Baptism on the Green

"Repent and  be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38

My church has a really cool festival and event every year called Baptism on the Green. This year they baptized over 160 people that evening! Unreal and so uplifting to see so many giving of their lives to God and publicly announcing they will follow in his steps. I was one of those 160 plus! Crazy right? I have been a believer and a follower for as long as I can remember but I was never baptised. In our church you had to be a certain age, that was deemed old enough to decide on your own, before you could be baptised. By the time I hit said age I was too embarrassed to go in front of the whole church and be dunked in a tank of water. Then as I got older it just seemed like I was then too old for this ritual or again too embarrassing. Dumb I know! This event was perfect. So many others my age and older were participating and it wasn't all eyes on me at Church. I am so glad I finally made the final step and took the plunge literally and figuratively.

My good friend Eva who was our mission trip leader actually was the one to baptize me. So neat right! I felt so blessed and loved by so many that evening. My Aunt, Uncle, Cousin Sarah, and my mom were all there to rejoice and celebrate with me. Christ Community is such a perfect church and I feel at home there - so glad I started going regularly to church again and making time in my life for God and others who follow him!

Seeking Four More Years on Council

 

The last four years have flown by! I will be the first to say it has been a lot of very very hard work and some stressful tough decisions but overall I've loved every minute of my time on council. Because of this I'm running for a second term - official papers were turned in yesterday. This brings a mix of excitement and nerves! Let the games begin.

My Amazing Family & Wednesday's Scripture

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline."
2 Timothy 1:7

I can't even begin to express how blessed I am to be surrounded by love and supported by these amazing people. I have the best family anyone could ever hope for! I realize this doesn't really relate to the scripture above but figure every post needs a picture :)

Those Guatemalan Kids I Can't Forget

I still have several sets of Guatemala pictures to share, along with stories of our trips to the market and Aldeas. But for today just a few pics of the kids I can't seem to forget.

Would have loved to bring these three home with me. Spotlight stealers and heart breakers I tell ya!

I have always said I am a one kid maximum momma as obviously getting a little old to produce multiple kids! However, after this trip I really truly am considering the fact if I am ever blessed with a husband that I would without a doubt also adopt a kid or two. Crazy talk I know, especially the husband part.

Scripture for the Day

 

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

Guatemala Walks

I took a slight break from posting Guatemala pictures and realized I still have so many left to share. Every morning I was lucky enough to have a few girls go walking with me. Those morning walks were the best - it was so peaceful out with the fog still at the base of the mountain, the sun peeking through, and hardly anyone around.

It was such a great chance to enjoy the beauty of my surroundings, reflect on the prior day and the day ahead of us, and get to know these few girls better. I absolutely loved these morning walks! I miss them now that back in the city and daily life.

Guatemala Mission Trip Video

My cousin Sarah created this amazing video. So much talent!  She did a great job merging together photos each of us took along with the worship songs we used daily. This trip was so much more than I ever expected, I sometimes feel words just can't even bring it justice.

More photos to come as I still haven't shared about the Aldeas, the market, or more just daily orphanage life.

Scripture for Monday, and a glimpse at our family pictures

1 Peter 2:9

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Take time to rest by the wayside, for I am not in a hurry. A leisurely pace accomplishes more than hurried striving. When you rush, you forget who you are and Whose you are. Remember that you are royalty in My kingdom. Jesus Calling. 

Life gets busy and it is very easy to forget to take time for the important things. The scripture above is such a great powerful reminder! We recently took family photos at our cabin. I love looking at them and seeing the love I am surrounded by. I'll share more of them as soon as I can edit them. 

The Kids of Hogar de Vida

These kids stole my heart. They truly did. I expected to have fun and maybe feel sorry for them being stuck in an orphanage but never in a million years did I expect to fall in love with them. I so badly wanted to bring them home with me and buy that crazy big farmhouse and give them all a warm loving home, a great education, a Christian home, and a future that is wide open for their taking. 

They were wild and crazy at times and sweet and loving other times. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the random play dates in the mornings, no structure, just playing with these hoodlums - trying to find ways to keep them occupied and happy. I quickly realized being a mom is a whole lot of work but also very rewarding.

All the kids were great but the three youngest are the three I was smitten with and ready to scoop up. Oh Hermelinda, Oscar, and Alicia you three kill me! They were beyond adorable and had the biggest personalities to go with their looks. I have no idea how I would have ever told them no or disciplined them!

It was fun to let them try new things - like the water bucket - and see their delight. I forgot how simple life is for children.

Several weeks have passed since I left Guatemala but I still miss these munchkins and still have great memories of the time I did spend with them, loving on them, and giving them attention. Why oh why can't we adopt from Guatemala!!!

Can't leave this post without a quick plug that all the kids in the Orphanage need sponsors so if you are interested the link to sponsor is: www.homesoflife.org or email Vickie, one of the missionaries, and homeoflifeguat@gmail.com. 

You will get letters and updates about the child you choose to sponsor and a warmth in your heart knowing you are making a difference and providing them a home full of love and warmth, even if it isn't the traditional home many of us grew up in. It is still a loving Christian home where they are provided with meals, clothing, and a chance at education they would never receive otherwise.