Join us in praying and rejoicing and pressing on this month!!
We are thankful for each one of you who has partnered with us!
Just a glimpse into our lives following JESUS as He leads us to serve Him in the nations. Thanks for stopping by!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Remembering through pictures
In an attempt to lessen the amount of weight we are taking back to the US, we've been going through pictures, scanning them, getting them stored on hard drives, so we do not have to take back hard copies. This has lead us to spend time reflecting on our past, what God has done, and allowed us to freely begin looking forward to the future. It has brought great joy to my heart to look back over the years and reflect on the goodness of our God. Here are a few pictures and captions as we continue on the journey of remebering...
Audrey and our first puppy, Mac
San Jose 2009
Reina, the first day we got her
Attacked by underwear!!!
Fun, easy entertainment
Zapote, San Jose
Gatita, the wonder cat
repeated pic- sorry
Audrey and her red purse
Mateo, mi guapo
New normal. So blessed.
New friends. So crazy.
Gatita's sweet new life. Chickens beware!
The view from our front porch
That's all for now...computer and internet are not working together well...until next time...
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Time to remember...again...
Well, it has been more than days and more than weeks since my first post on remembering...but well, for the one or two of you that read this little blog...I'm sure you know me well enough by now to know that is just how my life is :)
We are now much closer to the end of the Costa Rican adventure we've been on for the past five years. The house is becoming emptier by the day. The suitcases are lined up along the counter in the living area. The calendar is always by my side and we are constantly checking back with people to arrange the details of the last few weeks here and the first two months of our time in the US. The joy grows in our hearts each day as we think about seeing our family again. We find ourselves once again at a point in which we literally have no control over where God is taking us. We have walked as far as He has shown us and our waiting for the next set of instructions. Our joy is overflowing as we look around us here and see HIS work in the ministry. We see how He has changed the kids we minister to. I see their growth daily! I have learned to LOVE JESUS, HAVE FAITH in Him, LOVE those He brings into our lives, TEACH them to OBEY Him, and LET HIM work in their lives. That is what brings results. We've often been asked if it is all worth it...ripping our kids away from everything they knew, giving up the American Dream- the job, the house, the car(s)...moving to a place so backward in some of their ways that you find yourself constantly shaking your head...
Is it WORTH it?
YES. YES, it is worth it. Everything in our lives that might have been LOSS has been GAIN for Christ. Every time we 'sacrificed' in obedience to Him, it has been worth it! Every single time I am homesick, it is worth it- because my heart is really longing for the home I have waiting for me with HIM. Every single day that I think about leaving these precious kids and their families and our church here and all of our brothers and sisters in the faith...and the pain builds up and the tears well up in my eyes...I REMEMBER that it IS worth it!
Why? Because I am walking in obedience to His call and there is nothing that I can imagine that is better than that for me or for my life!
I remember more from that first year in Costa Rica than just language study. But that for sure stands out. When I look back, I never could have imagined being able to speak at the level at which I can now communicate. I make mistakes ALL the time even now, but the Lord has been so gracious to give me the ability to speak Spanish. If you would have asked me four years ago if I'd ever translate, i would have laughed. I remember the first time I tried and FAILED miserably. Yet, the Lord has clearly placed the desire and ability in my heart to do just that and it has become almost a weekly role for me, as we consistently have English-only speakers in the congregation who need translation. I praise God for ILE, the institute where we studied and for all my teachers. I praise God that HE lead us there and provided for our family to study there. I know that if you asked Matt if He would ever be leading worship or teaching in Spanish, he would have laughed at you. But praise be to God, He has allowed those things to come to pass. Matt has been leading worship for a couple months now during Wednesday night Bible studies and has taught some as well. Being able to disciple the kids and preparing for the lessons each week has been such a wonderful way the Lord has grown our ability to speak Spanish. The Lord has used Spanish to humble us multiple times over. It is never something we feel totally comfortable in, yet He has used it in our lives to bring glory to HIS name, to share the Gospel, and to make disciples. We have been so blessed by His plan for us to learn this language!
