It is no secret what God can do. Stuart Hamblen

This song came to me this morning when I was thinking about all the things that have happened in the last two weeks. On the first of September, I received a phone call about 3:30 AM from my youngest son in the states. Through tears he told me that his oldest son had been shot by a policeman and had died. I could not believe what I was hearing. It was so unreal and still is. I flew home to be with my son and his family. 

My grandson Caleb was the nicest kid. He would help with whatever when someone needed help. He was extremely intelligent with homework done in a flash. But somewhere a few years ago, he decided to go a different route than the way he had been raised. With tears in his eyes telling his mom and dad that he loved them, he told them he was going to do his drugs and there was nothing that they could do to stop him. They had spent thousands of dollars on counsellors, and even Boys Town in Nebraska for a year and a half, but to no avail. So what happened to this kind, good-looking kid? I don't have the answer. But I know that the Lord does, and I have to trust in His love and mercy. I have hoped that in the few minutes before Caleb died that he called out to the Lord to save him. 

Because it was a cop shooting, the story went national. His druggy friends were saying to riot and burn Wichita. Really? How stupid! As if that is going to bring Caleb back or bring justice? My son spoke off the record to a reporter, who printed some of the things that was said. When the story was printed, things calmed down. My son, who had been in law enforement, said that he would have done the same thing that the policeman had done. Caleb had produced a gun and had pointed it at the officer.  When nothing happened, he chambered another round, and with both hands pointed it at the officer. The rest is history. One relative was so angry with the policeman, saying it was an execution, etc. Really? Someone points a loaded gun at you, are you really going to ask if he is trying to scare you or is he going to shoot you? My grandson wasn't a thug as the term mostly implies, but he was outside the law and suffered the consequences of his decisions. Does his family mourn? Absolutely. But they also have deep compassion for the young man that ended Caleb's life. 

The way our nation has gone makes me so sad. Race tensions have so increased in the last several years. There are those that call themselves Christian leaders who have only encouraged and led dissention among the races. They have not followed in the footsteps of Him who they say they serve. I would not want to be in their place on judgment day. Our country has fallen from the honored place that it once held.  How sad, but God is no respecter of persons or nations. Our nation was founded on Bibilical principles. Our constitution was founded on the same, but our leaders refuse to follow and obey it. When a nation rejects God, God will reject that nation in time. He always sends warnings before judgment, but when the people refuse to hear and change, He does what only a loving God can do.

I know that the Lord will bring some good out of this very sad situation. My Grandma use to say that it is an ill wind that doesn't bring somebody some good. I believe Romans 8:28.

I will miss my grandson when I go to the states, but my greatest memories will be those times that we spent together, watching "scary"movies, eating tuna fish sandwiches by candlelight, and eating spaghetti and cheese.

I thank the Lord for perhaps saving Caleb from something far worse than the tragedy that took his life.

Psalms 91. Count the promises in this Psalm.

So I gave the message to our church board this month and it was on Ps. 91. Always I ask the Lord for the message because I know that I will be held accountable for what I speak.  And He gave me Ps. 91. How appropriate it was.  When the others were talking before the meeting actually begun, the Lord definitely confirmed His message to me.  It seems that Zika is a big scare for many, Christians included.  How sad especially when He hasn't given us the spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind!  There are so many promises in this Psalm.  There are only 16 verses in this Psalm, but there are more than 16 promises. I learned this Ps. when Becky and I went to Belize in 2009, and the lady there had a bot fly larva in her shoulder. I stand on these words.  So I gave the message in Spanish!!! I didn't explain one area very well, so the secretary elaborated on it for me. They received the message well and was reciting some verses along with the reading aloud of it.  It also produced a lot of discussion.  So once again I give thanks to the Lord for all His guidance.

I love Pastor Dago and his wife Martha.  I can discuss anything with them freely.  What a blessing, and we're usually always on the same page.  However, when we have these discussions, he pulls out his phone and says ok, you can preach this Sunday! No!  I need time to get this down in Spanish. When I speak in English, I do not write it out. I only write down what scriptures I'm going to use, and a few key points.  In Spanish, it's totally different.  I have to write it out, and I don't like that because it always changes a little when I speak.  But the Lord always helps me. Bless His holy name.

