Mommy, I'm scared of the rain!

"Mommy, I'm scared of the rain!"

Edson got out of bed at 6:20am. It was raining really hard and the usual thunder and lightning as well. I said, "go back to bed. there's nothing to be scared of. you NEED to go back to sleep."

My words were just NOT comforting to him. "No, come with me" he insisted.

I was...kind of...busy...you know, looking for a certain recipe on the internet...

But...I got up and took him to my bed to cuddle with him.

We watched, together, the "blue and purple explosions" of lightning and hugged each other even more when we heard the thunder. He was safe and satisfied. Somebody big was protecting him from this scary storm.

While I was waiting for him to fall back asleep, I started thanking God for hugging me, protecting me and keeping ME safe and satisfied througout all my life's storms. How many times have I gone to God begging for His presence to stay with me and comfort me.

He's NEVER too busy to hear me call. He's NEVER too ocuppied.

Edson teaches me so much about God's love and grace.

An Unexpected Guest

Yesterday our friend, Juan Carlos, called and told me that he was in town and wanted to talk to Oscar. He said that he would be here around 11 am, so I told him that we would plan on having him for lunch.

I was busy finishing up lunch, setting the table, and wondering where Juan Carlos was. It was getting close to noon.

All of a sudden, Edson came running into the kitchen, breathless and pulling my clothes hard. "Mom", he said, "Jesus is here...Come quick and look...Jesus is here!" I didn't think that Juan Carlos resembled Jesus, but when I finally walked out. I saw that he brought a friend (whose name was also Juan Carlos) who actually DID look like a modern-day Jesus (long hair-full, fluffy beard).

Both men stayed for lunch and Edson asked to pray before eating. Oscar started right in with the prayer and when he was done, Edson just broke into tears...He wanted to pray for "Jesus". He felt soooo bad that Oscar didn't let him. He sat across from "Jesus" but he made sure that he had water, food, and what ever else he needed. He actually thought this was Jesus.

The "Jesus" Juan Carlos left, and our friend stayed for the afternoon.

After Edson's nap, he came down and said, "mom, where's Jesus?" I said, "Edson that wasn't Jesus. That was Juan Carlos' friend." He still wasn't convinced.

At prayer time, before going to bed. Edson prayed once more: "Thank you...Jesus...for the visit today..."

...I am beginning to believe that maybe it just WAS Jesus!

Como Papá...Just Like Dad

Edson has been picking clothes that closely resemble his dad's styles. He even stands to pose and show us that he actually DOES look like his dad. He wants a belt, shoes and all. I try to tell him that he doesn't have to LOOK just like "papá", but he keeps insisting.

It all got me thinking...do I want to look like my (Heavenly Father) Dad just as much as he wants to look like his (earthly) dad? Does it really matter to me THAT much...insisting on dressing like my Father? Am I trying THAT hard to be just like Him?

...are you?

