Thought for Today

I love seeing old worn out Bibles that are falling apart..they are usually owned by someone who isn't!

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Tasty Tuesday

Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme....yum!

After eating this candy bar I am no longer thinking about the one and a half inch gecko I found crawling across our bed.  All better now!  Wish all of life's problems could be solved with a bar of chocolate.

So what is your 'go to' treat in times of distress?

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Our First Belizean Wedding

We went to our first Belizean wedding yesterday.  It was such a long day for us and I have not edited all of the photos I took.  So this is just a glimpse of what we experienced!  The bride was radiant and relaxed.  The groom seemed a bit nervous.  It was a two hour ceremony which I was told was typical.  Following the wedding there was a reception and we were told after the dinner there would be a dance.  We didn't make it to the dance.  Maybe next time.  We even missed out on the cake...which I rarely let happen!

We always like to learn about wedding traditions in various countries.  We are used to seeing people in the US pin money to the bride's dress to pay for a dance with her...this was done at my cousin Joseph's wedding and people put out big bucks to dance with his bride, Michelle.  In Russia there was a tradition of auctioning off the first piece of wedding cake.  And Tom managed to be the highest bidder when our 'adopted' daughter, Olga, got married on my birthday last year.  But here we saw yet another twist.  Not only were people given the opportunity to bless the couple by pinning money to the bride's dress but there was also the option to put coins in the groom's shoe.    Not much was pinned to the dress...but his shoe filled up quickly.  What a striking difference to witness. 

New Life Baptism

Our slide show is finally ready... Enjoy! 

Power Washing, Painting and Praising!

This is how the big wall at the furniture factory used to look

 And there was a lot of shellac and varnish on the floor

Last Saturday some of the guys got together to clean and paint 

They power washed the wall and floor

They worked well as a team...

Everyone taking on a piece of the wall

And the benefit for us all was a cleaner, more inviting place to worship.

Tom is also planning something else for that wall...so stay tuned!

Thought for Today

This photo was taken in the Rivera area of Belmopan, Belize 
following our fellowship's baptism down at the river.

May He find us worthy and fill us with His presence always.

Tasty Tuesday

photo credit
Mennonite Girls Can Cook

These Tex Mex burgers sound perfect right about now.  

I found this recipe over at Mennonite Girls Can Cook.  This blog is one of my favorite food blogs and I am always eager to try their recipes.  I am thinking we will be be enjoying these burgers one night this week!

And maybe this Jelly Roll would be good for dessert...Yum!

Each time I read one of their posts I come away hungry...go check em' out!

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Down By the Riverside

Tom had the privilege of baptizing seven people from our little fellowship.   Right now we are calling the fellowship, New Life, and the baptism represents the new life that each of these people have entered into.

Curlin

Robert

Jannil

Malcolm

Kimani

Aaron

Erica

Before and after the baptism we had a time of playing in the water and bonding as a group.  I am still working on a slide show of all of the photos from the baptism and river fun.  Hopefully, I will have it done by Friday.  We want to include photos of them getting their certificates and that won't be done until Thursday night.

Next weekend we have a baby dedication and a wedding to look forward too!

You know you're in Belize when...

When you see Mennonites selling their wares on the side of the road.
My favorite is a wagon load of watermelon...we have gotten some sweet & juicy ones this year!

Here or there?

After my trip to Texas I was back in the office on Monday. No vacation from my little vacation. I am still a bit tired but it is probably just the heat.  Anyway, here is where I am today.  Back at the office.  Not a complaint, mind you, a simple statement of fact.

However, I keep daydreaming about going down to Maya Beach and reading a book or studying the waves.

Maya Beach will have to wait until our anniversary in December.  But, a girl can dream, right?!

Until then, maybe I should change the screensaver on my computer.

So tell me, where are you now and where are you daydreaming about being?

Thought for Today

This photo was taken at Guanacaste National Park...
an awesome place for hiking and taking in God's handiwork.

His designs are so intricate, so beautiful and so elaborate.  I love His attention to  minute details.
May we always take time to pause and joyfully appreciate His creation all the days of our lives.

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Tasty Tuesday

Plantains and mangoes and plums, oh my!

All the fruit trees in our yard are bearing fruit right now.  But, everything is green.  So we don't expect to be eating from these trees anytime soon.  We have been told by our Belizean friends that the plums are best eaten green with a little salt and pepper.  I have not been brave enough to try it yet.  

We are right at the beginning of the rainy season here.  From June to November we will get intermittent showers throughout the day.  We are grateful for the rains and what it is doing for the trees and plants in our yard.  

