Sam's Trip to the DR

Sam had a very nice trip to the Dominican Republic. The weather was extremely hot and humid. Sam was able to get some relief each night to get some good rest. Sam found it very encouraging to see a Latin Country that has done so well at continuing to plant churches. There is a need to train men for the ministry at a Seminary Level and they are asking for BMMs help. Thanks for all your prayers during Sam's travels.

Piano Duet

Here are Natalie and Nicole in their debut! So thankful for kids that have musical abilities!!

BUGS!!!!!!!!

The bugs here in Mexico are definitely bigger!!!!!! Not sure what this bug is but it sure was pesky. It flew right in front of my face while I was washing the patio and my natural instinct was to spray it so therefore the water drop on the right side of it's back. Things here are a lot different than back home in the midwest. The cock roaches are much bigger here and the birds here eat our dog's food. I'm not kidding! We have a wonderful collection of birds that visit us each morning for their feeding. I think the altitude and contamination in the air has killed a little to many brain cells in these birds that they think dog food is yummy!

Tests and Pop Quizes

Tests. Just to type the word makes me a little uncomfortable. We've all taken tests in our lives. Now in homeschooling I've given a lot of tests to my children. I've taught my children how to study and prepare for tests. Pop Quiz-- is a word that I dreaded to hear even more. You don't have time to prepare for a Pop Quiz. You are expected to rely on the knowledge you recently learned and apply it. Pop Quizes reveal how well you did your homework--assuming you did it!

I still take Pop Quizes. They are Pop Quizes about Life. Today I had a major Pop Quiz. I was unable to study, prepare myself or even warn myself for it. I'm sure that you too have had a Pop Quiz this week.

We have been learning about Controling Anger here at Nueva Vida. We have studied the lives of both positive and negative examples that are in God's Word. Just last week Sam taught on the Life of Joseph from the Old Testament. Boy did he have a lot of "Pop Quizes" in his life. There was the, "Thrown into the Pit and Sold as a Slave"--pop quiz; and the "Thrown Into Jail"-- pop quiz; and the "I Forgot to Mention--Stayed in Jail Longer"--pop quiz. My Pop Quiz is titled; "Got Ripped Off at the ATM AGAIN". Yes, this is the second time that we've tried to get money from an ATM and didn't. (we use ATMs all the time here) No biggy except, the money was pulled from our account but our pockets are still empty. I was given the opportunity to show if I truly believe that God is in control. I calmly talked to the administration at the bank where I received my "Pop Quiz". I didn't get much help at the bank because I don't have an account there. Our State side bank will put the funds back temporarily until they do their investigation. The first time it happened they didn't rule in our favor and they pulled the funds back out. So, I'm preparing myself to lose (I mean give away!) $500.00. But you know what...I'm okay with this. It's really not my money, it's God's. I can say that it is possible to not get angry, bent out of shape, or even take out my anger on someone else--when my heart is focused on the premise that God is in Control! I worked very hard on my thoughts the whole way home while I was driving. I knew that if I wasn't careful I would take it all out on my precious girls at home. I know that if I don't keep my focus right I will quickly get a failing grade. Since this happened this afternoon I've had to constantly remind myself that God allowed this and He knew before it happened that it would happen. This hasn't taken Him by surprise! There's the Joy!!

Update on Sam

First of all, it is my father-in-law that is experiencing heart problems and not my husband. Sam Sr. and Ellen would really appreciate your prayers. Pray for wisdom as they have to decide where and what treatment is necessary.

My Sam is in the Dominican Republic and loving it! The weather is extremely hot and humid. The house where he is staying doesn't use fans. Fortunately, Sam took a fan! We were given the heads up from another missionary that has traveled to the DR. Sam is getting good rest at night which is important. Sam is speaking to national pastors and wives. His topic is The Christian Home. He is speaking every evening from 5-10pm. Pray for stamina and that his voice will hold out. We are able to talk each morning via Skype phone. It costs us 8.7 cents a minute. Technology is so wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Us girls are enjoying some girlie time this week while Sam is gone. We've had fun staying up late and watching gymnastics from the Olympics. We are continuing our homeschooling also in Sam's absence. We are in our fourth week!!! Both girls are doing extremely well! Nicole and I are learning about invertebrates--spiders, worms and ants!!!!!!!!!! We even get to do experiments! So cool!! Natalie is zipping through Spanish 2! We might have to pick up another language as I don't think there is a Spanish 5.

Basketball is going well. Nicole is showing that she has more strength and can even make some baskets!!! Of course the hoop is lower for her age group. Natalie has enjoyed being back with some of her friends that she has had since she started b-ball back in 2004. Pray that some of these families will allow God's Word to touch their hearts.

Applesauce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to Walmart the other day here in Mexico City and to my surprise I found Mott's Applesauce with cinnamon!!!! I grabbed three of the six jars! I had to leave a few jars for the other Americans in the City!!! We haven't had applesauce in over a year and boy was it yummy!! We had it for lunch the day I bought it and then we turned around and had it on our French Toast the next morning. Yesterday I found an Applesauce Cake recipe on Food Network that was just fabulous!!!! I know to some of you this is a strange thing to get excited about such a simple everyday thing. Now if I could just get them to import Mt. Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!