A day I thought would never come

The average christian parent has certain expectations or at least assumptions that they live with. One of them being that their children will be christians and get baptized or follow whatever example they set. Even so those parents are thrilled and excited when the expectations are met. A child coming to christ is a huge celebration and the same can be said of baptism. However sometimes there is a kink. Some reason why you might set your expectations aside. For example you might have a child who has sensory issues and can't stand the idea of water on his head because it might get into his eyes. For a child like that the idea of putting your head under water for any reason sounds like a really horrible idea. (and that's putting it mildly.)

I just described Timothy. Logan is the one who led Timothy to the Lord and ever since then has been trying to talk him into getting baptized (Did I ever mention that 3 different people who don't know each other or me prophesied that Logan was going to be like John the baptist while I was pregnant with him?) Sometime last week while Jose was talking about this baptism service Timothy volunteered to be baptized. I wasn't there so when Jose mentioned it I looked something like this

I should mention that Jose and I have different kinds of faith. When we have no money or are getting close. I have gotten to a place where I just expect God to take care of it. While Jose does a lot of math. I know he's worried about money when I find sheets of paper with numbers scribbled all over them. I on the other hand really struggle to have faith that everything will work out with Timothy. In my heart I know that God is taking care of it (just like Jose knows that God will take care of our finances) But when I'm looking at it day in and out it gets easy to think that he will always be set in whatever particular way he's currently set in and will never change. But Jose doesn't have that problem. He pushes him and believes he can and will get and be better than what he settles for currently. So, I admit, I got annoyed with Logan for continuing to ask. I even told him that Timothy would do it when he was ready (which was true) but I realize now that he needed that peer pressure from his brother to recognize the importance of making that decision. 

We asked him several times if he was sure he wanted to do it. Jose mentioned it every day this week and every day Timothy affirmed that yes, he wanted to be baptized. I let him wear his swim trunks to church and he was dressed before we woke up actually. He wanted to do it first thing when we got there but alas, he had to wait. 

He literally buzzed with excitement all through church. He sat with me and kept humming and clapping and asking me when he would get to be baptized. Then the moment came. He was by the pool the second they announced it. 

I love the progression of these photos. You can see how happy and excited he is and when he comes out of the water you can see how much he hates the water in his eyes.

I have been a mess all day. A happy mess. Every time I think about it I start to tear up and think about how good God is and how proud I am of Timothy. He may not act or think like most kids his age. But he has a very real relationship with God that he is working out in his own way. 

Today my son inspired me and showed me that he (and everybody really) has the ability to push through his discomfort and obey what God is telling him to do.  

And he did it with a joyful attitude.  

He was excited about being uncomfortable.

I wonder, when was the last time you got excited about being uncomfortable?  

someday we'll laugh about this

I'm sure you've heard someone say "someday we'll laugh about this" maybe you've even said it yourself. 

A few days ago we had a mid-week servolution. We went to this area called "El Indio" and gave clothes and shoes away in a school.

so many clothes were donated by people in our church! it was awesome

one of the kids peeking through the broken door while we set up

this little guy was so sweet, he kept asking me to take his picture

Waiting to pick something out

It was a great day and we got to help a lot of people. It broke my heart to see some of the people looking for something for their kids and happily taking newborn size clothes for their toddler or boy clothes for their girls. Really they took what we had because at least it was something. 

One of the little girls came in at the end when we had barely anything left and she took clothes for her baby sibling and shoes for her mom. She didn't want anything for herself. 

the team

We always leave these time elated and exhausted. It's a lot of work ya'll! 

We were in an area where there aren't a lot of taxis and it's at least 2 miles to the street 

where you can pick one up. 

Out of all the people working we had one car between us...ours.

Now, our car was given to us when we first got to Peru. 

It has been through a lot, we have loaded it down with people many times. 

(I should add there are no laws about seatbelts in the back seat and the speed limit in piura is something like 30 mph) 

This time it was a little trickier than normal since we had 7 adults, 2 children 1 infant with a car seat, a stroller and about 5 folding chairs. (plus all the stuff that was in the car before we started)  

Somehow we managed to all fit inside our car. 

We got most of the way home when the car started to stall out. 

This happens sometimes...

well, a lot...

ok, lets be real it happens every time we drive the car.

So nobody worried, Jose just put the car in neutral and tried to restart it. 

Did I mention we were on a bridge? 

Yeah, that.

So anyway, the car does what it always does. It makes it's little pre-starting noise

kind of like this "ngggngnngngngnng" but it never turns over. 

We have been coasting this whole time which seems like it was maybe an hour but was probably a lot more like 5 minutes. People just pass us and keep going. That's Peru for you. Nobody is fazed in the least by the dying car full of people.

