evaluating and planning

 

Since our team has been back, we have been trying to get back into the swing of work, family and well.....just "normal" stuff. But we all were able to get together Saturday to look at and review our clinics we had. It was good to discuss what worked, what did we need that we didn't have and to start PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR!! Big things to happen next year. Hopefully some new clinics. We are just talking now, so I can't say anything because, well...I don't know! but I am excited that we are looking into other areas to help heal not only physical needs but spiritual needs as well.

We made lists of meds we needed more of, meds we didn't have but needed and a supply list too. Once we know more of what our trip will look like in 2027 and once we get our trip dates, we will start gathering our supplies! 

From our last clinics, we made a difference in 403 people/families lives. I know God is working in them and through them. The ministers we partner with will be doing follow up with those that came to the clinic, especially those that committed to God at our ministry table. 

As I have said here before, you do not have to go far to be on mission. It is down the street, in your community or in your backyard! I have started working with kindergarten kids at church on Wednesday nights! And THAT IS A MISSION! Those kids are amazing and a challenge. 

Open your hearts, open your ears to hear God speak to you. If you are called to go farther, take heart! God will give you a way. 

1 Chronicles 16:24; “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”

Romans 10:13-15; “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 

Blessings to all,

Given a second chance

 

A second chance...a new start...a do over. We all have wanted this. I know someone who has been given this chance this week. And this is a gift, something not to be taken granted for. Let me explain....

My friend, as long as I have known him, he has been part of our lives. When I was dating my hubs, I met him. You see, he is my hubs best friend. So naturally, he became mine. I got to know his family and soon he became part of mine. He would keep me company when hubs had to work. I think he was there to keep an eye on me! He definitely didn't keep me out of trouble!

When hubs proposed to me, he cried. Not because he was happy, which I am sure he was, but because he thought he lost his best friend. I thought it was funny then, but now I know it was hard for him. But he became my brother from another mother! I have known him for 42 years now, through high school, dating 2 of my friends, weddings, kids, surgeries, cancer and now this.

You see, prayers have been answered. He has been struggling with his heart and about a year ago, he was told he needed a heart transplant. His heart continued to get worse and the last 6 weeks he has been in the hospital. Well, 2 days ago, our prayers were answered and he got a heart. His recovery is going well as to be expected, but the hard part has just started...to recover and live. 

The more I think about this awesome gift he has been given, the more I think about what had to happen for him to get this gift. Someone's family had to make this difficult decision to donate their loved ones heart so someone they never even met could live. I am so ever grateful for their decision, because without it, I know the road my friend would have would be very different.

Not everyone will be able to make a decision like this, and there is no shame or nothing wrong with that. I don't know what I would do if faced with that decision. But we are so grateful and thankful today for the person that gave his heart.

We all have been given a gift of life. Jesus died for us so that we may be saved and have eternal life with him. You just have to believe.

John 3: 16-17; "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

 John 15:13; "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Love to all,

Happy smile

 

Since being home, it has been a little crazy. First, COVID. Yes I got COVID 2 days after coming home. But I was back to work this week, actually last Friday. Thank goodness I didn't have to go to work 2 days in a row, because that Friday wore me out!

Second, I am a pickle making machine! My cucumber plants are outdoing themselves and I have more than enough for pickles. I love making them and enjoy having others like them!

Now my new "hobby" since being home is to start making photo albums. Remember back in the day, when we would print our pictures and place them in photo albums? Nowadays, people just keep them on their phone or computer. Well I am not sure when the last photo album I made was, so I am going to start with the present day and start a photo album and work my way back.

Today I got my pictures from the mission trip. And while looking through them and placing them in the album, my heart smiles. So many awesome memories from just a few weeks ago. One of them is with Rina and her pottery store. I LOVE her store. She has so many beautiful things. My favorites, the wind chimes. I have 4 so far. I did have 5 but one broke :(

But as I go through the pictures, I realize that our friendship took time to grow. It started with her son coming to our hotel, showing and selling bracelets. Then grew from there. Never under-estimate what God can do with just one person. I still have those bracelets from 2017 and still wear them. I now have some very pretty earrings I got this year. Everytime I wear them, a smile comes to my face and my heart. 

What do you have that brings a smile to you? A memory? Hang onto it. Share it.

I am continuing to work on my new hobby. Printing pictures and placing those memories that brings a smile to me in that album to look at but to also share with others. 

Proverbs 17:22: "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Acts 20:35: "There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving."

Psalm 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Blessings to all,

Blessings abound

 

Blessings abound, all around us, no matter where we are. You just have to open your eyes and soak it all in. I found some of these blessings while in Honduras. A small butterfly on a bright colored flower. The sunrise through clouds one morning...So beautiful and so blessed to have this given to me to experience.

