Swelling baby bumps with pro-active prayers

Dominicans are most definitely some of the most honest people I have ever met. Dominican friends and family do not hesitate to tell you EXACTLY what’s on their mind whether you want to hear it or not. But it’s always said so sweetly so you’re left wondering whether it was an insult or a compliment.

The point where it gets a little awkward is when people you have never talked to in your life are honest with you too. For example…

This morning as I was finishing up my morning run (sweaty and gross!) a sweet, little old security guard crossed his arms and squinted his eyes as I drew closer. As I began to see his lips moving I took my earphones out to hear what he was saying.

“Como?” the Spanish version of HUH?!

“I just don’t understand,” he began. “I watch you running all the time. You were doing great in the beginning! But over the last few months that you’ve been running you just seem to be gaining weight in your stomach. What are you eating?”

:)

I just rubbed my swelling belly. “Well I have been eating a bit more lately, but I’m trying to keep up with my exercise. The problem is this baby just won’t stop growing!”

I love to hear an old man laugh. HA-HA! Finally it made sense and after his list of counsel (running less, walking more and eating well) I jogged off to the house. Laughing as I went.

Now he was pretty positive. In other instances (especially while running) I have had evil glares, wagging fingers and comments of how I hate my baby and want to kill it because I’m exercising.

Little do they know it’s not because I hate my baby that I’m running… it’s because I love him!

Now I know this a controversial issue so this isn’t a debate, but there are several positive effects of exercising while pregnant. From health and development benefits for baby as well as muscle and circulation benefits for mommy while she is birthing baby :)

I do what I do in preparation for a healthy future for the two of us!

This past week SCORE had an amazing conference on prayer, thankfulness, fears and many other topics that “hit the nail on the head” for each of us that attended. GOD knew what we needed and HE provided a godly man to deliver HIS message.

Robersy and I both have verses, notes and quotes scribbled down from the several sessions that we attended, but GOD has been reminding me of one message in particular that I needed regarding prayer.

Many times as we come before the mighty throne of GOD ALMIGHTY we bring requests to try to fix things that have already happened, for example…

“LORD, I pray for my grandmother (mother, daughter, sibling, etc.) that is sick.”

“FATHER, I beg you to bring my daughter (son, husband, wife, etc.) back to YOU as she has backslidden.”

“GOD, I lost my job and need money!”

“LORD, my husband wants a divorce. What do I do?”

I think we can all say that we’ve prayed one or more of these things. But the preacher made an amazing point. We pray once something happens… but what if had prayed pro-actively? Ask GOD for things before they reach a point of desperation.

One example and the rest you can figure out.

“LORD, I pray for the health of my grandmother. I pray that you would give doctors the wisdom during her check-ups to see any issues before they become something bigger. I pray that she would remember to take her medications and that myself and the family would be ready and willing to help her as she ages to take any physical and emotional burden off of her. GOD, may your hand be upon grandma and would you do as you see best for her life.”

If I am exercising for the good of baby and my future… why don’t I pray in the same way?

Well, now I do. Thankfully GOD spoke to my heart during this and other sessions to redirect my prayer life. Don’t worry… I still pray for the big stuff that has already happened (so please keep sending your prayer requests!). That needs prayer too! But I have begun to pray for things more pro-actively.

Example: LORD, I pray for Kyle and Deborah. I ask that you protect their marriage and remind them daily that you are the only ONE that truly matters. As they draw closer to YOU may their marriage, ministry, finances and relationships with others be strengthened for YOUR glory.

Phew!

Let me hop off my little soap box :) I just can’t stay quiet about what the LORD has been teaching me!!! I pray it might me an encouragement to someone today.

Being sensitive to prayer this week and seeing how GOD has answered has left me with lots of “WOW!” moments.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been asking around for the number of a Lily that was having a baby. Nobody could find it and I felt horrible since we figured she had had the baby weeks ago.  We couldn’t contact her. So on Thursday a friend and I were praying over some girl’s names before we went out to the street only to come across this young ladies number. When we called she was SO excited that we had called since she had the baby 2hrs before we called!!! How faithful is GOD?!

