tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32073477167216981692024-03-13T15:07:11.909-07:00Alan and JackieUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-71425450561990886852016-10-14T05:54:00.001-07:002016-10-14T05:54:31.720-07:00Blessed To Be a Blessing<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Almost a months ago I was blessed to spend the weekend getting to know these incredible women in this photo who are a part of Elvis' new church plant in a rural and impoverished community called San Francisco de Jacagua or more easily referred to as Los Cocos! The new church began as a Bible Study and just 2 and 1/2 months later there are now over 50 people in regular attendance. The people in this community are hungry and thirsty for the word as this is the only church in this community! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Knowing the women's conference was approaching, Alan and I knew we wanted to help a couple of women be able to come to the conference and we were so glad we did. These women encouraged and inspired me. They are all on different parts of their journey to Christ- one woman Margarita (2nd from left) rededicated her life to Je</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">sus at the conference. Praise Him! Coming to a weekend conference is a really difficult thing for women here in the DR- they don't have easy access to "babysitters" and many of their husbands are absent and wouldn't have any idea how to care for their kids. But these women jumped at the opportunity to come to the conference rounding up family members and neighbors to help care for the kids. They collectively left a total of over 15 kids to come to the conference! They had never been to anything like the women's conference before! </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I so look forward to knowing them better and serving with Elvis and Raysa in Los Cocos! Because of your faithful commitment to partnering with us you played a big part in these women being able to come to the conference! Thank you! Elvis and Raysa live by a very important Biblical principle "we are 'blessed to be a blessing." Thank you for joining us in living this way too! </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-75475998726392439212016-10-11T20:23:00.002-07:002016-10-11T20:33:05.564-07:00When It Happens Again... <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #5c5c5c; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp/?fref=ts">source</a>)</span></div>
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No one prepared me for the first miscarriage. Yes, I just said the word... first. It's not something anyone ever thinks will happen to them. Until it does. July 8 our lives changed and a piece of me died when I lost my unborn child. They say it's a club no one ever wants to belong to, but once you're in, you are forever grateful for those women also in the club who journey painfully with you. <br />
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After six weeks stateside, we rose up and we returned home. Bruised. Beat up. Full of pain. And full of his love. And we began healing and we began walking forward. New season. I was fully focused on being wholly healthy- physically, spiritually, and in ministry. God was breathing new life into us in a season where we needed desperately to tangibly feel his presence, his arms, his love.<br />
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On September 19 that changed again. I found out I was pregnant. Shock, anger, and fear were all amongst my first responses.<br />
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Shock- we weren't even thinking about expanding our family. We were focused on becoming healthy not pregnant.<br />
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Anger- how could my body get over the loss of the last baby so quickly? I thought we were still grieving.<br />
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Fear- what if it happens again? Would I be okay?<br />
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I called a dear friend the same day I found out I was pregnant. Her voice was a healing balm to my shaky soul. As she prayed for me and spoke words of affirmation over me and this sweet little life she thanked our heavenly father for giving us this good gift and in that moment my entire perspective began to change. My heart filled with gratefulness and joy. My mind filled with thoughts of a good father who was so excited to give us the gift of another pregnancy as soon as he could. I began seeing the pregnancy in another light.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The joy of the Lord is your strength."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Nehemiah 8:10</span></span></div>
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I anxiously awaited the days. Once a week had passed from finding out, my doubts of a second miscarriage began to ease. I began pinning, dreaming, planning, decluttering... again.<br />
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1 week and 3 days after finding out I was pregnant I saw the first sign of miscarriage. The following day I got to experience something I hadn't with the last pregnancy. I stared at the black and white screen on the machine and watched a tiny little baby with a with a tiny little heartbeat dance around on the monitor. I was in shock- so much so, that I forgot to ask for a printed photo of the ultrasound. I regret not asking for that photo. I regret not having a second ultrasound done right there just so I could have a photo.<br />
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With the heavy amount of bleeding I was put on bed rest at home for the next week, and it was in the next days that I would experience the fullness of Christian Community. Within less than 24 hours my room was filled with dear women creating plans for school pickup, homework help, and meals. I don't do "receiving" well, but God showed me so much about the body and community in those moments.<br />
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There wasn't enough bedrest that would save this sweet baby and just three days after seeing its heart beating so fast on that monitor I found myself saying goodbye to another baby.<br />
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We weren't meant for this much pain and grief and mourning and suffering. It's hard. It sucks actually. But. We are seeking him. His peace. His ways. He mourns with us. We take comfort that this is not what he wanted. He grieves with us. The same way he grieved the death of his son Jesus. The reality of the broken world has been made so real to us in very personal intimate ways in this last season. We cling to the hope that even though he did not want this pain for us, it can be used to bring him glory. That is our desire. To glorify him with our hearts, words, and love for others. We see the joy that comes only from knowing him.<br />
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We are in pain, but it will lessen in time and I find great peace and beauty in community that surrounds us as his hands and his love and comfort will meet all of our needs. And so we journey on with the joy of the Lord as our strength.<br />
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These lyrics to a song called Glory Baby so beautifully tell of the mix of pain and hope we have.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Glory baby you slipped away as fast as we could say baby…baby..<br />You were growing, what happened dear?<br />You disappeared on us baby…baby..<br />Heaven will hold you before we do<br />Heaven will keep you safe until we’re home with you…<br />Until we’re home with you…</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Miss you everyday<br />Miss you in every way<br />But we know there’s a<br />day when we will hold you<br />We will hold you<br />You’ll kiss our tears away<br />When we’re home to stay<br />Can’t wait for the day when we will see you<br />We will see you<br />But baby let sweet Jesus hold you<br />‘till mom and dad can hold you…<br />You’ll just have heaven before we do<br />You’ll just have heaven before we do</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Sweet little babies, it’s hard to<br />understand it ‘cause we’re hurting<br />We are hurting<br />But there is healing<br />And we know we’re stronger people through the growing<br />And in knowing-<br />That all things work together for our good<br />And God works His purposes just like He said He would…<br />Just like He said He would…</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I can’t imagine heaven’s lullabies<br />and what they must sound like<br />But I will rest in knowing, heaven is your home<br />And it’s all you’ll ever know…all you’ll ever know…</i></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-55581068900847081072016-07-20T09:41:00.006-07:002016-07-20T09:43:23.312-07:00Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-59909128008713435792016-07-20T09:41:00.003-07:002016-07-20T09:43:20.273-07:00Our Joy Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our Joy Story. Our beautiful love story of a life so short-lived and yet this love story that has forever changed our family forever.</div>
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For years Alan and I have prayed for God’s guidance on
growing our family. We<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>prayed, asked
friends, family and trusted loved ones. In January, after three years of
first discussions of adding to our little tribe, we decided to go all in. We
knew in our hearts if it was God’s will it would happen and if it wasn’t- we
were completely content in what the Lord has blessed us with. We had not felt lacking in any way, but had these desires to parent again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In March I was 6 days late, but I knew I wasn’t pregnant. In
June I was 6 days late. I knew before I ever held the stick in my hand what the
test would reveal. We found out on Father’s Day that I was indeed pregnant! Oh
we celebrated! Alan and I were shocked and then thrilled. We began making
plans. It amazed me at how quickly my
mind had already begun to dream. And once you start dreaming, you can't undream it. I starting picking out boy and girl names, making future plans for
the nursery, and lists upon lists of what we needed to do in our house to be ready. I
treasured what the Lord had chosen to do inside me. I downloaded baby apps and pregnancy
trackers on my phone- baby was due February 20! I created a secret board on
Pinterest for Baby #3. We discussed having the baby in the DR and how our
family would adjust to life as a family of 5. We were so in love with this little
life already and the joy that had sprung forth in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A few days after finding out I was pregnant, it occurred to us
that our plans for delivery in the DR might not come to fruition or even
remaining in the DR for the pregnancy as we remembered the Zika threat to
unborn children. We consulted several doctors who all recommended coming
stateside. In the next 3 days, we would tell GO, family and the girls our big
news. We also bought plane tickets, packed bags, tied up loose ends on the
field and me and the girls flew to Las Vegas just 10 days after finding out I
was pregnant. <o:p></o:p></div>
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By far, my favorite part was telling the girls. They threw
their heads back in laughter and told me to tell the truth. Later they saw me
in a tank top and sweet Amelia remarked that I was “true” and that she could
see how big my belly was… bless her! Each morning they woke up singing love to
the baby and reading to their future sibling. They would periodically put their
hands on my baby and tell “him” how much they loved him. They fell in love too. Alan and the girls both wanted a baby boy. I remained neutral, but I knew 2 things: She was a girl and her middle name would be Joy, for she had brought our family great JOY and we were so grateful!!!</div>
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We snapped a quick announcement photo the day before we
flew. It was perfect. We didn’t have a clear plan. We didn’t know how long we
would stay in Vegas, or where the girls would go to school or if we would see
Alan before Christmas. But we went with it. Love does that to you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Talk ensued when we arrived in Las Vegas- my whole family
had baby fever and of course they loved the idea of us being stateside for
potentially 10 months. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I scheduled my first Dr.’s appointment. July 5. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the meantime, we took a trip to Palm Springs to help Opa with
his mom who has Alzheimer’s. I was especially tired and took lots of naps,
swam, and ate- you know eating for 2 now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sunday I was asked if I had any morning sickness. I didn’t.