Some other things that I was SO thankful for while in Honduras, the amazing newly paved roads! The last time I was there, the roads we traveled to Lacampa were all dirt roads. Roads with many holes and hard to drive on. We have to drive super slow and it took a long time to get to where we needed to be. This trip, the roads are now paved and it only took us 30 minutes from Gracias to LaCampa where before it took like an hour. Such a more better ride too. Less bumps on the bum.

One blessing that really touched me this trip, was all love and greetings of people who I have not seen in 4 years coming to me to talk and hug me. I was not sure if anyone would remember me. But it was an amazing feeling when they would come up and hug me, or see me across the room and point to me and smile, then we would embrace! It's a good feeling knowing that I have made a difference and mark in their lives. My friends, Olympia, Antonio, Rina, Omar. They have touched my life so much and I am so blessed to know them. 

Proverbs 11:25: "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

2 Corinthians 9:8; "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Blessings to all,

Mission update, finally

 I am finally home. Sorry it has taken me a while to get an update to you on my trip. You see, I arrived home late Sunday night, and was resting up on Monday. I had every intent to update you Tuesday, but guess what! I got sick. And I tested positive for Covid! It was an experience that you will have to read about later.  But I wanted to share with you about the mission. It was a great mission. God was moving, for sure!

First, I'll start with the views. Look at the beautiful sunrise God gave us each morning. It was more amazing in person! This is the view from the hotel we stayed in.

This was on the trip to one of the clinics up the mountain, an hour drive. The roads were rough and very bumpy. Thank goodness for handles in the truck to hold onto so you wouldn't be sloshed around and hitting your head on the windows!

I saw lots of animals, cow train in the roads, horses walking around the town, and yes spiders! yikes. I don't like those!

We had a total of 3 clinics and saw a total of 408 people. Each clinic had a minister there that each and every patient was prayed over and told about the promise of Jesus. We had 8 give their life to Christ! 

At the clinics, we saw a lot of people with cough, cold and fever. But the last clinic, we cleaned a lot of ears! People would come in and say they were having hearing loss. Well, when you look in their ears, they needed cleaning. Once cleaned, the smile on their face because they could hear better again, made all the difference!

Another story I liked is when they would come in and say they couldn't see well. We had some reader glasses to give out. I would have them try on the different strengths of glasses and once they found one they could see with, they would just smile the biggest smile because they could now see!

Some of my favorite patients at the clinics were the babies! I would always ask the mom, "can I hold your baby?" and they would always say yes. That is a highlight of the clinic to be able to play with them even if for a short time.

I had a great interpreter for my clinics. She was spot on and I hope to work with again!

This is a picture of the GPS, the road disappeared! I guess the road we were on was not yet registered in GPS yet! Thank goodness we knew where we were going.

This is the kiln/oven that Mrs. O. uses for her pottery. It was so cool to see it and how she does her pottery.

Matthew 25:35-40; For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Blessings to all,

God is so good!

It has been an awesome week so far. I just wanted to send a message of thanks for everyone praying for us. I will have more pictures once I get back. It seems the internet is slow for me here so I can’t get my pictures uploaded!! 

But clinics are going great. I have some great stories for you. Seen lots of cows! Got to see the best parade ever for the community celebration. The construction team is getting their project done. God is so good. 

I did have a struggle with one of my patients and let fear set in because I doubted myself and what to do. God stepped in through my interpreter and we worked together to help her. So the word for today is do not fear. Let God lead you. 

Blessing to all,

 

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

I made it!

 

Well we made it. It was a very long travel day with flying and driving, but we are here. My feet are swollen from all the sitting and flying yesterday and my toes look like little sausages but hopefully today that will go away with all the walking we will be doing.  

And I’m excited for today because we get to experience Lemperia day. The community is celebrating their heritage with a parade and having booths in the town square. The kids in the parade are dressing up and doing skits. It is going to be amazing! Then we have church tonight which is always great. 

And I heard my rooster this morning in the distance. I don’t know why, but I just love hearing them crow! So that is the update for now. I will try to keep you up on the goings on while I’m here but the internet is so spotty. And trying to down load pictures is pretty nil. So I may have to do that when I get back. Just a big photo dump! 

Blessing to all, 

One more week

 

I have started packing. Yes this early. I don't want to forget anything. Because it never fails, when I take a trip, I always forget something. And this trip, there are no stores to go to pick up something. You just do without it! I am getting all the things I need for clinics, for my travels. Also getting my heart ready for whatever God has in store for me and the team. 

