Guzmans in Honduras

Ever had one of those times in your life where you are wondering what to pray for? Well, our family is going thru such a time right now. Without going into too many details, just know that we are facing major decisions this week, while we wait on the Lord to show us our next move.
I love the Word of God! After much crying and praying, praying and crying with my husband, I flung myself on the bed and went "Lord, what do you want? I don't even know what to pray for?" As He calmed me, I found myself in Psalms (again!)... specifically Psalm 40. vs. 5 "Many O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to you: were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." One thing God has taught me is that when things look uncertain or unclear, to remember His works... remember you are serving the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... He is the same today! Also, remember what He has done for you specifically.
Well... the next few verses gave me my answer of "what to do, what to do"... vs 7 "Here I am.." vs 8 "I desire to do Your will, O my God: Your law is within my heart." His will is our family's hearts desire. No matter what the outcome of this week... whether He tells us to stay or go, turn to the right or the left.... we have an assurance of a salvation that comes only from God.
Like David says in vs 6, we too are in a covenant to remain in His service, wherever that may be. David understood that the secret to a joyful life does not lie in empty sacrifice but in a lifestyle completely yielded to God's will. Wow! If David can write these words while running for his life... surely we can also say
"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvtion always say,
"The Lord be exalted!" (vs 16)
Keep us in your prayers this week. Pray that we continue to rest in Him and look to Jesus alone for satisfaction... for His glory.
We'll keep you updated!

"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23 That kinda struck me as odd when I first read those words. Why would thank offerings be a sacrifice? Well, what God has shown me lately is to be joyful in suffering. I know my suffering is nothing compared to His suffering while Jesus died on the cross for me. Yet I also know He is my Daddy and longs for me to truly know Him more. So.. sometimes it is hard to remember to give thanks. Sometimes it is easy.... today as I watched my toddlers giggle and play with the store clerks downtown, as I am cooking and can hear my husband and all four boys wrestling, when a friend calls just to see how I am feeling or just to chat... it's easy to be thankful. But all day today, God has been pressing many of you on my heart... those who are celebrating Thanksgiving for the first time without their loved ones, those who long for children and have none, those who long for a husband/wife to love, I know it is harder for you. So whatever your circumstance this holiday season, remember that we can magnify Christ in our sufferings as well as in our pleasure.
Thank all of you for your prayers for Chandler. He came home from school today all excited because his Spanish teacher smiled at him!! He is doing much better this week. Please continue to pray for he and Dalton as they struggle with learning the language in school. Well, I need to go make sure all my turkeys are thawed... we are hosting twenty people over here tomorrow... for some it is their first Thanksgiving celebration! Know my prayers for you tonight, Melissa

A few weeks ago, we "gringas" asked our Spanish teachers to teach us how to make flour and corn tortillas. The girl behind me is Carolina (Bill's current spanish teacher), beside me is Diana (my fav Spanish teacher and Bible Study partner), and in front is a very pregnant Esther! I learned I am pretty good at the flour tortillas... except when I dropped them on the floor! Oh well. It was alot of fun and delicious!

...it hasn't stopped raining for days...

This is a pic from Hurricane Beta... since then we have also had Tropical Depression Gamma hit this past week. The boys are enjoying their school being closed for "Red Alert" days (since they won't be out for snow days)! I have a whole new appreciation for Mrs. Noah. I also note that there were no toddlers on the ark!! Good thing.

Our roof has sprung many new leaks, but thankfully we don't have water flooding into the house.

Check out Marshall and Wyatt's new wheels! This is one of the few sunny days we have had lately...

Here's where I shop for fruits and veggies every Friday. I pick up half a dozen missionary wives who either don't have vehicles, or just want the fellowship and fun of getting excited over such luxuries as mandarin oranges (very rare), cauliflower that isn't black, or if we are lucky... strawberries! It really makes a necessary chore alot easier when we are all together! Then we go to the carneceria (meat market) and get dark, leafy lettuce ... if the boat came in from Roatan!

Hi everyone! Well, I am finally going to give this a try..."blogging"...our teammate, Stephanie, is challenging me to branch out of my normal updates to let those of you who "really want to know" share with our family in our struggles, victories, growths, and setbacks of living cross-culturally.
Another Sunday. Sundays seem to be the hardest on my heart, as I still really miss worshipping in English, understanding sermons, and taking a day to be with my family. Today we had team worship and lunch together, and it was really good. It is the day of prayer for the persecuted church, and we stood with them in crying out to our good God for mercy, help, and his perfect justice. The persecuted church has been on my mind alot lately... due to a great book, Safely Home, by Randy Alcorn. It is incredible... about the persecuted church in China. I followed reading that up by another recommended book by Randy Alcorn, Heaven. Good stuff. Anyway, today the passage in Revelation 7:9-17 again came alive to me as I pictured the martyrs standing before the Throne and the Lamb, singing. My heart joins with them too as they cry out "How long, Strong God, Holy and True? How long before you step in and avenge our murders?"(Rev. 6-9-11) So this encourages me as I face another week. It strengthens my faith, reminds me of my hope and inheritance waiting for me in heaven, and once again, God gently reminds me that this earth is not my home... and while I long for my "home" in the states, what my heart truly longs for is Him.
Pray for Chandler especially this week. He is having behavior problems at school, and mainly during the classes that are taught in Spanish. Pray that he attempts the work before him, even though he doesn't understand exactly what the teacher is telling him all the time =). Please pray for God to bring him a good friend, too.
Thanks for your faithfulness in prayer for our family, we love you more than you know!