Mat.6:8...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Hallelujah y Praise the Lord! What a fantastic 5 days that Leticia and I had at the beach house. We did nothing but rest, eat, sleep, swim, and walk the beach. God knows what we need and when we need it even when we don't. I didn't realize how tired I was until Thursday morning. Wow! And I pray God bless Paul and Gabriela a hundredfold.

I met Gabriela a few weeks ago. I had been studying and I (?)decided that I needed to take a walk and clear the mind. Well, that's when I met Gabriela. She was standing on the corner watching her 4 year old ride his bike. I spoke in Spanish, and she answered in English. Well, that definitely opened the door. Talk about kindred spirits-from the beginning. She is Costa Rican, her husband is Chinese, and their son, whom they adopted when he was 3 months old, is from Nigeria. Talk about an international family! They love the Lord with all their hearts. Even though Paul is Chinese, he has never lived in China. He was born in Bolivia where his father worked for a helicopter company. They have opened their hearts and home to me. They have become my host family, they said. Isn't God wonderful? He knows who and when to put someone in your life. Because they want to help missionaries, they will soon be introduced to the other students here. Gabriela ministered to children in Nigeria. She has a servant's heart as does Paul.

So they took Leticia and I to the beach house on Wed. and returned on Sunday to take us back to San Jose. I'm not a swimmer, but Leticia is. The ocean was very dirty, and dangerous. There were red warning flags posted on the beach. So Leticia spent a lot of time in the pool, and I spent time in the hammock and walking the beach. The sand there is not white. It is more brown, not black like in southern Honduras on Isla de Tigre. Since Costa Rica has over 100 volcanoes, I'm thinking that is why the beaches are the color that they are. There was also lot of driftwood. I'm amazed that there is not a lot of seashells on the beaches that I have been to in Honduras and Costa Rica. This area that we went to is near the Port of Caldera, so we could see big ships coming and going, perhaps a couple everyday. The Tivies(?) River runs into the ocean there. So we walked to the river a few times. We had to pay attention because there are crocodiles living in that river. I told Leticia if she saw a log raise it's tail and move, she was to run in the opposite direction!! But we never saw one. The last day that we were there, three fishermen told us that they saw one, but he submerged himself when he saw them.

Just about every morning I took some crabs out of the swimming pool. They are the funniest things. Put something in front of them and those little pincers go into fighting position. A couple of itty bitty ones drowned. So sad. One of the mornings we heard this loud noise and saw a family of four iguanas on the roof of the house next door. They were sunning themselves. They would lift up their chests and heads while facing the sun. Sunbathing at its best! Parrots would wake us up every morning between five and six o'clock chattering very loudly. And then fly away into the trees. Gabriela's brother said that about 40 macaws were around about that time in the morning but I never saw any.

Gabriela's brother Jorge,(George)came over to meet us. A very nice fellow. I greeted him in Spanish, and he started talking to me in Spanish. Well, needless to say, I didn't understand. So when I told him, he started speaking English. While we were visiting, I told him about the man I had seen the night before standing outside the living room window at one a.m. He went outside and talked to one of the guards that was passing by. Sure enough it had been him. Evidently it is time for the sea turtles to come ashore and lay their eggs, and some other fellows had come in to steal them. So he and the other guards were looking for them. This area is privately owned and has guards on duty 24 hours a day. That's nice to know except when you see someone at your window in the middle of the night. And the reason that I was up was that Paul's ipod started blaring, and I got up to turn it off. The electricity had gone off, and we thought that was the reason for the ipod doing its thing, but who knows or cares at this point in time. Anyway, Leticia and I had decided that the guy outside the window was probably a guard and maybe had heard the ipod blaring and had come up to check it out. But it was nice to find out the real reason that he was there. And there is not much privacy in Central America. Windows and doors are open all the time during the day unless it's really hot, and the people have air conditioning, and we did have air conditioning. Also the curtains we had only half covered the windows, and they were transparent. So there are not many secrets. Make sure you dress in the bathroom because someone may cut through your yard right next to your windows!

