Our new home......

Well, dispite a crazy Monday we have celebrated our first full day in our new home. It all started bright and early on Monday morning when we finished loading our bags in the van and headed to each dorm to say good-bye.  You see some of those kiddos, may not be there when we return and I wanted to make sure to say good-bye and tell them that I loved them....which our whole family loves them all very much. (YEAH!...that was a tear jerker.....some of the boys had been awake since 5:30 or so to see us off.)  Of coarse there were others that slept but it filled my heart with happiness knowing that they loved us as much as we love them. We then move on over to the girls dorm for the same thing to say our good-byes and give a tons of hugs. When then packed into a van and headed to the airport. Pastor Mike the director from the

children's home, his wife Ms. Chris, Jewelissa, Mark's mom and dad went with us to see us off. Boy that was a tough time trying to hold back the tears. You know you never really know just how much people mean to you until you have to hug them and say good-bye. Sometimes, you get so wrapped up in your everyday routines that you forget to tell those special people in your life just how much they mean to you and how much of an encouragement they are to you.  (Ok so, I said that to say this.....don't wait until you have to say good-bye to realize the special people in your life.)  Now onto getting in the airport with 13 pieces of luggage plus a stroller, laptop, diaperbag, purse, and three bookbags. Yes we were a sight to see...lol. So, we breezed through security and made it to our terminal.     

We were suppose to fly out of Tampa at 10 and well due to bad weather in Miami we were delayed until 12 or so and wouldn't ya know our flight from Miami was to leave at 12:10. Can you say....not gonna happen. So, we get to Miami to find that our flight and the next flight had been canceled but we should make the 8:25......yep....that was canceled too along with about 30 other flights. But, the Lord is good and we got to stay in a hotel as a family one last night before making our move. This was a peaceful time for it cleared our heads and really gave us the strong desire to press on to language school.  OK, so now we get to the airport on Tuesday morning to take the 12:10 flight......flight delayed...seems to be the story of our life. lol.  

Our plane was ready to be boarded but the pit crew was on another flight so we had to wait for them....new depature time....1:10.  We get a boarding call to start loading the plane...yeah!!!!! So, we board and the plane is hot...it has been turned off for about 2 hours and we discover that the crew has still not yet landed.....Josiah despite the situation was doing very well. The stewardess was so sweet. She gave him a cheese and cracker tray and he tore it up.....I know now that he loves raisins.  By this time the people on the plane are complaining because there is no air and of coarse there was an older couple that thought they could just give there seats up and sit whereever they wanted on the plane......to funny. So, the pilots arrive to discover on their walk about that there is a leak under one of the engines and a check engine or oil light on up front.....fun......But grateful that they were looking and had ot fixed before take off. (So, are you enjoying this trip so far?) Well, the next part is too cute. 

Some of you may know that Josiah has become quit fond of planes these days along with balls and buses. So his excitement to sit on the plane was just to cute...as he shouted looking out the window at the planes getting ready to take off ahead of us. However, that all changed in the matter of a few seconds, when the g-forces pushed his little body back in the seat....and he looked at me and said...."Momma, I walk, I wanna walk, I not want to fall."  He looked at me with this face of sheer panic but did not want to cry. I had a sweatshirt on my lap and he crawled under it and said..."I hide momma! I hide! It was so sad to see how scared he was and squeezing my leg. It was about 10 minutes later and he was sound asleep....(you can say awe! because I did each time he realized we were still in the air.)  Now the time has come...we have landed and we have to go through customs and security along with trying to gather all of those bags plus manage our carry on's. We know that you all must have been praying for because we breezed right through customs. Now, time to gather those suitcases. We watch and wait and only ONE bag comes out. I ask the guy unloading and he said the words that everyone wants to hear.."this is all the luggage on the plane" GREAT we are thinking, so I ask what do we need, he said file a claim. I make my way to fill out a claim and guess what I SPY?  All the green ribbons, that I had tied on our luggage...1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,  and 9 they were all there. PTL. We begin to load them up on a big cart to head over to security. Again, thankful for the prayers they scanned a few and sent us on our way. They were super nice and we had no issues at all. We are now on our way to our new home. (The picture you see is the view from our bedroom window)

