Deep-Watering

Texas is in a severe drought. The worst in over a century. The word ‘epic’ has been used.

With no water, the grass has become crispy brown and plants are dying. High tree branches are falling to the ground due to lack of water. On a larger scale, crops and livestock are being affected. The consequences of the drought are dire. It rained here a little a few days ago, but the land is so parched it will take much more rain and a very long time to come out of this drought. A little rain is nice, and we are thankful for it. But what the ground needs is a good soak. Slow, steady, deep-watering will bring life back into the land.

Here at home, we are deep-watering our yard and the foundation of our home. Lightly watering will get us by, but it’s not the most beneficial way to nourish the grass, plants and trees and to prevent damage to the foundation.






Each Friday, Jim and I get to spend most of the day together. Even though it’s usually spent grocery shopping and running errands, we enjoy being together. After a long week of work, school and day-to-day stuff, we NEED the time together. Fridays are spent lightly watering our marriage.

He and I just returned from Cozumel; a long overdue vacation together. Our days were mostly spent lazily laying on the beach, swimming in the ocean and enjoying all of our meals together. There were no to-do lists. No phone calls to return or stacks of paperwork to sort. No laundry or dishes to wash.

On our agenda ~ Be together. And we were. Fully.

Four days spent deep-watering our marriage.

Nourishing.

Strawberries and Smiles

I just enjoyed a visit with my beloved Grandmomma. The nursing home she’s in is very nice. The nurses are gentle and kind. The residents are happy and have everything they need and want. It’s an amazing place.

When I arrived, she was a little uncomfortable in the bed so I helped her get situated and straightened out the sheets. I moved the fan closer to her face and brought her a cool rag.

We snacked on fresh strawberries. She didn’t talk much, but she smiled at me. That sweet smile that I’ve missed so much…right there, and just for me.

It was a wonderful visit and I hated to leave.



God gave me a gift; being able to share strawberries and smiles with my sweet Grandmomma. You see…she has been gone for over 10 years, but through my dream He allowed me to be with her again.

The pain of losing her is fresh this morning, but I am forever thankful for our little visit.

National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement

Today was the first ever National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement.  I can't even remember how I came to know about the event, but I knew right away that I wanted to participate.

It was somewhere around 100 degrees, but we braved the heat and stood near the flagpoles at the Hurst Police Department to pray for law enforcement officers; our own and those around the world.

Thanks to everyone who came out to pray!

A Life Changed

I have been trying to figure out how to best convey my thoughts and feelings about my experience in Guatemala. Much to say with dozens of little stories to tell.

But first, a summary.  And a video.

I had a few goals while in Guatemala.

“To see God glorified.”
And boy did I! Through moving rocks, singing silly songs about frogs, icing cakes and painting, God was glorified. While teaching girls to make blankets and crochet, He was lifted up. His amazing grace was seen as stories of His redeeming love were shared. Simple acts of compassion, like sweet smiles and gentle touches, all communicated God’s love. Oh…and I can’t even begin to explain the awe of His majesty revealed in the beautiful landscape of Guatemala.

“To live in the moment and savor each smile and giggle.”
I witnessed so many smiles and giggles throughout this entire trip, with the children and between the team. Treasures I will remember for a very long time. God gave me a very special gift in Guatemala; Armando shared his joy with me. I have been truly blessed by his smiles and giggles. God allowed me to really experience this mission trip. From the pain of seeing the poverty and knowing the stories of the heartaches endured by some of these children all the way to the tears shed from laughing so hard, I felt it all. Really felt it all.

“If in one hug, or one song, or sharing a cupcake, or even a simple smile or gentle touch, I can help them forget the bad things that have happened to them and help them see that they have HOPE in Jesus, then my mission will be complete.”
Mission complete.



Some of the situations I saw and the stories I heard could have me questioning, “Where is God in this?” But my peace is explained in the lyrics of this song.

In places forgotten by the world, with discarded and rejected people…HE IS THERE.


I saw Him.

It's Bonus Blessing Day!

It’s bonus day today.


Friday of the mission trip in Guatemala, I gave the devotional.  God had placed on my heart the concept of the 'ripple effect'.  How everything we do has an effect on others, so let's do good things.  I handed out these rippled-looking tchotchkes as reminders.

Today, while I was sorting through photos and thoughts of Guatemala, there was a knock at the door. I don’t open the door to strangers when I am home alone. I didn’t recognize the vehicle or even the face until I had fully opened the door. I was shocked at myself for opening the door, but even more shocked that he was standing there.

In invited him in and over the course of about 45 minutes, apologies were made for 20 years of hurts, bitterness and anger, and hearts were healed.

God has been working in his life and he stepped out in obedience today, even though he was nervous. Ripples created by others had touched him.

Thank you, God, for this bonus blessing today.





If you are feeling nudged to apologize to someone, please step out in obedience. I have had an issue on my heart for several weeks now, and because this one person followed through today, I realize that I need to do the same.

Ripples.

Guatemala ~ Armando, Mi Amor

On Thursday, I had been assigned the job of helping paint the ceiling in one of the boys’ rooms at Cerecaif. Adriana had drawn stars, the moon, a rocket ship and the star of the show, an astronaut. So we began painting the celestial oasis.

