We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. –See Psalm 10
Dear loved ones,
“You’re the good shepherd Daddy! You’re the good shepherd of our family,” replied Sophia giggling in the back seat. We were on our 1st ever extended daddy-daughter trip. 10 days up North to TX, WI, and MN. Some comments that Sophia made to me recently made me realize the necessity of doing something exceptional, just for her. Daddy always had time to work, always made time for all the camp preparations, etc… Truth be told, block laying in 100-degree heat comes much easier to me than active, engaged parenting. Go figure.
My anxieties rose as the trip grew near. Navigating the exit of Mexico, U.S. entrance, lodging, flights, public bathrooms, dangers of so many kinds…I had only one goal. I knew that Sophia, now 7, will always remember this daddy-daughter trip. For good or otherwise. The goal was to make it a great blessing to her. (And for me just to survive and give mommy a break!) I needed to let Sophia know that I always have time for her. Special. Time. What an adventure we had! Especially after that first night in WI when she wept so hard for Mommy and cried herself and her earache to sleep. I wish it wasn’t so hard for me to maintain patience, kindness, reflect love, even with my little girl, but as Pastor Chayo says…Wishing doesn’t exist.
And so I worked at it, diligently as I would laying blocks through the afternoon heat. As our traveling came near a close, we passed a sign about the Good Shepherd and I asked Sophia Who that was. Her answer surprised me, and then she followed that up by acknowledging that God is the Good Shepherd. “We are the sheep of His pasture,” she stated. Yes, we are. Sophia has commented many times since our trip just how much she enjoyed it. Mission accomplished. Thank you so much to all of you who helped make our trip so special. It’s not time to mention it to her just yet, but I’m already thinking of ideas for our next adventure…
Our Father always has time for us. He made spending time with Him possible through His intense love that He has for us. He sent His Son for relationship, to give us direct access all the time. He is never worn out, never impatient. He’s always kind. Always good. He. Is. Love. He doesn’t have to try to be. The time with Him, and the adventure, are always ours for the taking. Oddly, it is often us, not Him, that do not take the time…He enjoys being with you.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand. -see Psalm 139
Stunning to consider isn’t it? God bless you this month, and let’s take that time.
Prayer requests:
It seems odd not to have a construction picture or a camp etc…
We’re giving the general fund a chance to hopefully replenish and my shoulder is in need of a break per doctor’s orders. It’s been enflamed and painful for a few months but looks like it will not need surgery. So I’ll be back at it as much as allows through the summer! We’ve come a long way with the wall and sidewalks etc…but there’s wall yet to build across the front. The new front gate is now welded and placed! These are a high priority this year. We need to get this closed up. I hope to work on these needed advances this summer. Please pray for the provision to keep things moving, along with the strength, wisdom and patience necessary to advance.
Just a little further, and then a little further, and then?? We are in the 6th year of the probate process to finally complete our land buy. There is not enough newsletter space to explain it all, but that patience word comes to mind once again. We hope to have some positive movement toward completion of this irritant by our next letter. We have done our best to represent Jesus while being taken advantage of all throughout this process. May that continue (the Jesus part ;).
FORE!! Let’s golf!
Friday, August 23 will be our tournament/ dinner fundraiser in Amery, Wisconsin.
This tournament has always been a blessing in so many ways. We hope to see you there once again!
Greetings from Cuernavaca!
The play area we built is a ministry in itself and we finally have some grass growing! Of course, we are thankful for the children we have been able to care for but let’s pray for more. Let’s pray that God open all the government roadblocks and complications so we can care for more children. In the meantime, Betty and Pastor Chayo asked me what I thought about starting up the after school program once again. We’re all for it aren’t we?!! Shine Jesus, shine through this place!
Also, I’ve begun to accept some guest preaching through the summer. May God bless these efforts.
Praise Report!
Pictured below are the cousins. I thank God for the chance to see you all and get together. Just thinking about the picture makes me miss you all again. It’s always hard to feel a world apart. And then there was my (much older 🙂 brother turning 60!
Also, Sophia and I attended a gender reveal with Joey and Natali. It’s a girl! It was so nice to see many of you for family time. And thanks to Emily and Hugo for making time for Sophia, and of course to the Spencers for all the lessons, the fort making, and the climbing! Let’s all keep climbing. A little further…
Love from, Gary and Minnie and Sophia, along with all your family in Mexico.