Mornings in Brazil

Greetings!

I am having one of my typical beautiful mornings in Brazil. Normally I wake up, grab some breakfast and coffee, and then crack open my Bible or a podcast. I've spent the last week studying Hebrews.

Today was AWESOME because I discovered yesterday that the family I'm staying with has a Dr. John MacArthur commentary on ... yes you guessed it Hebrews! :) I must stop and thank the Lord for placing books I enjoy... that I can read because they are in English... in strategic places for me around the planet. :)

This morning I was reading about the first three verses in Hebrews 12. Lately I have been praying and asking the Lord for direction and discernment for my life. Asking the Lord a lot of questions and feeling burdened about the "right" path to take.

In part of this passage in Hebrews it talks about..."fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith". The commentary expressed that We are to be filled with the Spirit, and when we are, our focus will be on Jesus Christ, because that is where the Spirit's focus is (John 16:14). It is not that we make an effort to NOT to look at this or that or the other things that may distract us. If our focus is truly on Jesus Christ, we will see everything else in its right perspective. When our eyes are on the Lord, the Holy Spirit has the perfect opportunity to use us, to get us running and winning the race.

Somehow that makes the choices I need to make in life sound much easier. I have one purpose for the next few months. Fixing my eyes on Jesus. The great thing is that right now I have time to totally focus all my thoughts, energy, actions... everything towards Jesus. Now I believe that my prayers will be shifting from what next to .... how can keep this mind set when I return to "real" life. :)

Well those are my thoughts this morning. :)

Catch you on the flip flop yo! :)

Its a small world

Hello Everybody....

The last few weeks I have been plagued with a little bit of home sickness. Anyway... tonight I was in the grocery store and ran into an old friend! It is indeed a small world. The experience warmed my heart!!! I have include a photo of my friend below. :)



Can you believe they sell these things in Brazil????? I of course bought one and enjoyed every bit of it! I also forced the others around me try one too. :) I can't help be thank the Lord for a small taste of home! :)

I'm sending love and hugs to all reading this! :)

... time to tumble on! :)

The Haps

Hello Everybody!!!

I thought I would post a quick update. I am currently in Brazil volunteering at a Christian school. I am working on a project developing the school's first year book. It has been a lot of fun working with the kids! Last week I did a special photo shoot just for the Seniors! :)


I am also spending time with the youth at a church in this city. Since I've been here we had a 4 day retreat for High School students. It was an amazing time of Spiritual growth with the kids... not to mention is was super fun! :) At the camp we had celebrity appearances by Fred Flintstone, Minnie Mouse, and Shaggy... unfortunately Scooby Doo couldn't make it... maybe next year! :)

As for now I am planning to be in Brazil until the end of May. After that I am praying about a few other options in South America. :) My prayer request at the moment is that all my plans for the next month or so would be ironed out very soon! :)

My Prayers Today

Dear Lord,

I am looking for my reasons to thank you for today. I believe you have a good plan for our lives. I believe you have your reason for this time that we will spend without Kit with us on this earth.

Lord let me not forget what You have taught me through Kit's life. Let these lessons grip me. Let me use Kit's example to bring you glory and honor. Lord give me the torch and give me the strength to run this leg of the race with the same tenacity, passion, and reckless abandon that Kit did. Let your love drive me. Lord you have given me the faith and confidence that I can do it because I know a man that has!

Thank you Lord

My heart is not here today

My heart is not here today. I am thinking of my Pastor and friend Dr Kit Lauer. An inspirational, driven man that I believe lived his life to the fullest.

My thoughts have been pointed towards heaven. I'm longing for another day and time where this world will be rid of sickness, tragedy, pain, tears of anguish, and from the "why God" questions of life. I am dreaming of a day when we will be greeted again by our brothers and sisters. A day when I get to worship in the presence of the Lord. I long for a time when the thought that tomorrow might not come is gone.

I am praising the Lord that I had the privilege of knowing Kit! I am thankful for his days on this earth and the mark that he left on my life.

Iguazu Falls

Greetings and Salutations!!!!

I got the fantastic opportunity to travel to Iguazu falls recently. I first heard about this part of the world in 1998 and I have dreamed of going there since then. It took me 11 years to actually go there but it was absolutely worth the wait.

You know I was just thinking about how sometimes you wait and wait and wait to see a movie... and when you go to see it.... it was just ok. The expectation kills the experience. Well this is one of those places in the world were my expectations would have never measured up to the actual experience. Nothing in my life could have prepared me for the spectacular wonder that was before my eyes.

There was a plaque posted in the park that quoted Psalm 93:4 - Mightier than the thunder of many waters, Mightier than the waves of the sea, The Lord on high is Mighty! - God is always greater than all of our troubles. What a great sign to post in such an amazing place!!! The evidence of God's power and creativity were everywhere!!! Visiting Iguazu was an unforgettable experience.

Be careful sleeping on park benches in Argentina

I was having some quite time in a park in Buenos Aires and when I looked up there was this HUGE lizard like creature staring at me. I was too surprised to scream... I was going through all the .... am i loosing my mind type questions... when i could finally gather my senses and grab my camera. The creature... maybe we should call him Godzilla... was on his way to the next park bench where a man was sleeping. Godzilla stared at the man until he woke up and then went about his business eating bugs and then finally duck off into the bushes.

I decided that my visit to Argentina is going to be amazing and full of surprises.... just like my first day out on the town!!! :)