Christmas Party

Last Friday was (prayerfully) our first annual Women's Bible Study Christmas Party. Susan and Ginny were kind to host it at their place. What a blessing to have their place as a location where we could stretch out, eat incredible food (thanks you two), and have a great time! We had a white elephant gift exchange - and let me just say - everyone did their utmost to come through with some crazy gifts!

Enjoying food and fellowship



The three December birthday girls


White elephant gift exchange!

All the ladies!

Just Checking In

Hey gang - good to see everyone after our Thanksgiving break! Good times indeed! Also, welcome to everyone who was new. Please check back here for updates on activities and dates on the bible study. Feel free to leave a comment and I will respond if you have any questions. Our current study has two more weeks until completion. We will then have a Christmas and New Year's break. Most likely, the next study will start January 6th. Stay tuned for the name of the study.

Christmas party. It's that time! We will be having a Christmas party at Susan's house, December 11th at 1:00pm. Please bring a White Elephant Gift. (see link for additional information). It can be an item you already own, or if you are going to purchase it, please only a value of $5-$10. The idea is for it to be fun and crazy. Also, if you are coming please bring a dessert of some sort to share.

When Godly People do Ungodly Things

Come join us for the new women's bible study. It's entitled When Godly People do Ungodly Things. This study examines why devoted followers of Christ can fall into the traps of Satan. Believers are still subject to Satan's attacks. He is determined to disrupt the lives of Christians, destroy their ministry, and steal their joy. Sadly, those who have "fallen" may not recognize the devil's schemes until they have already been caught in a snare of defeat. As a renowned teacher and seminar leader, Beth Moore receives countless letters from repentant Christians who are limping along this road. Out of her genuine, broken-hearted concern comes this biblical guide to authentic repentance and restoration.

This seven-week study is written in three parts. The first part is a warning to believers, while the second part shows women how to prepare for attacks by the Enemy. The third part is directed to those who have been snared by seduction, and compassionately points the way back to God. With 1 Samuel 12:20–25 as a guide, Christians can arm themselves against temptation and learn how to help other fallen believers.

Honduras Qualifies for the 2010 World Cup

Yes, even us Christian/Missionary/moms/women gather together once a week to study God's word - trust me - we get TOTALLY excited about our National soccer team :-) Enjoy this video of the victory parade downtown La Ceiba after their win and qualification!

Enjoy this 2 minute 20 second video:



En exerpt from a local English on-line newspaper:

President Roberto Micheletti claimed tomorrow (today) a holiday for all Hondurans. In honor of the National Team advancing to the World Cup, all of Honduras is invited to come together and celebrate the Honduran Team’s accomplishment!

All governmental / public offices will be closed. Private businesses and enterprises are to be open or closed at their discretion.

Celebrations have broken out all over the country. Tegucigalpa had fireworks lighting up the night time sky, San Pedro’s Streets were full, and La Ceiba’s catrachos have filled central park and the surrounding streets, with horns honking, and people waving the Honduran Flag, shouting “Honduras! Honduras!”

The outpouring of people in the streets is unprecedented. Unequaled by Carnival or any other celebration the country has seen to date. Bars are allowed to stay open beyond the 2 am normal closure, with authorities recognizing that Hondurans will be partying well into dawn. San Pedro streets are packed, Ceibenos are multiplying near central park, and fireworks have been ongoing on the Islands.

Lord, help us to be a little bit of each of these women!

A WOMAN AFTER GOD'S HEART

* Like Deborah, I will serve the Lord in power and speak His word without
fear.

* Like Esther, I will intercede for God's people before the throne.

* Like Abigail, I will humble myself to wash the feet of the servants of
the Lord.

* Like Hannah, I will dedicate my children to the Lord..

* Like Priscilla, I will explain the way of God more perfectly to those who
are seeking.

* Like the Shunamite widow, I will trust God in the day of adversity.

* Like Lydia, I will be a worshiper of God and open my home to His ministers.

* Like Tabitha (Dorcas), I will always do well and help the poor.

* Like Joanna and Susanna, I will use my wealth to support the ministry of Jesus.

* Like Mary, I will say be it unto me according to thy word.

Missionary Mother of a Teenager

We all struggle with the balance of being a wife/mother/missionary...it is different for each of us, and I would challenge each of you to share how it is with you - here is my experience:

Often times people don't think about the life of a mother of a teen on the mission field. Mostly, people think of the young mother with young children. Of the trials and difficulties of this time of life. This IS a difficult time of life, I was there, but in a different environment. Worked nights, full-time, stayed at home with my infant daughter so she wasn't hardly in anyones care other than mine or my husbands. Difficult times indeed. As a young kiddo I homeschooled her AND worked full-time night shift, and hardly slept at all during those times. So I GET what it's like to be tired all the time – frustrated all the time – but loving every minute of it! On the mission field, people always think of the young mom – often times unsure of themselves, or struggling without resources. Not often does one think of the “older” mom. What does it mean to have a teenager on the mission field?

My young girl – becoming a woman
Have I raised her in a Godly manner?
Have I given her the ability to resist temptations?
When I am not with her, does she look to her God?

When troubles arise
in a school she does not know
in a culture she does not know
with peers she can't relate to
what will happen?

When she comes home crying
because she can't speak the language
When she struggles in class
when class mates make fun of her
How do I respond?

When she struggles through hormones
When she realizes that her clothes matter
when her hair matters
when her looks matter
She still comes to me and is looking just for a hug

The mother of a teen on the mission field
Who struggles with her own inadequacies
But not letting those show to her daughter
Who is trying to deal with her own

The mother of a teen trying to model a Godly woman
trying to BE a good woman
trying to be a wife and a mother
But struggling with all the responsibilities of ministry work

Where is the balance?
No one sees the struggles
No one sees the pleading with God to ease the pain of her child
No one sees the tears as her child relays the pains she is going through
The hours of homework help
The books you read to help you understand
The hours on your knees for your child
The lectures
The mother/daughter talks
The laughter
The crying together
Knowing there will be things she will miss
No prom to attend
No dances at all
No clubs to be involved in

But the joy she is receiving in the experiences she has
That's she's NOT a missionary kid, but a kid missionary
That she is learning another language
That she thrives in caring for others outside of herself
That she loves on kids in the village
That she is just herself

So as I realize there are so few who understand my situation
that there are few who relate or even think of my struggles
I stand in the knowledge that my God cares for my child
that He gives her just what she needs
And gives me just what I need.

So I ask you to remember – not only those with little ones to care for
But for those of us who are trying so hard to rear a Godly woman in an unGodly world

Just Checking In

Today was week 1 of our new study. During the video portion, the speaker - Priscilla Shirer - quoted Reverand SM Lockridge. I've been moved many times by this sermon, so thought I would share the whole thing: