Preparing for my Day

This morning I was lying in bed, thinking about getting up. I started thinking of the best way to start my day with God when I started comparing what I do to get ready physically with what I do to get ready spiritually. I came to the conclusion that I do alot more to get ready physically.

Physically, I: take a shower/brush my teeth, eat breakfast, get dressed, fix my hair/apply make-up, & feed my family

Spiritually, I: read my Bible & pray, sometimes routine-like, if you know what I mean.

I've decided to apply how I get ready physically to how I get ready spiritually, and see what happens.

Here's my experiment:

1. Just as I take a shower to "clean-up", I will confess my sins to Christ to have them washed in His blood.

2. Just as I eat breakfast to feed my body and give me energy, I will feast on the Word of God, and really let it speak to me.

3. Just as I get dressed for the day, I will put on the armor of God in order to be equipped for whatever comes my way.

4. Just as I do my hair and fix my make-up to "try to look nice", I will sing praises to God Who does all things well.

5. Just as I prepare breakfast for my family to nourish them, I will look for the opportunities that God sends me to minister to other's needs.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for me and my family as I endeavor to seek Him more fervently.

God bless each of you as you follow Christ in your own lives.

Pictures to go with Last Post

Gratefulness and God's Power

It's been a while since I last wrote an entry. I am constantly amazed at how quickly time goes by. This life truly is a vapor. What I really want to share is how easy it is to slip into an attitude of ungratefulness and self-reliance.

The recent earthquake in Haiti has left thousands upon thousands of people homeless, hungry, and vulnerable to to the evil that continues to march on. And these numbers don't include the ones that lost their lives in the earthquake.

Over the last two weeks we have experienced two earthquake tremors (small) that were enough to shake the buildings we were in. They lasted only for 3 seconds, but it was enough to remind me that I am not in control. I can't imagine what an earthquake that lasted for 30 seconds would be like. I am told that those 30 seconds were the longest of many people's lives in Haiti. We make plans, but God directs our steps. (I think that's somewhere in Proverbs or Psalms)

Also, the students at the academy where our children attend, put up signs to remind us to pray for the Haitians, and to be grateful for what we have been given. They were very poignant reminders of how we should direct our thinking. I'm including pictures of them with this blog.

Lastly, my devotion this morning included Psalm 75. God states in verse 3 , "When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who holds its pillars firm." Horrible events happen everyday and sometimes we need to be reminded that God is in control. He has ordered our steps, and will give us the grace to walk therein.

But while we're walking, let's travel with a heart of gratitude and be the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and suffering world.

Blood Letting

Like everywhere, the Christmas season brings with it great joy but also the need for blood. (Blood banks, I mean!) Accidents are always on the rise this time of year, and trauma patients find themselves in desperate need of life-giving blood.

Whenever we can, Charlie and I try to give. It's something that cost us very little (just a tiny bit of fear and a little fatigue - for me, that is ;-). Once given, our bodies begin to replenish the blood, and we have joy knowing that we are helping those in critical need.

So, when our school had a blood drive, we were excited. Thankfully I had been taking my vitamins and my iron level was high enough for me to give. It was wonderful knowing that I was helping people right here in Costa Rica.

This Christmas may we remember that Jesus came for the very purpose of giving us the ultimate blood transfusion, so that we may truly be called "the sons of God." There's enough for everyone, and it's always the right type!

Merry Christmas to all!

Our Turkeyless Thanksgiving

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving away from home this Thursday. It was a unique experience. For one thing, much to my surprise, the rest of the world does not celebrate our Thanksgiving. Imagine that! We had classes on Thursday, but our break time was cancelled so that we could get out an hour earlier. It was also warm for the first time in weeks. My version of warm, that is. It was 81 F. and the sun came out in all its glory for about 2 hours. I really enjoyed that, even if it doesn't seem to go with Thanksgiving.

We gathered for a Thanksgiving "Lupper" at the house of friends (Chris and Laura) with 4 other families. We had a wonderful time relaxing, socializing, being grateful for the little things, and of course, eating. We had quite the feast even though there was no turkey or ham. Chris carved the chickens and I made a roast the way Carla Tyndall taught me (in the crock pot with a whole jar of pepperoncini). We had casseroles, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni & cheese, Texas torte, bread, and lots of desserts. It was great!