I remember so many different people, places, and events during our time in San Jose. It seems so long ago now. I remember our tiny little apartment next to Mark and Meg Kuzdas. And getting our cat, Cereal 'Gatita'. I remember the major slap in the face it was to see the liberties taken in advertising here and how so blatantly pornography has become nothing more than a daily part of life here. There was so much new- culture, driving, learning public transportation, what church looked like here, how the 'nursery' was nothing more than pulling the tote full of toys into the little tiny storage room and hoping that none of the kids got hurt on all the junk that was in the room. I remembering having to learn quick what it meant to be 'street smart' and how nothing I could have ever learned in Rossville or Frankfort was going to prepare me for living in a city of a million people. I remember trying to adjust to the constant traffic and people everywhere. I remember learning the quickest route to the bread store, the grocery store, and to the language school. I also remember that I had to learn the sidewalks well and remember which ones became slippery slides when it rained and which ones were safe to walk on. I remember meeting so many different people and hearing their stories and having the privilege of sharing life with them for a time. I remember being introduced to poverty. I had lived such a sheltered life. I'd never been rich, but I'd never been so desperate as the people I was meeting from the ministry areas.
So much happened in those first two years, it truly is a miracle that we survived and for that reason it is ONLY by the GRACE of God that we did. I remember when we felt so much pressure. I remember when we were so close to giving up...and how God in His faithfulness, took the smidgen of faith- the small mustard-seed sized speck we had left and used it to open up the doors to a whole new life we had never anticipated. He moved us to Guanacaste- pure country!
I remember when we visited a place called Guacimo - dirt roads, outhouses, cooking over and open fire...and a few weeks afterwards Mark K. looked at both of us and said 'You guys loved it there, didn't you?' That was the beginning of many confirmations for us that the Lord was calling us into something new. We began praying for a few different places in Costa Rica...and decided to go to Tamarindo first because we were certain that it was NOT where God was calling us. We thought we'd cross it off our list.
Well, we stayed several days, but came home a day earlier than anticipated because we were absolutely positive of the Lord's will in our lives. Villarreal was to be our new home! Matt went back a few weeks later and spent several days looking for a home for us and finally found one- THE home picked especially by the Lord. We moved a month later!
I remember the very first night in our new home. I remember how the neighbors sat on their porch and stared as we unloaded box after box after box...And how they had cleaned the entire place for us. I remember standing in the kitchen that night after all the boxes were unloaded, sweat dripping off of me...thinking "What have we done?" There were strange noises, bugs, geckos, more bugs, no bars, roosters, did I mention BUGS? and the heat- it was so oppressive! I remember telling the Lord, bitterly honest, that I was pretty sure I was not going to be able to do this! There had been no bugs in San Jose, privacy because of all the bars and walls, and the temperature was just about perfect all year round. Guanacaste was a completely different world! One of the first few nights Matt and I were outside after the kids were in bed and we were just amazed as we stood in the front yard and gazed at the night sky and all the stars. It was beautiful! The Lord reminded us then of His faithfulness, of His provision, and of His sovereignty.
We still had no idea of what was to come, but He did.
Check back later for more of the story...
We are now much closer to the end of the Costa Rican adventure we've been on for the past five years. The house is becoming emptier by the day. The suitcases are lined up along the counter in the living area. The calendar is always by my side and we are constantly checking back with people to arrange the details of the last few weeks here and the first two months of our time in the US. The joy grows in our hearts each day as we think about seeing our family again. We find ourselves once again at a point in which we literally have no control over where God is taking us. We have walked as far as He has shown us and our waiting for the next set of instructions. Our joy is overflowing as we look around us here and see HIS work in the ministry. We see how He has changed the kids we minister to. I see their growth daily! I have learned to LOVE JESUS, HAVE FAITH in Him, LOVE those He brings into our lives, TEACH them to OBEY Him, and LET HIM work in their lives. That is what brings results. We've often been asked if it is all worth it...ripping our kids away from everything they knew, giving up the American Dream- the job, the house, the car(s)...moving to a place so backward in some of their ways that you find yourself constantly shaking your head...
Is it WORTH it?
YES. YES, it is worth it. Everything in our lives that might have been LOSS has been GAIN for Christ. Every time we 'sacrificed' in obedience to Him, it has been worth it! Every single time I am homesick, it is worth it- because my heart is really longing for the home I have waiting for me with HIM. Every single day that I think about leaving these precious kids and their families and our church here and all of our brothers and sisters in the faith...and the pain builds up and the tears well up in my eyes...I REMEMBER that it IS worth it!
Why? Because I am walking in obedience to His call and there is nothing that I can imagine that is better than that for me or for my life!
