Content

Over the last several days, I have been given the opportunity to think about what really matters in life. As we prepare for our international journey in just a few days, we have been going through all of our material belongings, things that at one point we thought we couldn't live without. And as strangers pass through my house and try to bargain down an already ridiculously low price, I am humbled at how willing I am to get rid of so many things that I am finally realizing I don't need. We sold our t.v. today. What a relief, and yet, we weren't sure what to do after dinner, when we usually turn the tube on and vegetate before putting the kids to bed. Tonight was different, a little strange at first, but then my hubby asked me to play the piano...and so did my son. And then we laughed, had a few visitors, and then I listened to my husband read to my son before it was time to tuck him in. What a blessing! Can we live happily - and contentedly - without a t.v.? Yes! Do we really need a house full of 'things' to be happy? No. All I need is my husband and two beautiful boys, a few good books, and the warmth of our love...and I am content.

Melancholy

Even though I have been barely able to contain my excitement regarding our approaching adventure, I haven't been able to place why I'm struggling with melancholy this week. In the midst of my husband's birthday celebration, I remember that this day holds another important memory - it was the day my mother went to be with Jesus. She passed away seven years away this year, and it just as a friend once told me, it doesn't get any easier with each passing year. I yearn so deeply to share with her my excitement about Guatemala, about the way the Lord is preparing the way for my family. I wish I could be making plans with her to have her visit us this summer, as she always did desire to experience the rich culture of Latin America. I know she will always be with me...but it's just not the same when she isn't here in the flesh for me to call and talk to, see a movie with, or go to for a hug when I need one. I can only rest in the assurance that I will one day see her again. And as the Christian musicians Mercy Me sing in their beautiful song, "I can only imagine what that day will be like..."

Birthday celebration

Sunday, January 18th, we celebrated Emilio's 35th birthday! We enjoyed the day with a traditional American dinner - pizza! And then we indulged in a delicious 'pan de tres leches,' an authentic Latin-American dessert. The cake is made using three kinds of milk. It is decadently moist and has a pineapple filling (or whichever you choose). Delicious! Unfortunately, Emilio ended up wearing a little of his because he failed to do another tradition: 'que lo muerda!' This means that since he is the birthday boy, he would take a bite out of the cake before he began to serve it to the rest of the family. While he and I were posing for a picture, his cousin Rosa decided to smear cake all over him instead! What a wonderful celebration at the beginning of a adventure-filled year that awaits us!

A few loose ends

The school at which I hope to teach in August

I cannot articulate just how amazing our Lord is! Since my last post, He has continually reassured our family that we are making the right choice. As I'm sure you can imagine, making such a large move to a third-world country can be quite intimidating. But we are slowly making progress as we prepare for this exciting journey. Our home was listed on Sunday evening and we are awaiting the sign to be put up in our front yard. I sent out an email to our church family and the Lord brought a family to come see our house and van. It doesn't look like it would be the right fit for them, but we are still prayerful that the right people will come along. If the Lord can sell my husband's truck in 2 hrs, He can certainly sell our home in 2 1/2 weeks! We also were able to send off both my passport renewal and an application for my youngest son, Solomon last Thursday. All tickets have been purchased, and now we just have a few small details (house and van). We plan on having a garage/estate sale this coming weekend to liquidate most of our belongings. God has been so good to us with all that He has provided in these last years. But nothing is so important to us that we cannot let someone else enjoy it. After all, they are all temporal anyway. We have an appt with a travel clinic this afternoon to ensure that we all have the appropriate inoculations for our trip. We are counting down the days: 18 days to go! Please continue praying that the Lord will provide funds to sustain us in our first days in Guatemala (until my husband and I begin working), for travel safeties, and for the sale of our house and van - or however the Lord decides to take care of these details.

New Beginnings

When you choose to serve the Lord Jesus, He takes you on journeys you could never dream of! I am so excited to announce that, after much prayer and waiting on the Lord, He has led us to move down to Guatemala for a time. I am so eager to begin this journey - and that's a good thing, because we head south on Feb 7th! I have already applied for a teaching position at a Christian school in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (or, XELA as it's commonly known), and the director is requesting references and transcripts. I think that's a good sign! Things are moving quickly and smoothly - just confirmation that God is at work. I'll divulge more details as we know them. Please be praying for His provision as we put our house on the market and attempt to liquidate all we have to make moving a little easier, and the load lighter. And who ever said being a Christian was boring?