Thanksgiving ‘09 November 27, 2009

Thanksgiving was great! We had a feast with all kinds of delicious food and desserts for lunch and then had more delicous food and dessert with Josh’s family for dinner. Today we started putting up Christmas decorations. It’s always a tradition with my family when we put up our Christmas tree, we make trail mix (nuts, red and green m&ms and raisins) while listenting to Christmas music and helping with the ornaments. I’m excited about the holidays!!

My sisters and I went shopping today hoping to come home with some good deals and Christmas presents for the family. Our first stop was Target and after being there not even 10 minutes, my purse got stolen. My ipod, keys, cards, license, money… everything!! I had it in my cart and turned for one second to look through some shirts when I turned around and it was gone. I was sick to my stomach and had to go through a mess with the cops and security after realizing what really just happen.  Thankfully, I was able to freeze both my accounts at the bank before they could use my cards.  We had to change all our locks on our doors since they have my keys and know my address. It’s a little upsetting and I felt really violated but I hope whoever stole it is blessed in some way.. *sigh

November 18, 2009

Thanks to Jehoshaphat, I have had a revelation. (shew)

Joy October 31, 2009

Lord, give us Joy, that Joy that no man, no poverty, no circumstances, no conditions can take from us.

You shall have My Joy. But Life just now for you both is a march- a toilsome march… The Joy will come, but for the moment do not think of that, think simply of the march. Joy is the reward…

Between My Promise of the Gift of Joy to my disciples and their realization of that Joy came sense of failure, disappointment, denial, desertion, hopelessness, then hope, waiting, and courage in the face of danger.

Joy is the reward of patiently seeing Me in the dull dark days, of trusting when you cannot see… Joy is as it were your heart’s response to My smile of recognition of your faithfulness…

Stop thinking your lives are all wrong if you do not feel it… Remember you may not yet be joyous, but you are brave, and courage and unselfish though for others are as sure signs of true discipleship as Joy.

-God Calling

Jesus, your name is power August 14, 2009

This song has been on constant replay in my mind lately… It paints a picture in my mind of how powerful and worthy the Lord is of all my praise.  I can sing it and hear it a million times and still, it would be fresh to my ears and heart.

 

Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven’s Mercy Seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,  

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery

Come up lift up His Name
To the King of Kings…
We will adore YOU Lord…
King of heaven and earth
King Jesus, King Jesus
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya!
Majesty, awestruck Honor
And Power and Strength and Dominion
To You Lord,
To the King, to King
To the King of Glory

June 23, 2009

What? I have a blog???………………………………………  oooohh yeah……..

March 8, 2009

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

These little children… February 18, 2009

 

Claudia

Cynthia

Alejandro

Leo

Jorge

Chava

Cynthia, always loving others

Some of the boys painting

Sergio

Mario

It made my day when I received these pictures.

Claudia was a little girl I met on my first trip to Mexico. She immediately stole my heart. I thought If I was old enough and could take care of a child, I would adopt her. I know she is in good hands and that she will one day have a home with parents who love and adore her. She has grown so much! My heart was torn when I was in Mexico recently and she wasn’t there. I miss her and hope I see her again.

Cynthia.. a little girl who was born with a sideways foot. She has had many surgerys and she is only 9 years old. I spent a lot of time with her the months I was in Mexico playing with her and carrying her around. She is a sweetheart and I miss her as well..

And all the boys, I don’t have all of their pictures but I love each and every one of them as if they were my own little brothers. I thank God they are living in a place where they have Godly leaders dedicating their lives so that one day these boys will grow up to be men of God.

Mexico.. February 13, 2009

After returning home, I wondered if I would ever go back to Mexico to stay, or if it was just a season of my life for that specific time. Lately, I have been missing Mexico so much. I remembered what it was like to wake up each morning knowing I was there to serve and give of myself and time to others. I remembered all the precious kids and how each one of them touched my heart in a unique way. I will never forget how much joy they had and how much joy they gave me.  I remember living with only the bare necessitites and needing nothing more. I remember the simplicity most of all. Oh how I miss the simplicity. We as Americans are too busy. We have so many commitments, so many things to do, so many things that fill up our time…  Do you think we miss the part when God says He wants us to enjoy our life? I don’t want to live each day not even remembering what I did because I was so busy. I look through hundreds of my pictures from when I was there. In every picture I look happier than I have ever looked before. You can just see it in my eyes. Maybe it was because I knew that I was obeying my calling and living out my purpose. I was fufilled, satisfied. I believe we are not fufilled until we respond to our calling and live out our unique purpose The Lord has created us for. As far as going back to Mexico. I’m praying that The Lord will bless it or block it. He will open doors in His perfect timing if it is His will…

