Thought for today...Dance!

Because I know who He is and what He has done in my life...my heart dances with joy.  

Today I take delight in answered prayers.  The YWAM team's safe return from their outreach trip to Guatemala and all of our friends on are the east coast in the US made it safely through Hurricane Sandy.  

 

May we each dance with delight in Him and not be able to keep quiet about it!

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Blogger App

I just discovered that there is a Blogger app for my Galaxy Tablet!  I enjoy the convenience that using the Tablet provides.  I carry the Tablet around in my purse when I go out, so even on those occasions when I don't have my camera with me I can still snap a photo...

like this one I took in the car:

or this one when we went out to eat the other day:

I use several different apps already... my favorites are the YouVersion Bible and the Kindle apps.  I use both of them daily.  The Bible app is a perfect fit because I can easily switch from one book to the next or check out different versions of the same passage.  The Kindle app is great for reading when I am home or while standing in line somewhere like I did yesterday at the bank for a half hour.  I also use apps for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Gmail.

I am not sure how frequently I'll use this Blogger app because even though I was able to write this post using the app I could not schedule it to publish at a specific time or add more than one photo like I am used to doing from my laptop. So I had to do all the editing from the computer and not on the Tablet.  However, it sure is great to have the option if I am away from my computer and want to start a post or publish right away.

What apps do you use?

the gift of praise...

Yesterday I was blessed by the opportunity to sing with the worship team at our church here in Belize.  What a joy it was to glorify His name and lift up praises to Him in song!  It has been over two years since my time on the worship team in Russia.  And I missed those days more than I have dared to admit.  

One of the songs from the set list was Above All.  Singing it transported me to the Church of the Open Door back in Krasnodar where I learned to sing it.  For five years I thought it was a Russian worship song.  I didn't know the original text was in English. The first time I saw the words on a PowerPoint slide in English here I didn't even recognize the song.  It was not until the musicians began to play that I realized I knew the tune. 

It is so difficult to put into words the gratitude I felt yesterday as I sang. 

1018. I was grateful to have the chance to serve at church again.  

1019. I was grateful that my time in Russia taught me to sing harmony.  

1020. I was grateful that my first Sunday had me on a team with Pastor Han, Pastor Dan, Andy, and Johnny.

1021. I was grateful for the reminder of growing up with four brothers.

1022. And I was grateful that I felt 'at home' with them.   

Pastor Han's sermon yesterday was about serving.  Mark 10:45 reminds us that Christ didn't come to be served but TO serve.  Tom and I have had almost a full year of being served at Bethel.  It has been a wonderful place for us to get fed and refreshed for the work we do at the Child Development Foundation. However, it was definitely time for me to get back to serving at church...and I count it as a precious gift from God that the area of need I could fill was on the worship team.

If you would like to read posts from others in the gratitude community just click on the box below.

What's in the news in Belize?

Here are some of the news stories published by the various media outlets here in Belize:

(to read the stories just click on the titles below the photos)

Three Indian Nationals Disappear

Prison Officer Fined 10K for Weed Smuggling at Prison

Prominent Businessman Killed in Broad Daylight

Belize Needs to Prepare for a Larger Population of Older Persons

A Bible You Can Relate To

So other than politics...what's in the news where you live?

Road Closed...

No matter where we have lived in the world one thing has been consistent.  Road construction.  In Kansas, California, Russia, or here in Belize, a closed road is an inconvenience but a part of life nonetheless.  

I didn't have my camera with me so I had to use my Galaxy Tablet to capture the action on the street...

As we passed by this truck Tom noticed the sign on the side.  It says:

Owned by God
Managed by A & N Construction

We were grateful that our errands led us to walk this muddy road just so we could see this testimony!

thought for today...possibilities!

  

May we take our eyes off of the doubts we carry in our daily lives and shift our gaze onto Him.

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Tasty Tuesday...Iced Chai Tea Latte

Gotta give this a try!!

I made the sweet cream last night.  Now I just have to find the Chai tea bags.