I also received a call from a girl we met months ago in Boca Chica. Once she lost her job, she lost her phone and as a result, we lost contact. Praise GOD she had my number written down somewhere and called to say she wants to chat!

Robersy and I were attempting to take the burden off others for youth group this week and figured between the 2 of us we could get songs, games and the preaching accomplished. But with the conference and other responsibilities this week we were a little overwhelmed. UNTIL… a fellow youth group helper came to say he wanted to do the games this week. GOD provided the help we needed! And youth group went awesome!!!

Oh the things you can do with a water bottle :)

Thanks Junior!!!

We had a couple of Robersy’s boys over for lunch on Sunday. Robersy had a great time of fellowship with his kiddies… and I enjoyed being trapped in my room watching Netflix. That is not sarcasm. I was thankful! HA-HA!

Here is a shot from when we were watching the eclipse later that night. Robersy wore his shades to "see better" and of course... there is no "normal" when taking photos with my hubby.

GOD has provided, helped, sustained, guided and nourished us this week. We are thankful for the moments to sit under HIS Word, think, laugh and fellowship with others.

May our lives be a sweet fragrance to HIM.

Ninja reflexes and falling for YOU!

Following most of my runs along the beach, I don't track a lot of sand in to the house. I'll stomp my sand sneakers on the pavement of our neighborhood until I reach our little apartment. By then it's minimal and I still take my sneakers off by the door. Less sand... less housework.

However, today I trailed a little more in. Mostly because it was down my left arm and left leg.

Yup... I fell.

I can see the look on my mother's face right now! But never fear ma!!!

I had been walking at this point and while walking down some awkward stairs on the beach I toppled. However, my ninja reflexes caused me to lean more to the left and I landed completely on my side. No impact for baby... and only a scratch on my knee.

I fell hard. Which reminds me of yesterday...

.......

Yesterday following the church service, L (who has been visiting the church regularly) was sharing her heart. "I want so badly to give my life to CHRIST... but I'm scared."

She is SO close!

We talked about her fears, doubts and worries. And I had the joy of bragging on my SAVIOUR and sharing the peace, hope and salvation HE brings.

She asked me to pray for her since she feels a literal battle inside of her, which I explained is normal when flesh is fighting Spirit. So we sat there in the car and prayed.

"FATHER, L is falling for you."

Following our conversation I knew it wasn't time. I would never push and pressure, but I did show her in GOD's Word how she could become a child of HIS and then we agreed to meet this week to chat some more.

PLEASE pray for L. GOD is at work, but so is the enemy. Ask that our SAVIOUR would shine light and understanding on this broken and hurting soul. Pray she falls hard in to the arms of JESUS.

...............

We've had some rainy days this week so Robersy had to cancel 2 days of practice, but he's thankful for the time he had to study and rest. His games this Saturday went great and the Gospel was shared with teams that had visited from the capital, PTL!

I had some tough lessons to teach this week (David & Bathsheba: How sin leads to more sin, while confessing leads to repentance AND Taming the tongue - Christians and swearing), but was thankful to see GOD at work in each lesson.

Youth group was FANTASTIC on Friday! Two of our newer leaders took over the games and it was so encouraging to see their energy and ideas. The teens loved it! Robersy followed with a great lesson on the Bible and how we can trust what it says.

Here are some pics from Friday - As always, I only share the most flattering photos, lol!

This week we're at a conference each afternoon. Pray for spiritual refreshment and a blessed time with our SCORE team :)

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement! We are thankful for what GOD is doing and love sitting on the front lines as we see HIS hand move.

Raindrops keep falling on my head!

I love the mornings that you just don’t have to get up!