I don't know much about southern constellations. Definitely couldn't see the Big Dipper. So I have to check this out. But the stars were bright and beautiful and reminded me of God's promise to Abraham. God would bless him, and multiply his seed as the stars of heaven. And then when I walked the beach the same promise was given concerning the sand which is on the sea shore. We can't count the number of stars or the grains of sand on the sea shores. Therefore, we can't count Abraham's descendants. I'm just thankful that I am one. God's promises are real. And whether or not we can see them with our physical eyes, we see them with eyes of faith. Abraham didn't see the promises fulfilled before he died, but the day is coming when he will. Our God is faithful. And the things He has promised us will come to pass in His time and His way. Praise be to the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and to His only begotten son Jesus Christ.

Ps.23:1 The LORD is my shepherd...

Today was graduation for three students. Each will be going to different places. One will return to the states, one goes back to Mexico, and the other will stay here in Costa Rica. So now we have three weeks vacation. It could not have come at a better time for me. You ever get that feeling that enough is enough? Well, that's where I was yesterday. So it's time for a break, not from the language, of course, but from classes.

One family will be returning to the states for the break, and the other family will be entertaining family and friends from the states. Leticia and I will have a chance to go to the beach for a few days at no expense. That's a gift from God! I met a missionary and her family a couple of weeks ago, and they offered their cabin at the beach or the one in the mountains to us. And they are taking us there and will return to bring us back home. What a blessing! I like the mountains, but Leticia lives near the ocean in Chile, and I don't think she has been to the beach since arriving here in January. So that will be a good thing for the both of us.

Last weekend several of us went to Manuel Antonio and spent the night there. (When someone or two someones want to go somewhere, they always ask others if they would like to go also because it's so much cheaper for everybody). We woke up to monkeys chattering and swinging through the trees. Awesome to see them in their own habitat doing what is normal for them. We went to the beach the afternoon that we arrived there and went back to the beach the next morning. They all love the beach! I, however sat under the big umbrella and read! But I did go out on the banana boat with them. It was fun. It's this big air filled thing that looks like a banana that is pulled through the water by a motor boat. You sit astraddle the banana and hold on to a strap in front of you. It carried six of us. Of course the big "thrill" is when the boat does a uuey and dumps everybody in the ocean. Now, I'm not a good swimmer, but we all were wearing life jackets. I was wondering how in the world am I going to get back on that thing. So along comes Alicia and grabs my jacket and away we go. Much faster than me doing it on my own! Now grabbing hold of that strap, and trying to throw your leg over the banana(like getting on a horse, only there is no firm ground under your feet!) with it bouncing up and down in the water is a sight to behold, I'm sure. Thank the Lord that one of the workers was there helping everybody to get back on the thing. Goodness, the things I do! And then ask myself what am I doing here??? But it was fun. But once is enough. Just like climbing that mountain in Honduras. Once will do it for all time.

So hows the language? Tough! I have an 88% in all except for the oral section, which is 61%. So hopefully they are changing my placement next tri to put me where I need to be. I have been in the 3rd trimester sections ever since being here. That's not the best place to be when first starting out. So here's hoping...

A person really learns to say hi and good-bye on the mission field, especially here, because people are coming in and leaving every time a tri begins and ends and sometimes in the middle of one. So I remember one of my middle school students that would never say good-bye at the end of the day. Always she would say "See you later, Ms Blumer" because to her good-bye meant forever. So I really did adopt that from her, especially being here. When we were talking about this yesterday, Olivia, 10 years old, said, "Yea, but we're never going to see them again."
And I told her that she really didn't know that because we don't know where God will send us or who we will see. It's very possible to see these missionaries again. So I have learned to say"see you later."

So I guess it's time to say, See you later.
Dios le Bendiga

John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you...