Right about now I was thanking Jesus that we had a car full of grown ups, 3 of whom were men. 2 of them jumped out and started pushing until we got off the bridge then Jose jumped out and did the push and steer until we got to a "parking lot" (more like a parking space) on the side of the road.

From here we all went our separate ways. The plan was to get a mechanic to come look at it (tow trucks are not the norm here.) So we got a Taxi to go home. 

We got home and paid the Taxi driver with the only money we had between us.

It was a counterfeit bill, we didn't know. 

Thankfully, Logan has a piggybank and is a saver. 

We paid the Taxi driver. 

Peru is not exactly a country where urgency exists. Mechanics work certain hours no more, no less.

So our car had to spend the night on the side of the road. 

The next morning Jose went to try to figure out what to do about our sad little car. 

This story just writes itself.

Someone broke the window and stole everything inside, 

from the phone charger plugged into the cig. lighter to the toolbox in the trunk. 

Even Logan's Astros cap (but they left his shoes...can't say that I blame them, those things are toxic) 

We finally got the car to the mechanic (I'm not even gonna' tell y'all how. Some things are just too hard to believe if you don't live here) 

The car won't start, that's true, but theres nothing wrong with it. 

It just doesn't want to work anymore.

 It just turned 30 maybe it's having a midlife crisis? 

I guess it lost it's will to live. 

Now, I would love to tell you I responded at each step with some of the grace that Job had when he lost his stuff. 

I sound so spiritual and wise right?

 But seriously Job may have temporarily reacted with grief but in the next verse he's all 

well I came into this world naked I guess that's how I'll leave. 

!

(warning, do not read this next paragraph if you like thinking I'm perfect and selfless. 

It might ruin things for you) 

Nope, that's not me. I had a nice little pity party. 

I don't love that car I actually have been praying we could get rid of it and get one that is a little more reliable. You know little things like not stalling every time we drive it.

A working air conditioner too.. Those are my top 2 requests. But I digress. 

I started telling God all the things we have done for him. 

I'm all, we left our friends and family and church God. 

We came here were we have no guaranteed paycheck.

We've given so much  

We built this thing you told us to, 

we've been obedient and we were actually driving home from helping people when this happened. 

It's not fair! Why do selfish people get nice cars and we are giving everything just to drive this car that needs to be pushed 90% of the time. (yeah, I'm not selfish *rolling my eyes at myself*)

Then this thing happened. I don't know how to explain it.

 It wasn't instant but it did happen. I stopped caring.  

I started thinking about the lady with a baby that took the outfit that Zoe grew out of for her child who was clearly older than Zoe. 

She actually smiled when she picked it up like it was the cutest thing she had ever seen, and it was hers.  

The baby is on the right (her mom has the sleeper in her hand)

I thought of the pregnant woman who made a beeline for the baby clothes pile and 

I remember how I had to get rid of some of the clothes I was given for Zoe 

because she was given so much and I couldnt bring it all.

I think about the basket of baby clothes I have. Full of stuff that fits my little one.

The other basket with stuff for her to grow into.

And then I told someone else the story of the car. 

I laughed. I kept laughing. My "someday I'll laugh" happened today. 

I joked "next time I'll be more specific when I pray we can get rid of something" 

God answered my prayer. Ok, so we don't have another car. 

Yes our car is basically worthless now. 

But is that a surprise to God?

Is that more than he can handle?

Is that the worst thing that has ever happened to me?

No, no, no. 

The theme of my life seems to be letting go of control. 

Letting God be in control and not freaking out when I'm surprised.

Sometimes I get it right but most of the time I don't.

Most of the time I freak out.

I'm a control freak. 

I "need to know" what is going to happen. 

 Someday I'll learn.

By the way, does anyone want to buy a "classic car" for display only? 

it needs one new window

 

 

our little miracle

Zoe Rain Milagros Lopez is the name we have chosen for this little miracle inside of me. 

Names are important to us so we have put a lot of thought into this one. 

Maybe a little extra thought because of the circumstances. 

If you have read my blog for very long you know that Caleb was supposed to be a girl (and I'm still hesitant to believe we are actually having a girl now even though we had a 3D ultrasound this time.) You might also remember that the name we had planned was Zoe Marie.  

Marie is my middle name and the middle name of my great grandmother (I was actually named after her.) I like the way the names sound together but was not altogether fond of the meaning. 

Zoe means life and Marie means bitter or bitterness. I've always kind of hated that my middle name means bitter even though I love the fact that I was named after my grandma. So after a lot of thought and prayer I told Jose I changed my mind and we needed to find a new middle name for this little girl.  Unfortunately, we were stumped. There are lots of girls names we both like but didn't like the way they sounded with Zoe. 