Our first team left this morning. They are going to Tela to work with Pastor Franklin and his church. His church is doing so many great things in that community and he is planting churches there. God is definitely using him in so many ways. His church even sponsored their own medical clinic in the neighborhood with local doctors and nurses. So much is happening there.

I am on team 2 and we will leave next week. Pray for us to have safe travels and get through customs without any hiccups. Customs always makes me nervous. I don't know what to expect when we get there, I don't think I ever know what to expect, but I do know I will be helping those that come to the clinics to know Jesus and his love. 

What I am not looking forward to? TSA..Atlanta airport...customs.

What I am looking forward to? Seeing old friends...back to basic nursing...being immersed in their culture..seeing the mountains and beautiful communities/people. And another good thing, I heard the roads are starting to get paved. So not as many dirt, muddy roads this trip. 

I encourage you to look into missions if this has been on your heart. You will not only bless others, but you will also be blessed through the work you do for others.

1 Chronicles 16:24 ESV; "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!"

Mark 16:15 ESV; "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."

Blessings to all,

Countdown has started!

 

It is getting close to our team departure! I have already started to look at my packing list to see if I have everything, which I don't! But it will all come together soon. I was looking through some of the old pictures of previous trips. I came across 2019, my last time I worked in the medical clinics. I remember each of those pictures and experiences like it was yesterday. And it is also bitter sweet. It was the last year me and my dad went on a mission trip together. We have gone on so many trips together, and he has put the spirit of missions in my soul. So many stories he has of his trips has encouraged me to to want to do this. Not everyone can GO, but you can go out in your workplace, community, or locally with your church. You can also support your missions through church or just independently. 

I am looking forward to getting back into the clinics. I have to admit, I have a little fear. It has been a while. But God's got this!

Just volunteering is a show of God's love and grace. It just takes courage to step out and speak up. Trust me, that is not always easy and I have to defeat this fear everyday. Sometimes it is easy, but sometimes it can be scary. But God's got your back!

I usually have a prayer partner but the last few trips, I have not had a dedicated one. So as I prepare my heart for this trip, please be my prayer partner and pray for courage to speak, the words to say and the actions to move forward. Pray for our team to be safe while there and keep the illnesses away and for our return home. 

1 Chronicles 16:24; “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”

Romans 10:13-15; “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 

Blessings to all,

Not perfect

 

Not Perfect. God knows that is soooo true about me. I am not perfect. I would have to say that I am the "perfect" human. Yes. Humans make mistakes, everyday. I mess up daily, and more than one time a day. I hate that I am not perfect and that I mess up. And sometimes I beat myself up over the things that comes out of my mouth before my mind can say STOP!! Or those negative thoughts about me or someone else that pop into my head. (Especially when I am driving!). We all are human and mess up, no matter if you are a believer or not. The only difference.....

                I am forgiven. I am saved. We all are, but you have to believe. 

Just because I am a mess sometimes, doesn't mean that God can't use me. Believe it or not, He uses the unqualified more than the qualified. And when He calls you, I guarantee your response will be like mine...PANIC! I panic everytime God calls me to do something. And you may be like me too when you tell God, you got the wrong guy. Isn't that funny, telling God he's got the wrong guy when he knows all along who he wants in each task he has for us. 

When God calls you, you go. You don't need to figure it out. Just go and He will guide you. There are so many people that God is trying to reach and it just may be you that will reach them. And you are just the person to reach that one, the one God leads you to. Ephesians 2:10 says; "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

God's got you and me, through all the panic, through all scary times, but the reward is on the other side. To be part of the big plan, which we already know the ending too!

Blessings to all,

Faith

 

Every trip our team makes, we have a verse we stand on, mediated on to prepare our hearts for whatever God has in store for us. This year is Hebrews 11:1; "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Walking by faith is hard, because you do not see faith, the promises that God has for us. But you just know and trust they are there. That is faith. You don't see it, but know it's there. And it is a good feeling knowing that God is on your side. That he is with you every step of the way in life. 

This verse is true to our mission. We have to have faith that God will use us. They he will give us courage to speak the words to say, strength to do the work, and willingness to keep going. Sometimes that can be hard, not just in everydaylife, but even in Honduras. It is so easy to get caught up in whatever you are doing and not slow down to hear what God has to say and what he wants you do. So you want an example, well, my whole life is an example!

One example is on one of my trips, I got so caught up in the medical clinics, in all the "legalities" of running the clinics, I didn't think to slow down and just look at the people I was serving. I was caught up on all the work that I lost sight of why we were there...to help people and tell them of Jesus love. One way that God is able to get my attention is when the little kids and babies come to the clinics. They are so precious and the mommas welcome us to hold and love on them. It is very special to me to do that because my kids are adults now. And to hold a little one, well, that is special. 

