Visiting Home

We are half way through our visit home and have not wasted a minute catching up with family and friends.  If only we could fit more minutes in the day...

As part of the Nicaraguan laws, after 6 months we have to leave the country.  At the 3 month mark we are allowed to apply for another 3 month extension (this was not so easy).  Then at the 6 month mark we have to leave the country.  This was a great time to come home for a visit because God blessed us with another sweet nephew and my little brother was getting married!  We can't express the joy and love that we are feeling right now!

  Our newest nephew:  Max Parker

   ADORABLE!!!!!

                         My little brother, Andrew, and my newest sister, Erin!
                            It was a perfect day and they were both gorgeous!

 

 

 

Hike with Papa John & Nannie (Jeremy's parents).  Fun times!

                      Visit with Paw Paw.  This is Jeremy's 90 year old grandpa. 
                                                 We love to hear his laugh!

                                  Had to have time with the bestie, Natalie!

                                                  My Mommy and Me!

 

Four of our precious treasures and blessings:

 

 

Besides the joyous occasions mentioned and many visits with family and friends, we are using this time also to visit a few churches, preschools, and AWANA clubs.  We are thankful for every opportunity to share about what God is doing in Nicaragua and how people can help.  People have been so giving in MANY areas.  Some are collecting shoes for those in need, collecting treasure bag items for the children in the villages when they memorize their Bible verses, donating money for Spanish Bibles, and helping us with some of our personal needs.  We are extremely grateful for everything!  It will be exciting to send back pictures of all the ones that will receive these items that were given in love and sacrifice.

We are enjoying our time state side, but our thoughts and prayers are constantly in Nicaragua.  How is Isamari doing in school?  Are Jackson, Yader, Shelya, and the many other children in the villages learning their verses while we are away?  How are our friends at the Deaf Association?  How about our church and their revival?  How are our new friends and fellow missionaries?  The list can go on and on.  We will enjoy each moment here in N.C. but are thankful for our new home and ministry in Nicaragua.  God has blessed us and we are grateful!!

Prayer Requests:
  *Nicaragua residency - We are collecting the necessary paperwork to try to begin the residency process for Nicaragua.  This will enable us to stay in Nicaragua longer without leaving every 3 to 6 months.  We have heard this is a long and expensive process.  But if we receive the residency then there will be tremendous benefits - time and money will be saved in the long run.  Please help us pray that God will go before us and make the way straight and easy.
  *Please join us in praying for God to give us clarity on our current and future ministries.  There are so many possibilities but not enough time or man-power.  We know for God to be effective in our lives we need to focus on a few ministries and do them well instead of spreading ourselves too thin and doing a halfway job. 
  *Spanish learning!  We are praying this break will help our brains be ready to absorb more when we return.
 
THANK YOU for being a part of our family and lives!