I had to renew my residency for this year.  Even though the card gives an expiration date, the renewal has to be started at least a month ahead.  So mine ended last December, and I started the process last September.  Well, I still don't have it.  So last Wednesday, I learned that it was ready.  However, Mario had called a person on Tuesday to tell me that it was ready and for me to call him if I wanted his help. Of course I wanted his help.  So I called him on Wednesday and told him that I had just gotten his message.  The person had forgotten to tell me until then.  So he asked about going on the next day which was Thursday, and I told him that I would take the bus to Tegus and he could pick me up at the bus stop.  He said ok, and all was well.  So we got to the immigration place, and we learned that they had sent a message to my attorney on June 6th that my residency was ready. He never told Mario anything. I had 30 days to come get it or I would have to pay a fine of over $150.  We were flabbergasted!  So the young lady counted the days, and we were on the 30th day!  Oh, dear Lord! So after the days had been counted again, I was ready to have my picture, and finger prints taken again. So we are going the 27th to actually pick up my new card. This was one time that I was actually glad that they don't count the weekends. Now, it's kind of funny because when the first lady started counting, I was praying, and I know that Mario was too.  And then when she told us that all was well, we both started praising the Lord.  How the Lord moves on our behalf always.  I am so thankful that I know the Lord, and that we have a relationship that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Things at the school are still pretty rough.  I know that the Lord has a plan, and I have to rest in that. So however, He plans to move, so be it.

Be blessed.

Rom.4:3...Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him fpr righteousness.

So what is happening here? A lot. Some super good, others not so good. Life, yes? So the good first. God is always faithful and has a plan for each of us.  Sometimes we understand what He is doing, and other times, it's by faith that we stand firm on His word.

I was asked to be on the Pastor's board of our small church. Of course, I said yes.  We meet once a month and discuss whatever is on the Pastor's mind and ours.  He always wants our opinions and thoughts. It's very refreshing to go to a meeting and know that the decisions have not already been made by others before the meeting.  And now I have to prepare a short message for our next meeting. I really want to do it in Spanish even though the pastor or our secretary could translate for me.  So we will see what happens.

I also preached about three weeks ago.  It was on the works of Abraham.  What were his works?  In a nutshell, he believed God's word and acted upon it. He is called the Father of the faithful.  So if we are one of the faithful, then we should also believe God's word and do what he tells us.  Faith and obedience.  God appeared to Abraham, so Abraham knew him and his voice.  When the three men appeared, he knew one was the Lord and the other two were angels. Jesus said his sheep would know his voice and another they would not follow. Abraham knew God's voice. When he was told to sacrifice Isaac, He never hesitated. He knew the promise that the Lord had given him concerning Isaac. That promise couldn't be fulfilled if Isaac was dead. He also knew that if he did kill Isaac, the Lord would resurrect him (Heb.11). He also knew that the Lord was different from the gods that the people around him served. They offered their babies/children to their idols. God never requires such a sacrifice.  He knew God would supply a sacrifice.  Jesus said that if we loved our son, daughter, etc. more than  him, then we weren't worthy of him.  Abraham loved the Lord more than he loved Isaac. Can we say that?  And then there are those that know what God requires of them, but they are like Jonah.  They choose to go their own way.  I believe that there are may in the belly of the fish today, slippin' and slidin' around not realizing that if Jonah had not come to himself, repented, and prayed, he would have died there as food for the fish. And then there is Jeroboam, the one who made Israel sin. He did not believe the words that God spoke to him about ruling Israel, hence always behind his name are the words, he who made Israel to sin.  What a horrible legacy.  Which one of these are we? I pray that we are like Abraham and his son Isaac who believed and had faith not only in his father but also in the God that his father believed and served.  

Two weeks ago today, our church went to Cantarranas for a baptism.  There were five this time. Thank you Lord!  After we were on the bus and ready to go, my pastor comes by and says to me that he wants my help.  Doing what?  Helping him baptize!  Yay!  my heart's desire. I have always wanted to do this.  Baptisms are so beautiful.  So I did. What a blessing.  So I had no other clothes to change into, since Pastor didn't tell me until we were on the bus and ready to leave, but the sun dried them on me  and all was well.

