I´ve been staring at this computer screen trying to think of what to say. So much time has passed (sorry it´s been so long) that it is difficult to start with the was and the current what´s happenin.
So let me summarize:
I was home in the US for 5 weeks. I spent a few in Auburn and a couple in Ohio and the last in Auburn. It was a good time to do the biannual trip to Stone Mountain with the nieces and Laura. And I was blessed to be able to speak at all 4 services at Vineyard Grace Fellowship in Ohio. I spoke on five words- Grace, Love, Hope, Fight, and Glory. It is God´s word as I am learning and also teaching my girls. It was amazing to see how God spoke very deliberately to me and to so many in that body. I was overwhelmed with the kindness and the prayers of that body.
I am grateful to say that finally all my medical bills have been taken care of. So many people have assisted in getting bills forgiven and a few remaining I just had to pay. Close to $20,000 was forgiven or taken care of. I am grateful to each of my doctors and EAMC for the work they have done to take care of ME AND the bills!
Some highlights of time home-
- CFA, Steak n Shake, and about a thousand other yummy american foods, Greek yogurt and Dr. Peppers
- First class seat on the way back to Honduras! I was blessed with a buddy pass which is cheaper than a regular ticket and I fly space available and if that space is available it´s first class. Such a sweet blessing.
- Auburn Softball regional playoffs. I missed the supers because I was back here but I watched most games online. War Eagle. Such great competitors. Such fun games to watch. Never quit.
- Dinners with all my people (missed a few 🙁 ) So good just to spend time with my people.
- Emmaus serving with Jamie and Bruce. Such good times when serving the body.
- We thought we would miss the laser light show at Stone mountain because we only were there Friday night but we didn´t. They had some group there showing it and we basically got a private showing. We yelled and danced and sang and didn´t worry anyone would get mad. It was a sweet time.
Coming back to Emmanuel was sweet, after a time in the US I begin to wonder what in the world to do with my time between meeting with people. Too many of you have daily jobs that just get in the way with hanging out with me! haha
The big girls (the bigs) have settled into a new routine with currently only me and Elvia supervising them. Katja is in Denmark for 2 months, til the end of July, so that also makes the office fun. It´s mostly me alone each day in the office. I have taken to answering the phone and trying my best to figure out what they are saying and what they actually want! Often what they start off saying is nothing of what they actually need or want! Since Elisabeth left to go back to college and the office volunteer isn´t here I am covering sponsorship which means some emails, lots of questions about kids and their gifts when teams come in or a container arrives. I think I MIGHT be a little bored when Katja and Sarah come back. haha
My roommate Catherine moved out, she is getting married next month so she will be at Emmanuel part time. So I moved rooms. I will be painting my quieter cooler room when I get some paint and time. Will also be working on acquiring new art since almost everything was Catherine´s we had in the house! We also got a new refrigerator before she left. So it´s big and shiny. It´s small things like that to make it seem like Christmas in the summer.
I began rewarding my kids with points in our yard. I grew tired of fighting with them over their school uniform. So now when kids have their skirt, shirt, and tennis shoes they get a point. On non school days if they have appropriate clothes then they get a point. The first 2 weeks we had almost half earn enough points for a reward- brownies, soda, a couple of candy canes and when I get enough word search books they will receive them first. They were so excited just for that. I got hugs and ¨thank you for everythings¨ from quite a few that afternoon as they left our little party to go home. The 2 weeks we are currently in I have instituted a debit column and an "other things¨ column for extra points. I had a big talk with them about yelling, running, and playing in the dining room yesterday and a few have already earned debits today. I think they are getting the point (get it…the point. haha)
I told them after this 2 weeks we will be doing points for a month. I can´t get enough prizes for every 2 weeks at the rate of 45 or more every two weeks. It is thankfully working well and I find myself fighting less each day about their clothes. Praise the Lord!
Teams started coming Memorial day and will be almost every day until mid August and then a 2 week break and then all month of September. It´s fun to have the last few teams come I haven´t met because I was out last june and to have teams return that are like friends visiting. I am excited my DAD is coming July 9!!!! and Carrie and the VGF crew are coming August 9. It´s a sweet pre and post birthday gift to me.
Prayer requests:
Health of our staff and volunteers (and visiting teams)
wisdom with decisions I have to make in day to day things (I´m wearing hats that feel bigger right now with staff being gone)
Future staff that may come- We have had several go back to college or go to the US to get married etc. So we could use some more!
Endurance and encouragement for our staff- we are running with a short crew right now and we just need some extra energy
Financial support- I am still in need of funds for my furlough account
I am so grateful for my supporters- those of you who pray for me!! and those who send finances. I can only remain here as long as funds continue to come. I have begun praying for funds over and above so I can continue to hammer away my remaining debt so I can be super cheap to live here! I know my God can do miracles and help get rid of what remains!
Some photos:
Stone Mountain photo with my Ansley
my sermon notes sort of
Me and Ellie at one of the hottest ever softball games. But such fun! War Eagle.
Me in the back of Katjas gator on a ladder throwing a pipe with a rope to try to get a croc off the roof. Not OSHA approved.
My girls like to play games when we have free time. There are quite a few card sharks now…phase 10 and skip bo are our current favorites.
mandatory nap time happened while in ohio and the Cat got involved a couple of times.
When we do the three man swing I get to climb up this pole to run the rope to set it up. This day I ¨got¨ to do it twice because the rope fell off my shorts. The things I do for our kids…haha
On any given day I bring home 1 to 10 shoes to glue. Thankful they are now asking to get them glued and not just throwing them out! They call my house the shoe repair store.
Grateful for each of you. Please keep praying. be His.
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