San Jose mission trip, day 1 and day 2

We arrived in Costa Rica on Saturday, late in the afternoon. We had a small window of time to check into our hotel room before we headed to a local park. Although it was beginning to sprinkle outside, it was our hope to share the gospel, set up a bounce house for the children, and play a movie about Jesus for all the people of this particular neighborhood. We divided into teams of three- and every team had one translator- so we could go share the gospel and invite people to the event at the park. However, the rains grew heavier and heavier and we had to load up and leave after only one hour. We were much more successful on Sunday night, though! We traveled to another local neighborhood with park and we went door to door, inviting people to the movie and activities at the park. Twenty two people accepted Christ!

This week, we will be going into the local schools every morning to share the gospel. In the evenings, we will be going to local parks, just like Saturday and Sunday night- to share the gospel, provide family entertainment, and a movie. We are excited about God's plans for our time here, serving His people and sharing His good news! We are serving with teams from 2 other churches from the United States, one church is from Florida and the other is from California.

Thank you for praying!

ps- This is the song we sang during our worship time on Sunday morning. It was beautiful to hear  two different languages, singing this song of praise to our Heavenly Father.

 

This is a picture I took after we unloaded from the bus, on our first night in San Jose. This was Saturday night, the night we got rained out after about one hour.

I love this picture. If you look closely, you'll see the little children peeking at us from the window.

This is the view from our hotel room window. David and I are staying on the 8th floor.

 

The church, Iglesia Bautista, is currently meeting in a hotel every Sunday morning. It actually meets at the same hotel where we are staying! I took the picture above while the worship team was warming up for service.

Pastor Jerry (one of our team members from Faith) was invited to preach the message on Sunday morning.
 Above, you'll see that Jerry was accompanied by a translator.
 Jerry preached a message of God's grace and the hope we have in Christ alone.

 Below is a picture of David talking to his translator. David shared the gospel after the movie
presentation at the park on Sunday night.

  I was trying to take a picture of these boys playing their soccer game,
but one boy saw my camera
and shouted, "Camera! Camera!" and they all huddled
up for this photo! wink.

These precious children enjoyed the bounce house
and piñata at the park on Sunday night!

"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift- not from works, so that no one can boast."- Ephesians 2:8-9

Please pray

Tonight, David and I are leaving for Costa Rica on a missions trip with a team from our church. We are going to be serving in San Jose for 8 days. I am hoping to post updates on our blog, if you'd like to follow our adventures next week! Please pray for the gospel to reach many people in San Jose, for  the safety of our missions team, and for all of our families here at home. Thank you so much for your prayers!

ps- We will miss our 3 children so very much! We are so, so very blessed. Again, thank you for praying!

We went to visit Aunt Shonna's new baby chicks! They were so cute!

Bella loved, loved, loved the chicks! She wasn't even timid about picking them up!

JJ wanted to look at the chicks, but not hold them. He was fascinated.

15 little chicks - what a treat for some afternoon entertainment! wink.

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you."- Psalm 56:3

waterslide time!

Three...

two....

one...Wheeeeeee!!!

David set up the waterslide in our backyard this weekend and our children are enjoying it very, very much! We are looking forward to many more fun afternoons in the backyard, with our  sweet neighbors. We have the best daddy ever; he does so much for our family and we are very thankful for the way he loves (and leads) our family!

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."- James 1:22

Wordless Wednesday: Squeeze!

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."- 2 Corinthians 9:11

preparing for a new school year

It's that time of year again! It's time to start to preparing for our new school year. I am SO excited because both Wubs and Bella will be attending Academy of Grace! wink. (Academy of Grace is the official name of our homeschool. We had to decide on a name for our 'school' when we registered with the state of North Carolina.) I've been busy planning, preparing, ordering, and organizing! We are so thankful for God's provision for homeschool!

Bella will be starting in kindergarten and she can't wait to learn how to read. She has been peeking in our book baskets and asking me lots of questions about her new workbooks and math blocks. I am really looking forward to working with Bella and learning how she processes new information. While Bella is studying her letters and numbers, I will be studying Bella! wink.

Emma Grace will be in the 3rd grade this year. I can't believe it! When I was a public school teacher, I taught third grade, so I have a special place in my heart for this grade level. Using the results from our end of year testing, I am trying to prepare lessons to meet the specific needs of Emma Grace. (I learned a lot from those test results. It was helpful to see where Wubs struggles so I can provide extra instruction. And, it was also fun to see where Emma Grace needs to be challenged because she exceeds her grade level!)

I asked both girls the same question, "When you think about our new homeschool year, what do you think you'll enjoy the most?"
Wubs: "Let me think... snacktime! And, reading and learning cursive."
Bella: "Crafts! Crafts! And the calendar songs, too."

