Sometimes I sit alone in my thoughts...and then gasp.
This is the week of Matt's big day with the DOD in Baltimore. Thursday. Leaves Wednesday morning and returns Friday morning. He got diagnosed with mono last Thursday. God moves in mysterious ways. He is ok, but taking it really easy today and tomorrow to make sure he's as rested as possible. The doctor said Baltimore is perfectly fine as long as he feels up to it. Pray for health, nerves, clarity of thought and speech...and most of all a calm peace and faith in the God who has given this opportunity.
This is the week I get to see my best friend, and she gets to see my first home. I haven't seen her in months and months. I love that she is coming to keep me company (and sane) while Matt is in Baltimore. I love that I get to hear of all her grand adventures over in Europe...and just BE with her once more!
This is the week before the week I have to pack up and get to Guatemala. I was blessed once again today with financial support from a couple that has known me since I was three. A couple at ECC that DOESN'T EVEN KNOW ME gave quite a sum to my account. Among just 11 people/couples, I have received all but $330 of all $1200. That blows my mind away! I know of more that is coming, and I will end up with ony $130 left. God moves in fast and glorious ways to show His will and direction!
And I gasp because I realize how much the Lord's hand is in my life! Who said life was dull?
Christ gives it MORE abundantly...that's for sure!
Monday, June 27, 2005
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Halfway to a Colorful 8 Day Craving
In answer to a few comments on the previous post...
Jaclyn, there was $0 in the mailbox the day you made and estimate. But because of yesterday, I am +600 and -600...exactly halfway! Want to make a guess at what today's mail will hold?
Christa, I will be gone from July 10-17. We're flying so that's why it's only a week.
All, I was getting tired of the plain-ness of the other blog and wanted something no one else had. Since I have a computer guy for a husband, I know a TEENY bit about html coding. So, I've been kind of self-teaching with html color and text. It take a WHILE to learn and figure out. Trust me. The new color scheme, if no one noticed, were the colors of our wedding (minus your basic black and silver).
Hmm...craving macaroni and cheese and garlic bread at 10:00 am? Yes, I'm weird.
Jaclyn, there was $0 in the mailbox the day you made and estimate. But because of yesterday, I am +600 and -600...exactly halfway! Want to make a guess at what today's mail will hold?
Christa, I will be gone from July 10-17. We're flying so that's why it's only a week.
All, I was getting tired of the plain-ness of the other blog and wanted something no one else had. Since I have a computer guy for a husband, I know a TEENY bit about html coding. So, I've been kind of self-teaching with html color and text. It take a WHILE to learn and figure out. Trust me. The new color scheme, if no one noticed, were the colors of our wedding (minus your basic black and silver).
Hmm...craving macaroni and cheese and garlic bread at 10:00 am? Yes, I'm weird.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
US Citizen's Molina is Painted Clean
I have my official United Staes of America passport. I feel so official now! Now, if I go 20 times to foreign countries, it will almost be filled up. :-P Reading some of the advice that is contained in the passport is kinda scary. There are certain ways to lose your US citizenship. You have to be discrete in your clothing, where you carry your money, what kind of valuables you have, etc. "Contact the US Embassy" is all over the place. All things I knew subconsciously, but to see them written by my government? Sheesh! I love this part on the title page..."The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection." Go USA! And, I am QUITE happy with my picture. I've seen nightmares of passport pictures before!
I have $580 so far. God provided all that in just two weeks! $620 to go!
I need to go look for fabric paint, sponge brushes, and rope today for the banners we are making to celebrate the completion of the new school. I found the children's home's website: http://aguavivahome.org/ Check it out if you get a chance so you know more about where we are going.
But, before all that, it's Bathrooms Wednesday. I used to clean the whole house on Friday's and have the other days to relax. But it's SO much easier to assign certain tasks to each day. For example: Quilting Monday, Laundry Tuesday, Bathrooms Wednesday, Dust/Windex Thursday, Floors Friday. Now my only problem is to not be idle in the afternoons!
I have $580 so far. God provided all that in just two weeks! $620 to go!
I need to go look for fabric paint, sponge brushes, and rope today for the banners we are making to celebrate the completion of the new school. I found the children's home's website: http://aguavivahome.org/ Check it out if you get a chance so you know more about where we are going.
But, before all that, it's Bathrooms Wednesday. I used to clean the whole house on Friday's and have the other days to relax. But it's SO much easier to assign certain tasks to each day. For example: Quilting Monday, Laundry Tuesday, Bathrooms Wednesday, Dust/Windex Thursday, Floors Friday. Now my only problem is to not be idle in the afternoons!
