Dominican Mission Trip

Sorry this has taken me so long to write. I have had so much to do since I have been back. Anyway, it was a wonderful trip. We only had one delay going there in Miami. It was a five hour delay. Which caused us to get into the Dominican at midnight then we had another hour drive to the church. We finally get to the church and unload our luggage and finally get to have some rest. But by the time we got there I can't say that I really slept. Basically I just rested till morning. I did not get any real sleep the whole time I was there. The next morning we head down for breakfast. It was great. I love the Dominican coffee. Then we go to church service which was awesome. The moment I seen all the children I just began to cry just because I knew I was suppose to be there at that moment in time. God had brought me on this trip for a reason and I felt it the whole time I was there. The church service was great. Two little girls that sat beside me kept wanting to play with my hair. It was also Father's Day there and all the Fathers in the church sang for everyone. Everything was in Spanish but I could understand what was going on. Then after church we went to lunch. We had a great Dominican lunch at the church. Then we had a camp meeting. That is when we found out what group of children we would be with. And also met the leaders that would be with us. I really enjoyed getting to meet the people there.
The next morning we head off for camp. We had three charted buses waiting on us. There were 210 children going to camp. It was a two hour bus ride to the camp in a somewhat rural area. It was a beautiful drive there. As soon as we get there we head for the church for the camp meeting then lunch. At the camp they had church twice a day with Bible study in between and also time for playing games. I was the nurse there for all these children. Just a lot of stubbed toes, scraps, upset stomach, and bug bites. And we also had several of our people to get sick with some kind of bug. That was not fun having everyone so sick there. A lot of these children there just needed someone to love them. I had a lot of children coming back to me over and over again for the same things. They really just needed someone to be there for them. The pic's below are at the orphanage.

After three days at camp we went to an orphanage. This women and her husband have forty children there. They have all been abused in some form. The moment I walked in I just started to weep. I was overwhelmed. The woman Jackie said she wanted the children that no one wanted. Her testimony is really something to hear. She just depends on God to supply all of their needs there. We had brought lots of supplies there for them. A few weeks before I went on this trip I was given a verse. Psalm 121 which says:

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forever.

My friend had given me a blessing ring on my birthday with this verse on it. I noticed the verse right away because I had been worried about traveling by myself. At first I was the only one going from where I live. Then later on that day my husband told me that my friend Ellen was also going to be going (he works at the church with her son that is how he knew before me). I was so excited to hear that. I was worried about all the traveling by myself with my back injury. I just felt God was hearing my prayer's. Then later on one more girl was able to come on the trip from here also. Anyway, that Psalm was also my Bible reading three days prior to me getting the blessing ring. I just knew God was watching out for me. Well shortly after we walked in the orphanage a four year old boy stood up and recited Psalm 121. I just started to cry. I was overwhelmed. I knew I was suppose to be there and God really let me know that. I did not know what to think. I mean why would he recite that particular verse? Only God could of known that. I have never really experienced anything like that before. We only had a short time at the orphanage but I left so changed. The faces of those children changed me. And my friend was video recording all of this at the orphanage and I have been watching the video over and over. I am so glad to have that four year old boy reciting that verse on video.

After the orphanage we all headed to a small resort close to the airport for some rest. Some much needed rest I might say. This was a wonderful resort and we really got to bond with some of the people we went there with. I met amazing people on this trip. Such wonderful people that love God. I just felt God's love for me the whole trip. The Pastor and his wife of the Church also joined us at the resort. Well God was not done with me at the resort either. I love taking pictures of the sunrise and so the next morning I was awaken by the air conditioner dripping on me like a river. The top of my bed was all wet. I thought I had over slept and missed the sunrise. So I jumped up quickly put my clothes on and grabbed my camera. I headed to the beach. There were a few other people already out there from our group. Anyway, I had not missed the sunrise. Just a few minutes went by and the sun started to rise. Well I had turned and looked to my right and what I saw I could not believe. I seen an Angel in the sky. I told the other person with me "look there is an Angel in the sky" I could not take my eyes off of the Angel. The Angel was there for about thirty minutes. She also had a cross in the the middle of her. I have never seen anything like it my life. So what a wonderful ending to a awesome trip.