I’ve always been an early riser. I can wake up super-fast, walk the dogs & go for a run without an ounce of coffee in my system… let’s call it a gift :)

But I still enjoy just lying in bed. Not a care in the world. Thinking, praying, resting.

However on Sunday morning I was not awake… not resting… I was asleep! Fast asleep! Dreaming of the most bizarre things, as I have done for several weeks during my pregnancy; like, REALLY bizarre things. I’ll have to share some one of these days.

UNTIL…

I was suddenly awakened by the freezing cold rain that blew through the window above our window and on to my warm, DRY body. I jumped up like a startled cat and closed the windows, grabbed my warm, fleece blanket and cuddled up to my hubby... who was STILL fast asleep.

But now I was awake. Wide awake. I had just run a marathon around our little apartment and the rain was so cold that my poor heart had to beat a little faster to try and warm me up. LOL.

It was a wake-up call.

At various occasions in my spiritual walk I believe God gives me a wake-up call.

It could be one distinct event that causes me to think, reflect and make a change OR it could be a reoccurring theme that pricks my heart each time it’s mentioned.

This week my wake-up call was the word, “REMEMBER.”

I actually lost count of how many times this topic was mentioned in Bible studies, devotionals and ministry in general, but it kept coming up in different ways throughout the week.

On one day in particular a young lady at the Lily House came to speak with me. She had been thinking about her past. She recounted the abuse, situations and decisions that had led her to the street. But then she smiled. “Then HE rescued me!” In the midst of pain and rejection and desperation there was something worth celebrating. CHRIST had sought her and bought her with HIS life. Sweet memories.

Yesterday at church we heard testimonies of discouragement, thoughts of suicide and hurt… turned VICTORY due to the work of our LORD JESUS!

Then again, last night we sat around the LORD’s table and REMEMBERED. HIS death, HIS blood, HIS resurrection.

Time and time again the Bible speaks of this topic. Altars were built, wells were dug, sacrifices were made… to remember.

Sometimes it hurts to look back and remember. Many times the pain is too much.

But when we stop to think of ALL that CHRIST has done in our lives it is a pleasure to remember. 

How HE had the victory, how HE carried us through, how HE heard our cries.

Don’t be afraid to remember.

REMEMBER.

This week we celebrated another Sunday with women that returned to church with us from Boca Chica and a new girl even came to visit.

Youth group is up and running! Thankful for a visit from the GAP students and the help from several members in the church.

One of the boys on Robersy’s team will potentially sign with a professional baseball academy in 2 months (YAY!).  My hubby has enjoyed not only training them in their baseball skills, but investing in their spiritual lives and knowing that he is sending boys that have given their lives to the LORD. We will wait and see what GOD does.

We are praying for delicate situations passing with women at the Lily House. We need guidance and miracles from GOD ALMIGHTY.

Thank you for your prayers! 

All those nooks and crannies!

I would consider myself a VERY clean person.

In fact… I pride myself in this! My OCD keeps dishes washed, floor swept most days and generally most things in order. I also enjoy putting other people’s homes in order too! Ask my mom… she hates to leave me in the house alone when I’m in Bermuda visiting. She knows things will be tossed in the garbage and things will be moved :)

 On a serious note though, I feel like my house is pretty clean.

HOWEVER, there is one person who makes me feel like the filthiest person alive.

My dear friend from ministry comes over once in a blue moon to help me do a thorough clean and since I’m pregnant, and therefore culturally banned from chemicals and hard work (HA-HA!), she insisted on coming over and cleaning my house.

On our way home from lunch I mentioned, “You know… it probably won’t take long so once you’re done we can watch a movie and relax before you head home.”

2 hours later she is still in the bathroom…

As I sit here feeling lazy (she literally won’t let me help, like I’ve got some life-threatening disease) and slightly embarrassed about how clean I THOUGHT I was I can’t help but ponder over James 1:22-25.