I can hardly wait for the plantains to ripen... there are several of those bunches all around the tree.  And I am hoping for a bountiful harvest because I'm eager to give this banana jam recipe a try:

Banana Jam

from U Toucan Cook Belize

1 lb ripe bananas

1/2 pint water

juice of one lime

1 lb sugar

1 stick cinnamon

Peel bananas and mash with a fork.  Add the other ingredients and put to boil. 

 Boil slowly until mixture turns a rich red colour.  Pour into jars and cover tightly.

Sounds yummy to me... how about you?



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Reflections above the clouds...

I just returned from my time in Texas with my youngest brother and his family.  I am so grateful that I was able to be there.  I even met up with a few highschool friends for lunch one day and had a little 30 year reunion.  I was able to spend some time with my parents who came down from Kansas. I was able to hug on and chat with two of my oldest brother's sons who were there as well.

On the plane ride home I realized how tired I am.  But, I also realized how blessed I am.  We were just devastated when we found out we had to leave Russia.  But, if we had stayed in Russia and not come to Belize I would not have been able to make it my nephew's graduation.  I would not have been there to support Stephen as his oldest child reached this milestone.  I would have missed out on all the joy of the celebration and a chance to bond with the family.

There are sacrifices involved with being a missionary.  And they are not all about giving up the comforts of home in the US.  Many of the sacrifices are related to the loved ones left behind.  I created this blog six years ago to allow our family and friends a glimpse into our daily lives.  It functions well for that.  But it doesn't allow us to be present with all of them.  We have missed births, weddings, funerals, and so many other life changing moments with our family and friends. It is so hard to miss out.  Honestly, it sucks.

The blessing in all of this is that Tom told me to fully enjoy each moment and be present while with my family. And I did that.  I took joy in each and every second, in each and every happening or event, no matter how small.  From painting the center pieces to mopping the kitchen floor.  I treasured each moment because I was able to be there.  I didn't have to miss out that time.  And I am so grateful.

My prayer for anyone reading this is that you would truly take the time to enjoy what is going on around you with those you love.  Don't let the stress of life cause you to miss out on the joy of life with those who are important to you.  Don't let the time slip away and leave you with regrets.

Be one that can say I am so grateful that I _________ and not one that has to say I wish I would have__________.

Promise me.  If you do this, you too will be blessed.

Congratulations Jalen!

  

We are all so proud of you!  

The house is brimming with the love and laughter of a large family.  Both sets of grandparents along with aunts (I am one of them!), uncles and cousins have gathered to celebrate Jalen. We are so excited for this milestone he has reached and we all know he has a bright future ahead! 

His graduation ceremony is tonight and the party is tomorrow... the weekend is packed.  It feels so good to take in all in and be present with family.  This doesn't happen often.  I am truly grateful to be here and want to enjoy every minute.

Have a great weekend!!!

5 Stress Relievers for the International Traveler

Yesterday I traveled from Belize to the U.S.   I had never been to the international side at the Dallas airport before and I must say that I was quite impressed with how quickly I passed through passport control.  There must have been around five flights or so that they had to clear and it went very smoothly.

Anyhow, I was looking around and noticed a lot of stressed out people.  People on their phones, talking about making connections and looking overwhelmed.  It made me realize that with all of the international travel we have done I have learned a few things beyond the obvious ones like: , pack light, don't check any bags if you can avoid it, and don't buy tickets with tight connections.

 Alida's Stress Relievers: 
1.  Remember... this too shall pass.  Not everything is worth getting upset over.  Take a few deep breaths.  Close your eyes for a few seconds and rethink the situation.

2.  Allow humor to be your traveling companion. Laughter is a great stress reliever.

3.  Be open to learning a new way of doing things.  Be humble, teachable and flexible.

4.  Bring a good book, your favorite music or a few magazines and take some time to mentally escape from whatever drama may be going on around you.

5.  Interest yourself in the other travelers.  Count the number of languages you hear around you.  If you are bored with waiting make up stories about the more interesting characters to entertain yourself with.


I hope that when you take your next trip or your first you will think of these and smile.  And to all my fellow travelers...what do you do to relieve stress at the airport?

Thought for Today

It was a hot day down at the riverside when we saw this woman washing her clothes. Many people here don't have washing machines or other appliances of convenience that so many of us from the U.S. take for granted.  There were two other people with her washing clothes, splashing water, laughing and having a good time while getting their work done.  I wondered "do I work for Him with this kind of joy?"  She is hard at work, in the hot sun, with a smile on her face.  I was dripping with sweat from standing there... taking in the view and capturing a few memories.  She was making the most of her task.

May we approach our work...whatever it may be, with the right attitude.

 Not with dread, but with joy. Making the most of each day for Him.

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