"The best"

Yesterday, we had wanted to go to San Jose to visit friends. We wanted to be a part of a very special lady's quincinera (15th birthday party).

However, car issues and finances forced us to stay home this weekend. It seems however, looking back, the Lord had planned for us to be here all along.

Thursday afternoon, the power went out in our house. Nothing terribly unusual about this since this is a daily occurence here during rainy season. However, as I looked around outside, I noticed that ours was the only house without power. THAT is unusual. I checked with our neighbors to see if they had power (I could see there lights on but that is just what we do- we ask each other these things) and she did. Last week, half the hosue was out of power and also in her house. That has happened several times over the past two years. But that day- it was just me.

"Did Matt pay the bill?" I wondered...

"Check the breaker," she told me. "Good idea. I'll do that!"

Inside I went to check the breaker box...but to no avail. Thanks to our good friend Doug, the box is neatly identified, but I still didn't know which switch to flip...so I waited. Matt and the kids were gone at the moment, so I waited.

Not too much longer, our landlord came through the gate asking what the problem was.

"I don't know." I said.

He checked it out and realized that it was only half the house that was out of power. So, began the testing and flipping of this switch and that one. In and out to the breaker bnox outside the house.

By this time, Matt had gotten home and was in on the problem-solving. Also our friends had gotten there who we had invited over earlier in the day to play Settlers. So, the house is full of people and kids but we can't do anything as the power keeps going on and off again.

*Smile* and remember this is life in Costa Rica...

Finally the guys determined which part of the house they could keep current flowing through 'safely' throughout the night and they left. We decided that we'd pack up and head to our friends house to play and eat- as it was now supper time and we had planned to play the game before supper...but, again, this is life...and flexibility is key.

So, we ended up having a great evening, although much later than we'd anticipated...it was fun and I am thankful.

Friday morning brought distraction after distraction- little issues that take precedence over the things you have planned to do. It seems the longer we live here the more common these things become in our everyday lives.

I read a commentary by Chuck Smith on Romans and he talks about the man who expects distractions in his life and who is willing and ready to accept them into his day. The man who gives his day over to the Lord each morning and gladly receives the 'distractions of the day' as blessings and opportunities of the day is the man who gains peace.

The man who grumbles and gets frustrated with the little distractions and things that keep him from his plan for his day is the man who is forever angry and bitter, grumpy and generally frustrated.

Life here, especially life in Guanacaste, is so slow paced, so laid-back. Life is so different than what we were used to in the city. There was always a measure of hurry and impatience in transactions and life, especially on the roads. That doesn't exist here. You simply cannot expect to run out and quickly do something. To leave the house to do one or two errands will take you no less than 2 hours, despite everything being within 10-15 minutes distance.

This fresh perspective from Pastor Chuck Smith gave us new insight into our days and the perceived 'distractions.'

So, when Matt was outside unclogging the pila sink drain (the outside wash sink that the dirty water from our washing machine drains into) - somehow a pencil and a pen had gotten lodged into the drain hole causing what could be a potentially major problem if they had gotten shoved farther down into the hole. He had to get that unclogged right then, as I was doing laundry that day.

So, anyway, as he was outside, the neighbor boy and Joel, a boy we have in PFK, were playing soccer in the field behind our house. Joel called over to Matt that Saturday was his birthday.

Although we've had Joel with us in PFK since we began the ministry over a year ago, we had never known his birthday. He never knew his birthday because no one had ever told him when it was. Although he has a very large extended family, no one in his family cares for him. They actually try to forget about him. He was unwanted and the circumstances around his birth and the story of how he came to be are things his family wants to forget. Therfore, they often look past him. There have been times when he has went without food for days, as no one thought about giving him any.

No one has ever celebrated his birthday before.

So, when Matt came in and told me what Joel had said, I wondered how he knew it was his brithday, but was thankful that at last he had found out.

I later went out to take clothes off the line and he then aske dme if I knew that tomorrow was his birthday. We had just had our intern update the birthday/phone list we keep but I had not yet had time to look it over or update the files in the computer. When I said I didn't know, he told me that the "new girl" had written it down, didn't I know that?  :)

I asked Joel if he was excited for his brithday and he said "kind of." I asked him if he was going to celebrate and he said no. I asked if he wanted to celebrate and he said yes, but that he wasn't going to.