Another example is that when I go back, I see people that I have built relationships with. I enjoy seeing them and talking with them to build onto that friendship that we have made. I am looking forward to this trip because I have not been in the LaCampa area in a few years. And thank goodness for social media. Because I am able to keep up with them when we are not together. One special lady I am looking forward to seeing again is our friend that runs her pottery business out of her home. She opens her home, makes us coffee and we just sit and visit. (and I may or may not buy some pottery!). This is how you show God's love, just be there. Have faith (that you do not see) that God will use you. Because he will!

So my word to you all, keep the faith, even when you don't see it, because it is there, and God is with you. He will guide you, give you the words you need and strength to move forward. He is always with us.

Blessings to all,

Where are you?

 

Have you ever thought, what in the world am I doing here? Well I do, a lot! Think about where you are and why you are there/here, where-ever. 

You are not there by accident. That place...That store...That job...That mission. It isn't an accident. You are right where God has planted you, you may just not see it yet. 

Next question...Are YOU willing to be used by God? I know, It's scary. It is very intimidating to follow God, and not know how things will turn out. You may hear God tell you to go somewhere and think, why? You may be thinking- This is silly. 

Example...I had someone tell me that they felt God direct him to a different way home and he stopped at a gas station to fill up. He went in to pay, (yes this was before there was pay at the pump!) and there was a girl who was needing to get milk and diapers for her baby and didn't have enough money. He listened, felt that nudge, and helped that girl get those things she needed. If he didn't go that way home, he would have never stopped and she would have not been on the receiving end of grace and love. 

It's the small things, that show God's love, that add up to the bigger things. 

If you are feeling this, ask God, "would you create an opportunity for me in this place?" Ask him to give you the courage to use those opportunities, for his glory. 

You ask, how do you know what to do?  Make time for the quiet moments. The world is loud, so loud. God comes in the whispers, the wind. So when he says, "Be still" he means it. Quiet your mind, your heart and just.....listen. You will learn to discern the voice of God. 

1 Thessalonians 2:8; "So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."

Psalm 46:10; "Be still, and know that I am God"  

Love to all,

Meeting one...getting started

We had our first team meeting this morning to review our plans for this summer in Honduras!! We got to see who was all on the team and we have 23 total! I am getting excited about all the wonderful things we will be doing. July will be here soon. 

Planning and preparation is underway for the children and women's ministries both weeks. We will soon be cutting out the activities for the children's ministries to take with us. We will have to make some new costumes for our play we do for the bible story.  Our story is the healing of the Centurion's servant. Children's ministry is always fun. Coloring, putting on plays, songs! 

I am going the second week of the team's mission trip. I will be assisting with the 3 medical clinics. I am happy to get back into helping with the clinics. It has been a long time. I feel a little nervous about being on the clinic team since it has been a while. But I have the knowledge to care for people, it is just getting there and doing it! I am so glad that God can use me in this way. This will be my 8th trip to Honduras, and 5 of those have been with medical clinics.  I was going through my storage box with my mission essentials and sorting through it all. I have "mission clothes" that I have stored up that I wear just on these trips. Skirts, scrubs, t-shirts. I think I need to renew some of them. They are looking a little worn. My clinic medical equipment is still working. And I still know how to use my trusty stethoscope. Hubs is having me practice on him taking BP checks!

Please, Keep praying for our team as we prepare our hearts, minds and spirit for the trip. Pray for our families too that help support us state side. 

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant; Luke 7:1-10

7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant[a] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion[b] heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

Blessing to all,

Getting prepared for Honduras 2026

 

I have been working on preparing my heart, my mind for our trip this summer. It has been a few years since I have been there, and I have to say.. I miss it. I miss being there. I miss being able to be a part of something so much bigger than me. I think I got a little burned out on trying to manage the medical clinics, that I lost sight of what we were doing. I was concentrating on what had to be done and not on what we were doing.

So now that I have taken a step back, I can see what our true purpose is. To help others. Their spirit, mind and body. I am getting excited about going back into the medical clinics. I am not sure what to expect, but I am being flexible. I will be there to do whatever job is handed to me. I know God can use me in whatever he leads me to. 

And I am sure God will place me right where he wants me to be. And I know it will probably be something that is definitely out of my comfort zone, that will challenge me and will definitely scare me!

So as I prepare my heart, mind and spirit, I am preparing my inner anxiety to anticipate something big and to train myself to give it to God. 

Isaiah 41:10 ESV; "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Blessing to all,