Ah! An earthquake tremor about 9:30 PM night before last. I was in bed and it started rocking. I'm thinking ok, here we go.  A few seconds and it was over.  I learned a long time ago that if God doesn't protect you, then nothing or no one else can do it. So, peace.

So now the not so good. Our school is really going through some things that I know our Lord is not pleased with.  There needs to be some serious changes. I pray and believe that the Lord will move quickly.  And it's something that I don't feel needs to be discussed.  Just pray for the Lord's will be done.

God bless you all.

Mat.7:13-14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

It seems the times for blogging are getting farther and farther apart!  I have never really liked to write, but it is a needful thing.  However, after teaching and learning all day, sitting down and writing is the last thing that I want to do!  I learned in one of my college classes that even professional writers do all kinds of things to avoid the actual sitting down and writing.  So I guess I'm in good company.

This year the government has said that the kids have to to go to school on Saturdays basically to play. Now our teachers and students don't have to since there are only two that are not attending the university on Saturdays.  They can play on Fridays. And the kids leave during the week at 1:00, but teachers have to stay until 2:00.  So our administrator is going to ask the district if we can leave at 1:00 also since there is nothing for us to do after the kids leave. I pray so since I get home maybe 30 minutes before my first student comes to my house for English on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  And on Mondays and Wednesdays we have English from 4:00 to 6:00 and then church at 6:30.  And now some good news.  We get to leave at 1:30!!! So much better.  What a difference thirty minutes makes. Thank you Lord.

I surely did get an education yesterday when reading in Jeremiah. Jeremiah told King Jehoakim about his death. So I went on line to see about this horrible king. The Jewish encyclopedia gave quite an account of this wicked king. And then I learned a new word-epispasm. That gave me understanding of what Paul said in I Cor.7:18-19. I'd never heard of such a thing. It seems that the Jewish men wanted the prasie of men more than God's praise.  I thought what do God's people do today to be accepted by the world, but rejected by the Lord.  We walk a very straight and narrow road.  If you don't know what this is and you want to know, then you need to look it up and read for yourselves.

Classes at school are going well. One of my students that comes to the house came by yesterday to ask for the correct pronunciation of the words mother and brother. She had had a test in her English class at school and her teacher had marked her pronunciation wrong when in fact it was correct.  She was happier knowing that she had pronounced it correctly.  I still believe that languages should be taught by native speakers. Oh well.

Until later, be blessed.

Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony...

What a blessing this teacher received yesterday!  One of the cooks had told me that one of my former students wanted to come to learn English.  She came to see me one day last week and we set up her times. She wants six hours a week.  Wow!  No problem since she can come to the school when I don't have other classes.  Her first time was yesterday.  She had kept the handout that I give each student that contains verbs, food words, and other vocabulary.  I had this young lady for 5th and 6th grades when I first came.  She is now 20 years old!  It just blew my socks off!  She still remembers some, so this is good.  This young lady did not like me at all in the 5th grade.  She would get mad for whatever reason, but when she graduated 6th grade, she gave me her 6th grade graduation picture with a letter saying that she didn't want me to forget her!  Are you kidding?  But she did change her attitude while she was in the 6th grade.  Praise the Lord! I had her brother who is a year older than she is.  He was just the opposite as a student.  It's absolutely amazing the way the Lord works in each life.  But I could not believe that she had kept that handout.  

So the two weeks before, Jesslyn and I didn't have classes on Fridays so we didn't go to the school.  I told Mario when he asked me why I wasn't at school.  I said that I could not go out there and sit for 7 hours with nothing to do.  Well, boy, that changed in a hurry.  He called the administrador and said that I was to have each 7th-9th graders 5 hours a week.  YAY!  So now I have 3 classes and Jess has 2.  It's better tah none at all.  And now the government has changed the hours to be at school.  You can choose 7-2 or 8-3.  We chose 7-3.  But get this.  The kids leave at 1:00 and teachers at 2:00.  So now I barely make it home before a student comes to the house for English.  And now we take our lunch, which is not a problem.  So counting the time on the bus and school time, we are gone for 9 hours.  It doesn't leave much time when we have students at home too.  We have reserved Friday nights for ourselves.  We go out to dinner, and then watch a good movie at my house. Sunday of course is church, and Saurday is for cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry.  I do miss those Fridays!

