3 Big Changes for the DeLucca Fam!

It's been busy around here that is for sure. We have several big changes to announce, two good and one sad one.

1. Sammy is starting preschool! He will begin his first day at Sonshine Day this coming Monday and we are just as tickled as can be. It has taken a little while to get to the happy part, I was at first upset, then aprehensive but prayer works and now I am totally excited. The change occured b/c our dear sweet wondeful heaven-sent Gloria hurt her knee playing with Sammy last week. Not just regular kind of hurt I mean tore her miniscus and several other things. Ouch and did I feel guilty, uh yes I sure did! My giant boy took another one down. We waited on pins and needles for her MRI report to come back and then we got the news, at least 2 months before she can watch the kids again. OH NO. Thankfully God is so good and we got the call that very same day that Sonshine Day had a spot for him. It was such a God thing. We had put him on the waiting list a few months ago just in case something came up & what do you know. Wow is all I have to say. We met his teacher and saw his classroom and we go for orientatin on Sat morning. Sammy will get to have a couple of hours in the room with his new buddies while we are in the orientation so that will be good warm up for Monday.

2. Sam was sworn in today and is now officially "Reserve officer Samuel DeLucca" with the University of Florida Police Dept. This will be a part time position but will sure help us out until something full time comes through. I included a few pics and video from when he was sworn in. As much as he hated GPD and was glad to leave he said it sure feels good to have a badge and gun again and I must say, mamma aint hating looking at him in his uniform again! GRRRR!

Please pray with us over his most recent application (we've lost count at this point. We think this is his one trillion and thirty second application) just kidding, but Sam has applied for an amazing job with the Eigth Judicial Court and it is just perfect for him. He would be a juvinile justice coordinator and it would be just so wonderful. He has the application submitted and we are now just waiting on a call back hopefully for him to come in for an interview. Please pray hard! We need this so badly!

3. Our sad news is that we have to say good bye to our sweet dog Franklyn. We just love Franklyn and he is seriously the perfect dog. He is so smart, such an intelligent dog and is simply the best we could ever ask for. He is my little shaddow and I don't know what I will do without him. We decided it is better to give him to a home where he can live and be happy than to keep him here with us and be selfish. Franklyn has just grown in fear as Sammy has aged and now sadly he spends most of his days shaking and trembling and hiding under the tables. He is just so scared of Sammy and he growls when Sammy even comes near. Just yesterday Sammy tried to hug him and give him a kiss and he snapped at Sammy's face. It is not Franklyn's fault, I am actually glad he snaps b/c I am sure that has saved his life by keeping him alive up until this point. Sammy was so rough with him at first as he began to be mobile. We have done our best to teach him to love and be sweet with Franklyn and he is for the most part but even when he hugs him it it too tight. Our little Tank is only 6 lbs so a car smacking into his head is a big deal for him. I hate seeing the Tank like this. He is a different dog. So sad. Plus we had to go down to the cheap food for him and we can't buy the treats and he is now overdue with the vet upkepp b/c we can't afford vet bills so, overall we just feel like we have to do what is best for him rather than keep him just b/c it makes us feel better since we'd miss him. Ok better stop typing about it or I will break down and cry. =( I'll keep you posted on him and his new family.

Yay, I'm turning 29 again!!!

Well I am in disbelief that tomorrow is my 30th birthday! How did this happen to me? I don't feel like an old lady but I think back to what I thought of 30 year olds when I was 16 and yup, I was certain they were all old ladies. Now that my time is here though, I have decided to fully embrace the aging process! I have done some cognitive restructuring and decided that I am just delighted to turn 30. I think I was dreading it b/c I started thinking last week how I have accomplished none of the things I had planned to have done by the time I was 30. Here is a list of my biggies I had planned on:

1. Would have completed my degree by now

2. Well established in my career by now

3. Already interviewed by CNN (ha ha! hillarious now that I thought that would even happen)

4. Would have 3 children and next year at 31 would be working on #4

5. Would feel wise and have the whole life thing figured out

6. Would not be scared of walking in to my house alone when it is dark

7. Would eat hot sauce, not prefer drumsticks as best part of chicken (since ya know, that is the kid part), and would not need to put syrup on my greens to eat them

