God created four seasons; Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Theoretically, each season lasts about three months, except, of course, places like Texas. Texas basically has two seasons, Hot and Slightly Less Hot. The seasons of my life seem to progress much like the seasons in Texas – – they are long, often dry and sometimes seem endless. Our family entered a new season in May of this year. Frankly, it is a season I do not like and truly do not understand. My husband resigned from his secular, secure, good paying job to pastor a small church located over 175 miles away. I know this is what he is called to do right now, but it comes with a high price tag – – time away from home and a much smaller paycheck. This change of seasons has been a real struggle for me. I’m trying to hold down a full time job, take a full course load at school, manage everything that happens at home when James is out of town, and keep up with my running. In the midst of all this, I often wonder if I am where I belong spiritually. Am I doing anything for the kingdom? It doesn’t feel like it. While my husband is off building the kingdom, I am fighting to hold everything together – – there isn’t time for anything else.
In December 2012 I made a second trip to Haiti. While there, I sensed I would not return anytime soon. I set my sights on Africa, hoping to make a trip there during the summer, but no doors opened. In the spring of 2013, I re-enrolled at Texas State University. During the summer I took 12 hours, which left no time for travelling. Given all the changes in our lives, I put missions on the back burner, but God has an interesting way of showing up right when you think He isn’t going to. One morning in August I woke up to a Facebook message from my aunt. She has been to Guatemala four times in the last two years (I think). She is making another trip in December and asked if I wanted to join her. I checked the dates and guess what, they are right between the fall and spring semesters!!!
The trip is sponsored by Orphan’s Heart/Florida Baptist Children’s Homes.
Trip dates are December 28 – January 3, 2014. Total cost is $1780. We will be working at the Malnutrition Center in San Juan, Sacatepéquez; hours drive from Antigua. I’ll be doing what I love to do, caring for babies. There are several hurdles that could prevent me from going on this trip. The first obstacle has been overcome already. I work in the accounting department for the corporate headquarters of a retail-building supplier where the last few weeks of the year are BUSY! Normally time off is not permitted, but my manager(s) have graciously made an exception so I can go. The second obstacle is the cost, but we are called to a life of faith, so in an act of faith, I submitted my application, received my acceptance and mailed my non-refundable deposit. Our pastor likes to say, “What God orders, He pays for” and that is exactly what I am standing on.
Please pray for me during this time. If you would like to support me financially, there are several ways to do so: checks can be mailed directly to me at PO Box 1167, San Marcos, TX 78666 (made out either to myself or Florida Baptist Children’s Home with my name in the memo field) or to make an online donation with debit card or bank account, click the PayPal “Donate” button below. (PayPal account is not required to make an online donation)