Stretching the Bow

I've been waking up rather early in the mornings, (4am not on purpose!) and having some wonderful time with The Lord. Yesterday, I was reading in My Utmost for His Highest, one of my favorites, and read the following quote several times to soak it in.

"God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says - "I cannot stand any more." God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands."

This year in Ecuador has been a time of stretching for me-- wonderful, challenging stretching. The comfort always remains that Christ knows exactly for what purpose he is stretching and preparing me. What a peace that brings! What beauty that he doesn't listen to me when I complain about the stretching and begin to get weary from the load, but continues to take me outside my comfort zone to prepare me for something ahead. 


He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly.

Don't be discouraged if you are in the midst of stretching. He is preparing you for the flight ahead of you that you can't see yet. He soon will let you fly, higher than you could have before, closer to him, and with a better view of the situation below where you used to be. Take comfort in His preparations. 

I'm finding confidence that The Lord has taught me lessons this year in Macas that He will continue to use for His glory when I return to The States and begin a new life as a wife and teacher and friend. What a beautiful thing is the way he patiently walks beside us, leading us closer to Him.

May all your wanderings today point your eyes upward to Him. 

He is worthy of all the glory!

Much love from Macas,

Laurita

Reading

I've been doing lots of reading lately, something I enjoy immensely, and have learned a great deal from it. I just finished reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, and although he writes this plan for the person who is in the midst of debt, I learned so much about wise, biblical money management. He encourages people to "live like no one else so that later you can live like no one else." His principles are based on the idea that we need to live without the luxuries that we grew up with under our parents' homes and learn to live with less. In doing this, we can prepare for a more secure future for our children and ourselves one day. Really great! Highly recommend!

I just began reading what I already knew was going to be a highly convicting book, Kisses from Katie. I have been reading this girl's blog for several years, learning about her story of going from a upper-middle class suburban homecoming queen to a adopted mother in Uganda of 14 little girls. I've only just begun but am highly convicted of the unnecessary luxuries that I afford myself when there is so much more I could be doing with my resources. Stepping outside our comfort zones and loving like Christ loves is a command from The Lord, and I can already see how much adjusting needs to happen in my own life.

Make time for reading because we always have so much to learn!

May you be filled with an awareness of the abundant blessings you've been given this week!

Que Dios le bendiga!

-Laurita

April in the Jungle

Happy middle of April! I cannot believe how fast March came and went! I have been slacking on my blogging lately, but am going to do some marathon posts to catch up!

In March, Emanuel Christian School had our week of Fiestas, celebrating our 12 year anniversary! God has blessed the school richly and I pray that He will continue to do so! Here are some pictures from the week!

We had a big parade to announce the beginning of our celebration and each class had worked for weeks on a special dance and getting costumes for the occasion! Parades and dances are a big deal here!








Even some of the parents were involved!













This is a precious family that works at the school. Hermana Patty and Hermano Pedro have been such a blessing to me!




Christian Education trivia competition!




During this week, I was blessed with a visit from my fiancé Miles! What a sweet time we had together!


Mr. and Miss Emanuel Trivia Competition


The Judges


Miles got put to work!


and took lots of photos too!


Preschool program helper




End of the week Carnival for the students




With a little "Just Dance" game going on


and some swimming!


Friday night was the city-wide dance performance, where each class, some parents and teachers presented dances they had learned.


















Such a blessing to my life.




Thank you for your prayers as we begin our third trimester at school and prepare for upcoming events!

May you drink deep of His promises and faithfulness today!

Que Dios le bendiga!

All for The Kingdom,
Laurita

Karioka!

More pictures here from the end of February! My sweet friends Kate and Chris Magee came to Ecuador to visit Miles and me! What a wonderful blessing from The Lord!



This was La Carolina Parque in Quito. Such a beautiful place!



just driving scenery... :)



at Camp Chacalco, where Miles will be working for two months with Bro. Steve Thompson and their awesome staff!







I am a richly blessed woman!

The next day, we went to Baños to go hiking!





holding our breath in the tunnels :)





at the bottom of the waterfall!!







hiking up the tiny cave-like path to the top of the fall



Kate and Chris behind the fall!



on the bridge, soaking wet!

then, on our way back to camp, we stopped to see some beautiful spots!






So thankful for this guy's heart that is serving The Lord. What a blessing he is to my life.



and for good friends to encourage us!



We all (minus Kate) ate Cuy, an Ecuadorian delicacy. (Also known as Guinea Pig)





God is good!

After a short rest, we drove to Ambato for the big "Desfile de Frutas y Flores!" (Fruit and Flower Parade) Little did we know that spray foam was a big deal here...especially for gringos...





and later than night...









Gorgeous floats made out of fruits and flowers! Roses everywhere!



hiding from the foam





We had such a fun time, as you can tell!

The next day, Kate and I took the bus back to Macas, because I had to teach school. Chris and Miles left on a bus to take Chris back to Quito to fly back home.

What a wonderful week we had!!! Thank you so much Kate and Chris!!
Love you dearly!!


Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement! The Lord is so good, always.

May you recognize His blessings in every part of your life, for He always brings good.

Que Dios le bendiga!

-Laurita