Day in Granada, Nicaragua

At the local Chocolate Museo y Café, there is a pool and hotel out in the back.  For a special deal of $12.00 it includes...

• All you can eat Brunch
• Swim in the pool all day
• 1/2 Hour body massage

                                                                                                                                                            

Hotel Spa Granada

Check it out

David did great with his floaties!

Little Miss Cabbage Patch Doll!

Can't Get Enough

I got to Nicaragua a few days before Glenn did.  This was unexpected, so when David was hoping to see both of us at the airport, he was slightly confused.  To top it off, I would ask him, "David, where is GrandDad?" His reply was "uuh, ooh". (like, oh, we forgot GrandDad at the airport. Poor kid.

Little Emily is 3 months now.  It doesn't take much to make her smile.  She'll smile for no reason at all.  Ellen has been trying to get her use to the bottle and finally she is getting the hang of it.

I share a room with this little Angel, and she doesn't make a sound at night.  She is the softest sleeper I have ever heard. I guess my snoring doesn't bother her.

~J

Happy 64th Anniversary

My parents, John and Frances Marr, were married 64 years ago today.

May 29, 1949

We love you!

Mom is the best cook in the world.  I have a copy of all her recipes.  She taught me to stir with my finger when making Dr. Pepper Jell-o Salad.  She taught me to heat up the cast-iron skillet before pouring the cornbread mix into it - just to name a few things. 

 Read more from previous post.

I cannot imagine life with out my parents.  They mean the world to me and many, many people.  I'm glad they were able to visit us in Guatemala during the Christmas season.  I have a heart full of memories while making cards with my mom.

Celebrating 64 years together
May 28, 1949 - May 28, 2013

Read about my mom

Bahama Mama

 


Last week Glenn and I took a Quick 4 day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas.  Because we had been burning the candle at both ends, this was a great time for us to get much needed rest.

I looked on-line at my favorite cruise company, Norwegian Cruise Line, and found a $169.00 round trip per person, and the following day the fare dropped another $20.00 each.:)

The ship made 3 stops
1.  Grand Bahamas - Freeport
2.  Nassau - we explored the Atlantis Resort and enjoyed the aquarium and the water park.
3.  Private island of Great Stirrup Cay

During the cruise, we slept, we ate, we enjoyed some much needed "down time", we slept, we ate, and we enjoyed just getting away and not answering questions, phone calls and emails.

Just 2 months ago, one of our supporting churches, deposited 550 dollars to "bless their missionary".   So, this was more than enough to cover the cost for our quick get away.  Thank you!

Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
 
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
 
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
 
Down to Kokomo
 
We'll get there fast and then we'll take
it slow That's where we wanna go
 
Way down to Kokomo

The famous hotel in Nassau Bahama, the Atlantis, was breath-taking.  We enjoyed the water park Aquaventure, especially the Lazy River, which turned out to be the Fast Rapids.  I held on to my sunglasses! The Aquarium was fantastic.

Thanks, Glenn for a great Get-A-Way.

~J

Calling Out To You

LORD YOU HAVE TOLD US
LORD YOU HAVE PROMISED
THAT IF YOUR PEOPLE WOULD PRAY

YOU WOULD HEAR FROM HEAVEN
AND YOU WOULD SEND YOUR MERCY
AND TOUCH US WITH YOUR STRONG HEALING HAND

SO WE'RE CALLING OUT TO YOU
CRYING OUT TO YOU
FORGIVE US OF OUR SIN
HEAL OUR LAND

AS WE SEEK YOUR HOLY FACE
TURN FROM ALL OUR WICKED WAYS
HEAR FROM HEAVEN EVEN NOW
AS WE PRAY

I Spy

I spy...

some Cows

some Goats

a Horse (skinny one at that)

and 9 Cowboys sitting above their animals.

 

Keep on Truck'n!:)

His Name is Wonderful

His Name is Wonderful

His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He is the mighty King, master of everything,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He's the Great Shepherd, The Rock of all ages,
Almighty God is he,
Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord. Isaiah 6:9

Language

Monday, we drove up to Antigua to visit briefly with our new Camino missionaries who are doing language classes.

John just completed level A and is beginning level B.  Way to go.

Sarah also completed level A and is embarking on level B now.  



You go girl!

 
Boyd is plugging along after completing 7 months of language classes.

It's always fun to drive 45 minutes to Antigua and pay a short visit and encourage the language students.  

Keep up the good work!

~J

CAG Baccalaureate - It's a Zoo Out There!

Congratulations to David!

{photo courtesy of Sandi}

and Congratulations to Maria!

Last Sunday, we attended the Baccalaureate for the 2013 Graduating class from CAG.  This year, there are two Camino families represented.  Way to go David and Maria!

Instead of the normal Union Church location, this creative class chose the Zoo. Great Choice!

Its a real zoo out there!

The zoo just opened up a new exhibit of penguins.  There were scores and scores of folks visiting the zoo this past Mother's Day weekend.

We are proud of the 2 Camino mks who are graduating this year from CAG (Christian Academy of Guatemala).  There are several other kids from our neighborhood graduating as well.

~J

One Missionary Tribe

 Close your eyes.

