James 4:14 Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow.

 Wow! I just keep thinking about how the Lord works to bless and provide for his children.  A few weeks ago,  a student that I had at the school was walking by my house and we started talking. I recognized her face but didn't remember her name until she told me.  In our conversation she asked me if she could come and learn more English. Well, of course. So she is now 22, married, and has a daughter who is 3 years old. So Tuesday when she came, bringing me some growing celery, I asked her if I could meet her husband. He works right down the road from where I live. She said, of course, and we started walking there. He and 3 or 4 other young guys plant and take care of different flowering plants and vegetables. His name is Carlos. Wow, I know a lot of Carlos's. He was very polite, etc. Then back home to the English lesson. So on Wednesday I have 3 sisters as students. Since their age and school levels are so different, I do each at a different time. The first  one is at two o'clock with the other two following at three and then four o'clock. Since their mother is so fearful, as most Hondurans are, she has someone walk with each girl to the top of the very small incline where I am waiting. It's so crazy because I can see them when they leave their property. In blocks, it's probably 3 or 4 blocks straight down the road. So I was walking with one girl to meet the other one on Wednesday, and when we got to my gate, I discovered I didn't have my keys. What a shock!! I  couldn't  open my gate. Now what do I do?? The wall and above fence was too tall for Isabella to climb over, and I definitely couldn't. Now what?? Ah, ha! Carlos, and the guys. Maybe one of them could help us. These Honduran guys can climb these walls/fences like nobody else I've ever seen. So off we went to see if they could help us. And when I explained the situation, they were more than happy to help. So Carlos and one other fellow came.  Up the wall and over the metal bar fence he went and opened the gate for me. Bless his heart. I offered to pay them, but they both totally rejected the offer. I asked the Lord to bless them both. Did I know that on Tuesday when I asked Nancy to meet her husband that this was going to happen the next day? Of course not! But my Heavenly Father knew it! Now I know why the thought of asking to meet him was so strong on Tuesday. And yesterday I saw the one that climbed the wall, and he just smiled at me when he went by on the motorcycle. I think that new friends are in the making.

Another blessing! Today my friend Elida came to bring me some cuajada that her mother made. When she left, I walked to the store with her because I needed a couple of things. After, we parted ways to go home. I always walk down the hill to town or the store. And depending on how much I have bought, I sometimes bring the taxi to the corner of my street. I always leave it in the hands of my Father if I'm going to take a taxi or not. Today isn't super hot, so I'm walking when this taxi pulls up and I hear the fellow say Beverly. He said hello and then said that was the only word he knew in English. I didn't recognize him due to the mask. So when we got to the corner, I handed him the money and he wouldn't take it. I asked him to move his mask and it was Dennis! He used to come to the church. I loved it when he would lead worship because he would go from one song to another without stopping to talk. You could actually keep your mind on the Lord. I haven't seen him for a long time, so it was good to see his smiling face and talk to him. And  he refused to take my money. Another blessing. Thank you, Father!!!! And of course, I invited him to come to church. I hope he does. 

Want more?? The switch for my living room light is out. I really didn't want to call my landlord again. They just had the sink drain  fixed and replaced the faucets that wouldn't stop dripping. So yesterday, I heard someone talking outside the gate, and I went to see who was there. Lo and behold, it was my landlady! So I told her about the switch, and after looking at it, she told me an electrician would be here this weekend. Thank you Lord that I didn't have to call her.

And just in the last hour, I heard a man talking at my gate. I knew the voice. It was Armando, the uncle of the young man who cuts my grass. He is a friend. Anyway, he now works for the gov. cutting weeds, etc. along the highways.  So I asked him if he could cut the limb off the tree that was touching the cables for tv, etc. outside my house. He told me yes. The next thing I know is he and another fellow are beginning to cut the limb off of the tree. And then they borrowed the ladder to cut another one. I was concerned about these because they were touching the cable, and if we had a really strong wind and storm, the cable would be down. Bless their hearts! Bless my Heavenly Father. I should know by now that when I give him my concerns, He always takes care of them in his time. And I have learned that when I put something in his hands, to just leave it alone. Just thank him for taking care of it because he will.