One night while Jose was reading the Proverb of the day to the boys it was the 4th and much of the Proverb is about finding wisdom and never letting her go and all the good she will do for you. 

So he joked we should name a little girl wisdom. 

Sometimes I can't tell if he's joking so I vetoed the idea and googled "girls names meaning wisdom" I found a list with all these names I have never even heard of from all over the world but one of them stood out to me. 

Rain. 

Rain has special meaning to me so I took it as a sign that we found her middle name Zoe Rain Lopez was our name in my mind. Even though I hadn't confirmed it with Jose. A couple days later we were on a date and I told him what I was thinking. He liked it. Our only concern is we live in a country where both of those names are extremely difficult to say correctly. We didn't want our little girl to hate her name because nobody can understand what she's saying when she introduces herself. So we started discussing nicknames. Jose mentioned the name Milagros because it means miracle in spanish. We consider this baby a miracle so it just seemed to fit. Plus Pastora Milagros in Lima has been a huge blessing to us in so many ways through everything so we loved having the opportunity to honor her as well. When we talked about it I said "we could call her Mila (me-luh) here" and we knew we had a winner.  

2 weeks ago at 25 1/2 weeks pregnant

So you can call her Zoe, Mila, Rain, or littlest Lopez. We will probably call her all of the above and more but for right now we are calling her our little miracle

Hero

It's important to be careful about who you allow to be a hero in your life. Humans are human and will make human choices. This is why no matter how much I admire someone I am very careful to say they are my hero. That said, one person I have always had as a hero in my life is a woman named Elisabeth Elliot. There are many reasons I have always looked up to her and yet I hadn't thought about it in a long time. I was reminded this week. In case you don't know who she is I'll tell you. She was a missionary in Ecuador and married to Jim Elliot. When their daughter was 10 months old Jim Elliot was killed by the very people he went to serve. This has made him a legend, and someone many people I know look up to. I look up to him too, but I think his wife Elisabeth is the real hero of the story. After he died she went to live in the village with the people that killed him for 2 years. I had forgotten that all this happened in Ecuador the country a few hours north of us. Which makes it even more personal and relatable to me. I have been places she has probably been. I don't know that I could have chosen to do what she did. I know now a similar grief from losing my son of natural causes. But I can't imagine how much more difficult it would be to continue living among and working with people that chose to murder my husband. She is a hero to me.

I was reminded of her story because I keep hearing allusions to and speculations that I will go home because of Caleb's death. So I just want to clear something up. When I was 13 years old God called me to missions. It took me 15 years to get here but here I am. His call has not changed. I can't think of anything worse than to walk away from my passion, my life work on top of losing my son. If there has ever been something I feel like I can be proud of about myself it's that no matter what has happened to me in my life I have never been one to give up.  I don't quit. 

I was looking at a bunch of quotes from Elisabeth Elliot and she said a couple things that stood out to me

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.” 

“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person's seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.” 

“Faith's most severe tests come not when we see nothing, but when we see a stunning array of evidence that seems to prove our faith vain.”

“To be a follower of the Crucified means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the cross. And the cross always entails loss.”

“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God is of a different nature altogether. It does not hate tragedy. It never denies reality. It stands in the very teeth of suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son. It was the proof of His love – that He gave that Son, that He let Him go to Calvary’s cross, though “legions of angels” might have rescued Him. He will not necessarily protect us- not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.”

I want to be like her. One thing I can say is I agree with her about everything. I'm still not happy about Caleb's death and I doubt I will ever be happy about it. But I know it was for my good. I know that God still has a plan for me and I will not allow the enemy to put this in his victory column. I am going to do as Paul said in Hebrews 12

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

I've said many times that I believe the safest place to be is in the center of God will. But I am going to expand that. The best place to be is in the center of God's will. It's better to be in the center of Gods will and in a 3rd world country than in the comforts of the United States. My life can be taken. My children's lives can be taken. It might be the hardest thing I ever have to do but until God tells me something different this is where I'm supposed to be.

When I die I wil answer to God for the choices I make. So I have chosen to follow him no matter where he leads me. No matter how hard that road is. No matter who disagrees or rejects me. 

Life

You know those people that have mountain size faith? They get hit with something that seems impossible to recover from and they just kind shake it off and move forward. In my mind they are to faith what Rocky is to boxing. You should never count them out because no matter what hits them they always come back stronger than ever. Jose is one of those people. His faith and steadiness in the storms we have gone through always points me back to the one who holds our future in his hand.