It's Friday, hallelujah!! So what has happened this week? We celebrated the 4th with only one hour of class. Then we spent time with the teachers showing them how some families celebrate the 4th by doing the spoon race, the three legged sack race, and racing with a balloon stuck between the backs of two people and then passing it back to back with team members. Such fun. And of course we had goodies to eat. In the evening we went to Josh and April's house for a cookout. We met missionaries from other organizations that were working in other areas such as the universities, Bible schools, and after school programs for children. Then Josh lit fireworks for the kids. Here you can shoot off fireworks whenever. Robyn had showed a video at school featuring our soldiers in different eras of war time, Arlington, etc. And of course one of our Savior and his cross and resurrection. It's always good to be reminded of why we keep certain days. Sometimes we just think of a day off from school or work, and it is so much more than that. I thank God for giving the world the U.S.A. If we fall, there are going to be many countries that are going to suffer significantly. I pray our country returns to the standard that made it great in the first place.

And this week, my oldest celebrated his big 50, which of course isn't so big after you reach it. I remember the 4th of that year, and definitely the 5th. So young and so ignorant. Thank God that He has always known me even when I didn't know him. Such love and grace that God has shown me.

Before God called me to the mission field, I knew nothing about missionary life. Boy, have I learned a lot. I want to talk to Abraham someday. I have thought so much about him. What did his family think when he said he was leaving because God (?) told him to do it? Why did God call him when he was an "old" man? When I think about it from the human standpoint, I wonder if it took that much time for God to get him in the position where when He said go, that Abraham would go? I have heard stories from missionaries on the field that talk about their families who don't understand why they left the U.S. And these are Christian families!!! But they really don't understand the call to missions. It isn't something that a person just decides to do on his own! Seriously, who would leave their parents, grandparents, etc., a good job, house, car, friends, church, for a place where they don't know the language, different food, clothes that don't fit so well, houses that are at best second rate, etc.? Nobody in their right minds! But Paul said that we have the mind of Christ, so of course we don't think like the "normal" person. Jesus said that He had chosen us, not the other way around. So this transition has been one of learning and relearning. We can not always see what God is doing. We just have to trust him and be obedient to follow him in whatever he asks us to do whether or not anyone else understands. And he does ask us to do things we really don't want to do. Being here is one of them for a lot of people, including yours truly. But I know a little of what God has done in me since being here, and I know I need the language. So God's will be done.

I have heard how many have to write to their sponsors way too much. And how many churches want the numbers on people saved, baptized, etc. and my flesh wants to ask them the same questions. Really people? There were only about 120 people in the upper room after Jesus had preached, taught, and performed miracles for 3 1/2 years, and he is God! I often wonder if our counting these things is kind of like David numbering Israel. God was not pleased with that action, and a price was paid for it. So are we measuring success or so-called success by numbers?

In class today we had to present videos that we took last week when we went to the Cultural Popular Museo(museum). I have always believed that there is a natural substance for whatever is needed. So my group talked about La Reina de la Noche, (The Queen of the Night or Angels Trumpets). It's a big plant that has beautiful flowers and soft leaves. Well, the leaves can be used for toilet paper, (better than the poison ivy that my youngest used one time) and the flowers give off a wonderful aroma at night that covers the odor from the outhouse. (UGH, I heard that)!! And the mint they grow is not only used for food, but it's also a deterrent for ants! Great stuff, not that I want to exchange the modern bathroom for what my grandparents had. But the soft leaves would definitely be an improvement over pages from Sears catalogs! But leave it to man to take the natural good use of something and turn it into something bad. This plant has addictive qualities to it, therefore it is used by drug addicts, and none of the effects are good. They eat it or smoke it, so I was told. How sad.

There have been a few times since I have been in Central America when I really wished I was a man, so I could have gone to the guys that have been laying in the streets, and talked to them about their situations. I know some choose to live like this. But I also know that there are some that have not, and they don't know how or what to do. Even in this school, we have been told to ask questions. Well, when you don't know what to ask, and you don't know the language, how do you do that? Unless someone helps you, you are totally wandering in the dark. Kind of reminds me of the good Samaritan, and the man left to die in the street.

Oh well, enough for now. Dios le bendiga.

Ps, 104:24...the earth is full of thy riches.