Which was odd because I puked 20 times a day with the girls from weeks 6-19. I
knew every pregnancy is different but morning sickness is also a good sign that
your body is reacting properly to the hormones created by the pregnancy. That
evening was the first sight of blood. It continued to come Monday as we drove
back to Vegas. My amazing doctor assured me it could be nothing but shouldn’t
be taken lightly. It was no coincidence that I already had an appointment
scheduled the following day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Monday continued with dull back aches and I knew what was
impending. In my heart I knew. That night, I crawled into bed and got under
the covers, as far away from the world as I could get. It was as if I was keeping the outside world away from me and sweet baby Joy. I
held my belly and wept. It was the last night I would ever be able to pretend
for just a moment that their was new life inside of me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I woke up Tuesday fully knowing I wasn’t pregnant. I dressed
in black and went to my doctor. The drive was long and some of the most
sorrowful 20 minutes I will remember. <o:p></o:p></div>
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They took me back and began asking all the exciting first
appointment questions and then transitioned to the details of the possible
miscarriage. They took me back and as I stared at my dr’s face as she stared at
the monitor looking, hoping for life she couldn’t see anything but an empty
placenta measuring at only 5 weeks and 2 days. The baby and the placenta never
aged beyond 5 weeks and 2 days. Stunned. I knew what was happening I just
couldn’t believe it was happening. I needed to go get blood work and again in
72 hours so she could verify that my levels were dropping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked if I had any questions. I had so
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And then she asked if she could pray for me. Rebecca prayed
for Stella and Amelia in the OR when I delivered the twins, also placed her
hand on my hands and prayed for me as we discussed what would happen next in
losing life. She reminded me of God’s mysteries and that we were in the midst
of walking through that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The girls were with me the whole time and I believe God
allowed that for me. I focused on them the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a way that can only be explained by the
mysteries of God, he has used this to thaw a part of me that had begun to
freeze over. My calloused heart immediately became soft as I grieved and sucked
in death’s hot air and exhaled his grace and mercy and love. I don’t know why
God chose this for our family. And I don’t know what we will do next. One foot
in front of the next. Dig deep for his mercy and strength. Focus on the
children we have. Return home to the DR before school starts. There’s a few
things we will do in the immediate weeks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Grief will do one of two things to you- it will make you
bitter or it will make you brave. Brave to face whatever giant is in front of
us. Brave to swim deep to the dark parts of the ocean in our souls and enter
into our pain and grief. Brave to be okay with not being okay. Brave to take
the mask off; to let others see the tears spilling over in our eyes; to see the
rough dull edges of life worn down and to bulldoze the walls we have built up
over the years keeping others out of our secret pain. Brave to slow down and
evaluate what is important in life. Grief can make us brave. Grief can lead us to
something new. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of the ashes of
sorrow, pain, and grief he makes beautiful things. He leads us to praise. That
praise leads us to joy. My doctor messaged me the same day I received the heart breaking news with a
verse: </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"<span style="background: white; color: black;">yet I will rejoice in the LORD,</span><span style="color: black;"> I<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> will be joyful in God my Savior."</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>HABAKKUK 3:17 </b></i></div>
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The day I actually miscarried, I will spare you the sad
details but it happened in the Old Navy bathroom. I wished a different story a
million times. I didn’t have time to grieve. I had someone trying to get in the
public restroom I was in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my
children with me. I was stunned. I flushed, wiped the tears away and walked out
of the restroom. Someone commented on how cute the girls were and I smiled and
quickly gave a “thanks!” The checkout lady asked how my day was going, just
minutes after I had my miscarriage in their bathroom. We looked like we were
having a great day- the girls were in the bathing suits and we had just left
the splash pad. I said our day was going GREAT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I began looking at everyone differently that day. How many arms had I
brushed up against that day, all smiley happy people who had real pain brewing
just under the surface? Who had just gotten a cancer diagnosis? Found out their
spouse was cheating? Lost a loved one? Had a miscarriage? Major illnesses,
sickness, loss, pain all around us. Grief also makes us brave to enter into
other’s lives and face their pain with them too. Brave to love well, to stand
up for others. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sweet joy. Her short life changed mine forever. She also
changed Alan and my girls too. Though we may never know her this side of heaven
we hold tightly to the promise of the day when we will see her again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, I will be diving into the
deep end of my grief and pain with the promise of coming out made new and into
something beautiful. I will rejoice in the Lord,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be joyful in God my Savior for the
gift of Joy he gave me. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span class="text Ps-63-7" id="en-NASB-14847" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative; text-align: start;">"For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14847A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-14847A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>You have been my help,</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span class="text Ps-63-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative; text-align: start;">And in the <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14847B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-14847B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>shadow of Your wings I sing for joy."</span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Ps-63-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative; text-align: start;"><i><b>Psalm 63:7</b></i></span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-22470609155692878232015-10-31T19:39:00.000-07:002015-10-31T19:39:26.984-07:00November Prayer Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Check out our November prayer calendar. Thank you so much in advance for your partnership through prayer!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zng9Zq5ckDU/VjV6xDSJ-KI/AAAAAAAADaA/7y20uWo97Ek/s1600/November%2Bprayer%2Bcalendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zng9Zq5ckDU/VjV6xDSJ-KI/AAAAAAAADaA/7y20uWo97Ek/s640/November%2Bprayer%2Bcalendar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-773779820861065152015-10-13T12:28:00.002-07:002015-10-13T12:28:18.419-07:00Community.<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"Rejoice </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">with</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> those who rejoice; </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">mourn</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">with</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> those who </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">mourn</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">." </span></i></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Romans 12:15</span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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Several years ago I read a book called Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I will admit, it was a hard read and took a lot of concentration. I would actually love to give it a second read! One of the parts that stood out to me the most, was only several pages into the book. The author made the point that Christian Community is something we must work for. We are actually there to add to the community, as opposed to be receivers of community. The beauty is in the giving of ourselves to the community that we receive much in return! It reminded me of so many times I have critiqued a church or ministry where I had perceived it to be lacking in community, because it did not meet my needs, essentially I wasn't receiving what I thought I was due. This book goes on to discuss the beauty when we work to foster a community that honors God and looks out to the interests of others. It also cautions us as believers to not take whatever form of community we have for granted and reminds us of the many brothers and sisters serving around the world in countries where they are being truly persecuted in terms of life and death for their faith in Christ. In certain parts of the world, they may be the only Christian they know. Community is not promised to us, it is a gift and must be thought of as so. We must care for this gift, nurture and pursue it, or we will lose it. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73qwexJrhVA/Vftgh1d2hSI/AAAAAAAADWU/rLdJSfNCj-4/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73qwexJrhVA/Vftgh1d2hSI/AAAAAAAADWU/rLdJSfNCj-4/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This group of gals pictured above represent a small part of the larger GO Community we have the blessing to be a part of. These gals are the ones I work with day in and day out. We rejoice together and we mourn together. We know when one of us needs a hug, or prayer, or even chocolate :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bIG8oIn7cys/Vfth5rQ1-tI/AAAAAAAADWg/66qg3oZS-4Q/s1600/12031397_10153647048409111_4641916203429856034_o%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bIG8oIn7cys/Vfth5rQ1-tI/AAAAAAAADWg/66qg3oZS-4Q/s640/12031397_10153647048409111_4641916203429856034_o%2Bcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>At the end of summer!</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TVvBV4C7BQ8/VhVEzNvfz_I/AAAAAAAADYw/UWIk6s4A56Q/s1600/IMG_0578-2%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TVvBV4C7BQ8/VhVEzNvfz_I/AAAAAAAADYw/UWIk6s4A56Q/s640/IMG_0578-2%2Bcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this crazy group of people represent yet a larger but still small part of our GO family here on the island. I have found no matter the circumstances of the trials you face, when you journey into the deep waters with fellow believers it brings true comfort and peace that can only come from Christ. </div>
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I am reminded today of the beautiful gift of friendship and community he has given us and the careful cultivation it requires. When we each fulfill our role in the body of Christ and use the gifts he has given us to minister to one another, we aren't just filled up- we are overflowing with his joy and gratitude. I am honored to journey through life with our GO Community! </div>
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What kind of Christian Community are you involved in? Do you find that it takes work? How have you been blessed recently by pouring into your community?</div>
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For His glory,</div>
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Jackie</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-41106751546445457162015-10-05T17:24:00.000-07:002015-10-05T17:24:34.952-07:00What Does it Mean to be a Good Man, Part 2<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my last blog post, I
talked about the journey that I have stared with one the 13-14 years old class
from our discipleship program. We had decided, to learn from a biblical
perspective, what does it mean to be a good man? In our first time together I
taught them the number one thing to do to be a good man is to recognize our
problem with sin, a problem that could separate us from God for eternity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This past week we got together again, and talked about the second thing that we
have to do to become good men. I concluded that we needed someone to help us
with our problem. We need a good man as a role model. To which they immediately
reply, there are no good men; there are men with one, or two good qualities.
But in these times nobody is good 100%. I answered you guys are almost right,
and I totally understand where your answers are coming from. But in reality
there was a good man. He was so good; that he did not considered self-good.
(Luke 18:19). He is so good. That he is he only one who can
help us in our problem with sin. So the second thing to be a good man, is to
learn from the only good man that had ever lived, Jesus, we are going to take
Jesus as our role model to learn to be good men. We are inviting you to do the
same.</span><span style="font-family: Apple Chancery; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Alan Perez</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-5504890666645606822015-09-30T08:17:00.001-07:002015-09-30T08:20:35.682-07:00October Prayer Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>"I call on you my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer."</i> Psalm 17:17</div>
<br />
We are continually so grateful for those who journey with us on mission in the Dominican Republic and Haiti with GO! I am always so encouraged when someone asks how they can pray for us. We will begin posting a monthly prayer calendar that will feature praises from the month past, prayer focuses and highlights with our teams, daily focused areas of ministry, and family life!<br />
<br />
Join us in praising and petitioning our Father, who hears our prayers!<br />
<br />
With love,<br />
The Perez Fam<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-65188544909009491902015-09-18T11:56:00.000-07:002015-09-18T11:56:38.942-07:00What Does it Mean to be a Good Man?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As I was teaching yesterday to one of our
13-14 years old groups from our baseball ministries, a class called Disciples
2, we were learning about the life of Jesus’s disciples before and after they
met him. We happened to be talking about one of the disciples, and that scriptures
and traditions mention him, being from Cana of Galilee. This happens to be the
place were Jesus performed his first miracle according to the scriptures, the
changing of water into wine. Was it real wine or something else? I honestly don’t know and don’t care. What I
really care about, is that Jesus was among Jews, and that Jewish’s traditions
mentioned that when the messiah would come, he would had authority over all
things, and creation itself would submit to him, what just happened in that
case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So one of the students, (who
happen to be name Jesus), asked me the questions, “if Jesus was a good man, why
did he make wine? Wine and alcohol are bad, what does it means then to be a
good man?” Honestly that caught me out of guard, I was not expecting that one.
