Did Jesus Stand Us Up?

We had one of Sarah Caroline's friends run in yesterday saying,  "Did you know we are going to have a big earthquake tonight?" (except she asked in Spanish).  I had a short discussion with her that no person knows for sure when an earthquake or the end of the world is coming, but that God knows.  We had some good discussions with our kids this week, too, about the end of the world.  Sarah Caroline asked me today what I thought all of those followers of Harold Camping were doing today, and if they are disappointed.  I found this article that I thought was interesting, and we'll be sure and share it with our kids tonight.

This is the article from theresurgence.com :  Did Jesus Stand Us Up?

Peru Mission's May Update

Check out our missions' newest update by clicking this link:
Peru Mission May E-Bulletin

Daily Sighting

Sam and his sweet friends Mary Allen and Satomi

Southwest Salad

I just made this salad for lunch tomorrow, and it's one of my favorites that I found several years ago in Southern Living.  It's great with any mexican food, but it's also good with grilled chicken or steak as a meal.  It serves a crowd - as a side this recipe is enough for about 12 people.

Southwest Salad

• ⅓ cup cilantro
• ½ cup lime juice
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
• 1 head romaine
• 5 plum tomatoes
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 small purple onion, chopped
• 1 8 oz pkg mexican cheese blend
• 1 can mexicorn
• 1 6 oz can black olives
• 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
• 
  

     Dressing:
Process the first 7 ingredients in a blender.

Salad:
Layer the ingredients in a large bowl.

Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving.  If you don't like cilantro, you can serve this with ranch dressing instead.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm so thankful I get to be Mom to these four wonderful kids...

I LOVE these kids!  And I am very thankful for them and the joy they bring to our lives!  But I will say I am needing a bit of encouragement in parenting them right now, and here are some verses I am going to use to remind me of my call to motherhood:


Therefore, my dear (sisters), stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  
1 Corinthians 15:58


"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."  Matthew 25:40

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  
Lamentations 3:22-23

This is a good reminder that my work in raising these children is not in vain - God is honoring my work, whether it be feeding the kids a million meals they don't really appreciate, or finding shoes for the tenth time that they should have found, and teaching them how to solve their disagreements, etc.  And whether I "succeed" or "fail" as mom, God is sovereign over their lives.  It's not all up to us.... we do our very best and pray over them and teach them God's word, but only God is shaping their hearts, we are merely the instruments.  And with every single thing I do as a mom, it is another opportunity to serve Christ.  And most importantly to me, where I am right now, His mercies are new EVERY morning.  When I can't get it all together, and I feel consumed and overwhelmed, HE IS FAITHFUL.  It's not about my strength, but God's.  Put things in perspective just a bit.  

Marcus and I are so incredibly thankful for our wonderful, godly moms that raised us, and we are sad we aren't with them today to give them hugs and celebrate.  We are thankful for the selfless encouragement they have given us to live in Peru, although we have taken their grandchildren so far away for a bit of time.  Mom and Marlene, we love you!  Thank you for keeping us going with your support and encouragement!  Happy Mother's Day!