Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tears, so many tears... Such sorrow...
Tuesday morning at 4:30 our phone rang and I knew. Our precious, suffering sister had gone Home! No more pain. No more cancer, blood tests, treatments, or uncertainties! She loved her Savior and her life was a testimony to that love. But she has a very dear family and she loved them so deeply. She still wanted to be their mother. She wanted to be the wife that walked beside her dear husband. She cared very much for each of them. She was such an amazing wife, mother, sister-in-law, friend! She touched so many lives! We all still needed her. And my heart cries and bleeds with tears but there are no answers yet. My soul waits for the Lord. His Word tells me He will not leave us comfortless. I choose to trust Him. Only because of the Hope we have in Christ can we even face the future. To Virgil and the family, there are no words to express our sorrow with you and for you! We love you and continue to pray that you'll be able to feel God's arms of love surrounding you now and in the difficult days and months ahead.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
January
We've had a busy Jan. so far. The week of the 11th thru the 18th Rachel was here to visit. We really enjoyed her time with us just being together. She hadn't been here for 2 yrs so it was fun for Tania to get to know her better too. Dad and Mom had planned to come as well but God had other plans and when they were at the gate to fly out they received word that Liz was very low and that it would be best for them to return. We missed having them come but totally wanted them to be there with Virgil's during that time.
Gideon came on the 17th for two weeks to help out while Roland took a week vacation to Alabama. It's been great to have Gid back again even if it's just for a little bit!
We received 4 new children in Jan. , all 2 yrs old and younger. There were 2 little brothers, a 1 yr old and a newborn. Another newborn that came is a brother to Alejandra and Alondra, 5 and 3 yr olds that were here. And also, Maria, a fiesty little 2 yr old, was the last one to arrive. That brings the total of little ones 1 yr old and younger to 7. Lots of bottles and diapers, but lots of fun to hold and snuggle too.
This week is Orphan's for Jesus week so we've had extra helpers for a few days.They are a group of around 50 people that come to MX to do work projects in the area where needed. It always helps to get caught up on extra projects. And we share together for Sunday services the 2 Sundays that they are here which brings fellowship for all of us.
The church here has decided to make some changes and last Wed evening we had our first Wed evening service. We also plan to do some reorganizing for Sundays and have more of a Sunday School time for staff and children. We are looking forward to what God has for us through these changes.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
Praise God we do not walk in our own strength!
Gideon came on the 17th for two weeks to help out while Roland took a week vacation to Alabama. It's been great to have Gid back again even if it's just for a little bit!
We received 4 new children in Jan. , all 2 yrs old and younger. There were 2 little brothers, a 1 yr old and a newborn. Another newborn that came is a brother to Alejandra and Alondra, 5 and 3 yr olds that were here. And also, Maria, a fiesty little 2 yr old, was the last one to arrive. That brings the total of little ones 1 yr old and younger to 7. Lots of bottles and diapers, but lots of fun to hold and snuggle too.
This week is Orphan's for Jesus week so we've had extra helpers for a few days.They are a group of around 50 people that come to MX to do work projects in the area where needed. It always helps to get caught up on extra projects. And we share together for Sunday services the 2 Sundays that they are here which brings fellowship for all of us.
The church here has decided to make some changes and last Wed evening we had our first Wed evening service. We also plan to do some reorganizing for Sundays and have more of a Sunday School time for staff and children. We are looking forward to what God has for us through these changes.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
Praise God we do not walk in our own strength!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Complete…
Dec. 31, 2010 11:59 pm. The end of the year. You can never again do anything in 2010. Missed opportunities are gone. The door is closed. But, wait. A new door is before us. Jan. 1, 2011 12:00 am. The beginning of a brand new year with a full 365 days, Lord willing. Many opportunities are before us. God in His mercy gives us another chance be all He calls us to be. I’m excited about the road before us and seeing what God has for us in 2011. We know that it will be a year of change but we don’t know just what the details are that He has for us in all of that. I’m so glad we can trust God to direct our plans according to His plans, so that it will be the best for us!
Our last week was a spirit-lifting week full of so many blessings! I think the greatest need we as a family experience here is the need for fellowship. And God sent us the gift of a week of wonderful, awesome fellowship! I can’t even begin to describe what this week with Virgil’s did to our hearts. Even more so because of the precious gift of life that God has given us in restoring health to Liz! When the Dr.s gave up, man had done all they could and it seemed life was at the end, God in His perfect time chose to show Himself strong and gave life again! Praise His wonderful name! We are so unworthy of His grace and goodness! And so I felt like this Christmas we received the best gift that we’ve ever received when she and all of the family was able to come and celebrate life! The first evening we drafted a number of them to help us with the little holy walk that we did. Then Christmas day we enjoyed a special dinner with the home, the youth climbed a mountain, then we had an evening of lively catch phrase games to finish day. Thru the week then the men did outside odd jobs to help Lorne while the ladies kept the laundry clean, held babies, made pizza for a lunch, cheeseburgers and fries for a supper, doughnuts one day, and whoopie pies another. On Wed. we all went to Tijuana to the hospital for Virgil and Liz to talk with a Dr and for everyone to have a chance to have been there. Then we went downtown for some great shopping, even though it rained all day. All too soon already we were at the end of the week, but with our cups full! Thanks again to you as a family for all the ways that you blessed us this week!
