A lot of things have changed in my life in the past year. I am a different person because of those changes. Oh, I still seek the Father, love him, love my family  and strive to walk in his Way… but, as I have tried to warn my children and encourage them in life: We are all always still the same person, just with more learning experiences: I am still the same person I was at 4, 10, 16, 25, etc… just different.

Here is the email. Chances are you have also received it.

‘The happiest of people don’t necessarily
Have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have.

I Believe…
That just because two people argue,
It doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.
And just because they don’t argue,
It doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I Believe…
That we don’t have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe….
That no matter how good a friend is,
They’re going to hurt you every once in a while
And you must forgive them for that.

I Believe…
That true friendship continues to grow,
Even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe…
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life.

I Believe….
That it’s taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be.

I Believe…
That you should always leave loved ones with
Loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe….
That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.

I Believe….
That we are responsible for what
We do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe…
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe…
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe….
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe….
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe…
That sometimes when I’m angry
I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe….
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many Birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I Believe….
That it isn’t always enough,
To be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe…
That no matter how bad your heart is broken
The world doesn’t stop for your grief..

I Believe….
That our background and circumstances
May have influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe…
That you shouldn’t be so eager to find
Out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe…..
Two people can look at the exact same
Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe….
That your life can be changed in a matter of
Hours by people who don’t even know you.

I Believe….
That even when you think you have no more to give,
When a friend cries out to you -
You will find the strength to help.

I Believe…
That credentials on the wall
Do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe…
That the people you care about most in life
Are taken from you too soon.

Needless to say, I still have a lot to learn…

Shalom to you and may you be blessed because of these words~

Ok, so we are a little worried about the bugs in Costa Rica!

A week ago, Lucy was playing near me on the floor, when I hear her say, “OOOHHHHHH!! That, That!!!”, pointing at the floor.
Wondering if she was overreacting or if there really was one of the giant wolf spiders hiding under the stool,I asked, “What?”.
“THAT, right there!” she said, rather excited.
“What is it?” I asked.
“It’s a, it’s a THING!” she stammered.

[I still thought she was overreacting...]

Since I was holding Samuel, I called Rachel in, and after close inspection and Lucy continuing to go on and on about “the thing”, Rachel allays all of our fears by saying,

“IT’S A HAIRBALL, Lucy!”.

Internet

We bought a 3G wireless USB plugin and a wireless router so we could do all of our online work at the same time, rather than in shifts, late into the night. It was a great plan, and it would have worked perfectly, had we had all the directions. (or maybe it had something to do with the directions being in Espanol, though I doubt it, since we weren’t the only ones who couldn’t figure it out!) Even the guys on the other end of the 1-800 Latin America, Costa Rica division number hadn’t heard of this model, and it was only sold in Costa Rica!

However, after going over directions over and over and following through online at D-Link, Jocelyn was finished with it, and we were using the 3G USB individually anyway for a couple of weeks….

July 21st rolled around, and we still had limited internet access. Then, Matt called the D-Link guys back and after disabling the password code on the USB, it was all set! So, we were all so glad that Matt got the network hooked up.

Planning our visa renewal trip…
We have known since we got here to Tilaran area that we would be making this trip to Nicaragua before the end of July. Little did we know that the Father had it all set up that Joel from CLMinistries would also need to go.
As for when we had too leave, most of the countries I had checked on, in relations with US citizens, are every 90 days you leave the country. You do NOT have to return to the States. You can go to whatever country you choose. Costa Rica is this way. We need to renew our visas every 90 days until we leave the country.
We talked about a couple of places and were looking for what they call hostels there. There were some in the other towns, but not in Rivas. We chose Rivas due to ease of getting there by bus and taxi. So, after looking , we made reservations at The Hotel California”. Yep, it was weird to me, and I couldn’t get that stupid song out of my head for days. erghhhh.

Paypal
This went on for a couple of weeks that Paypal limited our acct. Our crime? we have been accessing it from CR. We had NOT TAKEN ANY MONEY OUT, mind you, but ACCESSED it. WHAT?!?!?!?!?
So, for a couple of weeks, we couldn’t get the money out of it. Paypal’s idea to confirm our location – where we hadn’t even taken any money out of – was to send us a letter, we had to take a pic of it (yeah, right! Our camera was stolen!) to prove it’s our acct and that we are here…
ACKK!!

