in memory of Nelson Mandela...

 

May he rest in peace.

We walk in darkness...

 

The meanings of words...

As a preteen I struggled with missing my grandfather deeply.  But even at the age of 12 I understood that his death meant something different to my mother and grandmother.  Years later when one of my brothers was tragically killed by a crush injury when he was just barely into his 30s the words 'grief', 'loss', 'sadness', all took on new meaning after his death.

Even a word like 'comfortable' is comprehended in a different way after living abroad for almost eight years. Creature comforts, like a really good pillow, air conditioning, or an ant-free home, turn from simple pleasures into luxury items I daydream about.  Feeling comfortable is no longer a given...it's a priceless treasure when experienced.   

The word 'joy' has changed for me as I've gotten older.  Times of hardship have caused me to appreciate joy. Joy is deeper and more lasting than mere happiness.  Whenever I hear people on tv or in a movie say "I deserve to be happy"....I smile and think to myself I would much rather have joy in my life than happiness.  

As I continue to ponder words and phrases that mean something different to me now than they did 30 years ago I also have to consider God's word.  I understand better today how ALIVE scripture truly is.  I see things that I didn't see before...though I may have read or meditated on a passage a thousand times...today it's brand new. 

And when the affliction is over and the burden has been lifted and the trial has been faced...I can always find something to be grateful for.  I can glean from my new vocabulary and praise God for a few more puzzle pieces being filled in.  

I can lift my head and know that He holds my hand through each lesson, as He impresses them on my mind, and we talk about them on the way, as I lie down and when I rise up.  I can try to share what I have learned just as I try to learn from others.  But, there are some words that just won't have the richness and depth they are due until we are face to face with their true meanings for ourselves.  

one person at a time and other gifts...

We had an emergency appointment this past week.  Someone who was in desperate need of support after suffering through a horrendous ordeal.  Hearing this new woman's story made us both realize that we can do something to make a difference.  And not only us...everyone can...one person at a time.

My gratitude overflows as I reflect on the events of the week...

926.  a gracious donor gifting us with the funds to purchase a dryer!
927.  the generosity and faithfulness of our supporters.
928.  bold orange flowers spotted while out driving.
929.  gluten free cereal and crackers at the USave grocery store in Belize City.
930.  our quiet neighborhood.
931.  a lunch for two that stretches into lunch for five and having leftovers afterward.
932.  a hot cup of tea on a rainy afternoon.
933.  chatting with friends and family online.
934.  having a friend tell us that we feel like family.
935.  leading the women's Bible study.
936.  being with the women again after being away for five weeks.
937.  celebrating Meesha's 21st birthday.
938.  enjoying the movies and dinner out.
939.  free books from Amazon.com.  
940.  singing worship songs at church.
941.  quiet Sunday afternoons.
942.  finally unpacking my suitcase.
943.  hugs and smiles from little ones at church.
944.  feeling at home here in Belize.
945.  God's loving hands guiding us and protecting us each day.

 joining in with the gratitude community:

Happy Valentine's Day!

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
1 Cor 13:13 NLT


This is our first Valentine's Day here in Belize.  And love is definitely in the air.  The stores are filled with cards and stuffed animals and all sorts of things to celebrate with just like in the states. Local restaurants have special deals on meals and there are plenty of chocolate hearts to go around.  The only thing I have not seen is a flower shop... I wonder if roses are even grown here?

We are out enjoying our last full day with Tom's parents.  They leave tomorrow morning.  It has been such a blessing to have them here to see where with live and who we work with. This two weeks with them has just  flown by.


May your day be filled with joy, warmth and laughter as you spend time with those you love and cherish!

Happy Valentine's Day



thought for today

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 10:15

Thought for Today

Betta belly bust befo gud fud waste.  ~ Creole saying

thought for today

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.  ~Claude Monet

thought for today

Is not the sky enough for the bird and the ocean enough for the fish?  The All-Sufficient is sufficient for my largest want. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Thought for today

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~G.B. Stern

Pastor Jose and Carla own this building...

There are four units in the building but only the far corner

unit had any damage.

Here you can see that the eave is missing.

It was located in the yard of the house right behind the their

building.

When we went out walking around the neighborhood we met up with Pastor Jose. He took the day off from his job at the bank and was checking on their properties. He managed to get a crew out to fix the roof temporarily as he waits for a new roof that has to be ordered from another city.

Pastor Jose verbally reiterated what we were feeling:

Thank God no one was hurt. Thank God the damage was so minor. Thank God that He watched over us all.

The attitude of gratitude and the spirit of helping out one's neighbor has been a blessing to witness.

 And we continue to say...

Thank you God!

thought for today

Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon their knees.

~  William Cowper

thought for today...

Even when life doesn't make sense we have a God we can trust.
~Pastor Jose, Belize

Thought for today

“Whether the weather be fine, Whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold, Whether the weather be hot, We'll weather the weather, Whatever the whether, Whether we like it or not”.

~Thinkexist.com

thought for today

Some folks are wise and some are otherwise. ~Tobias Smollett

thought for today

When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.” ~ W. Clement Stone

thought for today

Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

thought for today

People love to talk but hate to listen. Listening is not merely not talking, though even that is beyond most of our powers; it means taking a vigorous, human interest in what is being told us. You can listen like a blank wall or like a splendid auditorium where every sound comes back fuller and richer.

- Alice Duer Miller

thought for today

“The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.” – G. K. Chesterton

thought for today

“It is especially important to encourage unorthodox thinking when the situation is critical: At such moments every new word and fresh thought is more precious than gold. Indeed, people must not be deprived of the right to think their own thoughts.”

Boris Yeltsin

thought for today

To be mature means to face, and not evade, every fresh crisis that comes.

~Fritz Kunkel