Waiting on the Lord

I am in Chicago for a board meeting, but I am blessed to have a week of rest and relaxation with my sister here, followed by time in Colorado with my parents and friends there.  It has been challenging to blog lately, but while I have some time here I thought I'd look back at some of my past journal entries and maybe share a few....

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January 25, 2017

I'm listening to 1 Samuel on my Bible app because we will be talking about Saul and David in Sunday School.  This morning I heard 1 Samuel in a new way and it surprised and concerned me.

Saul was 30 when he became king of Israel.  One day, in the face of an upcoming battle, Samuel wasn't showing up as expected and the men were beginning to scatter.  Apparently not seeing other options, Saul did the work of making a sacrifice himself.

This is certainly not the first time I have read or heard about this.  But I do identify with Saul in a new way that frightens me.  I don't want to get tired of waiting for God's timing and do something I shouldn't.  But I understand why Saul did.

The enemy was present, the person who was supposed to show up hadn't, and his defense was beginning to fall apart.  Would a "good leader" just let that happen?  Shouldn't one do something?  Seems irresponsible not to.

But now that I think on it, I guess Saul could have rallied his troops to wait on the Lord.  To take courage and trust that... I don't know, that Samuel would show up?

"...the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart..."  David.  I want that to describe me, but this morning I unfortunately seem to understand Saul and his actions better.

Lord, as I lead, make me more like David.  Teach my heart to be like yours.  Keep me from acting from fear or lack of faith.

"My heart is not proud, LORD,

my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters

or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself..."

Psalm 131:1-2a

May it be so in me.

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January 26, 2017

Yesterday the staff devotion was on David and Goliath.  At first I was weary of how the person sharing was describing every detail of the story, but then at the end something clicked.  Yesterday I despaired of identifying with Saul and his impatience and desire for action/fear of failure because people weren't showing up.  The person sharing said that when David saw a problem, he trusted in the Lord.  That was the difference between Saul and David, and that can be the difference in me.

Let Israel wait for the LORD from now on and for ever.

Psalm 131:3

photo courtesy of my sister Mary, view from her balcony in Chicago

27 Pictures

It is time once again when I need to apologize for the lack of posts.  Sometimes these posts come easily, and other times they take hours and hours for me to tweak and edit so they effectively express my true thoughts.  Things are happening, God is working, but I struggle to find the time to put it into words.

However, one thing that won't wait is my phone complaining when I have too many photos on it, so I share with you some photos from the past few months.  Hope you enjoy!

Our beautiful home

I could hardly believe it when someone told me that a Little Caesars had opened in Oaxaca.  We were so excited we waited in a long line in the rain.  Worth it. :)

My poor office plant sometimes doesn't get watered before long weekends.

But it is a champion survivor! Water + sunshine and it perks right back up.

Beautiful morning.

We have a new pastor and the church is coming back to life.  It is very encouraging to be a part of.

We hosted some of our mountain missionaries because Eugenia had a high risk pregnancy.  We celebrate with them their second healthy little baby boy.

Prayer of dedication.

Baby shower.

Our cooks are creative ladies.  I just had to take a picture of this particular squash creation with cheese and meat inside.

Day of the elementary school graduation.  This is taken from the visitors' center.

Back in February my sister put together a collage of the photos we had sent her of our parents' visit to Oaxaca.

I, too, get creative with my cooking at times.  I'm working up to be on Master Chef: Children's Home. ;)

Another amazing meal from the home's kitchen - fried fish, salad, rice and guacamole.  Mmmmm.

We hosted these two precious children one weekend while their mother got her paperwork worked out after someone had reported them abandoned when she didn't show up for several days.  I couldn't resist snapping a shot of the little girls' housemother helping them pick out new clothes in our clothing room.

I did not take this photo but it was on my phone.   Our pastor sent us this image of a bridge in the nearby town after our second tropical depression this year.  This bridge continues to look like this, with that right lane now closed off with caution tape that after all this time is only halfheartedly doing its job.

More cuisine photos.  This time I sent this photo of potato soup to my family.  It was only until I sat down and took a bite that I realized that I'd forgotten the potatoes...  In case you're interested, it is my expert opinion that potato soup tastes just fine if you cook the potatoes separately and add them to the soup afterwards :).

Mail takes a while to get here, but it is just as exciting to receive!

No school = opportunity to help around the home.  I love that the kids here are hard workers and will lend a hand when asked.

Even the youngest get in on the yard work. :)

I was so thankful for a beautiful day for our staff retreat.  When we got home it began to rain - the beginning of our first tropical depression this year.

There's one special day/week here when a bug that looks like a huge ant comes up from the ground.  These are sometimes eaten raw, sometimes cooked, and sometimes ground up into a special salsa.

Rain + Blue Skies :)

Waiting in the cathedral downtown for immigration offices to open across the street.

Finally tried a food truck I always see a line of people at.  It was indeed delicious!

Every month youth groups from this valley meet together.  This month the meeting was held at the children's home.

This week we went on a walk as part of the Sunday School lesson.