Brew with Caution

I'm an avid coffee drinker. Virtually the first thing I do when I wake up every morning is head for the kitchen and start the coffee.    When I really have things together I already have the coffee pot ready to go and all I have to do is hit the start button.  The other day I was not quite so put together so I had to prepare the filter, grounds and coffee.  It was a good thing I did because as I pulled the carafe out of the machine I found a gecko inside!

He was trapped in the coffee carafe and couldn't get out.   I let him free and he jumped across the kitchen happy to be free.   I'm now going to add one more little step to my coffee making process in the morning.   Check for geckos in the carafe. :-)

The next thing I wanted to share is something that just makes my heart smile.   One of my former students is now in 4th grade at NCA in Managua and is running for student council.   I was on campus last week for a meeting and I happened to see this  poster hanging on the wall.  

What a sweet kid with a cool personality and an amazing opportunity to see him growing up and learning and eager to take on more responsibility.  I talked with Kaleb  later on that afternoon after he gave his student council speech.  He said it went well but he is nervous as he waits for the vote on Monday.    

As I sit here writing this I am filled with joy at the growth of this student.   I can't help but think that God often looks at us the same way.  I know He's been teaching me a lot lately and as change starts to become a reality in my life I can imagine God with the heart of a Teacher and Father grinning from ear to ear.   

What is God teaching you?   Can you see the areas of growth in your own life?  Are you sharing it with others?

Library Pictures Needed

We are in the development stages for the library at NCA Matagalpa.   There is a clean, empty room that needs some creative inspiration.     Everything from book display ideas, shelving, seating, cozy spaces to read etc.  

Can you help?   Why yes you can!    Go to your local public library or even the local bookstore and take pictures of creative spaces and furniture that you think would be great in a library.   Send your pictures to me at   carey@dlzip.com

Let's see how many different ideas we can collect in 1 week.   I can't wait to see what great ideas fill my inbox.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Viva Nicaragua

Christopher Columbus and the discovery of Nicaragua

The signing of the Declaration of Independence

Nicaranguan Independence Day

The 14th and 15th of September in Nicaragua are filled with "Fiestas Patrias" festive celebrations of Nicaraguan history and independence from Spain 191 years ago.

Living in a small town it was fun to feel closer to the celebrations than in Managua.   Colegio Bautista had a festive celebration and school assembly yesterday with a reenactment of the historic battle of San Jacinto and the signing of the equivalent of the Declaration of Independence here.   

Pre-schooler wearing her Folklore Dress

San Jacinto Battle

Virtually every school in Matagalpa has  marching band with drums and Bataan twirlers.   Wherever you go in the city you can hear the bands practicing.    Here is what I have heard sitting on my front porch for the last month.  The little microphone on my camera doesn't do it justice but you get the idea.

My New Home

From Blogger Pictures

This week will make one month since I moved North to Matagalpa.   I realized I haven't shown you pictures of my new place of residence.   After more than a year of living out of suitcases and moving around from place to place all of my things are unpacked and are under one roof.   

From Blogger Pictures

I'm living with a missionary couple, Jeff and Marilyn, serving here with Young Life.  They have graciously opened their home to me and offered me one of the extra rooms in their house.  It has been a huge blessing to have a great place to stay.   As you can tell from the pictures the house has a great porch that is awesome for that morning cup of coffee and the Word.   The green space around the house is terrific as well.    I am so thankful for God's great provision in my life.    

Another terrific thing about Matagalpa is that it is small enough that I can walk all over town.   It is wonderful to be able to walk to just about anywhere I need to go. :-)  The only bummer is a killer hill on the way home.  I try to only have to climb the big hill twice in a day but sometimes it is not avoidable.