Imagine 8 children with 2 adults tramping through the airport.  All dressed with their blue jeans and gray Camino t-shirts.

They're heading for an adventure.
An adventure of a life time.

This family has completed their language study and are now heading to their first assignment.

Guatemala.

 They arrive with 

20 black footlockers

10 carry - on pieces of luggage

10 back packs - all full

and several musical instruments.

Glenn, master packer, got 16 footlockers in our van plus some soft carry-ons and backpack.  The rest of the luggage fit in the 2nd Hiace van along with most of the passengers.

Now Open your Eyes.... 

Welcome to Guatemala, 

John and Sheila,

Joshua, Benjamin, John Mark, Abigail, Rachel, David, Hannah and Stephen!

Psalms 1

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Old Friends

A wonderful couple - Eldon and Ramona

Recently, we received notice that Eldon passed away. 

My memories
As a student at Moody Bible Institute in the late 70's, I looked up the local NAB church and called the secretary.  The Schroeders immediately said that they would pick me up "under the arch" at 8:00am.  That was the first time I met them.  I invited my classmate, Kathy to join me also.  We had Sunday lunch (normally roast with rice potatoes, Yum) with the Schroeders and they drove us back to Moody later that afternoon.  Eldon was then pastor of Foster Avenue Baptist Church.

I spent many a afternoons in their home.  I became involved with the church youth/college age group.  I remember spending my first Thanksgiving holiday away from home in their home.  This was also the first time I experienced my first Chicago snow fall.  Fun!

Fast forward.....
25 years later, as Ellen was a student at Moody, she took the train out to the Schroeder's house and spent the weekend with them too. They hosted Ellen many times and even attended her concerts when we were not around. 

The Schroeders gave me a Guest Book as a wedding gift.  And because I would sign their guestbook numerous times as a college student, I instituted my own "dreaded, ya gotta sign my guest book, before you leave now!".

Eldon has blessed our family with his slow-moving walk (never in a hurry), his quick humor and his love for his gold fish pond and nature.  He would show us his urban garden in his back yard, point out the birds in the area and describe each room full of their depression glass collection in the family den.

We appreciate the Schroeders over the many years.  We are thankful how they were a blessing to me as a Moody student and then with Ellen.

  Eldon, you will be missed.
~J

Note of Kindness

One of our newest couples here on the field, wrote a letter for us to send to those that support us financially and prayerfully.    Below is a copy of their kind note.

Dear Stewart Financial and Prayer Supporters,

You all don’t know me, but my family and I have recently benefited from your support of the Stewarts, and I want to say thank you.

My husband, son, and I recently moved to Guatemala to be missionaries for two years. I have lived in Dallas, Texas my entire life and never thought that I would leave that wonderful city filled with family and friends. Needless to say, though knowing that Guatemala is where God wanted us, I was freaking out about moving to another country.

My fears were quickly put to rest because of Glenn and Judy. They answered all of our questions before we left, promised to pick us up at the airport, checked out the house we were leasing for language school, looked into cars we were interested in purchasing, and even went and took pictures of dog food for us so that we could know what to transition our dogs to.

We arrived late at night in Guatemala City and there they were waiting for us with another couple and a big ol’ van to transport our three dogs and tons of luggage to Antigua. When we arrived at our home we found a car in our garage (They had decided to lend us one of their cars while we decided what to buy), they had two prepaid cell phones for us, and food on our counter and milk and eggs in our fridge.

The following day, they drove 45 minutes back to our house, took us out to lunch, and drove us around town so that we could figure out what in the world we were doing. This week they have introduced us to so many other missionaries, taken us grocery shopping, set up a membership account for us at Pricesmart (Guatemala’s version of  Costco), and helped us get our own cell phones.

The main thing that John and I have said when they leave is how selfless they are. They are always putting others first.  You are all supporting amazing people.

There is a good chance I would have had a nervous breakdown if they were not here.

We are just one of many families that they have helped. Thank you so much for supporting them and please continue to do so. They are doing God’s work and we are so grateful for that.

God Bless,

John and Sarah Herrington

www.jesuslovesguatemala.com

A New Graduate in the Stewart House

Congratulations Madison!

{photo courtesy of Gary S}

  

We were not at the graduation ceremony, but during the commencement, I texted Gary and asked if there were a link to watch the ceremony on line.  He sent me a link and I got to watch some of the ceremony from Guatemala.

  However my good friend, Christie, took a photo of Madison just after she walked across the stage.

Madison with her parents!

Madison with her friend Grace and her brother and sisters!

We couldn't be more happy for both Gary who graduated in 2011 and now Madison.  Welcome to the JBU Alumni Club!

Beverly Hillbillies

 Wednesday, Glenn and I went to a "garage sale" and purchased

1 washing machine

1 gas dryer

2 large tables with 16 chairs

1 freezer

 We were purchasing these items for a new missionary family of 10, the Tarwaters, who will be arriving into Guatemala in less than 2 weeks.

 Glenn just loves challenges.  He was able to get everything on the first load except for 2 chairs, washing machine and freezer.  Notice how he stacked the chairs and table on top.

Glenn has always been noted for his packing ability.

Could we have been more like Jed Clampett and Grannie?