When I got back inside, I asked Matt if we could take Joel with us to the beach on Saturday.

(Saturday is our family day and it is generally spent at the beach. (I know, life is sooo hard, right?)  :)

So, Matt went out and invited Joel to go with us.

We picked him up yesterday morning and he was all smiles. We had to stop at the grocery store to pick up things to make lunch on the beach and I wanted to get a small cake. (I was going to make him one, but realized I didn't have all the ingredients I needed...)

I had wrapped the cake up in a bag to take it out to the car where he and Ethan and Matt were waiting, but it was kind of obvious what it was...he smiled as I went to put it intothe cooler and asked what it was. I told him he'd have to wait and see :)

We had a wonderful day at the beach. Our intern, Katie came with us also and the day is always fun when she is around. She commented on how different Joel was hanging out with us then he is when he is in PFK. It is true, he was all smiles all day, polite and respectful, and considerate and calm.

He is not one of the trouble-maker kids, but he is one that will smart off from time to time or get angry. He is a child who doesn't know how to receive love easily because he isn't given love on a regular basis by those closest to him. He struggles showing love, also.

Not yesterday. Certainly the Spirit was with us as it was such a beautiful day and he fit right in as if he was part of our family. None of seemed to notice there was someone extra with us.

We ended up being at the beach until about 4 PM that day. (We had gotten there around 11:00 AM). As we were leaving, I asked Joel if he had had a good day.

With a smile on his face he said,

"The best."

If we had taken the trip we had wanted to take, we could not have shared the day with Joel yesterday. If our car had not needed some work, if it was not having this issue we cannot pinpoint, if we'd had a little more 'spending money'...etc...

If it were not for these little 'distractions' that kept us from doing what we had wanted to do, we'd not have been able to be a part of what the Lord had planned. I am so thankful for our day yesterday.

 Every moment was such a blessing.

From the seagulls 'fishing' in the water, to the sunshine all day, the quick shower that came and went, the yummy chocolate cake, the great fun in the crashing waves later in the day, Matt and all the kids exploring the rocks, great conversations with Katie, lunch on the beach, 'Smokey' the Flamingo Beach dog...and the wind in our hair on the way home...

Blessing after blessing.

Thank You Jesus, for such a great day...and for giving us the opportunities you gave us this weekend to be a blessing and for the blessings we received as well.
FYI: The Friday afternoon our landlord came back and after several hours was able to fix the problem. However, it is going to be necessary for the electric company to come out and make repairs to something in the near future. I now have full power in my house again and can use the stove to cook, thankfully! (The kitchen area and our bedroom were areas that were left without power Thursday evening.)

Costa Rican Independence Day 2011

Yesterday was Día de Independencia (Independence Day) here in Costa Rica. The day starts off with the school-aged children congregating at the school at about 7:30 am for a civic presentation detailing the history of Costa Rica's independence including traditional dances, singing of the national anthem and hymn, and other things as well.

At about 9:30 or so, the crowd begins to move towards the main intersection as all students from the local kinder (kindergarten) all the way up to high school begin their formation and prepare to begin the parade.

There were so many groups this year. I remember last year's parade being much smaller, most likely due to the rain we had last year on this day. The parade was even delayed several hours due to the rain las year.

We had a perfect day today, full sun and lots of heat ;)

It was a wondeful parade and so much fun to see all the kids all dressed up in their different outfits and performing what they have worked so hard on for the past month or so.

Thye'd wave or smile at us as they passed by and it was fun being able to wave at them and encourage them as they passed. I tried to get pictures of everyone but there are so many children that come through the doors of the church each week I couldn't get a picture of them all!

Praise YOU JESUS for this!

Here are several pictures of the parade. WARNING: There's alot of pictures!!

Julian, his red ribbon means he is academically one of the top in his class

Yuleisi, wearing her red academic excellence ribbon proudly

These are siblings of Tatiana and Siugey, both in PFK

The beginning of the parade- Cindy is one of the girls carrying the Villarreal Elementary school banner

This little guy was leading a group of about 10 little drummer boys- he really took his job seriously! He had a whistle and all!