So here we are in the middle of the week again. We returned from Panama on Sunday after leaving early Thursday morning. I think I enjoyed it more this time just because I knew where things were located. One more trip in Sept. and then home in Dec. So what did I do in PA? RESTED! We all went shopping together, and some went to the beach which is an hour or so away. No, I didn't go. It's not really what I enjoy doing. And the waves, sand, whatever was fairly strong because it took the polish off some toes!!
The trip there takes about eight hours in the bus. We stop for potty breaks, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. More often if necessary. And we stop on the Costa Rican side of the border for lunch. We always pray about crossing the border. Praise God that we have never been held up for them to check our luggage, etc. So the trip was great.
So today, Sat. the 2nd, we toured a coffee plantation. What a great learning experience. This company sells over 70% of their coffee beans to Starbucks in the states where they roast it to their specifications. Doka was started by a German family three generations ago. They own over 24,000 acres of coffee plants. And the caffeine content does not change in the kind of ground that you buy. The time of roasting changes the flavor from light, robust, espresso, etc. not the caffeine content. I was very happy to hear that. And a Coke and Pepsi has 90% more caffeine then coffee. In fact they send their beans to Germany where the decaffeinated coffee is made, and the caffeine is then sold to companies like Coke and Pepsi. Interesting, huh? And all the coffee plant is used for something. The trees are used for 20 years and then they are replaced with new trees. The old trees are used in the fires for roasting the beans. There is also a covering on the bean that is removed and is then used to make paper. So I really enjoyed this trip. I knew Jesus liked coffee!!!! I have been wanting to go to a coffee plantation since coming to Central America, and today I was able to go. We want to go back in Nov. when harvesting will be in progress to see all that we heard about today. This company processes by hand other than the separating of the beans which is done by machines that are 100 years old. Fantastic!
Yesterday, the school visited a Cultural Popular Museo(museum). We were able to make sweet bread and bake it in an oven that is outside. Also we learned how they use to make the adobe walls for the houses. They made frames from cane(not sugar cane), filled them with mud that was mixed with straw, and then they spread cow manure over the dried mud. This kept the wall from being destroyed when it rained. They sometimes whitewashed the wall using limestone and water. This method is now illegal because it won't withstand the earthquakes. Makes sense to me. Man's ingenuity, a gift from God of course, just sometimes makes me speechless.
So Monday, the 4th, we are going to a home of one of the missionaries to celebrate our (U.S.) Day of Independence after classes. Sure doesn't feel like July. And I think I am behind again on my newsletter. Oops. Guess I'd better tackle that this week.
God is absolutely so marvelous. I look at all that he has done in my life, and all I can do is praise him. Whoever thought I would be where I am, doing what I'm doing? Amazing. Dios le bendiga.

Ps.103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me...

¡Praise the Lord! The volcano Irazu was totally clear while we were there, so we could see the sulfuric blue green water at the bottom. It was definitely chilly. We were approximately 10,000 feet up. It's the highest point in CR and if the skies are clear, you can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. However, it wasn't clear enough to see those. So now I have seen a volcano that can become active at any time. Very interesting because the last time it spewed forth its innards was in 1963 when President Kennedy came to visit.

I stand in amazement when I see the natural wonders that God has created. When I realize the power that he has, it just blows my mind. He is so indescribably awesome that sometimes it just takes my breath away. Of course, a newborn baby is just as awesome, as we are.

Things have calmed down a little this week, and it is so nice to just breathe! We have had so much work to do and no time for things to actually sink in. But the ones that are learning English feel the same way, so we're all in the same boat.

Today we went to Cartago for a field trip. We were to observe the people and how they do or do not use crosswalks, etc. I must say that they do a lot better there than here in San Jose and Honduras. The remains (outer walls) of a large Catholic church there that was started way back when, but because of earthquakes constantly destroying it, rebuilding was finally abandoned in 1840 something. It reminded me of the ruins in Europe that was built by the Romans, because this too is of the same architecture. The legend has it that at certain times you can see a beheaded priest floating around in there.

Tomorrow is Friday. YEA! However, I have to start my integration class then. I have asked to be put with kids that are receiving special education. Of course the Christian schools, like PIEDAD, don't have special education. So to start I'm going to a church tomorrow afternoon to meet some kids and parents. The lady that I will be working with is from England and has been here for 15 years, and in Peru for 10. She has a burden for the church to accept and assist those that have special needs and their parents. Needless to say, I am excited.