Last Wednesday night I shared with the church all the things that the Lord did from the time I reached Cacun to the time I returned to Honduras.  When the Lord gave me Rev. 12:11, I had no idea the testimony that I would have and share with my church here.  I related some to my pastor and his wife when I returned here, and he told me that the church needed to hear it.  So I wrote it all out in Spanish.  Silvia read it and corrected the few mistakes that I had made, but none were big.  For that I thank the Lord.  So all the things that we would consider to be small or to a degree insignificate really are the things that God blesses us with.  Without them, our lives would be more difficult and perhaps sad.  Many watch for big miraculous things, not understanding that everything God does is big. So now I watch everyday to see what He is doing.  By the blood of the Lamb and our testimonies, we overcome the enemy.  I apologized to the church that I had to read most of what I said because my Spanish was not as good as theirs nor did I  speak as fast as they do.  It was received well, and I know that more is coming.

Malachi 3:16-17 talks about a book being written about those that talk about and think about the Lord. Jess and I are always talking about Him and what he is doing.  It is so nice to have someone to talk with about the things of the Lord.  I want my name in that book of remembrance.

Num.6:24-26 The LORD bless thee and keep thee: the Lord make his face to shine upon thee...

Yay! I have been home for two weeks now, and what a great blessing.  It feels so good to be here.

This coming Monday, teachers will return to school.  I don't think I'm ready yet.  I have been staying up late, 9:30-12:30, and getting up around 7:00.  And next week, I'll be back to going to bed at 8:00, and getting up at 4:00.  I keep saying that I'm going to bed early, but it hasn't happened yet.

It was great to visit my church in KS even though there are a lot of new people that I don't know.  I was able to spend some time with Pastors Bryan, Julie,  and their two boys.  And how my heart did sing when four year old Ethan said, " Bevury, I pray for you everyday/night." I love the way he pronounces my name. Cute!  And I praise the Lord for this little guy's faithfulness.  Thank you Pastors Bryan and Julie.  And since I arrived in the states without checks, etc., I'm thankful that Pastor Bryan could use online banking to help me stay faithful with my giving. 

It was great visiting with family and friends.  After church, Barbara and I went out to eat in Hutchinson since Carriage Crossing is closed on Sundays :( We ended up in this little Mom and Pop restaurant. Well, when we looked at the menu, we thought that we had made a big mistake.  We wanted a full meal, and the menu basically was sandwiches of one kind or another. Barb suggested that maybe we could drink our coffee and leave, but we continued to sit there.  Finally we decided to eat chicken fingers, but they also had chicken planks. When I asked the waitress, who was new, what they were, she said that she didn't know, but would ask.  About that time the owner appeared above the half wall that was next to us and explained that the planks were made form the breast of the chicken whereas the fingers were made from the meat under the wings.  So we decided to get those with mashed potatoes, etc.  Well, we decided that those chicken planks were pretty good, and we were glad that we had stayed.  But let me tell you, we had some pretty good laughs about our adventure. 

It was also great to visit the Ladies of Martha Circle.  I shared the scripture that the Lord had given me from Rev.12:11 as I did at Covenant Assembly.

Well, I started this a week or so ago. I'm so bad about writing any more.  But school for the teachers started this past Monday.  Jesslyn and I didn't have to go today because of meetings with the directors and other important people.  So I've cleaned my house etc. this morning.  Now to get some songs copied and made into booklets for my students.

Instead of going to the language school around the corner, Silvia, friend and teacher, is coming to my house on Mondays anf Fridays to help Jesslyn and me to continue our Spanish.  I'm so glad to be able to do this.  So my homework has been to help me get my message ready for the church.  Pastor is always asking me when I'm going to preach.  Well, my message is going to be my testimony from this past November and December.  I never write out a message that the Lord has given me to give.  I only write the the scriptures and a few points that I'm going to talk about.  But this will be in Spanish and that's a whole different ballgame.  So it has begun.  I'm almost finished with it, but then I need to practice it orally!  I thank the Lord for his ever present Holy Spirit.

So today is Friday, the only week day that I don't have a class in the afternoon.  So it's the one night that Jess and I go out to eat dinner, and then we watch a movie after.  What a great and relaxing time.  We need a girl's night out.  And that's what we do!

