Seasons Change.

So quickly, seemingly overnight, the landscape has changed; back to yellows and browns and lots of dust! We are well into the dry season once again. I used to wonder why the folks here would water the dirt, now I totally understand. The land is so dry that when the blustery winds blow, they pick up the surface dust and hurl it high into the air. Beware the dust clouds and the heat. When I get home at night I can feel a layer of dirt and dust on my skin, in my ears and on my face. And the hottest is yet to come; March and April usually beat all the records!

I can hardly believe I was in ice and snow and sub zero temperatures just a couple of months ago celebrating Christmas with my grandbabies in England! I treasured those moments hunting down the fattest icicles, making snowmen and just enjoyed being cold! I knew it would have to last me thru dry season here!!! I dream of those cold days now. Of course, I know there are folks out there wishing the temps would rise too. We are a contrary race. The grass always seems greener on the other side. As I get older time seems to go faster! I have truly learned to treasure every moment, we never know what tomorrow will bring. Enjoy the moment, the here and now. This is the day The LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! With that mindset, I feel more pressed to go and share the Good News of Salvation and God is providing me with many opportunities to speak and share, both publicly and in private.

I hope you have time to scroll down through the pics, and as you do, reflect on God's goodness and love. May all we do bring Glory and Honor to His name. Thank you for your continued support with prayer and finances. Your encouragement has been priceless. Thank you! God Bless!

Did you know cashews grow on trees? (I didn't!!) See the cashew in the pod at the end of the fruit? I find this tree fascinating, especially since it grows so well during dry season. God has all things planned to perfection!

The grass has disappeared, but these die hard soccer fans at NCA continue to play despite the dust and high winds!

I am so blessed by all the smiles from the precious students here at NCA, Nicaragua Christian Academy!

Fun with some 3rd graders. Every Friday they can take a day off from wearing school uniform. We have theme days, this one was animal Friday! One of them insisted I wear her hand made bunny hat! OK........

A 4th grader found a wounded bird on the playground and wanted to take care of it. This reminds me of how God holds His children, all of us, in the palm of His hands :)

California Gold Rush!! We had the 3rd graders re enact the gold rush. They had So much fun. More pics posted on fb..... they keep asking me if we can do it again!!!

Celebrating 100 days of school. We are so grateful that we can come to school every day and learn. Thankful for all the resources we have here at NCA. There are many children here in Nicaragua who do not even have the basics for a good education. Many of them are sent out to work, or have to stay at home to look after younger siblings while the parents go out to work.

First graders enjoying their 100th day of learning!

Thank you LORD! All the credit to you for everything.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

We love you LORD.

MORE Good News from Los Cedros...

At last!!! Halelujah!! I am so excited to let you know that the adoption for Michael and Gabriel was approved this week!!!! Praise you LORD! They were adopted by a loving Christian couple from Germany. Thank you, thank you to all of you who helped support us through these challenging years with your blessings of prayers, encouragement and finances. We really could not have done this without YOU!! It is so rewarding to see the fruits of our labor.

Gabriel, me and Michael 2011

Gabriel, me and Michael 2011, getting heavier!

It was wonderful to celebrate the finalisation of the adoption with the ladies who helped care for these little angels since their birth and up to this point. God is good!

Michael, me and Gabriel 2009

Michael, me and Gabriel 2008

Baby Gabriel and I 2007

Update on Los Cedros

I went to visit the children in Los Cedros this weekend. What a blessing to see how God is working in their lives. They all look so healthy and happy !

Jose I am SO proud of you!! He was chosen to represent his school in a poetry recital. He gave me a recitation while I was there. SO impressive! I was amazed, you have come a long way! Keep up the good work Jose!

Josecito and his brother Joseph, handsome as ever, are in the process of being placed in a loving Christian home.

Celeste and Juanita still melt hearts with their smiles.

I remember the very 1st day you came to us Juanita, look how tiny you were. My Faith was one of the first ones to get hugs from you. My how you have grown!

Darling David, it was So good to see you again! BIG HUGS XXX

These 3 siblings will always have a special place in my heart: Maribel, Tatiana and Isidro, I loved you then and I love you now and always. Tatiana, you have grown up so much! May God continue to bless you! XXXX

