Oh my word. Four days before we leave our home, our state, our country to go do what we believe God has called us to do. I'm excited, scared, nervous and everything in between. Obviously my body is feeling it too...queasy stomach, fever blister, etc. But God is ever faithful and he wouldn't put us where we weren't going to do well.
God has already proven His faithfulness in more ways than I can count. The car is sold, the bike is sold, the dogs have a home, the house is rented, and Bill's pickup will have a home this week. There truly isn't much more I can ask for except for safe travels and continued financial and prayer support.
So, those of you inclined to pray, please pray that we get to Guatemala safely, and that we have a strong and faithful financial and prayer support team. When two or more are praying together, it's amazing what God will do.
If you would like to contribute to our monthly financial support, there is a method listed to the right. Please pray, and decide if you could partner financially with us. We greatly appreciate all who have. Yes, I owe thank yous. I know it! But packing and our final bike rally came first. :)
Our support isn't at 100% yet. I'm thinking more along 80-85%. I'll know more tomorrow. I know that God will make sure we have the funding we need to survive in Guatemala. As usual, I'm just trusting in Him to provide. It's getting easier and easier to do, actually. He continues to step forward whenever we have a need, and it's covered. I've not had to advertise anything but the yard sale. Everything else we've sold has been by word of mouth. God just connects us with the right people at the right time, thanks to the prayers that have gone up from everyone.
I love you, and will miss you all! Skype and Facebook will be our friends. If you would like to send us snail mail, please send it to PO Box 593550, Orlando FL 32859-3550. We should get a mail delivery about once a month. I promise to write back.
God Bless Y'all....
Lisa
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
We need a new home...
because our parents are moving to Guatemala and can't take us with them. It would cost over $600 apiece to get all the paperwork and fly with our parents (Bill and Lisa). Plane tickets for dogs are almost as expensive as they are for people. DJ would have to wait until after October 1 anyway, because he has a short nose (he's a pug/boxer cross) and the airlines won't let him fly because dogs with short noses get too hot in the cargo area. Me, I could fly, but missionaries don't have a lot of money, and that's almost a month's budget for them.
I'm a Jack Russell terrier, and I'm the queen of the house. Honestly, we're both well-behaved, but sometimes our parents don't listen when I talk, and then I have to get loud. When they come home, they're supposed to put their things down and sit in their chairs so I can come say hi. If they don't, then I tell them what to do. I'm the same way with scratches. Please don't stop until I say so, or I'll just bring your hand back to where I want it.
Our parents don't want to put us at a shelter, and the two rescue groups in Pocatello don't have any foster homes. If we go to a shelter, we might get separated (or worse!) and I think DJ would die of a broken heart. It's going to be hard enough to let our parents go, but if DJ and I didn't have each other, we would be so sad.
DJ is a cuddler. When my mom sits in her chair, he thinks he needs to sit beside her. It doesn't matter if she has the computer in her lap or not, he wants to sit there. Me, I'll come visit, but I'm just as happy to sleep under Mom's chair. We have a big bed we sleep on (unless we get sneaky and jump on the bed when our parents are asleep!).
We're both well-mannered, and we can stay by ourselves all day without getting into things. We are crate trained, but we've been spoiled with a doggy door at our house. We enjoy doggie treats, and I'll count to three for both of us. DJ doesn't talk much. He does get very excited about car rides though. He's a wimp, and only hangs his head out for a little bit. He gets cold. Me, I'll stand on the mirror if you let me. I love the wind in my face.
I don't like baths, and I'll trade you lots of hugs for not giving me a bath. DJ, he'll get in the tub, but he's not happy. I'll get in too, because I know I'm supposed to, but I'd rather do lots of other things. We don't chew things up, and we love to go for walks or play outside. We aren't totally outside dogs, we enjoy our air conditioning! A big yard would be nice to have to play in. We have a small yard now though, and we're good with that.
We like people, but little people are kinda scary to me. DJ likes kids. He's very tolerant. Kids make me kind of nervous. I'm afraid they'll hurt me. We don't mind if they visit though. The mailman is the only one I really don't like. The one that came to our house when we first moved to Pocatello used to tease me. I won't bite him, but I sure let him know I know he's here and I don't like him. I can smell him from four houses away.
Our parents are leaving next Thursday, and we have to have a place to go before that. Please, if you or someone you know would like us, please let my mom know. She's been very worried about us, and what will happen when they leave.
I'm a Jack Russell terrier, and I'm the queen of the house. Honestly, we're both well-behaved, but sometimes our parents don't listen when I talk, and then I have to get loud. When they come home, they're supposed to put their things down and sit in their chairs so I can come say hi. If they don't, then I tell them what to do. I'm the same way with scratches. Please don't stop until I say so, or I'll just bring your hand back to where I want it.
Our parents don't want to put us at a shelter, and the two rescue groups in Pocatello don't have any foster homes. If we go to a shelter, we might get separated (or worse!) and I think DJ would die of a broken heart. It's going to be hard enough to let our parents go, but if DJ and I didn't have each other, we would be so sad.