These girls danced down the road- the one on the right was the leader, and loved using her whislte!

This little cutie is Maberick's little sister, Anyi

Natsumi

Naomi

Laura

Sofia, Isa's best friend

Traditional dancers

Academic Excellence group

Hector

The top students in each grade

Meryann

Anahi and Crystal

Maberick and Johan

Tatiana

Kendall

Andres

Leidi, far right

"Generation 2011"
(Class of 2011)

Victor Daniel

The McClain family

The McKay family

Siugey, Emmanuel, and Dayana

Faroles, part 2

Tonight was the parade of the faroles (lanterns). It was so much fun to see the whole village out for this annual event. One thing we love about this area is the sense of community. Literally, everyone was there to celebrate the independence of this country, whether from Costa Rica or not. Since this area is highly reliant on tourism, many immigrants live here. I was surprised at the various cultures represented, all coming together to celebrate this one country's freedom.

Here are a few pictures:

The kids with their faroles

Larissa with her farol

Yuleisy

Esteban

Johan

Ivan

the mass of people walking in the parade

Sofia

This is the crowd, as we walked the 'town square' if you will, in rememberence of how it was the very day independence was gained for Costa Rica.

Gustavo

It is amazing the feeling of belonging we feel this year as opposed to last year. It is really a gift the Lord has given us to feel a sense of pride along with these people, even though not in my own homeland. that this country has her independence.

Tomorrow morning brings another parade. More pictures to come!

Faroles

Tomorrow is Independence Day here in Costa Rica. You can read there story here. After independence was declared, a rider came through all of the provinces, going house to house, spreading the news. In that time, obviously, there was no electricity. Therefore, the rider carried a lantern in order to light the way.

Thus, the tradition began every year for the celebration of the country's independence to have a parade on the eve of Independence Day in which everyone carries their own paper lantern and walks in a parade, celebrating the freedom of their country!

This year, we decided to provide all of the PFK kids the materials they woud need to make their own faroles and we took time with both groups to make them during our class time. Each child must make their own farole as a class project and they are graded on them, so this was a way for the church to actively participate and help meet a need each one had.

It was a great activity and the kids really loved it. They all enjoy hands-on projects like this and really take their time.

The parade is tonight at 6:00 pm. We will be going and participating for the first time since we've been in Costa Rica. We are looking forward to it and the parade tomorrow morning, in which many kids will be marching in the band or dancing 'baile típico' or traditional dance. We were able to see the morning parade last year and it was a great way to integrate into the community. We are looking forward to it as well.

Here are a few pictures of the kids and their faroles.

Elias, Julian, and Daniel

Laura

Naret and Anayeli

Ezekiel

Rodrigo

Neysi

Anyelo

Repentance

What is repentance?

According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words:

repentance: metanoeo (Greek), "to perceive afterwards" (meta, "after," implying "change," noeo, "to perceive;" nous, "the mind, the seat of moral reflection"),

therefore: "to change one's mind or purpose,"

The other night at church, a friend came up to me during the service (I was inside the kitchen preparing the food for the dinner that night), and asked me if she could ask me a question.

I said sure.

She asked, "If there was a person who had sinned, but had asked for forgiveness and repented, could that person take communion?"

I asked her if that person believed in Jesus Christ and had a personal relationship with that person and had done those things she mentioned, yes they could enter into a time of communion with the Lord.

She then proceeded to tell me that she was in an "union libre" (living together without being married)with her "marido", or live-in boyfriend. Every time we take communion at church, she says, she asks for forgiveness for this sin in her life and repents, but she doesn't think she can take communion.

I asked her if she has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

"Yes", she says.

I asked her then if she understood that an "union libre" is a sin and that God hates that sin of all kinds.

She said she understood that her living situation was a sin - she knew that she continued to live in sin, but that her situation was very difficult.

(Here we go...)

Unfortunately for my friend, her boyfried, who happens to be the father of her young son, is still currently married to the mother of his other two children. One of whom is in PFK with us.

And so the story continues...

"So, you see," she continues, "we really don't have any choice. I have to wait until that gets taken care of first before we can ourselves get married."

