I'm back

The last two months I tried blogging and it wouldn't let me. Something about not working with IPhones. So that's why I have been silent . I am happy to get back blogging. So ready or not here I come.     Welcome winter too ❄️!!

I scream you scream ....

We all scream for ice cream . 

So here's how it happens. We had gallons of fresh frozen strawberries . So we just had the make ice cream !! 

Little joys

FaceTime with some of "my kids" tonight . Put a big smile on my face 😃. Silly faces, happy smiles & little chatter . 

Prep perks

Adorable helpers 

Good hard working company 

Happy food

Fresh tortillas 

Kitty's 

Get to feed/ pet cows

Beautiful sunsets 

Golf carts 

And great fellowship.... & food

M&Ms .... Or

I short sheeted someone bed getting ready for preps... Last night I found some kinda hard pine cone type thing in my pillows when I laid down ... Today I got a peace offering they called it. He handed me a big bag of M&Ms ... I felt it and thought they were mini M&Ms. For dessert he said can I have some M&Ms . I said sure , so I opened the bag & it was full of lentils !!!!!! So much for a peace offering . 

He took out the M&Ms & taped the bag shut down the long center under the flap. 

So it continues any ideas of what to do next ?! 

Little excitements

New stamps !! I really enjoy all the variety they come out w. Makes sending letters more enjoyable and fun . Stamps that fit everyone . 

Pre preps

The special  time of year.. preps and convention season. We had w couple pre prep clean up days. Gets you all excited for what's to come !! Clean, clean ,clean , move, set ,up and sleep hard.  

Letter buddy

Sitting her doing some letters and he climbs up and does one too . He's doing it for me but he's not sending it to me, just giving it to me . 

Gem for me

Mangos

Mango season is right now. Big, small, green , yellow, red , smooth , stringy and sweet yummy mangos . So many varieties down here. Some of our friends have mangos trees so we have been feasting!! Best way to eat them is over the sink . 

Mango ice cream 

This lady was in the tree w flip flops picking mangos ! She's around 70 and was no problem for her. She's from Honduras and cleans the house of one of our friends . 

This is how I'm getting my mango belly !! 😬

Spanish g mtg #3

As we sang the hymns I noticed that I recognize Jesús or Cristo. I don't know hardly any other words but I do know when it says Jesus or Christ . Glad we can easily see Him in all languages. We can see him in all of Gods ppl no matter the language . It's all about Jesus . 

      I think Yvonne & I are getting it down better and I'm more comfortable w it . Seemed to flow easier and I was a tiny bit less nervous . I was aware tonight how much you have to work together. I depend on her so much to help me. How to say numbers, which hymns are in Spanish, translating, and more. Helps to learn to work together and being united in our efforts. Amazing to me how God can give so much bread . You don't know what to say next but He gives  it just in time. He is so faithful . I Love seeing the ppl listening so intently holding onto every word. 2 more to go !! 

mi abuela española

My Spanish grandma , miss Beatrice. She made us a tasty supper, fresh hot tortilla , cheese, salsa, tender meat , fresh juice and rice. She stuffed us before g mtg and tried again after g mtg. More more more. Then sent food home w us. She asked if we wanted store bought bread instead of fresh, hot , homemade tortillas W supper.  I told her she was crazy !!! 

  I can't say much to her and she speaks no English. But we love each other. Many many big loving hugs, says more than words. We have our own sign language !  She calls me her baby. It's so wonderful to have a good translator to translate for us this month . Much appreciated.We can talk and joke around now easily and have fellowship more so. She's so proud of me when I call out the hymns in Spanish. You would think I did something great or big. Encourages me to keep trying and that it is all worth it every effort I put into Spanish. 

 

Spanish mtg #2

I prayed ... I was so nervous . More nervous than speaking at convention . It was simple. The meeting was simple . The spirit was strong . The friends were extremely thankful . My heart was softened and I'm so so thankful to God. 

   I felt so out of control and so dependant on God. 

I spoke half a thought and Yvonne translated the friends listened intently .  After mtg not everyone can speak to each other Cz of language barrier.  But everyone wants to be together . Warm smiles , big hugs and a peck on the cheek, firm handshake and soft hearts. 

   Traveling home and in the front seat Spanish is being spoken . We brought one of our friends who doesn't speak English. A privilage for her ... And for us. 