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Four by Four
Places I Love...
1) Maui, Hawaii - A beautiful place in the summer, and probably more gorgeous in spring! With it's clear aqua water and island dotted horizon, refreshment and relaxation is all you'll get! Go on the lucious green Road to Hana and you'll get adventure as you drive a road RIGHT on the cliffs of Maui and see those hole in the wall waterfalls. And you MUST not forget the ice cold, juice-down-your-chin pineapple chunk from a road side fruit stand. And the fact that it was my honeymoon makes it a favorite. ;-)
2) St. Thomas and St. John, US Virgin Islands - Strong trade winds will blow through your hair as the salty air tantalizes your nose. White sands offeset the deep blue that contains a myriad of firey colors found in coral and marine life. Dine at a screened in restaurant and experience dandelion leaves in your salad - a treat to be sure!
3) San Fransisco, California - A place that your heart will remain in! If you love city life, this is definitely a place to visit! Buildings everywhere, street cars, hills you wouldn't believe! One building even houses an ENTIRE level of Jessica McClintock dresses! Visit the famous Alcatrez and then eat at Fisherman's Warf on Pier 9. After dinner, gaze at all the seals basking in the sun. Don't forget to take a morning jog through the thick fog across the Golden Gate Bridge (take your mom with you, too!). And above all, the memory you will always hold in your heart of hearts is the grand performance of The Phantom of the Opera at a decadent play house.
4) Washington, DC - For art, history, science, and patriotism at its peak, WDC is the place to be. Going for a week's vacation...not nearly enough!!! There is ever so much to do in this splendid city. Monuments galore, museums a plenty, and honored graves all over. Exquisite architecture, too! There is not enough space in this post to tell of all that is so wonderful about WDC...so go for yourself and see!
Places I long to go...
1) Morocco - Ever since I went to Epcot Center in Disneyworld and saw the "world fair" they had, I have longed to go to Morocco. It was such an enchanting display of the mystery and beauty contained in such an ancient culture. I want to ride a camel in the desert. I want to see the Rock of Gibralter. I want to wear the luxurious fabrics and fine jewelry of that people. I want to see what life is really like over there!
2) Spain - Let me ride a horse across the open plains to an old Spanish castle. Let me taste REAL Spanish food. Let me bask in the Spanish sun on a beautiful beach. Let me see the matador dodge the furious bull. And finally, let me wear that red salsa dress and dance the night away with my Spanish husband!
3) Egypt and Israel - Close to the birthplace of civilization. Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Nile, the market place. All intriguing and mysterious to me like Morocco. But Israel? The place my Savior lived, died, and rose again!
4) Random places I want to see - Taj Mahal, the Heart of Africa, Stonehenge, the Statue of Liberty, an iceburg near Alaska, the Outback of Australia, the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, Rome, and my brain is running out of fuel....
And we sit here so thankless for our place in this world! God has given us so MUCH to see and do! Now if only we will ask Him to help us do it!
1) Maui, Hawaii - A beautiful place in the summer, and probably more gorgeous in spring! With it's clear aqua water and island dotted horizon, refreshment and relaxation is all you'll get! Go on the lucious green Road to Hana and you'll get adventure as you drive a road RIGHT on the cliffs of Maui and see those hole in the wall waterfalls. And you MUST not forget the ice cold, juice-down-your-chin pineapple chunk from a road side fruit stand. And the fact that it was my honeymoon makes it a favorite. ;-)
2) St. Thomas and St. John, US Virgin Islands - Strong trade winds will blow through your hair as the salty air tantalizes your nose. White sands offeset the deep blue that contains a myriad of firey colors found in coral and marine life. Dine at a screened in restaurant and experience dandelion leaves in your salad - a treat to be sure!
3) San Fransisco, California - A place that your heart will remain in! If you love city life, this is definitely a place to visit! Buildings everywhere, street cars, hills you wouldn't believe! One building even houses an ENTIRE level of Jessica McClintock dresses! Visit the famous Alcatrez and then eat at Fisherman's Warf on Pier 9. After dinner, gaze at all the seals basking in the sun. Don't forget to take a morning jog through the thick fog across the Golden Gate Bridge (take your mom with you, too!). And above all, the memory you will always hold in your heart of hearts is the grand performance of The Phantom of the Opera at a decadent play house.