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2011

"Write the vision and make it plain.” Hab 2:2 NKJV

Our Vision, we must “Find” It! If we want God's best, we must think about how to invest our life. Jesus said, "If you know these things...happy...are you if you...[do them]." Living this way means:
Jesus said, “For this reason I was born” (Jn 18:37 NIV). When you know why you’re here and what your God-given purpose is, you’ll have all the momentum you need. You won’t always get it right, but you’ll have the power to overcome each obstacle as you proceed. If you get turned around, God loves you enough to get your attention, correct and redirect you and get you back on track. But to find the right answers you must first ask the right questions, such as: (1) What desires have been living in me most of my life? (2) What motivates me to be productive? (3) What keeps me going forward when I’m worn out? (4) What makes me refuse to quit when I meet with resistance or opposition? (5) What do I do that doesn’t seem like work? (6) What do I do that brings positive response and support from others? (7) What am I doing, or what’s happening in my life when doors seem to open automatically and effortlessly? (8) What do discerning leaders and godly counselors think about my work? (9) What makes me feel good about being who I am? (10) What makes my creative juices flow? (11) What am I willing to sacrifice to accomplish it? (12) What am I doing that I’d be proud to offer for God’s approval? (13) What would I do without being paid, if I could afford to? (14) What would I be willing to withstand Satan over, in order to accomplish it? What is God saying to you? It’s not too late; “find” your vision and follow it!

Happy Birth Day Jesus!

What Christmas is really all about: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ The LORD."

St. James the Great, Church of England, Daisy Hill, Manchester, UK.

"Glory to God in the Highest and on earth Peace and goodwill to all men."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

from beautiful snowy Manchester, UK.............

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Charles R. Swindoll
Philippians 2:7
There once lived a farmer who became jaded about Christmas and all things "Christian."
Late one raw winter night, he sat alone in the house, reading. In the quiet he heard an irregular thumping against the back porch door. He flipped on the light. To his surprise, the birds that had made their nests in a nearby tree were flying against the glass, almost as if knocking to come

inside. The limb on which they had built their nest had fallen under the weight of the ice. His heart went out to them.

He pulled on his snow boots and overcoat and pushed open the storm door. Immediately the birds fluttered away. Against knee-deep snow, he made his way out to the barn. He slid open the barn door and wondered how he could get the frightened birds into its warmth and safety.

He built a massive nest out of hay, but they wouldn't come near. He sprinkled some crackers in a path from their tree toward the barn. But they didn't follow. He tried to shoo them in, but they only scattered. He even lit a couple of candles inside the barn, hoping the added warmth would draw them. But to the birds, he was only something to be afraid of. He knew nothing of their language and nothing of their world.
He thought, If there were just some way that I could become a bird. If only for a few moments I could communicate to them how much I care, I could get them into the barn and they would be safe and warm.
At that moment, as only God would plan it, church bells began to ring in the distance. The farmer suddenly remembered, as he looked at his watch and checked the date, that it was Christmas morning.
At that moment, he grasped the true meaning of Christmas. A man becoming a bird is nothing to be compared to God's becoming a man. This was what the Savior did---He came to rescue the farmer himself and all humanity from the cold of sin. There in the deep snow on the back porch he fell to his knees, softened his heart, and returned to the Lord his God.

See Philippians 2:6-11.

Wishing you and yours a Happy and peaceful time this Christmas,

with love from me and mine. XXXXX

God Bless.

A TIME TO BE THANKFUL!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yummy! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, cheesy broccoli, followed by pumpkin pie, fresh fruit and the best Nican coffee.

I just got home from our TG dinner at NCA, (Nicaragua Christian Academy.) Great company, great food! I love pot luck dinners when you get a little taste of all those delicious recipes. Now I am SO full!

And not just with food, I am full of thanks. I have so much to be grateful for. My list could go on and on……

I have learned to be content and at peace in all situations, for that I am thankful.

For my family and friends back home, “The Home Team.” It is your continued support with prayers and finances that enable me to be here/Thank you LORD for placing these people in my life so that I can live among and serve the people of Nicaragua.

I was without a vehicle for so long/I learned a lot about being humble and walking by Faith. (Literally sometimes, especially when walking home in the dark!) I built many lasting and beautiful relationships during that time, as folks invited me into their homes on the nights that I could not get a ride home. I am thankful for all those new friendships that blossomed out of the lack of transportation. And a BIG Thank you LORD that I was able to purchase a used vehicle 2 weeks ago!

For the 25 consecutive days (and many other random ones) that we had no electricity at home/Thank you LORD for teaching me to go without and get my priorities in order.

For all the times I found scorpions, snakes and other critters in my room or close by/Thank you LORD for helping me catch them before they caught me!

During all the dreadful rains and storms of the rainy season/Thank you LORD for keeping me safe.

My daughter has been sick recently and finally had surgery last week/ Thank you LORD for her recovery and your amazing provision (via some terrific friends) of a ticket for me to go back to UK to be with her and my 5 beautiful Grandangels for Christmas.

Today is my Grandson’s First Birthday! He has had some challenging health problems/ Thank you LORD for watching over him and being with him when I cannot, and thank you that I will finally meet him in about 27 days!

I could go on, but I’ll stop here and invite you to share some of yours with me please. I would love to hear from you.

Lifting you up in the power of prayer this Holiday Season. Relax and enjoy God’s Unconditional Love!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!