I asked my friend if she understood what "repentance" meant.

She said she did- she was asking for forgiveness for what she had done that she knew was wrong.

Well...kind of...but not completely.

The key in the definition above of the word repentance is "change."

If we are truly repentant, we not only recognize what we have done that is wrong, and ask forgiveness for the wrong, but true repentance seeks to make what was wrong right by taking action to correct it. Therefore evoking a change.

I then explained to her that very thing.

Then, shared with her that although seemingly very difficult, she in fact did have an option and that was to separate (change) from her current living situation to one that was glorifying to God until the other issues of her relationship could be taken care of.

She expressed her thanks for the explanation and my time and then returned to the service.

Whether she will take to heart and to prayer what I shared with her, I do not know. The issue of her partaking of communion lies between her and the Lord. But her hesitance in doing so up until now hints greatly at the need for repentance in her life.

Please pray for repentence in my friend's life.

I liken this to my experiences with my own children. While extremely precious to both Matt and I, they are themselves but little sinners.

Paul clearly explains in Romans that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Even my three great kids.

Just yesterday we had a "moment' during school where this could be clearly taught and lived out and then applied.

I was teaching from our Bible lesson and it would have seemed as if I was not talking at all for all the distractions and side activities going on. I stopped and waited and then asked if everyone was ready and tried again. And again, distractions and interruptions.

So, it so happened that we were learning about respect and studying 1 Peter 2:17 (show proper respect to everyone) and Philippians 5:16 (honor your mother and father).

So, I stopped and asked Ethan and Isabelle to take the rest of our time to read over these verses and pray and ask God to show them how they are doing living out these verse and then write out how they might be able to live them out better.

The following is from Isabelle's journal after her time thinking and praying:


"I have not done a pretty good job with obeying my parents, Lord. I love you and I trust you and I know if I believe in these thangs you will anserw my pray's. Hare are my prayer requsts. Help me obey my parents and help them too in their marrige. Help me know You more Lord. Help me follow the Bible and our family rules. Thank You for Jesus. Amen."

It is an honor and a privilege to minister here and to parent these three great gifts God has given us.

Pray with us for the Costa Rican people. Pray for the hundreds in our little village alone who live together in "union libre" knowing living in sin. Pray for those in our church, who too, continue in their sin, with full knowledge of their sin, yet refuse to repent and change their ways.

Pray for our family as well. Pray that we continue always in the way of the Lord, that we do not stray, and that all we do bring glory and honor to God.

"And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent." Revelation 2:20

Multitudes on Monday

I awoke this morning, refreshed and rested, after a good night's sleep. The air was cool and crisp this morning, sun shining, birds singing - welcoming the day. Early greetings from our neighbors. Looking out at the green grass- such a gift, for in a few months when the rain stops it will all be gone...

Great is Your faithfulness, O God. Indescribable, Uncontainable O God!

You placed the stars in the sky and You know each one by name. You spoke and it was. You breathed and Adam lived.

Yet You dwell among us, live inside of us. You knit me together, intimately knowing each little part of me.

You drew me to You, pursued me, and came to me and answered me.

You rescued me, forgave me and washed me clean.

You died for me. Gave me hope when You conquered death and rose again.

You've given me Your Spirit until You come back.

Let it be soon, sweet Jesus, that You come back. Maranatha!

So thankful today, for Jesus and His sweet presence, friendship, guidance, example, death, and life.

Sweet Jesus, friend of sinners; my Redeemer, my Savior.

Thank You for thousands upon thousands of gifts.

#'s 1764 - 1776
- Ezekiel-  hand held high in praise to You during worship
- a capella worship - even without electricity, You shine through the darkness, Jesus!
- worship by candelight
- going to bed at 9:00 pm and not waking up again until 6:00 am! Thank You Lord!
- Matt, Ethan and Corey having guy time- football and popcorn
- Isabelle beginning to understand the joy of serving
- Audrey singing loud and joyfully to You, Jesus!
- Ethan always willing to help at church
- Rebecca asking Isabelle to 'babysit' Elijah for a few minutes- and Isa's joy as she told me all about it!
- green grass in my yard
- early morning snuggles w/Isa
- sleepy-eyed, crazy hair little girls when they first wake up
- faithful, loyal Reina (our dog)

To be empty...

