We are his hands...

sans cafe

Coffee is lovely. It's so comforting... and warm... and great during the winter or when you need to stay awake in the middle of the night. I enjoy coffee so much that I knew it was the thing I had to fast from. That ..and chocolate. :S

I wanted to start off this new year differently. I really wanted to dedicate 2012 to God, and instead of running around trying to accomplish things in my own strength, I wanted to completely give everything to the Lord. I have made some goals or resolutions but I know that neither coffee or chocolate will help me accomplish them. Obviously.... but this next week is a small lesson in discipline. Disciplining myself to forget myself and my superficial desires and instead focus on the Lord. It will be a time to pray and seek guidance.

"Self-indulgence is the enemy of gratitude, and self-discipline usually its friend and generator. That is why gluttony is a deadly sin. The early desert fathers believed that a person's appetites are linked: full stomachs and jaded palates take the edge from our hunger and thirst for righteousness. They spoil the appetite for God."

- Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., The Reformed Journal (November 1988)


Throughout the bible there are so many examples of people who fasted: Jesus, Ezra, John the Baptist, Moses, Daniel etc. These people denied themselves for a period of time to focus on Him who provides that which gives life and comfort. Often times of change or uncertainty or key times to fast. Times when the Lord needs to be our compass. I know that the decisions I make for this next year need to be made out of a love for God and not myself. So I'll start out by denying myself...even if its just coffee and chocolate...

It was a white Christmas

You're always guaranteed a white Christmas in Thunder Bay!
It never gets old.

Christmas

Isaiah 9:6

⁶ For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

          Merry Christmas 2011 everyone! When you look back on this past year I pray that you see God in every thing that has happened. If you belong to Him it's all been for your ultimate good. Now for 2012... I hope you resolve to live fully for the one who bought you with His Son. The one who's birth we celebrate today. He was born so He could die, and that we may live. That is a truth worth celebrating..So Merry Christmas and God bless you! 2012 here we come.

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown

Christmas season is now in full swing. I had such a sweet time in Honduras but now its time to buckle down and get ready for all the festivities! While I was down there my sister played the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special for her grade 4 class. They loved it!

I thought I'd share a clip from the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Its such a classic.

Here Linus explains what Christmas is all about:

A Honduran-American Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in Honduras was wonderful. Good friends, good fellowship and gooood food! So much to be thankful for.

Psalm 100:3-4
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him,; bless his name!

Yesterday was my first full day here in Honduras. It was so cool to see my sister teaching and to meet all the kids in her class. Apparently they were very misbehaved  but I thought they were pretty good! They all seemed extremely smart and creative...and hilarious! Laur's got her hands full but it's evident she's the girl for the job.
After school we had a quick nap then headed down the mountain with a few of Lauren's friends to play BINGO! Random right? Apparently her friend Richard used to volunteer for the special olympics and this was a fundraiser for it.

The Hotel it was held at was beautiful and right across the street was a mall with stores like 'zara'
and 'old navy'. A stark contrast from many of the neighbourhoods we had passed on the way there.