So I went yesterday and spent nearly two hours with the kids. Some have profound disabilities. But I came away feeling totally alive. Special education is my passion as Deya says. So the plan is to really get involved and learn from Brenda, and to help the kids and their parents. She asked if I wanted to go with her to visit the families at their home. Absolutely. I visited some of my students in their homes when I taught in the states, so thank you once again, Lord.

Today was Father's Day here and the kids performed for their dads and the church. Really great.
I pray all my son's were blessed by their children.

Next week we leave for Panama again for our visas. We are all ready for a 4 day break. So now, I guess I'd better finish my homework for tomorrow.

Dios le bendiga!

I Pet.5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

I cannot believe that it is June already. Wow! Almost six months down and six more to go. Passing months don't mean a lot here, to me anyway, other than the passing of time because the weather doesn't really change much.

I am sooooo glad that the last two weeks are over. Thank you Jesus!!! The homework has been horrendous, plus they have added a class for three afternoons every week, so there isn't much free time. The last two weeks, we had to write several compositions, do two projects, and testing. One project had to be about a disaster somewhere in the world(I chose the Mississippi flooding) and homelessness since it is a problem in just about every country. This last project had to be oral with no reading of notes. I think I did well since the teacher said, "Bueno Beverly". I wish I felt that confident!! Robyn and I are just glad it's over. And to add to the frustration in preparing these things, the internet was not dependable due to the weather. I'd be looking at stuff, and off it would go. Grrrrr!

The Lord answered another prayer this week. We are always told to see and enjoy Costa Rica. Well, that sounds good, but there are several issues. One is money, since things are so expensive here, and another is where to go and how. Two of the girls speaks Spanish well, but they don't know how to get around very well either. So the other morning, I was talking to the Lord about it and Tim popped into my head. He is a young man(everybody here is young to me!)and single and just came in April. (He speaks Spanish well, and will be here in CR). So after class, I put my arm through his and said I had a proposition for him. When I explained the situation to him, he smiled and said, just ask, because he would like to go see places, too. I told him we would help pay for gas in his vehicle, and I would pay his entry fees. He said he would pay his own entry fees. So tomorrow we are going to see the volcano that is not too far from San Jose. I pray it will be clear when we get there so we can see it. Thank you Lord.

I praise God everyday for his goodness, because he truly is good to his kids. And I heard that one in my flock has started going back to church. Thank you Jesus.

Five new students arrived this week for six weeks intensive. They were all going to the mall, and I was invited, but decided I'd better stay home and get my laundry done since I'll be gone most of the day tomorrow and church on Sunday. And I just need some down time. (Yo necesito descansar. I need to rest.)

Every morning in class we have to read scripture and pray in Spanish. Well, this morning I chose Eccl.12:12-14. Well, lo and behold, Eccl. only had eight chapters in my Spanish Bible. I freaked! So My teacher and I are looking in the Bibles in class and sure enough, only eight chapters! Oh my, what a disaster, until we realized I was looking in Song of Solomon instead of Ecclesiastes! Well, we had a good laugh along with a big sigh of relief. Mercy, mercy, mercy! Boy, I'm glad this week of classes are over.

This past couple of weeks the song May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You has been running through my head. He is good and he does bless especially when we give him all. What an awesome Father we have.

Ps. 77:17-18 ...voice of thy thunder...lightenings...the earth trembled and shook.

Earthquake!! It was not strong where I was. In fact three of us went walking after the thunder storm was over. (It rained really hard, and the thunder was deafening. Lightening cracked and popped. So people that are fearful of these would have a hard time here right now. The rainy season is definitely here). As far as the quake goes, we only noticed that something out of the ordinary was happening because the tree that we were near started shaking and dropping water on us. And then we realized that it must have been a quake. I called it a tremor, but the TV said it was a 5.8. The family that lives above me said it shook some things off their walls. Everything in my house was the same. I guess it makes a difference whether your on ground floor or above. Psalms 77:17-18 describes yesterday to a tee.