I feel, I don't know how to explain my feelings! It's just a big WOW! Thank you Father for everything and especially your presence in my life. 

I hope everyone that reads this has a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father who Jesus came to show us and to give us. Be blessed in His name.

Mat.28:20 ...and lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.

 I have such a good pastor! He visits his people all the time, and he knows them well. He is not a prying, pushy pastor, but if you have a problem, he will be there to help you if possible. Last Saturday, a workman had come to see what needed to be done to fix my faucets and drain in the kitchen sink. While he was here, he told me that we wouldn't have electricity the following day. When I asked about the hours, he said from 6am to 5pm. So I made sure to make some extra coffee for the next day. Around 7pm that night my phone rang. It was my pastor calling to tell me that there would be no electricity the next day and to be sure to make my coffee early. He said the hours would be 7am to 5pm. Well, it turned out that the hours were from 7:15am to 4pm. And yes, I had my coffee around 6 of that morning. What a pastor! Have you ever heard of such? I had not. I wouldn't trade him for anybody. He cares about the people that God has put in front of him, and I thank the Lord and pray for him all the time.

There's not much going on here. And I'm thankful for that because a lot could be happening and maybe some things not so good. I don't like watching news at all, but I do just to have an idea of what's happening out there. Not much good that I can see. The so called vaccine. Wow, if you don't take it, you're considered worse than nothing? I think we might as well be wearing a yellow star. What's the difference? I'm not against real vaccines, but this one isn't the same as those of the past. So sad what the governments have done and are doing to its citizens. The rich are getting so much richer by all the things that are being taken away from the average person. And it really bothers me that not many are standing against it all especially when so much that is happening is against our constitution. If we let go of that very important document, we're doomed as one of the most important countries in the world. I don't remember who said that freedom without laws is anarchy but we're seeing it happen all around us. And there is so much lawlessness in the US at this time. It breaks my heart.

So I was watching some of the protests that took place around the world a few weeks ago, and one of the groups was singing the song, You'll Never Walk Alone. I had forgotten that song and was so glad to hear it. If you have hope (Jesus) in your heart, you will never walk alone. He said that he is with us even to the end of the world. We have to stand for what is right regardless of the opposition or threats. And praise the Lord that he is with us and will help us to stand for what is true and right at all times if trust and believe him

Love and peace.

 So here we are in July and almost at the end. Wow! I haven't written for a long time.  No matter, but today I thought that I'd put on paper some thoughts that I have. 

I went home at the end of June to see my family. It would have been two years this September since I saw them last. A long time, considering going home one or two times a year before the virus hit. I had planned for my son to come visit for a week in the summer and for me to go home in the winter two years ago. Well, that didn't happen then, but this summer, yes!! He came for a week and we had such a good time. We didn't do anything spectacular other than go to Tegucigalpa one day. We just rested, enjoyed each other's company, ate out a lot, watched some movies, etc. I went back home with him, and was able to spend some time with some grandkids that I usually don't see a lot. It was great. I also was able to celebrate one of my great-granddaughters first birthday on July 4th. I didn't visit the churches that I normally visit when I go home. This was a time for family and a few close friends. Some friends I didn't get to see due to the holiday and their visiting families. Maybe next time.

The Lord is so good. Christians say that all the time, but I wonder how many actually think about what it means on the day to day basis. He has done things for me that wouldn't mean anything to anyone else. And they would be considered small, insignificant things by many. But then I think about how He came into the world. He didn't come with flashing lights, blowing trumpets, or beating drums. He came in the night, in a stable which most people would shun. His coming was announced to some very humble, looked down upon, shepherds in a field. People look for Him to do big marvelous things that everybody can see. But my Heavenly Father takes care of me in every facet of my life. When my son and I flew back to the states, our seats weren't together. He had made his return flight before I made mine. But I had asked my Father to put us together if possible. When we were seated we were not together, but the man that I sat next to asked if I would trade places with his wife who was sitting behind him. I said if the stewardess would allow it, I would definitely trade with her. Sometimes they say no. I asked her and she told me yes. Well, guess who was sitting next to her? My son! So the Lord answered my prayer. Praise his holy name. This is just one of many things that He does for me everyday. Psalms says that my times are in His hands. That doesn't just mean my birth and my death. It's everyday! And when I returned back to HN, I had three seats! I had the middle one and the ones on each side of me were empty! Now that's a first! However, there was a young lad that wanted to sit near his folks and there wasn't any seats nearby. I told the stewardess that he could use one of "mine." So that worked out perfectly.

