this life at all?

No matter the Lord's plan for our eternal home, when all the saints meet in Glory, one thing is for sure- LOVE will unite and JOY will abound and PEACE will persist and WORSHIP will be life and HE will be LIGHT and all saints will REJOICE!!

- thankful today for precious memories of my grandmother, her investment in my life, her unconditional love for all, the grace she freely gave, her bright yellow kitchen, her clip-on earrings, the way she hid money and other important things in the freezer, her positive attitude, her joy in all things, her life as a servant...

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

He who was seated on the throne said,

"I am making everything new!"

Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:1-5

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added,
"These are the true words of God."
Revelation 19:6-7

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

First PFK intern video

I accidently posted Shaylene and Karlee's second video as their first...

sooooo...

HERE is their first video:



ENJOY!

Multitudes...

Since it is Wednesday already, I'll leave off the '...on Monday' part of the title of this post :) We've had super sketchy internet this week and I have not been able to get a connection strong enough to post.

My heart is so full this morning as I reflect on God's goodness.

The joy of the Lord really is my strength!

#'s 2152 - 2156
- Dulce Maria sharing with me her happiness with how Tatiana has imporoved in her English class and her grades are showing that improvement. She credits her time with us and her studying and learning pronuciation at PFK! Praise You jesus!
- seeing the mound of Bible Club t-shirts w/all the patches on them
- encouraging words from friends about the words you give us to share in our communication with supporters
- Helyi's teachings and heart for developing healthier, stronger families
- The vision You've given our team and the way You are developing each of us, the children, and breaking through the darkness

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

PFK Interns 'Charlene y eScarlet'

On October 14th we welcomed Karlee "eScarlet" and Shaylene "Charlene" to Villarreal. They are the new PFK interns serving with us for the next 6 months. On of their many duties is to post weekly videos of life, ministry, and just about anything else :)

This is their first video:





Stay tuned for more videos soon!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

November Prayer Letter

Below you'll find the test of our November prayer letter.

Be Blessed!

But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before, you; yes, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12
This month, we give thanks to God for His plans, provision, and protection.

The Lord God has a plan for our lives:
Two years ago we left the bustling capital city of San Jose with over one million people, and moved to a rural village of 3,000 people called Villarreal, in the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste. We recall talking about how what we had done must have appeared crazy to many; leaving a growing ministry to go to a place where we knew no one and would be starting all over. That move brought culture shock all over again, as the differences between life in the city and life in the country are many. Admittedly, fear existed at that point. Yet, God is faithful and His Word is a light for our path. We trusted His plan for our family and we are reminded of His faithfulness in Isaiah 52:12. The blessings the Lord has poured out on our family are countless. We could never have imagined what the Lord had planned for us, and in fact moved here with a completely different plan. However, we are so thankful for the way the Lord has worked in our lives and in the ministry He has given us. We ask you to be persistent in praying for the Lord to continue to reveal to us His plans for our family and ministry, and also to Pastor Phil for Calvary Chapel Villarreal.

The Lord God is our Provider:
A little over a year ago, the Lord provided for our family in a way we never could have imagined with new ministry partners, both financially and in collaboration with Potter’s Field Ministries. The Lord has allowed us to minister to nearly 100 children who’ve come through the doors of Calvary Chapel Villarreal through Potter’s Field Kids (PFK) or the weekly Bible Club. After much prayer, patience, and grace, we are beginning to see fruit in the lives of the PFK children. We are able to disciple some fifty children through the weekly Bible Club. The Lord has provided women and youth volunteers to assist in the daily ministry. We consistently receive PFK interns who have proven to be a tremendous blessing and invaluable part of the ministry. The Lord provided a new PFK staff member, Helyi (LG), in August of this year and she brings great experience, training and life to the ministry. Many of you, especially from FEPC, have deepened your relationship with us through consistent daily prayer and we are so very thankful. Our understanding and study of God’s Word has grown tremendously through Pastor Phil’s teaching, and therefore our relationship with our Creator has grown as well. Thank you for your prayers and your provision for our family!

The Lord God is our Protector:
Protection is something we all desire, but it is not something we need to worry about. Countless times in scripture, God promises His children He is our Refuge in times of trouble. He is our Protector and He hides us in the shadow of His wings. He fights for us and He is the Rock upon which we can stand. He intercedes for us when we cannot. He is our strength when we are weak. The Lord continues to provide His protection for our family. We cannot understand the depths of His love, grace , forgiveness, and mercy and are completely undeserving. Yet our God does and He goes before us and comes after us, providing the most powerful protection available. Praise God with us for His protection over our family!

Prayer and Praise:
Please pray this month for Pastor Phil and Rebecca as they travel to San Jose for the birth of their fourth child. Pray especially for Rebecca and the delivery. Praise God that Brooke is feeling much better and only experiencing minimal side effects from the meds. Thank you for praying! Praise God that Matt’s parents are visiting this month and will be bringing a special surprise!! Pray for their travel, our time with them, and that God would be glorified. See next month for details on their visit and the surprise!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Multitudes on Monday

I reflect on God's great gifts, His blessings poured out in endless fashion.

Thank You Jesus, for the ultimate gift of eternal life.

#'s 2030 - 2041
- talking with Rebecca
- Ezekiel's sweet smile
- Audrey and Eden walking around and around the pool
- Elijah surfing - at 2 years old!
- learning more about Alejandra and Lucho
- discovering the gifts and talents people have- Alejandra and Lucho
- weather cool enough to wear a sweatshirt
- "waste not, want not"
- Audrey eating kiwi - sucking all the fruit off the skin
- the kids loving their Swaziland t-shirts!
-rainy days
- the way brings growth

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

October Prayer Letter

Still giving thanks...I haven't stopped. Just been a little tied up lately. Please read below for more information...and don't forget to scroll all the way to the bottom for this weeks list of a thousands gifts that keep on giving...

October 2011 Prayer Letter

A new season…

At the writing of this letter, we’ve only just completed one full week of October; however the events of the past week have brought about a new season for our family. In the past week, many of you have sent encouraging and inquiring emails and this seems to be the best way to share with all of you at once. Thank you for your concern, love and encouragement! For some time now, I (Brooke) have been experiencing severe headaches, along with many other symptoms. Since being back from the States, the symptoms have gotten much worse. Matt and I decided to go and see our former doctor from language school in San Jose to try to find the problem. After seeing me, he immediately wanted to admit me and begin testing. An overnight stay turned into 4 nights, 4 specialists, multiple blood tests, ultrasounds, and an MRI. Finally, on Friday after a visit with an endocrinologist, she found the problem to be a 3 mm tumor in my pituitary gland that has been causing the severe headaches, as well as many of the other symptoms. I’ve begun treatment, and thus begun a new  season in my life. The tumor is benign (non-cancerous), however the drugs used to treat it are aggressive. For  my particular type of tumor, the most effective treatment is actually the medicine because it is so aggressive. As with most drugs, the ones I am on have several undesirable side effects. Mine include dizziness, nausea, faintness, and mostly major fatigue, along with a few others. I am still experiencing headaches as well, which is to be expected. Much of my few days back at home have been spent in bed or laying on the couch fighting off dizziness and headaches. The Lord had his hand upon the entire situation however, from going to the right hospital and knowing the right doctor, who knows the right specialists, to having the right tests done,  my doctor not quitting until the cause was found, and having wonderful insurance (100% coverage!) -even if it was a struggle with them at first. We had great care for our kids while we were away– they were in the hands of Katie, our PFK intern and Pastor Phil and Rebecca McKay. We are so thankful for their help. Many pulled together and got through the week in the ministry and we are again so thankful. In so many ways (and in just a matter of days), I’ve seen the Lord use this illness to encourage and strengthen others. One friend, who I discipled for 6 months and who, during that time never once prayed out loud, recently prayed for me out loud and in the presence of others! The Lord laid it upon  the hearts of many friends in the community to bring us food during this time of adjustment. Women have  brought us food, homemade bread, prayers, jokes to lift my spirits and encouragement. As I sat reflecting on this on Sunday evening, the LORD gave me this reminder of the man he gives attention to:



“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble (poor, needy, weak, afflicted, wretched, lowly) and contrite (stricken, affected by injury, disease or sorrow) in spirit and trembles (in fear of the Lord) at my word.” [Isaiah 66:2]



Calvary Chapel Villarreal is a place we love. They have shown us great love and grace. They have reminded us over and over that we are not alone in this and that we have family here– family in Jesus Christ! And they’ve shown us that love in their actions. Please pray for all of us as we learn how to live in this new season. Pray that God would simply choose to heal me completely and therefore eliminate the need for medicine. If that is not his will, pray for the medicine to effectively eliminate the tumor. Pray against adverse effects of all the medicines I’m taking. Pray against the medicine side effects and the headaches,  as well. Pray for wisdom on any changes that might need to be made in our lives and ministry. Pray for homeschool and the ‘catch-up’ that needs to be done. Pray for Matt also. He has demonstrated the meaning of ‘in sickness and health’ as he has cared for me, cared for the kids, cooked, cleaned, done laundry, and taken up my ministry responsibilities during this time, along with his own responsibilities. He is such a gift to me and the kids. Praise Jesus with us for the many blessings He has already shown us through this new journey.  We praise God for all of you! We love you and are thankful for each one of you!



