freezing weather and two sweet little girls....

It's crazy to think that just a week ago, I had just spent the day at a pool basking underneath the blazing hot summer.  The sun that day was surprisingly strong and I ended that day a little more red than anything.  And today I sit in a Starbuck's enjoying the warmth of the inside as I look out out to a light dusking of snow and temperatures that are anything but warm.  Heating blankets, hot drinks, and warm clothes are all sweet things.  It has been such a gift seeing loved ones... it has been a RICH 3 days and I am really excited to have another month visiting family and friends. Just wanted to give you a few updates on two little girls that I have been sharing with you all about.  Little Shakira is doing well.  Recovering from such a huge operation is HARD work... but report has it that she is doing well.   And that is really really exciting! Thank you to so many of you who have prayed, supported, and journeyed along.

Shakira

Momma Shakira and little Shakira

                                                 

And little Gina went home to be with Jesus the other morning.  For the most part, we stayed away from taking pictures of this sweet little girl.  A physical body that is not doing well can be so vulnerable and personal and we wanted to maintain the dignity of this precious little girl.  But this picture is perfect.... it captures the sweet personality of this precious little girl.  ( c :   Her story was a stretcher for me... but I am so thankful to know that at this very moment... she is FREE.  Free from the disease that took her and with Jesus.  Shortly before Gina breathed her last, her Dad accepted Christ.   She left this world surrounded by those who cared and loved her and there is hope that they will all be reunited again.  And that is awesome! 

This little girl is FREE and while there is sadness, there is hope.  Hope in the promises of our God.  He is faithful, He is true, and He is sovereign.  And this little girl is very much alive! 

Winter Update 2013

Holla! Holla! This year has been such a gift! This link will take you to my Newsletter.  If you would like to get on the mailing list for this, please let me know.  Celebrating the power of our God and the good things He has.... for each of us! Blessings to you all.  The next time I write... I'll be on the other side of the ocean! ( c : 

Smiles

In just a few hours, I will be hopping a plane and heading back towards my home in the States.  And that is exactly what it feels like.... leaving one home behind and heading to another.  This place has become home to me and I am so thankful to be returning in January.  In the meantime, I so look forward to just being with so many friends and family.  And with hours before I leave, I wanted to get an update to you all.  And it will probably be pretty short.  I'll pretty much let the picture speak for itself. Shakira went home yesterday.  And she is doing great! Thank you for journeying with her, for journeying along with me, and for being such a source of encouragement to me.  

I am hoping to get my newsletter up and posted before I leave in a few hours.  It's a little bit of a battle.  Apple Mac Pages and this blog don't seem to be the best of friends.... or probably a more likely scenario is that my lack of computer savy skills is making it hard to post the pages document to blogger.