DJ is a cuddler. When my mom sits in her chair, he thinks he needs to sit beside her. It doesn't matter if she has the computer in her lap or not, he wants to sit there. Me, I'll come visit, but I'm just as happy to sleep under Mom's chair. We have a big bed we sleep on (unless we get sneaky and jump on the bed when our parents are asleep!).
We're both well-mannered, and we can stay by ourselves all day without getting into things. We are crate trained, but we've been spoiled with a doggy door at our house. We enjoy doggie treats, and I'll count to three for both of us. DJ doesn't talk much. He does get very excited about car rides though. He's a wimp, and only hangs his head out for a little bit. He gets cold. Me, I'll stand on the mirror if you let me. I love the wind in my face.
I don't like baths, and I'll trade you lots of hugs for not giving me a bath. DJ, he'll get in the tub, but he's not happy. I'll get in too, because I know I'm supposed to, but I'd rather do lots of other things. We don't chew things up, and we love to go for walks or play outside. We aren't totally outside dogs, we enjoy our air conditioning! A big yard would be nice to have to play in. We have a small yard now though, and we're good with that.
We like people, but little people are kinda scary to me. DJ likes kids. He's very tolerant. Kids make me kind of nervous. I'm afraid they'll hurt me. We don't mind if they visit though. The mailman is the only one I really don't like. The one that came to our house when we first moved to Pocatello used to tease me. I won't bite him, but I sure let him know I know he's here and I don't like him. I can smell him from four houses away.
Our parents are leaving next Thursday, and we have to have a place to go before that. Please, if you or someone you know would like us, please let my mom know. She's been very worried about us, and what will happen when they leave.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
11 days to go....
and I'm getting butterflies. You know what I mean...like when you're little and your tummy feels all funny in the days before Christmas or the big vacation. You know everything will be good, but in the meantime, you feel all queasy with anticpation!
We had a super successful yard sale yesterday. We have furniture, my motorcycle and Bill's truck to sell now. I guess it's time to seriously advertise them. :) So...the truck is a 2001 Chevy Silverado 4x4 extended cab. It has an air-ride suspension, for when you haul/tow heavy loads. Leather, power slider in the back, shell for the bed. It's that pewter color that looks silver one time and gold the next.
The bike is a 2000 Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan Classic. Carbureted, not fuel injected. Custom Mustang seat. Saddlebags and chrome...floorboards for the driver. She's got new rubber (less than 1K miles) and has just been totally serviced.
We also have a couple of dressers, a loveseat, and a cherry pie safe/hutch. If anyone is interested in any of this, let Bill or I know.
We'll be packing this week, and the renter will move in on the 2nd or 3rd. We'll spend the last several days staying with our best friends. My mom has an appt. up here on the 3rd, so the family will be together one last time. Skype will be our good friend. That, Facebook and email, as mail will likely only arrive from the States about once a month when a mission team comes in.
I'm not saying goodbye to anyone. I'm saying so long. I don't know how long God plans to have us stay in Guatemala. That's up to Him. He's made it clear that's where we need to be now, and as Bill and I have learned, he makes it very clear when He wants us somewhere. We're hoping for furlough next summer, but we have to make it work with our Directors and the mission team schedule.
Pray for us. Pray for safety, for success, and for our ongoing monthly support needs. We depend on all of you to keep us doing the Lord's work. If you're interested in partnering with us and MVI to provide support, please click on the link to the right.
I'll be praying lots in this next 11 days...but God is ever faithful and will bring us through.
God Bless Y'all...
Lisa
We had a super successful yard sale yesterday. We have furniture, my motorcycle and Bill's truck to sell now. I guess it's time to seriously advertise them. :) So...the truck is a 2001 Chevy Silverado 4x4 extended cab. It has an air-ride suspension, for when you haul/tow heavy loads. Leather, power slider in the back, shell for the bed. It's that pewter color that looks silver one time and gold the next.
The bike is a 2000 Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan Classic. Carbureted, not fuel injected. Custom Mustang seat. Saddlebags and chrome...floorboards for the driver. She's got new rubber (less than 1K miles) and has just been totally serviced.
We also have a couple of dressers, a loveseat, and a cherry pie safe/hutch. If anyone is interested in any of this, let Bill or I know.
We'll be packing this week, and the renter will move in on the 2nd or 3rd. We'll spend the last several days staying with our best friends. My mom has an appt. up here on the 3rd, so the family will be together one last time. Skype will be our good friend. That, Facebook and email, as mail will likely only arrive from the States about once a month when a mission team comes in.
I'm not saying goodbye to anyone. I'm saying so long. I don't know how long God plans to have us stay in Guatemala. That's up to Him. He's made it clear that's where we need to be now, and as Bill and I have learned, he makes it very clear when He wants us somewhere. We're hoping for furlough next summer, but we have to make it work with our Directors and the mission team schedule.
Pray for us. Pray for safety, for success, and for our ongoing monthly support needs. We depend on all of you to keep us doing the Lord's work. If you're interested in partnering with us and MVI to provide support, please click on the link to the right.
I'll be praying lots in this next 11 days...but God is ever faithful and will bring us through.
God Bless Y'all...