I on the other hand am not like Rocky. I usually get blindsided by that first punch and then reel for a little bit before I get my head back in order. Then I'm usually ready for the fight. A couple months ago I mentioned that we needed prayer for the baby because I have low amniotic fluid. Last night I was talking with a friend and we naturally started talking about the baby. She asked me how I'm doing. I kind of just spilled my guts about how I've been feeling in general. It was good and healing and while I was talking to her God was talking to me.

About a year ago a big percentage of my prayer life was me telling God I wanted to have more kids but it just didn't seem like it was possible. I had so many questions and logistical concerns and was just trying to get God to show me what to do. Then La Casa Del Padre had a conference and brought in 3 prophets. I was not at the conference and didn't even expect to meet them, but on Sunday they called Jose and I up on stage so they could pray and prophesy over us. One of them told me he saw divine protection for our family and angelic assignments over our children not just the ones that we already had but the ones that were coming. He said that I had many, many questions but God just had a smile on his face as he poured out a divine grace over our family for more children, even when the circumstances are not as great as we may think they should be. The things that he said gave me peace and I let it go. Just waiting for God's timing. Jose and I decided that April would be good timing for us to start trying for another baby. That was obviously the right timing because I got pregnant right away. Long before the pregnancy test would have come up positive I knew.

Since we were moving in the middle of the pregnancy and our plan was to visit Piura in my 12th week. My US Dr never saw me before 12 weeks so it seemed like a good plan. Things for us are always subject to change though and through about 4 different circumstances we ended up postponing our trip to my 15th week. The week before we came La Casa Del Padre had the Pastors mentors (Pastor Danny an Giselle Bonilla) in town. They happen to be American and they also operate in the prophetic. They were talking to Jose and I after the service and she told me she saw a little girl that looked like me preaching to a crowd. Then she asked if I had a little girl. I told her no but I'm pregnant so you never know.

So we get to Piura and I have my Dr's appointment. He couldn't find the heartbeat, so he did an ultrasound. The baby's heart beat was strong but my amniotic fluid was low, the baby was measuring a week small and wasn't moving around. He was kind but told me what to watch for if I were to have a miscarriage. I was blindsided by this he didn't have anything he could do and there was nothing I could do. I started to think I would lose the baby. We emailed a few people and told them to pray. I didn't tell everybody and I didn't know when I would be able to. I didn't want to hear anything good or bad about other people that had been through it. I just needed to process and pray.

My mentor emailed me Exodus 23:25-26 "So you shall serve the Lord your God & he will bless your bread & water. And I will take away sickness from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days." Jose randomly decided to listen to the recording of the prophecy from last year and I heard the things he said about angelic assignments over our children to come. Then God gave me Jeremiah 29:11 "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." And I remembered something Pastor Danny Bonilla told me when we were talking that night. He said "I feel like God wants you to know that everything is going to be ok with your baby" Those things bound me up and got me ready to fight. We shared our prayer request with the world and many people joined us in praying for the little life inside of me. I had confidence that this child would live.

We went back for another appointment last week. I felt ready for any kind of news. The news we got was that my amniotic fluid is still low. He couldn't tell for sure but he thinks it's a girl and she has caught up in her growth. (no small babies for me) She was moving around a lot and her heart beat is still strong. Then he told us he had thought we were going to lose her when we went in the first time but she's growing and active and it seems like she's going to make it. I left feeling ok. I knew that it was possible my amniotic fluid was still low and to be honest I'm 6 months pregnant and still look like this.

Which he said is because of my amniotic fluid. So I wasn't really all that surprised. But a few days after the Dr I started to worry.

Have you ever read a story in the bible and gotten frustrated with the people and their response to God? Whenever I read about the Israelites and their time in the desert I just want to shake them. I want to yell "God just let you walk through the sea and then drowned the Egyptians! WHY are you complaining? Did you already forget?" But I'm not like that with myself. I come back to God praying for peace and comfort when he gave me a pile of comfort to fall back on. I mean, how many pregnant women get 3 different prophets telling them their baby is going to be ok? yeah, not many. I know I'm weak and just as bad as the Israelites I want to yell at.

But now I'm fighting. My little girl is going to be named Zoe. It's a name Jose and I picked out 8 years ago. Before we were even married. Zoe means Life which I think is prophetic in and of itself.

I love birthdays and a giveaway!

I love birthdays. Like really, really, love them. There have been times I tried to pretend like I didn't really care because I thought that was the grown up thing to do. But now that I'm a grown up I realize it doesn't really matter what other people think. I think birthdays are awesome! 

So this is my last birthday in my 20's I am turning 29 on Thursday. 

