Holding patterns.

Do you ever have those times where it seems like everyone around you is flying by, but you seem to be in a holding pattern? Maybe it's been a health issue that has slowed our current activities, maybe a time of preparation for something upcoming, maybe adjustment to new things which take time for assimilation to be completed.
I was just reflecting on how often we are misunderstood during these times. These are precious times where Jesus just desires to connect with us and minister to us while equipping us (through circumstances most often) for what He has. Sometimes we know what is ahead and it's easy to explain it to others. Other times we are just in a holding pattern, not sure of what it will be like or when we will be able to deplane. At times we are judged, criticized, even considered lazy or not meeting unwritten/unspoken expectations; but we do have peace, knowing God has brought us here, for this time, for His purposes.
These are times of wonder. Of expectancy. Of hope. These are the times we find depth in our relationship with Jesus. And most often, He does things in us that we cannot see until later.
We realize eventually that our concern should be on what He thinks, on what His desire for us is, and on how we are serving Him in our current situation. That's freedom. That's really living.

Thankful

How many times do I get in a "complaining mood" where nothing is quite right. Well, lately I've been trying to be more of an encourager and also be thankful for everything. (I guess it's kind of like I'm trying to make it a habit to be more intentionally and vocally thankful).
I just wanted to give you a snapshot of this week with phrases of thankfulness.

I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who has a job and can provide for us.

I'm thankful for excellent neighbors/landlords who really take care of our needs and encourage us with their generosity.

I'm thankful to see the grass again (spring is coming!).

I'm thankful for a smart little dog who is learning to "go" outside now that it's not freezing!

I'm thankful for life and where God has us right now, even in the hard things, I am learning to be thankful because He is teaching me and molding me to be more like Him.

A Longtime Dream in the Making

For years now, I have dreamed of going to Spain. Back when I was in college, in fact, I was set and actually appointed to be an apprentice in Spain for 2 years, but God had other plans. See, looking back, all the pieces had to be put in order for the dream to be even better than I could have imagined. Upon graduation, I spent a good 7 months wrestling with where to go and ended up seeing God's leading to Paraguay where I lived and served for two years. After a brief return to the US, I traveled to Costa Rica for a year (well 9 months) of language school to perfect my Spanish. During that time I met my beloved husband, a Guatemalan who was studying to get his masters degree in a Costa Rican seminary. I met him at church and also at the seminary where I took a class as well. Our friendship turned to love and we got engaged. Then we began planning and praying about what to do for our future, where to go. On our ten year plan (insert a HUGE laugh), we projected ourselves returning to a Spanish speaking country to serve Spanish speakers (which is still the leading the Lord has given us), but we were thinking Latin America or possibly Spain, but leaning towards Latin America. Just when we let the dream go, released it and honestly let it almost go into the "forgotten" category, we are presented with the prospect of doing a short-term trip with our church to Spain. More than I can explain in a blog, this is the culmination of many dreams, many prayers answered, and great hope for the future. Does this mean we'll end up in Spain? I don't know actually. What I do know is that it is a door the Lord has opened at this time in our lives and we are going to explore it, excited to see how He leads us. Besides, after almost 300 cloudy days in North-East Ohio, it will be nice to be in a place known for 300 days of sunshine a year.
I guess it seems that just when we surrender, give up, or just let it go, that's when hope steps in. It doesn't make things any easier, but we are encouraged by hope. And by knowing that God is always in control and working even when we can't see it or feel it.
So, you can be praying for us as the trip takes place in July. We're just beginning the process and there is a lot to do between now and then, but we are encouraged. Hopeful.

Thanks for reading!

January

January. A new year, new activities, still new experiences here in North-East Ohio. And lots of snow. For those of you who have been watching the weather, you see that we're finally on the + side of the mercury up from a week ago (which was down to -27 for a new record low!).

Actually we have decided we rather enjoy the snow. I love looking out and seeing everything bright and fresh after a few inches. I remember it never seemed to snow that much growing up (in the south!), so snow still brings excitement for both José and I.

One of these snowy mornings, over a cup of hot orange spice tea, I was reflecting on the snow, the purity of it. How quiet it was outside. Peaceful. My thinking went to Isaiah, "I have washed your sins whiter than snow" . While you're staring out and you can't see anything but whiteness, and brightness, that's a powerful analogy! How the blood of Jesus Christ cleaned us and made us so pure, so clean, and most importantly, finally acceptable to God--the Sinless One. It made me excited about ministry, about what we'll be experiencing as a family, about life in a new place, and new friendships.

