Teaching them to OBSERVE ALL things

     Mark and I have been teaching our children the importance of a daily prayer life. We wish that when we were younger we would have put more time and thought into our own prayers. However, you can not dwell in the past but we can teach our children from our mistakes and down falls. We have our daily family devotion time and prayer time after dinner. This is such a wonderful time where we reflect upon God's word and then hear our children as they recall those who have special needs or the names of our friends, family, supporters and supporting churches.

The other night while we were listing our prayer request and praises it was such a huge blessing to hear all 3 of our children praying. Yes, even Josiah was lifting the names of the people that he remembered up to the Lord. He folds his hands and closes his eyes and ask Jesus to be with those people. WOW! Then, the other two continued in prayer. Taylor said her prayers with such detail and meaning. As she was praying I thought of the verse in Matthew 28:20 where it says: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." What a command that the Lord has given us. To not only teach others about HIS love and grace but to teach them to observe all things that he has commanded you. He has commanded us to talk to him in prayer. Have you ever stopped to think about your prayer life? Have you ever stopped to think if you were teaching your children to have a healthy and bountiful prayer life? I have some friends back home that have some of the most wonderful and heart wrenching prayers and then I think to myself....Lord I stumble over my words and things do not come out smoothly like others. But, then I think.....you know the Lord knows my heart and he knows my thoughts...even if they do not come out as poetic as others. I am thankful that Mark and I are trying to "teach our children to oberserve all things" and prayer being one of those things. While we had prayer time at home in the States it is so important for us to keep our prayer lives in check especially for us to stay focused on the task that the Lord has for us here on the field. We also want to uplift all of those who pray for us all around the world as well as those that give so that we can be here. We can honestly say that we pray for our fellow missionaries, family, friends, supporters as well as the churches that support us and their Pastors. We are so thankful for all of those who help us through support and prayer it just may be your prayer that helps get us through a trial that we may be having that day. We love you all and THANK the LORD for YOU and we PRAY that he will bless you for your prayers and support.

A THANKFUL HEART IS NOT ONLY THE GREATEST VIRTUE, BUT THE PARENT OF ALL OTHER VIRTUES.

Living Your Life to Create a Legacy

Last night right before I went to bed I was looking at a picture of Mark's grandpa and grandma. I then proceeded to get ready for bed and do my nightly preparations and then drifted off to sleep. I started to dream and think about the life that they led. What a legacy that they have left behind and now are still reaping the rewards in Heaven today.  You see John and Eunice Hinsley were very faithful servants of the Lord. They attended Fellowship Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina. Papa as they called him drove a church bus from their little community of New Hill, N.C. to Durham every Sunday. It was about a 45 minute to an hour trip one way each Sunday. They would pick up many boys and girls as well as adults and drive them to a Bible believing church that would teach them about the Lord. I know that there are many that now have eternal security in Heaven because of them. Then, because of their service Mark's dad began to help with the bus route as well. Mark was also saved on that bus after a Sunday morning service when he did not go to the alter as a young boy.

As Mark grew he began to drive the bus at the age of 16 helping get those children, teens and others to hear the gospel. I think about the Legacy that they left behind for their families. Not only to their own flesh and blood but to the others they were able to reach through their ministry. The Hinsley Family has been brought up in the church and as far as we know all their children have become Christians. I know for sure of two people that rode their bus that are serving the Lord in full time ministry because of their dedication to the Lord. Jeff Jones is serving as a Pastor and missionary in Panama. While Greg Locklear is working on fulfilling his Pastoral degree while serving his country in the military. You know, I know with all of my heart that his grandparents would be so happy to know that all of those years of driving were worth those two serving in full time service.  Then, there are the rest of us. How are we living our life? Are we living our life so that we will create a Legacy worth remembering and one that will continue to give back to us once we are gone. I am thankful for the grandparents that John and Eunice Hinsley were because of that I have a wonderful Godly husband who loves the Lord. If we are saved we are leaving a Legacy no matter what...but what kind will you be leaving behind? Whether we want the spot light on us or not if we are Christians then we are responsible for sharing the light with others. All of our words, actions and reactions are out in the open for all to see. Help others to only see the good and leave them with a Legacy of rewards. I know that is what I want for my family.

Psalms 143:10

Teach me to do thy will;for thou art my God:thy spirit is good;lead me into the land of uprightness.

Psalms25:8-9

Good and upright is the Lord:therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgement:and the meek will he teach his way.

1 Timothy 5:18 ".......The labourer is worthy of his reward."

Happy 4th of July

While the 4th of July is such a wonderful thing to celebrate this is a sad time for us. We are in a country that does not celebrate July 4th....because it holds no meaning for them. It is also our first holiday outside of the U.S.  However, we know that we are right where God would have us to be and this is just the first of many holidays that will not be spent with family. There are many families and individual missionaries all around the world that share the same feelings. We know that while everyone else is celebrating we too can have our own celebration. We have such a wonderful time here as a family. It is such an awesome blessing to see our children serving right along side of us. Tomorrow as we remember just why we celebrate the 4th of July we will share the history with our children. We will sing songs and eat a good ole American hotdog with a Costa Rican twist...(that means we will be eating fried plantains).....lol...one of our favorite new treats. We will also think about how lucky we are to have been born into a country that gives us such freedoms. We are so thankful for all the men and women who have and will sacrifice all to continue giving us those freedoms. There are many family members and friends that have served and we would like to "THANK YOU" from our heart....and then there are those that serve that we have never met....but are just as Thankful for.  May God continue to Bless our nation and this world. It is also such a wonderful blessing for us to be able to share our faith with those around us. While the devil tries to drive a wedge...we fight hard..and continue to try to speak in Spanish. It is comforting to hear Josiah ask to sing in Spanish. His favorite is "Dios estan bueno." ...God is so Good. We thank you all for your prayers of support and wish you all a HAPPY and SAFE 4th of JULY!!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!