I think it's a reminder of just how powerful our God is and what kind of authority He has. Totally awesome. I'm so glad I'm in His hand.

II Sam.12:23 I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

My last entry was the 17th of April. Wow, a lot has happened since then. April 18th thru the 1rst of May was basically vacation time from studies. New students were to come in on the 27th of April, and we all were to meet them when they arrived at CINCEL. I was looking forward to a time of rest and maybe to see a little of Costa Rica. But none of that happened.

On the 19th, I received a note from my youngest son, Doug, that my 3 month old granddaughter had died. What??? Evidently she died of SIDS. Leah belongs to my second oldest son, Kenneth. She was born Jan. 8th. In my immediate family, we have not had a child die. Miscarriages, yes, but not this. I was totally shocked. I had to go home. I knew that Leah was already in heaven, but mom, dad, and sisters were still here! My neighbor, Tona came over to help me get plane reservations, etc. because I just couldn't get it together. What a blessing she was. And of course, the teachers and students that heard came over to comfort me and to be of help if possible. How long do I stay, and many other questions were going through my mind. I decided to return to C.R. on the 30th. On the flight home, I remember thinking that I wanted to hold Leah if possible. My daughter Penny and her husband were on their way from IL to KS. Doug, Penny, and Steve met me at the airport. The next morning, Penny, Steve and I were on our way to OK. There were no words to say to Kenny and Angela, just hugs and tears. We then went to the funeral home. She looked like a little doll laying there in that so very small casket. The funeral director asked if we wanted to hold her, and both her mommy and I said yes. So precious. My first meeting with my new granddaughter, and my last, on this earth anyway. Daddy had to leave the room.

When Leah's sister, Faith, heard that I had held Leah, she asked me why since Leah wasn't there. All I could say was that her body was still there, and I wanted to hold her. I had total peace through it all. Yes, my heart was(is) heavy for my son and Angela, but I knew and still know that God in all his wisdom and mercy has a purpose and a plan for all involved. If I could answer the question Why, then I would be God. I know that God gave Angela a couple of dreams to help give her peace, and she shared those with me. God is moving in this family in ways that we cannot see or know. And I trust Him explicitly. After all, I only have this family because He's the one who gave me all my children, and I have to remember that they in actuality are His, whether they serve Him at this time or not. All souls belong to Him according to Ezek. 18:4. He gave this scripture to me before I left for the mission field. So when I get to heaven, I am going to meet my granddaughter, Leah, and I believe we will know each other. I could be wrong there, but that's not a big deal, because we will still meet.

I thank God that He laid me on the heart of Pastor Julie before they received my email telling them of the sad news. God always takes care of His children. He knows the beginning and the end, and I am so thankful that I am His child, and that Pastors Bryan and Julie hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and obey Him.

It's interesting that my daughter-in-law, Jen, said that this was the first time in 14 years that all five of my children were together. Wow! So of course pictures were taken. Always at family gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas, there would always be one or two missing. That's not uncommon when family members live in different states. But what a sad occasion for this to happen. BUT God has a plan and purpose.

So today, classes began. I have the same teacher that I had the first seven weeks that I was here. But at least I can understand most of what she is saying, whereas before, I didn't. So I praise God that I have learned more than I thought I had.

We had AGTS last week. Theology classes. I have struggled with wearing the "missionary" hat. It slips down over my eyes! I have told my Father that I am not a missionary, more times than one. A teacher, yes, but not a missionary. Did you ever argue with God, the Father? There's no winning. So after classes last week, I guess I am. The hat doesn't slip as far as it once did, but...So I have been reading about some famous or not so famous missionaries, because before I was called here, I have to admit, I knew basically nothing about them. I still don't know a lot, but I'm learning. I can see God's hand in the books that Don, CINCEL director, has been loaning to me. Amazing what God does in our lives. Truly He is an exciting God. What an adventurer! Thank you Lord.

