Grab a cuppa...

We're ALIVE!!!

I'm sorry for keeping everyone in the dark for the last month. It has been busy as we traveled to the States and honestly, it was nice to step away for a moment. Of course, it's nice to be back too. I will still be spending less time on social media, for my own heart's sake, but I will be sure to answer messages as quickly and efficiently as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

But let's grab a cup of tea and catch up!

We had a lovely time visiting some of Robersy's family in the Bronx, then hopping over to Sabinsville, PA to be with my sister as she prepared to welcome her little bundle. Like his cousin, Abraham John Horton did NOT want to come!!! We tried EVERYTHING! Even visiting another slow baby and internet sensation, April the Giraffe and her baby Taj.

Praise the LORD, he finally came on May 17th at 12:48am.

It was a really loooooong night!

But soooooo worth it <3

Precious new life!!! We were so thankful to be there with my sister and her hubby (and got to see my parents too!). We miss a lot of special events living so far away, so this was very important to us!

We returned to the Dominican on May 19th... so he cut it REALLY close!!!
Since we've been back we've been on the go again.
We had a celebration for the mothers of our teens and got to spoil them a little.

Then we made a quick trip to Bani to celebrate Mother's Day there too (on Monday). Josiah LOVES being in "el campo."

So there you have it! You're up to date! Now we're running out the door for a camp meeting so we're at it again :) Prayers appreciated as we head in to the busy summer season! Looking forward to sharing more next week.

Drinking Probs.

My worst nightmare!

Traveling with my Dominican hubby has always been nerve-wrecking! Although he has a Visa and travels completely legally to and from the States and Bermuda, there is always a tiny fear (especially with the tougher issues with travel these days) that they'll turn us away as we arrive at our gate.

Today. It happened.

My heart skipped a beat as the gentleman took a double take at Josiah. HA-HA! Josiah has changed a LOT since his very first passport photo. I nervously laughed as I ensured him that the chunk in the earlier photo was absolutely the same kid.

Following a scan of my passport, the man turned to Robersy's. He looked at the info page, then the Visa page, then turned back to the info page.

"Sir, your passport is out of date."

ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!! My heart dropped, as did Robersy's signature smile. My fear come to light... and not because of Trump's wall, but rather MY stupidity!!!

We shuffled out of the line as a lady passed her perfectly new, updated passport in front of my face and into the gentleman's hand. 

I could kick myself!

So as Robersy is in Santo Domingo working on getting an emergency passport that will allow us to travel on a later flight this evening, I have been sitting around waiting for answers! EEK. What a crazy day!!!

Never leave your phone unattended at Youth Group. I have about 50 of these! 

But I am thankful for the time GOD has given me, while Josiah naps, to share something that GOD has been teaching me lately... through a Bible study I'm teaching.

I have had many "AH-HA!" and "Mm-hm" moments as I study for the Bible studies and discipleship. I'm reminded daily that GOD'S WORD is ALIVE! I'm thankful, always, for the opportunity to then take what GOD has shown me and share it with others (#discipleship).

I have studied the book of Esther, phhhhewww, I don't even know how many times! It's such a precious study and I have learned much through it. So as I was busy preparing for a study in a village called San Jose, it hit me.

If you're not familiar, you gotta read it! But I'll catch you up...

Esther is now Queen after some serious drama in King Ahasuerus palace. Her cousin, Mordecai (who had raised Esther as his own) has also caused quite a ku-fluffle when he refused to bow down to Haman, the King's right-hand man. Haman had such a hissy fit he decided to not only get rid of Mordy, but the whole flippin' population of Jews! Men, women, the elderly and children! What an evil man. 

So all of the Jews were running around like chickens with their heads cut off with their death day pending.

Look at this verse...

Esther 3:15b, "And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion."

Your daily cuteness factor :)

My heart drops when I read this verse.

How in the world could the king sit and have a drink with Haman while the very people he claimed to serve as king had been sentenced to death!? 

But I got to thinking... 

When things are falling apart all around me, I have a coping mechanism too. I mope over to our laptop, open up Facebook and veg.

I really didn't think it to be a problem, but over the last few weeks I realized how obsessed I had become! I don't enjoy chatting really... just scrolling. Mindless scrolling.

I know EXACTLY who sells a product, who promotes vaccinations and who condemns them, whose children are home-schooled, which kids play sports, who loooooves their job, who haaaattes their job, who has recently had a baby, whose children have health issues, who is traveling, who loves their dog like it's an actual child, who is having a good day, who is having a bad day.

I scroll and scroll and scroll until my finger is numb.

But what has really become numb is my heart to the needs all around me. The people that are right outside my door.

I am NOT knocking Facebook (it is one of my favorite ways to communicate with you!), I am NOT knocking rest (we look forward to a little rest while we're away!)...

