This site has been neglected by me in the last couple of months.....especially right now.  Between writing my sisters and Dad and Mom I've been running low on the motivation to get on here and write. 

I'm still in Nicaragua.   And I'm enjoying myself more and more everyday.  Sometime I WILL post pictures. 

There's been so many decisions and transitions around here.  More than I could ever tell you....it's been something. I'm going through this time like, "ok God I'm getting the message!"   Because I have a past of having difficulty when there are changes.  And here I am, right in the middle of more changes than EVER before.  And you know, I'm actually enjoying it.  Changes are an opportunity to see how, when , and where God is going work.  I remember once having the thought of, "yeah God, I like the idea of how George Mueller beleived You for every single thing.  I think I'd like to 'live by faith' like that".  Well, I feel like I've started that journey, in a way. 

I will be going home early.  The plan was for me to stay with our friends (a missionary family) until October....but they will be moving back to the states in July. Sooo I'll be going back then too.  At first I was a little disappointed. well...a lot disappointed.  But I'm starting to understand the meaning of the verse, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

This has been a growing experience for me. 

And I'm actually glad now that I'll go home in July.  It's all good.   God has a good plan.....

God is so good!  His mercies endure forever.

 My Mom has had a challenging last few days and my heart is full of compassion for her.  You know, "although the process is continuing the victory is secure".  GOD is a God of wonders.  When we get discouraged what do we do?.....look unto Jesus.  In our weakness HE IS STRONG.   Like the Bible says, the seen is temporal, the unseen is eternal.  The seen is temporal......subject to change. 

 Next week will be a busy one and one filled with transitions.  Please be praying for my Dad, Mom and family.  Next week I'll be going to Nicaragua.  Going to do anything and everything I can.  But mostly helping with the ministry (emails, newletters, website), teaching English and learning Spanish, and helping with our missionary friends children.  I'll be living with long-time missionary friends of ours. 

It's such an exciting (and at the same time nervous) adventure for me.  It almost seems like a dream to me...I can hardly believe that I'm ACTUALLY going.   God is so awesome.   This is very new and different for me.  Never been away from my family for 5 months....never really been away. 

Growing, and expanding.  I know this is what God is doing in me.  Stretching me way beyond my 'comfort zone' and everything comfortable and familiar.   It's good though....I've asked for it!

In decisions like these I ask God to give me a verse 'for this trip'. 

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;
         I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. Psalm 71:16

That's the verse :)

So I just thank you ahead of time for praying. 

Prayer requests- safety, boldness, wisdom, direction, open doors of utterance,  and that I'd not miss one opportunity the Lord brings along my path.

Looking unto Jesus,

Brittany

~ VALENTINE'S DAY 2008   As you can see, Natalie keeps us all enjoying life.  Just like we should be.

Birthday party at some friends' house

MARCH-    Birthdays, baby, wedding, and the rodeo........

I think the thrill of the whole night for Bradley and Bethany was riding in the bus to and from the rodeo. I could hardly believe it. Riding in a hot, smelly bus is something exciting!  At the end of the night they were asking, "DO WE GET TO RIDE IN THAT BUS AGAIN?!!" 

My birthday~

A friend's sweet little baby....born on my birthday!!!!  Sooo exciting.

Siobhan and me~ both March birthday girls. 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path ~Ps. 119:105

" I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
         I will guide you with My eye......

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 
      “ This is the way, walk in it,”
      Whenever you turn to the right hand
      Or whenever you turn to the left.......

"I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and mercy; I will worship toward and at Your holy temple in reverent fear and awe of You. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way level (straight and right) before my face."

"Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it."

Today at church a missionary couple spoke.  The wife had a heart for missions from a young age, went on a few mission trips, then got married and had a family.  She never knew if God would take her back to a foreign field.

Years later, her husband retired and guess what God did?! Sent them to the foreign mission field (Kenya).  And they're loving every minute of it. 

Tomorrow they will be traveling back to Kenya.  If you think about it please pray for them.  Over the last few months their country has been in alot of unrest.  Tribes that have lived together for years and got along great are now attacking each other. 

This couple is going back in such peace....they KNOW that Kenya is where God's called them. 

"The LORD is my light and my salvation—
       whom shall I fear?
       The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
       of whom shall I be afraid?

"For in the day of trouble
       he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
       he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
       and set me high upon a rock." -from Psalm 27

"For the LORD will be your confidence,
      And will keep your foot from being caught."- Proverbs 3:26

In the Lord there is strong confidence~

Brittany Elizabeth

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." ~2 Cor. 1:20

Think about it.   God only says, "no" to things that aren't His will....God's Word is His will.  He says YES to the things He's promised in the Bible. 