3 more Spanish mtgs!! 😃

Spanish g mtg

We had our first Spanish g mtg tonight . Language is different the spirit is the same , and some hymn tunes!! Yvonne  started the mtg all in Spanish and spoke. The only thing I got was, Jesus is transparent . She told me Luke 12, then I spoke and she translated . One ... Little ... Slow .... Sentence  at a time. It was harder than I expected. I would say something and not know where to go next . Forgot it all, some long pauses . I could have sat down after 5 mins . Everyone was watching so intensely . Like they were trying to pull it out of me. We lived through it!!! And I thought I got nervous in English mtgs 😬😳 . Very humbling. Very thankful for Gods helps and ppls patience . 4 more to go 😃.  So plz think of us and send up a few extra prayers for these mtgs. Would be appreciated . I am really excited for these mtgs. For the friends & contacts who don't speak English or speak just a little .

You can't leave !!

I was packing my bags and saying bye to the mom and I turn around and there is Owen . Blocking the way to the door. 

"You can't leave !" He locked the door top and bottom then first stood in front of it . Sure makes you feel wanted and welcomed 😃. 

Kids

For me One of the biggest joys in the work is the kids!!

  We walked in the door and 6 kids come running at you with the biggest hugs. Hugs on both legs and arms , around the front and the sides. Kids all over . So much love and smiles. They climb in your lap, plant kisses on your cheeks , show you all their toys and tricks. Laughter, smiles, silly faces and up and down and all over the room . Such loving kids. 

Ice skating in FL

Who would have thought About ice skating in FL?! was so fun and felt amazing to be where It was so cool. I got to wear a jacket too !! It's been a couple months since that's happened . 

    I took some teenagers and we had a good time. Good chats and big smiles. 😃

ER

There seems to be a lot of competition down here for the best hospital/ER. Billboards all over w signs like this. 

After mtg indulge

After gospel meetings I get so fully of energy and I get hungry !!! I'm so happy to see everyone there. It's such an amazing feeling of God directing a mtg and feeling the spirit. My heart overflows w love and thankfulness.  

   

   We had coconut cake w 1/2 & 1/2 poured over it!! And a few berries to make it healthy . Yum yum yum ... 

Watermelon

I learned a new way to eat watermelon .

With a grapefruit spoon. Just like s bowl.

It's always better shared right ?

Fathers

Father's Day I didn't spend w my father or grandfathers , but I had some fill ins!🙂 One of the perks of the work, so much family wherever we go . 

Thankful for the wonderful father I have!! I'm a lucky girl ! Glad w these phones pictures still get passed on and it's so easy to be in touch . Love you dad . 

A celebration

A celebration for warren (2nd row 2nd from Left w dark hair) , a 15 year old boy who got cancer last year . Chemo , surgery , nausea and he kept a wonderful spirit . An example of leaving it to God and getting your strength from Him. He said he wasn't afraid. Brought God a little closer and death was more seriouse. He loved to have the hymns sung during those days, a source of comfort. He was a good example to all of us. So happy he is feeling better and his hair is growing back again !!  

 

   Now we hope the cancer stays away but the lessons remembered. 

For the gospel sake

We went to lunch w this lovely 100 year old lady . She cooked up potatoes, beans and stew. We ate then she brought fruit and ice cream . I Tried asking for no ice cream and she didn't take that . Really how about just a little? Just a little it's sugar free , you don't have to have much. Ok eat dessert w a tiny bit of ice cream . ... You know getting full . 

      Then  she asks do you want coffee? 

No thank you I said. What you don't want coffee? Well do you want tea? Sure I'll have some tea. Oh good I'll give you some of This coffee cake to go w it. We already had dessert we don't need that we are full . It's not that much it goes w the tea. It's a dessert appetizer . I want to keep feeding you so i get a longer visit . 

      We finish that round and she's putting the food away . You didn't eat enough there is still leftovers , you aren't very good eaters !  haha 😃

   We had some good laughs and amusements with her. She is a true gem and a joy to be w.  Filled our heart and our stomach. 

Pineapple

The first pineapple of the season ! We were looking at her hundred pineapple plants, mango trees, acacado trees, papaya, sour sap trees and bannan trees and I spotted this yellow pineapple !! 

Absolutely the yellowest, tastiest , tender and sweetest pineapple I have ever eaten. Doesn't get much fresher !!