None of these things have happened yet! Not a single one. So, after some thinking I have decided that where I am in life is just fine. Although I haven't accomplished those things, and surely don't have the life thing figured out,I have accomplished personal things that are so much more important. I am finally free to be me and love myself despite my flaws. I am constantly working to improve myself and grow in my faith to be more like my Jesus. I want to make HIM proud. I feel like all my accumlated life expreinces really have given me some wisdom that can help others in similar situations. I finally don't worry so much about the opinions of others. I actually like to go against the crowd and be unique. I have fully embrased that I am a book nerd and can laugh at all my nerdy ways. I laugh at the moments where I hear things coming out of my mouth without thinking and realize I actually have turned into my mother, which is great and I love it. I just have fully embraced me, it took me many years to get here but at the ripe old age of 29 years and 364 days old I can finally say I like me and smile.

I sure never thought my life would be going in the direction it is now. I mean, seriuosly, if you would have told me at 16 that at age 30 I was focused on a career in RESEARCH which involved being a book nerd (ugh, like that is so totally not cool, like c'mon) and statistics (like so gross!) and would be married to Sam DeLucca (seriously, the guy that sits behind me in geography?? Like that is so totally out there!) or that I would be obsessed with mission work in Guatemala (like that is so weird) I would have thought you were nuts! Seriously, I really did say the word "like" about 100 times a day then. I am just glad that God stepped in and had better plans for my life.

I remember trying to decided what I wanted to "be". I took just about every intro class out there trying to decide. Intro to journalism since I was going to be an anchor woman, marine biology b/c of my ever promising career as a dolphin trainer (thank you mom for pointing out that I would have to wear a wetsuit to work every day, that image quickly changed my mind), anthropology b/c I decided I wanted to study the Dobe Ju/'Hoansi Tribe in Africa (ya know a specific African tribe that talks in click sounds) and learn more about them (again thank you mom for pointing out the amount of shots I would need to do this career, again quickly changing my mind).Then there was my career in interior design, I had planned to become a famous interior designer for celebrities so I could witness to them all (wow is all I have to say about that) but then I did one very long boring day of career shadowing with an interior design specialist at Ethan Allen and my mind was changed. These are only just a few of the plans I had in my little head. I remember talking with my mom when the time came that I had to declare a major. I had gone back and forth on several areas of study and finally my mom asked me what I was passionate about. I responded with helping children ,of course. Then I quikcly reminded her that it conflicts with what I picture for my future. When I pictured myself working and having a career, I pictured myslef going into a big fancy corporation building wearing sophisticated & stylish cute suits and heels and carrying a gorgeous breif case. I wish I could have seen my mom's face at that moment when she realized the criteria I was using to actually decide on my major. I am sure there were many prayers going up on my behalf that evening. Thanks for never giving up on me mom! =)

So, as you can see, I am VERY thankful that I got to the point where I stopped planning out my life and just prayed and gave it all to God. I still remember that moment in my old bedroom in my house I grew up in. With my head on my cloud pillow case all snuggled in my silver satin comforter, I asked God to direct me and reveal to me what His plans were. It wasn't over night but the way certain doors closed and others opened was such a God thing. I like to look back now in my old age and see just how quickly things fell into place at that point in my life. Best thing is God isn't done yet! He is still directing and guiding me showing me where He needs me to be.

I guess on this, the eve of my 30th bday, I am feeling eager for what is next in life. I love where I am in life. I won't lie and say I am content career wise only b/c I am so beyond ready to graduate and MOVE ON with things but every other aspect of my life is a pleasant surprise. I am thankful for the unanswered prayers for #s 1-4 on my above list. Glad He had bigger and better plans for me, better than even my wildest dreams. Guess this is why my fav verse is Jeremias 29:11-12.

I am really excited about tomorrow, Sam apparently has a fun day planned that I am allowed to know nothing of. In fact, he has ordered me to bed early tonight so he can start things... hmmmm! Can't wait to see what is in store and most excited about NOT WORKING and NOT mentioning the word quals (qualifying exams) for an enitere day!

As a little bday gift to me.... would you mind leaving a comment and answer this question? I would LOVE to hear what you have to say!

When you were 16, what did you see yourself doing at age 30?? Can't wait to read your answers!

My appendix has decided to stay and other ramblings

I have good news to report~ my doctor called and all is well that ends well! He ran just about every test and he said that my labs were the best out of all those he was reviewing. My white blood cell counts are beautiful, liver & kidney enzymes perfect, iron, thyroid, and a few other tests all perfectly normal and he sees no cause for concern. PTL! So seems like my appendix is pleasantly content to stay in my body right where I want it to be! Yay!