So I ask him to wait till the last 10 minutes of the class and I will try to
answer his questions. So when the time came, I ask him another question, told
him that what you did in scriptures, you answered questions with questions, to
which he smiled. I said, “is eating bad?” His answer was “no.” I responded “can
food make you fat?” He said “if you eat more that you are supposed to,” I said “so
it may be the same with drinking, alcohol and wine.” I said “you see, it means
something else, what he said? That the problem is not wine or alcohol or food,
it must mean then that we are the problem, and poor Jesus and poor creations
that have to pay our wrongful deeds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So what does it means to
be a good man? First it means that we have to recognize that we have a problem,
one that could separate us from God for eternity. All of the students asked if
we could take the last 10 minutes of every class to try to understand,
according with the scriptures, what does it means to be a good man?</span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Chancery'; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-57062595810997163332015-09-11T13:47:00.002-07:002015-09-11T13:47:26.612-07:00Freedom<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIy1SZredR8/VfMGBG7Q0vI/AAAAAAAADV8/5uVHWM0Z0g8/s1600/article-1248679-02FEECA80000044D-953_634x377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #848484; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIy1SZredR8/VfMGBG7Q0vI/AAAAAAAADV8/5uVHWM0Z0g8/s640/article-1248679-02FEECA80000044D-953_634x377.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(photo credit: http://www.wtcnc.org/tag/world-trade-center-building)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will never forget. I was 19. I had two jobs. I worked for my grandparents construction company and I had just helped my mom and stepdad launch their new business venture. It was 7am on that Friday morning and as I walked into the workplace I immediately felt a sense of urgency… no it was more like fear… and panic. My uncle was struggling to carry a clunky oversized old school TV into the estimating room. Once it was set up and turned on we all watched in disbelief as the newscasters were frantically announcing a terror attack on the US. Two planes flew into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. Within a couple of hours, both towers came crashing to the ground. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon while a 4</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> plane crashed into an open field after being taken down by passengers on the plane who refused to be a part of another attack. We watched in disbelief as our tiny protected world came crashing down around us. Accusations poured in… video clips began streaming. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tears streamed too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That day, September 11, 2001 became a day we, our Nation, will never forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And now, 14 years later as I remember, I am led to wonder how many September 11’s exist in the minds of people in other countries around the world? Something so terrible, such a horrific attack on mankind… something that shapes us and our thinking, our culture, who we are and who we are to become. How many mothers and fathers around the globe have lost children or loved ones in terror attacks? How many sisters, brothers, family members live each day through the pain and struggle of losing someone in such a horrific manner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I reflect on that day so many years ago I am filled with sorrow for the families who lost loved ones… to those who bravely took down a terrorist plane before it could be used in another attack. I grieve for those who struggle through each day 14 years later with heartache. I am also grieved for mankind. I am grieved for each day that represents a September 11<sup>th</sup> in many hearts around the world. I am grieved for the sins of each one of us that remind me how desperately we need and must seek the grace and mercy and forgiveness of our Father. He is the only one who can heal our wounded hearts. Our fragmented lives. Our wounded countries. Only he can unite us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We call America “the land of the Free.” We take extravagant measures to protect our freedom, and I am grateful for the men and women who protect us from evil and the darkness of this world. They are few and far in between who would put the lives of others above their own. This is a special kind of bravery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I take great comfort amidst the sorrow in knowing no matter what country we were born in, or our circumstances, we all can share in the same freedom found in Christ. Our greatest freedom above all, is found in the One who gave us our very breath. It is found in the One who created time, who formed us from dust, who knit all the intricate details of the fibers of our very beings together (Wow!). Who gave us a hope and a promise through his son, Jesus Christ. The greatest freedom we have, is one that can never be taken away, even if our lives are taken from us, they cannot take away the promise we hold of eternity with Him. Nor is this promise determined by where we were born or which country we live in, but rather who's name we proclaim. His promise is for each of us who chose Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today my heart is both grieved by the sins of us all and grateful for his radical redemptive forgiveness and that there is a day coming that will never end, Eternity is its name, and God’s promise of that is enough to heal the wounds of our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>"...if you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. And you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free."</i> John 8:32</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IkaJCM4CGI4/VfMGYChT5dI/AAAAAAAADWE/3y0IW-YbJGk/s1600/9-11-memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #848484; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IkaJCM4CGI4/VfMGYChT5dI/AAAAAAAADWE/3y0IW-YbJGk/s640/9-11-memorial.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo credit: http://www.ooyuz.com/geturl?aid=8280456)</span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-22341582678267485652015-09-11T08:32:00.000-07:002015-09-11T08:32:29.075-07:00I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here we are again, another summer is
over in our ministry. Summer is the busiest time of the year for us as
ministry, we have a constant flow of partnerships development teams for 10-14 weeks,
it requires all of our staff to step aside of our areas of ministries, and help
facilitating, in one capacity or other, all of our visiting teams, God`s people
is amazing and we see, sense, and feel that every summer. And this summer was
no exception.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As we (Jackie and I) have the opportunity
to experience all of the wonderful things that God is doing in this Island, we
think of you very often, and we thank God for you, and your love, friendship,
prayers, and your support to our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And so we pray for you; <span style="color: #e69138;">that your love may abound more and
more in knowledge and depth of insight. So that you may be able to discern what
is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. Filled with
fruit of righteousness that comes thorough Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise
of God. (Philippians 1:9-10).</span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So thank you, we are always joyful,
humble, challenge, and committed for this gospel and the partnership that we share in. </span><span style="font-family: Apple Chancery;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-81155512603596226882014-09-02T10:56:00.000-07:002014-09-02T10:56:20.876-07:00The God of the "Extra-Ordinary" (Goodbye Summer Part II)
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Summer, means "transition” for me. It is in this time of the year when I transition from my
daily discipleship and teaching ministries, with our sports outreach to help
facilitating the experiences of our visiting partnerships developing missions’
teams. And this means 12 to13 weeks of seeing God revealing to me personally
though the many visiting team members or the variety of ministries that God
give me the chance to partake, in ways that I just can call “Extra-ordinaries.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One of the subjects
that I have spent more time studying and trying to figure out in my short
Christian life (I was baptized in 2007), is how “God” the creator of the
universe, the only true God, chooses to use ordinary men and women to do
extraordinary things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">During this last
summer, in this time of transition, I have come to experience and understand
something, that I pray and hope will be a new way of see life, “the
extraordinary God, the only one that exist before there was anything else
create, is trying to reveal to us, even in the most ordinary things of life”,
and he is pursuing us in such a way that he became flesh for us. (John 3:16).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You see most of us
want to experience God in such a way that is evident to everybody else. We want
to experience God in super natural ways, such as miracles, healing, and events
that could impact our life and ministries like never before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But perhaps in this search we are losing sight
of the amazing things that God is doing around us and though us, that we have
come to call simple, or label as “ordinary”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There is a Bible verse
that is well known, “Philippians 4:13 says, that I can do everything, though
him who gives strength.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a truth that we ordinary people don’t fully understand sometimes. God is saying that
when we decide to act according to “HIS” will and purpose, then there is
nothing that he could not accomplish though us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When we start to
experience God even in the simplest thing in life, then ordinary things such as
baseball bats, gloves, basketball, rings etc. become extraordinary instruments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNfluIesJww/VAYAqHUZynI/AAAAAAAAC_k/ybBCEVaPuvY/s1600/accepting%2Bchrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNfluIesJww/VAYAqHUZynI/AAAAAAAAC_k/ybBCEVaPuvY/s1600/accepting%2Bchrist.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>35 kids from a community called Los Salados accept Jesus into their hearts at the end of a sports outreach week</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When the love of many
extraordinary people works together then God is reveal is big ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJeG-djCG7A/VAYB1swuolI/AAAAAAAAC_s/LRyypZi1O6Q/s1600/alan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJeG-djCG7A/VAYB1swuolI/AAAAAAAAC_s/LRyypZi1O6Q/s1600/alan.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Community members in the Bateys sign up to visit the doctor from a visiting medical team</i></b></div>
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When we Begin to know God for who he really is
then ordinary is not a work that will have the same meaning anymore. Because
God has chosen to do extraordinary things in our life.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KhqfxnqvnVI/VAYES4SH28I/AAAAAAAAC_8/QfPGuhNHx_I/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KhqfxnqvnVI/VAYES4SH28I/AAAAAAAAC_8/QfPGuhNHx_I/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-88595691481368447252014-08-18T19:50:00.002-07:002014-08-18T20:05:17.295-07:00Goodbye Summer... Part I<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This summer can be best defined in one word. Intentional. So full of so many beautiful moments. I know God is always at work, but wow, those seasons where he lets you see the behind the curtain and get a glimpse at his handiwork... yeah... those moments. Where we get to see what something could be. That was this summer. There's no way to cover the immensity of the summer in one blog, so we'll do so in several. As the girls go back to school tomorrow, I am reflecting on my time with them so we'll start there. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love that intention can describe our summer, because it truly is one of the things God has been revealing to me this year. I am not very good at intentional living. I let things pass by, I get caught up in the now. I struggle for enough time in the day. It seems like there never is enough and yet God says there is more than enough to accomplish all that he Has set before us.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I struggle for quality time with my kids- being a working mom, when I am home there is a never ending mountain of clothes to be washed, meals to be prepared, tidying to be done.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I have come to this conclusion that life, not lived intentional, will just happen. This is not a new discovery. The idea that "life will pass you by" is not new. But for me, this year, within my family this was a pretty big revelation. In order to have the life you want to have, you must make a series of daily intentional decisions. The conclusion is really just the beginning. The beginning of a new journey towards intentional living to achieve the life God has called us to. He wants more than just passive living.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One family experience that really made me smile recently, involved a quincinera. Here in the DR a Quincinera is like a sweet 16, but when your daughter turns 15. It's a big deal... Huge! Typically there is a big party, it's catered and you have your closest gal and guy pals as your quincinera party (think wedding party). They are in full party attire. There's a photographer, a cake, and typically the sweet birthday girl is in a white dress, yes like a wedding dress. This summer our niece turned 15, and there wasn't a party, no guys and gals in matching outfits walking down an aisle to introduce her. There was no big cake, no fancy venue, no bright lights, and head splittingly loud music. But what there was, was magical.