Mixed Messages by Sharon Jaynes

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters [and girlfriends] this should not be" (James 3:9 TNIV and girlfriends added).
Friend To Friend
Catherine and I set out for a lazy summer stroll through the neighborhood just before the fireflies emerged to celebrate the setting of the sun. We chatted about raising boys, working husbands, and decorating dilemmas. When we arrived back at her house, she invited me to come in and look at some fabric swatches for a new sofa. Before I knew it, a few minutes turned into a couple of hours. "Oh, my!" I exclaimed. "It's ten o'clock. I've been gone for over two hours! I bet Steve's worried sick. He doesn't even know where I am. I'd better give him a call before I start back home." When I dialed the number, the answering machine picked up. After I listened to my sweet Southern greeting, I left a bitter message. "Steve, I was calling to let you know I'm at Catherine's. I thought you'd be worried, but apparently you don't even care because you won't even pick up the phone!" Click. I said my goodbyes to Catherine and left feeling somewhat dejected. I'm wandering around in the dark all alone and he doesn't even care, I mumbled to no one in particular. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed someone coming toward me. It was Sir Galahad riding on his steed...his bicycle! "Where have you been?" Steve desperately asked. "I've been riding all over the neighborhood looking for you! Do you know what time it is?" "Oh, you do care," I said with a grin, giving him a big hug. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "Nothing. Let's go home." I answered. When we got back home, I quickly erased the message on the machine before Steve could hear my reprimanding words. "Whew," I thought, "That was close." A few days later, Steve called me from work. "Sharon, have you listened to the answering machine lately?" "No. Why?" "Well, I think there's something on there you need to hear." We hung up and I reached for my cell phone to call my home phone. The message on the answering machine went something like this. (The voice of a Sweet Southern Belle) "Hello, you've reached the Jaynes' residence. We're unable to answer the phone right now... (Enter the voice of Corella Deville) "I was calling to let you know I'm at Catherine's. I thought you'd be worried, but apparently you don't even care because you won't pick up the phone! (Return of Sweet Southern Bell) At the sound of the beep, leave your number and we'll get back with you as soon as possible." Beep. "Oh, my goodness!" I screamed. "How did this happen! How many people have heard this over the past three days?" I called the phone company and they explained that sometimes during a thunderstorm (which had occurred three days prior), lightening strikes the wires and answering machine messages get scrambled. The old message somehow got attached to the greeting. I was mortified. It sounded like Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde reincarnate. "Lord," I prayed. "This is so embarrassing." "Yes, it is," He replied. Well, He didn't really say that in so many words. It was more like this. "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water" James 3:9-12 TNIV). "OK Lord, I get the message." I prayed. But unfortunately, so did a lot of other people.
Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, oh how I have a difficult time controlling my tongue! I pray that you will put a guard over my mouth. Help me to think before I speak. I pray the Holy Spirit will take control of my words and use me as an instrument of encouragement. In Jesus' Name, Amen

I thought this was too good not to share...

Stop Doubting and Believe

I need a miracle. I don't know how it will happen, but I presented it before the Lord this morning and then I happened to open up to John 21 and read...
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered.
He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish...
So, I threw my "net on the right side of the boat"...and continued praying and reading. I didn't pull my net in yet, but I DID decide to stop doubting and BELIEVE.
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
...Stop doubting and believe..

A little bit of everything...

A little bit of everything...
August 22 is Paraguay's Folklore Day. We celebrated it at school on Friday the 27th. School was decorated in every way to celebrate Paraguay's music, dance, and typical foods. Oscar dressed for the occasion! My boys did too, but they did not want their picture taken.
Oscar's family is here from San Pedro. He has been taking Maria, his niece, back and forth to doctors and here and there for different tests that they are asking for.
Pastor Amancio was here on Monday night (from Concepción) for some eye doctor tests and glasses.
Warm weather, buds and tiny fruits on the trees, flowers...it's almost spring! Too bad there are so many fires, fields burning, it makes everything hazy and smoky.
Last night at our women's small group meeting, we talked about God: his greatness, his wonders, his miracles. Instead of focusing on our problems, we read Psalm 145 and spent some time praising God for all his blessings on us and our families. Check it out. Say a prayer of thanks and praise.
Psalm 145 (New Living Translation)
1 I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.
2 I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.
3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.
4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.
5. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.
6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.
7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
12 They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
15 The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.
16 When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.
18 The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
20 The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.
21 I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.

"There are Two Aunt Marlenes"

On thursdays I go to a meeting at school and leave Edson at Marlene's house. Ever since he was born he goes there on Thursday mornings. She is Pastor Dario's wife and their kids and our kids are best friends for life! It is like a second home to Edson (and Brandon and Gaby).
At church the other day, Marlene was sitting with her identical twin sister, Elena. He doesn't spend much time with Elena because she lives farther away, and we just do so much more with Marlene's family. We were eating lunch at a table near by and Edson was finishing up and looking around. He spotted Marlene and started saying to himself..."There are two Aunt Marlenes...there are two Aunt Marlenes". Finally, some of us at the table started listening to what he was really saying and we all started laughing.
They do actually look alike and if you don't know them well, you could easily get them mixed up. Their kids used to go to the same school. Elena's kids are all older, but every once in a while someone would meet up with one or the other twin and start talking to her about school activities...and it was really the other person...do you know what I mean? Elena used to work at the snack bar at CPA and knew just about everyone at school. Sometimes people would go up to Marlene and start talking to her about the snack bar, money for their kids, what they should buy, etc. and Marlene is like, "ummm what are you talking about?..."
Once you get to know them you can really see how very different they are, but to a three year old (and many others)..."there are two Aunt Marlenes".