It was so nice to meet our new friends Carla and Eric who set us up with an awesome house less than a minute from the school we will be attending. We also have a sweet missionary girl that lives with us named Marianna. She is a super nice girl and will help us a ton with our Spanish. Josiah already calls her MeMe..because she reminds him of one of the girls from the home. We also had some intresting trips to the grocery store.....that will be tomorrows blog......Thanks to all who have been praying for us. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and that we will raise the remaining funds we need for language school.  (BY The way if there are typos in this I apologize.....the Spell check is in Spanish and I am not sure how to convert it back to English due to the wireless being in spanish.)

Saying Good-Bye....

I can not believe that in less than 48 hours we will be on our way to a new country, a new home and a new church. Saying good-bye is a hard thing for me to do. While we all mean well....sometimes your old friends find new ones and the distance between you grows and you seem to be too busy for each other. I know that the past nine months have flown by and yet it seems that every waking moment we had something to do or somewhere to go.

 I miss all of my friends from North Carolina dearly along with all of our family. I am also going to miss all of the friends that we have made here and the children who have been a big part of our lives here. It is amazing to think that some of them are here simply because their parents did not want them anymore. I love each one of them and pray that God will guide and direct them so that they can do great things for HIM.

Josiah is going to miss his best buddy Caleb. They are just a few months apart and have spent the last nine months together. We will have to work hard at incorporating things from the USA into his daily life. For without it he will not know or see much about the country where he was born.

We have been packing our bags all week and we have a total of 13 bags going to Costa Rica. It was a tough job trying to pack for a year.....I am going crazy from looking at luggage and weighing each piece. LOL! Who knew packing could be so difficult. I can not imagine Michelle Duggar( 19 kids and counting) traveling much. I mean for goodness sake she would need her on plane for her family and luggage alone. LOL. We each have 2 bags plus three carry ons....hers would be close to 40 bags.

Well, we have added a SKYPE number for all of you who would like to be able to call us. It is a local number for North Carolina but any out of state people if you have Skype it is free from "S" to "S".  Our number is 919-809-7647. We can have video stream so that we can see each other. However, if you do not have a web cam you can still see us we just can' see you. We had an exciting treat....

Mark's mom and dad drove all the way down from N.C. to see us off. It has been nice to spend the week with them. They along with Pastor Mike and Ms. Chris will see us off at the airport on Monday morning.

Here is my last thought before we get settled in to our new home next week unless I can get some more time to type. This journey has been such a blessing to me and our family. The Lord has really helped me to prepare my heart for the love that I get to share with the children who receive no love. I have heard a bunch of people say that they could not love anyone more than their spouse or more than their own children. Well, I am hear to say that you have just never opened your heart. I have more love pouring out of my heart for the kids here and in Honduras than I could even tell you about.

 I also have a new respect and love for all of the people who answer God's call to become missionaries. It can be a tough road, a discouraging road and even sometimes a lonely road. I challenge you to try and contact the missionaries that your church supports and let them know that you are lifting them up in thoughts and prayers. God himself loved HIS son JESUS enough to share him with the whole world so that through him we might be saved. He gave us a whole book of encouraging words to read daily and we should be willing to do the same for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are really going to miss everyone not only away in North Carolina but our new FAMILY here at HOPE in Tampa.  We love you all.

From Birthdays to Auctions.........