So I pray the Lord's blessing on my family and friends. Until later.

James 4:14...For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away.

To my faithful readers, I do apologize for this long period of not writing. I can offer no good excuses.

So here it is a new year. So I will start here and work backwards, and I hope you see the Lord's hand in the things that have happened.

I did go to Cancun for the retreat on November 23. These happen every two years in a different country. Becky and I registered, ate dinner, and then I went looking for my two friends from Colombia. I found them and was so happy to see them as they were just as happy to see me. We hadn't seen each other since 2011. This was the first time that they were able to come to one of these recent retreats. So we spent a couple of hours talking and enjoying each others company. Wow! I couldn't believe that their son is now attending a university in the states and their daughter is now eighteen. Seeing them was definitely a blessing from my Father.

When I returned to my room, Becky told me to sit down because she had something to tell me. As I sat she told me that my brother had died. I couldn't believe it! What a shock. My youngest son and daughter had called trying to talk to me. They both knew that I was going to Cancun and that I wasn't taking my computer. (I don't carry that thing unless I absolutely have to do so. Like now when my son goes in and performs all his magic to bring me up to par). So I called them because I had decided not to fly to IL for his funeral. He was cremated which just creeps me out. Yes, I know. It's everybody's personal preference. I knew that I wouldn't see him for one last time. Becky told me that I could go home, and I knew that, but I just couldn't. Then I started thinking about my kids wondering if they would even go back to IL from KS for the funeral. Then I thought, ok, I'm going back. I called my daughter and told her that I was coming home. She said that she had been praying and asking God  to make me come home. That he could speak to me because I would hear Him, and I would do what he said because she needed me to come home.  She said it hadn't even been five minutes since she  had prayed when I called.  So Becky and I made reservations for me to fly out the next morning. So I had one night and two meals in Cancun! But when I needed to see our area director to tell him what was happening, we always met him coming towards us! God is always meeting the need! He told me to go, which I did. 

So let's go back from there a couple of weeks. I always give a specified amount every month to the church that I attend in Valle. When I was getting ready to write a check to the church, I thought about writing one for two months, and then I thought no because I would be back in Valle for ten or so days before I flew to KS for Christmas break. And I could write a check then for December. But I wrote it for two months anyway. When my Pastor asked me why, I think I shrugged my shoulders and said that I didn't know.

Well, now we know, because I didn't return to Valle when I was supposed to do so. I came to the states. Jesus said that He would never leave or forsake us. He sent His Holy Spirit to us to lead, guide, and teach us in His physical absence. How faithful He is in every situation. He knows everything that will touch our lives from beginning to end. How I praise Him for His goodness and what He has done for me and my children in the last few weeks.  So I stayed at my youngest daughter's for a couple of weeks. My kids came back for my brother's memorial service. And since I was going to KS to visit and to fly back to HN from there, my daughter asked if one of them could meet us in Kansas City, and I could ride home with one of them. Well, it just "so happened" that two of my son's would be there that weekend, and I would go with them. So we met in KC and I rode home with my youngest son and his wife.
I always called my brother every month or so. And we would giggle a lot about the craziest things! I will miss doing that.  I didn't get to say "good bye" to my brother, and it really bothered me. However, I am thankful that his son was able to go to my brother's house while the coroner was there.
He was able to spend that time with his father. The coroner said that Donnie, my brother, had a heart attack and had died instantly.  For that, I am thankful.  But as I was thinking about never seeing him again in this life, and not being able to see him one last time, the Lord gave me the above scripture about our life being a vapor. We're here and then we're gone.  What a comfort that was and is.  I thank God always for His word. Moses said in Deuteronomy that God's word is not a vain thing, but it is our life.  And truly it is. The Lord laid Rev. 12:11 on my heart. We should have an ongoing testimony of what the Lord is doing in our lives. We are covered by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, but we need to be glorifying the Lord with all the things that He does in our life.  Some of the things I have mentioned may be considered insignificant to many people, but I know that things happened only by God's intervention and mercy for me. He is the same with all His children, but many times He does things that we don't even notice. We take them for granted. But when we begin to pay attention to the things that are happening in our everyday lives, we will see His hand. People look for the big things and miss the little things. But for those of us that trust Him with our very lives, there are no little things. They are only big things from a big God. May we all give Him the glory that is His.
So tomorrow, I will fly back to Honduras. I am so ready to go. I have been here almost two months! And school will be starting a couple of weeks after I get home for us teachers.  I will be ready.  I have enjoyed my time here with my family and friends.  It has been a time of rest for me. And to help my grandson with the little bit of Spanish homework that he had was a blessing. It was great watching my granddaughter do her routine for her cheer team that competes with other teams in different cities. They do some interesting moves! And my grown grandkids?? Well, they are adults with families of their own! But I have "flashbacks" of when they were little! And they have the cutest little ones, naturally!!! God has been good to me and my children.  I always tell the girls in the family that Mother is a good title. And then it gets better with GRANDmother. And the best so far is GREATGRANDmother. Your title just gets better and better!  Will I make it to great great grandmother? Only the Lord knows.
So the school year ended with us taking the 9th graders to Amapala. They loved swimming in the Pacific and eating seafood from a restaurant on the beach. We were also able to visit the port of entry near Choluteca, but were not able to board one of the ships there :( Some of them want to continue English classes at my house when school starts. We will see if that takes place. Jesslyn and I may begin teaching English to our church depending on how the Lord leads. There are several that speak some English and others that don't but want to learn. So we will see.
Until later may God bless.