We are happily returning to normal life, or well our own special version of "normal" whatever that may be although Guatemala is still all we talk about. They are still ever present in our thoughts and on our hearts. We spent the afternoon with our Hannah Banana last week and it was so good to see her! It had been a little over two weeks, we all were missing her. Sammy had been asking several times a day for her and you should have seen his face when she & I pulled up in front of the house. His little head popped out of the front door and he squealed! Fun times! We had a fun trip up to Jacksonville this weekend to visit Cindy and she spoiled us rotten. Cooked us yummy dinner & breakfast and had fun stuff for Sammy. He just adores her! He has asked for her several times since. We went from her house to Sam's parents and had fun with them Sarah & Brenan. We all took him on a choo choo ride in the Avenues Mall, we must have been quite a sight. Sam & I were in the first car, his parents had Sammy in the second, and Sarah and Brennan were in the last car. I just love watching him as he spends time with family. I love seeing him eat up all the attention and deepen those relationships. Just so sweet. Sarah and Brenan have set the date for their wedding, it will be Feb 20th! So excited for them, they are too cute. I am super impressed with their rapid wedding planning. It has only been little over month I think since he proposed and so much is already accomplished! She is taking 5 classes this semester so wanted to get bulk out of way, smart girl!

As with our other mission trips to Guatemala, we are still pondering all that we experienced while there. I feel like we experience 10 days worth of things in each day there b/c so much goes on. It makes me sad b/c I feel like I have so many stories not just from this trip but our others too that we will never be able to tell. Sure they spill out in conversations as something sparks my memory but I wish I could just capture all of my thoughts and feelings while there. Speaking of.. Andrea, I missed your journaling this year! I try to keep a journal each year but our days are so packed and by the time my head hits the pillow it is all I can do to write 2 pages (not nearly enough) before I am in dreamland. Thus given my new found love of blogging this year, perhaps stories will leak out on here as I feel inspired. =)


Reentry to the states has become easier after each trip but it is still difficult to adjust back to life in the states after being in a third world country. In fact, we spend time talking about reverse culture shock in our team meetings before each trip so that those going can be prepared for the thoughts and emotions you experience when you return. I remember our first trip left such an impression on me that I couldn't go into the mall for a solid 2 months! That is about the time my fashion really hit a low b/c I just couldn't even get excited about clothes and shoes like I had before and we all know that means I was SERIOUSLY affected. It is weird b/c we had seen poverty in the West Indies and Bahamas and we have poverty here in the states obviously but seeing it as we did in Guat, names & faces and life stories was just different. Heart wrenching. Needless to say after returning from our fourth trip the reverse culture shock is not that drastic but my heart still is heavy and burdened. It is difficult to hang out and hold typical conversations with people, to look around and see people consumed with daily life and I can't help but wonder what weighs on their hearts. Do they share a burden for the hurting and opressed or are they worried about making their next nail appointment on time? Usually I feel this sense of urgency to hurry up and just acclimate to "normal" life again so that I can enjoy the American lifestyle with a raised awareness free of guilt but this time as weird as it may seem I am actually praying that the nagging pain I feel in my soul will not lessen with time. I don't want to so easily push aside all that I've seen and felt.

I think perhaps the plight of the typical Guatemalan became abundantly more clear to me on this trip more than ever before b/c of my experience in the hostpital (several have asked when I will write about that, I will in time but for now see Sam's post about his side of our experience on his blog -Augst 9th post "Speedbumps, Scorpions, and a blessing named Tim"here. This trip I saw the depths of poverty experienced there in a new light. I became so aware of the times I have complained about our "gross" carpet (you know because it is berber and not plush, oh it is a hard life indeed) or decided against inviting a group of friends over b/c our house was not in tip top shape or I felt we didn't have enough room. In Guat a family a 6 can live in a slum house or hut with dirt floor that is literally the size of our bathroom. Did I feel guilty for my complaining and how easily I take our lifestyle for granted? Yup.