Thanks to my sister, Jen, for taking that photo and emailing it to us so we could send it to them and clear our good name!

I heard about this new HR5741 on Friday.
“To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and
42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed
services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense
and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the
uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements
of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.”
One thing I began to understand in the past 2 years is this: We have to go through these times. The world WILL get worse, and the GOV, both – all- parties, will be party to its demise. I mean, let’s face it, it will be the systems of the world against Yah. THAT is what we are looking at to happen.
SO…. there will come a time when the people will be ignored and the GOV will press on against the people into the one world anti-messiah system.
I believe that is already happening. So many things will be happening that we don’t expect….
The Father is ready to allow these things to happen, and we need to be prepared as all these things come to pass…..
It’s just Matt. 24, in the words of our Messiah…

Making the Trip to Nicaragua

We hand-washed most of the laundry for the 3 days before we left, and on Thursday, Rachel went with Matt to a friends’ and finished up a few loads before our trip to Nicaragua.

Got up early on Friday morning and caught a bus at 5am. Someone (I won’t mention Jocelyn’s name) left two of the passports in the printer, but we checked for them at the but stop and had time to run(literally) home and get them before the bus came….
(more to come on that whole Exit Trip thing….)

It was hot and muggy in Nicaragua. We were told that there are fewer ants, but many more mosquitoes!! And the mosquitoes are on full alert. Yikes!
To me, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and prob most of the world, look just like other parts of the world to me. No culture shock for any of us. The grassy roads reminded us of home and cities are cities, you know… peaceful, like our country road. More horses, cows, goats, chickens and dogs in the road, but reminded me of good ‘ole Pook Rd.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm!! One thing we ate plenty of in Nicaragua was messy, sloppy, sweet watermelon. It was only about 0.75US, so it was a good deal, especially for those of us who love it!! Let’s face it: watermelon is delicious in any country!! We did get sick of eating chicken hot dogs, bread and turkey sandwiches, though… but we aren’t complaining. There were plenty of fruits: oranges, apples, and watermelon, so it was all good!

The trip went well. Not so much puking this time, but a little more waiting. We did have trouble getting back into Costa Rica, but that was our fault, and it just delayed things was all.

Shabbat – Torah

For Shabbat, I watched this video. If you want to know more about the Narrow Way, YHVH has given us the directions, all we have to do is to set ourselves apart and do them.
It is a Scripture study this week by Paul Nison.
Torah Parashah 45: Obedience to Yahweh

Jocelyn has been looking for some jewelry for us all to wear now for awhile that says the Sh’ma, to wear them on our wrists and found these: http://www.etsy.com/listing/6633581/white-shofar-sterling-silver-and-white

Family Accomplishments

Samuel’s been working on the Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma for a few weeks, getting that and putting the hand across the side of the chin(he actually just bends his fingers to me)… and today, he has the Mamamamammamamaaa down instead of just the bending the fingers to call me.

And, check out these photos of the girls from before we left the States:
A Pondering Heart » Do Something… I Dunno… Weird.

I will leave you with a quote from my friend, Ruth McLean, at But First, We Have Coffee:
“Real love is an act of the will, a determination you make in your mind that it is what you will do in spite of your feelings.”

Shalom~

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And, yes, Samuel is much better, so I am no longer Staying In My Bathroom! Thanks for your prayers!

Shalom friends~

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I recently discovered her site: bless-my-budget.com. I have to share this series with you: Tips to Keeping Warm Without Spending A Fortune.

You can follow Penny on Twitter: @pennyraine and through her blog updates.

Shalom!

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Her article is the first in a new column at TDTW entitled, Every Wise Woman Builds Up Her Home

Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman builds up her home, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Her post is about ironing and shows her true heart and calling in praying for loved ones as she works. Go on over and read it: I Hate Ironing, But I LOVE My Hubby!

You will be blessed!

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