Road mark or Roadblock

It is hard to believe that it has been one month since my world was turned upside down with the news of my brother's death.

Road marks or milestones as some call them are those special birthdays, anniversaries and points in your life where a decision, event or life-change begins. Sometimes when you reach those milestones they can seem like a roadblock. There is a feeling of being paralyzed and unable to put one foot in front of the other in order to keep moving forward. Over time the feeling comes back and the steps become a little easier. Though each step still carries with it the memory of those who are no longer walking with you. The roadblock is dismantled and moved aside and one can continue on their journey.

In the midst of my grief God has remained faithful and always by my side. This song has helped me with the words I can't seem to come up with on my own.

Desert Song
Hillsong United

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is a God who provides

My God is the God who provides all that I have needed from hugs, prayer, financial help to go home to be with my family, friends who listen and cry with me....

Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Lord as I pass through this fire I pray that you would refine me and make me to shine your love and light even brighter.

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Deuteronomy 32:39
Now see that I, even I, am He,
And there is no God besides Me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Psalm 57:2
"I will cry to the God most high, to God who accomplishes all things for me."

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

Lord use this time in my life to be a blessing to others in ways that I cannot yet know and understand.

I've updated my prayer requests on the side of my blog. Please continue to lift up in prayer the work in Nicaragua.

Thankful

Today I am thankful for so much. Not just because it is a special day set aside to reflect on all that we have been blessed with but because it is a wonderful priveliage that God has granted us with each and every day of the year.

I am thankful for my family. I was able to see them twice this summer which was a wonderful treat. My family has grown with new nephews this year which is exciting and a blessing in itself.

From Don's Wedding 09

From Don's Wedding 09

I am thankful for all 16 of my students in first grade. They are full of energy, life and a simpleness that I admire and appreciate.

From NCA 2009

I am thankful for great friends and roommates that challenge and encourage, laugh and cry with me through life's journey.

From Roast

I am thankful for my Christ for the City family that has grown stronger and deeper over the years. You guys ROCK!

I am thankful for health. I have been able to be out and enjoy God's beautiful creation here in Nicaragua more in the past year as I've biked, run and hiked all over. Our Creator is astounding.

From Corn Island 2009

I am thankful for all the extra families that I have here in Nicaragua too. They hold a very special place in my heart.

From CAREY'N ON

Hand in Hand

Bethel Christian Church in San Francisco, CA sent down a team of 8 wonderful people to serve in Nicaragua. The week was packed with lots of activity and many new found friendships.

Each day was packed with church services, children's ministry, house to house visits for the after school program, home groups and family time. This team was unique because all but two of them were fluent in Spanish. This helped tremendously because most of the team was able to communicate really well with their new Nica families. It also made the work load lighter for Fabricio and I as we were leading the team. ;-)


Rachael H. and I were blessed to be with a wonderful family. I first met this family 6 years ago when I was working in Nicaragua as a volunteer for the summer. They are a super sweet family that I have come to love dearly. They have taken me in truly as part of the family. Jorge and Nifa asked me if they could call me when they go on family trips to the beach or wherever. Of course I said YES!

Rachael and Ninfa had an instant connection as they are both hairdressers. Here's Rachael giving Ninfa a haircut. They had some very special times together during the week. Although I would have to say that the most wonderful part about the whole week was seeing our 19 year old "brother" Giovanni be excited about sharing his new faith with others during one of the outreaches. He had just accepted the Lord the night before we arrived at their house.

Pastor Arturo was a wonderful pastor to work with at Iglesia Bautista Hebron. He has great vision for his church and is a faithful servant of the Lord. We greatly enjoyed working with him.

Little Bit of This and That

In the midst of a busy summer my family has decided it is the year to get married. :-) In May it was my little brother and in June it was my Mom.

I traveled to Colorado for a quick week to see my family and take part in my mom's wedding to Mike. It was a themed wedding that took place in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs with a beautiful view of Pikes Peak behind them. While it was wonderful to share in this special time with my Mom it was hard to say good-bye to my siblings again. While there are so many wonderful things about living and serving in Nicaragua I would have to say the one of the hardest is being far away from family.

Carylla, Don, Mom, Bethany and Marnie

Father's day was also special for me too this year because I got to spend it with my Dad. This was the first time in maybe 8 years that we were in the same country and state. We had a big BBQ with the family and it was wonderful.

Now I'm off to work with another team here in Nicaragua. I'll be back on the 7th. Please pray for safety, connections with Nicaraguans, energy and a meaningful time for all.

Sister-in-law x 1 Aunt x 2

Some of you have asked me if I'm in the States. I was for a week. I had many great reasons to go to Texas for a quick visit.

On May 16th my little 23 year old brother got married. Don and Jesselyn were planning on getting married next year but decided to move the date up in order to have the wedding at the Rennisance Faire that they go to every Spring. Things worked out just as they had dreamed.

A special toast to the Bride and Groom from the King and Queen of the Faire

All of their family was able to come, they were able to design the ceremony and cake the way they wanted and it all was beautiful. It rained the morning of the wedding but stopped just as the wedding was getting underway. It was wonderful to see both of them so happy.

Jesselyn has a 3 year old son named Gabriel and we had a blast playing together. I went over to the newlyweds house for dinner while I was home and Gabriel and I hit it off right away. He is super excited about Ironman right now and really wanted an Ironman costume. He was told that he needed to wait until his birthday in October to get one. Well being the creative, fun, Aunt that I am we made our own Ironman suit out of boxes from the new pots and pans Don and Jesselyn got as wedding gifts. :-)

The next big reason it was a wonderful quick visit to the States was to meet my new nephew Corbin. He was born in November and I haven't been back yet to meet him. My sister could only make it down from Colorado for the day of the wedding so you can imagine who was holding the baby the whole time.... ME! That's right Tia Carylla was soaking in every minute with my sweet little Corbin. I have to admit I think that he is by far the cutest nephew in the world. I guess I may be a little bias.

Carey, Mom, Scottish Corbin, and Marnie(Corbin's Mom)

A Tribute to Grandpa Davey

On Monday, November 3, 2008 my grandpa passed away. He was 88 years old and loved the Lord with all of His heart.

From blog photos

God gave me a remarkable gift in September to go back and spend the weekend with my family. I spent a whole day with Grandpa. We went to lunch and played Spinner (his favorite domino game) all afternoon. We had a very special time together. God knew just what he was doing.

From blog photos

My Grandparents lived with us for a while before their health deteriorated and Grandma needed more care. Grandpa tried to stay at home and visit Grandma every day. That only lasted a month before Grandpa decided to move into the nursing with Grandma. I guess after 65 years of always being together they couldn't stand to be apart. Grandma passed away in February and we were so blessed to have Grandpa with us all this year.

Class of 2008

Last week I had a glorious opportunity to visit my family in Texas. I had the honor of attending my youngest sister's graduation from High School. This was the first time in I don't know how long that my entire family mom, dad, brothers and sisters were all together in one place. It was such a nice time. We mostly hung out and shot the breeze. My lil sis Bethany even helped me pick out a brides maid dress for a friend's wedding later this year. Family is such a precious gift and all too often taken for granted. I love my family.