And I thought how stupid it was that everybody had to wear a mask. What for? Everybody on that flight had to have a negative Covid test or they couldn't fly. It is so sad what we, the people, are allowing to take place in our private lives. And have you seen the advertisements that say soon we will own nothing and how happy we will be? Really? Somebody has to own whatever it is that we aren't supposed to own. People really need to wake up and start asking questions. I remember watching a movie many years ago called Soylent Green.  My daughter called one day and said, "Mom, Soylent Green, understand?" I did. So now, the big wigs, whoever they are, are talking about trans humanism. Wow? Have you seen the movie, Divergent? Maybe the gene therapy is the beginning of something of this nature. You think? Paul warned us that in the last days there would be perilous times. I believe we are in them. 

SO Christians, where do we stand? On God's word or the people that make the rules that govern our lives? If we believe what God says, we don't have to fear. Psalms 91 gives us so many promises about the Lord's protecting us from so many calamities. Do we believe Him? Or do we fear all these things that are coming our way? If our times are in His hands like He says, then why do we fear? Why do we trust Him to save our souls if we don't believe Him to protect our bodies/lives? Our God is a mighty powerful being who has control over ALL things because he created and owns them. The enemy has been given a time to do his evil with those that don't believe or trust in the only true God. So, we, the children of the most high God, must stand our ground even as those before us did. 

May the Lord bless and keep you.

Mat.25:31-34 ...and he shall set the sheep on his right hand...

 I cannot believe that we are in the middle of April! But here we are and doing whatever we're supposed to be doing.

My heart breaks for the things that are happening in my country. I cannot believe that the people are allowing some of the things that are going on. I turned off the news last night because I'm so tired of hearing that everything that's happening is due to the color of a person's skin. I'm sick of it! It appears that there is nothing about what's right and what's wrong. There has always been and will be people that don't like a person due to the color of their skin, their religion, their political beliefs, race, etc. But for a government to feed into this kind of thinking is so totally wrong. I understand our history and where we are now. And when some of our leaders are talking about reparations, maybe they should go back to Africa and hold the tribes accountable for warring against each other and capturing and selling other tribe members to the slavers. And the US is not the only country that had slaves. You see how ridiculous all of this is? And the looting that takes place in our cities has nothing to do with the killing of certain peoples. It's all about greed and stealing what they don't want to pay for. And what is the government doing to stop it? Nothing that I can see. And many of the elected officials want to do away with the police force. I don't see them out there protecting the citizens and their businesses in these places. Are we going back to the Wild West? Everyone protecting themselves and then being hauled into court to face charges for doing so. The people in the US better wake up to what is happening. 

The first time that I heard of the new scourge, I thought bio-warfare. The world is not getting better, as sad as that is. But I think that the Lord Jesus Christ told us of these things when he was here on earth. So where is our faith? In the so-called vaccine which is not a true vaccine? Research it out. Or is it our faith in  God and his word? When the government tells you that you can't attend church or cannot sing if you do attend, what are they really doing? Christians need to wake up. They are so scared of this virus. Really? My Bible tells me that God didn't give us the spirit of fear, but love, power, and a sound mind. There are more promises in Psalms 91 than there are verses along with others. And why would people trust in this so-called vaccine when it cannot protect you from the virus and you still have to wear a mask and continue social distancing after receiving it? Something is desperately wrong here. So I asked myself if I wanted to die of probable side effects from this injection or the virus itself! I choose the virus if the Lord permits me to get it because He will either heal me here or take me home. Isn't that according to his word? 

I pray that when the Lord returns and is separating the sheep nations from the goat nations, that the US will be counted as a sheep nation. 

Love and peace.

What a day that will be!