We are looking forward to beginning our new school year, the last week of August!
"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."- Psalm 119:32

10 beautiful years

Ten years ago today, on July 26 2003, we became husband and wife. Ten beautiful years, filled with God's grace, faithfulness, and blessings. I will be forever thankful that the Lord allowed me to be Mrs. David McNeill!
"The man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called woman, for she was taken from man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh."- Genesis 2:23-24

in the storm

The other day, I took the children for a walk around our neighborhood. (Even JJ was walking... no more stroller! He is a big boy! wink.) We had gotten about a ten minutes into our stroll when the sky started to look really dark and the wind began to blow. In no time at all, we found ourselves in a downpour! I enjoyed watching how differently our children reacted to the sudden storm. Wubs was thrilled, happily jumping in the puddles and walking with her mouth gaping open in hopes of catching a raindrop. Bella was a little unsure until she saw her sister's excitement and then she joined in the puddle hopping. They were really cute, having fun together!

I would have expected our little boy to be in the puddles and squealing with delight, but instead, JJ wanted me to carry him. He nuzzled his head into my neck and wrapped his arms around me tightly. He wasn't upset, but he also did not want me to put him down. JJ's response was such a precious reminder of the comfort I can always find in Christ when I'm in the midst of life's storms. I don't have to be afraid, but I can trust He will always be with me, to carry me. I couldn't stop smiling.  It was such a special memory and I praised God for the sweet reminder of His faithfulness.

We are having lots and lots of fun with the sprinkler and the hose this summer! Yesterday, Wubs made a 'mouse' while we were outside... God has given her such creativity!

I love this sweet smile.

JJ and our neighbor, Charlee!

Cheese!

Charlee told me to take her picture when she counted to three, so I could get a picture of the water on her head. wink.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and with all your strength."Deuteronomy 6:5

Wordless Wednesday: Snuggle me

"This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us: He has given to us from His Spirit."- 1 John 4:13

Science Camp 2013

Last week, Wubs went to science camp! Emma Grace was a participant in a free camp called Science in the Summer; it is provided by a local healthcare company, GlaxoSmithKline. She went to camp every morning from 9am-noon, and she learned so much! This summer, the camp theme was genetics. Emma Grace loved doing experiments, playing games, making crafts, spending time with friends, and bringing her own special snack every morning. On the last day of camp, families were invited to come see all their camper's completed work from the week. We were so excited to follow Wubs around the science lab and listen to all her new knowledge about genetics! It was a blessing to be part of this program and we were so thankful for the opportunity!

Wubs stopped to pose for me with a model of dna strand. wink.

 

Here, Wubs was teaching Bella about the blubber the polar bears need to keep warm in the icy cold water.

 

Wubs taught daddy about the blubber, too!

Wubs was showing JJ and Bella some of her goodies from her science bag.

Polar bear paws!

Sweet little science campers- Lily, Clara, and Wubs!

"Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe."- Hebrews 12:28

Cheer Camp 2013

Bella attended Upward Cheer Camp at our church last week! She loved learning cheers, making crafts, devotion time, eating yummy snacks, and practicing a dance routine. Bella had lots of fun making new friends, too! I had the opportunity to be the Kindergarten-1st grade cheer coach, so every night, Bella and I went to cheer camp together! We both had a wonderful time!

Bella and several of her new friends from cheerleading camp.

The girls were all lined up before the Friday night performance. Cheer camp parents were invited to come watch the little cheerleaders perform their cheers and dance.

Almost time to go into the gym to perform!

We love you, cheerleader Bella!

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."- Proverbs 3:3

my prayer partner

In addition to praying with my husband, praying by myself, and praying with our children, God has  blessed me with a prayer partner.

On Tuesday mornings, when it's a little dark outside and my family is still fast asleep, my prayer partner calls our house. Anticipating her call, I always have the phone in my hand so I can answer right away. We spend a few minutes sharing praises, sharing our prayer requests, encouraging one another in Truth, and then we spend time praying together. I am so very thankful the Lord hears every prayer!

Have a wonderful weekend! And, in blog entries to come... I will be sharing pictures and stories from Science Camp and Cheerleading Camp! Wubs and Bella have been busy this past week!

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."- Romans 12:10

a mommy skill

One mommy skill that I have learned over the years: the ability to think fast. wink.

Wubs- "I have so many pictures in my baby book! I like the pictures where I'm all snuggled up in a blanket. I was so little!"

Bella- "Wubs has more pictures than me, Mama. I even have empty pages. Does JJ have empty pages like me?" -Bella hesitates-  "Wait! Where is JJ's baby book?"

Mommy- (Hmmmmm-think fast. What is a good reason why poor JJ doesn't even have a baby book, and he is two years old?) "Who wants to go play in the sprinkler?"

Wubs, Bella, and JJ- "MEEEEEE!"

Sprinkler time with a picnic lunch... what a wonderful summer afternoon!

 

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."- 2 Corinthians 9:7

Wordless Wednesday: Cow Appreciation Day 2013

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."- Proverbs 13:20