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her parents and most of Alan's family had been all saving for awhile and the most of the family were able to take a special overnight trip to the beach at a resort to celebrate Lisbeth entering her 15th year of life. Lisbeth is a beautiful, vibrant, humble, 15 year old who thinks of others before herself and who even gave up several days a week of her summer break to come hang out with my girls while we were able to continue our mission work with GO.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spending this one night with our family celebrating Lisbeth was beautiful. It reminded me of what is important. Time. Family. Love. Intentional living. Memories in the making. So much better than "stuff!"</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5oev_2vB7s8/U_KrAsliouI/AAAAAAAAC78/-n0YbRoTLrI/s1600/IMG_4180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5oev_2vB7s8/U_KrAsliouI/AAAAAAAAC78/-n0YbRoTLrI/s1600/IMG_4180.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John 13:35 says "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”</span> There is no greater place to start loving one another well than by those very closest to us in our own families. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This summer has been a beautiful time of intentional living. Intentional balancing. Living moments slow. Breathing in Jesus and in our best broken attempts, exhaling love.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of our favorite family/ministry memories this summer-</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7szXZ4yb5AU/U_KtMC1163I/AAAAAAAAC8I/raWvOuRrMlU/s1600/photo%5B2%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7szXZ4yb5AU/U_KtMC1163I/AAAAAAAAC8I/raWvOuRrMlU/s1600/photo%5B2%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday lunch dates with these 3 at our favorite "cupcake" place </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWS6o9b_0vw/U_KtRksk7PI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/Mv8Bvj8Uq_I/s1600/IMG_3820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWS6o9b_0vw/U_KtRksk7PI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/Mv8Bvj8Uq_I/s1600/IMG_3820.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sharing the magic and beauty of a place like the Hole with the girls</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2hKRlHGSsA/U_KwD_RlFuI/AAAAAAAAC8s/K8FnkxMqCE4/s1600/IMG_4286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2hKRlHGSsA/U_KwD_RlFuI/AAAAAAAAC8s/K8FnkxMqCE4/s1600/IMG_4286.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much curiosity, wonder from these two</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1U6RVZ2vAIE/U_Kwj9QVCnI/AAAAAAAAC80/Eb7MfF_qmUM/s1600/IMG_4376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1U6RVZ2vAIE/U_Kwj9QVCnI/AAAAAAAAC80/Eb7MfF_qmUM/s1600/IMG_4376.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Participating in children's ministry in La Mosca with South Hills Team</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIicBuDqvLg/U_KtY1ELRzI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/4058Y2wrpKk/s1600/photo%5B3%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIicBuDqvLg/U_KtY1ELRzI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/4058Y2wrpKk/s1600/photo%5B3%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of our many summer picnics, chasing butterflies, running in the grass barefoot, and discovering new things about God's Creation.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMIH8Fvs1BM/U_KxI2m231I/AAAAAAAAC88/to-rZ-0AOT4/s1600/IMG_4266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMIH8Fvs1BM/U_KxI2m231I/AAAAAAAAC88/to-rZ-0AOT4/s1600/IMG_4266.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebrating 4th of July (on the 5th!) with a BBQ/picnic!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ppA-rV4UAI/U_K42WoDf1I/AAAAAAAAC9c/nwpl1BHVOzE/s1600/photo%5B6%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ppA-rV4UAI/U_K42WoDf1I/AAAAAAAAC9c/nwpl1BHVOzE/s1600/photo%5B6%5D.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet friends and Sweet Frog!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvbxxw1tZK0/U_KtgbpQ_CI/AAAAAAAAC8g/hJyTgPaOpDI/s1600/photo%5B4%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvbxxw1tZK0/U_KtgbpQ_CI/AAAAAAAAC8g/hJyTgPaOpDI/s1600/photo%5B4%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">beatin' the heat in the pool</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now as summer comes to a close, in rushes a new season... New beginnings, fresh start. School is upon us. Activities begin to fill our calendar... And the need for intentional living and intentional balancing has never been more clear.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How was your summer? We'd love to hear!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up, Part II: Bateys, South Hills and a summer of Redeeming, Renewing, and Restoring!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS- Can you believe these two are off to PK-4 already?!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-36468820834673531382014-06-26T09:59:00.000-07:002014-06-26T09:59:07.291-07:00Come Close<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DznfozA0VzA/U6xRC4HYA3I/AAAAAAAAC0o/TWwsYW6xzdw/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DznfozA0VzA/U6xRC4HYA3I/AAAAAAAAC0o/TWwsYW6xzdw/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've often said that thinking about my life before Christ feels like thinking about a crazy movie I saw about someone else's life. It's incredible to know that what scripture says is true "If anyone is a new believer in Christ, the old is gone, the new has come."<br />
<br />
I had an opportunity a week ago to share the story God has known from the beginning with a group of 60 high schoolers from Texas one night during their mission trip. I always thank God for these opportunities to give him glory for the ways in which he works mysterious.<br />
<br />
HIStory:<br />
<br />
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There are a few things that I hope my testimony sheds light on for you. You are never too far from God. You are never out of his reach. He has a plan (and it is good!) no matter what it feels like. You can never make a decision too terrible or wrong to put yourself outside of God's reach, grace, healing, love and forgiveness if you repent of your ways and seek the Lord.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my favorite verses comes from one of my favorite books in the Bible. James. This book is power. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James 4:8 says “Come near to God
and he will come near to you.” or another version says "draw near to him and he will draw near to you." And that is what my story is all about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t grow up a Christian.
I grew up in Vegas. My parents were 19 & 20 when I was born. Young-ins. They were great parents and I had a good childhood, but by 6th grade they were divorced. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I had an intense hole that
could not be filled and so I did what most would. I tried to fill it. Because in 6th grade at the age of 12 I lacked (and all pre-teens or is it tweens?) the basic emotional skills to cope with the loss of my dad in our home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 6<sup>th</sup> grade I
starting stealing alcohol from my parents liquor cabinet and drinking at
school. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 7<sup>th</sup> grade, I
started smoking pot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 8<sup>th</sup> grade, I
had a reputation I was dying to shake, but couldn’t. I needed to feel loved and
accepted and needed someone to acknowledge my pain. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 9<sup>th</sup> grade I was
introduced to Crystal Meth. And thus began a 2 year addiction. I was kicked out (my mom and I still debate this one :) of my house and slept wherever there was a free couch, and free drugs. Which
meant I worked for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Thankfully my grandparents took me in for a summer and I was on lockdown. That meant no access to drugs and I got better. Or, I should say I got off Crystal Meth. But the hole was still there. It wasn't about removing things from my life, it was about filling up that big empty space.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having discovered the high of
being high, I exchanged one addiction for another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cocaine, any hallucinogen I
could find. Anything that would numb me from the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graduation night was spent on
a couch in a drug coma. Huge chunks of time gone from memory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By time I was 19, and had
spent 6 years or so on some form of drug, I found myself living in an apt.
engaged to a drug dealer and we ran a pretty lucrative drug business, that is
until we got raided. I’ve never been so scared. And the reality of the life I
was succumbing too became all too clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I broke off the engagement
and stopped selling drugs. But I had no peace. No answer to the hole in my
chest that only grew with time. I was drinking heavily to cope. I decided it was time to end it all. I had hit
rock bottom. I was only 20. This was about the time I learned my brother was
going to be baptized. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I made my first move towards God. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I didn't know I was making that move. But God did. So, I made my move and I attended his
baptism and was asked to get in the water with him. It rocked me emotionally. My life continued on but there was an unrest about my life. I know longer wanted to end it, but I knew I needed something else. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God was moving towards me! As I inched closer and closer, he drew me in like a moth to a flame. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several months later I made another move towards God. I called my little bro and attended church for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
again. And again. I couldn't get enough of those weird, hand-raising-while-singing, wild-eyed Christians who were so passionate, and yet quite peaceful through difficulties and struggles. I remember hearing testimonies of a couple who had lost a baby after she was born and another who was ready to kill himself before being dragged to a cowboy church (say wha?). There was a common thread through their pain- peace. reliance, not on themselves, but on God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Admittance that life is hard but we have a God who is for us. </span>Several months later I
fell on my face and committed my life to him. Truly committed to living for
him. It was hard. The letting go of all I knew and embracing a new culture of Jesus was difficult. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I came on my first mission to the DR several months later and began the
journey as a believer. I was even asked to join the church staff. Wait, me? Former drug addict, abused, broken me? Yes, known and loved daughter of the King, me. I began as an admin for the youth pastor, then the children's ministry coordinator, then I sent off by the mother church as part of their first church planting team and then as a missionary working with GO. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, after seven years of serving and living in the DR, I am married to an incredible believer, Alan and we have 4 year old twinsy girls who are the light of my life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I still struggle. The old is gone and the new has come, but the old has shaped me in many ways and learning to walk the new is a daily choice and path we navigate together as He leads me. Walking
with Christ doesn’t mean we no longer struggle or that he will give us
everything we want. He gives us what we need, according to His will for our
lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I never thought that day I
went to my brother’s baptism would be a game changer. I never thought I was
moving towards God. But that is why he is God. He was calling me to him and as I moved, he so faithfully responded. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you need to move towards Him today? What needs to be turned off and over to Him? How is he moving in your life closer to you?</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-23927044446713978362014-06-14T14:38:00.002-07:002014-06-14T14:38:36.482-07:00FathersI love Father's Day! It is such a special day to stop and be grateful for the dad's in my life. I have a few!<br />
<br />
My dad.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mo1rY9d0Sm8/U5rUozDpv-I/AAAAAAAACyM/hhf-Ofa9wZ0/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mo1rY9d0Sm8/U5rUozDpv-I/AAAAAAAACyM/hhf-Ofa9wZ0/s1600/d.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a>I have learned some incredible life lessons and skills from this man. At the earliest of age he taught me the importance of being active and being healthy. Some of my fondest memories are of riding our bikes together on the weekend to Lorenzi Park. We would ride all around the trail stopping to do the pull-ups on the bar and the other excersizes they had available along the way. I am grateful for this as it has given me a foundation throughout my adulthood to live a healthy lifestyle.<br />
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I've also gained a sense of pride in my work. The Lord says it is good for us to work hard and to have work to do with our hands. I am grateful my dad and my dad's side of the family (through the family business) have instilled in me a strong desire to achieve and do well. To be proud of the work that is set before me and to do it well.<br />
