God's work in Tijuana

I just returned from the most amazing journey! Over Martin Luther King weekend I went with my parents and 50 other people from our church to Tijuana, Mexico. It was only 4 days, but it was incredible. I'm not sure I even know how to communicate my feelings towards it, there simply are not words to describe it. Not only for what God did for that family, but how he blessed those he sent to do it. While there we built 3 homes for 3 families. The people with "Homes of Hope" down there are so organized and do a wonderful job directing us, so everything comes together pretty quickly. In our group ,~15-20 people, only a few had any handyman type experience, let alone the ability to build a house. What's awesome, and sooo God, is that no one got hurt! The family we came to know, was a family of seven. Roberto and Dalila are the parents, and they have 5 kids ranging from baby age to eleven. Their names are Lizeth, Abel, Martha, Sayid, and Roberto. A precious and beautiful family. They worked along side us the entire time. In fact everyone in the neighborhood came. I don't think there was a single child not covered in paint. And now, they have a new home. It's simple, but the floor isn't made of dirt, it has a door and windows, and electricity, which is much more than they had before. When we were finished building we put together the new furniture for the house before the family came to see the finished product. The bunk beds, new mattresses, sheets, pillows, kitchen table, plates, silverware, stove, etc. were all a surprise to the family. It was like our very own little "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Mexican style. What a blessing to swing a hammer for the Lord, and with such an end result. I will always cherish the friends I made there and look forward to seeing them again someday with our Lord and Savior. Thank you Father for allowing me to go, and thanks mom and dad for providing the way.

what everyone apparently wants to know

So everyone seems to be asking me the same questions lately. And although you may not care the slightest bit, I thought I'd answer them all at once, just in case.
Here is the rundown:
-my favorite and most creative christmas present was a mini-mini cooper from Jim, to make up for the real car I want but won't ever have.
-no, I don't have any New Year's Resolution, and I'm not planning on making any.
-and finally, "No" I'm not pregnant and we're not planning on it anytime soon. However, the big guy has been known to send people surprise packages, so really, you never know.

Aside from that Jim and I had a wonderful "Holiday Season." It was a little more challenging to work out the scheduling, seeing as Jim worked every stinking day. I celebrated Christmas with both of our families and Jim and I were able to have our "Christmas Morning" together one Friday evening. It was awesome to see good friends and family, and I had FIVE days off from work. One of the joys of nursing. We both worked New Years Eve and New Years day, so we didn't celebrate, but we did havean awesome time celebrating our 2 year anniversary. Jim actually had a day off and we went to a little B&B in Washington, Mo. It was awesome.

engagement week

Talk about crazy. Folks, people are getting engaged like crazy. I've had two friends get engaged this week already, and it was this very week three years ago that my handsome, stud of a husband, proposed to me. I'm telling you, if you're thinking about getting engaged this is the week to do it. You have two days left this week, you better get on it. Congratulations Suzie and Terry, Tk and Josh, I'm very excited for all of you.

He is good, he is God

Sometimes you have bad days. We all know that, we dread them, and we are glad when they are over. So two days ago was a bad day. And I didn't deal with it like a good christian girl should. I got mad, and I wore my anger on my sleeve. That night I prayed. I prayed for forgiveness and strength. And as my friend bj says, for stronger hiking boats, and not for an easier path. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I got what I prayed for. Yesterday was just as horrible. And it took a big fall to bring me to my knees and lean on the Lord. Literally, I fell, like an old lady, and I have the marks to prove it. And in my weakness, because every part of my body hurt, I found strength in God and felt closer to him as a result of it. And so, God is good.

Thinking of Him

Last year, before thanksgiving, one of my best friends passed away. He was 90 years old and also had the title of my Godfather and grandpa. He was an awesome man, though imperfect in many ways. He knew how to make me feel very special. And his love for games and story telling always made the hours pass quickly in our time together. So I guess it will be from now on, that every holiday season will be filled with memories of him and wishing he was here. Although I can hardly listen to "Have yourself a merry little Christmas," without crying, I like thinking about him so much. It makes him feel a little closer.

Amazing

How awesome is it when God joins two people together to enter into a covenant with, and uses it to demonstrate his love for the church. I recently have learned a lot about the covenant of marriage and what exactly that looks like when it's played out. Perhaps that is what made this wedding last weekend so amazing. But I think it was also because seeing Dom and Angela together and watching them get married was like seeing God's love, work, and guidance in action. God was right there with them. It was beautiful and I loved being a part of it.

Welcome Ali!!

A warm welcome to this lovely lady into the blog world!! Thanks to BJ and Bercos for getting me started on this!