My New Home...

So there are two things that characterize my home - candy and blankets!:)
And a fleece grey leopard pajama set :)

Being Married Lessons

Only married 2 days but already learning...

1. Without grace you both will be miserable.
2. It is so fun to have a constant companion.
3. Marrying brad was such a good idea!

TJ slows down time... (old post)

So I am currently taking four classes and auditing a fifth. In addition to this, I am trying to plan a wedding in a city that is located three and half hours away from my current home. I have also begun a job search also in a city three and half hours away from home. I feel like I am living in the "daily grind" of life in which we are just trying to make it to the next day and not stopping to enjoy the blessings of life.
So yesterday afternoon, exhausted, I came home from work for a two hour break before I heading back to campus that night. I walked in the door, first greeted by Attila, my brother's massive mastiff dog who does not care how much stuff you are carrying, if you are in nice work clothes, or if you can barely stand up from being in your boots all day. He immediately greeted me with more excitement than I think he could even stand and with all his slobber hanging from his lips he lovingly tried to cover me with his kisses. I tried to avoid his mouth touching my nice clothes as I pushed him back with my backpack, but was still so thankful for his faithful enthusiasm over my arrival. Next was TJ, he comes running over smiling, saying "we're eating rice and eggs, its my favorite!" Excited over his excitement, I smile and say "Ok! Wait for me!" I go upstairs to change and as I am getting ready to head downstairs TJ comes in and sits on my bed just waiting for me to finish so that we can have fun and play together. We head downstairs slowly, sliding down the stairs on our bottoms. TJ continues to talk about the rice and eggs being his favorite and his day at school and several things that are important to him. I love being with TJ because nothing else in the world matters except exactly what we are doing at that moment. His two main concerns are the people he is with and laughing (he loves to laugh). Finally being home and getting to just sit with him, I thought to myself, "Thank you God for TJ, he just slows down time." In the midst of all my busyness and unrest, I stopped everything and for an hour and half I just talked to TJ about how "TT" would be a funny name for him, how "Attila's drool is only water," and how he doesn't like "green monster goop" (guacamole).
It made me so thankful for kids and their ability to help put life into perspective for us.

God is the master builder

Its amazing how life can be so different. When I think of Argentina and Nicaragua they set such a priority on being with one another and having time for the family. And the states does have strong families but we put such an emphasis on work. Which is important too, but at the same time I can't help but think about the reality that it really does pass, but at the same time it feels so good to have done a good job at something.
Es incredible las diferencias que pueden existir dentro las vidas de las personas. Cuando pienso en Argentina y Nicaragua, es una prioridad dar tiempo a los otros y a la familia. Y en los estados, aun que si tenemos familias fuerte, ponemos nuestras fuerzas en el trabajo. Y eso si es importante, pero al mismo tiempo pienso en que las obras del trabajo pasan, aunque se sienten bien para uno hacer un buen trabajo.


I read something really good the other day that I wanted to share:

Psalm 127:1-2
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to [a] those he loves.


Lei algo muy bueno el otro dia que quieria compartir:

Salmos 127:1-2
1 Si el Señor no edifica la casa,
en vano se esfuerzan los albañiles.
Si el Señor no cuida la ciudad,
en vano hacen guardia los vijilantes.
2 En vano madrugan ustedes,
y se acuestan muy tarde,
para comer un pan de fatigas,
porque Dios concede el sueño a sus amados.


And what I got from the first verse was that God is sovereign. You can do your job, do everything you are supposed to do, but God is still sovereign. You can do all you are supposed to do and sometimes you will have success and sometimes you will fail. That is life. So somehow at the end of the day we only have so much control, and God is still in control.
Y eso que aprendi del primer versiculo fue que Dios es soberano. Puede hacer su trabajo y todo que deberia hacer, pero a pesar de todo Dios es soberano. Puede hacer todo que uno debo hacer y a veces salir logoroso y a veces con un fallo. Asi es la vida. De alguna manera, al fin del dia, son pocos el control que tenemos, y si Dios tiene el control final.