Sitting on the corner of a bottom bunk, flipping through the pages of a tiny New Testament, was Armando. At first, he seemed shy and didn’t really want to engage in any kind of communication. I knew nothing about Armando, but quickly realized that there was something very special about him. In between painting stars, I would peek around the corner of the bunk bed to see Armando looking at me. We began a game of peek-a-boo. Armando giggled. My heart jumped. Then I giggled. Then I’m pretty sure he was laughing at my silly attempts to make him laugh. I could not get enough of the sweet sound. If I waited too long in between peek-a-boos, Armando would stand and look over the top bunk at me. Then I would giggle, which made him giggle.

Armando never spoke a single word to me, but my heart heard him loud and clear.

Friday afternoon brought the 7^th anniversary party for Cerecaif. After a wonderful program by the children, there was delicious food and cake. The children were lined up at the cake table. Armando, with his empty cake plate, looked lost and a little distressed at all of the party chaos. I made my way to the front of the line to get him a piece of cake. Then another.  Shhh…that will be our little secret. While the other kids played with balloons, dance and sang, and enjoyed having their photo taken, Armando sat quietly observing the activities. Occasionally I would catch him looking at me. My heart heard him saying, “Please laugh with me.” I tried to distract him from the chaos with our special game of peek-a-boo.

My heart was already hurting for the goodbyes I would soon have to say. I fought back tears and kept playing, trying to spend as much time as I could with Armando.

It was time. The tears flowed as I hugged new little friends. I wanted desperately to hug Armando, but I knew that is not how he receives love. Having special attention paid to him through smiles and laughter and a silly game of peek-a-boo in a world where he is often forgotten, is how he receives love. And so with one more peek-a-boo, I blew a kiss to Armando and whispered “Te amo.”

My prayer is that when I get back to visit Armando, we will be able to pick up where we left off. And that in the meantime, when he is alone in his room or in the midst of chaos, he will remember our shared giggles.

Thank you, God, that Armando shared his joy with me.



This is what laughing will sound like in Heaven.

Armando is 14 years old. He is autistic. He has been at Cerecaif since 2004. He enjoys turning the pages in books, cake, looking at Matchbox cars, and laughing. Please pray that he will continue to receive love through the special attention that he needs.

Thanks to the generous donations made by friends and family, Armando will be sponsored for the next year.

I Could Choose Not To Move, But I Refuse.

It’s Guatemala Eve. Finally.

For more than 5 months, I have been anticipating this part of the journey. The travel to Guatemala and the time spent in Guatemala. When I signed up for this trip, I could not wait until I saw what God did IN Guatemala. “What amazing things will you show me, God? How will you use me in the lives of these sweet angels?“ Well, let me just tell you…I haven’t left the USA yet, and God has already done some amazing things. I never imagined so much would be done BEFORE the trip.

I knew, pretty much instantly, that I was supposed to go on this mission trip. That whole “God spoke to me” thing happened, in my heart. The more mature I become spiritually, the better I hear Him. And the easier it is for me to obey. I sat on the idea of participating in this mission trip for a couple of days before I approached Jim. “My friend Ronne is leading a mission trip to Guatemala to work with orphans. I think I’m supposed to go.” I began asking my prayer warriors for help. God answered, “Go.”

I struggled, briefly, with the thought of soliciting help (my independent stubbornness).
I sent out letters asking for mission trip contributions and prayers. The response was overwhelming. One thing I have learned during this journey…people WANT to help. I have cried at the kindness and generosity of my friends and family.

There were times when I wondered how the financial end was going to come together. God answered, “I’ll take care of it.” In addition to the contributions, opportunities to earn extra money came for both me and Jim. Extra photography work for me. Extra part-time jobs for Jim. I even received an unexpected refund check from overpaying for an MRI last year. We will be able to buy a microwave for one of the orphanages, buy extra food and supplies AND sponsor a sweet angel for an entire year, thanks to the donations.

Several people contributed supplies. In fact, my suitcases (I have to bring 2) are so heavy, loaded with supplies, that I’m wondering if I’ll be able to manage them at baggage claim. This is a wonderful ‘problem’ to have. Yes?

I have asked for prayers all along this journey. My friends and family have been so supportive, offering up prayers every time I ask. This is where my peace comes from. I’ve struggled with distractions. Prayers fixed them. I’ve doubted my abilities. Prayers fixed that too.

What I’ve learned so far:
It’s OK to ask for help. By asking for help, we are able to do SO MUCH MORE!
How to receive help (which, for me, is equally as difficult as asking).
Leaning heavily on God. He has worked all of this out…every little detail.
What peace feels like. Regarding this trip, I have no reservations. No real concerns.
People are kind and generous. They want to help.
Prayer works and God shows up!


My husband has been so amazing during this journey. Thank you, my love, for working so hard to make this happen.

To everyone who has contributed money, supplies, prayers and support: ‘Thank you’ will never be enough to express my sincere gratitude to you. You have blessed me abundantly. I will pour those blessings out on the forgotten in Guatemala.

"I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself.  I could choose not to move, but I refuse."

If God is talking to you, whispering gently or giving you big 'in your face' signs, listen to him.  I dare you to move.