I remember more from that first year in Costa Rica than just language study. But that for sure stands out. When I look back, I never could have imagined being able to speak at the level at which I can now communicate. I make mistakes ALL the time even now, but the Lord has been so gracious to give me the ability to speak Spanish. If you would have asked me four years ago if I'd ever translate, i would have laughed. I remember the first time I tried and FAILED miserably. Yet, the Lord has clearly placed the desire and ability in my heart to do just that and it has become almost a weekly role for me, as we consistently have English-only speakers in the congregation who need translation. I praise God for ILE, the institute where we studied and for all my teachers. I praise God that HE lead us there and provided for our family to study there. I know that if you asked Matt if He would ever be leading worship or teaching in Spanish, he would have laughed at you. But praise be to God, He has allowed those things to come to pass. Matt has been leading worship for a couple months now during Wednesday night Bible studies and has taught some as well. Being able to disciple the kids and preparing for the lessons each week has been such a wonderful way the Lord has grown our ability to speak Spanish. The Lord has used Spanish to humble us multiple times over. It is never something we feel totally comfortable in, yet He has used it in our lives to bring glory to HIS name, to share the Gospel, and to make disciples. We have been so blessed by His plan for us to learn this language!
I remember so many different people, places, and events during our time in San Jose. It seems so long ago now. I remember our tiny little apartment next to Mark and Meg Kuzdas. And getting our cat, Cereal 'Gatita'. I remember the major slap in the face it was to see the liberties taken in advertising here and how so blatantly pornography has become nothing more than a daily part of life here. There was so much new- culture, driving, learning public transportation, what church looked like here, how the 'nursery' was nothing more than pulling the tote full of toys into the little tiny storage room and hoping that none of the kids got hurt on all the junk that was in the room. I remembering having to learn quick what it meant to be 'street smart' and how nothing I could have ever learned in Rossville or Frankfort was going to prepare me for living in a city of a million people. I remember trying to adjust to the constant traffic and people everywhere. I remember learning the quickest route to the bread store, the grocery store, and to the language school. I also remember that I had to learn the sidewalks well and remember which ones became slippery slides when it rained and which ones were safe to walk on. I remember meeting so many different people and hearing their stories and having the privilege of sharing life with them for a time. I remember being introduced to poverty. I had lived such a sheltered life. I'd never been rich, but I'd never been so desperate as the people I was meeting from the ministry areas.
So much happened in those first two years, it truly is a miracle that we survived and for that reason it is ONLY by the GRACE of God that we did. I remember when we felt so much pressure. I remember when we were so close to giving up...and how God in His faithfulness, took the smidgen of faith- the small mustard-seed sized speck we had left and used it to open up the doors to a whole new life we had never anticipated. He moved us to Guanacaste- pure country!
I remember when we visited a place called Guacimo - dirt roads, outhouses, cooking over and open fire...and a few weeks afterwards Mark K. looked at both of us and said 'You guys loved it there, didn't you?' That was the beginning of many confirmations for us that the Lord was calling us into something new. We began praying for a few different places in Costa Rica...and decided to go to Tamarindo first because we were certain that it was NOT where God was calling us. We thought we'd cross it off our list.
Well, we stayed several days, but came home a day earlier than anticipated because we were absolutely positive of the Lord's will in our lives. Villarreal was to be our new home! Matt went back a few weeks later and spent several days looking for a home for us and finally found one- THE home picked especially by the Lord. We moved a month later!
I remember the very first night in our new home. I remember how the neighbors sat on their porch and stared as we unloaded box after box after box...And how they had cleaned the entire place for us. I remember standing in the kitchen that night after all the boxes were unloaded, sweat dripping off of me...thinking "What have we done?" There were strange noises, bugs, geckos, more bugs, no bars, roosters, did I mention BUGS? and the heat- it was so oppressive! I remember telling the Lord, bitterly honest, that I was pretty sure I was not going to be able to do this! There had been no bugs in San Jose, privacy because of all the bars and walls, and the temperature was just about perfect all year round. Guanacaste was a completely different world! One of the first few nights Matt and I were outside after the kids were in bed and we were just amazed as we stood in the front yard and gazed at the night sky and all the stars. It was beautiful! The Lord reminded us then of His faithfulness, of His provision, and of His sovereignty.
We still had no idea of what was to come, but He did.
Check back later for more of the story...
Guacimo Costa Rica with Rogelio and Neris- and being introduced to cutting the pipa right off the tree!
The very first time we met Cindy, who has been a PFK member for three years!