4) Washington, DC - For art, history, science, and patriotism at its peak, WDC is the place to be. Going for a week's vacation...not nearly enough!!! There is ever so much to do in this splendid city. Monuments galore, museums a plenty, and honored graves all over. Exquisite architecture, too! There is not enough space in this post to tell of all that is so wonderful about WDC...so go for yourself and see!
Places I long to go...
1) Morocco - Ever since I went to Epcot Center in Disneyworld and saw the "world fair" they had, I have longed to go to Morocco. It was such an enchanting display of the mystery and beauty contained in such an ancient culture. I want to ride a camel in the desert. I want to see the Rock of Gibralter. I want to wear the luxurious fabrics and fine jewelry of that people. I want to see what life is really like over there!
2) Spain - Let me ride a horse across the open plains to an old Spanish castle. Let me taste REAL Spanish food. Let me bask in the Spanish sun on a beautiful beach. Let me see the matador dodge the furious bull. And finally, let me wear that red salsa dress and dance the night away with my Spanish husband!
3) Egypt and Israel - Close to the birthplace of civilization. Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Nile, the market place. All intriguing and mysterious to me like Morocco. But Israel? The place my Savior lived, died, and rose again!
4) Random places I want to see - Taj Mahal, the Heart of Africa, Stonehenge, the Statue of Liberty, an iceburg near Alaska, the Outback of Australia, the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, Rome, and my brain is running out of fuel....
And we sit here so thankless for our place in this world! God has given us so MUCH to see and do! Now if only we will ask Him to help us do it!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
La dee da-ing through the Day
What a beautiful day...and life!
Acts is the perfect study to do just before a missions trip! I can't wait to do todays. I have gotten at least one thing out of each chapter that is SO applicable to the Guatemala trip.
Chapter 1: Christ assured the apostles they would have the Holy Spirit's power THEN told them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. A comfort and encouragement indeed! Soothing to the thoughts of inadequacy that pop up.
Chapter 2: Comfort from David in the Psalms - "I saw the Lord always in my presence; for He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; moreover my flesh also will live in hope." Soothing to the unknowns associated with this trip as well as being a leader this time around.
Chapter 3: "It is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all." Shown to me just in time for lunch with Dawn tomorrow, a woman in my cell group that has MS and is praying and believing that God will heal her.
Chapter 4: "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved....And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness." Two verses that scream missions. The message and the power from God to speak the message. If you ask, He will help you do what He has called you to do!
And chapter 5 is today. :-) But first, chatting with some of my favorite people and then laying out. I've decided I should at least get a base tan before going to the equator high up in the mountains. And I wouldn't mind fitting in a little better with the Guatemalans. Say no to pasty white in Latin America. ;-) Can't say as much for the two FIREY RED heads that are on my team.....
Acts is the perfect study to do just before a missions trip! I can't wait to do todays. I have gotten at least one thing out of each chapter that is SO applicable to the Guatemala trip.
Chapter 1: Christ assured the apostles they would have the Holy Spirit's power THEN told them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. A comfort and encouragement indeed! Soothing to the thoughts of inadequacy that pop up.
Chapter 2: Comfort from David in the Psalms - "I saw the Lord always in my presence; for He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; moreover my flesh also will live in hope." Soothing to the unknowns associated with this trip as well as being a leader this time around.
Chapter 3: "It is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all." Shown to me just in time for lunch with Dawn tomorrow, a woman in my cell group that has MS and is praying and believing that God will heal her.
Chapter 4: "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved....And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness." Two verses that scream missions. The message and the power from God to speak the message. If you ask, He will help you do what He has called you to do!
And chapter 5 is today. :-) But first, chatting with some of my favorite people and then laying out. I've decided I should at least get a base tan before going to the equator high up in the mountains. And I wouldn't mind fitting in a little better with the Guatemalans. Say no to pasty white in Latin America. ;-) Can't say as much for the two FIREY RED heads that are on my team.....
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Guatemala or Bust!
Wow! I just went to my first Guatemala trip meeting. It was kind of overwhelming to walk in and know NO ONE except for Keath, the youth pastor. Got all my paperwork done...
...and met three of the girls on my team within the entire group. Aubree, Colleen, and Keaghlan (pronounced Kay-lyn, and yes it took me like three times to type it just now). They are such fun! Three different personalities with several common threads. I can already tell we are going to have a blast working with each other! Lord, why must you give me these attachments when Matt and I are in location limbo??? There is a time and a season for everything...and everyone...