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

I look at my home when I finish cleaning. “Pretty good, Sarah!” But when my friend walks in to my house and begins to clean I think of all the nooks and crannies that I haven’t touched in months. She finds them ALL!!!

It’s the same when I look at my life. “You’re doing alright, Sarah. Staying out of the clubs… not boozing it up… good job me!!!”

Then I open God’s precious Word. And HE convicts me of the areas I need to get working on. My mouth, my heart. Those nooks and crannies that need some work!

Friend’s, stay in the Word! We may think we’re “alright” and not as messed up as “so and so” but as we meditate on His Word, He perfects us and allows us to continue serving for HIS glory!!!

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In other news this week... Thursday night was great! We met some precious young (and VERY young) ladies and were encouraged by many who were just excited we were back. 

God continues to work and on Saturday morning I received a call from one lady (remember L whose mother passed away and she went to Haiti for a little bit) who asked to bring her family with us to church and then another call from a mother who wanted her 2 girls to go to church too. 

We continue to seek direction from the Lord in regards to Thursdays, but we are encouraged to see the fruit that God continued growing in the ministry even when we were away for a bit.

Robersy has been keeping busy as well. We love seeing our "sons" grow and many of them are now leading the devotionals in baseball practice and taking on other responsibility in youth group and other activities.

Thank you for your prayers!
Let us know how we can be praying for you :)

Stormy Studies

Today is Friday.

I’m supposed to be at Lily House to laugh, chat and work with the beautiful women. But everything is closed. Schools. Several business. Most are home… safe and warm (Lord willing!).

We haven’t had electricity since about 10am this morning and I have to admit… I love it! I’ve had time to read and study with very few distractions at all. It makes me appreciate a simpler life.

Recently we returned from our vacation. It was amazing time in Bermuda with our friends and church family… then we flew out to Orlando for a little vacation with my immediate family. It was some well needed rest and we’re thankful to those who invited us for a meal, activity or just to chat. We enjoyed our time thoroughly! 

Here are a few photos of our time in Bermuda and Orlando…

We got to see lots of family :)

Robersy trying out Crossfit - he also "cried" for the 2 days following his session.

At Cupmatch (a 3 day long cricket game)

Meeting our godson Steven! 

Off to Orlando where we compared ourselves with Gaston :)

My brother-in-law Kyle, Dad and Robersy playing around with dinosaurs!

A family shot in Orlando :) We are blessed!

I guess I should add a photo of our sweet bundle too :) 

He should be here near the end of January!

Oh! Back to reality... 

The wind and rain just got a little stronger! We are praying for those with homes and roofs that are not so strong.

As lovely as our vacation time was, we are thankful to get back in to a routine. Robersy has helped the boys register for the school year and I’ve enjoyed catching up with the girls at Lily House.

This morning as I was preparing for a devotional that I plan to give this next week, I was reading about David. The poor girls are probably tired of David… but I have been enjoying studying 1 and 2 Samuel chapter by chapter to see the lessons that we can learn.

This week we’ll be looking at 2 Samuel 9 and how David sought to bless Jonathon’s son, Mephibosheth (I think I’ll save that name as an option for my future son :) ).

David wanted to bless anyone linked to his BFF, Jonny. But then comes the tragic news. Mephibosheth is crippled. Perhaps the servant who delivered the news to David stood back to hear an “Oh, never mind then,” since as this time the physically disabled were rejected and thought to be cursed.

Even as Mephibosheth was brought before King David, he bowed to the floor and referred to himself as a dead dog.

But the King didn’t care. This was his best friend’s son. He was loved and invited in to be treated as David’s own son.

As I picture the stage, I imagine myself as Mephibosheth, completely aware that I am undesirable, unlovable and unworthy before the Holy One. But the King of Kings doesn’t see me. HE sees HIS SON and takes me in as HIS own.

Friend, I hope you take the time to remember.