Thursday Lorne and I took Virgil’s to the airport then did a bunch of shopping for the home. We came home just in time for the staff Christmas supper here. Bethany and Christina planned and did a beautiful supper for all of us. Then on Fri. we did the grocery shopping and again returned just in time for supper. When we drove in everything was very dark so Lorne went to see what the problem was and found that the generator had blown a hose and we were not going to have power right away. He called the mechanic and left again for town with hopes of finding parts. In the mean time we got out candles, lanterns, and flashlights and went on with supper. The Moms had planned some special New Years Eve activities for the children so we talked a bit and decided to continue on and just do the best we could with the low light situation. There was no water to wash dishes but no light to see them either which was best. We had lit the fireplace for heat and light so we let the children roast marshmallows over the fire. Then they started a lively ‘upset the fruitbasket’ game with 20 players. The power then returned so we drew slips for cleanup jobs and soon had it all cleaned up and ready for a hot chocolate and cookie snack. After which it was time for the littlest children to go to bed and cleanup time again. The oldest ones then played games until midnight and happily welcomed the New Year to SLCH. Today our family is spending the day apart for our own family Christmas celebration. We came out to Greivin’s house and have had a wonderful time sharing our gifts, playing games and just being together.
Following are some pics of the Christmas story as we saw it here…
The shepherds were watching their flocks by night…
And a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory be to God”…
Come let us make haste and see where the child is laid…
The wise men have seen the star and have come to find the babe…
King Herod and his soldiers
The wise men come before the king…
The king calls the priests…
The wise men find the babe and bring their gifts to worship Him
The most precious gift ever given to mankind so that even today we can live in peace and have life in Jesus!
Our last week was a spirit-lifting week full of so many blessings! I think the greatest need we as a family experience here is the need for fellowship. And God sent us the gift of a week of wonderful, awesome fellowship! I can’t even begin to describe what this week with Virgil’s did to our hearts. Even more so because of the precious gift of life that God has given us in restoring health to Liz! When the Dr.s gave up, man had done all they could and it seemed life was at the end, God in His perfect time chose to show Himself strong and gave life again! Praise His wonderful name! We are so unworthy of His grace and goodness! And so I felt like this Christmas we received the best gift that we’ve ever received when she and all of the family was able to come and celebrate life! The first evening we drafted a number of them to help us with the little holy walk that we did. Then Christmas day we enjoyed a special dinner with the home, the youth climbed a mountain, then we had an evening of lively catch phrase games to finish day. Thru the week then the men did outside odd jobs to help Lorne while the ladies kept the laundry clean, held babies, made pizza for a lunch, cheeseburgers and fries for a supper, doughnuts one day, and whoopie pies another. On Wed. we all went to Tijuana to the hospital for Virgil and Liz to talk with a Dr and for everyone to have a chance to have been there. Then we went downtown for some great shopping, even though it rained all day. All too soon already we were at the end of the week, but with our cups full! Thanks again to you as a family for all the ways that you blessed us this week!
Thursday Lorne and I took Virgil’s to the airport then did a bunch of shopping for the home. We came home just in time for the staff Christmas supper here. Bethany and Christina planned and did a beautiful supper for all of us. Then on Fri. we did the grocery shopping and again returned just in time for supper. When we drove in everything was very dark so Lorne went to see what the problem was and found that the generator had blown a hose and we were not going to have power right away. He called the mechanic and left again for town with hopes of finding parts. In the mean time we got out candles, lanterns, and flashlights and went on with supper. The Moms had planned some special New Years Eve activities for the children so we talked a bit and decided to continue on and just do the best we could with the low light situation. There was no water to wash dishes but no light to see them either which was best. We had lit the fireplace for heat and light so we let the children roast marshmallows over the fire. Then they started a lively ‘upset the fruitbasket’ game with 20 players. The power then returned so we drew slips for cleanup jobs and soon had it all cleaned up and ready for a hot chocolate and cookie snack. After which it was time for the littlest children to go to bed and cleanup time again. The oldest ones then played games until midnight and happily welcomed the New Year to SLCH. Today our family is spending the day apart for our own family Christmas celebration. We came out to Greivin’s house and have had a wonderful time sharing our gifts, playing games and just being together.
Following are some pics of the Christmas story as we saw it here…
The shepherds were watching their flocks by night…
And a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory be to God”…
Come let us make haste and see where the child is laid…
The wise men have seen the star and have come to find the babe…
King Herod and his soldiers
The wise men come before the king…
The king calls the priests…
The wise men find the babe and bring their gifts to worship Him
The most precious gift ever given to mankind so that even today we can live in peace and have life in Jesus!
We wish you all a very blessed new year! Make it count for the Lord!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)