Once through customs in Miami you are bombarded by the difference in our lifestyle and theirs. Typically the flights back from Guat to the states are filled with mostly Guatemalans, dressed to the nines, eagerly anticipating their stay in the the good ol' US of A. I have gathered from several conversations with random strangers over the years that several are going for the first time. I love the cheers that all the passengers give when we land, didn't here those on my flights back from Bahamas or Canada. I just remember staring at our tiny fellow Guatemalan passengers as we all exited customs & baggage claim together and wondering what their first impressions of America were? What would they think of us afer a week in the states? Would they wonder why so many Americans have so much yet seem to do so little for others?

Now that I know what I have seen there what will I do?

I will not begin to appear as if I have the answer to this one. =) All I can say is I am in prayer as to how I can better help and make more of a difference. I know that what I have seen there is not right and not how it is supposed to be, not what God intended. I will leave you with this quote I found a while ago on the LPM blog. Just seemed perfect for how I am feeling.


“The cry for justice in the world, then, must be taken up and amplified by the Christian church, as the proper response to the voice of the living God. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of the Spirit indicate that there are ways forward…Christians should be energetic in advocating and pursuing that justice for which all human beings long and which burst upon the world, in a fresh and unexpected way, through Jesus.” (N.T. Wright)

I'm back!

She's all grown up!!! Here is Cristina, still can't believe she is 15 now! How did she age while I have stayed so young?

(Gloria this was taken to show you she loved the shirt you sent!)

Casa 2009 Team minus Pat who was sick in bed =(

How on earth will I ever sum up our trip to Guat in one blog post?? Impossible! We had such an awesome trip, even with coming home early. Best news of all is our team saw 7 of the girls in the Esperanza Arriba dorm pray to accept Jesus into their hearts and then 17 in the village! Isn't God amazing??? I am just thrilled beyond beleif, all of the planning and expense etc of the trip would have been worth it for just one but 24! woohoo! We had such an awesome team this year, I have no doubt in my mind that God knew exactly who those kids needed when he moved in the hearts of the 18 of us who were there. I was so proud of the youth who went! They had such great attitudes and were just so helpful and hard working. They went totally out of their comfort zones to minster to and reach the kids/teens in Guatemala. In fact, I heard that Shelby was just awesome out in the village and led several to Christ, wish I could have been there for that. We all just had so much fun together and I hope they will all consider returning. Only wish I could have had more time with them.

I can't describe just how wonderful it was to be back there. It really was like a homecoming of sorts to arrive back at Casa. Just to see the faces of all of those we love and hold in our hearts, to be able to actually hold them in our arms and tell them all the things we have wanted to say over the year is priceless. The time we spent with Cristina was just wondeful, literally a dream come true. She totally blew us away with how mature and grown up she is now. She really is wise for her years, I just could not be more proud of her. She was such a help to our team, just hated that I had to leave her early (*tears*). I hope she writes a book one day, we could all learn a lot from her.

I think the most valuable thing I learned in those first few days of our trip was the importance of our communication with the kids throughout the year. There are several kids plus our friends Alex & Sarah who are the dorm parents in Esperanza Arriba that we write to and email throughout the year. It made such a difference in the closeness we experienced with them and had truly helped to strengthen our relationships. It just felt like we were visiting some of our extended family. I loved it! It reafirmed for me that regardless of how little time I feel I may have I should always take the time to write them, it shows them that we genuinely care about them and they don't just dissapear from our thoughts and prayers after we leave.

Casa has gone through many changes with folks coming and going and all of the adoptions underway but one thing that I love and has remained true is how you can just see God working. He is such a part of everything there from having the specific wire needed for an electrical problem to multiplying items when just a few short. There are many other examples to give but in sum He does not tire of helping to meet the needs of each child who ends up at Casa. It is such a mixture of a place. Some kids had just arrived there, infact an abused 12 year old girl arrived the day we left, and others have lived there all their life. Although some have heard Mike & others preach countless times, they remain so resistent to the message they share and mostly to God's pull at their heart. Their hearts are so hardened and closed, rightfully so after all they have endured, and they just ignore those little tugs to turn to Him. We go so that we may hopefully in some small way find a way to reach them, maybe all we can do is to help chisel away at the walls they have built. Just being His hands and feet by loving them & spending time playing a game or chatting may be all we can do. For others we are able to take it a step farther and God uses us to speak to them through something we share in a devotion or conversation they decide to let go and just give thier lives to God. Thankfully there are many there who have already given their lives to Christ and are allowing Him to heal their hurt and these are such an inspiration to see. We go for them too, so that we can help them grow in their faith but these children end up teaching us so many lessons in return. It is quite difficult to remain complacent and hung up on little stuff when you have seen how they are just filled with joy and even love, YES LOVE, for those who abused and left them. They seek God wholeheartedly and yearn for Him daily and are so giving. They who have hardly anything of their own in the world, perhaps some money from a sponsor and a couple of drawers with clothes and personal items, give so freely to the other kids and US. Yes US. I was amazed at the several children who sent little tokens of their love home with me. I learned a great deal on this trip, most of which I haven't had the time/chance to even fully process. God used them to work on my heart just as much as he used me to work in theirs.