Isaiah 58:10-12

What does it mean to be empty?

We, in the North American culture do not like things to be empty. We like our bulk stores, our full cabinets, our stocked refrigerators, bank acounts with multiple digits in the total line...

We have a hard time with empty.

Do we really know what it means to be empty, I wonder?

Have we ever felt the pressure of spending our last cent on a few groceries to feed our family, not knowing when the next meal would be or from where the money would come to buy it?

Have we ever opened all our cabinets, the refrigerator, and seen nothing?

Have we ever been as the widow and her son, with only a little flour and oil...?

Have our bellies ever been distended so from days on end of eating nothing?

The first section of Isaiah 58 talks about fasting and what true fasting is and is not.

When I have fasted for a time, my physical body becomes weak. I become tired and often irritable. I crave food- crave for it to fill me and give me strength. Fasting empties me of the food that sustains me, the nutrients that give me energy to go through the day.

Fasting is not and should never be as the hypocrites in the first part of chapter 58, who fast to be noticed by others and by God. They 'fast' as a work, trying to earn their favor with the Lord.

The Lord, however, makes it perfectly clear that this is not what He desires nor sees as a fast.

This type of fast is weak and futil. It brings with it nothing of power, it is by name only.

True fasting is powerful, useful and freeing (Isaiah 58:6).

True fasting comes about when a person has completely emptied themselves and seeks to filled by the Holy Spirit.

When I feel empty, out of energy, just plain sapped...I generally think- "I've got to do something to get some energy!" I look for a Coke or to excerise or something...

The past few weeks, I've been pretty much lacking energy for a variety of reasons. I've often wondered why my tank feels so emtpy...

Then, the Lord, in His rich mercy and grace, gave me these verses:

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in." Isaiah 58:10-12

Sometimes I wonder if all of our efforts make much difference at all. Sometimes I wonder why we don't see more fruit. Sometimes I wonder why we feel so much opposition in the work the Lord has given us here.

Sometimes I just wonder if it is all worth it...

Monday was a pretty much horrible night in terms of the behavior of the kids in PFK. It was the large group's week (we have group 1 that has 19 mainly older kids - mostly ages 10 - 13, and then group 2 with 13 kids mainly 7-9 years old. These groups alternate every other week).

The larger group, although older, is made up of kids who have some major behavioral issues and pretty crappy homes. Many are Nicaraguan immigrants, almost all here illegally.

We've seen major changes in some of their behavior issues since we started ministering to them over a year ago. However, they do act up and we have discipline issues with them frequently.

Monday was the breaking point, though. I'm not sure what exactly lead up to the breaking point- what one specific thing was the straw that broke the camel's back- but they pushed us to the limit.

Helyi spoke to them first. (Helyi "L-G" is our newest staff member) She addressed the issues and gave them a good 'talking to.' The issues continued.

- About two weeks ago, I wrote in my journal asking the Lord to demonstrate himself to the kids through me. That I would have patience and that His light would shine through me even when they were at their worst. I didn't remember that Monday night, but have since went back and read that prayer.-

When it was time for me to present the lesson, we decided that I would present it to them as a group- one time, instead of the normal procedure of splitting them up into two smaller groups and presenting the lesson twice, once to each group. I was not feeling well and didn't think I could do the lesson twice.

I made them arrange their chairs basically filling up the sanctuary- something we've never done before- all spread out so they were not able to talk with anyone else.

Then I began to talk, but I believe the Spirt took over. I shared with them the privilege they each have of being part of a ministry thats sole desire is that they come to an understanding of who Jesus is, what He did for them personally, and how to go about living a life for Him. I reminded them of the people who pray daily for each one of them by name. And, as I began to share about how we each love them and care for them and so desire to see them each walking with the Lord, I began to shed tears.

You could have heard a pin drop. Not a sound was made. Every eye was one me, except maybe for little Gustavo, who was still throwing and messing with the rocks.

The point of this story is that on Monday night, I was so completely empty. I was so just done with it all. What was the point, after all, if these kids who we pray for, weep for, pour into, could care so little that they behave as they had that night?