On another note, we're still enjoying the rain from Arlene. Makes for getting lots of stuff done indoors...like typing up and prepping support letters for mailing. Kind of weird when you ponder how you can eek out the money for stamps JUST to send out letters to GET financial support. Me? I call that ironic. And an opportunity for God to shine in His provision. It's just stamps, but they sure can add up!
Off to write my letters....
...and met three of the girls on my team within the entire group. Aubree, Colleen, and Keaghlan (pronounced Kay-lyn, and yes it took me like three times to type it just now). They are such fun! Three different personalities with several common threads. I can already tell we are going to have a blast working with each other! Lord, why must you give me these attachments when Matt and I are in location limbo??? There is a time and a season for everything...and everyone...
On another note, we're still enjoying the rain from Arlene. Makes for getting lots of stuff done indoors...like typing up and prepping support letters for mailing. Kind of weird when you ponder how you can eek out the money for stamps JUST to send out letters to GET financial support. Me? I call that ironic. And an opportunity for God to shine in His provision. It's just stamps, but they sure can add up!
Off to write my letters....
Friday, June 10, 2005
CT Scan Results
The nurse called me today and said that my ct scan revealed no sign of sinusitis and everything is "normal." It kind of frustrated me because it seemed vague, but I guess there is nothing else to tell. It leaves me wondering why on earth I still feel "blocked" in my nasal passages. Maybe my nose changed?? Hopefully starting Claratin (actually Sam's knock-off that Momma said works and is cheap) and continuing nasal steroids will help with the "blocked" feeling.
I'm also feeling under the weather right now. Pretty exhausted and I have a sore on the back of my throat that resembles strep. It hasn't spread or gotten worse as far as pain, so I'm intrigued as to what it is.
Praise God we'll have glorified bodies someday.
On another note, I am a little anxious to get my support letters out for Guatemala. I won't get the materials from Keath (youth pastor) until Sunday. Please pray that I will trust the Lord to bring in the funds! Only $1000 to go since *someone* graciously already gave $200! Praise God!
On still another note, Jackson is already feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Arlene. Matt and I were just sitting on the couch, and I heard the rain sound in our fireplace. I looked out the blinds and it was POURING...but sunshiny. It's been off and on like that since then, and the clouds are gor-geo-so! I took pictures. :: guilty smile ::
Hope you all have a splendiferous day!
I'm also feeling under the weather right now. Pretty exhausted and I have a sore on the back of my throat that resembles strep. It hasn't spread or gotten worse as far as pain, so I'm intrigued as to what it is.
Praise God we'll have glorified bodies someday.
On another note, I am a little anxious to get my support letters out for Guatemala. I won't get the materials from Keath (youth pastor) until Sunday. Please pray that I will trust the Lord to bring in the funds! Only $1000 to go since *someone* graciously already gave $200! Praise God!
On still another note, Jackson is already feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Arlene. Matt and I were just sitting on the couch, and I heard the rain sound in our fireplace. I looked out the blinds and it was POURING...but sunshiny. It's been off and on like that since then, and the clouds are gor-geo-so! I took pictures. :: guilty smile ::
Hope you all have a splendiferous day!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Mi vida es muy loca!
...but starting to slow down...somewhat. The following is an update that I hope many I e-mail will come and read. I want more people to know about my blog...but I guess I should start posting more often if I want visitors and comments!
Health
I am finished with my fifth try at antibiotics. Took the last one today. I don't feel that it has helped at all (even when combined with the steroids). Allergist scheduled me for a ct scan of my sinuses tomorrow at 1:00 to see if there has been ANY improvement at all since I had my MRI's. If not, I have no idea what he'll say. I've been waiting for him to drop the word surgery, but he hasn't yet. Which is good. I'm about ready to give up on all medicine and just pray my heart out that I get better. Or take Jaclyn's advice to go the natural route.
Job
Matt is scheduled to fly out to Baltimore on June 29th and have all day polygraph/psych testing on the 30th. He will fly home on July 1st. Please pray for him! Clarity of thought, peace of mind, strength of character, and faith in God's sovereign plan. Pray for me that I will not be a worry wart wife! My best friend Thea is most likely going to come stay with me while Matt is gone...which I am MOST grateful for! Then, we get to celebrate our first anniversary on July 2nd!
Shocking News!
