Blessings

"A tus pies arde mi corazón, A tus pies entrego lo que soy, Es el lugar de mi seguridad,
No hay lugar más alto, más grande, Que estar a tus pies"  Miel San Marcos
"At your feet my heart burns, At your feet I bring all that I am, It is the place of my security,
There is no place higher, or greater, than to be at your feet"

We have felt so many of your prayers since we have returned to Guatemala after our time in the states.  From ministry, to finances, to our Spiritual lives and marriage we have felt blessing upon blessing.  

First thing when we returned to Guatemala we celebrated Christmas at the Shelter.  As always it was a wonderful day!  We very easily transitioned back to living life with these precious ladies and workers.  We have seen our relationships with the workers at the shelter grow tremendously. This is a huge step in ministering well with them.  
Jerry was able to meet Samuel's dad during one of the Bible Study days at the prison.  This was a great encouragement to Samuel, for his dad to see him studying the Bible.  And Raul was moved out of isolation and is doing very well in a net making business he has started there in the prison.  What a testimony to the changes the Lord has made in his life.

Thanks to some end-of-the-year gifts we received from you all we were able to completely pay off our plane tickets for the trip we took to the states.  Woohoo!  

We talked to a few of you about us having recently changed churches here in Guatemala and asked for prayer for this transition and for each of us to make friends in our new church home.  We are doing so well there.  We are learning and growing.  Maddy loves being involved in the youth group and has recently been asked to join the youth praise team.  Jerry and I attended a Valentine's dinner with our Sunday School class where we were finally able to get to know several couples and those in our class realized that we actually do speak Spanish.  And finally we were invited to coffee at someone's home and found out they have a son in Coleman's Sunday School class.  He spent the afternoon playing soccer with him.  So he finally has someone to relate to in his class.  

And in all this, we KNOW the highest and greatest place we find ourselves is at the feet of Jesus.  It is where our security is found, it is where our hearts learn to burn for more of Him.  

Funny thing is, I started this blog post this past weekend, now we are mid-week and our only vehicle is in the shop, our bathroom sink broke, part of the ceiling is falling down in Maddy's room so we moved her out of it temporarily, and I broke a tooth last night.  Isn't that how life works. But even in this I am amazed at the peace that is in our home this week. God is good! So know that when we say we feel your prayers We REALLY do! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers, love and financial support.

                                                            Current Prayer Requests

* It is tax time. We have had many complications in the past with our taxes.  Please pray our taxes are             
    handled well this year.
* Time management and priorities as we get more involved in our church and begin forming friendships.
* That our marriage would continue to be strengthened, that we would pursue quality time together.
* Specifically for Coleman, that he would be able to overcome his timidness and speak in Sunday School.  
*Maddy as she gets more involved in the youth group, that she would make good friends.
* These six ladies as they work at the Women's Shelter and make decisions for the girls and children living 
     there. (Brenda, Olivia, Deborah, Carlita, Aury, and Sylvia)