Journal entries 2

11/7/13 David is in the kitchen dancing and drinking hot chocolate and my heart pretty much just exploded as I watched him sing. All the good moments, hard moments- I will treasure forever.

11/8/13 For the Least of these
I am told to love them and care for them
To leave my parents and sisters for them
To work each day until I fall into bed exhausted
To love until my heart explodes
To continue learning
To make mistakes and by God's grace learn from them
To give up comfort
To be under constant pressure
To forgive
To teach
To hug and kiss
To sing, praise and pray
I am called to serve them
I am called to live for Christ
I am called and by God's grace I hear
By God's grace I answer yes

Once again the lights went out tonight during dinner which results in screaming kids grabbing for me.

11/12/13 God- Take all that I am because nothing matters at all in comparison to you. It has been a very difficult few weeks. But you answered and proved your faithfulness and love over and over. Oh God use me how you choose and change me more and more into your likeness. I need you. I want more of you. I adore you. Open my eyes and my heart. Let me see my sin and hate it. Let me see more of you and give me grace. Thank you for your forgiveness. Humble my proud heart, gentle my stubborn spirit, quiet my frustrations. Give me joy each new morning and let my song be in you alone.

11/13/13 Just heard Andres say, "David, come and look! My pee isn't white, it's another color!"

11/16/13 2 Choronicles 16:9- " For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." New favorite verse. The Lord gives me strong support! I want to trust Him with my ALL. I want a heart that desires Him alone.

11/18/13 This evening we put on the music "If your happy and yo know it... SCREAM!" and Eli and Febe were definitely happy because their screams hurt my hears. Eli has the LOUDEST and most screeching/ blood curdeling scream ever. She has the perfect scream to drive me crazy.

11/19/13 Beautiful morning. There is absolutely nothing like the sunrise in mountains. Doing battle with Febe this morning who is a sloth. Love this part of the song "I know that you are for me. I know that you will never forsake me in my weaknesses." What a beautiful promise. The Lord is on my side!

11/20/13 Actually slept really good last night which was amazing. But Peniel woke up four times screaming and pretty sure she was having bad dreams. Gonna wake up the troops in a few minutes. It's always so weird reading my journal from one year ago. The time passes so quickly and I am so glad that God continues to lead me and bless my time here at Casa de Esperanza. When I first came to Bolivia almost two years ago, I never imagined myself sitting here in my home with ten kiddos and being able to speak fluent Spanish, with a little baby named after me and so many kids etched deep into my heart. God works in mighty ways and changed my ticket from Africa to Bolivia because His plan is perfect. He put me in this house of little ones for a reason.

11/22/13 "Whatever you do for Christ, throw your whole soul into it" -Charles Spurgeon
I love that quote. There are times when I am exhausted but I know God has called me here to live and love. I am so forgetful that my strength comes from God. I can't do this on my own. I need my sweet Jesus. I am so blessed by my life here and my little ones and my big ones and my friends here. Oh how I love Bolivia.

12/3/13 Sitting here writing and Andres is hanging with me. "You can go play" I told him. "No, I want to be with you!" he told me. Oh he melts my heart. "Are you tired?" he asked me and when I told him, "No, I just have a headache." Andres looked at me really worried, "Oh, did you hit your head against the wall?" Made me laugh out loud. "No, it just is hurting."

12/5/13 Today there was a mini hurricane and the giant tree in front of my house blew down. After the wind died down Andres walked out to the porch and listened to the rain and the thunder in the distance and raised his arms out and moved his fingers like a music conductor as he yelled "Boys and girls, PRAISE THE LORD!"

12/8/13 "Come, my soul, pluck up courage, and put down thy feet in the blood-marked footprints which thy Lord has left thee." C.H. Spurgeon