He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”  Revelation 22:20



 
We are thankful for our prayer and financial partners.  Please make checks payable to:
 Shepherd’s Staff Mission Facilitators, PO Box 53640, Albuquerque, NM, 87153-3640
 Please include  our missionary account #4208 on all checks or correspondence
                                                                                    
Multitudes...of gifts
#'s 1979 - 2000
- Philippians 4:13
-all those who faithfully give each month so we can serve You here
- Ethan and Isabelle playing Settler's
- playing Mastermind with Audrey
-naptime with Audrey
- the sweet, healing power of prayer
- my handsome hubby
-Ethan bringing me his red pillow to hold when my head hurt
- Isabelle bringing me her Mr. Smiley to sleep with to make me feel better
- Hard eucharisteo: Audrey asking me if I'll get better
- Ethan showing me his concern about seeing me sick
- coming to grips with this being All's grace
- Izzy reading about Helen Keller 
- Audrey so good at narrating a story
- seeing Kerin after 8 months away
- planning for a visit from the grandparents
- remembering Gran- thank You jesus for her
- 3 days straight of rain
- 3 days of a breeze cool enough to wear a sweatshirt
- Izzy and Audrey diggin a new trench for their Daddy
- Ethan: "I learn almost everything I know from my Dad."
- That You love a humble, meek spirit Lord, not all the works in the world, but our hearts, broken before You, willing to be used by You, desiriing only You...




Monday, September 26, 2011

Multitudes on Monday

Day after day, week after week, grace blessing after grace blessing...Lord Your love amazes me. You are a Wonderful, Merciful Savior. Indescribable. Worthy. The Lamb of God, born as a baby, in a lowly, humble cave...nestled in with the animals. You'll come back riding a white horse, bringing with you justice and healing long awaited justice for your creation, your world.

Today I pause to give You thanks for thousands upon thousands of never-ending blessings.

#'s 1882 - 1890
- Audrey's way of 'figuring things out'
- this year's homeschool curriculum
- Ethan's history book
- Audrey winning Clue the second time she played it
- playing games with the kids
- the blessing of remembering the great things You have done in the lives of friends
- the blessing of friendship
- the way You've made us to love
- the hours Matt spends fixing things for us- like my broken computer (still working on it...)


Thursday, September 22, 2011

Baseball (beisbol)

Last night we took the PFK kids to the 'plaza' or community soccer field a few blocks from the church to play beisbol after our lesson time.

A majority of the kids were stoked to be going (there is always a few who don't want to play anything...???) and so even though we only had about 30 minutes, we walked quickly up and got organized quickly. We were able to play two innings with the teams being boys against girls.

It was super fun and I was super excited to see how well the kids can play the game. We've been 'casually' instructing them (Matt more than me ;] ) for several months and that time has payed off, as they showed themselves to have a really good grasp of the game.

Here are a few pictures.

Maberick at bat



Dayana heading for first base - love that smile!

Gabriela at bat


Isa heading for first base





Gustavo apparently 'guarding' home plate...gotta love this kid :)



Don Victor and Helyi


Sweet Katie








Sorry for the quality of the pictures...and for the weird placement of the comments- blogger is acting funny today...



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Day of the Child (Día del Niño)

Countries throughout Latin America celebrate children each year with on their own day, Day of the Child. Here in Costa Rica, the day is a national holiday and the kids, of course, have school off! :)

In Costa Rica, the day is celebrated on September 9th each year.

This year, we chose to celebrate on September 8th so we could incorporate the celebration into our weekly Bible Club.

We were excited to be able  to have a day of fun and games for the kids as well as the blessing of a small gift.

We are thankful that the Lord has provided over the past year and both Calvary Chapel and our family had been given resources that we could use as gifts for the children.

THANK YOU!!! to Hickory Grove Church, Pastor Ken, and Jesse and Shannon Kelly and the whole church family there- AND the kids of this year's VBS for making the backpacks especially for the kids here in Costa Rica. We had JUST enough for all the kids that came that day! (You provided us with 60 backpacks and we had 55 kids that day!!!!!!) THANK YOU!!! for sharing Christ's love with the kids here that day through your donation. They are all using the backpacks! :)

We really had a wonderful day. We were able to make a bookmark craft, play games, and of course, break piñatas!! (No celebration is complete in Costa Rica without a piñata!!)

And we had a special treat of 'donas' (doughnuts)!! YUMMY!!

Here are a few pictures from the day. Enjoy!

playing games


our version of 'Chubby Bunny' was to say "Jesus me ama" with a mouthful of marshmellows!



The first piñata



Joel (I love that his bookmark says 'Believe'...I do believe with all may heart in the work the Lord is doing in him!)



Crystal



Gabriela and Dayana



Jeffrey




Helyi with her one piece of candy she found...I love how her daughter Larissa is in the background, smiling up at her admiringly. So sweet!


GET THE CANDY!!!! :)



Melani


Larissa


Rosiris


making bookmarks



Juni and Abagail
(Glad they are all going to their own houses with all that sugar!!) heeheehee




Johan


Elias (hiding his face), Sofia, Yuleisi


Juni, this was her first time at club

Los grandes...the oldest group


Oneider


Larissa with her doughnut. She ate all the icing and then gave the doughnut part to her mom :)


Jason and Oneider


Jose

Siugey, Dayana, Neysi





Audrey with her backpack



Lala


Anahai


Also a BIG THANK YOU to our home church, First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, for the school supplies you provided last March that we still had. We were able to use those in the gifts, as well!

THANK YOU to all those who provided finacially for the ministry as well as with supplies. The kids of Villarreal thank you for your sacrifices!

THANK YOU for serving them with us through your donations!!!