One thing I told the girls during our first devotion time was that God has HUGE plans for Guatemala and he obviously isn't done yet b/c he put them on each of our hearts all the way in the US and helped us make it there. He put words in our hearts to share with them because he needs them to grow in their relationship with him and become strong young ladies of faith. He wants to use them to reach the many who are hurting and lost in Guatemala and really make a difference in their country. Their dorm includes girls from 8 to 15 years old, such a pivitol time in their lives. Those are tough years for all girls, regardless of the country or culture they grow up in and it is a time when they are making choices regarding who they want to be in life. I hope and pray each day that they will turn to Him to heal them and depend on. When all is said and done, especially for those girls who could be taken from Casa the next day or left there for years, Jesus is the never changing one they CAN depend on. Its always sad to return expecting to see certain kids and then to learn they were removed. We always hope they were placed in a good situation and will be well cared for but unfortunately that is not always the case. I know I will most likely never see them again, my window of time with them is gone but hopefully I will see them one day in heaven.

At the beginnng of our trip when I struggled with leaving Sammy I was reminded of a quote from Mike Clarke from our first trip there (thanks to Andrea S), he simply stated that his firm belief is that nobody walks through the doors of Casa by accident. This is true not only for the children and teens but for the missionaries and those of us who come on short term trips. My life is always changed by being there and I grow so much in my faith each visit. It is so great to be able to serve and focus completely on God without any of the distractions we have here. I often describe mission trips as being like we are on a vacation with God because He is just the center and focus of every single aspect of each day. It irks me to no end that I am not able to maintain that when here in the states and living out my plain ol' ordinary day to day life. I want to be the me I am in Guatemala when I am here. If I can be completely transparent, I am still pondering this. Part of me thinks well then just DO IT! The other part of me is not so naieve and aknowledges that spiritual warfare is alive and well and I am only human. Realism does play a role, but then is it really unrealistic to want that? Your thoughts on this?

Oh I have so much more I want to share but it is late and I am tired and so off to bed I go. One last tidbit of our trip is related to sweet little Miss Klyie America Anderson. We were able to be there for Kylie's dedication, it was such a sweet special time. I have written before how my friend Andrea & Dave have been trying to adopt her for 3years now. They have waited so long to bring Kylie home. Get this.. she comes home FRIDAY!!! That's right they get her visa tomorrow and they fly home Friday! YAY!!!!!!!!!!Mike (the founder of Casa) had a sweet message for Andrea & Sheila. Shelia's adoption of her daughter Lilly is also in final stages and how about Lilly & America are best friends at that??Just so sweet to see them being dedicated together. I hope their families will remain in contact all of their lives so they can grow up together in the states. Andrea was so sweet to let me hold Kylie during the praise and worship time. Kylie was just so precious it brought me to tears, literally! She had been staying off campus with Andrea prior to that and coming back to Casa for the service was obviously very hard and confusing to her. She was scared and it just broke my heart to see her so worried like that. We figured she was worried Andrea would leave her there and not take her back with her. I fully enjoyed holding her & dancing with her and whispering sweet things in her ear. She just clung so tight, oh I would have given anything to make the adoption final at that moment. I did get to see a different side of Kylie as they were getting ready to leave Casa and head back to the hotel. She was just so happy, running around and talking with Lilly. She loved the princess necklaces & hippo we brought her and she was all smiles. She sure loves her mama and I just can't wait to see a pic of her getting off the plane and arriving in the states. What a dream come true! Wish I could be there for her party that is already scheduled for Sat. =(

Since I left so unexpectedly my beloved team mates packed up all our belongings and my camera charger apparently just rebelled and decided to stay in Guat. I totally understand why, I mean I did fully intend to take way more pictures than I did but in the end this results in me not being able to access any of my pics until a new one arrives. BOO!!! In the mean time since I just can't post without a pic, here are a few of my friend Kelly's. =) The video is from their praise and worship and is my fav song they sing, I jump and pound my fist in the air right along with them, its great excersise, lol. Oh how I long to be there for this song just one more time!

