behind the scenes...

On the Divaz set

 Jadine, Shasta, Andrea and Tom waiting for the show to start.

in the control room

school children on a tour of the station

Here are just a few of the photos I took a few weeks back when Tom appeared with Jadine on the talk show Divaz Next Door. CDF had been asked to come and talk about child abuse in light of several stories that had been in the news.  Tom and Jadine did the initial interview then Jadine and I did a follow up show a week later.

PlusTV is a Christian owned and operated station right here in Belmopan.  They have a variety of shows to offer to the community.  Everyone we met there is passionate about what they do and work hard on their programming. They are not afraid to tell a news story through a godly worldview.  PlusTV is not trying to be politically correct...just trying to do what they believe God wants them to do.

shocked, outraged and bitterly disappointed...

Stella Harville and her fiance', Ticha Chiuni, Nov 2010

Not long after Stella played the piano while Ticha sang 'I Surrender All'  a small church in Kentucky has voted to ban interracial couples from membership.

The statement said all people are welcome to attend the church, but that the congregation would not receive interracial couples as members, "nor will they be used in worship services" and other church functions, according to a copy supplied to the Herald-Leader by a church member.

 Seriously?!  This is 2011 for goodness sake.

 How is it possible for Christians to act this way?  

Stella's father had this to say about the decision of the church:

"It sure ain't Christian it ain't nothing but the old devil working"

Tom and I married on December 13, 1981.  

We faced this type of opposition back then.  Twenty nine years ago we went shopping at a mall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  A young blonde salesgirl asked Tom if she could help him with a pair of shoes.  After getting him settled she asked if she could help me as I wandered around looking for another pair for Tom to try on.  When I said "that's okay... we're together" she went into the stockroom and didn't come back out.   We were refused service at a restaurant in Missouri.  In Kansas, back in 1985, when our first child was stillborn someone asked our pastor if it was because we were being punished by God for being a biracial couple.  We moved to California in 1988 and left all of that behind.  There we found more couples like us and our children grew up feeling they were part of a normal typical family.

Spencer and Nathan

When our oldest, on the right, was asked at age 5 by a neighborhood kid why his mom was black he quickly answered "because God made her that way!"

I am shocked by this church's stance.  Outraged.  Bitterly disappointed.  Maybe these people have not read their Bibles.  Maybe they don't know that Moses was married to a Cushite (Ethiopian)?  Surely their Bibles include the book of Numbers.  Maybe they just haven't read chapter twelve?

My prayer is that Stella and Ticha can find a more loving congregation to be a part of.  I pray that they know that not all Christians think this way.  I pray that they will have a long and loving relationship and that this bigotry does not stand in the way of that.  And I pray that when they are counting down the days until their 30th anniversary this will be just a dim memory.

-------------------------

Update:  Pike church Reverses Ban

thought for today...

The unity of Spirit at this conference was sweet!

  May we experience unity in our homes and places of worship at all times.

joy, peace and blessings,

Alida

linking up with:

tasty tuesday

It is getting cooler here...not cold but a little chilly.  Our fans are turned off and we are actually sleeping under a blanket.  I could be making soup but am thinking of one of these meals instead...

Keeping it simple sounds good to me.

Black Bean and Corn Topped Potatoes

Pizza Puffs

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Click on the link under each photo for the recipe.

What's cooking at your house?

Monday morning...and 1000 gifts

It is a dreary rainy Monday morning here in Belize.  But, even so we have much to be grateful today.  

On Wednesday:

The memory card on my camera is faulty so I had to use Tom's cell phone to take these pictures.  He is seated next to Rev Canon Flowers, the head of the Council of Churches, and to the far left is Rev Crawford, the head of the Evangelical Association.  They were speaking at another Family Focus Forum this one was held in Belize City at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  

On Friday:

We enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with about 80 people...not all are pictured.  Some are missionaries, some are locals, some are Americans who have retired here in Belize and a few who work at the American Embassy.  It was an evening of great food, great fellowship and great fun!

On Sunday:

We attended a Harvest celebration at Bethel Disciples Church.  It is a multi-ethnic church and I think every ethnic group found here in Belize was represented.  For those Chinese speakers in the audience there was translation provided.  I kept trying to understand the translation and had to remind myself several times that she was speaking Chinese and not Russian!

as I reflect this morning on all that last week held I am grateful for:

415.  health
416.  meeting new people
417.  visiting a new church
418.  trying new foods....there were a few dishes at both celebrations that were new to me!
419.  traditional Thanksgiving food.  Both Tom and I were grateful for dishes that reminded us of our childhood Thanksgivings.  A taste of home away from home.
420.  the opportunity to be involved in the community and the people we have worked with along the way.
421.  those who support us in prayer and with finances...we could not do anything without them!
422.  the pain and joys that the past year here in Belize have brought us.
423.  the counseling clients who trust us.
424.  the people who refer us to those in need.
425.  our dvd player that allows us to watch Christmas movies.
426.  experiencing a slice of heaven with seeing so many different people groups worshiping together.
427.  Chinese print on worship slides along with the English words
428.  children of all shapes, sizes, and colors running around playing together before and after the service.
429.  noticing that siblings treat each other the same no matter what ethnic group they belong to!