I am simply sharing an area where I have been struggling lately. Because in the mindless scrolling I have failed to carry the burdens and loads of my family, my ministry partners, etc. to the foot of the cross and Sarah sat down in front of the computer just as "the king and Haman sat down to drink."

Look at the this sweet American lady drinking
tea out of a royal tea cup! Pinky up :)
Thankful to have Kelli here living with us before
she dives in to ministry!

I have ignored, because I'm tired... and I'm tired because I've not found my rest where only true rest can be found.

So, why do I share?

Well friend, for the next 3 weeks Robersy and I are going to traveling to see his brother and then my sister. To share with them, minister with them and serve them and their families as well. Although we struggled with timing, location, etc. it is something we feel very strongly about and are excited for our own little mission trip to the very ones we left to serve...

And during our time away I want to take a step back from Facebook to be present. To pick up my Bible instead of my phone. To sit down to share instead of looking to escape. To stop and listen to the One who has been trying to get my attention.

I'm not leaving forever, never fear. But I am taking some time to put my focus where it ought to be and to quit ignoring the NOW. 

But NOW I must go, because Robersy just walked in with a new passport in hand! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!! So we'll be flying out in just a few hours. Pray for no more hiccups and thank HIM too because HE chose an apparent inconvenience to be part of our story today and I can only imagine it's that HE might be glorified.

 

ADIOS DOMINICANA... and HELLO 'MERICA!

GA-GA

It was a serious family debate!

One that could ultimately divide the Laras and cause friction in the home for the rest of our time here on earth!

It all started with a book called "Down on the Farm." 

We had our evening routine. Josiah had been bathed, ran around the house in his towel, finally got his diaper on before he could pee on the floor, pajamas were put on and we settled down to read a book before bed.

"Down on the farm, the dog says, Woof Woof."

"Guau Guau!" Robersy yelled from the living room.

"WOOF! WOOF!"

"Down on the farm, the chick says, Peep Peep"

"Pio, Pio!"

"PEEP! PEEP!"

"Down on the farm, the cow says, Moooooo!"

SILENCE.

"Does the cow also say Moo in Spanish, Robersy?"

HA-HA! I love the cultures that are represented in our home and love that Josiah will grow up loving two beautiful languages, people and countries. Still, animal noises will forever divide us ;)

There is a sound, however, that we both agree on. The baby does NOT say "GA-GA."

The haunting sounds of the GA-GA (a style of music and worship for the Satanic community) filled our home Thursday and Friday as Satanic Haitians and Dominicans celebrated the death of JESUS. The trumpet and drums played all night long in the constant rhythm, a sound of victory... but were silenced on Sunday. Rightfully so!

You see... 

CHRIST ROSE AGAIN! 

JESUS CONQUERED THE GRAVE! 

Check the evidence, research the facts... the tomb was EMPTY! 

As we celebrated on Sunday my heart swelled as we sang,

Not a word was heard at the tomb that day
Just shuffling soldiers' feet as they guarded the grave
One day, two days, three days had past
Could it be that Jesus breathed His last?
Could it be that His Father had forsaken Him?
Turned His back on His son, despising our sin
All hell seemed to whisper, "just forget Him, He's dead"
Then the Father looked down to His Son and He said...

Arise, My love, arise, My love
The grave no longer has a hold on you
No more death's sting, no more suffering
Arise, arise, my love!

The Earth trembled and the tomb began to shake
and like lightening From Heaven, the stone was rolled away
And as dead man, the guards they all stood there in fright
As the power of love displayed its might
Then suddenly a melody filled the air
Riding wings of wind, it was everywhere
The words all creation had been longing to hear
The sweet sound of victory, so loud and clear

Arise, My love, arise, My love
The grave no longer has a hold on you
No more death's sting, no more suffering
Arise, arise...

You see, sweet Believer, we have reason to celebrate EVERY day because in HIM there is life eternal. In HIM there is a reason to carry on! 

If you don't know HIM, get to know HIM!!!

You will not be sorry.

Sweet beans - a tradition here at Easter.

Went to watch the sunrise on Easter morning

Josiah LOVED it!

Trip to the zoo with some GAP kids and friends!

Trip turned "eventful" when our truck broke down... again!
Keep praying for the funds for a new vehicle.

My boy is growing up!

Comfort in the squeak

Our front gate has a squeak.

Yup.

Every time we open it… every time we close it.

It squeaks.

The other day we bought WD40 and Robersy went around to de-squeak (is that a word?!) each door in the house and I saw him heading down to de-squeak the front gate. I yelled!

“Nooooo!!! Leave that squeak! I kinda like it.”

Robersy looked at me with that famous “Ayyy Sarraaaahhhh…” look, but he carried on and my squeak remained.

The truth is. I find comfort in that squeak.

Knowing when someone has walked in our gate. A few minutes to ready myself before someone is at the front door. I like the warning.