Maybe it’s a rainy day like we’re having with no distractions except the wind and the rain. Or perhaps the sun is splitting the trees! Either way… take the time to remember that day you came to know the LORD. Understanding your place and exactly what you deserved… but HE chose to call you HIS.

Don’t forget… GIVE THANKS.

Babies, camp and catching a flight!

Passports - check!

Tickets - check!

Suitcases packed  - Almost!

We are anxious and excited to fly to Bermuda tomorrow! It has been a year and a half since I've seen the pink sand beaches, heard the tree-frogs whistling through the night and eaten all of my favorite foods! Of course that means a year and a half since I've seen many of my friends, worshiped in the church where I grew up and gotten together with family.

I am thankful beyond words to have this opportunity to travel with my hubby, but this last month has been a whirlwind as we have been involved in summer ministries, mission teams and camp! Of course doing this all in my first trimester was... um, interesting! LOL. I was exhausted and slept whenever I could and only the Lord Himself got me through the nausea! All while keeping our secret until we felt it was the right time to share.

Here is a photo of our announcement if you're not on our Facebook page.

We are thrilled beyond word and although we were as surprised as everyone else... we are looking forward to the journey ahead.

However, after finding out... life got busy! We got prepared for groups that came to play/minister with Robersy's team and of course details for camp took top priority until the day it began. But it was worth it :)

We thank the Lord for over 200 teenagers who attended camp from all over the Dominican. It was a blast. Wet games, sports games, mud games and a WHOLE lot of Jesus was the focus of our time together. The preaching all stemmed from "How Great is Our God!" and for 4 days we saw how truly awesome HE is. 

Here are a few photos...

   

We had a blast and we thank you for your prayers!

Continue praying for the teens that accepted Christ as their Savior and for those who made other decisions in their spiritual walk.

I'll try to keep you up to date on our journey to Bermuda, but are looking forward to some rest so no promises :)

God bless... and HAPPY SUMMER!!!

Swimming with the dead

I have seen a LOT of crazy things during my time in the Dominican. But the most interesting things that I experience and see are during my morning runs... especially along the beach.

The following are things I see regularly:

Naked people.
Dogs.
Baseball players training.
Naked people (I've seen enough of them to mention it twice).
Tourists.
Drunk people.
Lots of empty alcohol bottles and plenty of trash in general.

But this morning was different. 

I saw a dead body :(

A huge crowd caught my attention and as I continued to jog a little closer to the scene a man asked me to "walk please... out of respect for the deceased." 

A fire truck, a woman passed out close by (apparently from seeing the young man) and the familiar shrieks and cries (common here) as someone called the family of the deceased. 

My stomach turned as I caught a glimpse of the guy. His arms seemed to be paralyzed in front of his body and his clothing soaking wet as he had just been pulled from the ocean.

I asked a woman cleaning the beach nearby, "Do they know what happened?"
"We really shouldn't talk about it while his body is still here (then whispering) but by the blood on his face I think he was attacked."

As I picked up my pace again, running towards the road I turned to see several swimmers heading my direction. Horrified looks on their faces. One woman gripping her stomach.

 Moments before they had been swimming and enjoying that ocean... little had they known they were swimming with the dead.

As I finished my run, several thoughts and life lessons passed through my mind. Here is one quick thought...

While we go through the hustle and bustle of life, let us not get so distracted with our to-do list that we literally swim on by people who need our help, need someone to talk to, need a life-line. People who are drowning in sorrow, depression and pain.

We have been blessed by God Almighty, not to hoard and store away... but to bless others too.

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This coming week Robersy and I (along with many amazing brothers and sisters) will be serving at camp. 

Teens look forward to this all year and we are excited to play crazy games and get muddy and stay up late and share God's incredible Word with over 200 young people!

Please pray for strength and energy for the directors, counselors and all other leaders/helpers. And pray for open hearts for the many that will hear the Gospel this week!