Future wives...

I had this thought, or series of thoughts, as I was washing dishes tonight...

I am a young (as in new) mother, and have not been married very long yet. However, there are some things I have learned, and many more things I am learning, that I could pass on to others coming behind me. I have younger sisters, and I hope to some day have daughters. So, for those soon to be wives, or will be wives in the more distant future, I have some recommendations...

During the time you still have at home, learn all you can from your mother about running a home and how to be a godly wife.

-Learn to cook good meals for your family, and do so joyfully.
.....I'll tell on myself here. When I first got married I would get grumpy while preparing a meal that took some effort, especially if my hard working husband was relaxing after a day of work. Now, when our son was born it took me a while to learn how to get a meal on the table while caring for a hungry newborn, so my wonderful husband made some great meals. (Did I mention I have an amazing husband!?) After several months I was able to take over cooking meals again, and I have done so (for the most part) with a much improved attitude. =) I am thankful that I can make dinner for my family. It is satisfying to be able to put a good meal on the table for my family to enjoy.

-Learn to clean the house. You may already know the basics, but learn to clean the things that don't get done often as well.
.....While you may be busy now, when you have your own home there will be more of the responsibility on your shoulders for the cleaning. So, learning to do it while you don't have to do it all will help you. Maybe even clean the whole house for some good practice. Chances are you will start out somewhere smaller after your married, and it will be easy by contrast. ;)


Any task that is before us will be much easier on us and much less stressful if we learn to enjoy it. Being thankful that we have the opportunity to tackle the task before us will help our perspective. And, of course, the Holy Spirit is our Helper! He knows the answer to that thing that we just can't seem to figure out.

Have you ever heard that children's song that goes,
"The wise man built his house upon a rock. The wise man built his house upon a rock. The wise man built his house upon a rock, and the rains came tumbling down. The rains came down and the floods came up. The rains came down and the floods came up. The rains came down and the floods came up, but the house on the rock stood firm.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand. The foolish man built his house upon the sand. The foolish man built his house upon the sand, and the rains came tumbling down. The rains came down and the floods came up. The rains came down and floods came up. The rains came down and the floods came up, and the house on the sand went splat!"

So, this morning I was reading my Bible and I read the passage this song came from. It goes like this, and Jesus is talking:
"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. and great was its fall." (Matthew 7:24-27)

When I read that I started thinking how people talk about the wise man and the foolish man, and no one ever thinks they are the foolish man because we don't talk about what made the wise man wise or the foolish man foolish, what makes us wise or foolish.

It's in the response.

Both men heard Jesus' sayings, they heard the Word, but they each did something differently with what they heard. This struck me, that two people go to church and listen to the message- maybe shout amen, nod their heads, clap, and so on- they look the same. Yet something happens and one falls and the other does not- same storms of life, both in church- one can withstand the storm and the other crumbles.
What's the difference?
It's the part you don't see on Sunday morning. It's how they lived the rest of the week. The wise man took what the Word says and did it, he built his house- or his life- on the Word- Jesus- and it stood strong. The foolish man didn't do anything with the Word, and in doing nothing he built his house- his life- on sand, the unsolid foundation of this world, and when the storm came he had no strength to withstand, and fell. It says, "And great was it's fall."

So, how do we build our lives on a solid foundation? Do what the Word, or the Bible, says. Be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer only, like James says:
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)

School Building- the Latest!

I'm am excited and looking forward to the completion of the school building in Guatemala! I have an update for you on the progress of the building.

Before Christmas I learned that tile was up on the walls, with plans to finish the floor after Christmas, in one of the bathrooms. (Yippee for progress!)

Today I found out what still needs to be completed and how much is needed for that...so I want to share it with you, then if it's in your heart to do, you can get involved! =)

The total cost still needed is $3,500. This includes: stucco, 4 doors, 4 windows, finishing the boys bathroom, an area for washing, and the electrical connection by the power company.

To me that doesn't sound like a lot of money...I'm sure if we get behind this it could be done quickly. I know I'm personally doing something about this, and I hope you'll join me. It is going to be wonderful for the children to have a school building!

Thank you for taking the time to think about this opportunity to bless these precious children!
Have a happy New Year!!!! =D

Want to get involved? Here's what to do:

1) Make checks payable to Mutual Faith Ministries International (MFMI)

2) Clearly designate: For LIFE Unlimited Guatemala- School
3) Mail to:
MFMI c/o LIFE Unlimited
P.O. Box 951060
Mission Hills, CA 91395-1060

School building progress

I want to share the vision for the school with you, and then some pictures. =)

The vision for the school is primarily that the children know Christ and secondarily to provide the children with a good education so they can break the cycle of poverty. Without that good education when the children leave the home they struggle. However, with a good education they have a better chance of success. The children who have seen others leave the home without an education and have seen their struggle now have a vision for education. These children better understand the value of a good education.

The vision also includes providing the children with an education in computers, using a library, and developing life skills in addition to the basic subjects.

Below are some pictures of what the school looks like now. So much progress has taken place since I last posted pictures of it. Enjoy! =)





<----- Here is the school! =)

This is one of two bathrooms. ----->

(They still need toilets, stalls, sinks, and tile on the walls and floors.)

<---- This is a closet.

(A great place for needed shelving.)

The second part of the school. ---->

(It still needs stucco and paint.)

<------ This is the office.

(It needs office furniture and shelving.)

This is one of five classrooms! ---->

(Won't it look great with the needed desks and writing boards?!)

I would like to see this school completed. The school year in Guatemala starts in January and the goal is to have two class rooms and the bathrooms completed by then. Would you help? Beyond the things I wrote beside the pictures, these things are also needed to complete the school:

windows and doors (special doors and windows which will protect everything inside)

pavers blocks (for the courtyard in front of the school- an area for the children to play)

curtains, etc. for decoration

pencil sharpeners, etc. for school use

computers

library

$1800 is needed at this point for the windows and doors.

If you would be interested in helping finish the school building for these precious children, please do the following:

1) Make checks payable to Mutual Faith Ministries International (MFMI)

2) Clearly designate: For LIFE Unlimited Guatemala- School
3) Mail to:
MFMI c/o LIFE Unlimited
P.O. Box 951060
Mission Hills, CA 91395-1060

A family tradition...

One of our family traditions to is to go as a family to find a Christmas tree, cut it down, bring it home, and decorate it. We really enjoy this time together. It's just fun! =)
This year the wind was very cold out in the fields...and being that I just returned from Guatemala not that long ago, it felt even colder to me. But it was still a great time. Great memories! =)

Back in the States...

<------- I went from here,









<--------- to here!
















Yes, I am back in the cold of the northern United States. Quite a temp change for me going from Guatemala to Illinois! There are also many other things different being back in the States. But I'm here planning my wedding...YEAH!!! =D

Thanksgiving

I had a great Thanksgiving this year. We had the official Thanksgiving dinner a few days before with all the kids from the home. Then the family (the one I'm marrying into) headed off to the beach. It was so wonderful. =) We just relaxed...walking on the beach, playing in the waves, laying by the pool, swimming...very nice! We also released sea turtles into the ocean. It was a very good time in all...here's some of the pictures. Enjoy! =)