I had the privilege of meeting 21 day old "Marie" who was wrapped in a towel and left on the streets of Guatemala. Once she was found, she spent five days in a local hospital were she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus (water on the brain). "Marie" will have surgery next month to remove most of the water on her brain. The physicians have high hopes that she will be 'normal' once her surgery is complete. In the mean time she will live in an orphanage located outside of Guatemala City. Since "Marie" has not been recognized/claimed by any family members she will spend the rest of her life in an orphanage after her surgery. She will not be adoptable as she will be awarded to Guatemala.
As I looked at this beautiful baby my thoughts grew weary and my heart was heavy. My thoughts were two fold, how does this beautiful baby feel and what was the person thinking who left this child on the streets of Guatemala? While I wonder, make up stories in my mind and pray the only one who knows the truth is our heavenly father.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Left to die or left for help
Sunday, August 14, 2011
lots of laughs
Carson says to Cinderella- "how much is the baby?" "so big"
Mommy I am going to hand-cup you.
Carson can I have a kiss? No Mommy, keep your lips for Daddy.
Mommy, Are you a ward (war) hater?
Carson would you like some ham? Yea, I will have 15 pounds of it.
Email received and photo review
Dear Jonathan GretaJo and Group
I want to thank you for all that was accomplished while you were here. Each and everyone of you played such an important part of what God wanted for the the days spent here in Guatemala. Your faithfulness to him has allowed so many to be blessed- they smiled and laughed with us, they played with us and worked. Their lives were filled with your presence, and most of all with His. As you think back over this trip I pray that the faces of those that you came in contact with, those that you shared joy with, will always be imprinted in your mind and heart that you will remember them in your prayers as I know they are remembering you.
Let us always remember that all this was made possible by God's grace and that His grace was and is and will be sufficient for us each time we step out of our comfort zone to do mighty exploits in His Name.
I love each one you and I can see what you bring to His Kingdom. Thank you for coming, thank you for laying your life down and taking up His.
I hope your trip home went ok!
We hope you'll want to come back! It would be great to confirm that as soon as possible.
Lord Bless you all!
Chris, Donna and all those of the Bethel team
P.s. Please forward to those of the group, or if possible, we'd love the emails addresses to be able to stay in touch personally as well. Thanks.
Christopher and Donna Mooney
Directors
Bethel Ministries International
Chimaltenango, Guatemala
cell: 011 502 5826-5320
t/fax: 011 502 7839-1513
headquarters@bethelministriesinternational.com
www.bethelministriesinternational.com
More stories and pictures to come regarding our trip to Guatemala
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The Guatemala mission team is home
There is so much to write about however I need to get my house in order first.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The employer
While I was driving to pick up Shauna the other night I was having a conversation with the Lord about my struggles and fears regarding our upcoming trip to Guatemala. Yes, I have been there numerous times however not one trip has been the same. My heart has been broken and changed on every trip in different ways. But this time, I am struggling in ways I can not put into words. So, during the conversation the Lord revealed to me....Greta Jo, You applied for the job. I am your employer. You went through a series of interviews. I read over your resume' and you fit the job description. I offered you the job and you accepted it. Now go to work and if you have questions or need guidance seek and he shall find, ask and it will be answered, knock and I will answer. Well, my first day is August 3 at 4:30am, I am packed and ready to work for the Lord.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Borders- happiness vs holiness
Jonathan and I went on quick dates to Borders bookstore for years. We loved to get a cup of coffee and walk around the store gathering books. We would skim the books at the table as we drank our coffee. Most of the time we would go our seperate ways in the store and meet back at the table with very similar books. We were very comfortable with short conversations regarding what we were reading. I also enjoyed sitting at the table and people watching. Those days are coming to an end as our local Borders store is closing. I will truly miss frequenting Borders with Jonathan.
I am struggling right now with happiness vs holiness. I am trying to understand the difference as a Christian. My prayer lately is that happiness vs holiness would be revealed to me. Does anyone else struggle in this area? Can someone please give me their view on the differences between the two?
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
heartbreaking and meltdowns
Well, I started back to work today. I put on a good show however my heart was missing my children. I wanted to be with them all day. I had their cute little smiles in my mind as people were talking to me. There were many times today when I would be listening to people however my mind was focused on the children. I know this will pass with time but for now its an adjustment. I remember the first time I dropped Carson off at the daycare. I had to pull off the road as I was crying so hard. As I have mentioned before I am only working three full days during the week for a few months until my FMLA expires.
Carson has bible camp all week. He is loving it. However he is coming home very, very tired and having full meltdowns over everything. He is getting so dark this summer. We apply SPF 100 on him and he is still tans.
Greta Rebecca will be seven weeks old tomorrow. She is 9lbs 20 ozs and 21 inches long. Wow, my girl is growing... She is tracking people and objects with her eyes. Her smile lights up her cute face. She is making all types of cute sounds. Everyone is so in love with her.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Back to work already...
Tomorrow I am going back to work. I can not believe how fast eight weeks went. What the heck?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
funny
Tonight we had white pizza with spinach
Carson: Mommy this is good but I do not like seaweed on my pizza.
Me: Honey its not seaweed its Spinach
Carson: Well, its seaweed and it needs to stay on the beach.
Pool conversations:
Carson: Mommy the pool is jealous
Me: Carson the pool is jealous?
Carson: Yea Mommy feel it.
I still do not know what he is referring to...
Dinner conversation
Me: Carson it's time for dinner
Carson: What's for dinner?
Me: Pasta and salad
Carson: I do not like salad
Me: Honey, you loved it the other night
Carson: No I am it
Kiss Cinderella
Carson: Mommy I just kissed Cinderella on the lips
Me: That was nice of you
Carson: Oh it was gross.
Me: Why was it gross?
Carson: because she is my sister and has girl lips
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
can not sleep
The dog in
The dog out
Checked on the kids
Turned off the alarm clock
checked emails
fed the baby x2
checked on the kids again
turned on the tv
turned off the tv
packed Carson's lunch
did a few loads of wash
folded the wash
looked out the window...wondering why I can not sleep
praying to fall asleep
back in bed
back out of bed
The dog in
The dog out
and you are sound asleep....
Sunday, July 10, 2011
another busy weekend
boarwalk, swimming, baby shower, watching Noah at football camp, sleeping (in Carson's old swing), shopping, etc...
Saturday, July 9, 2011
finished my post graduate course
with an A. I am going to take a few weeks off before starting the next course. For the past few nights Carson was saying... Mommy when is "our project due"? I pray he is a good (if not great) student.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Getting my bags ready.....
we are leaving for Guatemala the first week of August (lots to pack). Carson and Cinderella are staying with my parents and Best.