I feel safe and secure knowing that God can tell us all apart...there are no two "Aunt Marlenes".
Psalm 139: 1-6 (NIV)
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

A Busy Life

I have been just too busy to blog, lately...or maybe, just not inspired would be a better way of explaining the few blogs I have been posting.
School is on - full blast. I had to get new notebooks, uniforms, books, etc. for the kids, plus deal with plans, projects, and problems at school. Oscar usually handles all of the legal-paperwork stuff and I am more involved in the internal part - meetings, organizing, counselling, trying to coordinate things so that all 35 of us can work together peacefully...with God's help, of course.
I have also been dealing with a health issue the past couple of months that kind of saddened me after experiencing years of good health. I've been back and forth to doctors with tests and results...and all this while trying to keep my mind focused as a mom of teens and a toddler, who need almost constant attention.
So, I have been having my ups and downs, but then I look up to the great women in my life who have gone through a lot or so much more and are still praising God. They are still joyfully moving onward...grabbing onto our Lord's hand and facing the battle. It makes me want to be like them...as they also imitate Christ! (thanks! Some of you who are reading this are these "great women in my life.")
God gave me some encouragement this morning and while Edson is watching Thomas the Tank Engine, I decided to share it with you! It's my prayer for YOU today.

Colossians 1:11-12 (New Living Translation)
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,
always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Not Very Bloggy

I haven't been very bloggy lately. I haven't been writing or reading blogs for a while. There are several reasons...it's hot! We have been doing lots of end-of-school planning, etc. I had a toothache all weekend and finally, yesterday ran off to get it fixed, somehow. I spent some time with a friend who needed encouragement. I took the kids to soccer on Friday night at church. And...I have been totally caught up in this site...Prophecy News Watch.
This has always been Oscar's favorite topic, but just lately, as I see things unfold in front of my eyes and in every days' news, It's kind of interesting to see so much of prophecy being fullfilled. It makes me kind of want to go...now! It makes me want to purify myself even more. It makes some things in life seem so silly and unnecessary. It makes me anxious to see our KING OF GLORY coming in the clouds.
I am preparing for Thanksgiving and thinking about what to do on Christmas. I am busy about this and that...what to cook, what to buy. Gifts?...hmmmm. I am cooking, freezing and saving up, but I wonder, am I preparing for the wedding feast in the same way? Am I also doing good works, serving others, giving someone else some of this STUFF that I have stashed away for 18 years? Am I reaching out to the lost? Am I building up a teen with low self-esteem? Am I listening and encouraging my friend who is saddened by a marriage problem?
After all...what is life all about? What are YOUR plans for this coming month?
Okay, I gotta go. I am cleaning out closets today. I gotta give some of this stuff to someone who needs it...alot!

Turn Back the Clock

There's a song I've been thinking of...the song is in Spanish. It talks about this guy's life and how he wishes he could turn back the hands of the clock and start all over again. He got messed up in alcohol and everything else and just wishes he could turn back the clock. In the end he is saved and looks back on his wasted life and wishes that he would have listened...way back then.
I stayed up late last night because one of our visitors needed clean clothes. I told him I would wash them and dry them in our dryer...the kitchen table with a ceiling fan over it on high to dry. While I was waiting for the washer to get done, I was messing around on Facebook. Somehow I deleted my original account and LOST EVERYTHING! Ohhhhh...how I was wishing I could turn back the hands of the clock! I fiddled around a little more to try to retrieve it and I couldn't. I was helpless! I couldn't find the way to get back what I lost! How sad!
But, you know, it was only FACEBOOK! It was only something...could I say...silly?
What happens when we make bigger mistakes? Mistakes that leave scars on our hearts... Memories that we cannot erase... Reactions or attitudes that ruin REAL friendships... Decisions that destroy... Then, we REALLY want to turn back the hands of the clock, but it's too late. The moment is gone, and what's done is done.
I'm starting over. I checked my clock. I can't go back in time. I've gotta keep on going.
And, well, I'm starting over with Facebook today...hahaha...do you want to be my friend?

Interesting!

Two paragraphs from John Bevere's book (The Bait of Satan)...

Jesus likened the condition of our hearts to that of soil. We are admonished to be rooted and grounded in the love of God. The seed of God's Word will then take root in our hearts, will grow, and will eventually produce the fruit of righteousness - love, joy, long-suffering, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (See Galatians 5:22-23).