Well, the Lord has gently reminded me, the point is that He wants to shine through me and be glorified in their lives.

And HE WILL!

I believe it!

He is faithful and His mercy is eternal!

When I looked back at my journal and studied these verses from Isaiah I realized that I don't have a choice whether or not I give up my life. It is not mine to keep to myself. I was bought with such a high price, I am nothing and have nothing to call my own, not even my life. Therefore, why or how could I even consider not pouring myself out to the point of empty for these kids who have no one else doing so for them.

(Not to say we put up with the not obeying but that is a whole other story...)

When I empty myself in service to the poor, broken, bound, hungry to the point where there is nothing left to give, then God in His great love and mercy and grace, fills us to the pont of a fountain whose flow never cease. His light shines through us to break the darkness and fill the afflicted, thirsty soul- even my own!

When my energy is at it's lowest, it is He who refuels me and gives me the strength to keep on doing the good to which I've been called.

He gives us the promise that He will hear us and respond to us when we call out to him in our weak, empty state and He will guide and cover us.

The Lord used these verses, which in God's own special cool way, are the primary verse of the Potter's Field Ministry, to encourage me and strengthen me this week. He has reminded me of the beautiful vision He gave us two years ago of this little village being a strong and mighty fortress for Him. Little did we know the work He had for us here, nor the pain and heartache, stress, pressure that would be to come. Yet, He goes before us and comes up behind us, guiding us and filling us.

In obedience to Him, we move forward in faith, not focusing only what we see, but instead remembering that we do not see what God sees. He can see ahead and knows the fruit that is to come. He knows the depth of the seeds we are planting and He is the One who is making them grow.

I am so thankful for these verses this week. I am so thankful for the reminder that He is the One who restores and rebuilds what was once broken.

"And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. " vs 12

I love that this verse says "you shall raise up the foundations of many generations" as this is exactly what the Lord laid upon our hearts when he gave us the Answers in Genesis curriculum we have been teaching through. To build the foundations in this generation. They have been laid a very weak foundation. What a beautiful picture of of the power and strength of our Great God!

People from all nations and every tongue praising Him We praise You Jesus!

You are faithful,Lord!!!

Potter's Field Ministries

Here is a message from Pastor Mike and Pam Rozell, founders of Potters Field Ministries and Potters Field Kids, which is the heart of our ministry here in Costa Rica.

Potter's Field Kids Promo from Potter's Field Ministries on Vimeo.

When Pastor Mike mentions the Costa Rica ministry, you'll see a picture of Emerson, who is in PFK with us.

Isa 58:10-12

Multitudes on Monday...a few days late :)

I love this song. I always have. But this week, it brings new meaning to the trials of life for me.

When I sat a listened to the music and the lyrics this morning, I thought about what it means to 'trade my sorrows, my shame, my sickness, my pain...FOR the JOY of the Lord...'

as the song says, that sets a new song in my heart, taht sets my heart dancing...and to it all we say YES LORD and trade it in - for what? the JOY of the Lord!

Maybe it's better to say it this way:

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Whatever we are, we are NOT abandoned, nor in despair, not crushed, nor destroyed...and why?

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

The power that sustains us is NOT from us, but from God. The treasure is not us nor our lives but God living IN us.

When I stop and think about the trials and troubles and pains and stresses I carry, and then read this verse- it makes it all seem so much less.

I will say YES, LORD, because:

"our light and momentary troubles are acheiving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17

What we encounter now brings the promise of something so glorious that as hard and crushing as the troubles seem to us now- they are light and momentary in comparison to to the joy that is coming.

So, then...

"we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

I have been plagued with a horrible headache since last Thursday. It comes on strong then goes away, then comes on strong again. It kept me in bed all day Friday, accompanied by body aches. I have not slept a full night sleep since then because every night I've woken up at or around 2:30 am and been awake until about 5:00 am due to the headache. I've had horrible nightmares as well during the past week.

For even longer, my friend and our teamate, Helyi ('L-G') has experienced the exact same thing. Our nightmares are very similar. Our physical symptoms are exactly the same.

Medicine does nothing for the pain.