Here is Chica, one of our prayer kids, isn't she beautiful. She too has grown up on us so fast. She is another I could not be more proud of. A beautiful girl with a beautiful story to tell.

boys waiting to make friendship bracelets, were shocked at how much they LOVED it!

We absolutely LOVED being there with Sarah, Sammy's babysitter. She was such a great addition to our team. My favorite quote had to be "please don't drop the mattress you will kill your babysitter!" still cracks me up. Anyways, the kids just adored her! She was so great with them. Why she didn't just tuck this cutie pie into her suitcase and bring her home is beyond me.

Below: The Chatfield Family (Shawn, Wendy, Shelby, & Riley) were a blast to be with, here they are with several new friends! Shawn coined mine and Sam's nicknames of "Wimpy & Gimpy" the night before we had to leave as I was so ill and Sam could barely walk given his knee injury while playing soccer there

adios amigas!

The Anderson Family.. it's offical!!! Kylie is legally their daughter and coming home in just few days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cristina and Josue... young love, so cute!

Well we are all packed and ready to head off to the big Guat! I can't believe it is finally here, we have spent all year planning, preparing, and praying for this trip and now that the day is here I feel almost taken by surprise! Silly huh? Today was bittersweet. I was sure to get most of our packing and prep stuff done yesterday so that I could spend a lot of time with my sweet baby boy. Last night was hard as I did the bedtime routine with him, I couldn't help thinking how long it would be before I could do that again. Ok, I know, only 11 days but that is a looong time to be away from your baby! I prayed over him and felt some peace about it but then this morning I was almost in tears by breakfast time, go figure! He was just being so adorable and extra lovey. I decided to make him a big ol thick piece of french toast WITH SYRUP! That is big time around here, I think he has only had syrup one other time in his life. I had a nice little chat and explained how what we have been praying about has come, Mommy & Daddy will be going to Guatemala to help Jesus take care of the little children there. I told him we would only be gone for a little while and we would be back really soon but oh how we would miss him b/c we just love him so much. I told him we would pray for him every day and hold him in our hearts and that he would have so much fun with Grandmother and Grandaddy. He clapped and grinned, I have no idea if he "got it", prob not but it made me feel better.

He likes to help me cook so after he was done stirring I picked him up to show him the pan on the stove and how to check to see if our side was done. Just at that moment the song "I don't want to go" by Avalon came on (my ipod was playing while we cooked) and we had just the sweetest praise time together, just the two of us. God knew just what I needed to be able to leave my baby boy and He gave it to me just in time. I cranked up the song, Sammy clapped and yelled "yay!" and I belted out every word, I almost got lost in it. Sammy just held me tight and had one hand in the air and one around my neck and he just let me stand there and hold him close while I swayed and sang to our Jesus. It was a truly sweet precious moment and the words of that song echoed in my heart (I included the words, see below). Such a great reminder of why I am going to Gutatemala. Once that song was over we rocked it out to Chris Tomblin and after "God of this city" Sammy looked at me and said "Mommy" then he kissed me on my cheek and gave me bear hug. It was just wonderful. Our french toast got a little dark from all that but was still yummy and he ate 4 pieces of slice too! Thankfully he seemed to be getting his appetite back today. For those who don't know Sammy came down with stomach virus this week which made it all the more hard to leave him. They are so miserable when don't feel good, you know. I just wanted to be here for him. He had perked up a great deal today and seemed almost back to normal (THANK YOU JESUS!)

I think everyone knows by now from emails but Kylie's adoption is just about complete! Their case is out of PGN & RENAP and she is legally Dave & Andrea's daughter. She could be flying home with them in about 10 days maybe less!!! I am just so thrilled b/c Andrea called from Guat to tell me she asked to have Kylie's dedication on Sunday while we are there so our team can be part of it. This just means the world to me! We have prayed for them for so very long so to be there for this moment in her life, it just gave me chills when she told me. Just can't wait!

I included a pic at the top of Cristina and her boyfriend Josue, yup they are still together !!! Going on 2 years now! Andrea took this the other day and sent to me, here is one of her and Andrea too and one of Andrea and Kylie.