Part of the Villarreal welcoming committee
another member of the welcoming committe
Oh yeah, this guy wanted to say hello, too! Remember the plagues of locusts- yeah, I thought the Lord had sent another one when I first saw this guy!
New normal- outdoor cooking, chickens and roosters
(not to mention little girls who keep getting cuter and cuter)
Monday, September 3, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Audrey Ann ~ 8 is GREAT!!!
Yesterday was your 8th birthday, sweet Audrey Ann...
You have grown into quite the little girl...I look at you now and amazed at who you've become.
You are loved by your brother and sister...
And eat up their attention.
Each year we celebrate you, and this one is no different. You are a gift to our family and I cannot imagine life without you, Audgey Podgey. You light up the room with your smile and your laugh. You are becoming quite the comedian, these days, with your funny little quips and jokes. You've got your Daddy's sense of humor. Eight years have gone by so fast and sometimes I look back and can't remember too well, because life for you has been so fast paced. You really are that kid who has no real culture, as you've been raised in one that's not your own, yet your own isn't really your either...therefore a third culture is what is truly yours, one made up mainly by your family. "Home" has a meaning all its own for you, and for more than half your life home has been a place called Costa Rica. You love animals and they love you. No matter where we go, you find an animal to be your new friend. You've loved your three dogs with all your heart and you loved your cat, too. Every day is an adventure with you, my wild card girl. You steal the show once you are comfortable, but sometimes it takes you a little while to warm up.
I love you so munch, little girl!
Thanks you Jesus for this precious and sweet blessing you gave me and her daddy eight years ago. Jesus, bless her and keep her and may your face shine upon her. May she walk in your ways all of her days; may you grant her wisdom in all she does. May you protect her, guide her, and may she always seek your face. Thank you for the many, many smiles and laughs she brings to our family and to all those who know her.
July 2007, two years old
La Pacifica, San Jose, Costa Rica
November 2007
4 years old July 2008
Uncle Alex reading to the Podge 2007
Audrey having fun in baby pool 2009
Audrey with baby turtles in Nicaragua 2009
family 2009 San Jose Costa Rica
Happy 5th birthday! 2010
walking Reina and Lucy Cuanacaste 2010
Doug and Karen December 2010
2011
July 2011
November 2011
We love you!!!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Remembering...
I realize that as of the last few months this has become a place of merely delivering news...but not much of a place where I share my heart. The Lord gave me this spot years ago to share my heart, journey to Costa Rica, life in Latin America, and updates on our family...At times, I've written much, at times, I've been silent...At times, I've wanted so much to share, but just couldn't find the words...
Today, I'll try to find the words...because it's time to remember...
We've lived in Costa Rica for five years. Five years ago this month, we were living with a card table, bag chairs, air mattresses, and a bean bag as we waited out the last few weeks before the move from our comfortable, American Dream life for all things unfamiliar and surely uncomfortable. We were preparing to begin language school and full time ministry- two things that years before we'd never dreamed were part of life's plan, but somehow then in mid-2007, seemed like they fit perfectly.
We survived that grueling, and I mean grueling year of intense language learning, we remained faithful to our God and to each other- that is important because the enemy is like a lion looking for who he can devour in your normal everyday American Dream life...but on the mission field, ministry or the like, it's like that only ten-fold...and only by the grace of God - we made it...and our kids survived their year of MK school and Spanish immersion. I remember the first few weeks and how extremely difficult they were for the girls...dropping off Audrey and hearing her cries as we left her in the room with her Spanish-speaking caregivers. And Isabelle and her intese fear of all things Spanish. I remember the struggle it was for her and her Spanish class, her thinking everytime someone was speaking Spanish they were making fun of her. I remember her sweet friend Ally, who shared her birthday, and who took her by the hand and helped in her in ways she probably never could have understood as a 6-year old herself. I remember the day Iz finally decided on her own that she could and would learn Spanish. Hearing her now, you'd never know the struggle and fear she overcame. I remember how Ethan took it all in, entered into life in Latin America the best of all of us, and from day 1, eased into it as if he was meant to be here...I'll never forget one of the first Sunday's at church seeing him sitting with two other little boys and his Matchbox cars, playing with them as if he'd known them forever, somehow communicating with them...
So much time has passed between then and now. Life before CR, is merely a blink in the eye...and yet, now we prepare to return to US soil, not so much to that former way of life, but to the our home country...a new mission adventure, very different from this one, yet equally God-ordained and equally important in His eyes.
