Our Changing Nest

Many of my friends and family are experiencing the empty nest.  Well, at 47 years of age, Daryl and I are no where close!    As some of our older children are leaving the nest, other younger children are joining the nest.  At this point in our lives, our children (biological, adopted, and living in our group home) range from 2 years to 24 years of age.  And the empty nest is no where in sight!  I’m not complaining…just stating a fact.

But as the older daughters are moving on, I am reminded again that the children that God puts in our nest are not really ours.  They all belong to our Heavenly Father and He allows us to take care of them for the time that He determines.  Some are with us in our home for only a few short months; others for only a few years; and others for 20+ years.  They are all His children, given to us for a time to love, nurture, teach…and send on to where He calls. 

A brief update on those who have left the nest or are getting ready to leave:

Brittney is presently in the Ohio, having just finished her student teaching for her elementary ed/special ed degree.  She has worked hard over the years and is now reaching her goal.  We have missed her greatly over these recent months and are very anxious to have her return to Guatemala in just a few weeks.  She will live with us and help in our group home for a couple of months and then she will be moving to San Pablo La Laguna (about 3 hours drive from here), where she will be starting her ministry with special needs children and their families.  This is a very poor community, and they do not speak Spanish.  Brittney will have to learn yet another language (Tz'utujil) and a very new life style.  But she is so excited to follow God’s call there.  Please pray for her—for direction in ministry, friends at her new home, peace, provision, and God’s power to carry her through.  Please see Brittney’s blog, Reason to Sing, in my blog list to the right, to follow her ministry.

Ashley is still living in Ohio with her husband Dustin and their

 son,Tristan.  Ashley is working at Advance America and Dustin is working his way up the chain at ConAgra.  Tristan will be three years old this July and is working at keeping his parents busy!  Prayers for their family would be appreciated.

Krishauna is working hard to finish her classes up in 2014, so she can return to the States for a few months early next year to complete her student teaching.  She too is working toward an elementary ed/special ed degree.  However, in the mean time, she is taking a one-month trip to Ohio in July to complete some testing that is required for her schooling.  She is also helping out here in our home when she is not studying.  Please pray for Krishauna in her final leg of her education and pray that God will guide her to His perfect plan for her future ministry here in Guatemala.  Krishauna’s blog, entitled Unpredictable, is to the right as well.

Teisha has had a year of change.  She and Wes, her fiancé, are living in Ohio.  Any day now she will be giving birth to a little girl.  Her name is Allison Marie.  We would appreciate your prayers for guidance and direction.

Carissa is doing a wonderful job as co-director of Hogar de la Esperanza.  This position has given her some valuable experience and training as she prepares for her ministry in Uganda.  But now her time here is almost over.  She is planning to fly to the States in July to begin a time of speaking and fund-raising for her next big step in life—moving to Uganda to start her own ministry to orphan girls with special needs.  She is very excited to move toward this great call of God.  We are going to miss her immensely here at Hogar de la Esperanza, but Uganda is going to gain a wonderful young lady.  I’m sure she would appreciate any contacts that you can make for her to be able to speak to your church, small group, etc.   Please pray for Carissa—for direction and wisdom as she makes decisions for her future, for speaking engagements in the States, for provision of finances for her move and ministry start-up costs.  You can follow Carissa’s ministry by reading her blog, Less of me; More of You, in my blog list to the right.

The rest of my “little" ones will be staying in the nest for a least a couple more years. (Although, I have a feeling that those years will pass all too quickly.)

Thank You, Father, for Brittney, Ashley, Krishauna, Teisha, and Carissa!  Please help each one of them to know and love You from the bottom of their hearts.

Thank You, Lord, for Taryn, Jeremiah, Joshua, Kimberly, and Jonathan!  As they grow and mature, please help them to follow you with every ounce of their being.

Thank You, God, for Thania, Alejandra, Yenifer, Brayan, Rafael, Angelita, Christian, Esther, and Racquel.  Help them to know and love You to the best of their abilities.

And thank You again, Father, for the beautiful and precious life that you gave to Your little Esperanza, and all that you taught us through her.  Thank You again for holding her in Your perfect arms.

Thank You, Father, for the incredible nest You have given us!  And thank You for the changes that You are making to our nest…even though some of those changes are difficult!