Mark 10:29-30 There is no man that has left house...he shall receive an hundredfold...

So yesterday marked the 194th year of Independence from Spain for most of Central America. There were seventeen schools participating in the parade here in Valle. In every city, parades were taking place.  All the bands had different colors of uniforms, and they were all beautiful.  I was pleased to see and talk to some of my former students and other friends that were enjoying the parade.  

Tomorrow all the teachers and workers at the school are going to La Ceiba for a spiritual and physical retreat. It will be a welcomed break from the regular schedule. It will also be a time to just relax and get to know each other better. And may the Lord refresh everyone of us by his precious Holy Spirit. Many of the teachers are looking forward to swimming in the ocean.

I am so thrilled that a new missionary associate has arrived to teach English in the lower grades at the school. She also lives here on the property in her own small apartment next to my house. She already loves it here and calls it home. When the Lord moves you to where he wants you, it's amazing how soon it becomes home. My daughter-in-law, who was in the military for several years, always said that your home is where your feet are. A little different from the old saying that home is where the heart is.  It's wonderful when God puts them both in the same place at the same time! And thank the Lord that her family raised her to follow his leading, and has given her their blessing to be here and to obey his calling.

My Spanish classes are going well. The holes are being filled. Thank you Lord! One little fellow was walking by the house this morning, and when he saw me, he said hello and thank you. I asked why he said thank you, and he said it's what is said in the pulperias (little stores). He doesn't, however, speak English. Then he asked if I was the English teacher in Macuelizo. I told him yes, and then he asked me if I knew Jennifer Maria. Yes I do, and he told me that she was his sister.  Jennifer will continue to learn English from our new teacher, Jesslyn.  So hopefully he can pick up some of the language from his little sister.

We will be spending Thanksgiving in Cancun. All the missionaries from Latin American countries will be there hopefully. It will also be a spiritual retreat for us. It happens every two years. The last time was in San Salvador, and boy, was it hot. I'm sure Cancun will be hot, too.  God blesses in so many ways when he calls you to leave your families.  And these retreats are just one of the ways that he does so. I have met some people that are afraid that God will send them away from home and their families. They really don't understand the way of the Lord. He never asks anyone to give up things without blessing them beyond measure in one way or another. Our God is a giver, not a taker, and we cannot out give him.

We just finished our 3rd nine week period. One more to go, and the school year will be over. Wow, I will have finished my 6th year here. Doesn't seem possible.

So now, I must finish packing. Thank you Lord, for the retreat that is coming.

Here we are, the first of August. The kids in the states will soon be starting school, and here we are getting ready for the parade for Independence Day in September. So for three days of the week, the kids will only have part of their classes. the other part of the day will be spent practicing their part in the parade. Some will just be marching, while others will be practicing twirling their batons, playing the drums and lyres, and others bearing the flags of Honduras and the other countries that received independence from Spain at the same time. The parades are quite a big deal with most schools participating. The costumes from each school are different, but the theme of the parade is the same, whatever it happens to be.  