Wow! Where has the time gone? We have been so busy here trying to get everything ready for our move. Mark and I just celebrated 15 years of marriage and Josiah's 2nd birthday on April 7th. It is so hard for me to think that after the Lord took three of my babies to be with HIM in glory that he would give us Josiah after we surrendered our lives to His will. Josiah has been such a blessing to us along with Taylor and Hunter and we pray that God will use all three of them in a mighty way. We also had the pleasure of traveling to Ashford Connecticut to meet The Leavitt's who help run the Jeff Braun foundation. They were able to put together an auction and benefit dinner on Saturday evening to help raise money for the building of Hope of Honduras. I must say that it was my first ever auction and while it was for charity it was a ton of fun. We had a great time visiting Connecticut and seeing just how beautiful the state is. God is amazing! He placed the trees and rocks and hills in such a way that all you can think is wow! Which brings me to a thought; how many of us just step back and look at what a wonderful artist GOD is. We could never paint or draw such beauty on our own. It really was beautiful to see. We were also able to meet with Bill Braun, Jeff's father and tell him of the progress that we are making in Honduras. We are thankful that he and his wife adopted Jeff when he was a baby from Honduras. It is because of a dream that their son had that we have the funding and path to Hope of Honduras children's home. We can hardly believe that in less than 12 days we will be packing up again and moving to Costa Rica. We are so thankful for you all who support us not only in funds but in prayer. We love you all.

Recent Trip to Honduras

On March 22nd Mark and I were able to fly to Honduras along with Pastor Mike Higgins and his wife Chris. while there we were able to reconnect with the three families that make up Team Honduras and our family makes the fourth. We had a great time fellowshipping and taking a tour of the 10 acre property. The church/multi-purpose building is almost complete. The floors were being finished while we were there. The Lord has been faithful and steady at supplying the much needed funds to keep the project moving forward. The doors and windows have been ordered and should arrive soon for installation. Mark, Pastor Mikeand the other men were able to go out and stake off the lots for each cottage. While there we meet with a national official who is helping in the building project. He gave us the permissions that we needed to start construction on the first cottage. We were surprised when they said that the first cottage could be ready in fours months from the start of construction. It was such a blessing to be there and see all of the people of Iglesia Bautista El Faro and their excitment for the future. Mark and I had a wonderful time seeing some of the children that we had seen three years before on our missions trip and to see how much they had grown. The Ellis' also took us to some homes where children live with their grandparents that are perfect candidates for Hope. It is so awesome to see that the journey is taking route and we are not far from our final destination. 

The Devil is all around us......

First, I would like to say that I am sorry that it has been awhile since we have sent a new blog update. Things here have been extremely crazy. The devil has been nipping at our heels for the past week now. As we prepare to depart from Tampa we had a lot of things that we really needed to take care of before we move to Costa Rica. One of the big things was to have Josiah checked out to see if he needed surgery before we move due to his chronic ear and sinus infections. Sure enough, he needed to have his tonsils and adenoids removed along with a new set of tubes put in. So, we scheduled the surgery for Monday the 15th. Mark and I traveled out of town the week before his surgery for a pre-anniversary trip. Boy, the devil did all that he could to keep us from returning. We were not able to make our flight and then to top it off there were no hotels available and we could not find a rental car. However, we were not giving up yet. So with the help of Mark's sister she was able to find a car for us to rent and we went to pick it up. Now, it was time for a 4 hour drive back to Tampa. We made it back in on Sunday morning at about 5:40 or so. We were so tired and excited to see our children.

Well, we awoke to find the kids coming home to grab their clothes for church. Taylor advised us that Josiah had been sick with a 24 hour stomach bug on Thursday. Fun!! We spent time hugging and loving on each one of them and we all managed to get up and ready for church. After a wonderful church service we returned the car that we rented and took the kids out to Steak and Shake. We all went back home for a nap. After church Sunday night Taylor came home not feeling well. YOU GUESSED IT!!! She has come down with the stomach bug herself. UGH! Bless her heart she was up throwing up all night and into the morning. Keep in mind that Josiah has surgery that day.