So what does that mean? Does that mean - well why work hard then, if it is all up to chance or just whatever God decides? I don't think that's what we are supposed to get from it. I think we are supposed to work hard, and be diligent with the tasks God puts before us. But then the second part says, "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for he grants sleep to those he loves." I think that God is saying is that at the end of the day He is sovereignty over all you do, so work hard, but take time for yourself, family, loved ones, and most importantly -God. That's what the rising early and staying up late part is about...that's not work time, that's for other things. It is time meant for rest and loving those around us..."for he grants sleep (rest) to those he loves."
Entonces que agaramos de eso? Que significa – entonces porque trabajamos duro si al final todo depende del chance o eso que Dios decide en el momento? No creo que eso es el mensaje. Peinso que deberiamos trabajar duro ser diligente con las tareas que Dios nos da. Pero el segundo parte que dice “En vano madrugan ustedes, y se acuestan muy tarde, para comer un pan de fatigas, porque Dios concede el sueño a sus amados.” Pienso que Dios nos quiere muestrar que al final el tiene el poder y control ultimo sobre todo nuestro trabajo, por lo tanto que trabajamos duro y diligente, pero tomen el tiempo por asi mismo, su familia, sus amados, y los mas importante – su Dios. Eso significa la parte “madrugar y acostar muy tarde”...ese horas no son horas del trabajo, son tiempos por otras cosas. Son tiempos de descansa y de muestrar amor a ellos en nuestras vidas...“porque Dios concede el sueño a sus amados.”


With that being said, I am still learning the great lesson of balance. Steven, Katie's boyfriend and I were talking, and he said something great the other day. He is a nurse and said so much of life is all about balance. Even with the human body and with cells and osmosis. It’s like all of creation has to learn how to balance in their own environments and under their own circumstances.
Y ahora sigo aprendiendo de tener equilibrios en mi vida. Esteban, el novio de mi amiga Katy, y yo estuvimos hablando, y el dijo algo muy sabio el otro dia. El es enfermero y dijo que mucho de la vida incluso el cuerpo humano y todas las células y la osmosis se trata de tener equilbrio. Parece que toda creacion tiene que aprender como tener equilibrio en sus propios ambiente y circunstancias.


So with that being said, I have been working really hard on the Amigos Mission Team programming, but trying to take time for people as well. Every Tuesday I have a date with Junielki in Villa. Last Tuesday I printed out a little skit of Cinderella for her and I to practice. I was the stepmother and she was Cinderella. And as we started to act out the different part, we had a ball, we could not help laughing when we had to change ourselves and become our characters.
Entonces he pasado estas semanas pasado trabajando duro en los nuevos programas del Area de Misiones de Amigos pero al mismo tiempo tratando de dar tiempo a la gente quienes son parte de mi vida. Cada martes voy a villa para pasar un rato con Junielki. Y este martes pasado traje una obra de teatro de Cenicienta para que actuemos juntas. Yo fui la madrasta y ella Cenicienta, y divertimos muchisico. Estuvimos riendo en tratar de actuar como nuestros personajes.


It was something so new and freeing for both of us.
Fue algo nuevo y liberante por las dos.

Prince of Peace

Welcome Prince of Peace!!!

Bienvenidos Principe de Paz!!!

So Amigos was actually originally formed out of the youth program at Prince of Peace, and here we are 10 years later still with them!
Amigos viene originalmente de este iglesia Principe de Paz.

This is the group. Aqui esta el grupo

Here is the tour.


and Barbara and her favorite little girl
Aqui esta Baraba y una de las ninas. Barbara trabaja con nosotros.


In the distance you can see the houses being built.
En la distancia se puede ver la construcion de las casas.


And here we are working...FUN!!!
Ahora estamos trabajando...que divertido!!!

We even made the children work...
Tambien trabajaron los ninos...

...or at least looking at the work that needs to be done, close enough :)
... tal vez no trabajando pero o menos viendo el trabajo que nosotros vamos a hacer.


And we all got very dirty...
Y ensuciamos mucho...

look how cute Natalie looks dirty

mira que linda que esta Natalie asi tan sucia...

And now me...(only a little diry)

Ahora yo... (solo un poco sucia)



And when we arrived on site on Tuesday, there was a special suprise waiting for us...
A Giant Snake!
Y cuando llegamos a la comunidad el martes, esperandonos habia una surpresa especial...
Una Culebra Grande!


But even after a long day of work, Katie sill manages to look beautiful...Katie how do you do it?
A pesar de un dia duro de trabajo, Katie todavia se miro tan linda...que bella que sos.


And like always, Villa is beautiful...
Y como siempre, Villa es un lugar muy bonito...



Now after a full day of work, what is the perfect way to end that day? That's right, massages!
Despues de un dia de trabajo, como terminamos? Con masajes!

and with our favorite game...the BUCKET GAME.
y con nuestro juego favorito, el juego del bidon.




But don't worry, we did lots of other fun things too this week. Like my favorite game, because it helps me get to know everyone well and fast... Fireman, Bunk bed, Wheelbarrow.
Pero no se precupan, no solo trabajamos, tambien hicimos muchas cosas divertidas...como ese juego...Bombero, Litera, y Carretilla.

FIREMAN!
BOMBERO!



BUNK BED!
LITERA!



and WHEELBARROW!
y CARRETILLA

And then last but not least our unforgetable routines of synchronized swimming. Now lets see...
Y por ultimo, nuestros rutinas de natación sincronizada. Vamos a ver...