So last week I started taking classes at the Spanish school around the corner from where I live.  Since I don't have but one class every other Friday at the school, it seemed a good idea to learn more Spanish-Honduran Spanish.  Speaking Spanish is a little different in every Spanish speaking country, and I need more every day conversation that is spoken here. You really aren't taught much everyday conversations when taking most formal classes.  The director of this school understands and speaks good English. So if the teacher and I run into a snag, she can be there to help us.  So along with the formal, I will receive the other. It's really interesting that they have some of the same sayings that we use such as, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, throw in the towel, you're pulling my leg, etc. 

And I was happy to realize that I understood most all of what my teacher was saying. A couple of times, I asked her to slow down, which of course she did.  The director told me that I could basically write my own program.  I will see. I explained that I have holes in different areas that needed to be filled. She said that she understood because she has the same in her English. God knows exactly how to meet our needs, doesn't he?

Well, the little old 96 year old lady that lives around the corner...God has laid her in my heart!  Ok Jesus.  You know the Lord will interrupt your life in order that his will be done, not only for your life, but for the lives of others.  So it has happened with Ms Betty and me.  Some things have happened to her since she returned here in May or June, can't remember which.  Things that have been done by her "trusted" friends of 20 plus years including the stealing of her money.  Trusted "Christian" friends.  She has been so disappointed and discouraged.  The Lord helped me to find a good woman who will cook her meals, clean her house, and help her bathe, etc.  I don't have the time to do all those things for her. But I thank God for Ms Juana.  She is faithful.  She told another friend of mine that she doesn't want money from Ms Betty, because Ms Beverly teaches her daughter English, etc. So she is basically doing it for me. What can I say to that except, Thank you Lord for being faithful to me, and pour out your blessings on Ms Juana.

And can you believe that one of those "trusted" friends told someone that I had stolen Ms Betty's bottle of Vodka!!!! So funny.  I don't drink alcoholic beverages, but when I did, it definitely wasn't Vodka!  Horrible stuff.  Well, I did let that "trusted" friend know that it wasn't me. She didn't know what to say.  And that was good because she didn't need to say anything.  

I see the Lord move in so many different ways, it just makes me cry. He is so good to his people. His promises are so real.  But many of his kids don't know those pronises and sometimes they aren't willing to wait for his timing.  Boy, I have learned some of that the hard way.  But I thank God that I have learned.  My favorite time of the day is when I get up early and spend time in his word.  How rewarding that has been.  He has so much to share with his kids about himself.  He wants us to know him, not just memorize scriptures.  I remember one day a few years ago when I was walking through my house talking to him and I quoted that famous verse,  This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice in it, and just like that I heard the Lord say, "Will you?"  It made me stop in my tracks!  I just stood there and thought about what I had said and what he had just said, and I said, " Yes, Lord, I will." And I did.  It's in the doing with a faith believing heart in obedience.

My students have learned the song, What A Day That Will Be.  Some of them really like it.  They didn't know what to say when I told them that I wanted it sung at my funeral!!! I have so much fun with them sometimes. 

So now, I must finish cleaning my house.  God bless each one of you, and if you have the time and space on your prayer list, please pray for God to strengthen Ms Betty physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually.  She has a strong, sound  mind, and I praise God for that.  Thank you so much.

Wow! I have not been on here for a long time! I apologize to my faithful readers.  A lot has happened since my last note.

I went to IL to my youngest daughters for a week in June. We always have such a good time, doing nothing mostly, just enjoying each others company and going shopping for summer clothes for me.  And of course, my son-in-law reminding me, almost everyday, that when I leave HN I have a home there. Bless his heart and hers. But we will see what the Lord has to say about all of that when the time comes.  And  we were able to have lunch with a couple of sisters-in-law that I hadn't seen for some years.  It was a really enjoyable time together.  And as always, I was able to visit with my brother which is always fun. 