I like getting older...there I said it. ha Every year older I get I get a deeper knowledge of God and my life seems to get richer. So next year if I freak out about turning 30 just gently point me back to this post. ;) 

This year has been beautiful. Old friendships have been rekindled. New trails have been blazed in my world. I have become more confident and sure of what I want. What I want is closer to what God wants for me than it ever has been and it is beautiful.

My life is not charmed and I don't have a lot of money or even more than I need. 

I live far away from a lot of people I love and sometimes I get lonely for them.

I'm still not good enough at speaking spanish to have a decent conversation. 

But life is good. 

I have these three guys wherever I go to make me smile.

And God knows all the desires of my heart and has been 

granting even some of the silliest ones to me. 

Because that is how God is. He loves to bless those who delight in Him. 

29 is going to be a good year. I can feel it!

I also love gifts! 

So this year for my birthday (and because this is my 100th blog post) I'm giving away a present. 

 I love butterflies and think these are just gorgeous! They are native to Peru and the picture doesn't do it justice. Depending on how you look at it you see purple, dark blue or this teal color.

So lovely

fyi that is victor's thumb...mine is much girly-er. ha  

(girlyer is a word, even though spell check doesn't believe me)

My camera finally decided to bite the dust so Victor is the designated photographer now. 

He's good at it isn't he?

This is actually a window sticker. It's backwards because you put it inside your window and it looks right from the outside. I just thought it was funny because that is a llama jumping over the u so it's like the puma logo only with a llama. haha 

It's ok if you don't think it's funny. I still laughed. 

I might even add a box of my favorite tea in if I don't forget.

All you have to do to be entered in the giveaway is leave a comment. 

(If you comment anonymously please put your name so I know who you are)  

If you want an extra entry you can tell me your favorite birthday or year or something that makes you happy.

Honestly this couldn't be easier :) I will announce the winner in my next blog

Adventures of a missionary housewife

We have been back in Peru for over a week now so things are getting back to normal. 

Jose and Victor will be spending a lot of time at the church for the next 6 months. They are both finishing up classes and trying to train up people to replace themselves when we leave. 

The days the guys are gone I like to work on projects. 

Today I made Fabric Softener. I don't like paying the price they charge at the store so I've been planning to try it for awhile and I ran out of the store bought stuff today. 

It's super easy and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works. 

Here is the recipe

1/2 baking soda

3 cups WHITE vinegar (don't use anything but white vinegar it seems anything else can stain your clothes)

4 cups of water

essential oils (optional) 

In a large bucket or pitcher pour in baking soda. Slowly add vinegar. You will have to pour in a little at a time and wait for it to stop fizzing before you add more. Once thats all mixed together add water (and a few drops essential oils) and stir. 

Pour in an old fabric softener bottle to store and use just like you would your store bought kind. I did not add the essential oils this time because I wanted to try it without. 

That is probably the easiest thing I have ever done to save money. Bonus: my kids thought the fizzing was the greatest things ever. They kept telling me to do it again. Nothing like entertaining your kids and saving money! Go me. ha

This is my other new hobby. I learned how to crochet so I randomly find cute things I want to make and work on them when the mood strikes me. 

I made this for Timothy because he likes Pirates and monsters. 

Pirates come from veggie tales and monsters come from monsters inc. Unfortunately, they both have very negative connotations and usually look mean or scary so I made a happy pirate monster. I'm pretty pleased with him and myself. 

haha so now you know what I do when I'm alone. I make things. 

Awake

Our church here in Lima is participating in Awake 21 a worldwide multi church fasting campaign. If you would like more information or to join in go to http://www.awake21.org/

Most churches begin the year with a fast of some sort. At least the churches I've been a part of for most of my life. There was a time when I saw church wide fasts as a sort of ritual with no real power. But the past several years I have changed my mind. I've learned that there is a beautiful unity that comes from fasting as a church. Psalm 133:1 says "Behold! How good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity." Unity is a beautiful thing and it's an important thing. If as men and women of God we can bring ourselves together with the same purpose. We can accomplish great things.
 As I write that I'm reminded of a passage of scripture in Genesis where the people are united and they begin to talk about becoming great, so they decide to build a tower that reaches into the heavens. We often quote that verse (Genesis 11:6) that nothing they purpose to do will be impossible because they are united. I've heard people say that God confused the people's language because he did not want them to be working together. But that is not the point at all. The whole problem with their unity in this story is found in verse 4 they say "Come lets build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. In that way we will make ourselves famous..." The reasoning behind their unity is wrong. They wanted to make themselves famous. (I guess you could say they got their wish. The tower of babel was never completed but the fact that we know about it now makes it seem pretty famous to me.)
So why is it important for Christians to have unity? the answer can be found in John 17:20-24
 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

So I set out to blog about fasting and ended up talking about unity. Maybe someone needed to see this. Whatever it is, if you are like I used to be and don't see the point of fasting as a church, I hope this will help you reconsider. I have seen God move in my life in powerful ways through fasting as a church.

