Church

We went to church here in Zomora this morning and on our way home Rocky described the experience as: I feel like I was at the bull rides. The noise level is amazingly loud and the way it is we can not understand any of the word in the songs( and there is power point) hahahaha.
OK, we were spoiled in Quito with the Baptist church services!! They were awesome even in Spanish!!!

Back from walk

Had a good walk this afternoon. Walked for about an hour. The Dr. in Quito told me to walk a hour each day. Started off with sad face because I really do not like to walk alone!
Walked a different route today and came to the fish ponds up the road away and I had paused to look through the fence at the talapias and a young man was in there taking care of the fish and I ask him was the talapias and he said yes and that there were some that was 5 pounds and would I like to see them. I declined since I was alone, but maybe some other time.
Walked on into town and encountered cute kiddos to say hi to and when I got to the river side park our neighbor Byron and the boys, Miguel and Sabastian was there riding their bikes. Sabastian was learning with his training wheels. Visited with them for a short time.
Walked on and encountered a young man about 25 years old in a wheel chair and he was just sitting on the sidewalk so of course I stopped to talk with him. He was riding a motorcycle 5 years ago and was hit by a car and now he is in a wheel chair. He had a wonderful attitude. Visited with him for a short time and he was wanting me to teach him English. He has a little 5 year old son. Who knows maybe we will meet again. He wanted to know if I worked for the mines and I told him I was a Baptist missionary. I also ask him if he attended church in Zomora and he said no and that is when he told me about his accident. Pray that this young man would come to know Jesus as his savior.
That is all, just needed to talk and process! Thanks for listening!

Teammates

YIPPPEEE! We have a couple coming to serve in this area. If we do a turn around (Still praying for direction from God in this area)We will have teammates to work with!!!! Awesome GOD!
It is a young couple and they have a 2 year old and a 6 month old. They are on state side now and will come to Ecuador July 7 so we would have about 1 week with them before we would begin our 3 month stateside. The man is very fluent in the language so that would be a huge blessing. He grew up in Latin America as a missionary kid. Great couple!
WAITING TO SEE WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED FOR US ALL!

Bible Study

We went to bible study last night for the first time in five weeks and it was so good to be with the group again! They called day before yesterday and said it was two of the kiddos birthdays and would hermana Dorothy bring a cake? So I made two yellow cakes with chocolate frosting. It was Jonatons birthday yesterday and he was 4 years old. He also slept through eating of the cake( poor thing) it was also Gefersons birthday and he was 7 on the 10th. Geferson and Jessica both had the chicken pops bad last night.(Poor Kiddos) We anointed and prayed for them. They were the only ones in the community sick so possible on Tuesday there may be lots more!!!
Loved all of the hugs from the kiddos.
While we were sitting out on the porch eating the meal that was prepared for us there was this BIG truck that came in off the road moving very fast and stopped right by the porch. Friorela the lady of the house really jumped this young man about being careful with all of the children!!! And after just a short time here came another big truck the same way! Out poured a lot of people. We think they were operating without proper papers because they were saying something about the military. At one point a military truck turned into the community and backed up and left. Really weird!!! YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT BIBLE STUDY!!!!hahaha
We are tired this morning from our late night!!!
Going to look again for a house at Qualaquiza. It is about 20 min from ministry as now we are 2 1/2 hours from ministry. To much dangerous night driving!

Quito

We are back home in Zomora after 5 weeks up in Quito. Rocky and I get our visas and drivers lic. but did not get our censos( this is our Ecuador ID) The place that makes these have been out of the material to make them. But since we got our drivers lic. we were able to come back to Zomora and continue with the work. We are glad to be home. On our travels back home I kept thinking about how green and fresh everything looked.In Quito a huge city it is a lot of cement and dirty so the green is beautiful. We stopped off at Naichap as we were passing on our way home. And it was awesome to see the little children and to see the excitement in their eyes as they were hugging and and saying hermana!!
I got in to the dr. in Quito and had all the usual female test done and I am normal. I also went to the dentist for a cleaning and exam and he said I need other work done.
We will be back in Quito at the end of Feb. so Rocky can attend a training and I will get to attend the ladies retreat. I had not thought I would get to attend but since Rocky has to be up there I get to go!!! YIPPE!
Rocky is going to get a physical while he is up in Quito so he will get that out of the way.
Positive things about being in Quito for 5 weeks: We were so blessed to spend quality time with other missionaries just hanging out, eating and playing games. We had not gotten to know these other missionaries because of the long distance between us. This time together was an amazing opportunity!!! Thank you Lord!!!
Also there was FAST FOOD!!!! YIPPEEE! We were also able to walk to wonderful grocery stores to shop!!! All in all it was a good experience for me!!!

