Chad and Leslie will be missed dealy!! They have been such a blessing as they have invested in so many of us at CRCC. We are praying for them as they head out on an eleven month mission to reach the different countries of this world. I pray that they would be blessed and renewed and that the glory of God would be revealed to them wherever they go. Continue to keep them in your prayers!
Good byes.. August 14, 2009
Wake up January 11, 2009
For the past few months I have been struggling with having no energy and being tired all the time. I am not sure if it is simply beause I have been working more or not getting enough sleep. I DO know that it has been affecting me and my relationships I have with other people. I don’t feel like myself and I’m tired of being tired. It’s like that feeling of first waking up in the morning and that feeling never going away. I try my best to not let it affect me and go on with my life but it’s frustrating when people ask me what’s wrong and I can’t give them an answer other than “I’m tired”. I went to the doctor and they did some blood test. I’m waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully they will help me understand why I’ve been feeling this way and what I can do to get feeling better.
Tomorrow I start school. I’m not dreading it but I’m not excited either. I’m ready to get back into the swing of things.
If I ever cross your mind.. please say a quick prayer for me 
Language School August 15, 2008
School starts August 26! When school begins, our main focus will be class, homework and studying. From what we have heard from others who have already taken the school, it is going to be intense, hard work that requires much of our time. I have been greatly blessed with the money to cover the cost of my first session of school. Praise God! However, after discussing finances with my leaders, I still lack $500.00 to cover my living expenses while attending school. Please ask God how you can contribute in whatever way that may be. I need your prayers as I begin living by faith and become a self- supporting missionary. Any money can be given to my mom, Jan Hopkins, where it will come directly to me. You can also send any donations to Shepherd’s Heart Ministries. The mailing address is 135 Bill Cox Road Jonesborough, TN 37659. If you write a check you can make it out to Shepherd’s Heart Ministries and put my name on the memo line. Any amount will help and if there is anything left over, it will be given to support Hope House as they also have certain needs to be met to keep them going.
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Some other things you can be praying for specifically..
-Strength to get me through school when it gets tough.
-That I will soak up the language and not have problems memorizing.
-Self discipline when it comes to studying
-Rest
-My role with the ministry and where I can serve on my days off
-Emotional and spiritual covering
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Thank you so much! If you would like to e-mail me personally, my e-mail is Lyd3901@yahoo.com
If you haven’t ever gotten an email from me, I have a ton of emails that were incorrect. If you can email your most used email, I can update you more often. J
I’m so excited about starting school and learning more Spanish! I thank God that He’s given me this opportunity and opened so many doors.
Praise the Lord! July 31, 2008
Some of Meme and Rich’s friends blessed them with a new van! When Havilah and I learn to drive a stick (which isn’t hard but driving a stick IN MEXICO is,) we will be able to drive their old car! It will give us more freedom to be able to go without the inconvenience. Also, Havilah and I do not have a refrigerator in our casita. We talked about splitting the cost to get a mini one so we would not have to go back and forth from the boys home but never got around to it. Another friend of ours had a mini fridge she was going to sell but when she heard about our need, she decided to let us use it for as long as we need it! We are so excited we already have a list of things we want to buy! =)
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It’s 3 days until the team comes! We have been running around, buying groceries, making schedules, figuring out who will go where and figuring out transportation for this coming week. Please pray that everything will work out smoothly but most importantly that we encounter God this week in a way that others may see His glory and come to know Him. I know that with everyone being here I may get homesick when it comes time for their departure. Please pray for me emotionally. It’s going to be hard saying bye again.
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I will not be able to get online while everyone is here, we will be SUPER busy. I can say that I will have tons of pictures and stories for you when the week is over. =)
Sick July 24, 2008
Please pray for my health.. I’ve been trying to fight off some stomach bug for the past 2 weeks. I woke up this morning feeling worse and may go to the doctor if it continues. 
Some things you can be praying for: July 14, 2008
-We are getting 4 more boys to stay with us in our boys home! Two will be coming this week and two more will come next week. Pray that the boys here now will accept them and make them feel welcome. It’s a HUGE adjustment for them.