Mom & Richard picked up Sammy tonight, it was heart wrenching to say goodbye and I thought I was going to throw up. I of course lost it at the end and had to run inside as they were putting him in his car seat b/c I didn't want him to see me upset. He was just laughing and as excited as could be to go with "Minoma" and Grandaddy to stay at their house. Sam and I just held each other for a while after they left, again bitter sweet. Glad to go serve our Lord but oh so hard to leave our boy. We miss him terribly already and we haven't even left Gainesville, lol!

Please pray for us as we travel tomorrow and pray for all of the children and teens we will be sharing with. Pray that God will open their hearts to what we have to say and that lives will be changed forever, including our own. Please pray for those in the village we will meet, pray that they too will be open to us and that we will not have any technical probs when showing the Jesus film. Pray that many will make decisions for Christ and that those we have invited from the local church will be there to meet with and follow up with them. Lastly, pray that we will be helpful and minister in some way to the staff and missionaries there at Casa. Pray for good health and attitudes for those on the team and especially for our families we leave behind, several of us are leaving our babies. eeks!

I Don't Want to Go by Avalon

You changed my world
When You came to me
You drove a passion
In my soul down deep
Lord, to follow You in everything

I don't want to go somewhere
If I know that You're not there
'Cause I know that me without You is a lie
And I don't want to walk that road
Be a million miles from home
'Cause my heart needs to be where You are
So I don't want to go

So come whatever
I'll stick with You
I'll walk, You'll lead me
Call me crazy or a fool
For forever I promise you that...

repeat chorus

Without Your touch
Without Your love
Filling me like an ocean
For Your grace is enough
Enough for me
To never want to go somewhere
If I know that You're not there

Let me count the ways

Reason No. 9trillion and twenty million (ok prob could have come up with larger number than that but I have not had my coffee yet) why I love my wonderful husbad.....

I simply adore how he goes all out to show love to the children we host in our home and ensure they have a great super fun time, regardless of how he is feeling

I just fell in love with Sam all over again in one moment last week. We had Hannah and Samantha over and were all just having fun goofing off. The girls had given Sam & Sammy stick-on rhinestone earrings to wear. Sammy was interested until he learned his was not candy (in his defense they resemble candy) and Sam proudly adorned his bright red sparkly earring. He wore it proudly all night and when the girls and I were baking a desert and realized we were 2 eggs short, he ran right out to the store to get eggs. The moment occurred when shortly after his arrival home we were all talking and suddenly Samantha just burst out laughing... "Sam still has his earring on and he went to the store!!" Sam's face in that moment was priceless. He sucked it and and pretended he meant to do it even though you could tell he was embarrassed. Plus, he had also made a trip to our neighbor's house with it on. In that moment being surround by the girls' giggles as they hugged him I realized just how blessed I am to have a husband who fully embraces God's call to minister to kids and thinks of them first when they are in our home. In addition to this event he also dawned a paper bag as his face and danced around for them while they ate, then later shot off a little firework left over from 4th of July for them. Such a fun night.

I love you mi amor! Thanks for all the little things you do that I fail to take the time to mention and recognize.

* I included a video of Samantha at the bottom, she wouldn't eat her carrots and somehow it came down to putting sprinkles on them. I double dog dared her to eat them like that and she did!

Sam & his now infamous red earring.. Gloria acutally asked me the next day "when did Sam get his ear peirced?" HA HA! I love it!

Our dinner entertainment.. shake it honey!
Racing Sammy's car.. the dump truck is the fastest and won every time Richard! Thanks again!
Made me promise to post up their lovely artwork on our porch
Everyone needed a turn with the bag... WHO COULD THIS BE????
It is Samantha Lynn Flores that's who!
Here is our Banana putting on her own show, she made me take a video and when she watched it the girl was laughing so hard, she cracked her self up then said.. "You guys have to send this to funniest videos and get some money, I am just soo funny!" That's Hannah!
Snuggles on the couch!
Blast off!
Samantha's Double Dog Dare

Just had to show how riled up Sammy gets when they are over, he just adores them

3 More Weeks..

.....until we leave for Guatemala! The all too familar feelings have set in of excitement, anticipation, and now that we have Sammy dread of leaving him. So many ask how we can go and leave Sammy behind but it really just comes down to God. Sam and I are 100% confident that God has called us to serve there and we trust God to work out the rest. It is all so much bigger than us and our family. We pray each night for God not only to prepare our hearts and those we will be with in Guatemala but also Sammy's. We pray that in some way his little mind and heart can have a peace about us being gone. We pray that God will bless his time with his grandparents and strengthen that sweet relationship. Yes he will miss us and we will certainly miss Him, but God will take the sting out of it and make it bearable. That is if the boy even has a chance to miss us. He will be staying with my Mom and Richard and will probably be taken care of better than we could anyway. Oh how I look forward to the day when we can do missions together as a family and don't have to leave him behind. Serving with my little boy, what a dream come true that would be!