<br />
My dad is strong. I am strong too.<br />
<br />
When I reflect on who I have become, I see a lot of my dad in me. I see a lot of my dad in the girls as well. I am grateful for this and for who he is in our lives!<br />
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<br />
<br />
My step-dad.<br />
Even though my mom and step dad got married when I turned 18, I have had the privilege of being welcomed into their home in my early 20's as I prepared for life as a missionary in the DR. Hank is strong and quiet. I admire that. He is slow to speak. I am admire that too! These aren't really qualities I possess but try to model because of the way in which Hank lives his life.<br />
<br />
Hank is one of our biggest supporters in our work in the DR. We couldn't do what we do without his support. Each year, he and my mom welcome our family into their home for our 2 month extended stay. They take time off from work, cook extra meals, dote on my children because of their great love for us.<br />
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<br />
<br />
My husband.<br />
Words can't describe the sense of love and completeness that seems so completely overwhelming at times watching Alan dote on our girls. He is an absolute gentleman, caregiver, teacher, and role model to our girls. I watch him teach them about God, about grace, about love, about doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, how to pray, how to give, how to listen, how to cultivate kindness, dreams, friendship.<br />
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We do things very differently culturally (Alan and I) and it has been a beautiful and sometimes brutal journey doing life with someone so completely different than myself who challenges me and is being used by God to shape me more into the image of Christ. (Isn't that what marriage is about? Not our happiness but instead holiness?)<br />
<br />
There isn't a more perfect papi for Stella and Amelia, than Alan. I am humbled and overwhelmed at the good gifts he has given our family. Our journey, marked with difficulties and triumphs is one that I pray glorifies the Lord in all we do.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn4A-oBYa_k/U5l8ppqFtMI/AAAAAAAACxY/bPyimvLPCCA/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn4A-oBYa_k/U5l8ppqFtMI/AAAAAAAACxY/bPyimvLPCCA/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a>My God. The Father.<br />
Good.<br />
Intimate.<br />
Almighty.<br />
The Great I AM.<br />
<br />
While there are many good (and bad) examples of earthly fathers, there is none to compare to our Heavenly Father. No matter what emotions may be stirred up today for you by remembering your own examples of an earthly father, we can rest in the arms of our glorious heavenly Father, clothed in righteousness and honor.<br />
<br />
Let us rejoice then in thanksgiving for who HE is!<br />
Thank you God for being my Father.<br />
Thank you that you teach us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.<br />
Thank you that you will speak through us. We are never alone.<br />
Thank you that if two of us agree on something and ask you for it, if it is in your will, it will be done for us.<br />
Thank you that if it is possible you will take away my suffering. If it is not, it is your will for me.<br />
Thank you that I can put my trust and hope in you.<br />
Thank you that as your child, I do not have to work for material possessions or food that spoils. You will meet all of my needs and I can concentrate on things that are eternal.<br />
Thank you that if it is within your will, you will do whatever I ask in Jesus' name so that through me, Jesus will bring glory to you.<br />
Thank you that you have sent the Holy Spirit who will teach me all things and will remind me of everything Jesus has said.<br />
Thank you that if I sin you give me Jesus to speak to you in my defense.<br />
Thank you that as one called by you, I am loved by you as my Father and kept by Jesus Christ.<br />
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Peace to you on Father's Day. No matter the memories we hold, may we REJOICE in our Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us so!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-74679819341217462492014-06-10T03:33:00.001-07:002014-06-10T07:21:59.194-07:00A Choice to Rejoice.Do you agree with this statement?<br />
"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."<br />
<br />
Perseverance through trials seems to me to be an art. One I can be quite good at when necessary. I put on my game face, pull myself up by my bootstraps (did I even say that right?) and get to work to the task at hand. I have found I am particularly good at this. Put the nose to the grindstone (did I say that one right too?) and get the job done. But at what cost to my own soul? If it simply is about my good works and making the best of a situation simply to survive and move beyond it, have I missed the point of it all? Was there even something to be learned? Have I missed the glorious refinement, the tailored pruning? Have I missed it all?<br />
<br />
We are called to persevere.<br />
We are promised hardship.<br />
We are promised heart break.<br />
We are promised persecution.<br />
<br />
The Lord has also promised that our character will be refined. We will actually become more like Him in this process if we allow him, which is actually the point of most trials!<br />
<br />
We will love deeper.<br />
We will extend grace more freely.<br />
We will be emboldened by the truth to live as Christ lives in us!<br />
We will truly "see" ourselves and others as His children, saved by the grace of redemption.<br />
<br />
There are many blessed promises and many ways he will develop us through perseverance and through the trials.<br />
<br />
So, why do we get stuck in a rut? I was recently experiencing a bout with burnout. You know what I am talking about. The weariness, the fatigue, the there's-not-enough-hours-in-the-day to complete my growing work load or enough-hours-in-the-night to rejuvenate during sleep. The days begin to run together, each one looking the same as the last. Nothing changes, the work continues, the sleep decreases. I work harder. I get more tired. I work even harder hoping I will magically reach some level of completion allowing for rest... it doesn't happen. The mind wanders, the soul questions "is this <i>it</i>?" I begin to question if someone or something has put me in the position to "have to" persevere instead of "get to" persevere to become more like Christ. I blame. I get angry. I am snappy with my family (and I don't mean snappy in a musical theatre sort of way...). I am a bear to be around. There is no joy. I am working a J.O.B. in every area- motherhood, ministry, wifery. (did i just make that word up?) My life becomes joyless.<br />
<br />
Why do we, when "forced" to persevere grow weary, bitter, angered as if we've been treated wrongly and that is somehow "unjust?" As if we were promised a life of easy choices, light work, minimal responsibilities... my mind goes there. It's a battle. And then I remember, then I hear that small but mighty voice deep inside whispering over the raging of my soul... "take heart, you WILL have trouble in this world, but I have overcome the world." And I find a strengthening of heart. That small voice increases until the words are pounding in my heart, ringing through my ears, coursing through the blood stream. This is what we are made of. This is what we are made for. To love Him. To love others. To become more like him. Nothing.else.matters. Nothing.<br />
<br />
It is not someone or something that has caused this trial set before me, that sucks the life from my bones. God almighty who has infinite knowledge and insight and the Lord Jesus who knows my heart inside and out who has put the trial before me. I know it. I've known it all along, but somewhere along the way the heart is turned towards blaming each other, our jobs, our spouses, our kids, our sicknesses and we begin to live in a world of "what if's" and "if only I had..."<br />
<br />
Friends, speaking from personal experience, this comes at a grave price. Romans says we must REJOICE in our sufferings because when we rejoice and count our trial as a gift from the Lord, we have an expectation of hope, an expectation that our character will be refined. We can expect to become more like him. We are aware, throughout enduring, the need to seek and remain joyful in Him, because we know this thing, this really hard thing we are fighting through will be the thing Jesus uses to make us more like him. We will see him clearer. We will hear him in our souls. And this glorious rejoicing, produces H.O.P.E. Deep breath in... Hope. Yes, there it is.<br />
<br />
Do you see it? HOPE! The exact opposite of what so many of us live in daily, despair. Hopelessness.<br />
<br />
But the key to opening your heart up to hope is right there... REJOICE. Give Thanks.<br />
<br />
The key is to change our heart's tune to thinking we've been given another awful situation from God almighty or worse, because I failed at something into realizing the beautiful gift God has given us. He sees something in you and wants to perfect you to be more like Him.<br />
<br />
I have tasted and I have seen the glory of the Lord working in and through, pruning me SO THAT I may bear good fruit, more fruit. He doesn't prune us, to punish us. He doesn't prune us to keep us down. He doesn't prune us so that we may be shamed or feel unworthy. He prunes us (sometimes not so gently) <b>so that</b> we may be more fruitful.<br />
<br />
A gift. From Him. To you. To me. If you choose to see it as such and receive it as such.<br />
<br />
Today I am giving over to His will. His gifts. His joy and giving thanks to the Almighty God. "Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite." (Psalm 147:5) His understanding is infinite and my soul rests in knowing that our Great, Almighty God understands more than I could grasp or fathom. He knows my own soul, his spirit is within! He will wash over me like the ocean's tide.<br />
<br />
What about you? How do you see trials? What must you give over to Him today?<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-40419718061391556972014-04-03T08:24:00.001-07:002014-04-03T08:24:43.159-07:00A Life on Purpose.
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am sitting on a plane, returning from, literally, a once
in a lifetime experience. I had the privilege several days ago to celebrate Rob
Partin Sr.’s life with his family, extended family, and hundred’s of dear
friends. The outpouring of love and affection towards Rob and his family was
humbling, encouraging, and as I sit here on the plane reflecting on my time in
Louisville, I would add overwhelming to the emotions that surge through me in a
sort of quiet peace and solemnness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 4 days, I have learned so much. I have gained so much,
but I am grateful most that I think I have changed so much through friendship
and through observing life behind the ugly curtain of cancer, which was only
ever a sheer cloth barely tacked up over the Partin lives. There is little
“normal” about the way in which this family does life, which is what made the
special tribute in death so brutal and beautiful to bear witness to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though I knew Rob Partin Sr., only peripherally, I always
knew I was in the presence of someone great. Someone, kind, gentle in spirit,
someone who knew Jesus and exemplified him in every hug, embrace, thoughtful
word, gesture and smile. In the Dominican he served with passion and fun. At
his funeral, this was never more evident as person after person paid tribute
and gave testimonies of Christ in Rob. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe, so much more now, in the importance of ingesting
these beautiful experiences we are allowed to partake in, to learn from them,
to carry on pieces of the legacies left behind by The Great’s… to be different.
Rob Partin Sr. was one of The Great’s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most profound attribute of Rob’s that I am
taking home to the DR with me, is this: Rob was a man who encouraged others. It
appeared as if he never wasted an opportunity to admonish a brother or sister,
in genuine love. He didn’t blow smoke, he observed and he encouraged. He did
this with his family (almost each family member read a portion of a letter they
had received from Rob encouraging and admonishing them and thanking them for
what he had learned through their faith and their lives. I am sure it was hard
for them to choose which letter to read, because he took time to do this
throughout the years), and it didn’t stop with his family. He just embodied
Jesus, and took opportunities to be with people. I think he knew what was
important in life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I never heard anyone from the family say “I wish<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have… I wish we had said…” There were
no regrets, because this man lived a life on purpose. He did not waste it or
come to the end of life with a list of shoulda, coulda, woulda’s… Oh that we would
all live a life on purpose in this way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Matthew
6:33 says <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“But seek first his kingdom and
his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”</i>
(NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">The
NLT puts it’s this way <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Seek the Kingdom
of God<b>[<span style="color: #4f0e00;">a</span>]</b> above all else, and live
righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the Message says it this way <span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If
God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are
never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his
best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so
preoccupied with <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">getting, </span>so
you can respond to God’s <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">giving</span>.
