DUDE! I AM SO SIKED!

I just got an e-mail from Carroll, the site director at Shadow. She was so excited about me coming back and was very understanding to all of the things I entrusted to her. I shared with her my desire to have my own place and she even said she would keep an ear open for me. Also, she had several ideas on how to use me, but still give me some flexability to work with the Osborn's and whoever else may need my help. I am on cloud nine. I had so much anxiety over this. Now I have a peace about it which is AWESOME!! I know the pieces still have to come together for the puzzle to work, but I am definitely feeling better.




I am trying to pack now. As you can see, I am not doing so good a job because obviously I am on the computer... buuUUUuut... I've still got... 3 SLEEPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Off to pack... maybe.

full, not on food

Oh man, tonight I went to The Rock's Saturday night service instead of Soul Stock, which is a free Christian concert event that takes place all day at Athens State University. (just for those of you not from here) But I'm so glad I went. I was disappointed at first when I realized that Pastor Rusty wasn't there, but an associate pastor Bill Davis spoke instead and man, oh man, was it like hitting the nail on the head with a sledge hammer.




I recieved a word in my spirit, a command, of sorts: Be faithful in the little, humble and pleasing in the sight of the Lord.



I have been so blessed, beyond my imagination. God has provided all of my needs and much more before I get ready to go back to Guatemala. But it hit me tonight. Ok. Stay with me on this because I may wonder around a bit before heading back home: You all, anyone who has prayed with me, for me, everyone who has been so generous to donate financially, and all who have given encouraging words; YOU have all already been faithful to God, according to what He has spoken to you about me. (you know who you are) I can't speak for all the things He's asked of you, but as for me, you are being faithful in remembering me. That alone is beyond comprehension. But now it is my turn in this cycle. (I'm just speaking now of my little world, not the big picture, you understand. I am only one piece to a puzzle, and we don't even have the lid of the box to go by, we just go by faith, knowing that the end result will be Eternity. ) I must now run with all that has given to me and bring Glory to God's kingdom. You see, if I don't, then I am just another proud human trying to accuire all of the fame and fortune I think I deserve.



As I sat in the service tonight, I thought, only two people maybe out of all that were there even knew my name, let alone know that I am leaving in less than a week (I can say less than a week now because today is almost over) to go back to Guatemala. It was very humbling and at the same time it was glorious, but only humbling to me... Glorious to God. How priviledged am I that He has chosen me to do this work of His that I love so much?!? Sometimes I think about it too much and I begin to think that I'm crazy or something for assuming I can just go to Guatemala, all by myself, and work in this girls' home. "Who am I?", I ask. Well, a better question is, "Who are we, that the God of the Universe, Who created the world, sent His Son to die for the sins that we have committed, and will continue to make as long as we live- like driving the nails through His hands ourselves, all over again..??



"To whom much is given, much is required."



I begin my journey now to try and become worthy of the honor that was so graciously given to me.





Has God put a calling in your heart? Did you know that He will not only call you to His Will, but He will give you the desire to do it? He's so cool like that.

little Jeferson

I meant to update about this last week, but last week just turned into this week.




Steve and Shyrel had been caring for Jeferson for a month or so, maybe longer. I met him only one time, when we went for dinner at their house.



Jeferson was about two years old, but only the size of about a three month old. He was born with his brain only partially formed and had signs of Cerebral Palsy. Not only that, but the little baby was born blind and deaf, and he's mute. He had been pretty much left in the hospital to die. He came to Steve and Shyrel's very malnurished and sick, but under Shyrel's care, he had gotten better, even laughing at times to Shyrel's voice and touch.



As the e-mail update I got from Steve stated: "Jeferson can see now". God brought him home last week. As my friend, Brennan, wrote,



"His burial was held a little over a week ago at the

big public cemetery. Heaven’s welcome ceremony was

given the evening before. Praise God, our creator

notices when the sparrow falls..."



Can you imagine that little boy's first vision EVER being our Lord??? He's the lucky one, if you ask me.

Praise be to God!

This week has seemed a little stressful, not really, but I just had a lot to do and think about, and it all seemed to come together at once. I only have a little time left and I'm trying to use it wisely. That, along with making some final decisions about exactly what I will do when I get back to Guate.




I have been so blessed today. God is so faithful, even through our short comings. I was given the opportunity to speak at two different churches today. This morning I spoke about 10 minutes and sang a few songs at Freedom Christian Center in Elkmont. This is a different kind of church in the fact, well, first of all, it's come as you are. I wore dress pants and a pink shirt, and I was probably the most dressed up person there. Jeans and T-shirts are the norm, but that's only the beginning. They accept people for who they are and where they come from. They are non-judgemental and loving to all people. A really great ministry they have in Elkmont. They are erecting, as we speak, a new building in West Limestone County (Salem) and really growing as a body.