Happenings

We are still hanging out in Quito awaiting our paperwork. Meanwhile we went to the dentist,which I felt like I needed for a while. We both got our teeth cleaned and ex-rays. I have quite a bit of bone loss so I met with a periodontist today and I need some detailed work done in 3 visits. Hope to get this done while we are in Quito this time.

Fletcher and Ruby return tomorrow so today I got their bathroom cleaned and moved all of my stuff out and into the extra bath. Will get their sheets washed and put back on so their room will be ready for them tomorrow.Rocky and I are so very blessed to get to stay here while we are in Quito. Looking forward to some time with Ruby and Fletcher for the next few days.

I have been trying to make some cookies that I used to buy at Walmart and today I got real close. whoo hoo

Church

This morning we attended the local Baptist church ( Iglesia Bautista)
Vida Nueva en Jesuschristo ( New life in Jesus Christ)
The message was really good. It came from Psalm 133. About unity. We actually sang Psalm 133 and it was powerful.
1 !!Mirad cuán bueno y cuán delicioso es
Habitar los hermanos juntos en armonía!

2 Es como el buen óleo sobre la cabeza,
El cual desciende sobre la barba,
La barba de Aarón,
Y baja hasta el borde de sus vestiduras;

3 Como el rocío de Hermón,
Que desciende sobre los montes de Sion;
Porque allí envía Jehová bendición,
Y vida eterna.

1 How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

There was a sweet sweet spirit in that place.
ONE REALLY WONDERFUL THING WAS THAT I COULD UNDERSTAND MOST OF THE MESSAGE!
THANK YOU FATHER FOR UNDERSTANDING!!!

Tourist

Yesterday Rocky and I were joined by another missionary couple here in Quito. We walked to Parque Carolina and took the double-decked open top tour bus around Quito. We had a wonderful time and the weather was really good.
The tourist:

Today Outside my Window

I am thinking...Of how much I need God!

I am thankful...for other English speaking women in Quito.

In the kitchen... Leftovers for lunch.

I am wearing...My favorite pj's.

I am creating...nothing at the moment, but planning on purchasing materials for some embroider.

I am going...to the airport at 2:30 to pick up Jim and his wife as they fly in from Cuenca and spend the evening enjoying them before taking them to the airport early morning to leave for Washington State.

I am wondering...If I will do good on the written exam for my drivers lic.

I am reading... I started "The Help" last night and I am reading through the bible in a year with a FB group.

I am hoping...In Christ and Christ alone!

I am looking forward to...Excited about what the Lord will do in and through me this new year.

I am hearing... the washing machine. Thank you Lottie Moon offering for a washing machine and dryer!!!!!!

Around the house...A few Christmas decorations that Ruby had out when we arrived.

I am pondering...Genesis 4 today.

One of my favorite things...holding the hand of a small child.I do not think that this will ever change!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Enjoying Jim and his wife, and dentist appointment tomorrow.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Rocky fishing at 13000 ft. He said there is no air up that high. He and Perry walked for two hours to get there. They caught one fish and cooked it up there.

Year-End Retreat

Our Missionary family here in Ecuador has a tradition for new years. Year-End retreat.It is very beneficial for missionaries after all of the emotions of being far away from family during the Christmas season. It is usually at the beach and we had a great time there last year but it is a long way to travel. As there were very few families left here in Ecuador this year we opted to have it at the LC's home in Quito.
This was the schedule;
Food, fellowship, food, games, food, fellowship, food, movies, food, fellowship, food, devotions, food, fellowship, and more food. We had a great time.
We all watched "Courageous" and there was not a dry eye in the room. We also think that the movie should come with a rating. " May not be appropriate if you have children, because will rip your heart out!"
Our precious Brother and Sisters!