My thoughts & dreams have been just consumed with Guatemala. I just can't describe how much I want to be there. I always have that strange pull, knowing that when there we are never completely happy b/c we miss family and friends here. It is so hard to describe, especially those last few days when you just dread leaving to the point of feeling sick but at the same time can't wait to get on the plane to be back loved ones here. As much as I tried this last year, I just couldn't keep up the momentum of being there. I remember leaving last year and sitting on the plane thinking "I want to be the me I am in Guatemala all year, here in the US". When we are there it is so easy though. There are no distractions. I don't have a giant to do list. Bills don't matter. I can just fully devote myself and focus completely on God. It is almost like I am on a trip with God. I just feel closer to Him there in Guatemala than I do here. In Guatemala I am confronted everyday with the harsh realities of life, especially when we are off campus. It makes me realize just how self absorbed our lives are when we are in the states, the major life crises that folks deal with here just pale in comparison to what they face there. Seeing it face to face, looking into suffering, hurting eyes. Talking with ladies in the market that just seem hopless, like they are just exiting with nothing to live for drives my passion to make a difference in this world. To encourage and help those who are suffering. To meet their physical needs & just show them love. In Guatemala I also see daily abundantly clear evidence of how God has worked in the lives of so many, turned horrible things into beautiful scars. Filled the hopeless with pure joy.Unspeakable joy. I really hope and pray that I will do better this year at keeping the me in Guatemala alive here in the US, if that makes sense at all. I hope that Sam and I will returned changed and learn & grow while there.

We have a really great trip planned this year and I just can't wait to see all that God has in store. The ladies on our team will be spending our nights and evenings with our "adopted" dorm, Eseperanza Arriba with 8-14 year old girls while the men will be with the Beun Pastor dorm of teen boys each night. We have some really great devotions and activities planned and unlike previous years will be breaking the kids up into small groups after devotions so we can really get one on one. Casa Para Ninos Aleluya is unique in that it is a christian home where the children are taught Chrsitain truths and values. Although they have church on Sunday mornings and Wed nights there are many who don't know Christ. Most have been terribly hurt, abused, and abandoned and find it difficult to overcome their trials and very difficult to trust in a God they can not see. It is very easy to get "lost in the crowd" when you live in a home with 500 kids and on top of that kids are continuously being brought to Casa or leaving Casa. Some stay for a week while others live their whole lives there. Last year we had a sister and brother that a few on our team developed a relationship with and they were only at Casa for that week. They left shortly after our team did. Hopefully that week that their lives intertwined with those particular team members was meaningful. Our goal is to reach as many while we are there as we can. We hope to do a lot of discipleship work with our Esperanza girls. I can not tell you how my heart aches for them, just to see them again and hold them in my arms. They are just the best bunch of girls, so amazingly selfless especially considering all they have been through. Our little Cristina is just the best of one of all (albeit I am a teensy bit partial). How on earth will we leave her there again? I have been trying to convince Sam we need to think of a way to smuggle her in to the US... hmm.. ideas welcome!

In addition to our work at Casa our team will be spending a day or two in a nearby village. We are praying that there will be many children and adults around while we are there. We have some fun things for the kids and we will be showing the Jesus film in their native language, Cakchiquel (most in Mayan villages speak a variations of this rather than Spanish) and hope that many will make decisions for Christ. We have asked for a local pastor/ folks from local church to come so we can introduce them to the village folks and hopefully get it set up for some follow-up & discipleship after we leave. Please be praying with us on this aspect of the trip especially, that all will go smoothly & no technical/electricty probs, God will reveal Himself to them, and work through us, and that we will all be safe & healthy.

Ok this has gotten long enough sorry. If you are still reading at this point, congrats to you! Now go get cup of cofee, you deserve it. I will end with this,one of my most favorite verses of all.

Isiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a grarment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of rightesousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.