Boy, I think that my English is getting worse. I have to think twice about spelling some words, and to double think about writing my sentences! That's really crazy, except that's it's a sure sign that Spanish is beginning to take hold. Hallelujah!!

I just praise God everyday for His love and care of me and mine. He is truly an awesome God, and He loves like no one else. And when we really relinquish all to Him, He does amazing things in us and for us. We Christians continually say that God is in control, but when bad, or rather what we consider to be bad happens, do we still believe that He is in control? Yes, I do. What about you?

I Sam.15:22...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Gloria a Dios. I am so thankful that God is who he is. Today Leticia and I visited a new church with other missionaries. Oh my, it was an answered prayer. I have visited several here, but none have been where I could call home. I have prayed, Lord put me in a true Pentecostal church. One where they actually DO what your word says. James says we have to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. I want a church that practices what it preaches. I want a church that gives time for the Holy Spirit to move. I want a church that truly takes time to worship, not sing 3 or 4 songs, everybody sits down and then we are taught from some book and author other than the Bible and the Holy Spirit. I want a church where the Lord speaks to his people with messages in tongues with the interpretations thereof. I want a church that anoints the sick and believes God's word for them. Jude said "that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." What was that faith? And what was he telling us when he used the word contend?

This morning the Pastor said to turn to James 5:13. I knew what was coming, and I could have jumped out of my seat for joy, but I held myself back. And sure enough, he started talking about healing and bless his heart, he confirmed what I've been saying. We don't have to hold on to sickness, and it doesn't matter how old you are. The rest is me saying what I feel. Jesus didn't take those stripes for nothing, but many times I feel the church counts them as nothing by the way they act. I always hear what the doctors say, but not what God says about the situation. If God can't heal you, then know for sure the doctors can't. And if it's God's will for you to be sick, then why are you going to a doctor? And it isn't God's will for us to be sick, otherwise He wouldn't have provided healing. And now I hear those infamous words, "yeah, but..." Find "yeah but" in God's word. And I was so thankful that I could get anointed for a cough I've been battling. So am I healed? Of course. Isa.53:5, James5:15, and I Pet. 2:24. It's a horrible feeling to know what God's word tells you to do, and you can't find a church that does it or doesn't take the time to let you know that if you are sick and need be prayed for that they will do it. Very sad. I wonder at times what God thinks about it all.

Now comes an exciting event. When we were all walking out of the building, one of the ushers, I thought, said I had vomit on the back of my slacks. I put my hand back there to feel, and sure enough, they were wet. However, I had not heard that familiar sound when a child vomits. Well, he was ushering me and Leticia outside to the bathrooms. The ladies were all full so he stuck me in the men's bathroom and left. One of the guys with him was wanting to hold my purse while I cleaned up. Clean up with what? No paper of any kind, no water other than what was in the toilet. So I went outside again,and he put me back in there. So I went back out the third time and said, "no entiendo" which means I don't understand rather loudly. He gave me a cup of water, and Leticia came in to wipe the stuff off with that and her tissues while the other guy took my purse. Are you getting the picture? Well, Leticia had some on her behind, too. So here we are wiping this stuff off. I smelled it, of course, while Leticia is basically saying don't do that. These people are so afraid of small stuff. Well, I'm sorry, it didn't smell like puke! In fact, it smelled like French dressing. The orange kind in the bottle. In fact, I know that's what it was. I can't believe how fast all this took place to the point that things "you know" aren't right, but at the same time they aren't registering in the brain correctly. Well, these guys got my "purse". They are surely very disappointed, because what they got was my English/Spanish parallel Bible. Maybe $4 or $5 dollars in change, if that much, my prayer cards, a tube of lipstick, a comb, a pen, a few pieces of candy, and maybe a copy of my passport. And my eyeglass case, and I just remembered I had 2 Lempiras from Honduras worth about 40 cents in my Bible. And the purse was actually the bag I carry to go shopping. So my prayer for them is that they can't get away from the Word! I pray they get so convicted that they have to get saved in order to have peace!! Wouldn't that be just like our God? So that's my exciting day so far. Of course the day isn't over yet!!!