I know that God is calling me into Foreign missions. It was that still small voice that told me to go on this trip. God is so wonderful and He is very real. I really felt His realness on this trip and it was unlike any other feeling I have ever felt before in my Christian life.

Back from mission trip

I am still working on my post about my mission trip and my pictures. It is just taking me a while. But I should have it posted soon.

Our Day at the Beach

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

I found this sermon by Pastor David Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church on another website and it was just so powerful to me about how God will answer prayer and it is all in his timing. I can look back in my life and see how God was working in my life and answering prayer's for me. Even when I thought He was nowhere in sight.

There was a South American lady who had become a believer in God and every year on her birthday, she would tell God that she believes in Him, but asked that He would send someone to her to tell her of His works. This went on for many years, and no one ever showed up. She had now become quite elderly, but she had maintained her faith over the years. On this birthday, there came a knock at her door. When she opened the door, a young gentleman stood there, and he introduced himself as a missionary who had just moved into the country from the United States. He asked her if she had time for him to discuss God with her. She became very excited, and exclaimed to him what a miracle he was, because she had been praying for 30 years that God would send someone to her doorstep, and there he stood on her birthday. The gentleman replied in almost disbelief. "This is a miracle. Today is my birthday, and I just turned 30." The very year she prayed for the first time, God had put his plan into action.

Where my Faith comes from

I have not blogged in a while. I guess I have really not been in the blogging mood lately. I have been working a lot and just been tired. I have four days off this weekend. So I have caught up on some much needed rest. And it has rained here all weekend. Good sleeping weather. I really have not minded the rainy weather this weekend. It actually been kinda nice. I enjoy the rain sometimes. Anyway this is something I had wanted to do a post on for a while just have not got around to it.

This is a picture of my great grandfather holding his Bible. He was a circuit preacher. He would ride from town to town on his horse and preach at different churches. This is where my faith comes from. It was instilled in me by my grandparents and my Mom. I am so glad that my grandparents had faith in God which was passed down from my great grandfather. My grandmother would always ask us if we were in church every time we went to visit. And it just always stuck with me. And whenever I have children I plan on instilling that faith in God just like my grandparents and my Mom did with me. It is just awesome to think that my great grandfather way back in the late 1800's was able to affect my life today. I wish I could of known him.

I got this meme from my friend Susanne and so I thought I would be brave and do this also.

1. What book are you currently reading or have just finished reading?

I am currently reading Angels living with us by Marie Chapian. I bought this book because I wanted to know more about Angels. And this book seemed to jump out at me at the Christian book store and it seemed to be biblically based. I had an experience a couple of months ago that just kinda made me want to know more about Angels.


2. If money were no object, where would you live and what would you be doing?

I would either like to live in Italy or in the Austrian Mountains. I would love to live in Rome. When we went there it was just so awesome and Rome is full of history. I really love the fact that there are no fast food places and at all the places to eat there everything is fresh. You can get on a train and go to another city quite easily. I found travel very easy in Italy. I love all the cobble stone roads and outside cafes to eat at. Something just happened to me while I was there. That was my first time outside of the U.S. and I loved everything I experienced there. I would also not mind backpacking through Europe.
When we went to Austria this past October I fell in love with the Austrian mountain side. There were mountains and valley's with towns tucked in the valley's. And rivers and beautiful trees. I would love to have a little German house in one of those towns. I have never seen mountains like I seen in Austria. There are no words to describe them.


3. Some people crave chocolate or coffee, what do you keep stashed for when the urge strikes?

I love Dove dark chocolate. I could eat the whole package. I keep a stash at work. I also have a love of coffee. But I tend to like it only when I am away from home. I hardly drink coffee here. But if we are traveling or out to eat I love to drink it. I like it with lots of cream and sugar of course.