Here we are on the Ides of March. It was not a good day for Julius Caesar many centuries ago. So how are we doing in this century? A good question, yes? Time will tell.

Last week was a very sad week for me. One of my dearest friends went home to be with our Lord and Savior. What a great day for her, but a very sad one for her family and other loved ones. But isn't it great to know that we will see our loved ones again if they are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ? Oh, what  a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see... I keep saying, Come on Lord, but I know that it isn't time yet.

Not much is going on here. I have two new students starting tomorrow night. It's my landlord and his son. His daughter speaks good English, and his son is learning. I know that he had started taking lessons somewhere in Tegucigalpa with whomever, but I don't know what happened. Maybe it was the so called pandemic like everything else. He has his own air conditioning business, and he and his wife are very good people. Good landlords! He will pray with you at the drop of a hat if need be. We need more men like him.

Pastor had a really good message on Sunday. He hit a lot of different areas, and you could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. It was awesome. Oh, that he continue with such.

Yesterday was the primary elections. I asked why it was always on Sunday, and I was told that more people have that day off from work. 

My friend told me that you can get a Covid test here in Valle in the morning and get the results back that afternoon. That's really fast. They draw your blood, ship it by bus to Tegus to a lab, and the results come back on the bus the same day. I have to check it out! Not that I'm very excited about all this stuff.  I always wear the mask  in the stores etc., because it's mandated to do so. But when I come out of there, off it comes. Last week I was out of the store, rearranging some things in my bag, and I looked up to see the fellow that takes your temp, making a motion for me to put my mask back on.  So I asked him why I needed it. I told him that he had his on and another gentleman standing next to him had his on, too, and that  his mask protected him from me, and it protected me from him, so why did I need one? It was so funny because the next thing I saw was him and the other man taking theirs off!!! I just laughed! Of course he put his back on in order to do his job, but really people? And there is no real scientific proof that masks protect us. So crazy, all this stuff.

Well, I'd better get off of here and finish making my chicken soup. Dios le bendiga!

Grace and peace,

Beverly

And we know that ALL things work together for good...

 We are now into the first week of February, 2021. I remember thinking as a young child that the year 2000 would never come. It was just impossible. What did I know? 

Wow! I can't believe the things that are taking place in the USA! Truly, we are living in perilous times. 2 Tim.3:1. The hypocrisy is totally unbelievable. So as Christians, where do we stand and what is our attitude? 

I never really understood Ps.2:1-2 until I came to Honduras. I guess in my mind that I never included the US in that category. After all, we have one of the best and longest lasting constitution in the world and we were considered to be a Christian nation. (And I know that the Lord is not a respecter of people or nations). But our nation as a whole has turned its back on the Lord. The things that we allow now were not allowed when I was a child. Even people that didn't claim to be a Christian were against the things that we allow now. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Abortions of babies before and the killing after delivery, homosexuality, the nasty music, and the nakedness in videos, etc. were not accepted in the general public. Bad/dirty language was not generally accepted. And church goers were not harassed or vilified. Missionaries were sent out to other places in the world to teach Jesus regardless of the danger many times. When God called, you went. Presidents were respected whether you liked him or not. Illegal drugs were just that, illegal. I could go on and on. But it just makes me sad to see what is happening in my country.

But the other day, the Lord reminded me of Rom.8:28 when I was truly getting upset about all the things that I saw happening. It says, And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. And all means all. We are told in many places in the Bible to give thanks for ALL things. One is 1 Thes.5:18. Why give thanks? Because God is truly working out his will in this world, not ours. He tells us in 2 Tim.1:7 that he didn't give us a spirit of fear. People are so fearful today even Christians. That bothers me. Where is our faith? If the Lord doesn't protect us, there isn't anything or anyone else that can do it. Not even a vaccine! 

And now? Well, I praise the Lord that the curfew to stay home except for one day a week has been lifted!!! The only curfew now is from 9 pm to 5 am. Of course you still have to wear a mask which of course does nothing to protect you according to "real" science. A friend and I go to Tegucigalpa just about every Friday morning. We hadn't been able to do that for many months. And we have to have our temps checked, use the gel, and step on a wet disinfected pad before entering the stores or restaurants. Of course we sit right next to each other on the bus. Go figure!!!