Friday past was graduation day for some. It was a day of gladness and sadness just like any graduation. Some left the following day and some will leave this week. I will miss one family in particular. Corey and I love to spar! Some people think we are arguing, but we're actually having fun. We have a good time. So Corey I will definitely miss those fun times. Tona, whom I've heard can cut you like a knife but you never know it because she does it so sweetly, I will miss you. Maggie, so quiet, and Alex, the ideal escort. You're a great family, and I pray God's blessings upon you, and that his will be performed in each of your lives as individuals and as a family. I love you guys.

And tomorrow my granddaughter has her 22nd birthday. Congrats Kelcie.

Isa.64:9...eye hath not seen nor ear heard ...things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Two more weeks and the first trimester will be over. Praise the Lord! Only three more trimesters to go. Reminds me of counting down semesters in college. So glad when one was over and excited to start the next.

So we returned from three days in Panama yesterday. We went to the city of David about 45 minutes from the Costa Rica/Panama border. David has a big Jewish population. Can't you tell by the name? It's a very nice sized city. We could walk downtown from the hotel, and that was nice. It's super hot there, and we were all happy to have air conditioners in our rooms especially at night. There is a store called Conway that is owned by Target, and the o in Conway has the Target logo. Interesting. We had to take a cab there which usually cost about $2 each way, but everybody usually chips in so it isn't quite so expensive. And the best of course was a Momentos coffee shop similar to Starbucks close to the hotel. Absolutely heavenly! Also I asked Leticia to ask one of the workers in Conway if she knew a good place to get our hair cut. Sure enough, so we went there. $4. Great! And we learned that Betsy, the young lady who cut our hair went to an Assembly of God church. God truly does direct our paths.

One thing you learn to do in Latin America is to walk. I praise God that I've always been a walker. So to walk a couple of miles is not a big deal. Therefore we walked downtown more than once to go to the store Picadilly. Talk about cheap! I bought a nice looking watch for three bucks. No, it isn't an expensive brand name, but that's ok. If it gets stolen or it quits working, I won't cry or lose much. I'm sure batteries here cost more than $3. And my old, cheap watch is about ready to die, and all the coating has worn off, so it has a bronzed look! Totally different than any other watch I've seen.

We stopped on the way back in Dominical, I hope that's the name, for lunch. The place was playing 60's and 70's music which was interesting. But then I went to take a picture of the front of the place, and there next to the sign, up in the air, was an old van like the hippies use to drive. Well, that spoke volumes. And then I learned that this place was a surfer's paradise. So we all went down to the beach. No shells, only rocks of all sizes. And sure enough there were surfers out there riding the waves. And of course the usual venders selling their wares. Then back on the bus and away we went.

But I think of the greatness and bigness of God. I look at the expanse of the ocean and the sky, and I get overwhelmed by just how great is our God. His intelligence we can't even begin to fathom. And yet He knows me, everything about me, and He loves me anyway. But as I told Ritchie, He loves the prostitute down the street, too. That's just to keep things in their proper perspective. And we can't even begin to out love Him, or out give Him. I think about the things He asked us to give up in order to go to a foreign country, and when everything is looked at from a different angle, we realize that He gives back to us a lot more than we gave up.

And it's interesting the places you call home. We were all so glad to return "home" to CINCEL. Normally, everybody tries to get away from here. Most all feels like it's kind of like being in a prison. The scenery, what scenery? There isn't anything that's really eye pleasing here. The creek (people call it a river, but it's really a tiny creek)next to our living quarters, we call peepeecaca because it smells so bad. But we were all ready to be home! And we praised God for a safe trip and for not having any problems at the borders. Speaking of the borders. You have to drive your vehicle, however large or small, through this car washing thing to wash off the bugs, dust, or whatever before entering or leaving either of the two countries! We all thought that was a little amusing and strange.

So serving God is an adventure. Sometimes it's not so much fun, but in the end it will all be worth it. The things He has planned for us if we are willing to follow him definitely includes a cross, come and die, but also to live life to the fullest. And I pray that He keeps me on that potter's wheel always in order that I may hear those precious words, well done thou good and faithful servant.