It has been brought to my attention, by my loving husband, that I have not updated our blog recently.  Sadly enough, he is absolutely right!  Grab a coffee and let me tell you what God has been doing with us here!

Those of you who know us, know that we moved to Guatemala in October of 2016 to be house parents with an organization that we had enjoyed working with during mission trips for several years.  The decision to move was made after years of prayer and the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  We went all-in for the glory of our Lord to serve those that He already knew were waiting.  We sold the house, the cars, …ALL the stuff.  We burned our boat.  So, imagine our surprise when God sent us the affirmation last December that that sweet place that we thought was His forever plan was not going to be our place in Guatemala any longer.  We were being called to the city.  These country mice…

We loved Jalapa.  We loved San Pedro Pinula.  We loved the family that God provided and assembled for us there.  We enjoyed family dinners and birthday parties.  We enjoyed holiday celebrations.  We looked forward to the hugs that would greet us and send us on our way, every time we came near.  We loved the simplicity of country living- different, but so similar to the life we left in Florida.  A little bit of our hearts- if not a big chunk- will forever beat for that rural mountainside and for those members of our family.

We cried when we left- THE UGLY CRY, y’all.  Praise God that it is only a 2 hour drive away- depending on traffic.  (Insert snickering and 3 more hours)

So, our new home…  Child Beyond International.  House director of a children’s home with 20 littles (occasionally more) that have been abandoned, abused, neglected, wounded.  A fully established staff that was still reeling from the emotional loss of the dismissal of the former director- and not at all entirely certain of the “new girl” in the house.

In the city.

With all that the city brings.

Truthfully, of all of the adjustments, this move to the city has been the hardest of all.

All of the unknown.  People.  Streets.  Traffic.  Dialect- yes, really.  Ministry.  Responsibilities.  Housing.  Concrete.  Oh! the concrete.

It felt as if we were starting all over again.  But, in all actuality, God just picked up our pace.  We had had a year to acclimate. A year assimilate into Guatemalan culture.  To grow our linguistics and vocabulary.  To seek Him so much more than ever before.  He had been preparing the way to the front door of this new ministry, this new adventure, this new opportunity for YEARS.  I look back and I am left in awe.   Of all of the ways that He was preparing me. All of the ways that He gently and not so gently stretched and molded.  In Women’s Ministry, in being a Deputy’s wife, being a Momma, homeschool teacher, Pre-K assistant, Pregnancy Care Center Director…so many opportunties to serve faithfully or not at all.  To choose to simply walk away or to stay.  To take the easy route or the bumpy path less traveled.  Not because of anything that I was or could do or say, but only through acts of  obedience, He prepared me- for a time such as this. (Esther 4:14)

So, now we rise. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Thank you for your love.  For your support.  For your prayers.  For being with us every step of this journey.   For the few days here…