Click here for the recipe

counting beyond 1000 gifts...

What a week!!!  It was nice to have Monday off last week due to Pan America Day.  But, from that day on our schedule was packed.  No complaints here...just a report about that which we are so grateful for...

1001.  On Tuesday Tom was a guest on a local talk show called Divas Next Door.  The topic was self-esteem.

1002.  Many women sent in texts with questions or comments and Tom was able to address several issues that can affect how women see themselves...one big topic was forgiveness.  He was asked to come back again next month!

1003.  On Wednesday I led our women's Bible study in a lesson on God's love.  The ladies really dig into the word and everyone contributed with questions and comments making it a lively morning.  

1004.  I enjoy having different churches represented in our women's group and seeing the Belizean and American ladies all coming together in unity.

1005.  Tom's new glasses arrived!

1006.  fresh juice!  The darker one is pitaya and the lighter is watermelon.

1007.  we found a new restaurant...the food was tasty and the service was great!  

1008.  As we gathered for prayer at CDF on Thursday we also had time to discuss the feedback from the Women's Conference.  We heard stories of healing, breakthroughs, and new realizations about self and God.    

1009.  Even with all of the rain there were still 12 students in class on Saturday morning.

1010.  though the rain came down hard on Sunday it was still a blessing to spend time in worship and hear Pastor Han's message.

1011.  as the torrent of rain fell Tom reminded me that we lived through snow coming down that hard in Russia...we are grateful that it does not get cold enough here in Belize for that to happen!

1012.  marveling at the power of God seen in nature yesterday...all of this water accumulated during the two hours we were in church!

1013.  Gathering with a group of friends to eat lunch together after church.

1014.  Talking on the phone with Spencer and Meesha and being able to hear about how the DTS Outreach in Guatemala is going.  It was so wonderful to hear their voices.

1015.  chatting with Nathan about Rowdy...his new kitten.

1016.  A break in the rain that allowed me to get my walk in yesterday.

And the best news of all...

1017.  Hearing that a boy who been reported missing by the Jasmine Alert was found!

I hope that you take time to ponder the gifts and treasures you experienced last week.  

There is always something to be grateful for!

If you would like to read posts from others in the gratitude community just click on the box below.

Belize in bloom!

No matter where we look there is something beautiful in bloom here in Belize!  

let there be cool air!

Two weeks ago we finally picked up ceiling fans for the living room, dining room and our bedroom. If you could feel how humid it is here you would understand how big of a deal this really is!

Steve and Sharon blessed us by putting two of them up while they were here.  

Terry will be over today to put in the last one.  It is much more comfortable to hang out around the dining room table now.  And the temperature in the front of the house is much cooler than it was before. It's not air conditioning but it does help.  Each time we add a convenience to our living space it feels more and more like home.  And that is such a wonderful feeling!

thought for today...take up your cross!

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Tasty Tuesday

Lunch time!

Before we finished shopping at Brodies in Belize City we had to take a break for lunch.  I chose panades filled with chicken and topped with an onion sauce.  Great tasting Belizean fast-food!

the gifts of a conference...

She walked into the chapel Friday afternoon carrying burdens on her shoulders for all to see.  As the weekend progressed the light of hope began to flicker in her eyes.  When asked about making connections over the weekend she quietly admitted to getting in touch with herself for the first time.  As she left the grounds on Sunday afternoon walking with an air of confidence in the Lord, it was evident that inner healing was in process and that God's hands were guiding her step by step.

It was such a joy and a privilege to witness transformation taking place throughout the room.  This weekend's Healthy Women's Conference was indeed a blessing for the ladies who were able to attend. Our desire for the weekend was for women to move from victim to survivor, grow in their relationship with Him, and feel comforted by the Father so that in time they will be able to comfort others with the comfort they themselves have received.  

As I count the gifts from the weekend my heart overflows with gratitude for what the Lord has done...

983. watching the room fill with women...

984. Miss Diana's vision and passion for this ministry...

985. and her message of God's restorative love...

986. topics that touched the hearts of many...