People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you
know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative,
God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday
human concerns will be met.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Wow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh that our lives would be ones that seek first His glory
and Righteousness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh that our lives would be spent telling others the glory of the
Kingdom of Heaven.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lives encouraging and spurring one another
on towards Gospel Christ-like living.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lives responding to God’s giving and not being so preoccupied on
“getting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to not waste “it.” I want to live on purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to take time to mourn with those who mourn and
rejoice with those who rejoice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want no records of wrongs and no regrets at the end,
whenever “the end” may come. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus calls us to each and every one of these things- they
are possible with his Spirit living inside of us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As one man’s life, here on Earth has come to a close, I find
myself invigorated and filled with a new passion and zest for living in the
ever-present moment of today. For that, I am thankful. Thank you Jesus for the
gift of these last four days. Thank you that your legacy lives on through one
man’s life, through his family reaching and touching lives everyday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you God that you speak to us still, through the wind
and the trees, in life and in death, in worship and plane rides, and every day life
and friendship and your Holy, Spirit filled Word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you Partin Family, for pulling the curtain back and
allowing us to see the beautiful and brutal moments and truths of living life
to it’s fullest in spite of an ugly, life taking cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Jennifer for your honesty, your
tenderness, your humor, your humility, (and let’s be honest for sharing that
Derby Pie at 11pm… my pants are a bit tighter on this airplane ride, thank you
very much! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>).
You are a beautiful woman whom I admire deeply and am always greatly encouraged
no matter the length or depth of the conversation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will and Audrey, there are no words for the gratefulness our
family feels to be able to “do life” with your family. We are spurred on and
challenged in all the right ways by our friendship and closeness with you both.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I am solemnly thankful that we
have each other to celebrate and mourn life’s moments with.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s to living life on purpose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jackie<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-74708921784794268922014-02-28T16:24:00.000-08:002014-02-28T16:24:05.841-08:00Lent, Hair Cuts, and a Confession<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Well hello there! Thanks for stopping by our blog. Yes, this post is about the Lent season approaching, my new hair cut and a confession! Stay with me!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I got my hair done a few days ago, and I had asked my hairdresser to give me a really good cut! She asked if she could give me a "box cut" and I said yes. As she was cutting, she said something to me that has really stuck with me… "Cortemos el que no tenga ninguna vida," translated means "let's cut off that which has no life." I know she meant it for my hair, but the larger implications have sat with me for several days.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lent is approaching (Wednesday March 5) and I have been praying today over what needs to be cut off that has no life left so I may be closer to the One who gives life. How can I be emptied so He can fill me? What steals, robs, kills my time with the Lord, family, and kids? It didn't take long for the Lord to convict me of what it is that must go! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
TV.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know this will surprise some of you. I am a wife, mom, missionary and I work full-time. My kids are in ballet a couple days a week, I go to the gym several times, do all of the grocery shopping, most of the cooking and the list just goes on and on and it would appear as if the "free time" would be non-existent, and sometimes I even try to convince myself of exactly that!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But, it's true. And it's a confession I hate to admit. At night, I sit in front of the TV, not every night, but many, for 2-3 hours. 2-3 hours I could be spending:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>With my husband</li>
<li>Soaking up truths from the Word </li>
<li>Delving into my Bible Study (that I swear I never have time to do)</li>
<li>Vision cast/dream with the Lord about the direction of the ministry he has chosen me to work within</li>
<li>Pray for the thousands of Dominicans and Haitians our ministry is reaching yearly</li>
<li>Pray for my own children's hearts to love the Lord and seek him first</li>
<li>Working out and regarding my body as a Living Temple of the Holy Spirit</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I do none of this, because TV has sucked away my time every evening, convincing me that the way I need to "recharge" is to unplug from the very thing that gives life and instead fill my head with garbage, and when it's not the normal lineup of shows, it's anything- even Australia's next design star (seriously). Somehow "relaxing" and "recharging" in the evenings have left me exhausted, snappy, unfulfilled.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, for 40 days, I am giving up night time TV (because it's the only time it's on!) and will be replace it with things that will draw me closer to the Lord and my family and not distract or take away from those things, by focusing first on the list above- things that bring new life to us!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What about you? What do you need to cut off that gives no life? What do you need to turn your face from so that you may fully face the One who will breathe life into our souls and fill us with Holy power?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's pray for one another!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_BdH3Ot7Zw/UxEmTzNPdUI/AAAAAAAACqA/RgTBIR3UnSs/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_BdH3Ot7Zw/UxEmTzNPdUI/AAAAAAAACqA/RgTBIR3UnSs/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG" height="640" width="534" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Holding this sweet "new life," and you can check out my new hair cut! :)</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-80686696348940172532013-11-14T12:12:00.001-08:002013-11-14T12:13:20.572-08:00Teaching and Learning...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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In the last 2 weeks I’ve been reviewing the goals that I set for the
discipleship classes in the beginning of this year. The theology of redemption
classes that we taught during this year were a fundamental base to present who God
is and what he is doing though his redemptive plan, to a group of young men and
women. Most of the students could not tell me the name of 3 books in the Bible
when we started.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The question that I kept asking myself during these 2 trimesters of 22
classes in 26 weeks, was what can I do better? And how can I present God and
Jesus to these guys and their needs to have a personal relationship with them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNwm2KE6mRg/UoUtJnSjgZI/AAAAAAAAClo/dfn69BS8b9g/s1600/IMG_8934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNwm2KE6mRg/UoUtJnSjgZI/AAAAAAAAClo/dfn69BS8b9g/s640/IMG_8934.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After every week of class was over, I took time after to analyze if I
presented through that week of teaching “God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and his desire to established a relationship thought Jesus Christ” to
each one of the guys and girls that were part of that class, for both, the basketball
and baseball programs ages 13 and up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But I think that somehow I forgot about the work that God was doing “in
me”. As I look back to this year, I can say that my goals were met in many
different ways. After many hours of “praying, reading, writing about God and
presenting him though the Bible, most of our guys had improve their knowledge
about God and what he is doing. For me I have come to know God and experience
him in ways that I never did before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SH4cEx3JfRY/UoUui7LqAtI/AAAAAAAACl0/J37R2fAWrzw/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SH4cEx3JfRY/UoUui7LqAtI/AAAAAAAACl0/J37R2fAWrzw/s640/IMG_1011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Have I been very busy teaching about God this year?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Yes I have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But more important he has taught me during this process, who he is and
how he is inviting me and you to help him every day in his plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have definitely been learning too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-62509475506062777082013-09-18T05:54:00.001-07:002013-09-18T05:56:19.023-07:00Miracles.Yesterday was such a special day. We had the privilege of bringing Yasmin to see Doctor Wendy who is here with a mission team. Wendy saw Yasmin last year at the medical clinic and provided us with a lot of insight into what the future may hold for sweet Yasmin.<br />
<div>
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When we first met her (you can read about that<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://alanandjackie.blogspot.com/2011/08/invitation-to-change-life.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">here</span></a></span>) we weren't sure how much longer she would live, being told a surgery to repair the hole in the roof of her mouth was absolutely necessary. Months later, after being evaluated for the surgery, it was determined she was a good candidate, however her body would not survive the surgery at the malnourished weight she was at. We began purchasing cases of Ensure and praying for her weight to go up. Ensure, here in the Dominican is $70 for a case of 24 and she is now up to drinking one and a half a day. Yasmin saw Wendy last year and her grandmother was concerned about how uneven her back was. Upon examination, we learned she also has Scoliosis and a swirling skin color pattern indicated some neurological defects as well. We were told she may never walk, or be able to take care of herself. We were heart broken. (you can read that post <a href="http://alanandjackie.blogspot.com/2012/08/why-yasmin-may-have-her-surgery-but.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">here</span></a>)</div>
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We prayed and prayed and with faith believed he could do the impossible. I was stunned the day I learned she was walking. (read about that post <a href="http://alanandjackie.blogspot.com/2013/05/walk-on-warrior.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">here</span></a>) This sweet spirited girl was WALKING! Her weight was greatly improving. The cloudiness in her eyes was disappearing. God was answering prayers.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A couple of weeks ago Yasmin was hospitalized for Pneumonia. Her immune system doesn't fight off sickness very well and often times a simple cold will turn into something worse and she needs to stay at the hospital while her body heals. </div>
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When we learned Wendy was coming back to the DR on a trip with GO, we knew we had to get Yasmin in to see her. Wendy thrilled with seeing her walk and her weight! We were in for another surprise though, there happened to be an Oral Surgeon on the team (THANK YOU GOD!). He was able to look into her mouth and determine that the way her mouth was growing, the gums and the bones where her cleft pallet was located are butting up against each other, naturally shutting off the hole. Yasmin's mom confirmed this by saying that very little liquid comes out of her nose anymore! </div>
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Dr. Anderson explained that it would be best at this stage, to not pursue the surgery since it is not impeding her ability to eat. In the future if it presents a problem we should move forward in having her evaluated. They are also researching the other medical issues they believe Yasmin may have so we can know how to best proceed with helping with her medical needs. </div>
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We are praising God for the way he answers prayers and performs miracles every day. We count Yasmin as a gift in our lives that we have been able to see God's handprint in who she is and how he is healing her miraculously each and every day and teaching us to have faith in the midst of it.</div>