A month are so ago, we started having church at my house! Thank you, Jesus!! It's outside on my patio and in the yard. Everybody wears a mask and is socially distanced and uses the hand gel.  Yesterday we had 27 people including children. I had told my pastor before we started meeting at my house, that if Jesus could preach outside, so could he! And bless his heart, he's doing it. He plays his guitar, and we all sing along with him. It's great. And then we hear God's word.

I have another new student. She is 22. It was interesting last week when she was telling me that she was praying and telling the Lord that she wanted to learn English. I was in my house telling the Lord that I wanted more students. And bless his holy name, he put us together. Thank you, Pastor Dago. He had told her about me. Our lives truly are in God's hands.

So now, I must get ready for a student. Thank you Lord for everything that you're doing in my life and the lives of your people.

Grace and peace to you all.

 Much has happened in the last two days. On Sunday, some of our church people met here at my house to hear our pastor preach the word.  And yesterday morning, one of our beloved pastors went to be with the Lord.

Some weeks ago ago, I said to my pastor that if Jesus could teach/preach outside, then so could he.  So this past week, he came and said that we would have church on Sunday morning at ten o'clock at my house.  I asked him how many were coming and he told me that he didn't know. Well, lo and behold, there were about seventeen including a few children. It was so awesome to sing praises to the Lord along with  the pastor while he played the guitar. Of course, everybody was wearing their masks, and using the gel to wash their hands when they came through the gate. I didn't wear mine, but I will this week. From all the research that I've done, the masks really don't do anything to protect you, they simply make people feel safer. But to make people feel more at ease, I will concede. So we all sat outside on my patio and listened to the pastor. After he finished, those that were sick were prayed for. Everybody was so happy to be "in church" again. To be able to see and talk to each other. You know, it was the Lord that said it wasn't good that Adam should be alone. He made us to be social creatures. Everybody needs their "alone" time, but we also need to be around people. And we had not been together since March 15 of this year. That's a long time. But aren't we thankful that the Lord said that He would never leave or forsake us? Even when we don't have each other, He is always with us to hear us, teach us, and love us. I thank him so much for his written word that He will use it to speak us always.

So yesterday, I heard that Pastor Miguel Montoya in Tegucigalpa went to be with the Lord. He was the pastor of CEAD church in Tegucigalpa. He had been in the hospital a couple of weeks with covid.  He will be missed by so many people. I went to his church several times and one of the first sermons that I heard after coming here was a sermon preached by his wife, Jackie. I didn't know much Spanish at all at that time, but I understood her message. I think the title was, "In Spite Of..." That's the English translation, but I've never forgotten it. The church has around 8,000 members now.  Of course it wasn't that big in 2009. But life goes on, yes? I know that the Lord has a plan for Jackie and CEAD, and it's a good plan even though we don't understand why Pastor Miguel was taken home at such an early age. He was 46, but people die at every age. Psalms 31 says that our (my) times are in the Lord's hands. And when our time is finished here, we will leave this physical world. But oh, what a world there is that is waiting for us!! To be with the Lord forever is a Christian's desire. So we will see Pastor Miguel again along with others that have gone on before us. But our greatest joy will be seeing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Mark 9:24 Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

 Well, here we are finishing eight months of lockdown. So crazy! This past week the Honduran government lifted the lockdown due to humanitarian efforts for those adversely affected by hurricane Eta. If they can lift the lockdown for that reason, why can't they discontinue it altogether?? It makes no sense. Oh, the people aren't going to be infected due to humanitarian efforts. Really? So what is really going on behind these lockdowns? People need to be thinking about what is really happening instead of being overcome by fear.

Fear is the greatest weapon of the enemy. I know that this sounds a little crazy, but watching movies is one  of my favorite pastimes. And I've noticed that whatever movie it is, when something awful is about to happen, the person becomes so fearful that they cannot act to save themselves or do whatever they need to do to master the situation whether that means to flee or stand and fight. I always ask myself, what would I do in that situation? There are many avenues to learning if we are open minded and want to understand a lot of things.

