making time for life...

so it seems as though my schedule continues to get more and more full - which means a lot of things.. 1st, I don't have as much time to spend "hanging out" and have to be more intentional about building relationships and spending time with people... 2nd, I have more of an excuse to come home an "crash" on the couch from exhaustion... and 3rd, i have less room for laziness in my life. no worries though, I am not having difficulty saying "no" to all the opportunities that come my way (such as becoming a substitute teacher!), as I have learned that to be a very important word here - otherwise I would be WAY overcommitted with everything I am asked to do... BUT - I have carefully selected some things to add to my weekly routine.

I know you are now in great suspense - "what is Stephanie doing with her time these days!?"
Well...
**I am continuing to teach Bible classes at Brassavola Bilingual School - which has proven to be a JOY in my life (who knew?). The kids are so full of LOVE and enjoy having a teacher who wants to play with them and takes interest in their own lives. The kids in this picture are the ones who have dedicated themselves to "teaching" me Spanish. :) (the kids are supposed to think that I can't speak Spanish so that they have to speak to me in English).
**I also tutor for a small group of 1st graders. Andrea, Elvert (in the picture), Paul, and Aldo each have such different personalities - and it is fun to see them come out as I try to teach them the sounds to the alphabet!
**I am working with a Honduran nurse in her clinic in El Pino on some fridays - which proves to be both educational and exciting.
**MTW work - we have business meetings every monday afternoon and are completing surveys for community development work in Armenia Bonita, a poor village by the La Ceiba airport, assisting with the medical mission team coming the middle of February and construction teams in March, and helping to lead worship for our monthly team worship.
**Recreation-ish stuff: I am involved with a Beth Moore Bible study that meets every Wednesday to have a time of discussion, watch the movie, and pray together with other missionaries. We have a monday night tradition of dinner and cards with young adults... and I attend our church's "culta de jovenes" for the youth on most Saturday nights. (and of course church every Sunday..)

So I am involved with all of these things, in addition to the never-ending battle against bugs, leaks, lack of electricity or water, worms in my...?, continuous filth in our apartment... oh, the joys of daily living.

The most important thing I am doing - the common bond between all of these things - is building relationships... well, maybe not with the bugs! ;) What a joy it is for me when I see fruit out of showing kindness or care to someone.. the way their face lights up.. the way I am trusted.. or at least building trust. I love having conversations with the single teachers about what matters in a dating relationship and marriage (ha, they all want to know why I'm still single!). I love going to a more personal level with people - talking about the heart.. sharing Christ.. telling them to trust God.. revealing our sin nature.. what a blessing it is to me to be able to enter into some incredible conversations and show Christ's love.. the opportunities never fail to arise when I'm least expecting it.
You know, I think that this week I have been more busy as I am getting used to my new schedule - but felt the BEST that I have felt -since before Christmas. Why is that? Instead of getting caught up in how much I am doing, and just being exhausted afterwards... I have been very intentional about exercising, spending time being silent and still, and digging deep into the Word of God. It seems like we can be soo busy with our obligations that we don't take time for the things that make life better. Take that time.. make it a priority. we find our life is in those little things.

Honduras Wildlife

From chickens and roosters to honduran men acting like animals.. there is always some sort of "wildlife" running around this city. The cows just like to hang out where ever... who knows how people keep track of them... I have seen them in the middle of streets, down allies, hanging out on bridges, at the beach, and in parks.
Horses wandering through my neighborhood - Naranjal.. we see them from time to time.. today they were grazing next to the gym. random.

frisky iguanas.. they get bigger than that! gross.

and who can forget flipper from Roatan? ;)

you know, just seeing pictures really doesn't do justice to the animal life around here.. you need to hear the cat cries that sounds like a baby crying, or the nights that every dog in Ceiba decides to talk to each other, or how the roosters have contests over who can crow the most. ;) believe it or not, I did get used to these unusual sounds. life is never boring here... that is for sure!

fear

I have heard that fear is: false evidence appearing real.
and what about real evidence appearing false
I am finding that every where I turn I face lies and deception - and find that I have to fight more and more to stand on God's word and His promises.