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We are grateful for everyone who has continued to pray for Yasmin and given so generously to her medical needs!</div>
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Much peace,</div>
<div>
Alan and Jackie</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Here's a picture of when we met Yasmin when she was 16 months old:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJgfsO3_wsM/TlmDSPCSDLI/AAAAAAAABqo/nG9v5_7n21E/s1600/1729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJgfsO3_wsM/TlmDSPCSDLI/AAAAAAAABqo/nG9v5_7n21E/s640/1729.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>August 2011</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
and yesterday with Doctor Anderson and Doctor Wendy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOtwRDma_nw/UjmgWA9coVI/AAAAAAAACig/QDPg1Py4vBw/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOtwRDma_nw/UjmgWA9coVI/AAAAAAAACig/QDPg1Py4vBw/s640/IMG_0549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>September 2013</i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-71047316704583377272013-09-06T07:42:00.001-07:002013-09-06T07:42:47.573-07:00GO Sports Outreach School of Discipleship- 2nd Trimester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91e_2v5bxbY/UinpUQCewpI/AAAAAAAACiA/I3sJSUfJxvk/s1600/IMG_1809+(1280x853).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91e_2v5bxbY/UinpUQCewpI/AAAAAAAACiA/I3sJSUfJxvk/s640/IMG_1809+(1280x853).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As many of you know my
role with GO changed during this year, and now I’m the coordinator of education
for the sports outreach ministry. What does this mean? I’m responsible for
developing the curriculums for the discipleship school and all the educational
material (bible studies, devotional) for our basketball and baseball academies
and also our bible study with our coaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This week we stared
our second trimester of class with 300 kids and young adults. This is a very
exciting a challenging time in my life. I ask for your prayers, so we can
influent though the scripture the life of all this kids and young adults in a
way that will help them to develop a deep relationship with our savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One of the things that
make me most excited about this new journey is the challenge that God is giving
me, to speak into the lives of 10 men (our coaches)… one of my closest spheres
of influence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Would you please pray
that God will help me to speak true into their life in a bold way. With the
hopes that they will do the same with their sphere of influence the kids that
they work with every day. Also will you pray that he (God) will transform me in
the process, to be more like Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I promise to keep you
guys update though our blog about these exciting times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Alan<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-61663992365051989132013-07-12T07:35:00.003-07:002013-07-15T08:44:19.480-07:00For Such a Time as This...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exodus 17:10-13</span></i></span><br />
<span class="text Exod-17-10" id="en-NIV-1994"><sup class="versenum" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></sup></span>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Exod-17-10" id="en-NIV-1994">"So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-1994A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> went to the top of the hill.</span> <span class="text Exod-17-11" id="en-NIV-1995">As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning,<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-1995B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.</span> <span class="text Exod-17-12" id="en-NIV-1996">When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-1996C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Exod-17-13" id="en-NIV-1997">So Joshua overcame the Amalekite<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-1997D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> army with the sword."</span></span></i><br />
<span class="text Exod-17-13" id="en-NIV-1997"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Exod-17-13" id="en-NIV-1997"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This passage has quickly grown to become one of my favorite pieces of scripture. I can still remember the first time I read it many years ago sitting in a coffee shop after an early morning hike at Red Rock Canyon amongst friends. It had a huge impact on my life early on, and even more so once I joined GO Ministries and again seeing this passage lived out spanning across cultures to advance the Kingdom of Christ on the Island!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Exod-17-13" id="en-NIV-1997"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tremendous blessing was given to us to host our home church from Las Vegas, South Hills Church Community in June. From the beginning this team has been about partnership. They desired to be a blessing and serve alongside of a community to bring about redemption, renewal, and restoration... things we at GO are incredibly passionate about. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They loved.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They cried.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They prayed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They sweated. a lot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They left a piece of their hearts here in the DR working alongside of Pastor Elvis Batista and his beautiful wife Raysa and family.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elvis, (btw, isn't it fitting that the LV Church would be working with a pastor named Elvis :) is a part of our Seminary of the Americas and pastors a large church in a community called Los Salados. An area overrun with drugs, prostitution and gambling. The church is a bright light in this community. Just weeks before we arrived, a man formerly involved with selling drugs was baptized in the name of Jesus! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The church is called to minister to the hurting, the sick, the lost and the poor, and that is exactly what this church does. In scripture we are reminded time and time again that we are called to look out for the orphans, widows, and the hurting and South Hills spent their week doing just this, repairing a single mom's house. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Juana receiving a scripture quilt created by the quilting ministry at South Hills Church</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Jauna and she she is a single mom. She is a pillar in the church community. She lives in a very small house with no windows or doors installed, except for one. The walls are made of brick that have been laid but not finished and the flooring is dirt. She had one room with a poured floor and that was the only room in her house with a door. She slept and ate and kept all of her belongings in this room. She cooked in her backyard on an old fashioned can with some coals inside. The alleyway between her house and her neighbor's was infested with beehives. It had taken Juana almost 4 years to save enough money to purchase the land that her house stood on. The land had cost the equivalent of $400 US dollars and brick by brick, she built her house.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She didn't do this all by herself though. The men of the church had come and put a roof on her house one time and they had helped with the floor in her bedroom. She felt blessed by what she had and what she had worked hard for. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elvis had a dream to bless this woman and change her life forever. South Hills had a dream of working alongside of a pastor in a community to give and do and bless just as God's word commands us. And GO? We are the leaders who bring these two cultures colliding together. We are the Aaron's and the Hur's, setting up rocks underneath the local leaders. We invite the North American Church to join us in lifting up the arms of the Dominican and Haitian men and women God has called to be salt and light amongst their cultures. God had brought South Hills and Elvis together through GO Ministries for such a time as this. To bring his child comfort, help in her time of need, and to restore dignity to her. For 2 days South Hills worked in tandem with the GO construction crew to pour a floor, rid her alley of the bees, smooth the walls of her home and be the hands and feet of Christ walking through the community and sharing his love and laughter to many. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never has the verses in Exodus reminded me more of partnership in the Gospel and working together as a team with a common purpose than this past week!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(Church leaders, Brandon and Amy Gallup with Elvis and his family)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Redemption.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Renewal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Restoration.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All for His glory!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you South Hills for loving us, Elvis and Raysa, and the community in Los Salados so well! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-58391215612392683572013-05-03T07:15:00.000-07:002013-05-03T07:15:49.336-07:00Walk On Warrior!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We walked on down the narrow alley for just a short time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were almost there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hadn’t seen her in months. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I heard she was walking. I heard she was defying what the
doctors said she would never be able to do. I couldn’t wait to see this miracle
child with my own eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We turned the corner and ducked under shanty balconies and
we continued our way to Yasmin’s home. In was quiet in this neighborhood, not
the way you would typically describe where they live, but it was early in the
morning and most were sleeping after partying until all hours of the night. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We winded up a spiral staircase and when I got to the top,
there she was! Walking! Talking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
even had a little belly on her! Her bone thin ankles and legs had a little more
meat on them than they had before. She was getting stronger. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OmWI9yyolPk/UYPBBf1WRnI/AAAAAAAACRM/YrmlEo3_lRc/s1600/IMG_8150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OmWI9yyolPk/UYPBBf1WRnI/AAAAAAAACRM/YrmlEo3_lRc/s640/IMG_8150.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Yasmin</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also met the newest addition to their family. Yasmin has a
baby sister, just a few months old at the time of my visit as well as a seven
yr. old sister. The oldest took care of Yasmin, while Yasmin, now three and a
half tried to carry her baby sister in her thin arms. I smile and think to my
self how the bond of sisterly love truly transcends all cultures as I think
sweetly of my own daughters who care for each other dearly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GA14mNJP4R0/UYPBJnQvM9I/AAAAAAAACRU/AIB-2fpn8ck/s1600/IMG_8180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GA14mNJP4R0/UYPBJnQvM9I/AAAAAAAACRU/AIB-2fpn8ck/s640/IMG_8180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Carina with her new baby</i></div>
<br />
I snap a few pictures for Carina, holding her precious baby
girl. We chat about life, Yasmin, being a mom and then they have something to
show me. We head down stairs and out the door to the main street in the barrio
and they give Yasmin 20 pesos and she begins her journey to the Colmado (corner
store) to by her galleticas (little crackers). She walked quite a way as if she
knew exactly where she was headed! Stopping all along the way to play with
older kids and say hello to many as they begin to emerge from their houses as
the morning wears on. I am told this is her game, and it builds strength in her
legs as she walks this distance daily.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwE_-0s3D_Y/UYPBkPWWEYI/AAAAAAAACRs/WzkV01SqaA4/s1600/IMG_8199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwE_-0s3D_Y/UYPBkPWWEYI/AAAAAAAACRs/WzkV01SqaA4/s640/IMG_8199.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This little girl can walk!</i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This little girl is fierce warrior, fighting for her life
and for a chance to live each and every day. Thanks to the many who have stood
alongside of us and partnered with us to get Yasmin the help she needs, she
will have that chance.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-3K1Jw0MqY/UYPBXcuc6UI/AAAAAAAACRk/M1211Uj95Mc/s1600/IMG_8170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-3K1Jw0MqY/UYPBXcuc6UI/AAAAAAAACRk/M1211Uj95Mc/s640/IMG_8170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Yasmin and her grandma</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Pediatric Doctors, coming on a mission trip with G.O.
