He is good...

Jorge and Angelica

My mind races with a ton of things zipping in and out as thoughts run wild. …. I’m meeting my beautiful sister for a lunch date, which we haven’t had for a long time; I can hear my new neighbors/co-workers moving in upstairs; we’re planning a Christmas/Italian fundraiser for the school so details and ideas are unending; I was contacted about backpacks being given out and if we have a place we know could use them, yes we do, Arizpe; and on and on the list goes! Are you still with me?! :) 

Surprise! We're going to a hockey game!

In the midst of the racing I am overwhelmed with God and His goodness...I left the dishes in the sink in the midst of washing and have come to sit down and write a much delayed note to you. The last time, I wrote on His faithfulness and how evident that has been in my life,  but now I want to ponder his goodness. I am blown away with how GOOD He is. So often we wonder where God is in the bad times, or why He allows things to happen, but might I suggest we fail to recognize Him in the GOOD times? As we’re in the season of American Thanksgiving and approaching Christmas, I am once again reminded of how very blessed I am. And not only that, but how God lavishes His goodness over my life.

I see His goodness in the way He provides for my physical needs, providing me with a place to live and settle into. I recently moved downstairs into my parent's former house as they’ve moved into their new house! Just for the record, let’s just say that everyone moving at the same time isn’t a good idea, I don’t recommend it! :) We didn’t really have a choice as everyone needed to be out so others could move in, but still!

My sis and I

I see His goodness in the way He’s allowed my family to be together. I am going to be an Auntie for the first time and I am absolutely THRILLED!!! I love that I live close to Hannah and Kyler and I look forward to welcoming the newest member to our family into this world when that day comes! :) 

I see His goodness in my walk with Him day by day. Tho I come, imperfect and simple, He uses me for His glory and has compassion on me. I love how He chooses ordinary people to carry out His plans because otherwise I know I would never qualify to serve Him! Isn’t He good? He does’t wait for us to “have it together!” (Good thing!) 

My Bible study ladies minus one

And I see His goodness in holding me up when I can’t walk on my own. There are circumstances and hard times that come into each and every one of our lives and you know what? We don’t have to walk it alone. I am so thankful because God isn’t a figure way up in the sky that sits on a throne and wags his finger down at us sinful humans....no! He is among us, active and ALIVE in us! He loves us so very much and wants to be a part of our every day life! He wants to bless us and have a loving relationship with us.....wow. He is GOOD. 

I hope this finds you well and encouraged, take heart because we serve a good God. I leave you with this, Psalms 27:13-14: 

“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.”



                                         With much love,
                                                                   Katie

There and Back Again: Katie’s Tale

It’s hard to believe I was in Canada for three weeks and now I’ve been back in Mexico for over three weeks already, CRAZY! A friend of mine recently commented about the way the time flies by so quickly and if there’s any way we can slow it down...enjoy each moment, each day, and give God the glory for whatever He brings our way. Sometimes we get so caught up in the everyday tasks and our tired bodies complain at times, but taking the time to enjoy and look for the blessings in the midst of the craziness. 

While in Canada I was blessed to be able to spend time with family from Venezuela, North Carolina, Ontario, California/Arizona, and Salmon Arm. It was like a mini reunion and we were all heading out on little “dates” to visit one-on-one with people and I loved it! I am blessed to have family that wants to go deep, that cares about my life and is interested in where my Spiritual walk is at. I also had really good visits with friends, so once again, I am so grateful for the people God has placed in my life to challenge me, encourage me, and walk beside me...even if it’s from Canada! :)

Wups...I’m blabbing a bit. Onto a new topic! So where to begin with the now!?! Just a quick idea of what I’m keeping busy with these days! First off we’re VERY excited to be building a kitchen/dining hall/nursery building for the school!! We need this building desperately and by faith we decided to plan on building it this fall and low and behold, the blueprints are in hand and we hope to start in the next week or two! Our God is FAITHFUL...wow what a powerful word meaning loyal, constant, and steadfast. That we can rest in Him...Psalm 108:4 For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Other projects of late are moving. My parents are hoping to move into their new house and I am moving down into their old house! Exciting times! As well we’re putting together some thoughts on a conference for November, we will be meeting with a gentleman soon to make more concrete plans. And then there’s other random things such as; visiting alumni, planning baby showers, hosting a weekly Bible study group, leading worship in church, and so on! 

