Our little corner of the world

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book, before one of them came to be."  (Psalm 138:16)

We watch our lives unfold little-by-little, but God not only knows everything that's going to happen...He's the One who planned it all!  "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you hope and a future."  (Jer. 29:11)

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In 2001, Dan graduated from college and prepared to continue his studies in physical therapy.  Therapy school is really expensive, so he found a great way to finance his future.  He joined the U.S. Army!  He joined as an officer, a second lieutenant, and the Army paid for his schooling, as well as his salary.  Towards the end of his first year, he married KC, a lovely girl whom we had met when she came down on one of the mission trips that Dan led.  We traveled to the States for the wedding...and if you'd like to read (or refresh your memory) about it, and read (or re-read) the poem I wrote for them, you can go to the post at this link: 
were-you-married-in-april.html

Then in 2001, two things happened.  Debbie graduated from college with her nursing degree,

and we traveled to the States for a long-delayed furlough.  We had over a year coming to us.  We settled in El Paso, Texas.  For about a year-and-a-half, we were all together again!  (A very special treat!)  How was that?

Dan had finished his master's degree, and had to tell the Army where he preferred to be stationed...first, second, and third choices.  He put El Paso for the first...and got it without any problem, because NOBODY else wanted to go live in that little far-off corner of the country!  (Besides, the military hospital there had asked for someone bilingual.)

Dan and KC bought a house, and Debbie moved in with us, in the small duplex we had rented, and got her certification to work as an RN.  Before finding a job, she went to Haiti for three months to volunteer at a hospital...and came home with hepatitis!

What did Germán and I do during our furlough?  He worked for a while in one of HCJB's U.S.-Mexican-border radio stations, and then helped out in a Hispanic church.  He occasionally preached, held Bible studies, did visitation, etc .  And I was able to contribute to that ministry with music and ...stories!  When we left, at the good-bye party, one of the ladies asked sadly, "Now who's going to make us cry?"  (When I sang, I tended to choke up and then they would!)...and "Now who's going to tell us stories?"

At home, I had a field day trying out new recipes!  I had taken my several hundred cookbooks out of storage, and being in a place where I could actually get all the ingredients (which doesn't always happen here!)  I tried out recipe-after-recipe...over 430, I think was the final count!

The second half of our time in El Paso was even more eventful, and I'll tell you about it very soon in another post. 


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"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing your righteousness...The Lord...has compassion on all He has made."  (Psalm 145:7,9)

Celebrate His kindness and love along with us, for all He has done for you, and all He IS and CAN BE for you.  

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Have a great week...meet me here again, and besides letting you know the really cool things God did for us while we were in "our little corner of the world", I'll tell you one of my stories.