God says, YES, to-

Peace- John 14:27, Psalm 29:11

Long life- Psalm 91:16, Proverbs 3:2

Healing- Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 107:20, Acts 10:38

Joy- Psalm 16:11, Acts 13:52, Romans 14:17

and there are soooo many more promises of God. 

What are some other promises that you think of? 

Looking to Jesus,

Brittany

I'll follow where I left off.....

The trip to Nicaragua was really great.  I made lots of friends among our group and got to see all my 'old' friends again.  Especially to see and visit with the children again......that was my favorite. God spoke to me on this trip, personally and through someone else. 

   I'll put together a slideshow of the trip.  It was a packed 6 days....arrived late Saturday night, church, preparation, medical clinic for 3 full days, then the day before we left was shopping/sightseeing day. 

Christmas was wonderful...... our Grandparents, cousin and Aunt came and stayed with us, and we got to visit with all of our cousins who live close but who we hardly ever see.

We got to spend New Years in the hill country with our extended 'family'. :)  And getting to see alot of you fellow xanga friends (you know who you are!) was sooo much fun.

My parents are on the road driving home after spending the last few days away for their 25th wedding anniversary.  I'm so glad that they got to get away.  We've had a busy time around here with school, chores, cooking, piano lessons, velocity, park, Wal-mart trips, late nights, haircolor (Natalie), church, and last but certainly not least, disciplining.  Oh yeah, and a volcano!    

Lately, while cooking or driving the kids I've been listening to some teaching on The Flesh vs. the Spirit.  I've been thinking on it alot. 

  "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

"But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." (from Romans 7 and 8)

Some things that stood out-

We are free from the Law.    In our flesh, even if we wanted to, we can't keep God's commands.....it all has to be done in the Spirit, by the Spirit. As we walk in the Spirit we automatically obey the Law.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage......Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." from Galations 5

Love,

Brittany

 Our weekend was full.  But somehow I still managed to get a nap this afternoon.   That used to be my Sunday afternoon tradition. Yesterday Emily and I spent the day together.....early morning at the beach (it was actually beautiful!) and then at Dickens. 

Church today was great.  Hardly any teaching was done because there was worship, prayer and ministering.  Something that was said (and expounded on)--- "Let go of the past, there's no future in it" and "Worry is problems without answers; trust God, He has the answers". 

This afternoon our whole family went to a festival at Gloria Dei Lutheran church not too far from home. Snow, live nativity, cookie decorating, christmas cards to the military, school choirs, harpists, cookies, chai tea, coffee, hot chocolate, face painting, petting zoo, and seeing good friends....it was fun.

 Here are some pictures from the last two days....

Emily looking beautiful, just like always.

  Em's homemade hat....it costs so much cheaper! 

 During the parade I sat by this lady, got to talk with her for awhile (we were waiting for probably an hour) and pray with her.  She's been through alot, and was so grateful for someone to pray.   

 Victorian people in the parade

At the festival today.....Wes seems to really love animals. It's cute to watch him checking them out.

He always sticks out his tongue like this when he's concentrating...here he's decorating his cookie.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." 2 Chron. 16:9

In Christ,

Brittany

"In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]." Psalm 5:3(Amplified Bible)

A friend gave me this little booklet awhile back called, God Guides.  It was written by a lady named Mary, who was a missionary to India for 38 years.  The booklet is full of little stories with awesome testimony of the importance of LISTENING to God....

The author encouraged each person to sit and listen to God speak.  "When God speaks, write down His instruction, and then obey."  So simple.  Over and over families were reunited, marriages saved, children and adults healed, and guidance was given...all because of being still and knowing that HE IS GOD.

“Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you." Jeremiah 30:2

Often I go to God to get direction, to ask Him for His help........but do I ever close my mouth and listen to His voice speaking?.......I'm guilty!  Sooooo this is what I'm working on- being "Quick to hear, slow to speak..."

Learning to be quiet and listen to God.......it starts with getting still.  Which can be a challenge with the Christmas season here. 

I depend on God.   Even with going to God for help, I need help!   It's in our weakness His strength is made perfect.

This is something God's been teaching me.....if you wanted to know~

Love to all of you!

~a house   

~in Masaya, where the artisan village/market is 

Little Hearts Feeding Program at Oasis de Amor Inglesia (Church).  Here's various pictures-

The last week of our trip we spent a few hours each day with these adorable children~ By the way, I fell in love with every one of them!

In case you need a closer look at those chubby cheeks.....