Adventure

You can consider my lack of entries this past month as a show for how much I've been enjoying my time here.

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So, I have too much to catch up on. What a journey this has been!!!

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Two weekends ago I adventured out (when I say out, I mean 10 hours both ways), 

to Semuc Champey, Coban.

 This is the 'farthest out in the middle of nowhere', Guatemala I have been.

...But man, what beauty!!

Hannah and I got dropped off, alone, in this rustic cabin:

Where in the morning we were greeted by one of God's creations that make you wonder "WHY God!?" :

...(I named him Satan).

But we put our big girl panties on and ..

                                                           took the long way around to leave the cabin ASAP.

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Our day included some company:

A guide.

 Who was a human-monkey. 

This man knew how to HIKE, SWIM, RUN, and JUMP  at ungodly speeds. 

I never knew it was possible to be so fit.

&

Four very cute Brazillian boys.

***

After the hike of death up a steep mountain-side we were rewarded with incredible views.

 Wow, God really took time painting this place. 

***

Covered in sweat and stinky, we stripped down to our suits and dove in!!!

Our crazy guide took us sliding down waterfalls feet first,

swimming under the waterfalls into caves so small you could only fit one head at a time,

and jumping of a 200 ft. bridge. (or higher, it was ridiculous). 

***

After our lunch, we floated down the river in tubes. 

It wasn't untill after the float I was informed of the crocs and snakes that surround this river. Lovely.

***

THE BEST PART:

 I was unable to bring my camera inside, thank the Heavens, because we were submerged in water almost the whole time;

THE CAVES. 

We were each given one candle. This was our form of light.

We adventured into the dark Guatemalan caves for about an hour and a half.

Sliding down dark waterfalls in pitch dark, swimming through pools of water not knowing what's around you, having bats fly around your head,

looking behind and seeing a dark hole of nothing,

but then looking above you and seeing the rock carved away by thousands of years, 

I still can't believe I got to do that. 

Thank you Lord,

What an incredible day.

Happy Valentines Day from Hannah and I <3

Relax&Enjoy (Everyday)

The Guatemalan stomach bug has attacked again!! Prayers appreciated!!!

Spent my morning with my lovely teacher learning some Spanish,

Went to the doctor with Hannah, turns out her knee doesn't need a brace! Yay! Praise the Lord:)

Had a nice 'date' at our new favorite restaurant, Cafe Viejo,

Then I got some of the best banana bread from the bakery!

         This Friday:

              Kamba Caves 

                         and 

                              Semuc Champey.. 

                                                         Here we come!!!!!!!!!

Baila!

Did all of that REALLY happen in ONE day??

You know, I honestly don't think I've ever had a day so full of ups and downs. 
...wow. 


Prayer Requests:
Well. I can't really discuss exactly what's happening...
 but lets say my heart broke so bad today that I felt like someone had put it through the crusher. . . please pray!!!

BUT 

never-the-less, 

God is SO good 

and his love 

is continuing to grow 

and manifest in my heart!!!

Praise HIM!

                                                ____________________________

Beautiful Things:

Meet Jacquoline:

          My new found friend, Hannah, and I were sitting on the side of the fountain just talking like we had been for the last 4 hours (we are new found friends, wow what an amazing woman), when Jacquoline came running up smiling and I couldn't help but start talking to her and playing with her. 
           After about 20 minutes her mom came up to me trying to sell me stuff, we started in on conversation (THANK YOU LORD for my Spanish lessons!) and she told me she had lost her house in the mudslides and came to Antigua to try to make enough money to get a house again by selling stuff on the streets. We were talking and talking and she said all the kids eat really is soup because it is cheap to make and buy, her cheek bones were purtruding and her ribs were all there to easily see. 
            Suddenly the holy spirit filled me and I started shaking on the inside with his love and warmth. I asked her what is her favorite food to eat and she told me avacados, ham, and bread. (easy enough)!! So we ran to the store and filled a buggy with food and brought it back to her and her family in a box... I really dont think I have ever seen a smile so true, so real.     
           Eva couldn't stop hugging me and telling me how much she appreciated it. I made sure she knew that they were gifts from God and that he loved her and thought she was beautiful, and her kids too. She gave me and hannah bracelettes and hugs until we decided to leave. She was so happy she couldnt stop smiling! Eva told me, "Cada dia yo no se como voy a dar mis ninos comida, pero ahora tengo suficiente comida por todo del semana o mas!!!! AYE! Dios me ama! Dios me ama!!" ((Each day I dont know how im going to feed my kids, but now i have enough food for all week or more! Aye! God loves me! God loves me!" ....

Thank you, Father for using me for your works.

 "What you do to the least of them you do to me" 

                                                     __________________________

Hannah:

I have been rather lonely here this past week, actually struggling pretty badly. I just asked God to put a girl/friend in my life that loved him like I do. 
...A couple days later, I started talking to Hannah! We walked and talked for hours today. She mentioned going to Bethel Church and I was like.. wait.. what?! Bill Johnson's church??? And then we started talking about Heidi Baker and etc. etc.... instant BFFs!!! 


So next weekend we are going caving/rafting together for the weekend, can't wait!! :)

Once again,

Thank you Lord!!

In the hussle bussle of life,

I pause to throw my arms in the air,

and thank our Father for his never ending love,

for us ALL. 

What a beautiful thing, His love. <3

You Make Beautiful Things, Out of Dust

Play this song while reading,

it's entertaining,

& Beautiful of course.

My List of Things I wanted to do in MI:


-GH Beach
-Butches
-Chans
-Spend SO much time with Emma
-Spend A TON of time with Grace
-Stay at each of my sisters' house
-See as many SL people as possible
-Boat ride in SL & Lake MI
-See Sarah Boogerd
-Have fun at the cabin
-Kayak with Grace

LIST slmost ACCOMPLISHED!


Guatemala List:
-Move there.
-See people healed.


... it will happen.
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As my summer of travelling comes closer to a close, I am anxious... yet terrified. 
Im ready to draw closer to God and have him be the love of my life.
There are just so many things that I know I'm going to have to cling to Abba for, otherwise I'll fall back. 
Im excited for my new place, and getting into horses again! That's for sure. 










I pray for the ministry, and I thank you for the amazing things you've been doing. 
I thank you for providing their every need, 
                        and making it more beautiful than we had imagined possible.
I pray for my family. And their struggle to draw close to you in their marriages. 
Father, I just want your love.

The week after is always hard

I found myself face first in God's presence again tonight. 
          Seems to be happening a lot lately. 
Whether I'm crocheting a hat, eating dinner, or simply driving down the road; God's presence keeps on falling on me, intensely.
The recent decision I made has been crushing my flesh. My spirit is soaring.
God has told me it is the right thing, but oh how the flesh will grow strong if we let it. I can't believe over the last year how little by little I ignored God's small whisper to me. He told me things to protect me and my precious heart. Seems like I would learn by now that God knows best.
I feel as though I was a stubborn teenager that thought I knew better. 
God has been telling me over and over and over again lately that the plan he has for me is beautiful and everything I've ever dreamt of. He just keeps telling me to seek him and the things he has for people. God has been giving me my strength.

         I really don't want anything unless it's what God has for me.

Every time I go my own way, I end up flat on my face praying that God helps me out of it.
I'm ready to follow everything he has for me. I just pray strength.
Sometimes I can just feel Satan tremble when I cry out to my Father. It feels so nice.