However, ground will produce only what is planted in it. If we plant seeds of debt, unforgiveness, and offense, another root will spring up in place of the love of God. It is called the root of bitterness (Heb. 12:14-15). Bitterness is a root. If roots are nursed, watered, protected, fed, and given attention, they increase in depth and strength. If not dealt with quickly, roots are hard to pull up. The strength of the offense will continue to grow. Soon, instead of the fruit of righteousness being produced, we will see a harvest of anger, resentment, jealousy, hatred, strife and discord. Jesus called these evil fruits worthless. (See Matthew 7:19-20.)

Hmmm...I better get out to my heart's garden...fast!

(P.S. The picture is one Nancy Pauser took while she was here.)

Rejoice with Me!

We had visitors today! We got ready for our Fourth of July picnic with Jason and Steve...hamburgers, potato salad, pop, etc.
But, since it wasn't a holiday here in Paraguay, we also had other visitors...a guy who came to fix the washer, and later on, Steve...looked at my "broken" computer.
On Monday, both the washer AND the computer stopped working. I called, skyped, and messaged my technical dad and brother-in-laws about the computer...all of them were stumped. I talked to Jason who couldn't figure this out and then we decided to wait for Steve (who was coming on Wednesday) on that one.
Well the washer worked one day. So, I was happy...thinking that I am getting my visitors this coming week and what am I going to do without a working washer. Well, the next day it stopped working again. We went on like this every day and all week and finally, yesterday Oscar called our friend to come check it out.
He came today and...EVERYTHING WAS FINE. Can you believe it? He did clean out some hoses and work on some other things...but everything was working correctly and PERFECTLY. Great! Now the computer.
After lunch Steve and I went to check out the computer and he looked at it, confused because there WAS NO PROBLEM.
YES THERE WAS! None of my USB drives worked...all week long! We checked and re-checked...everything was fine!
Hmmmmm.
So what DID happen this week? Something was going MAJORLY WRONG with two of my very important electrical/technical appliances and now EVERYTHING IS FIXED...magically???
Thanks God! Rejoice with me! My God is a God of MIRACLES!

The Bait of Satan by John Bevere

As you know…I have been reading the book, The Bait of Satan by John Bevere. My book came with a 10th anniversary edition – devotional supplement included. So there is a 30 day spiritual work out included.
One of the recent messages was interesting…Joseph said to them…“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” Genesis 50:19-20.
This is amazing and also hard to take. Does that mean that some of those TERRIBLE things that others have done or said to me…God meant THAT for good?
It may have taken Joseph years to forgive them, but he did! He even ended up taking care of all of his brothers AND their families. All that got me thinking…could I do that with that person who treated me so wrongly? Did I forgive him/her and say…God meant it for good?
Can YOU?

Churchill said,
"The price of LEADERSHIP is RESPONSIBILITY."...and part of that responsibility is to STAY POSITIVE whether you feel like it or not."

I was counselling with a lady the other day whose world was falling apart. She was angry at her spouse for a decision he made. They were going through a financial struggle. Her kids, her health, her hope, her faith…everything seemed to be collapsing. Yeah, I understood so well…how many times have we all been there…in that situation? A couple days before talking to her, I was crying out to God in the same way. I asked the Holy Spirit to speak to me through His Word and clear up my situation. After praying, I opened up to:

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (New Living Translation)
Paul’s Hardships
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us,[a] and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

(The italics are my own doings.) I asked myself…Have I really been patiently enduring these troubles and hardships? Have I been willing to serve, forgive, and encourage even when there is slander or negative comments from others?
As I read and re-read this, I was thinking that I really AM NOT and HAVE NOT suffered to the extent that Paul did and, I probably never will! (Thank God!)
The last verse brought healing…(my interpretations) Our troubles are weighty, they make us sad, but we have the Joy of the Lord. Who can take that away from us? We might be poor or we may not have all the things we want, but we can encourage others with His Word and give THEM the riches of our faith. And the bottom line is…in Christ we are complete! AMEN!