Beyond the clean-ness, I was struck by the peace. Just how everything was still. It was amazing. Yes, the occasional car passed in front of our house, but it couldn't seem to interrupt the all-covering peace that pervaded and surrounded us and our house. That's how I started my year. That's what I want for this year to be marked by. Peace. Surrender to the Uncreated God who loves us, loves me, more than we can imagine. Who created a beautiful snowy picture outside of my window for my enjoyment.

Yes, the snow has started to melt, and turn gray from the salt and dirt, but my life can still be full of peace. I've been learning a lot lately, in the midst of difficult circumstances, that who we are and what our futures hold comes from the Lord, not our circumstances which can change from moment to moment.

My goal is to have a few moments of stillness with my Creator each day, so that no matter how full my life is at the moment, it still can be permeated by peace.

Quick December Update

Well, my parents were able to come up for a quick visit last weekend. They were hoping to see snow, and on Sunday there was plenty!! We got to take Dad to the "train shop" here and found trains for him to set up around the Christmas tree like we did when we were little. Dad and José also "worked to death" (in José's words) putting up overhead lighting in our house!!! WE LOVE IT!!
My parents got to hear José preach his first sermon at North-Mar on Sunday. Listen to it here:
http://northmarchurch.com/HomeIncludes/sermons/12072008.html

Here's our latest of Diego. Wears a sweater always! He has little fine soft baby-dog hair and no body fat, so we're trying to keep him warm. He's house training (inside on a doggy pad since it's been below 40 since we got him). And he's been so much fun, entertaining us and speeding around the house. I wish I had that much energy!!

Office: Painted!

We started painting the office on Friday, figuring we'd take advantage of the long weekend. Well, Saturday we were "interrupted" with a new puppy, Diego (see previous post), so we'd been doing the finishing touches little by little. Today I finished up all the trim (including bookshelves) and it's ready for my parents' visit on Thursday! (And it shouldn't smell too badly of paint by that time either!!


We LOVE the new colors (this has room will be used as a child's room when the time comes, thus the gender neutral colors). It's bright and spring-like, which makes me smile with all the grey skies and snow and mud....

My First Turkey & Meet Diego

Our first Thanksgiving on our own. We cooked a 5.5 lb. turkey breast for both of us and it turned out perfect!! (Thanks Dad for the instructions!)


After a morning of cooking and waiting for the turkey to finish, we sat down at 1pm to turkey, gravy (made by José), mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, bread, and complete with sparkling white grape juice. Yum! We had a great day!


Meet Diego!! 100% Miniature Pinscher. We got him yesterday! Now 11 wks old, he was born a week after we moved to Ohio. He's smart and will be a lot of fun. (We're already house training like crazy and so far, we're 2 days accident free!)

Snow Season

We had the great blessing of having Rosita, José's mom, with us these last two weeks. One thing she was really hoping to see was SNOW, and LOTS of it! While we kept the heat cranked up to 75, we got all kinds of snow, little tiny ice balls, mini flakes, huge fluffy flakes, wet, dry and everything in between.
José and Rosita got to build their first snowman (José has seen snow before but not in this quantity and has been getting used to leaving with 15-20 minutes to spare so he can shovel out the driveway, sidewalk, and scrape off the car!) Since it's going to be cold, I'd rather see snow! I'm realizing that it's not smart to "run" to the mailbox, winter coat, scarf, gloves, and then flip-flops and socks. The snow is cold and deep. No quick sprints to the car either, my new wardrobe is evolving: 2 pair of boots just for being outside, as many sweaters as I can find, a new total of 5 winter coats for different occasions..........

Painting, Snow, and Goodbye to Sofía

Painting the bedroom- We LOVE the color!


Our first official snow, October 30. 2 inches in 2 hours. It melted very quickly. (Thankfully).




We said goodbye to Sofía on November 6th. She was very sick and we had to put her down. We will miss her, she was a great little dog.

Missions Impact Weekend & Prayer Conference

Here's what we've been up to this past week.

Last week (Tues-Sunday) was Missions Impact Weekend, and we were able to have some missionaries going to Japan be with us for various activities and services at church. One of those activities was an ultimate frisbee & hot dog cookout.

Monday (yesterday) and today, José and I went to the Central Distict (with the CMA) 's prayer retreat. Here's a picture of us on Lake Erie (YES, it borders Canada). It was beautiful on Monday, but cold and windy on Tuesday (though still beautiful)!