987.  women learning that they are not alone...

988. Tom's teachings on What Abuse Is, The Affects of Abuse and his sermon on Forgiveness...

989. "Sell Tacos Not Children!" bracelets to create awareness and raise funds...

990.  selling out of the t-shirts with the same message...

991. resources for those who need support or want to learn more...

992.  learning more about the ministry of Mary Open Doors...

993.  hearing the courageous testimony of a woman who suffered through an horrific abortion experience...

   994.  the sound of the hammer pounding nails to the cross reminding us all of Christ's sacrifice...

995. that which we are ready to forgive nailed to the cross...

996.  the sharing of hearts during small group time...

997.  the blessing of serving as a small group leader...

998.  the freedom that comes when we our pain is traded for His restorative and redemptive love...

999.  Jadine's teaching on our identity in Christ...

as I come to the end of counting to 1000 I have to acknowledge that it has also been a gift to discover:
1000. that the blessing of practicing gratitude has altered my outlook on life!

If you would like to read posts from others in the gratitude community just click on the box below.

What's in the News in Belize?

Yesterday a torch run left from Belmopan and went down to San Ignacio for a peace rally.  As the run began Tom and I were watching on PlusTV.  After the torch was lit by their mother, Ivolene, it was heart wrenching to see Keran Belisle,the sister of murder victim Norvil Belisle, carrying the torch out of the city with the mayor of Belmopan running by her side.

All of the local businesses closed down as a show of support.  This video is one of the news reports covering the event.  It was great to see the people, young and old, banding together to speak out against the violence and the injustice that has been happening in the country.  

Pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever...

Today is Day 57.  In the early days getting out to walk was a major ordeal.  I had to watch the time to make sure that I stayed out the full 30 minutes.  My body ached.  My attitude was not the best...I just wanted to "get it over with".  Now, I cannot imagine my day without going out for a walk.  And I am so grateful that I didn't quit.  The pain is over and I am 43 days away from my goal!

Pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever!

thought for today... Unchangeable!

 

I am grateful that the Father of heavenly lights is unchanging.  Yesterday, today and forever...He is God.  

And He is good. All the time!

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Counting gifts of time...

We've had time with friends and time with family.  Meals with several different groups of people.  Meetings in more than one location on the same day.  Ministry in the midst of it all.  And yet, in all of the business there were precious gifts...moments spent with others that were priceless treasures.

967.  learning how to use Facetime  and being able to see Nathan's face for the first time since June.
968.  Steve and Sharon's time here in Belize.
969.  Spencer and Meesha getting the weekend off
970.  Laughing so hard that my head hurt while enjoying family and friends
971.  Attending Pastor Dan's birthday lunch with several others from church
972.  Game night with Spencer, Meesha, Steve, and Sharon
973.  Counseling class and all of the incredible students at Belize Bible Center
974.  Planning for and dreaming about the future of CDF
975.  Connecting with others at the monthly meeting with area missionaries
976.  Dinner at Pasquales with Steve & Sharon and Tom & June
977.  Pausing to spend times in prayer for someone in need
978.  Quiet moments to reflect now and then.
979.  Evening walks with Tom when he is able to go out with me...
980.  Prayer walks when I go out alone
981.  Our home filled with people we love spending time with
982.  Knowing that all of our days and plans are in the hands of God!

                        

You know you're in Belize when...

You find one of these guys on your windshield!

or on the wall of a building...

 

or in the hand of a friend!!

The first time I saw one of these critters the Belizean friend we were with called it a cricket.  Just a few days later one of them surprised us by landing on the windshield of our car as we pulled out of our driveway.  I took his photo and put it on Facebook.  

Last night we were at a dinner meeting over at the Blue Thumb Mission when one landed on the wall  surprising us all.  The first time someone got too close and it flew away revealing beautiful mauve colored wings.  The lighting was not the best for picture taking but we are so grateful to Joe for picking it up, calming it down, and getting it to pose for us!  

And yeah, I did get that close.  I know. I still can't believe I did that.