I am blessed to be a part of a Beth Moore Bible study on the patriarchs of the Bible - and have been struck this week by some of her words. She points out how those who God uses greatly seem to greatly battle fear. God had to keep telling Abraham, Jacob, and Joshua (to name a few) "Do not be afraid!" - we need to fear God more that what God has called us to. God doesn't promise us that we won't be scared to do what He has asked - especially since He doesn't always tell us what exactly we are doing before we set out.. but He does promise to be with us and that we will get there. When we have a holy fear that drives us to the Living God - we won't have to fear anything else.
So draw near to Him - and He will draw near to you.
It is my prayer for you and for myself that our Heavenly Father will be your magnificent obsession... your life's delight... the thrill of your life. That you will hunger to know Him more - and that He will call you out of your usual routine - out of your comfort zone - to take you where He wants you to go.

pure exhaustion

32 teenagers... 23 of which were chatty chicas. The retreat was a whirlwind of games, music, movies, cooking, late nights, early mornings, and lots of talking. It was complete with three discussion sessions, some amazing devotionals, and a crazy talent show.
Praise the Lord we didn't have any major problems - but we were prepared, as "The Enforcer" made frequent visits, reminding the kids that "he" would be around to take care of any trouble that may arise. Luckily, he wasn't needed, and therefore was only the source of many laughs.

I may be completely exhausted after this weekend - but it was such a blessing. I met some girls who have lived in Honduras almost all of their lives as Missionary Kids and was blown away by how they've grown up - for it was such a different experience from my own. I was encouraged by their hearts that sincerely seek to know and serve the Lord. I was reminded of the simple, yet amazing truth that the Lord, the creator of the earth, sky, and sea - desires to walk intimately with His children.. that He loves us unconditionally - and there is nothing we can DO to make Him love us more or less. what profound truths - what an incredible promise.
I hope that I will be able to continue to get to know these amazing girls... for I know that our Father in Heaven has great things in store for their lives.

The Lord was so good to us, working this week together more perfectly than we could have imagined or prepared for... definitely a success!

Here is an email we got from one of the mothers of the retreat:
"We've been hearing for the last two days every detail; the fun, the food, the skits, the teachings and it all sounded wonderful, truly blessed by our Lord. I'm so grateful to those of you gave of your time to serve the Lord by serving our teens. I have felt His joy in her description of it all. My daughter was so touched during the session on unconditional love and over the teaching on the need for silence to hear Him. As parents our greatest prayer for our children is that they would know Him and love Him, that they would want to pursue Him. My daughter broke down crying telling me about what God did in her heart and I am so grateful to all of you and to my Lord who answers prayer so abundantly."

prayer request!

This weekend we are hosting a country-wide missionary youth retreat. This means that 30+ kids, ages 13-18, from all over Honduras will be put in our care from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon... and we will be in charge of all meals, sleeping arrangements, games, music, teaching sessions, discussion groups, safety... etc! With our theme being "treasures" - and our location a missionary house on the beach - we have been able to plan a lot of fun things to do, as well as some time to really go deep in the Word of God.
Please keep us in your prayers this weekend:
- for safety - for everyone traveling (some many hours) to get to and from the retreat, and for safety while we are on the retreat
- for the missionary kids, that they would have a great time with other kids of their own age (without arguments!) and that they come with teachable hearts
- for the leaders, that we would keep the Lord in the center of everything we do, and that He would be able to speak through us and use us to bless these kids lives
- for the parents, that they would have a restful weekend with (at least some) kids out of the house, and that they wouldn't worry about their kids

thank you so much!

**sorry I've been lame about pictures lately - I will definitely post some pictures of the retreat when we return!

the pep talk

Do you ever feel like God just does a "heart check" every once in a while - that makes you squirm and struggle to really, really decide where your allegiance lies? Are you willing to give up your family and your friends for Him?... Are you willing to give up your home and all that is familiar - for Him? C.T. Studd said it well, that if Jesus Christ be GOD, and died for me - there is no sacrifice too great for me to give for Him.