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-Jose Ramon (Isaias‘ little brother) is going to be taken away from us in a few days. His dad wants him to be closer to where he lives. He will be going to a Catholic children’s home in Guadalajara. He does not know yet, they are going to tell him right before they take him. It’s going to be so hard letting him go. He is such a joy and one of my favorites. Keep him in your prayers that he would stay strong in the Lord and that being in the new home wouldn’t keep him from knowing the truth.
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-That I would not get caught up in what I feel I’m missing out on at home but that I would keep my eyes on the Lord and continue to seek Him with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Also, I’m starting to feel burned out. Things are always going on and it’s hard to find time to relax.
Isaias July 10, 2008
Isaias
Isaias, the boy who ran away not too long ago showed up last night. We were told that he is in trouble with the law and will be with us at the boys home until Friday. All his privileges have been taken away to the extent that while he is here he is not allowed to have any contact with the boys at all. His little brother, Jose Ramon, is sees and hears everything and I don’t even think he is allowed to talk to his older brother. I can’t imagine everything that is going on through Jose Ramon’s mind. In my mind I wonder why we aren’t accepting the fact that he is back.. Like the story of the prodigal son. I understand there needs to be discipline but I guess my heart just hurts for him and his 8 year old brother. Please keep him in your prayers. It’s so good to have him back but there is no telling what he is going to be faced with in the future.
Please pray.. July 2, 2008
There is a boy named Hugo who was kidnapped from the city of Guadalajara. When found, he was given to us to take care of him until his parents come for him and the paper work has been taken care of. A few days ago I had to break up a fist fight between him and another boy while we waited for Mrs. Thorpe in the van. The other boy said it started because Hugo was calling him inappropriate names and saying mean things. That was scary. The other night there was another big fight between him and another boy. Just looking at him I see so much anger and hurt in his eyes. Pray that he will come to know the Lord and that his life will radically be changed. Also, please pray for myself and the team leaders that we would have patience with the boys when situations like these come about.
Some days are just harder than others.. June 26, 2008
These past few days have been crazy. Yesterday we were able to go to guadalajara for the day. We saw a movie and got some paint to fix up the casita where we are moving to. It was nice to get away for a while, I needed the mental rest. It’s normal to get to the the end of the day and think “I didn’t do a whole lot but I am exhausted!!” One of the boys skipped school and ran away. We haven’t been able to find him yet but I know he will come back soon. We all prayed for him and made sure that the boys understood that where they are now is a home and that all of the bad things that happen to them in the past were not going to happen here. Jorge, the man who stays with them at night, told them he would be by their beds praying for them every night. I really do love these kids. Sometimes I forget they have a past. I think about what horrible things they had to go through and what kind of emotions they have to deal with. It makes me so sad.. I know satan is working overtime and trying to attack me through my thoughts and emotions but I know that he will not win. I know the Lord has me here for a reason. My heart is to hear the Lord and in everything I do, do it according to His will and not my own. Be praying that I will have strength for each day. That I will hear the Lord more clearly and when I am with the boys, they don’t see me but they see the heart of God.
Prayer needs June 20, 2008
Please pray that this weekend goes well. That we won’t have a lot of problems with the boys and that they will know they are loved. This is a time to pour into them and serve them. It’s a chance for them to get away for a bit until they move into their new home. The Lord has really been teaching me a lot. So often I feel like I don’t do enough for Him, that I will never be able to give Him what He deserves. Like I have to reach a goal to be used by Him. Lately He has been teaching me that I don’t always have to be doing; He sometimes just simply wants me to be. He wants me to completely soak up His presence and just love. We have all heard “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s sometimes easier said than done although it sounds so simple. I can be selfish and think about my agenda instead of theirs. Pray that the Lord will continue to work on me and give me a selfless, servant heart. Waking up each morning and knowing I am here to serve is GREAT. I can be His hands and feet and that is what I want without my busy schedule getting in the way.
