Food and Fun

Since this weekend is Semana Santa and everyone is off work, we had made plans today to head out to camp (a camp started by missionaries here in Spain over 30 years ago) with several other families from church. Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day, but wouldn't you know it, today we woke up to a cold, windy, rainy day! So, needless to say, our trip to camp was cancelled. But instead of canceling the whole day, a few of us met at church and spent the morning and afternoon playing games and eating. We had a blast, even it we didn't get to spend the day out at camp. Maybe some other time, though!

Here is a picture of the group of us that were at church today. Please pray for Jesus...he is the man with the glasses, holding the his little boy, Nicholas. Jesus is married to the lady in front of Jeff in the red jacket and they have two kids...Nicholas and Vera. She is the little girl with the pink sweater. Jesus has lived many years under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He has not been the husband or father for this family that he should be, but over the last few months, he has been coming to every Couples Meeting that we hold once a month at church and today he showed up as well. We are praying that the Lord would get a hold of his heart and that he would put his faith and trust in Him as his Savior.

Count Your Blessings

I was tagged about a week ago by Ashley and thought that it was a great idea to take the time and Count My Blessings! Here are only some of the many, many things that God has blessed me with...

1. My husband....I am so thankful for the man that God has given me to share this life with. Jeff and I will be celebrating our 8th anniversary in May and I can honestly say that I fall more in love with him with every passing year. I love you, honey!

2. Being a Mommy....I am so thankful for the privilege of being a Mommy! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Aaron has promised me that he will always be my baby and will never stop giving me hugs. I'm holding him to it! Right now he says he will never leave home and that even when he gets married someday, he plans on living with us. I will have to remind him of that a few years from now!

3. A church family....The Lord has allowed us to be a part of a wonderful church family over the last 6 months here in Madrid. They have been a source of encouragement to us in so many ways. We have had such peace in knowing that this was God's will for us at this time. It won't be long before we will be starting a work of our own, and we will always treasure this time we have shared with our church family here in Madrid!

4. A godly family....grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, siblings....I am blessed that most everyone in my family is saved and serving in the ministry. I am a 3rd generation missionary. What a godly heritage!

5. True friends....Good friends are far and few between, but when you find them you are blessed! God has blessed me with true friends that I can count on when I really need them and I pray that I would never take them for granted.

6. A faithful God.....I serve a God who gives strength when you need it. I have experienced that often, especially over the last 4 years, as the Lord has chosen to make us wait at this time as we pray that He would allow us to have more children. It may happen someday, but the Lord is teaching me to be content when He says yes and when He says no. I object to His will many times, but when I surrender to Him, He is always faithful and gives me strength, peace, calm, rest,....just when I need it.

7. My family.....My parents are here and my sister, brother, sister-in-law and nephew are coming. I know that being able to work along side your family on the field is not at all a common thing. I thank the Lord for this and often. I am truly blessed!

They're Here!

My parents arrived in Madrid on April 1st. That's right...on April Fool's Day, but it's no joke!! Aaron's phrase all day Wednesday was..."I can't believe they're really here!"

Here is Aaron, at 7am, Wednesday morning as we drove off to the airport to pick them up. He was excited, to say the least!



They arrived at 8am and we were there, anxiously awaiting their arrival!



We have spent the last few days getting things set up for my parents. Those of you who have moved oversees understand all the setup that is involved when you first arrive in the country! I am so glad that we are here to help them, since having someone there to help when you arrive it wonderful! When we arrived in Spain, our friends the Starks helped us out so much. Thanks again guys!!

Thankfully, things have gone very smoothly so far. We even found an apartment today that we all just fell in love with! After looking at our last apartment for the day, we ran to the grocery store and discovered they had lobster on sale!! So, we just HAD to take advantage of the very rare sale and treated ourselves to a wonderful, seafood meal!





I thank the Lord for the opportunity that He has given us to team up with my family in starting a work here in Madrid. Here is one last picture of Aaron with "Meena". Now we are just waiting for my sister who arrives next Saturday. Yaaaay!!!