...and then we slept with chickens on a bus

Our great adventure to Ecuador was one of those things where you have a basic idea of the plan and a few ideas of how it will come together. But in the end it's really not much like you thought it would be at all.

We started out our trip by going to Piura. Jose has family there and we have connected with a Missionary there too. Our main purpose was to really just visit and see what it's like there. Piura is a region but there is also a city called Piura. That is where we went. After living in a big city it's easy to forget that Peru is a developing country. In Lima we have many modern conveniences that are similar to America. Fast food, better roads, etc.. There are still dirt roads in many parts of Piura.

(houses outside the city of Piura)
We still aren't sure if the city of Piura is where we will end up or if we will be going to another area. Jose's family was telling us about an area close by that is full of witch doctors. There are several parts of the region that don't have even one church. The word of God is so needed there. It's hard to know where to start.

After we spent a few days in Piura, Jose's dad wanted to go to Mancora. There is a famous beach there and people come from all over the world to surf. We stayed there a couple days and really just got to relax. Which was nice. It's amazing how hard it can be to relax when your not used to it. But once we did it was heaven. The boys loved playing on the beach chasing waves and then running away from them. Collecting rocks and seashells. One day I want to live on the beach.


After our mini-cation we took an 8 hour bus trip to Ecuador. The trip up was fairly uneventful. In Ecuador Jose and Victor attended a conference in the evenings. Saturday we went to the market and walked around. I'm noticing that if you want to experience the real culture of the towns here you go to the market.
 

Sunday night we took a bus back to Piura. The bus left at 8pm and I was feeling under the weather. I knew we were going to cross the border around 2 am and I needed to be able to get off the bus and walk up to the window with Jose so I was trying to rest. After we were on the bus for awhile something woke me up. It sounded like...a chicken? no, several chickens. And it was. A lady with a cage full of chickens got on the bus at the second stop and stayed on all the way to Piura. I'm a light sleeper. When I'm sick I'm a very light sleeper. So every time I would start to drift off one of those chickens would screech and all the rest would start to chatter at each other. Then the lady who brought them would "sh-sh-sh-sh" as if they were a fussing child. It was ridiculous.
Once we go to the border we found out that the system was shut down and we had to wait for 1 hour for them to turn it on. I was feeling so bad at this point that Jose told me to take a Dramamine. If I had ever been wild I don't think I would have gotten too much into drinking and drugs because I'm a very cheap drunk when it comes to meds. One Dramamine and I can barely stand up. Within 30 minutes I can pretty much fall asleep wherever I am. So, I waited awhile and took it at about 2:45. There I am standing leaning against my husband in line to get my passport stamped and slurring my words, trying not to fall asleep until we get in the bus. When I realize, I have to do this again in an hour when we get to the border crossing into Peru. Thankfully Jose was able to do it by himself. I was in a Dramamine induced coma by that time.

From Piura we took another bus which was much nicer and more comfortable to get home. The trip was Monday night-Tuesday morning.

Now we have 90ish days to get our visas or leave the country again. Please pray that God would provide the finances for the visas. The trip we took was an adventure, just not something I want to be doing every 3 months.  Thank you all for keeping us in prayer while we were traveling. We saw the hand of God in many ways.

Stream of Consciousness...

I should not be blogging. I should be finishing laundry, packing bags, getting rid of stuff, cleaning...You get the picture. Unfortunately when I look at my house right now I see piles of stuff everywhere. It's like one of those shows where you see a bunch of small piles but then the camera zooms in and they are actually alive and taking over the entire space. OK, not really...I mean, they aren't alive. (or are they? they sure seem to reproduce) Add to that 2 wonderful little boys that like to "reorganize" and I feel like I'm losing my mind.

Yesterday I burned a pan of rice. and when I say burned I mean epic burning. The pan and lid and even my little bamboo utensil thingy are burned. The rice was turned into something resembling a tire. My whole house was filled with smoke it was bad. The reason all this could happen without my notice was I thought I turned the burner off but I actually turned it on high then drove down the street to take Jose to work. I was gone maybe MAYBE 20 minutes. yikes! I have learned to take the pan off the burner if I'm going to leave the house. And I'm still being reminded because my house smells like burned rice. Anyone know how to get rid of that smell? Oh well at least I'm moving out in 3 days. I think I will take a break from cooking for a little while. (and Fortune Village & Sushi Hana sing the hallelujah chorus-they love us...is it bad that we are recognized at 2 restaurants in our area?)