We do not believe it is a virus, but we believe it to be a fierce attack by the enemy in an attempt to steal our time and our sleep from us, to kill our energy, and to ultimately destroy us. (John 10:10)

However, in light of these verses, what do I have to say but Yes, Lord. I will trade it all so that Your all-surpassing power me be demonstrated through my momentary and light troubles.

The key is to be renewed by this strength, not to succumb to the temptation to feel sorry for ourselves. Do not give up! Do not give in to the fight. We are daily in a battle against enemies we do not see.

"Therfore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16

Yes, Lord! Thank You! Yes, Lord!



I know today is Wednesday...but here is my Multitudes on Monday post...a few days late :)

#'s 1719 - 1730
- tickling Ethan
- 'armpits' with Isa and Audrey
- hugs from Dayana, Gabriela, Johan, Cindy...
- holding hands in the middle of the night with Matthew
- Audrey reading Green eggs and Ham over and over again- by herself!
- hard, hard days that bear fruit and bring glory to Your name
- being a jar of clay that holds such a precious treasure
- 'momentary and light troubles'
- Your 'all-surpassing' power
- eternal glory
- focusing on what is unseen
- waiting for Your return, Lord. Maranatha!

Multitudes on Monday (on Tuesday)

"And God said, 'Let there be light" and there was light." Genesis 1:3

From nothing, God created everything. What He said, simply became.

"the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
Genesis 2:7

What are we anyway, but dust?

What is this life, if not spent living as a breath of life?

This week, I've pondered God's great intense love for me, my love for Him, faith, my faith, the way jesus lived his life and how I live mine...

And it all comes back to this-

Am I willing to make myself nothing to live fully in everything for Him?

If in everything, we find grace; then should you not find in me grace?

But really, is this what you see when you look at me?

Do you really see grace, Christ, in me in everything?

And then the question really becomes this...

Is Jesus really my everything?

Everyday, I realize that all is grace...and He is grace and love and peace and joy and I am nothing...nothing without Him. He is my grace, love, peace, and joy and if He's not then I cannot and will not be able to offer any of these to anyone because without him I cannot begin to understand any one of these.

Today, join with me in giving thanks...

#'s 1674 - 1687
- thankful kids
- good friends who fix dinner for my hubby and kids when it is my night on and his night off
- little boys
- feeling little life move inside another
- the miracle of life
- studying with PFK kids
- omelets...yummy
- serving others
- young ones praying
- All is grace- Shaun Groves
- interns!!
- Your provision in all things, Jesus!
- that You bless in all things and all things become a blessing
- experiencing the sense of pride other's feel for their country

Multitudes on Monday

From my heart this morning...

(from John 1)

"You, Jesus, were in perfect harmony with Your Father. You chose to leave perfection and take himan form and live in a fallen world- that Your glory could be seen- the One and Only- the One who came from the Father - full of grace and truth.

You were who John the baptist preached about. Moses gave us the law. You gave us grace and truth. No one has ever seen God, but You- the One and Only- have made yourself known to the world. You, God incarnate, God's only Son, came to this earth as a baby, just like us. As a boy, dedicated yourself to ministry, studied the scriptures and as a man entered the ministry. You declared Yourself the Messaih- the long awaited Savior. Then You died a death You did not deserve on an old rugged cross for my sins and the sins of the world.

thank You Jesus! Thank You! Joh nBaptist declared You the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John told the people that God's Spirit would rest on the Son of God in the form of a dove.

People began to follow You even before this prophecy was fulfilled. Andrew and Peter called You'Teacher" and followed You first, then Philip and Nathanel. Scripture says Andrew 'found' Jesus (John 1:41) while Jesus 'found' Philip, then Philip found Nathanel. (John 1:43).

Thank You Jesus for finding me. I knew the truth and ignored it. You persued me - You found me - You rescued me. Thank You.

With many thanks in my heart today, I count blessing after blessing...

#'s 1609 - 1613
- Sundays spent together, nothing on the agenda except being together
- Sunday evening church
- being awakened to pray for fellow believers
- John 1:12-13 - thank You father for the choice to believe in Your name and to recieve You as my Savior and for the privilege to be Your child
- Thank You Jesus for finding me. I knew the truth and ignored it. You persued me - You found me - You rescued me. Thank You.