Each  moment, each breath, each daily event, be it large or small, 
 yields precious gifts for which we can give thanks.  
May we remember thanksgiving as an action...
and not just as a noun.


joy & blessings,
Alida

joining Ann Voskamp and the gratitude community:

Thanksgiving in Belize

Yesterday we took the day off from the counseling office and had a quiet day at home.  

We ate at The Wing Stop just like last year.

Spencer and Tom had the Spicy Mango wings and I feasted on Lemon Pepper flavored wings.

We also watched Source Code and Red Riding Hood to keep up our movie watching tradition on holidays.  

Today we are sharing a traditional Thanksgiving meal out at the Baptist Training Center in Camolote with other expats and missionaries in the area.  Since Thanksgiving is not a holiday here in Belize many people had to work yesterday and children had to attend school.  A Friday dinner just seemed to be the best time to get everyone together.

Enjoy your holiday weekend...I know we plan to enjoy ours!!

1 Chronicles 16:34

thought for today...

I am grateful to everyone who takes the time to read this blog. 

 My prayer is that you have a blessed holiday... and may every day be an occasion for giving thanks.

joy & blessings to you,

Alida


linking up with:

Tasty Tuesday

Last night we were discussing what type of salads to make for a Thanksgiving potluck on Friday.

I was thinking of doing something Russian and found a few recipes on line.  This cole slaw sounds yummy. 

 Although I would probably use red cabbage for color.

Creamy Apple Cole Slaw

recipe

Spencer wants a traditional Russian favorite that we had on every holiday...

we may do this one on Thanksgiving day for us.

Olivier Salad

recipe

Tom put in his request for one of his favorites as well....

Crab Salad

recipe

It may come down to what ingredients we find in the market this week.  

Something simple sounds good to me.

Carrot Salad

recipe

It has been at least seven years since our last Thanksgiving in the states.

  So we have gotten away from a traditional menu.  

What about you?  What side dishes are you planning to go with your turkey?

One thousand gifts...

Looking forward to Thanksgiving and continuing to count the gifts from Him...

401. our special day is fast approaching

402.  attending the Legacy Youth Conference with 200 youth...

402.  that He watches over us (Psalm 121)

403.  the opportunity to teach at a Bible study for expat women.

404.  a reliable vehicle allowing to provide transport for others when needed.

405.  encouraging text messages from a friend.

406.  being asked to record a video message for a friend in Russia to celebrate her 50th birthday.

407.  lemon cake.

408.  time to crochet.

409.  seeing the youth so energized at the Legacy Conference.

410.  the spirit of unity among the youth and the leaders.

411.  feeling relaxed and not harried and weary after a long busy weekend.

412.  learning the back way to the YWAM base instead of  leaving the car outside the campus and having to walk across the bridge.

413.  spending time with Andrea, Dion and their kids this weekend and getting to know them better.

414.  a quiet morning in the office before appointments begin in the afternoon.

May we remind ourselves each day that every breath is a gift from God.

 Every bite of food, every friendship, the laughter of our children,

 all of the beauty around us is a treasure entrusted to us by God. 

When we heighten our sensitivity to God’s love and grace,

 which is constantly all around us, touching us,

 we will begin to recognize gift after gift from Him.

~Alida Sharp

joining Ann Voskamp and the gratitude community:

Counting the days until our 30th...

"Coming together is a beginning,

 staying together is progress, 

and working together is success."

 ~Henry Ford

As our 30th wedding anniversary draws closer we are looking at different ways to commemorate the day.  I even started a board on Pinterest to keep track of some of the craft ideas and places to go that I have found.

We have already booked our hotel:

Maya Beach Hotel

And here is my favorite craft idea:

Love Map Source

  You can find the tutorial for how to make this map here. 

We are thinking of incorporating Wichita,Kansas, Costa Mesa, California, Krasnodar, Russia and Belmopan, Belize into our love map.  I have been looking for different maps online and my favorite for Wichita (which is where we met, married and had our first child) is this one:

Every love story is beautiful...but ours is my favorite!


So, tell me, where have you gone?

 And what special craft projects have you done to celebrate a special occasion?

Artisan Fair...

The American Embassy is hosting an Artisan Fair today...

Hopefully we will get a few minutes to check it out before heading into work...and maybe next year Tom will be entered in it!!

thought for today...

 As we drove down this road in Spanish Lookout, Belize 

I could not help but think of how orderly and well planned out the community is.  

Our journey in life has taken many twists and turns over the past 6 years...

we rest assured that our pathway will be made straight

 as we seek to acknowledge Him in every area of life.

linking up with:

Tasty Tuesday

On Sunday we reached 29 years and 11 months of married life...and we celebrated with these!

Butterfinger Brownies

So yummy!!  

Ingredients

1 package (16 to 22 oz.) chocolate brownie mix 

2 (2.1 ounces each) NESTLÉ BUTTERFINGER Candy Bars, chopped

Directions

PREHEAT oven according to package directions. Grease baking pan according to package directions.

PREPARE brownie batter according to package directions; stir in chopped Butterfinger. Spoon into prepared pan.

BAKE according to package directions. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into pieces using wet knife.  Makes 16 to 20 brownies.

I made two changes:  I bought a package of fudge brownie mix and the instructions said for cake like brownies to add an additional egg.  I chose to do that plus I added a half cup of peanut butter. 

 These Butterfinger Brownies were good to eat right out of the oven but even better the next day!!  

Linking up with For the Love of Blogs