Ministries this summer, will evaluate Yasmin. She continues her regiment of 1.5
bottles of ensure a day to gain weight and muscle mass. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ensure in the D.R. is expensive. It costs $65
for a case of 24 and in one month, Yasmin needs 45 cans of Ensure, not to
mention her medicine needs. Providing she is at an acceptable weight at the end
of the summer, we will have her re-evaluated by Operation Smile in hopes that
she will be able to have the surgery she needs to fix her cleft pallet. Once
that is taken care of, we will begin the harder work of having her observed to
determine what neurological condition she suffers from and how to get her
necessary treatment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am thankful for sweet gifts like Yasmin who show me what
it really means to fight for something worthwhile. I love this little girl and
I find myself thankful for this tiny little girl who has already begun changing
lives and showing God’s Sovereign power to heal and overcome adversity. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgX2i4tg2Ro/UYPGASDTWsI/AAAAAAAACSE/LgQrs4m2nK0/s1600/IMG_8183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgX2i4tg2Ro/UYPGASDTWsI/AAAAAAAACSE/LgQrs4m2nK0/s640/IMG_8183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Carina with her three sweet daughters!</i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need your help! Please join us in prayer for Yasmin and
her family. If you would like to make a donation to help with her ongoing
medical needs please make checks payable to G.O. Ministries, Inc. and send them
to 11501 Plantside Dr. Suite 14, Louisville, KY 40299. In the memo line, be
sure to write “Perez/Yasmin.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Crq--Kn6OE/UYPB-Qx0wrI/AAAAAAAACR0/WSveeXc3fSE/s1600/IMG_8159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Crq--Kn6OE/UYPB-Qx0wrI/AAAAAAAACR0/WSveeXc3fSE/s640/IMG_8159.JPG" width="640" /></a>Much peace!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alan and Jackie<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-56455228240190730212013-04-24T07:55:00.002-07:002013-04-24T07:56:09.631-07:00Haiti, a magical place.Haiti.<br />
<br />
It is a special place, magical even.<br />
It has a way of getting under your skin and piercing your soul.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Redemption.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Renewal.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Restoration.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It has it all.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Tmv4uNsCyY/UXflGWwVP9I/AAAAAAAACOM/K8_ADT86kbk/s1600/little+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Tmv4uNsCyY/UXflGWwVP9I/AAAAAAAACOM/K8_ADT86kbk/s640/little+boy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Pain.<br />
<br />
Turmoil.<br />
<br />
Angst.<br />
<br />
Hungry bellies crying out.<br />
<br />
It has it all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMnDtuOCt30/UXfneyIXu_I/AAAAAAAACOc/oSNqGbJZRew/s1600/little+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMnDtuOCt30/UXfneyIXu_I/AAAAAAAACOc/oSNqGbJZRew/s640/little+girl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I found myself, 8 years ago standing for the first time on Haitian soil in Ounamenthe, Haiti, trying to keep pace and take it all in as we winded down dusty roads lined with cactus hedges. Little kids shouting "blanc" ("white") with fascination and wonder in their eyes. They poured from out of their houses to greet us, touch us, slip their hands in ours and run alongside of us for a brief second as we walked by... I knew my life was about to change. God was doing something inside of me and I knew I would not return from that mission trip the same.<br />
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I have been to this magical place countless times since my first time 8 years ago. It has never stopped being magical or stopped being a place where God grips my soul and forever changes a piece of me.<br />
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On our trip this year, we camped in Phaeton where Lucner pastors the church and leads the nutrition center. God is doing <a href="http://alanandjackie.blogspot.com/2011/02/haiti-land-that-i-love.html" target="_blank">great things</a> through him in this community. The other six pastors traveled by motorcycle (some for many hours) to reach us.<br />
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<i>Pastor Lucner and wife Marie</i></div>
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When they arrived to Phaeton, they laughed and greeted one another with a familiarness and love of a family reunion. Such joy! They turned and grabbed shovels and joined us blancs on the job site, and boy were we ever thankful for their help. Truck by truck, remains from the old sisal rope factory were dumped on the foundation of where the new church and nutrition center is. Our job was to level the fill that was brought in... 24 truck fulls!<br />
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<i>The pastors</i></div>
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The sisal rope factory located in Phaeton was once the largest source of income for the entire country of Haiti. The country boomed in it's time, and the factory was a sign of hope and promise, but as quickly as it met success, the lights went out, the factory shut down and left a town (and country) hopeless. Now the remains from that factory will be resurrected to bring hope and promise in a new way in the form of a church and nutrition center. <b>Redemption.</b></div>
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<i>The remains of the Sisal Rope Factory</i></div>
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The sweetest part of our trip was sitting down side-by-side with the Pastors and hearing their heartfelt stories of love, devastation, vision, hopes, and dreams.<br />
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Meet Jonas Lekkler. He is 47 years old. He works in a community called L'Hat. It is very difficult to find on a map. His eyes are kind and warm and convey a joy from the Lord that is unspeakable.</div>
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He is one of 7 incredible and passionate pastors we work with through out the Northern mountain region in Haiti. </div>
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He has been married for 24 years, has 6 children and has lived a life mixed with joy and bitter loss. He has been able to attend many of the trainings that G.O. provides through North-American Pastors visiting the island and teaching them. He shared how truly blessed he was by these trainings and not only has he learned so much about Christ and how to preach through them, but other pastors are listening to him and finding training through his sermons that they are taking back to their own churches. <b>Renewal.</b><br />
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His favorite verse is Psalm 94:17. The NIV puts it this way:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Unless the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> had given me help,</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-94-17" style="position: relative;">I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.</span></i></b></span></div>
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The Message says it this way:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Who stood up for me against the wicked?</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-94-16-Ps-94-19" style="position: relative;">Who took my side against evil workers? </span><span class="text Ps-94-16-Ps-94-19" style="position: relative;">If <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God </span>hadn’t been there for me,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-94-16-Ps-94-19" style="position: relative;">I never would have made it. </span></span><span class="text Ps-94-16-Ps-94-19" style="position: relative;">The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,”</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-94-16-Ps-94-19" style="position: relative;">your love, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>, took hold and held me fast.</span></span><span class="text Ps-94-16-Ps-94-19" style="position: relative;">When I was upset and beside myself,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-94-16-Ps-94-19" style="position: relative;">you calmed me down and cheered me up.</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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Jonas knows the sting of death. He and his wife have lost two children. One was just a baby and the other who suffered from what they believed to be Epilepsy had a seizure, fell and hit her head and the injuries took her life. Voodoo is prevalent in Haiti, it is hard to get away from it. It is believed in their community that the deaths of their children were the works of witch doctors who do not like or want the presence of a church honoring Christ in their town. They have received much persecution.<br />
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Not only does this man of God pastor a church, he also has a school, the only one in the small town of L'Hat brimming with 167 children in attendance. The kids will grow up with a Christian Education, empowered with the hope of Christ to become agents of change in Haiti. <b>Restoration.</b><br />
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God gave our staff a glimpse of the beauty of his redemption, renewal and restoration throughout Haiti. A great revival is on it's way to this Island.<br />
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Will you join me in prayer for Jonas and his family? Let us come before the Throne of Grace and lift up these warriors for the Gospel together in expectation of the Lord's provision.<br />
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Jonas knows what it means to "slip" and "fall" and has felt the promise of God "taking hold fast." You and I know what it means to slip and fall as well and have felt that same very promise that God will take hold of us fast, calm us down; cheer us up. We are not so different from one another.<br />
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Is God calling you to be a part of something bigger? Ask God to search your heart and show you what it is he may have for you. Maybe it is coming on a mission trip with G.O. Ministries. Maybe it's to be a prayer warrior for the local leaders we work alongside of. Maybe it is to financially come alongside of someone and help them live out the calling they have received from the Lord. Don't let an opportunity to do good and be used by the Lord to redeem, renew, and restore pass you by.<br />
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Until next year... enjoy some of the pics from our time in this magical place.<br />
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<i>Our crew at the Citadel</i></div>
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<i>We managed to almost fall off the side of the building again... good thing Tim was there</i></div>
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<i>The "Teams Team"</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207347716721698169.post-88561377135712691082013-04-23T13:55:00.002-07:002013-04-23T14:06:12.626-07:00Throwback 2011!I recently was cleaning old documents off of my computer and found this article I wrote for a women's ministry blog from a large church. God really spoke to me during this time and continues to reconfirm the same truths today that he did then!<br />
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This was originally written May 30, 2011 (just a few days after my twin daughters turned 1). The photo below, however is from 2013!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g__MqydvayY/UXb07Ln47-I/AAAAAAAACN8/lIg3d6Uyi2w/s1600/Perez+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g__MqydvayY/UXb07Ln47-I/AAAAAAAACN8/lIg3d6Uyi2w/s640/Perez+Family.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am a wife </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">missionary</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mother of twins</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">daughter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sister</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">encourager</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and above all things, daughter
to the King and image bearer for my sweet King Jesus who, because of his great
unfailing love, donned a crown of thorns to give me eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I, much like you, wear
many hats depending on the day. Being missionaries with G.O. Ministries, we
spend a solid nine months in the Dominican Republic supporting and encouraging
the redemptive work of the Nationals whom we live amongst. We are blessed to see
a glimpse of the Kingdom being restored on the Island of Hispaniola through his
people. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of such restoring work. The
other three months out of the year we are traveling around the United States
sharing with churches, individuals, our family and friends about the work being
done through the local leaders we work alongside of where we live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our last trip to the
states was... good. Real good. The kind of good that makes you feel warm and
connected and like you could run forever. God gave me a glimpse of where I
wanted to be. The kind of mom I could be. The kind of daughter, friend,
missionary, encourager I could be. I often struggle across the tight rope of
motherhood and everything else. I struggle with that feeling of having to
choose one over the other. I struggle with creating boundaries and not saying
“yes” to everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think of all the
things I could say “yes” to in the blink of an eye, and frequently compare our
family to others (because,
let’s admit it, we all compare ourselves to others). I often remind myself that
comparison kills contentment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This last trip to the
states was unique in that I was hit with the realization that I didn’t have to
choose one or the other! I had found myself wishing (after the girls were born)
that God would call me out of ministry because that would make things a whole
lot easier for me and for our family… I thought since He can’t reverse me from
being a mom he would just have to call me out of full-time ministry so I can
focus on other things… and then it hit me. I heard a sermon right around
Christmas time from the pastor at my home church in Las Vegas. He preached that
there really is no such thing as full time or part time ministry. We are all in
full-time ministry because Jesus died a full-time death on a full-time cross. Wow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We don’t get to choose to
not be in ministry, and really, why would we ever want to? I knew in my heart I
really wouldn’t be fulfilled solely focusing all of my time and energy into
being a mom, because that is not what He called us to. He calls us to first
love Him and second to love others. We serve out of our love for Him and for
others. That is something that we cannot walk away from, and if we choose to, I
believe we will have to answer to Him for that choice. I am finding myself
thankful that He took me down that path to discover that these two halves of me
could converge and create someone who deeply loves Him, loves to serve Him and
have a family that by loving them shows His mighty power and love. I am
reminded every time I look into my daughters’ eyes of His grace and mercy for
mankind and I would go to great lengths to bring Him glory in my own family no
matter the path he leads us on. I know that pleases my Father. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And that is the
kind of wife</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">missionary</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mother of twins</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">daughter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sister</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">encourager</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and
above all things, daughter to the King and image bearer for my sweet King Jesus
that I want to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What about you? What has
he shown you in your heart and done in your life to show his power to overcome
any and all situations?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0