4. What is your idea of how to spend the perfect day?

Sleeping in. I am not a morning person. I love to sleep in. And when I do wake up in the morning I just like to lay in bed with my cats and watch Good Morning America or any of the morning shows. Just be lazy. Read. Relax. Spend time with God. Read my Bible. Pray.


5. What spurred you into starting a blog way back when?

Well the first time I even heard of a blog is when my friend Kirby had a link to his blog at the bottom of his email. And during that time last year God had really started working in my life and I just felt I had a lot to say and to share about life. So that is how I got started. I was intrigued that there was this whole little world of bloggers out there sharing stories from their lives. I also have a love of pictures. Especially Black and White pictures. So This has been a good place for me to share my pictures. I love photography. And I have been so blessed by all my blogging friends.

I received this devotional this morning and it really spoke to me. This verse Isaiah 55:8 has been showing up in my life over the last year. I like this verse. Two years ago I had no idea what God was up to in my life when he moved us here. But now I see why we were moved here. It is all clear to me now. He had plans for us here. Which that verse Jeremiah 29:11 is also a verse that I have been constantly reminded of over the last year. I just feel God working in my life and he is going to work everything out.
Anyway, I thought I would share this devotional. This is from the NLT website from a Women's Devotional.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Deliberate Trust

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,”says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8

It’s not always easy to trust God. When I see where God seems to be leading me, I can usually figure out a way to get there. But it’s seldom the path that God has chosen. My path is quick and easy. God’s path is full of unknowns. It’s difficult to “set down my map” and follow God. I like my path. Sure, there might be some struggles along the way, but it will get me from point A to point B in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, I won’t be happy, and I won’t have become all that God desires for me to be. I think I know the way to go, but only God really knows. I have to trust him.

I can only begin to imagine what God has in store for my life. I can’t tell where he is sending me, but I travel in faith. I’m at a point in my life where God has called me to take a step of faith. I am learning to trust him day by day. It is definitely an adventure! There are days I start to fill with anxiety because I can’t see where he is leading me. I know in my head that his ways are not my ways, but it is hard to believe him. I pray for peace and faith each day.

Perhaps you are in a dating relationship right now and can’t see where God is leading you. Is this the right man for you? Should you be spending time with him? Pray to God for wisdom, and take it one day at a time. Perhaps your husband just lost his job, and you’re anxious about how your financial needs will be met. Trust that God has a purpose and is working in your life. It’s a humbling experience, but God can also teach you about true riches.

Now is the time to come to Jesus and trust him. Let go of the need to know the way. He is the Way. Allow him to lead you, even if you can only see a step at a time. For his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways aren’t our ways—they are better than we can ever imagine.

My friend sent me this picture of Snow in Texas. This picture is so beautiful. I thought I would share it.

Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.Psalm 119:77

Filled with Your Glory by Starfield

In my heart, in my heart, there's a fire burning
A passion deep within my soul
Not slowing down, not growing cold
An unquenchable flame that keeps burning brighter
A love that's blazing like the sun
For who You are and what You've done

And as the fire is raging on
So Your praise becomes my song

The whole earth
Is filled with Your glory, Lord
Angels and men adore
Creation longs for what's in store
(Mountains bow and oceans roar)
May You be
Honored and glorified
Exalted and lifted high
Here at Your feet I lay my life

From the ends of the earth
To the heights of Heaven
Your glory, Lord, is far and wide
Through history You reign on high

From the depths of the sea
To the mountain's summit
Your power, Lord, it knows no bounds
A higher love cannot be found

So let the universe proclaim
Your great power and Your great name

Left to Tell

I have been reading a book called Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. This book was recommended to me to read by a friend. It is about the genocide in Rwanda and how this young lady survived against incredible odds with God's help. I have never read something so powerful in my life. So the devotion below is so true. This girl had God's protection through the entire genocide. It was amazing. I could not put the book down.

Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado
I have given you power....that is greater than the enemy has.
Luke 10:19

Many players appear on the stage of Gethsemane....[But] the encounter is....between God and Satan. Satan dares to enter yet another garden, but God stands and Satan hasn't a prayer....Satan falls in the presence of Christ....Satan is silent in the proclamation of Christ....Satan is powerless against the protection of Christ....When Jesus says he will keep you safe, he means it....When he says he will get you home, he will get you home.

This was last year at Sand Fest. I thought these two were so awesome. How wonderful that someone would do a sand sculpture of Christ and the Resurrection.
Matthew 28

The Resurrection

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Today we went to the beach for Sand fest. They always have a sand castle building contest there. This year was kinda cloudy, windy and raining mist. But still quite a few people were out today. My favorite one is of Mary holding Jesus in the middle of my post.

I liked this devotional. I found this on crosswalk.com


Streams in the Desert - March 8


When We Are Ready

"Blessed are all they that wait for him" (Isa 30:18).
We hear a great deal about waiting on God. There is, however, another side. When we wait on God, He is waiting till we are ready; when we wait for God, we are waiting till He is ready.

There are some people who say, and many more who believe, that as soon as we meet all the conditions, God will answer our prayers. They say that God lives in an eternal now; with Him there is no past nor future; and that if we could fulfill all that He requires in the way of obedience to His will, immediately our needs would be supplied, our desires fulfilled, our prayers answered.
There is much truth in this belief, and yet it expresses only one side of the truth. While God lives in an eternal now, yet He works out His purposes in time. A petition presented before God is like a seed dropped in the ground. Forces above and beyond our control must work upon it, till the true fruition of the answer is given.--The Still Small Voice

I longed to walk along an easy road,
And leave behind the dull routine of home,
Thinking in other fields to serve my God;
But Jesus said, "My time has not yet come."
I longed to sow the seed in other soil,
To be unfettered in the work, and free,
To join with other laborers in their toil;
But Jesus said, "'Tis not My choice for thee."

I longed to leave the desert, and be led
To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame,
That I might win them; but the Master said,
"I have not called thee, publish here My name."
I longed to fight the battles of my King,
Lift high His standards in the thickest strife;
But my great Captain bade me wait and sing
Songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

I longed to leave the uncongenial sphere,
Where all alone I seemed to stand and wait,
To feel I had some human helper near,
But Jesus bade me guard one lonely gate.
I longed to leave the round of daily toil,
Where no one seemed to understand or care;
But Jesus said, "I choose for thee this soil,
That thou might'st raise for Me some blossoms rare."

And now I have no longing but to do
At home, or else afar, His blessed will,
To work amid the many or the few;
Thus, "choosing not to choose," my heart is still.
--Selected

Isaiah 60:1-2

The Glory of Zion 1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.

Caedmon's Call - Lead Of Love

Looking back at the road so far
The journey's left its share of scars
Mostly from leaving the narrow and straight

Looking back it is clear to me
That a man is more than the sum of his deeds
And how You've made good of this mess I've made
Is a profound mystery

Looking back You know You had to bring me through
All that I was so afraid of
Though I questioned the sky, now I see why
Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view
Looking back I see the lead of love

Looking back I can finally see (I'd rather have wisdom)
How failures bring humility (than be)
Brings me to my knees (a comfortable fool)
Helps me see my need for Thee


This song is so powerful and so true for me. How incredible
what God has brought me through. And now I can see the
mountain view.

This weekend we went out to the beach to watch the Lunar Eclipse. It was quite windy and a little chilly. But a beautiful day to be out on the beach. So here are a few pic's of the eclipse rising up over the ocean. Now these were not the easiest pictures to take because of the low lighting and the wind was blowing so hard but we had fun anyway.

Amazing Grace by Chis Tomlin

I love this video!
Amazing Grace

Exodus 33:19
The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.