But I don’t want to bore you any longer so I will close here just so this isn’t a novel! Until next month! :) I hope this finds you enjoying your September. Blessings....may we enjoy each moment as it comes and be able to see the blessings God has placed in our lives, whether BIG or small. HE is faithful, don’t doubt it, look for it! 

-Katie 

June

Summer...

There aren't very many of us that stick around San Carlos ALL YEAR around, meaning through summer, but those of us that do get acquainted with quite well with three words; hot, humid, and sweaty. You can't avoid any of these three words during summer because they go together.

So....you're probably wondering why I'm talking about all this sweatiness and so on? Well no reason really, just wanting to give a little idea of summer here. But sweat and all we keep plugging away.

At the moment we have a former alumni family staying at the school for some respite, recuperation, and refreshment. Jesus had an accident with a thorn going through one of his eyes and he is in the process of healing, and will be undergoing some more surgery to see if they can save his sight. It always amazes me how God works....here is a family living in extremely poor conditions. They have been living outside under a tree, yet working hard in the ministry God put before them. They're always excited to show the pictures of all the children they have coming out to their children's ministry and you see their faces light up when you ask them how it's going. Though the parents of their little village are closed off to the God they allow their children to attend and be taught the Word of God. How cool...they have hope that one day these children will rise up in leadership to lead this town in a new way, walking with the Lord Jesus Christ and in the will of God! Some people say children's ministry isn't enough, or worth staying in a small town for, but they are the future! How much better to start with the children!!


It is good to have Jesus, Maribel, and their 3 kids here for a couple of weeks! Pray for them as they come to mind, that God will heal Jesus's eye and he'll have his sight returned, but also for their finances as these accidents are costly. they will have a hard time as Jesus won't be able to for a while.


Another key part of summer is planning. We're always scheming and brainstorming for this up-coming year, the direction we feel God leading us. We're still such a young school, trying to get the hang of things, so it's exciting to see how God puts things into place. Even teachers He has brought our way! So the planning continues and we're even pursuing a new project of a kitchen/dining hall. Sometimes we wonder how in the world it will happen, or doubt it happening any time soon, but then we remember who's in charge and you know what?? It isn't us! God has been in this ministry from the start and He will continue to provide for it....I love seeing how he works! Blessings.....life is full of them. We will keep you posted on how God provides and when we "break ground!"


Travel...another part of summer. My parents are both taking time to visit their parents, one set in Tennessee and the other in British Columbia! I am going to have the opportunity to go to both places this summer. I was asked to do the driving from San Carlos to Lake Tahoe for a lady in our church so while already in the States I flew over to visit my grandparents in Tennessee. God had orchestrated that timing perfectly because my Granny had just had knee replacement surgery, my Mum was there helping, so I was also able to give some relief and help out! Thankfully my Granny is on the mend and working hard at physical therapy for her knee's recovery.


And now in August I will be heading up to Canada! A very unexpected blessing, to go to a friend's wedding, visit friends, and also get to spend some time with my grandparents!


My next few weeks will be filled with organizing our school office....also doing inventory on school supplies! We always do our school supply buying while on sale for the school year in the States, as things are WAY cheaper!)


You may notice you're subscribed to a mailing list....this is my own list, so I will be sending out notes more regularly and not as long-winded. Hopefully my parents and I aren't too repetitive....kinda crazy when your co-workers are your parents and we will write similar updates!
If you want you can unsubscribe at any time, no worries! I appreciate you and know so many of you pray for us and let me tell you, it works!! Please keep praying!! 

Until next time....
-Katie