We all shared things that we were grateful for, but could not state the obvious of God, family, and friends. I was thankful for our hot shower with good water pressure and the ultra soft sheets that we brought with us. Both of these are truly blessings.

Even though we couldn't say "friends", we are very grateful for our friends and family in the States that haven't forgotten us, and for the new friends that God has given us here in Costa Rica. We feel like we have known them forever. It reminds me of the the Girl Scout song: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." I love all my silver and gold friends. Thank you for your friendship; you are shining treasures.

Happy Thanksgiving or Feliz Dia de Acciones de Gracias

3 Weeks to Go!

It 's hard to believe, but there is only 3 weeks left in the first trimester. I'm not sure if the work is getting hard or we're just tired, OR BOTH! We've had a lot going on for several weeks now. Three weeks ago our family went to a beach resort so that Charlie could attend a continuing medical education course. The course covered how to conduct an exam in Spanish. While we enjoyed the time at the beach, we've had to pay for it in catch-up with school; although, I did teach the children every afternoon at the terrazzo by the pool.

Last weekend Charlie and Devon went a father-son retreat up in the mountains with the same organization with which I teach English. They had a good time except that Charlie came home very sick. (Horrible body aches and 103 fever).

While they were gone I began shopping for 23 presents for orphans for whom our school is throwing a Christmas party next week. Shepherd's Fold Church in Lumberton, MS and our Sunday school class (Brent McBride's class) at FBC, Tupelo, MS donated the money for the presents. Thanks! I didn't realize, however, how hard it would be to go from shop to shop, carrying what was purchased at each one, without a car. I've never cared before that we didn't have a car (I like to walk), but this was one situation were I could have used it. After 4 trips over three days, all the presents are purchased, wrapped, and ready to hand out to some beautiful children.

This week, Charlie missed 3 days of school because he remained so sick, and then on Thursday, we had to go downtown to immigration to apply for visa extensions because our student visa information has not arrived from D.C. yet. That was close to a nightmare. Mary-Esther was threatening to be sick, so we decided to take her with us. I didn't want to leave her at school when we wouldn't be near her. (We don't have a cell phone) Well, when we arrived at immigration, the waiting room looked like a giant doctor's office waiting room crawling with "sick germs". I began to think that I had made the wrong decision to bring Mary-Esther. She began to cough continuously, so Charlie took her outside while I waited for hours for my number to be called. Everything turned out alright, and we now have our extensions.

Charlie and Mary-Esther are doing better. Charlie, however, doesn't get to rest this weekend. He signed up Devon for a scuba course, and this weekend is the time that they go to the ocean to do the certification dives. Charlie was looking forward to diving as well, but now he's just trying to be a good chaperon.

Our classes end on Dec. 11 and we don't return until Jan. 11. We plan to enjoy the break and nail down all the grammar that we've crammed into our heads this tri!

Here's to three more weeks!

Funeral Experience

Today, Colleen and I received a stark reminder of the pain and suffering in this world. We were walking to the store, when we saw a large group of people slowly walking down the street. At first I thought they might be a tour group, but they appeared to be all nationals. They were wearing steet clothes, but in somber colors, mostly black. There were young people and elderly people. The whole scene really captured our attention; and then, we saw it. In front of the group was a hurst. It nearly took my breath away. I've seen many funeral processions in my lifetime, but this was different. Somehow it seemed more real, more painful. The mourners were not hidden away in dark tinted cars. They carried their grief out in the open for everyone to witness.

I'm not sure what I am suppose to learn from this experience. As Christians we know that this life is only temporary with all its diseases, death, and decay. Certainly it is a reminder that we should make the most of the time we have here to love one another and share the love of Christ with a dying world. We must hold dearly to the knowledge that this earth will pass away, and God will create a new heaven and a new earth where all things will be good and where we will forever rejoice in the presence of Christ, the King.

May all who read this find fresh hope in Jesus, today.