Well, let's see what has happened since the last time that I wrote. One Wednesday night before I went home in June, I locked myself out of the house! The minute the closed behind me, I knew that I didn't have my keys. So I couldn't get in my house or go out my gate! I tried everything possible to open the doors. Nothing worked. It had been raining off and on, so I thanked God for the hammock that hung on the porch. I could wrap up in it.  Not too warm, but better than nothing.  I didn't think that Will would come because of the rain. He doesn't have a key to my house, but he can get through the sky light after taking it apart!! So I'm laying there thinking there has to be a way to get into my house.  Finally, I thought of the key that Will uses for the rooms and bathroom that he uses when he is working here. So I jumped up to go get it and prayed that it would fit my door. It didn't, but it did fit the  bedroom door that used to be inside my house.  So I slept, if you can call it that, in one of them.  I had no more laid down when the rain came and rained most all night.  I praised the Lord for his goodness and safe keeping of me.  So when I got up the next morning very early, I was thinking about the teacher that rides the van with me.  She walks on the road next to the house.  So I hailed her as she went by and told her what had happened and to please pass it on to the director and to please call Becky who in turn would call Mario who would call Will, etc.  And then one of my students mother came by, so she told her daughter who came to the house about the same time that the van came.  Inside they were laughing but Eva had Becky on the phone.  So before long, Mario, Becky, Will, and my student were here.  So all turned out well.  I had put a key outside before but had taken it in the house, so Mario told me to put one outside, again.  And Will hadn't come the night before because his little one had had an asthma attack.  But God is so faithful to take care of us.  When my pastor found out why I hadn't attended church, he told me that their house was my house, and that I could have come there.  When I told him that I couldn't open the gate, he understood.  And in the back of my mind for the last two days had been the feeling that I needed to ask for that day off to get ready to go to the states.  Well I didn't pay attention to that "small voice" but ended up taking the day off anyway.  What an experience.  I'm so thankful that I know that the Lord is with me at all times by his Holy Spirit, and that I am never alone, and He knows the beginning to the end of whatever comes along.  He is not surprised by anything.  And of course, nothing happens to me without his approval.  but I don't want a repeat of the experience.  The teachers asked me if I had been afraid.  I told them no because I wasn't alone.  The Lord was with me.  They would have been afraid.  Of what?  No one could get on the property unless they cut the fence and crawled through somehow.  And I don't think they would have attempted that with Brownie barking and growling at them. 

What else?  I was asked to preach at the church on Wednesday night a couple of weeks ago.  One of the ladies that goes there speaks English translated for me.  She is the  English teacher  at her school where she teaches.  My pastor told me that he liked the message and that I could preach on Sunday.  I said oh, no, but I have a feeling that it is coming. Thank you Little Ethan for your prayers.  I was asked to give my testimony for the women's group in August.  I know that the Lord will sift through my 70 years and give me what I need to share.  

Every other Friday, we have the children's devotional at school.  There are three groups and each has its own devotional with a teacher presenting the Word.  So on the opposite Fridays, I have one class, if there isn't something else taking place, and usually there is.  So I'm going bonkers with nothing to do.  So beginning next week, I'm going to start taking Spanish classes at the language school around the corner from where I live on Fridays.  Yes, I can get by and have for seven years, but I want more than just getting by, and especially if the Lord is going to have me speaking His word.  I don't always want to have to have an interpreter.  And I want more.  There are people that I understand fairly well, and then there are those where I don't understand anything that they say.  And just like with English, they use idioms and expressions that I don't know.  And the slang??  Well, that's another issue.  One of my friends told me that it's considered rude when when you don't acknowledge someone that is passing by you on the street either with an adios or hola.  So she said that one day she said to herself that she needed to give a person the tongue of her shoe because they didn't greet her!  Get it?

So classes at school are going well.  I gave a little paper person to each of  my 9th graders.  They had to decide whether it was male or female and then give it an English name.  I was surprised that most of my girls said their's were male.  They were to take their "person" wherever they go, introduce him/her to their parents, etc.  Some were excited, and some just wanted to crawl under their desks! But we will see what happens.  They have a week's vacation, so hopefully they will practice their English this week.  I told them they could use the "crazy Gringa" as an excuse to help them through any embarrassment!! Their assignment is to speak English to him/her everyday and to write the conversations.  This will be used for their final for the next 9 week grading period.  We shall see what happens.

We have had this week off because it's the Week of the Student.  So for the last 3 days, my stomach has been giving me fits, but by faith in the stripes that Jesus bore for me, I know I'm healed. So until later.

God bless you all.