I praise the Lord Jesus Christ that I am a child of God. He tells us in 2 Tim.1:7 that he hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but love, power, and a sound mind. So why are so many Christians so fearful? Nothing can happen to us unless the Lord permits it. Read Job. Many people blame the devil for all bad things. Well, he couldn't do anything to Job without the Lord's permission. It's the same for us today. God doesn't change. He's the same today, yesterday, and forever. The Lord is always preparing us for whatever. Even now, I wonder how we will use what we are learning and going through now in the future.  The Lord has a plan for everything, and it's always a good plan. The devil maybe the god of this world as the Bible tells us, but he doesn't own the world. God does. Hallelujah!! 

And what do we do if we become afraid of something? So many places in the Bible tells us to talk to the Lord about everything. He already knows our feelings, thoughts, fears, everything. Nothing is hidden from him. He knows everything about us, even things that we don't know about ourselves. My pastor and I were talking about faith last week. The Lord said if you have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed...Pastor said what if you don't. Well, I told him that I believe we should do the same thing as the man who brought his demon possessed son to the disciples. They couldn't deliver his son. And when the Lord asked the man if he believed that he, Jesus could do it, the man replied, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Faith is a gift of God. It isn't something that we can work up within ourselves. Ephesians 2:8.

Going to church should not take the place of an intimate relationship with the Lord. We have to have that. Many people go to church as does the devil. But what happens when we can't go there? Do we keep up our relationship with the Lord? He's the one that saved us, not the church. Yes, we need to not forsake the assemblies of ourselves as the Bible says, but if it's impossible to go, what do we do? Do we have a personal relationship with the Lord or do we have religion? The two are not the same. 

So the week before last, I was talking to the Lord and telling him that I didn't have any more coffee. I had made some and froze it due the possibility of losing electricity which we did for 4 nights and 3 days and even sometimes during those 3 days. I usually have coffee in the morning and the afternoon. It was afternoon and I didn't have any. So I was talking to Him about it and said that I would make more when the electricity came back on. All is ok. A few minutes after that, I heard someone banging on my metal gate since they couldn't use the electric bell. When I opened the gate, there stood my pastor in the rain with a hot cup of coffee! I was amazed! We just laughed as we hugged each other. And of course, I told him about my conversation with the Lord. What an awesome Heavenly Father I have! He cares about every little thing in my life and yours.  And He will show His care for us in so many different ways if we believe He is who He says He is and trust Him in all and every situation. I don't have coincidences in my life. Do you?

Grace and peace from our Savior Jesus Christ!

 I've decided not to watch the news more than one time a day. Why? It makes me sick! What has happened to the people in the USA? The news is a major gossip outlet. It's all about their personal opinions. When I hear that president Trump will speak, I listen to him. I don't listen to the news reporters afterward. Why? Because I can understand the English language and what he said. The things that are said on all the talking shows are horrible. The sport teams now talking about staying in the locker rooms while the National Anthem is being played is - I don't have a word to describe it. If these people are so against the country where they were born and made all their money, why don't they go to a socialist/communistic country?   The above was written in September and I didn't finish it because I was so frustrated with the events.

Now we are at the end of October, basically. We are now in the beginning of the 8th month of lockdowns. Since yesterday was Sunday, while I was talking to the Lord, I told him that I hadn't been to church in seven months, as if he didn't know.  And a little later, I was going through the tv channels when I hit upon channel 52 called Alfa and Omega, and lo and behold, there was a group of American gospel singers singing In the Everlasting Arms. I was absolutely overjoyed!! Our God is so good all the time as the song says. And when they finished their program, everything went to Spanish including Dr. Charles Stanley's message. But I understood most so all was ok. The Lord always knows what I need and when I need it. And he always supplies as his word says. I'm so glad that I am his child. And now I'm learning the song God Is Good in Spanish. 

Not much else is happening here. I get to go out tomorrow, and I'm hoping that the post office will be  open so I can find out if Honduras is accepting international mail again especially since I rented a box here.