Lisa
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Hitting the ground running...
and I mean that in a pretty literal way. We leave for Guatemala on August 4, and will arrive August 5. Thank you for the gift of the tickets, Dana (my sister!). Frequent flyer miles do come in handy. :)
When we arrive in Guatemala, we'll instantly go to work. We will have a team in house and leaving to their destination the day we arrive, and then we have to prepare for a team coming in on the 10th. I'm cooking for the team for a couple of days...good thing I like to cook!
Both teams will be in residence by the 15th...so we'll have a full house. The assistant and her daughter only come in every other day. That means we will deal with everything from cleaning to cooking to socializing. I hope they all get along!
We're truly looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. God has called, and we have answered. It never occured to us to tell God "no". We realize the folly in telling God no. It becomes very dangerous, and we don't want to pay that price. The Lord will get your attention when He wants you, and you had better be ready and willing. The song, "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson, really says it all. We're not going to just sit there and not do what God wants us to...we refuse!
To those of you who have partnered with us for prayer or support, thank you! I am working on prayer cards and a newsletter. Hopefully those will help you remember us. If you have not partnered with us, and wish to do so, the directions are to the right. We are still seeking support to meet our monthly goal. Please pray about it, and if God leads you, we would love to have you join our support team!
15 days and counting...
God Bless Y'all!
Lisa
When we arrive in Guatemala, we'll instantly go to work. We will have a team in house and leaving to their destination the day we arrive, and then we have to prepare for a team coming in on the 10th. I'm cooking for the team for a couple of days...good thing I like to cook!
Both teams will be in residence by the 15th...so we'll have a full house. The assistant and her daughter only come in every other day. That means we will deal with everything from cleaning to cooking to socializing. I hope they all get along!
We're truly looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. God has called, and we have answered. It never occured to us to tell God "no". We realize the folly in telling God no. It becomes very dangerous, and we don't want to pay that price. The Lord will get your attention when He wants you, and you had better be ready and willing. The song, "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson, really says it all. We're not going to just sit there and not do what God wants us to...we refuse!
To those of you who have partnered with us for prayer or support, thank you! I am working on prayer cards and a newsletter. Hopefully those will help you remember us. If you have not partnered with us, and wish to do so, the directions are to the right. We are still seeking support to meet our monthly goal. Please pray about it, and if God leads you, we would love to have you join our support team!
15 days and counting...
God Bless Y'all!
Lisa
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Saying goodbye is hard
Wow. We're down to just over three weeks, and we're beginning our goodbyes. There are two things I truly dislike in this world. One is asking for money (and I have to do that to get our monthly support...yes, WE STILL NEED SUPPORT) and the other is saying goodbye.
We've spent the weekend at the Christian Motorcyclists Assn. Idaho/Utah/Nevada rally in American Falls, ID. The people of CMA aren't just friends, they're family. We've been together through births, deaths, babies being born, graduations... We have an extended family that covers all of Utah, all of Idaho, and NE Nevada.
I sat by the camper today, listening to two friends jam on their guitars, and their wives having a conversation when it hit me. There won't be anymore listening to the music, sitting by a fire, and just hanging out. We'll be gone. The tears came hard and heavy, and I pulled my book over my face so no one would see.
I love our assignment that God has given us. We have a chance to make a real difference to the people of Guatemala. We know that we're being called, and we can't say no to God. Doing that is dangerous...we've found out the hard way. That doesn't mean we're not going to miss our extended family. That doesn't mean we're not going to miss our families here in Idaho and the Mountain West.
Lord, there's three weeks left. We're trusting in you to help us do all we need to do...close up the house and get a renter in, sell the vehicles, take all our stuff to Georgetown to store it, and pack the allotted 4 bags apiece for the airline. Wow. If anyone needs a small SUV, let me know. I need to sell mine.
I'm not going to say goodbye...just so long. Goodbye is too final.
God Bless Y'all.
Lisa
We've spent the weekend at the Christian Motorcyclists Assn. Idaho/Utah/Nevada rally in American Falls, ID. The people of CMA aren't just friends, they're family. We've been together through births, deaths, babies being born, graduations... We have an extended family that covers all of Utah, all of Idaho, and NE Nevada.
I sat by the camper today, listening to two friends jam on their guitars, and their wives having a conversation when it hit me. There won't be anymore listening to the music, sitting by a fire, and just hanging out. We'll be gone. The tears came hard and heavy, and I pulled my book over my face so no one would see.
I love our assignment that God has given us. We have a chance to make a real difference to the people of Guatemala. We know that we're being called, and we can't say no to God. Doing that is dangerous...we've found out the hard way. That doesn't mean we're not going to miss our extended family. That doesn't mean we're not going to miss our families here in Idaho and the Mountain West.
Lord, there's three weeks left. We're trusting in you to help us do all we need to do...close up the house and get a renter in, sell the vehicles, take all our stuff to Georgetown to store it, and pack the allotted 4 bags apiece for the airline. Wow. If anyone needs a small SUV, let me know. I need to sell mine.
I'm not going to say goodbye...just so long. Goodbye is too final.
God Bless Y'all.
Lisa
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