I had 2 friends come over today to pick up a couple things. They both left with full cars. I am forcing people to take my stuff. (Me"you want this blender." Them "no, that's OK" Me "No, seriously you WANT this blender") <----insert evil laughter...Ahem. Anyone want to come over? I have lots of stuff left =D

Inspiration from my past self

I was going through some old journals and a sheet of paper fell out of one of them. When I was younger I loved poetry and would usually journal whatever poem or song I was feeling the most. This paper had a poem on each side. One of them is very well known and the other is one I found in a poetry book and have never seen it before or since so I don't think it is very well known.

Here they are

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
                                   ~Robert Frost

How Did You Die?

Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
with a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
with a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a troubles a ton or a troubles an ounce,
or a trouble is what you make it.
And it isn't the fact that your hurt that counts
but only how did you take it?

You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
Come up with a smiling face
it's nothing against you to fall down flat,
but to lie there-that's disgrace
The harder your thrown, why the higher you bounce
be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the fact that your licked that counts,
it's how did you fight and why?

And though you be done to the death, what then?
If you battled the best you could;
If you played your part in the world of men,
why the critic would call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce
and whether he's slow or spry
It isn't the fact that your dead that counts
But only, How did you die?
                                ~Edmund Vance Cooke

I'm not sure what was going on in my life that these 2 poems inspired me then. But I think it's really cool that I found them when I did. The second one especially describes a lot of things I have thought and even blogged about already. No matter what may happen to me, the important thing is not what happened but how did I respond? I don't always respond the right way. Sometimes I let my flesh respond and that is usually when I feel like a whipped puppy. I'm learning.

In 7 weeks my world is going to change. Am I nervous? Of course! But 100 times more excited than nervous. I am so thankful for the people that are excited with me. Romans 12:15 says (Rejoice) "Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep" You guys are awesome! :-D

I have a new thingy on the side over there---------------------------------------------------------> somewhere, with our prayer partners names. If you would like to be added to our list (because we love you!) let me know (by commenting) and I will add you. I won't send you any junk mail, I will just know you are praying for us :-D we will post prayer needs as they arise on this blog. And, if you would like I can send you a direct email with our prayer needs (but only if you like...I promise not to spam you!)

(And) when I went to find the exact wording of the verse above I thought how awesome and appropriate the rest of these verses where so I decided to leave you with this.

Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Stream of Consciousness...

Most little girls play cinderella or sleeping beauty. Not me, I played Wendy from Peter Pan. I loved pretending to be a mother taking care of my "lost boys." I should have known God would give me little boys. It's hard to recapture the fun of being a make-believe mother living in a forest when you are wiping noses and bottoms, making lunch and taking care of bloody noses. When you live in the forest it doesn't matter if you have dirt on the floor. The floor is dirt. (consequently my floor might as well be dirt right now. I sweep and before I can even "swiffer wet jet" my floor it's dirty again.)

Sometimes I look at my day to day life and think "wow, how much longer is this going to last?" I have a hard time just living in right now. When I start to see a dream coming true I want to run up to it and wrap my arms around it. I don't like the waiting part. Which you would think I would be used to. A couple years ago when we would talk about moving to Peru I would get kind of nervous. The nervousness that comes from not knowing what your getting yourself into or what it will be like. I still don't know what it will be like. And I'm sure I don't know what I'm getting myself into. But I'm deliriously happy to be going now. When we arrived in Peru last September I was less than dazzled by the airport and exhausted from the trip so I can't remember exactly what my first thoughts there were. I do remember the first day there. I fell in love. The way I hear people describing their feelings for Italy or Paris. That is how I felt there. All I could think was "I get to live HERE!?" So now I'm counting down the weeks and days until I get to go back. Only this time we actually get to do something! We get to minister the love of Jesus to a nation of hurting and dying people.

When Jose initially spoke to the pastor we will be working with the first year he told him our heart is for Piura. He said we were the third couple that mentioned Piura to him and nothing has happened. No one has followed through. Can you imagine what God must have in store for that part of the country? I am giddy just thinking about it.

(aren't we cute...especially him!)

Jose and I were both in wedding's last week. Mine was Sunday (and I have NO pictures) :( His was Saturday. Both had brides named Melissa. (odd) They were both beautiful and I am so happy for both of them. I've been able to see both of them grow up in their relationships with God and I've been able to watch both of their relationships (with their husbands) blossom. I love you girls! I pray for both of you and we take our roles as your sister and brother in Christ very seriously! Congratulations Mrs. Greenwade and Mrs. Echevarria!  