A bark before the bite.

Thunder before the storm.

A heads up.

I have truly struggled these last few weeks as we’ve been thrown some serious curve balls.

Between doctor’s appointments, meetings, phone calls, more meetings… all in between our regular ministries of teaching, discipleship, baseball and this past week translating for a group of over 350 people!

I tried to ignore my feelings and just get on with keeping busy, but I realized how much it had taken a toll on mewhen my health was effected. In fact, so much so that one evening, while Robersy and I were talking about everything that had been happening in the last few weeks, the lights went out. No warning. No rain. No flicker. Just out.

I couldn’t catch my breath. “Robersy, where are you???” “I’m RIGHT HERE!” Sounding confused as (see all of my other blog posts) our electricity goes out all the time. That’s when I broke down.

Angry.

Frustrated.

Sad.

Confused.

Scared.

The issues weren’t all necessarily mine, but because my heart sometimes cares too much I carried them as my own. Knowing Satan has been working over-time, while thankful God had brought things to light, was far too much for me to handle.

Serving on the mission field doesn’t exclude us or others we serve alongside from health issues, marriage issues, sin issues, depression issues, kid issues, ministry issues… and being far from home with eyes on us at ALL times make it sometimes very hard to process through tough stuff.

The squeaks aren’t always there.

I mention this for two reasons.

PRAY FOR YOUR MISSIONARIES & PASTORAL TEAMS! I pray regularly that if there is sin in my life or in the lives of those who have the power of influence in their communities that it might be revealed. However, we must pray for God’s protection over them, their families and their ministries too!

Spiritual warfare is real.

SO. REAL.

The reason I mention this is, my friend… if you are a follower of the ONE TRUE GOD, you are NOT exempt!

1 Peter 5:7-9 says, “7Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…”

We aren’t always promised the squeak, but we are promised the lion is prowling.

BE ON GUARD!

BE IN THE WORD! 

BE ON YOUR KNEES!

The tighter you cling to GOD, the less wiggle room Satan has to creep in.

To end on a lighter note, here are some shots from the last week. As crazy as it has been, GOD has still shown up in incredible ways! We are EXCITED to celebrate HIS precious sacrifice and HIS powerful victory over sin and the grave!

HE HAS RISEN!!! HE IS ALIVE!!!

It was a long week for everyone... but this was just day 1!

This was day 3. We were losing it by then :)

JOSIAH... cool like his daddy! He wanted to go out, but he stayed with his grandma after day 1.

Some of the crazies we were honored to serve with!

Good fun and souls saved! THANKFUL for this week.

Celebrating our 4th anniversary.

Sittin in the dark

Some of the most precious times of meditation and study have been IN THE DARK!

In fact, as I type this I am squinting to see the keys on the laptop and praying that the battery doesn’t run out before I finish my blog! See… sweet times. Lol.

But seriously.

The quiet.

The stars.

A time to pause from the hustle and bustle of life.

I’m currently out on the porch and PEOPLE!!! It has just started to rain. AHHH! 

The. Perfect. Night.

Just the other evening, I had been sitting out on porch reading a book when the lights went out. It was PITCH BLACK! Immediately the entire street was in darkness. Not one house in our area has a generator, so you can imagine how bright the stars seem to shine!

I ran in to grab Luci (“This is the reality…” The famous solar powered lanterns that we have the opportunity of selling and providing for homes in need) and took my seat again and continued to read.

A few moments later I realized that the home directly in front of us with a young mother and several small children had continued in darkness! No candle in the window, no oil lantern… complete darkness.

Knowing the struggle of chasing ONE child around in pure daylight, my heart stirred and it wasn’t long before I was toddling down the stairs with a Luci in hand.

I opened our gate, strolled across the street… and I’m telling you… I almost tripped over the mother it was THAT dark!!! There she was sitting on the side walk nursing the youngest while the others sat close by.

I did a quick Luci demonstration and ran back up to the house. My heart was filled with joy watching the Luci light bounce around the house knowing her 2-year-old boy had gotten a hold of it, LOL!!! They were safe. There was light.

It’s funny how God reminds of these sweet times when He’s trying to teach us something.

This past week I have learned a variety of things in the midst of doing life. We met up with the Thain family, caught up with the Faith Christian team, played baseball, had meetings, taught, discipled, parented 😊 (not in that order, obviously) haha. It’s been busy! But while teaching at Lily House on Friday my heart was stirred again.

We have been sllllllllllllowly studying through the book of Esther, as I have been in San Jose as well. It is such a good study and I am learning so much! But this week we spoke of something I have had to put in to practice all week! Patience!