How to Pray for Others

In my personal time with God this morning, I was reading the Life Application Study Bible and I found an interesting prayer that Paul used to pray for the Colossians. He didn't even really know them, but he prayed for them. Read Colossians 1:9-14.
He starts out by requesting that they...
1. understand what God wants them to do
2. gain spiritual wisdom
3. honor and please God
4. produce every kind of good fruit
5. learn to know God better and better
6. be strengthened with God's glorious power
7. have great endurance and patience
8. be filled with joy
9. give thanks always
What a GREAT guide to praying for others. Sometimes we think we just don't know HOW to pray for someone. This prayer for the Colossians was such an encouragement to me. It's so deep and complete. I wrote it down in my prayer journal as a guide for me...to pray for you!
I hope you use it too.

Backing up to Thanksgiving

Backing up a couple of weeks…wow…time flies. We had a great visit with Ben and Vivi, Jason, a friend of Jason’s from Georgetown (Pilar), and two of her friends from Paraguay (Katie and Maggie). We had turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet corn, stuffed squash and pies. It was so beautiful. (You can see a picture on Jason’s blog.)
I realized while I was cooking that this is not a meal that should be planned for our hot summer. I would be so nice and cozy up in your North American homes, but down here, I seemed to be the one baking! Everything turned out so nice. We were able to visit with these new friends and enjoy some English conversation.
We were grateful for FRIENDSHIP, for being able to SHARE together even though we didn’t really know each other. We were grateful for the ABUNDANCE of blessings the Lord showered on us. We were grateful for having a purpose to live for. We were grateful to be working here and accepted in a different culture.
And, as one of the girls kept saying…I am SO thankful…that means I can keep eating!

A Great Day!

Today is a great day! Which day isn’t? Here are some reasons…
Today is the last day of school for Brandon and Gabriel until February 4th. (It’s summer vacation in the middle of semesters!) Even though they have tests today, last night seemed to be a celebration. They stayed up goofing around till late. Last day to wake up at 4:45. (Oscar and I wake up to pray and get ready; we get the kids up at 5:30. Everyone’s off by 6:00.) Yeah, we can sleep in!
I woke up with Christmas on my mind and decided to decorate at 6 am before Edson woke up. I put lights up inside and outside and hung up my snowmen all over…hoping they won’t melt like the candles do every year. I was excited to show Edson this morning. His eyes were wide and ohh-ed and ahh-ed at the lights. It made me happy. His eyes look even bigger since last night we gave him a buzz and you can see more face than hair. He’s still a cutie!
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Isaiah 54.13

It’s raining! The boys are off to school. Edson is down for a morning nap. We had a very busy weekend and my body says…sleep, sleep, sleep, but my spirit says…No take time with Me. Talk to Me. Read My Word. Well, I ignored my sleepy desires and went to the Lord in prayer and then picked up a book I’ve been reading in Spanish titled “Praying the Scriptures for your Children" by Jodie Berndt. I was encouraged with the verse in Isaiah 54.13…And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
What a great Teacher/Tutor our kids have!

Blessings

Let’s talk about blessings!
Today we (not actually us, but representatives of Colegio Privado Adonai) were invited to participate in a special meeting in Banco Central de Paraguay. The best students from every grade went with the principals with free transportation to the bank and a long table full of snacks. Every couple of years they renew all of their desks, computers, cabinets, etc. A kindergarten girl’s mother from school told us about this project and asked us to consider writing to the authorities and ask for things for our school since all of it was going to be donated to schools around the city…those interested. Oscar and our administrator went and were actually able to see all the things available and pick out what our school needed. We did that about two months ago and we were chosen along with six other schools to receive these donations. It’s one more blessing!
There are several work teams brewing; one from Canada, one from Colorado, and one from Ontario. Hopefully, God will provide funds also to get those two rooms done that we needs so badly. The foundation is done and we are waiting for more funds to continue the construction. Ben’s brother Joel and Eric Steidl are coming in December, also…more blessings to count on.
More wonderful news…we have a baptism planned for Sunday. We are excited to receive these new believers. It’s just as moving to hear their stories and how the Lord has worked miracles in their lives. We are blessed with a full church.
We are blessed with family, health, a house, a beautiful yard, cold-ice water on hot days, fans, (air conditioning in our bedroom), boys, school, work, etc.
We are blessed with salvation and eternal life. We are blessed to have a loving Father. We are blessed with forgiveness and peace. Yes, we are blessed!