Tonight, I was invited to share at my sister's church in Toney, Harmony Baptist. I had the whole service, about an hour, and I was so nervous. If I'm behind a guitar, singing, I feel much more comfortable than just standing there, guitarless, just me speaking to all of those people. But they made me feel so at home. I sang a few songs and shared about Guatemala and the girls' home and what I do in Guatemala. They were all so interested and before I knew it there had been an hour and it was over.



I was blessed in so many ways. Just knowing that those people will be praying for me is such a comfort.



I will let you in on a little secret: Those who support me, whether it be through prayer, finacially, or encouragement, go with me and are there with me every time they pray.



Today was a great day!

25 sleeps

I've got some speaking arrangements scheduled. This Sunday night I will be at Harmony Baptist Church in Toney (my sister's church). That morning I am most likely going to be in downtown Elkmont at the Freedom Christian Center, where I used to sing at the X-Change on Friday nights. Then the following Sunday, May 1st, I will be at a church in Athens that I'm not sure the name of, but I will edit this post as soon as I find out. The pastor is a friend of my dad's. I am going to his house on Friday to create a power point with my pictures and all that. I am so excited about that! I've never done anything like that. Who knows what God has in store? It is exciting though.






My days are numbered. I have 25 sleeps until I head back to Guatemala!! I am so excited, yet a little anxious at the same time. And when I look at my nephews, it makes my heart ache. But I know that God can fill me when I'm empty. Like the song we sang last night at Planet Rock, "You are my portion" :







FATHER I WILL NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW OR ALL OF IT'S QUESTIONS.

FATHER I WILL JUST TRUST YOU.

AND I WILL BE WAITING FOR TREASURES IN HEAVEN.

MY HEART IS WITH YOU, FOR THERE MY TREASURE LIES.

MY EYES ARE ON YOU FOR YOU ARE MY DELIGHT.



THOUGH I MAY NOT WEAR THE GARMENTS OF PRINCES,

YOU ARE MY PORTION, YOU ARE MY PORTION.

FOR YOU CLOTHE ME IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

YOU ARE MY PORTION, YOU ARE MY PORTION.

THOUGH I MAY NOT SIT AT THE TABLE OF KINGS,

YOU ARE MY PORTION, YOU ARE MY PORTION.

FOR YOU FEED ME FROM THE ABUNDANCE OF YOUR HAND.

YOU ARE MY PORTION, YOU ARE MY PORTION.



MY EVERYTHING, YOU MEET MY EVERY NEED.

YOU COVER ME AND MAKE ME BE AT PEACE.

4 weeks and 4 days to go

I have less than 5 weeks left before I head back south. I'm excited about it. I feel like I'm counting the days. I am a little anxious about the decisions I have to make regarding exactly what I'll be doing when I get back. Also, there are a few things I need to do before I go. But I know that God is in control of everything, if I just trust in Him.




I may be going to visit some old friends from Casa Aleluya this weekend. They live in Birmingham now and have a new baby. I may get the chance to speak at their church also, which is really cool. I'm not that good at it, but I just speak from the heart and pray I say what God wants them to hear. (BTW, Bo Bice, from American Idol, is a member at their church) :)



Other than that, I have a few other churches that I will visit before going back. I feel very blessed that these places have offered to let me share about the wonderful country that I now call home.



There is no telling how many people I take with me through their prayers. Only God knows and I know they will be blessed for it. It amazes me even to think about it. I can't imagine.



I am so ready to get back.

Update from Shadow

I just received an email from Carroll, the site director at Shadow. SHe says everything is going well. A few things that need your prayers though.




1) Barbara is going to the courts (this week sometime) and they are hoping that after this appointment they will have a time frame in mind of when she will be going to live with her new family in New Jersey. The States side of the adoption is done, but the Guatemalan side seems to be dragging on and on.



2) Itzel, a 12 year old who has been there for 2 years now, was sent home. The courts decided to give her mother another chance. It was hard for Itzel. She was torn between the two. Also it is hard for us to think of her back in that situation. But God knows well what he does. Just be praying for Itzel.



3) Continue praying that everything on the new property keeps going smoothly. The surrounding wall is almost done. The architects have been to Monjas and have drawn up the plans. (I hear they are beautiful!!) Construction on the houses begins in May!!

Yasmin

OH! I can't believe I haven't updated about this yet!! I guess I haven't really updated that much since I've been home. But this is BIG!!