Patience is something I have always struggled with, but as I study the book of Esther it is a characteristic that I want so badly in my own life. Esther was young when she was taken to the palace. Then she and the others underwent a 12-month beauty regime before waiting for their night with the King. Each girl, following her rendezvous, would return to a house for the concubines and only returned to the King IF THE KING CALLED HER BY NAME! (My, oh my. So many messages to be preached at this point!!! But let’s stay on track…)

May I remind you. Esther did not have the book of Esther!!! She didn’t know what was to come. Days, weeks and months had passed since Esther had entered the Kingdom and she simply had to WAIT. She didn’t know that she was going to be Queen! She didn’t know what was to be for the rest of her life. She simply had to wait.

In the dark…

PITCH BLACK!

She had two choices. Be frustrated, write a status on Facebook to let the world know she was mad, and then sit and pout! Or allow God to do something amazing in her season of waiting.

I’m thankful she chose the latter. And I’m sure her people were thankful as well, since waiting on God’s perfect timing literally saved their lives!!!

If you have been called to wait…

For a spouse.

For a job.

For a child.

For the finances.

For an answer!

Don’t let your wait be in vain. Ask God what He can teach you in your season of waiting ❤

I was called to wait in several circumstances this week, and though I’d love to say I passed each test with flying colours, I can say I have learned a lot this week…

Waiting to serve.

Waiting to speak.

Waiting to meet.

Waiting to teach.

But as I sit here, my eyes now adjusted to typing by computer light, listening only to rain pouring down – I have come to find the beauty in the darkness. I pray I might find the same in my season of waiting too.
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(Enjoy some photos of youth group that was led by the GAP students this past Friday!)

STOP!!!

“Lord, PLEASE keep the electricity off today!”

To tell you the truth… I had never thought that I would EVER pray a prayer like this. I enjoy my days off and I feel confident that God has called me to stay in my pajamas and watch Netflix for HOURS while my husband plays his video games and my child causes a catastrophe with his toys – this is what Monday means to me (this is partly sarcastic... nonetheless)! Relaxation!

However, lately I’ve noticed how DISTRACTED I have been with everything around me.

Between preparing for visitors, planning for Youth Sunday, getting prepared for Bible studies/ discipleship for this week and trying to keep up with the day to day tasks, 

WE HAVE BEEN BUSY!!!

In addition, I have always been a NEAT FREAK. So having a 1 year old who gets in to most things, leaves me cleaning up behind him several times a day. Then of course there’s television, music, watsapp, messages and my nemesis… FACEBOOK.

Golly! I can have intentions to crawl in to bed but scrolling through the Newsfeed several times over keeps me up an hour later than intended. 

YOUR LIVES ARE SO INTERESTING!!!

But seriously.

It’s kind of nice to unplug every so often.

To be quiet.

To hear the breeze, the laughter of children on their way to school, the vehicles passing by, the chatter in Creole and Spanish from our neighbors, as well as the chatter among

 the goats… and the pigs… and the dogs… and the chickens. Well. You get the picture :)

Sometimes we don’t want to stop, because we’re scared of what we’ll hear. Or maybe we just don’t care that we’ll hear at all.

Today. I’m glad God answered my prayer.

Traffic jam on the way to teach in San Jose.

Josiah has been quite content playing with his toys and although I had plans to take him to the beach while Robersy gets some more work done on the truck, the cloudy skies and winds forced us to stick around here. I had over an hour to study while Josiah napped. And in the quiet, as I sprawled out on the only piece of carpet in our home, God spoke.

And I was finally in a position to LISTEN.

Friend, don’t be afraid to miss things so much that you end up missing the One who matters most.

I trust I will take the time, even when the electricity is on :)

In other news…

Practicing for Teen Sunday

As I mentioned before, we’ve been busy with our teens preparing for Youth Sunday. It’s THIS Sunday! EEK!!! It’s an opportunity for them to sing, share and minister to the congregation. We pray it will a time where GOD will be glorified and the church might be encouraged.

We’ll be welcoming our first visitors from Bermuda (other than family and those who came for our wedding). The Thain family will be here on Wednesday and we’re excited to share our life and ministry with them. Praying this might encourage others to come and see what is going on out here!

Continue praying for the studies and discipleship that Robersy and I have the privilege of being a part of. Pray that GOD might use us despite ourselves. With hearts ready and spirits willing, may God speak and may those we minister to be ready to listen!

Celebrating Kristin and Felix's baby. She will be here soon!

We’re excited to announce that our truck is BACK!!! HOWEVER. YES… HOWEVER!!! Please don’t let that stop you from praying that we can get a van as soon as possible. The safety of our family and those to whom we minister is of upmost importance. As there was some serious interior damage even the mechanic who worked on it recommends it’s not used for heavy loads… AKA our entire life and ministry!

One last note…

Every week I ask how we can be praying for you! Each Monday Robersy take time to pray for life, ministry and YOU! So please don’t be embarrassed to send us a FB message or email. We want to minister to you and one way we can do that, being so far away, is through prayer. Let us know!!!