It is my hope to continue over the next few days or weeks (however it works out) to continue remembering- because remembering is important. If for no other purpose than to recall God's mighty mighty blessings over the last 5 years and to leave a written legacy of faith for our kids, I will write.
I've been reading through Chronicles and am awed at the details the Lord chooses to share with us, and the ones He chooses not to share. But one thing is for sure, our God chose to give us a wonderful, amazing legacy of faith that started with the beginning of time...and I, too, want to do the same, not only by teaching them to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and through God's Word, but also by recording for them His work in my life, their Daddy's life, our marriage, and His great provision and plan for our family.
I'd also like to thank those of you who've been with us from the beginning, those who pray for us, those who sacrifice financially for our family, those who open their homes to us, those who love us unconditionally...Ther are too many of you to thank here, but you know who you are and we love you and thank you!!!
Today, I'll try to find the words...because it's time to remember...
We've lived in Costa Rica for five years. Five years ago this month, we were living with a card table, bag chairs, air mattresses, and a bean bag as we waited out the last few weeks before the move from our comfortable, American Dream life for all things unfamiliar and surely uncomfortable. We were preparing to begin language school and full time ministry- two things that years before we'd never dreamed were part of life's plan, but somehow then in mid-2007, seemed like they fit perfectly.
We survived that grueling, and I mean grueling year of intense language learning, we remained faithful to our God and to each other- that is important because the enemy is like a lion looking for who he can devour in your normal everyday American Dream life...but on the mission field, ministry or the like, it's like that only ten-fold...and only by the grace of God - we made it...and our kids survived their year of MK school and Spanish immersion. I remember the first few weeks and how extremely difficult they were for the girls...dropping off Audrey and hearing her cries as we left her in the room with her Spanish-speaking caregivers. And Isabelle and her intese fear of all things Spanish. I remember the struggle it was for her and her Spanish class, her thinking everytime someone was speaking Spanish they were making fun of her. I remember her sweet friend Ally, who shared her birthday, and who took her by the hand and helped in her in ways she probably never could have understood as a 6-year old herself. I remember the day Iz finally decided on her own that she could and would learn Spanish. Hearing her now, you'd never know the struggle and fear she overcame. I remember how Ethan took it all in, entered into life in Latin America the best of all of us, and from day 1, eased into it as if he was meant to be here...I'll never forget one of the first Sunday's at church seeing him sitting with two other little boys and his Matchbox cars, playing with them as if he'd known them forever, somehow communicating with them...
So much time has passed between then and now. Life before CR, is merely a blink in the eye...and yet, now we prepare to return to US soil, not so much to that former way of life, but to the our home country...a new mission adventure, very different from this one, yet equally God-ordained and equally important in His eyes.
It is my hope to continue over the next few days or weeks (however it works out) to continue remembering- because remembering is important. If for no other purpose than to recall God's mighty mighty blessings over the last 5 years and to leave a written legacy of faith for our kids, I will write.
I've been reading through Chronicles and am awed at the details the Lord chooses to share with us, and the ones He chooses not to share. But one thing is for sure, our God chose to give us a wonderful, amazing legacy of faith that started with the beginning of time...and I, too, want to do the same, not only by teaching them to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and through God's Word, but also by recording for them His work in my life, their Daddy's life, our marriage, and His great provision and plan for our family.
I'd also like to thank those of you who've been with us from the beginning, those who pray for us, those who sacrifice financially for our family, those who open their homes to us, those who love us unconditionally...Ther are too many of you to thank here, but you know who you are and we love you and thank you!!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
July 2012 Prayer letter
Please join us in praying this month!
Thank you for your prayer and financial support!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Happy Birthday, Matthew!
Today we celebrate Matthew! He is celebrating his 37th birthday today!
I am so thankful for the many years we've shared together. He is my best friend. He is my husband. He is the father of my children.
I love you, Matthew!
Because of his busy day today, we actually celebrated yesterday with our traditional breakfast on the beach at our favorite restaurant in Tamarindo. But we started the day today with our tradition of singing "This is the Day!"
Here are a few pictures of yesterday...
I am so thankful for the many years we've shared together. He is my best friend. He is my husband. He is the father of my children.
I love you, Matthew!
Because of his busy day today, we actually celebrated yesterday with our traditional breakfast on the beach at our favorite restaurant in Tamarindo. But we started the day today with our tradition of singing "This is the Day!"
Here are a few pictures of yesterday...
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
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