Try # 1 - okay Alex is a little late
Intento #1 - Alex es un poco retrasado
r

Try # 2 - I am not really sure what went wrong in this, but I know something is wrong.
Intento #2 - No se exactamente que es la problema, pero se que hay una problema.


Try # 3 - Bob joined in back..but he looks like a bear.
Intento #3 - Bob se entro por detras, y parece oso.
i


Try # 4 - We put Alex in front, and we are not that off...but I am not sure if I would call that a dive, haha.
Intento #4 - Pusimos a Alex en frente, y casi llegamos a nuestra meta...


And it was a great week.
Y fue una semana muy buena.


yay!


God is Good!
Dios es Bueno!

My PERSONAL prayer request,

¨For we do not look at the things which are unseen, but at the things which are seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.¨
2 Corinthians 4:18

Please pray for me for perseverance, and not losing an eternal perspective on all that I do, personally and in community.



My WORK prayer,

¨So affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.¨

I want this to be my heart for the groups that come down. Please pray that God enabled me to open up and risk so that I can share my life and my heart with all the people who come down. It is a huge blessings to do what we do!

Spring Ortho and Katie´s Best Friends

So this was last week and a very special week. Two of Katie´s best friends, Molly and Erin, came down with both of their boyfriends, Jeff and Jason. We also had our Spring Medical Orthopedic group and Dr. Nutt come down as well.

This was my first time meeting Katie´s friends, but they were people who love to worship God, and have a heart for the things of the Spirit.


Dr. Nutt and I met about two years ago when we had to spend a week together living in the house with the just the two of us. We would go and eat pupusas, ice cream, and then walk back to the house having long discussions about faith and religion. Since then I have met more of his family and he brings me back a new book to read every time he comes down. But I don´t have a picture of him, because I did not end up working with the medical team. I ended up working with two other ladies, Kristi and Catherine. Here we are...

Here are Katie´s friends at the Young Life Bible Study

This is such an incredible experience. We went out to Villa for the afternoon, to spend some time painting the new houses. Well the Nicaraguans, because of the heat are constantly watering down the houses so before we could paint, we were asked to help them, and boy was it disastrously fun. I should have expected it, but before I knew it we were all soaked. But the best part is that there is this one kid David, that I have known for a long time, and he always seems so serious. And he was having the time of his life. He just thought it was so fun to get wet and see other people wet. In my two years, he always had come off to me as so serious, so it was amazing to see him so active and having so much fun!

This is Kristi, doing her job.

This is Erin and I at the end of the day. David waited until I was carrying two heavy buckets of water and then he came up from behind and had his final attack. I am soaked.

This is us riding back to the bodega after watering down the houses.

These are our dirty feet after a long day (mine are the socks).

Katie´s Birthday
Now for the best part...

God is so amazing. Katie is my best friend here in Nicaragua. We met about a year and a half ago and have been close ever since. Well its been hard because for the first time since she has moved down here, we are no longer living together. We had been sharing a room up until about a month ago when I moved out into a house in one of the local neighborhoods. So lately we were having some trouble with our friendship because we were adjusting and just not meeting each others friendship needs, well so its funny how it worked out. The days after we did have a little argument, I ended up not hanging out with her and her friends, which she might have taken as me being distant, but actually.... I was setting up for her suprise party that we all had planned for her, ha ha ha...(we are tricky)

So she arrives at the house that evening thinking she is picking me up so that we can all go to dinner together, little did she know that in the back of the house was a bunch of decorations and special people waiting for her.

So she walks back and sees all the decorations and then one by one kids start to come out from my room suprising her. It was amazing, there was a bunch of our American friends, the students she works with in the scholarship program, the Young Life kids, and some of our Nicaraguan Amigos employees. :)

Here are her scholarship kids getting her ready. They made sure her hair looked beautiful and that she had plenty of makeup. It was funny and really cute.

This is Katie, Melissa and I. (Melissa lives with me)

Thats Katie´s giant cookie birthday cake that Kristin made for her.

These are the decorations and my back porch area.

This is Ivett and Mauricio, two really good friends from Villa. They just had their first baby boy. And Ivett said that she was going to give him to Katie for her birthday because she knows thats what would make Katie the happiest. (Katie LOVES babies)

These are the boys from our church. They are in our Sunday school class, and they all play on the worship team (Luis, Francisco, Jeff, Iris, Katie, and Will)

This is Katie blowing out her candles.

This is Katie and I!!!

¨Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.¨

Proverbs 4:9¨

¨I won´t let you fall, I love you. If you were to fall, I would go with you. I would never leave you¨

- Katie to me (on the edge of the ridge of the Somoto Canyon )