 Mark debated whether or not to stay home with her or to go with me to the hospital. By the time we were ready to leave Taylor was doing much better and had not had anymore episodes of throwing up. So, we decided to leave her Mark's phone and we would head to the hospital. Just as we are walking out the door....yep...the devil throws another kink in the line. It was the doctor's office calling to say that we had to pay $881.00 up front before we had the surgery. I explained nicely to the lady that his surgery was scheduled for today and no-one had told me this before and well there was simply no way that it was going to happen. So, I talked with her about a payment plan....she advised me that they do not do payment plans.....as you can probably imagine....I am quit frazzled at this point. I did not want to take any chances that he might not have surgery so we headed to the hospital anyway. We pull into the hospital and the nurse from the doctor’s office calls to tell me that we have to reschedule because they did not get approval from the insurance company....UGH!!!!.....We talked back and forth and they said that they had been faxing the wrong doctor all week and did not even know it. WHEW!!! So, I get on the phone and call my doctor and they have no idea that Josiah is having surgery. At this point we have checked into the hospital and Mark is sitting with Josiah at the check in station. The nurse is informing him that everything is a go and that they have authorization from the insurance company. Now if you are like me...you are wondering "WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?" So, my doctor's office gets on the phone with the lady at the check in station and they check all billing codes and well everything is good to go. WOW! What a day so far. We go back to pre-op and now wait. Poor Josiah doesn't have surgery until 12 noon and well he has not had anything to eat since 11:00 the night before. If you can only imagine how irritated he was that he could not eat or drink. He was going crazy. Mark and I prayed with him to give him comfort and the doctor’s wisdom, he was praying for us while we were praying it was so cute. He finally fell asleep in my arms and then it was time for his surgery and they took him away asleep. We sat outside waiting to be called it was only about 40 minutes or so and the doctor came and said he did great and was going to recovery. We now had to wait until he was moved to recovery II. It was not to long after that we get the call to go back. We get to see our little man and he was just snuggling in the arms of the nurse. We were told that he needed to drink before we went home or eat popsicles or he would have to stay the night in the hospital. So, to our surprise he ate 2 whole popsicles and was drinking. YEAH!! We got the ok to go home. The remaining part of the day he was great eating and drinking. He even started playing and was what seemed to be the little man that he was prior to surgery. The next day he awoke to a sore throat which was to be expected and he even ate a few popsicles and some crackers, at one point I found him in his room playing with his toys...it was so cute. That night however, he took a turn for the worst. He had starting running a fever and it had gotten to 102.6 we called the doctor and he advised that if we could not get the fever down and get him to drink we would need to go to the ER. So, with that said we did everything that we could to get the fever down. Mark gave him a luke warm bath, we were pushing popsicles and drinks and then just when we thought we were doing ok, he threw up all over me. So, I clean up and we head to the hospital. We call a few people to keep a check on the kids (because they were already asleep) and we woke Taylor to tell her where we were going and again left the phone with her.

 

Now, we are off to St. Joe's Children's Hospital. We check in and it is not but about five minutes or so before they move us to a room in the ER. The doctor comes in and checks him out and of coarse they start an IV and do blood work. We get the word back around 2 that we are staying the night....but there are no rooms in the big hospital. So, the nurse brings in another bed and we all three lay down for a nights sleep. I wish that was the end of the devil making us miserable but.....not so lucky. I awoke to feeling really sick at 4:15. Yep, I had caught the bug! So, I had to wake Mark and tell him to move closer to Josiah....since he had been all snuggled with me for the last 4 hours. I prayed that he would not get it because that was the last thing that he needed. Around 5 the nurse came in to tell us that we had a new room upstairs and we moved on up to the children's ward. Me, well I am still sick as a dog...having hot and cold flashes and of coarse my baby is calling out my name and I can not do a thing. (Talk about feeling bad). The devil hit me right in the heart! Thank the Lord that Mark was there and he was able to care for him. We try to sleep just hoping that we will get to go home in the morning. We also get a call from a girl that works here in the home telling us that Taylor has been up all night with the bug again and it is her birthday.....poor girl!!!! Now we have two sick kiddos. The doctor comes in and says: guess what guys, we want you to stay another night....oh no! We were to start a mission’s conference at Grace Temple Baptist tonight. The devil thinks that he has us. So, I stay in the hospital and Mark and Hunter head to present our ministry with-out the rest of us. We felt so bad for not being there but we were praying for the meeting. I told Mark that I was feeling a little better and got a mask from the nurse and at least I could hold him without breathing on him. So, Mark stayed home with Hunter and Taylor for the night and he came to see us first thing Thursday morning. Around 5 or so that morning the nurses came in to draw blood to see if all the fluids had helped. First nurse, gave a stick and his vein rolled, could not find the vein. Second nurse, next stick the vein just disappeared...no luck.....now I have a very sore and upset baby. Third nurse, thank the Lord was able to get a stick and draw blood. We were hanging out and the nurse finally came in to put a block on the IV, so at least he could run around with out the cords. Mark was reading his Bible and I was working on answering emails and Josiah ran into the bathroom. Mark thought well I can see him so all is good and then......the little stinker pulled the call nurse string and a herd of nurses came running to his aid.....he was just a grinning.....that’s my boy. He was finally back to himself, some what anyway. It was not long after that we got word from the doctor that we could go home. I know that it was because of friends and family from all over who were praying not only for him but for our entire family. We are so thankful to know that when we have a need you all are willing to come to our aid by lifting us up in prayer to our Heavenly Father. Thank you all for helping us defeat the devil. I truly believe that he is trying to see if we will break and not make this journey. He does not want us to go and share the Gospel and the love of the Lord with children of Honduras. Well guess what he is not going to win this one. Thanks again....we love you all.