Happy Birthday to me

I figure I am allowed to wish myself a happy birthday since I'm generally in charge of birthdays around here.

Maybe it's because I'm getting older but the last couple years I have gotten very introspective on my birthday. This year I'm thinking about where I've been and where I'm going. As many of you know I've moved a lot...a lot, alot. Because of that I've never felt like any one place was my home. My church is home because I know I'm loved and accepted there. When I was in Peru it felt like home too. I don't have any real reason for that. Maybe it's because that's where I'm supposed to be? In Jose's arms is home because I feel safe there. A lot of places are home. And a lot of places aren't. Sometimes it's surprising where home is and where it isn't. (I sound like yoda..."mmm, much confusion in you there is"...and yes Jose has turned me into a bit of a star wars geek)

Jose and I are celebrating Saturday at a Peruvian buffet. *WOOT* I love Peruvian food (good thing huh?) Today since he had to work we didn't do very much but he made me feel well loved. He tried to get the boys to leave me alone so I could sleep in...brought me lunch and got me an ice cream cake. I'm pretty sure I gained 15 lbs today. I went to the park with the kids today while Jose was at Man Church. I met up with some friends and took my camera to take pictures of our merriment. I got there first took like 5 pictures of myself and the boys but as soon as my friends got there I forgot to take pictures. That is the reason I don't have any pictures of most of my friends. I get too interested in talking and totally forget to capture the moment. *sigh* Anyway my sweet friend Abigail got me froggy cupcakes and a cute shirt I can't wait to wear. (I love presents! Thank you Abi!)

In other (Peru related) news we are leaving houston in less than 11 weeks! Time is flying by right now! So much still to do and yet I am feeling more and more ready everyday

With Everything

This morning in worship we sang this song and it really stirred my spirit. Whenever I hear it it does so I wanted to share it. The song playing first right now is the same song

Open our eyes


To see the things that make Your heart cry

To be the church that You would desire

Your light to be seen



VERSE 2:



Break down our pride

And all the walls we’ve built up inside

Our earthly crowns and all our desires

We lay at Your feet



PRE CHORUS:



Let hope rise

And darkness tremble

In Your holy light

That every eye will see

Jesus our God

Great and mighty to be praised



VERSE 3:



God of all days

Glorious in all of Your ways

Oh the majesty the wonder and grace

In the light of Your Name



CHORUS:



With everything

With everything

We will shout for Your glory

With everything

With everything

We will shout forth Your praise



CHORUS 2:



Our hearts they cry

Be glorified

Be lifted high above all names

For You our King

With everything

We will shout forth Your praise

Musings on moving and our current life

This month has been (and continues to be) crazy...
this month Jose is standing in a wedding and Logan and I are in a different one. My baby brother graduated from college today. Jose's baby brother graduates from high school in 2 weeks. On Tuesday Jose and I celebrate our 6th anniversary. Next week I'll be 28...at this point getting older doesn't bother me...maybe because the vast majority of people think I'm 20 or so. I don't know. Maybe I'll change my mind when I turn 30?

Every time I look at the calendar or someone mentions getting together with me before we go I realize how soon we are leaving. I remember thinking in January that I can't say we are leaving next year anymore now it's THIS YEAR. Now it's less than 3 months away. We are moving out of our house in July...anyone need house stuff? We are getting rid of everything. Thinking about getting rid of everything makes me realize how little all that stuff matters. I look at some of the stuff that was *so important* for me to have back then and now I'm giving it away.

I'm feeling a greater dependance on God lately. I know I talk about it alot but I guess that's because that's what I think about right now. I'm relying on God to take care of me even in the most minor scheduling details. For instance I wanted to take a short trip with my extended family before we leave and in spite of 7 adults with very busy lives we managed to work out a weekend that we can all do it. That may seem easy to you but it has proven very difficult for us to accomplish in the past so I see it as a miracle.

family pictures

These are mostly from our spring break trip to San Antonio. I just finished sorting and editing them *this is my first time editing photo's and I just used picasa nothing fancy so bear with me.

I love this one of me and Timothy

Timothy smiled! yay! Logan on the other hand was annoyed with some noise he heard?

My 3 favorite guys!

Cuties!

Monkey was upset so Timothy was giving him a kiss

My little gangsta...and idk what Timothy is doing but it looks like he's throwing up

Look at those eyes!

    

Loves!

I was apparently going for the "That 70's show" look

Self portrait

 

Our Family

Logan and his best friend Alexis

I love how Logan and Alexis are sitting really close to each other and Timothy is looking at the space 

Logan Cheesin'

Fave!