My Friend, Pat

On our way to Austin, we stopped in Georgetown to have lunch with and visit my friend, Pat "Adams" and her husband, Terry.

My friendship with Pat goes back to 5th grade, through Jr. High, High School, youth group and eventually Pat was one of the 4 girls that stood up in my wedding.

Believe it or not, Pat is not on social media, but my slogan is, "Once you make a friend with Judy Marr Stewart, you have made a friend for life-time".

An extra special blessing was for her to meet and have dinner with my folks.

Pat still has that sweet laugh and lovely smile.  Although our paths don't cross very often, I am appreciative of our friendship through the years. 

 Good to see you and connect with Terry too!

My Aunt Hattie

Over Memorial Day weekend, Glenn and I drove down to Austin with my parents, with the purpose of getting my mother together with her Aunt.  Aunt Hattie is just 11 months older than my mom, so although she is her Aunt, they are more like cousins.

Because of age, they have not gotten together much recently.  However, they do talk on the phone at least once a week.

My heart jumped as we sat there in her den and reminisced over 'kin-folks'.  They talked about working in the cotton fields as young people.  They mentioned Uncle Bud, Polly and other names that are close to them.  We asked them about times of growing up in East Texas.

My heart was heavy when we had to say good-bye to Aunt Hattie.  Mom, sitting in the back seat of the car, with tears flowing down her cheeks, said, "That is going to be the last time I will see Hattie Lee."
  I guess at age 86, anytime can be the 'last time'.

Although mom's short term memory is not good, she still has lots of good early memories, is fond of her early life and has strong feelings.

GrandKid "Fix"

For the past 5 days, Glenn (aka GrandDad) and I (aka Grammie) got to keep our three precious grandkids, while their parents attended the Moody Pastors' Conference.  We got to know our g'kids better.  At the end of the week, I realized I was so busy, that I only took 2 dozen photos.

David My heart melts when I hear soon-to-be 4 year old David blurt out and say "Grammie, Grammie".  On our last night together as he was going to sleep and I was reading, he said "Grammie, oh Grammie, what is your favorite color?" followed by "Grammie, Grammie, what is your favorite animal?"  Blue and dog were my answers.  David's answers were Blue and Tiger.

Emily is a little chatter box.  She repeats everything that David says.  Most of the time she doesn't realize what she is saying, but she loves blurting out anything.  She constantly takes out her pony tails.  She loves her little dolls.

Lucy is mastering the art of crawling at 8 months of age.  She is such an easy going and happy little girl.  I could just squeeze her!  Lucy can balance herself in GrandDad's hands and her giggles betray her love of this new sport.

We stayed at a ministry cabin that gives discounts to missionaries.  It was a perfect place for us to spread out and enjoy the grandkids by ourselves.  However, there was no WiFi and no cell phone coverage.  That is OK as we enjoyed more one-on-one time with the kids without those distractions.

On Wednesday, we drove 1.5 hours to visit Autumn and Anna at their cabin.  Their delicious fajita lunch was pretty mouthwatering!  And then they watched the kids while Glenn and I ran to Culver's to check our WiFi and phone messages.  The girls played outside with David and Emily and showed them how to roll down the grassy slope.  Autumn let little Emily make some homemade cookies. 

 Thank you, Ladies.

Creative - Glenn got a rope out of the van, swung it over the huge logs and made a makeshift swing for Lucy.

On our way back to Chicago, we swung by Ramona's house to show off the g'kids.  40 years ago, I would go to their house on weekends as a Moody student, then 15 years ago, Ellen would spend a few weekend there too.

Ellen and Luke enjoyed bicycling through Chi-town.

And she sleeps.

. 

Atlas Project

My friend, Jim, asked me to work up a map/atlas project of those fellow missionaries who are serving with Camino Global in the USA.  It would include those who are on furlough and a few retirees.  I think Jim is planning to spend some of next year visiting and encouraging these missionaries.

Step 1. Take an old but Good Rand McNally Road Atlas

Step 2. Spend several days gathering information and locations of the US missionaries

Step 3.  Chart the locations.  Find a picture.  Look on-line.  Look on FB.  Look in the directory.  Copy.  Print.  Paste onto map.  Draw line straight.

Step 4.  Ask for quotes from FB friends so I can intersperse them throughout the Atlas.

Step 5.  Add my own little creative touches.

COMPLETE!

Baccalaureate

 Congratulations to the graduating class of Christian Academy of Guatemala!  This year, one of our Mk's, Katie Conner will graduate.

We are proud of you.

Our friends Jim and Marilyn

On Tuesday, we met up with some friends, Jim and Marilyn, in Antigua and we enjoyed a delicious meal at Cerro San Cristobal.  This is my newest favorite place to show folks.

Quesadillas, Guatemala (I mean, Guacamole:), pico de gallo, fresh salad from the garden, pizza...

What a view!

And this would be your typical Selfie Shot!

We took them up to the Cross.  We enjoyed a beautiful view of the city of Antigua.

Jim and Marilyn are from California.  Our friendship is new, but I know it will continue when our paths cross again.  Thanks for a wonderful day, allowing us to show you more of this beautiful country, Guatemala.  We appreciate you tagging along with us as we did ministry.

 

Happy Mother's Day to Me

I am happy to have these 3 kids in my life.

and their spouses

I can't forget to mention the grandkids!

I am Thankful for them too!

Grandmommy Marr with baby Lucy

Check your Worries and Anxieties at the Door

Last month, my sister sent me a special gift.  So, Glenn and I decided to use it on a much needed massage.

This hot-springs, pools and massage facility is about 30 minutes from our house (on a good traffic day).

Glenn and I were in the same room with 2 masseuse ladies who gave us a 50 minute massage for 50.00 total.  Can't beat that price!

  Thank you, Sherrie, for your gift of encouragement and refreshment for our much needed body relaxation and renewal.

While driving back home and reflecting on the beauty of this place and the fact that we were needing this time to ourselves, we determined that we should and will take more "self-care" time for us in the future so we can be more effective in our work here.

Got Water?

I'm glad I don't have to drink this water or swim in this river.

 Yes, this is the actual COLOR of the water.
{No filter here}

Headline News

I know that in the US these days the headlines have been protests about the recent happenings in Baltimore.  

However, in the news down here in Guatemala,

 the protest have been rather peaceful.

Thousands gathered at the main plaza in Zone 1.

About two weeks ago, a huge political scandal surfaced here in Guatemala when high-ranking government officials were accused of corruption.

  It seems that they accepted bribes in exchange for not charging tax which the law stipulates.  

And that's the headlines from Guatemala.

Read what the Word of God says:

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free.
 I Tim 2:1-5 MSG

Psalms 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalms 46:10