That last Sunday I was in Antigua, I was invited to lead worship for a small group of believers that meet in the Spanish school, where I have studied over the past few years. Daddy and Jami studied there as well. The church is led by the director of the school, who is also a pastor, obviously. It is a small group, but are growing because they are faithful with the little. They invited us for lunch and went all out for us. We had their 5 star treatment. Delicious Guatemalan enchiladas and chile rellenos. They are the sweetest people I have ever met. Really.



The crowd was small at first, but right about the third song, I look back and there are more people arriving at the back with Pastor Hugo. I take a second look, and to my surprise, I see a familiar face. I was almost stopped in my tracks. I couldn't breathe. I immediately started crying and almost couldn't go on. After I finished the song I almost couldn't finish, I had to explain.



I had to apologize, but I didn't expect to see such a lovely, familiar face there, one that I haven't seen in such a long time. I used to take care of Yasmin at Casa Aleluya more than three years ago. She was, and I'm not exaggerating, my favorite, favorite little girl ever. I have pictures of her from age 6 months. A few years ago, her mom came and took her and her brother back home to live with her. I was so sad, but happy for her because her mother did love her so much. She was the only mother that cried every time there was visitation. They were there because of poverty, so there was no abuse involved. Her mother just couldn't stand to live without them anymore. But I thought I would never see her again. I had only heard a few things about her from Shyrel, but never even dreamed about seeing her. I sadly never even thought to pray and ask to get to see her. But here she was. Her family are members at Pastor Hugo's church. They are there every Sunday!! So, not only did I see her this once, I know where to find her every Sunday! I even know where she lives, well, I know that she lives in Chimaltenengo, but I could find her if I needed to. So, that was a precious gift that I didn't expect to receive, but was almost more than I could handle. I couldn't grasp the concept of the fact that God had brought me and this little girl that I love so much back together again. It was a miracle. Amazing.

still here

Here we are, almost two weeks of being in Alabama. Woopadeedoo. ;)




I have had some wonderful times with my family. Spending time with my nephews has been great. They are growing up and changing so much. My sisters are my best friends, so I am enjoying being with them too. It's been weird not seeing Daddy, Jami, and Haven every day though.



Work is going well. I have to sound strange saying this, but I have the funnest job ever! I know it's the people that make it so worthwhile, but still, I love it. (and it's easy)



I really haven't been able to spend that much time with my old friends. Work keeps everyone busy now. But it has been nice to see them and catch up.



Getting back to The Rock last week was just awesome!! I love it there so much! At Planet Rock, on Monday nights, there are some new faces, and some old too. Which is good. I felt so filled after I left there though. It was a feeling I didn't get that much in Guatemala.



I went with my sister to church yesterday. It was the sweetest little church with lots of friendly people. I meet a young girl who is called to missions, who will be going to Brazil this summer on a medical mission. She has such a heart for the lost. As I understood she speaks quite frequently at church and she gave a powerful testimony of how little people in this country know about salvation. We later made plans to make plans to get together some time before I go back. I am seeing a pattern lately. Lunch here, get together there, dinner on Tuesday... I don't know what I was expecting. But if I could make a difference in these young girls lives, these girls that have the same calling on their lives as I do. I remember when I was that young girl and I always looked up to other young women who where doing what I wanted to do, even girls my age. There is a kindred spirit that draws us together that can only be the Holy Spirit. I still remember the names of many of them, even though I may have only met them once. So, maybe I can be that for someone.



My sister's pastor also asked me to speak one Sunday night, as did Keith in Elkmont. So, I just need to sit down, schedule, and plan out each step I need to take. I'm not good at that, but I'm sure everything will work out that way it should.



7 and 1/2 weeks left, lots to do, lots to decide. If you think about it, could you pray for me?

home again, home again

I've been home for a few days now. Tuesday's travelling was stressful, but I'm sure that those delays were for a reason. We were delayed and re-routed and ran around more than I would wish on anyone. But we are home safe, and that is reason to be thankful.




It is strange to be home. Even though I was only there six months, I haven't really felt settled in here yet. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my sisters, playing with my nephews, and hanging out with friends. But it is unexplainably just plain wierd to be here.



I will start back to work next week. Working a few days a week at the restaurant will be fun and I need some money. My goal is to save it all, which I know is impossible. But I need to.



Tomorrow night, Jami and I are cooking a typical Guatemalan meal for a few friends. It should be a great time and I can't wait to eat that good food. I miss it. I bought an avocado today. I crave them now. It was good. I also ate a great Posey's grilled chicken sandwich today. I feel stuffed.



I saw two of my best friends last night. When they asked what I wanted to eat; they were surprised by my answer, "Mexican". I can't help it. I love it!!



My brother and I are going to watch Guatemala play against the U.S. national soccer team the end of this month in Birmingham. I can't wait!! And you better believe I'm going to wear my Guatemala jersey too!