My answer was yes. and then...
...several weeks ago I couldn't imagine leaving La Ceiba - I had already decided that I would give up my family and my friends from home "for the Lord"... and I found myself now unwilling to give up Honduras and the relationships I've built here in Ceiba. I don't believe that the Lord asks us to be unattached to things around us, as relationships are central to life, but I do think that He wants to be first in our life, and He wants our whole heart. I have the unfortunate tendency to attach onto things that I am "doing for God", and somehow I let that thing come before God in my life.
I feel as though the Lord has to continually give me a heart check - to keep me in line - as I like to rely on myself and plan out how I will be safe and have a secure future. Trusting in the Lord is often scary, as His timing is perfect to reveal his plan, instead of being as early as I would like it to be... and so I often get ahead of the Lord, making my own plans.. and the Lord gently directs my steps, often down a different road than the one I was planning on. He is so faithful to keep His promises - and has proven trustworthy - even when I'm unsure of this new "plan" I have to adjust to. (I mean, if it were up to me and my plans, I would have been in physical therapy school right now - but look at all the amazing things I would have missed out on!)

There is new meaning to the proverb, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding..." because it takes the Lord holding our whole heart, us looking to Him and acknowledging him in EVERYTHING - for Him to make our paths straight.

As the Lord has been teaching me about truly trusting my heart and my life to Him, God has been opening doors and providing opportunities for me to join Him in His work. I realize that it is then my responsibility to be able to see where God is working, and then to take the step to join Him there.
This is another area where I often get caught up... as this is the time when all of my inadequacies come to my attention to convince me why I can not possibly join in this work. Being the astute scholar, from the great US of A, it is hard for me to accept that being "ordinary, unschooled person" with a heart to serve the Lord is more powerful and effective than any amount of training I may get - because it is the Lord that is at work, not me.

And it is here, my friends, that I find myself once again... and the Lord, being ever faithful, reminds me once again that He is who He says He is, He does what He says He does - and I can trust in Him.

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant..." 2 Corinthians 3:5-6

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and instructing in righeousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

I guess what it comes down to is: do I believe that the Word of God is true?
you bet I do. and what a rock for foundation in every decision I have to make...

Today the Lord spoke to my heart - giving me a "pep talk" to remember who God is and that what He says is true.
My dear friend, Natalia, recently wrote this to me, "I was thinking this afternoon during that time how we are living for One - for God. And how that should make our decisions (theoretically?) so much easier and simpler. We need not consider anything/anyone else when making decisions but just live to please Him. I know life doesn't seem that easy - but that's just what I heard from God - don't worry about everything/everyone else... just Me."
It is a good reminder, as I am facing important decisions to stay in Honduras and be employed as a mentor and witness to the youth culture, or to return to the states to get more training (in nursing?)...

well, I assure you that I am seeking the Lord.. and His timing is perfect.
...doesn't that just drive you nuts! ;)

stuck

It has been a while since I've written anything - so I want to reassure you that I'm still here - getting involved with my work and reconnecting with friends after being gone for two and a half weeks.

Have you ever been in a position where you don't know what to do? The phrase "stuck between a rock and a hard place" seems to adequately fit the way I feel right now. I have before me so many options - to go home when my time is up with MTW and pursue nursing, be with my family and friends... or I have been invited to stay here and work in the clinic in Roatan... and I've also been invited stay here and be employed by a local ministry from a foundation out of the States to help begin a youth ministry in La Ceiba.
For many different reasons each option is very appealing... and I honestly do not know what to do. Verses keep coming to mind - such as Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" - but the problem is that I desire each one of these things. or.. Matthew 6:33 "seek first HIS kingdom and His righteousness..." or "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"... and Jim Elliot's famous words "He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

I have always heard that God is faithful to open doors for us, and we have the responsibility to be faithful and obedient to step through that door. I would appreciate your prayers, that I would indeed be able to discern the Lord's calling, and I welcome any words of advice you may want to pass my way...

Happy New Year!

Wow, I can't believe it is 2006...
We had a special dinner last night with our MTW team and Erin's family that is visiting from Tennessee. Then we opened up our party to the community, and many friends came over to the Morey's house for desserts. It was a great time re-connecting with friends I haven't seen in a while. Don Julio even showed up as Santa Claus! :)
This past year has held so much - growth, adventure, trials, and triumphs - what an exciting journey it has been. Now we stand at the beginning of a new year - with opportunities and decisions always before us, and I pray that as you step forth into this coming year, that you trust in the Lord to direct each step and to be with you through the bad and good times ahead.

**If you ever want to talk more about anything I write on this website - please feel free to call or write an email... I would love to talk with you!

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!