February 5, 2009

I found this amazing blog a man wrote about being spiritually dry. You really should check it out.

http://i-will-not-forget-you.blogspot.com/2008/09/feeling-dry.html

Brand new. December 6, 2008

My desire to go to YWAM is still strong. Being home and working all the time, I feel as though every day is the same. Wake up, go to work, come home, sleep, wake up, start all over again. Trying to live a life of radical faith and obedience is diffecult when you feel as though the opportunities are few.. (I know that is a lie, yet is is still a struggle for me.) I am going to school in January. I do not know what I will be or where it may lead me. I know God has a plan and I trust His plan and am open to His leading far beyond my comprehension. I will go where He calls me. It’s the uncertainity that at times leaves me anxious and with lingering thoughts of  “what if..?” It is finally settled in my heart that I do not need to know my future. That all of my biggest dreams and desires.. the Lord knows them all. He will fufill me and my hearts desires in His timing. He loves me. I am His, and He is mine.

 

 

Home sweet home October 20, 2008

It was hard leaving Mexico and wondering what was to come when I arrived home. I wasn’t even sure what to think or feel. Things were going to be different and I was prepared for it. After being gone for 4 months, it’s guaranteed things aren’t going to be quite the same as when I left. It’s good to be home and to be reunited with my family.  I appreciate so much more and enjoy the smallest things. I am putting my future in God’s hands and praying that He will guide me the rest of the way. He has blessed me with an unforgettable, life changing experience and I am forever thankful. I am still getting used to being home again. Things are very different and at times can be overwhelming. It’s so good seeing friends and familiar faces!! Thank you all for understanding and supporting me through it all!!

The Thorpes October 8, 2008

Havilah, Meme and Rich

 

This family has been more than a blessing. Rich has an amazing gift of teaching and is heading a bible study for retired Americans in a town Ajijic.  He has given me much wisdom and challenged me in my faith. Meme is amazing and is so good with people. She is caring and compassionate and always puts other before herself. She has comforted me and always taken care of me as her own. She radiates with joy. Havilah and I have been living together in our caista. God has used her to teach me what it means to be selfless. She has a spirit of peace and boldness about her and is always willing to offer herself and time to others.

 

God is so good. He could not have put me with a better family to be by my side during my time here in Mexico. I have seen God bless them time after time and I pray that the blessings would continue to overflow. They have shown me the every day life of a missionary and they have always been real with me, even through times of struggle. I am going to miss them terribly.

Fiesta!! October 1, 2008

My friend Lois and I were invited to a fiesta at a small restaurant where we had dinner and live music. Here is a short clip.

more about “Picture005.flv – Video – Photobucket …“, posted with vodpod

 

19 days!! September 23, 2008

It’s been a while since I’ve updated on here.  I have still been busy with working in the thrift shop, school, homework and studying.  Each day we learn new material, test on it and move to the next lesson. We are learning so much!!

*

The other day at school I came out of the bathroom and came close to stepping on this guy:

 

Havilah, Lois and I are house sitting for some friends while they return to the states to visit family. I have my own room and a great view of the lake and mountains. It’s been fun being with Lois and enjoying her company. She is a light hearted, witty and fun person to be around.

*

The past few nights we all have gone out to explore other towns close by. We were invited to a fiesta where we had tacos and live music to celebrate Mexico’s independence day, which was a lot of fun. 

*

3 more weeks and I will be heading back to home sweet home, South Carolina.

Grand opening! September 18, 2008

We are partnering with a School for the Deaf in a thrift shop where we now are open 6 days a week instead of 3. At the end of each month, we split what we have earned in half and that money goes to help support our organizations. So to celebrate this new transition, we had a fiesta!  

We advertised our grand opening in the local newpaper inviting everyone to come enjoy refreshments, coffee, and lots of new things to be sold. We all worked so hard hanging things on walls, pricing donations, painting, making signs, and hanging clothes to make the shop look as good as possible.

Some of the boys from the Hope House came along to help and offered free massages to our customers. We sold raffle tickets to win a beautiful dish set and Hector was there to sell his one of a kind jewlery.

My friend Lois who pretty much runs the shop

We had a great time and had a steady flow of people the entire day. I enjoy so much being involved at the thrift shop as we help our boys and The School for the Deaf increase their incomes so that they might continue to be a blessing to those in need.