Count Your Blessings

Before the missionaries arrived on Friday afternoon for the annual conference, we had a quick 1/2 day to show our volunteers some key landmarks of Guatemala City.  The first stop was the Cemetery. Bob H. gave us the history, culture and insights into the customs.

The cemetery is on the edge of the Guatemala City Dump. 

There is always one in a crowd. - Thanks Dr. Langley

Then we were off to Casita Benjamín to see that ministry.  The volunteers loved hugging on the children.  Our time was way to short there.

Ashley

Jordan

 

Group Shot

Our tour concluded with a delicious steak meal at our favorite restaurant - Media Cancha.  We each split a meal.  Pretty Tasty!

 

When you think about it, here we had experienced

 death (cemetery),

 disease (the dump),

 poverty (day-care center) 

and now luxury (nice steak), 

all this within a 2 hour time period. 

My emotions have been challenged.

 

I am so thankful for God's blessings!

Pre- Conference Activities

Things are coming together.  Yesterday, a couple from FL arrived at 10:30am, then the guest Speaker and Children's program team of 9 arrived from Georgia and Lake Jackson, TX  at 11:30am and lastly a Worship team of 6 from Liberty City, TX arrived at 1:00pm.  Glenn was able to coordinate picking them all up and dropping off their luggage at the hotel and getting most of them checked into their rooms.  

Their first exposure to "cross culture living" was McDonalds.  As we waited for the last team to get their room assignments, we grabbed a bite to eat.

Next, it was shopping.  We quickly drove the team up to Antigua for some shopping.  Now, which bag to buy?  You can not do Antigua in just a few hours, however we managed to do so.

Looks like it is going to be a long weekend.  Ha Ha.

 

Here are folks from all walks of lives who have taken off off work, re-arranged their schedule and have volunteered to serve us here in Guatemala.  

They will be taking care of our 20 missionary kids here on the field, while the adults interact with Chad and his talk.  They have planned for and created special games and fun things for the kids to do.  The worship team has practiced countless hours to bring us special music as we worship together.  To think about it, I am beyond blessed and I anticipate on what the Lord will do this weekend.

Thank you in anticipation of a great weekend.  Thank you!!

We have a great bunch of volunteers!

Be STILL and KNOW

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

How do you remain calm?  How do you attack a week that is going to be pretty hectic from all view points? 

Looking at our calendar for this upcoming week, our plate is FULL.  We are coordinating our upcoming annual Conference here in the city.  We're excited about the 17 friends from the states who are coming down to help with music, children's programs, speaking and counseling.  So my heart is "skipping a beat" thinking of the last minute stuff we are doing these next few days, such as assembling gift bags, purchasing of drinking water and snacks, organizing welcome bags, finalizing the conference details plus making sure everything is ready. 

After the conference 15 of our friends will spend 2 days with us out at Lake Atitlán as we'll give them a mission exposure to the area.

But, we are being challenged.  While backing out of the PriceSmart parking lot, we had a little fender bender.  Then Glenn needs to go to the dentist this week to take care of a broken tooth.  You get the picture.  We have a challenging and busy schedule. We have to be Flexible.  We are learning to be flexible as obstacles and challenges come our way.  Ugh!  There are last minutes changes.

I came across this verse several weeks ago, so I'm going to "claim it for me!" I'll keep saying "Be Still and Know".  

Just today, we had 2 Tarwater boys come over and help us assemble the Welcome Bags!  What a great help!!  I'm still claiming the words "Be Still and Know!"

Will you pray with us?

• That the last minute details will work out uneventfully
• That Glenn can have the dentist get his tooth repaired
• That the Camino missionary families would be blessed, encouraged, refreshed and rested.

I am still claiming this....
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

~J

Psalms 33

We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
 In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

Baking Soda

 What's wrong with this picture?

 As Glenn and I were strolling through the new La Torre grocery store in the new San Kris mall, we stumbled upon Baking Soda.

Note:  the Baking Soda is in the cleansing isle rather than the flour, sugar and dry ingredients, baking items isle.  I guess they use Baking Soda for cleaning more often than for cooking.  

Note to self - look in the cleansing isle for Baking Soda.

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock, 

and my fortress, 

and my deliverer;

 my God, my strength,

 in whom I will trust;

 my buckler,

 and the horn of my salvation,

 and my high tower. 

 Psalm 18:2

Arkansas Adventure and LB

Glenn and I made a "less than 24 hour trip" to Arkansas to visit Gary and Madison.  We enjoyed non-stop talking, learned some computer and iPhone tricks, Glenn picked up his old bicycle from Gary, returned Gary's computer to him that he had built several years ago and enjoyed some laughs.

On our return trip on US 75, we were successful in discovering 2 letterboxes.  One at the entrance of the Choctaw Casino.  

No, we didn't go inside. You can bet on that.

and another one at the Texas - Oklahoma Rest Stop.

Lake Highlands High School 50 Year Celebration

On Sunday, March 23, my high-school, LHHS, celebrated their 50th Anniversary - the first graduating class was 1964.  The community was invited to celebrate and walk down memory lane.  The school halls were opened, former teachers assembled in class rooms and there were many yearbooks, class photos and memorabilia to look through. 

 The Highlandettes Preformed

The Ranglers Danced

 The Marching Band Played

Jimmy Fountain, Principal

I had my mom with me and she was just like a magnet to people.  Old friends would recognize her before they would recognize me.  By the way, Mom and Jimmy went to grade school together in East Texas.

I found this plaque on the back of the auditorium

and we ran into a friend of mine from HS and church, 

Prissy, known as Sidney Jean

Back in Time
read here some articles about LH community

Letterboxing and 911 Flight Crew Memorial

Glenn and I have been here in Dallas for a few days as we have had the privilege of celebrating the life of a long time family friend of the Stewart family from Mexico days.  In preparation for the service, Glenn and I enjoyed a spring day with Grandmommy and GrandDaddy.  We also picked up AA Captain #29 and we did 2 letterboxes just outside of the DFW airport.

Beautiful 

First Day of Spring

 We discovered a letterbox on the south entrance of the airport.

And we found another letterbox near 183 and 360 near a cemetery that most people don't even know that there was a small grave-site still on DFW Airport property.

Then we discovered the local 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial site just north of the airport in Grapevine.

for more information on 911 Flight Crew Memorial
and for letterboxing

Baked Oatmeal

I don't know why I don't make this breakfast meal more often. 

 BAKED OATMEAL

 We served it last week at our team meeting.  Try it.

Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients 3 cups rolled oats, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3/4 cup dried cranberries

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.  Beat in milk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla extract.  Stir in dried cranberries.  Spread into 9x13 baking dish.  Bake in preheated over for 40 min.    SERVES 8

An Angel

What do you call a friend re-arranges, cleans, files, throws away junk, categorizes and organizes your craft room?

An Angel

Thank you, Lois, for your short visit and for your great help!  We enjoyed your visit and appreciate your friendship even more.

Remember, on your next visit, we'll tackle our offices.  

Thank You!