EVEN NOW...............

While on a three hour bus ride to a church in Naples Florida Sunday morning we received a text that said…. “Her water has broken and they are on the way to the hospital.” The bus was full of excited children and adults who were all eager to meet the newest addition to the Higgins family. Matt is the son of Pastor Mike and Mrs. Chris who are directors of the home here in Tampa. Matt and his wife Mandy like all parents have been waiting for this day to come. However, it was not until later that day that they welcomed “Micah Nathan” into the world.



Babies are always exciting and such a blessing from the Lord. I can remember the birth of Taylor, Hunter and especially Josiah. When I was pregnant with Josiah I was like a Supreme Pizza of emotions. :) I was happy, scared, anxious, tired, and impatiently ready all at the same time. I was happy because the Lord had given me another chance to have a baby. Scared, due to the fact that I had already lost three; just a short time before that. I was anxious to see the little boy who was indeed a blessing and a miracle. Tired, well if you had seen how big I was……… well you would understand…..lol…..Impatiently ready, labor was induced as well as 15 hours long and drugs had worn off about three hours before delivery. It was indeed a long, teary, painful time for me and Mark. However, Mark kept whispering in my ear the words “EVEN NOW”. You see we had heard a sermon from Brother David Crow who preached out of John 11:22. It was a very moving and touching sermon. The verse goes like this: “But I know, that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” Mark kept me going with those words and it was just moments later that I gave birth to Josiah Ayden 9lbs 14oz and 22 inches long. He had a broken collar bone and a bruised face due to a traumatic delivery. But I was so relived and full of joy to be looking into the eyes of the prayer that God had answered for me. I took him in my arms and thanked the Lord for giving me my little baby. I think that like a new mother reaching out to touch her baby the Lord reaches down HIS Hand to touch his children; whether it is in times of sorrow, pain or rejoicing happiness. I think that we as parents are like God in the sense that we both yearn to reach out and touch what was made in our image. Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt the Lord’s hand reach down and touch you? If so, share it in a comment below.

Please PRAY......

Last night was a sad time in the lives of the members of Team Honduras. We all have friends and family that we witness to and even sometimes do so on a daily basis. This event proves that no man knows the day he will be departing from this world to spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. Nico was a dear friend and neighbor of Robbie and Christine Ellis. After being invited to church on several occasions and having heard a clear gospel presentation he and his family decide to go to church. Then, life took an unexpected turn. I have linked you below to Christine's blog page so that you can read the "rest of the story". Please pray for this family, and all of the team members of TEAM HONDURAS. I know that they will covet your prayers. Also, please keep in mind when you pray, the dangers that they face for living in a foreign country. Safety will also be a large request for our family and the kids in the home. However, I know that through the sincere prayers of prayer warriors, God can and will put a hedge around "HIS SERVANTS". I also know that like Job, the Lord only lets the devil get so close to his people. Thank you all again for your prayers at this time.

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