My daughter-in-law was just diagnosed with Covid, so I'm praying that the Lord will grant her a speedy recovery and that my son and granddaughter don't get it.

So until later, be blessed in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Ps.46:10 Be still, and know that I am God...

Today is rather a special day. It's my brother's birthday. If he were alive, we would be celebrating his 78th. However, he died five years ago, but I think of him so often. I used to call him every month and so many times we would just giggle. I remember telling him that I was calling him long distance and all we're doing is laughing and that  we needed  to be talking about something and that made us giggle even more! It makes me laugh now when I think about those times. What pleasant memories I have of him and those times.

Here we are ending our sixth month of lockdown. Who would have thought! However, now we are allowed to leave our homes every ten days instead of every two weeks because they've opened up  Saturday and Sunday. And the little taxis are now operating here in Valle. I love that since I can use one coming home while carrying groceries.  

A couple of weeks ago I went to our little post office here to see if I could receive mail, etc. Sure enough, I can. I was able to rent a mailbox. Always before, if I had mail, it would go to the PIEDAD  post office  box in Tegucigalpa. Now there is no traveling to Tegucigalpa except for "essential" workers, etc. and the post office is downtown. So having a box here will be much better when mail can once again enter the country.  Yeah, there is no international mail entering the country. Isn't that the craziest thing especially since they've opened the national and international airports? I told my son to let me know when he sends me a letter so I'll know how many days it takes to get here. The young lady at the post office told me 12-15 days. We'll see.

All this time in our homes. I've been thinking about what I've learned. Probably the first thing is to be still, Ps.46:10. The next is to be content 1Tim.6:8, and Phil.4:11 as Paul said and to give thanks in all things,  Eph.5:20. I've been so thankful that I don't live in an apartment. I have a house with a front and back yard. So I can go outside and walk around. Many times I've thought of how much worse this could be: no food or water in the stores, and not being able to go to the store, etc. I've also learned to be more dependent on the Lord instead of myself. I've learned that if he doesn't move, what can I do? I'm learning not to panic when I hear bad news because I've learned that he is in control of my life and he will show me what to do or not do. And when I do become fearful about something to stop and talk to him about the situation, my feelings, etc. And always his peace returns to me. That's another thing that I've learned over the years: his peace. When I don't have peace, I talk to him about whatever and he always answers by restoring his peace to me. God is so good. Never did he intend for us to be alone. His promise is to always be with us and to never forsake us regardless of what is going on in or around us. He is a good God.

In one of my many psychology classes years ago I heard that people need three things in their lives:somebody to love, something to do, and something to look forward to. I have people to love, and I look forward to to my student coming every Thursday afternoon and that also gives me something to do. You know the Lord will put us in a place to truly show us who He is and who we are! Now what does that have to do with what I first said? It's that we are so busy and hurry, hurry all the time that we truly don't count the so called little blessings that we do have. We are too busy trying to get more things or trying to do more things. I cannot find one place where the Lord told us to hurry up or to be busy doing all the time. I cannot find one place where Jesus was ever in a hurry. But the world and even the church says we have to be busy all the time. My daughter told me one time that I couldn't even watch a movie without being busy doing something like knitting, sewing, or crocheting. She was right because when I was a little girl and my grandparents got a television I was told sitting and watching it was a waste of time. So I learned to be doing something when watching TV. And I still do much of the time. Only now it's doing puzzles! It's a hard habit to break but I'm learning. Jesus showed me a long time ago that doing something with him is much different than doing something for him. If he's not in it, I don't want to be there. He also said that without him, we can do nothing. That is to say, nothing of spiritual value. And I've learned to walk to the store and downtown at a more leisurely gate instead of hurrying. It's the mind that makes our feet hurry. If we calm our minds, the body will follow. And it's so much better. I enjoy looking at all that God has created for us, and when I think of all the things that I see, I'm amazed at how awesome he truly is. We take these things for granted many times but when we stop to ponder the differences and how truly different they are, we see God in a different light. 

The Lord doesn't waste time or talent. In this time of lockdown, He has things to teach each one of us in our walk with him. And I give him thanks for what He's doing in this time even though I don't understand it all.

Grace and peace to all.