I get a call on Monday night from Elizabeth, a girl we know from church. She informs me she can no longer go on the Guatemala missions trip with the church youth group. She has to have tailbone surgery. The trip is July 10-17. Matt and I originally wanted to go, but then the job possibility came up and we thought it unwise to leave. Keath, the youth pastor, calls me at 8:00 Monday night saying "Do you think that MAYBE God WANTS you to go on this trip?" Meaning that things have worked in such a way that it seems there is no question God hand-picked me to go on this trip. Keath and I discussed details, and he said he wished he could tell Matt and I we had a week to decide...but we only had 2 hours. The airline had even graciously agreed to wait one more day for final ticket purchase to see if Keath could replace Elizabeth. Matt and I talked, weighed, prayed, read Scripture, and called my parents. EVERYTHING pointed to yes...except for newlywed separation anxiety! :-) So, at 10:00, I told Keath...and now I am on my way to Guatemala. Amazing how life can change SO quickly! I went and started the passport process yesterday. It took QUITE A CHUNK of money. Don't anybody tell anyone it's only $60 to get a passport right now. Even un-expadited, it's up to $97. Add $88 to that and it's expadited. Yes, that's what I had to pay. But, souls last longer than money.
So, please pray for Matt and I in these three areas! Esp. for me as far as Guatemala goes. It is my first time to be on the leader side of a missions trip, and while EXCITED, I am also a little intimidated and deal with feelings of inadequacy. But, that is when I must remember "Not I, but Christ who lives within me." Biggest concern right now: Raising $1200 in only one month. But I know if God wants me to go, the money will be there.
And that is a breif update! I will try to be better at posting now that I DON'T WORK! Life as just a wife is GRAND! Housework is so much more enjoyable in the mornings...when you haven't already given four hours to business people.
Have a sunshiny day!
Health
I am finished with my fifth try at antibiotics. Took the last one today. I don't feel that it has helped at all (even when combined with the steroids). Allergist scheduled me for a ct scan of my sinuses tomorrow at 1:00 to see if there has been ANY improvement at all since I had my MRI's. If not, I have no idea what he'll say. I've been waiting for him to drop the word surgery, but he hasn't yet. Which is good. I'm about ready to give up on all medicine and just pray my heart out that I get better. Or take Jaclyn's advice to go the natural route.
Job
Matt is scheduled to fly out to Baltimore on June 29th and have all day polygraph/psych testing on the 30th. He will fly home on July 1st. Please pray for him! Clarity of thought, peace of mind, strength of character, and faith in God's sovereign plan. Pray for me that I will not be a worry wart wife! My best friend Thea is most likely going to come stay with me while Matt is gone...which I am MOST grateful for! Then, we get to celebrate our first anniversary on July 2nd!
Shocking News!
I get a call on Monday night from Elizabeth, a girl we know from church. She informs me she can no longer go on the Guatemala missions trip with the church youth group. She has to have tailbone surgery. The trip is July 10-17. Matt and I originally wanted to go, but then the job possibility came up and we thought it unwise to leave. Keath, the youth pastor, calls me at 8:00 Monday night saying "Do you think that MAYBE God WANTS you to go on this trip?" Meaning that things have worked in such a way that it seems there is no question God hand-picked me to go on this trip. Keath and I discussed details, and he said he wished he could tell Matt and I we had a week to decide...but we only had 2 hours. The airline had even graciously agreed to wait one more day for final ticket purchase to see if Keath could replace Elizabeth. Matt and I talked, weighed, prayed, read Scripture, and called my parents. EVERYTHING pointed to yes...except for newlywed separation anxiety! :-) So, at 10:00, I told Keath...and now I am on my way to Guatemala. Amazing how life can change SO quickly! I went and started the passport process yesterday. It took QUITE A CHUNK of money. Don't anybody tell anyone it's only $60 to get a passport right now. Even un-expadited, it's up to $97. Add $88 to that and it's expadited. Yes, that's what I had to pay. But, souls last longer than money.
So, please pray for Matt and I in these three areas! Esp. for me as far as Guatemala goes. It is my first time to be on the leader side of a missions trip, and while EXCITED, I am also a little intimidated and deal with feelings of inadequacy. But, that is when I must remember "Not I, but Christ who lives within me." Biggest concern right now: Raising $1200 in only one month. But I know if God wants me to go, the money will be there.
And that is a breif update! I will try to be better at posting now that I DON'T WORK! Life as just a wife is GRAND! Housework is so much more enjoyable in the mornings...when you haven't already given four hours to business people.
Have a sunshiny day!
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