Taking a rest

a few weeks ago a friend invited us to Progresso. I can honestly say I was hesitant. The introvert that I am, I prefer to go away with only our family. I guess what I mean to say is it takes my energy to be with others, and it doesn't feel restful if I'm using that energy.

hanging out in the hammock with our friends

The time was planned though so I went with it.

Fresh Avocadoes!! 

Progresso is a village next to a lagoon.  Our friend's parents live at the edge of the lagoon. There is a constant breeze over the lagoon. This brought freshness and coolness that we don't experience in Orange Walk.

The first night we were cold (imagine)!  The breeze made the night cool more than we are used to. I wanted a blanket.   After breakfast we..... sat around till lunch!

The kids weren't too happy with it. We did do some things but a lot of time was spent relaxing. I finally felt in a place where I was resting.  Honestly it's been a while!

While we were in training with EMM, we were reminded of the importance of rest.  God actually commands us to do it. One thing the people at EMM talked about is rest being a way we see it is about Him and not us. If it is us who are doing all of the work, and the work won't be done without us, we are dependent on us.  When we take a day of rest, we are acknowledging that it is God who provides. We designate his sovereignty in our lives.

Zion trying out stilts

Why am I talking about rest in a blog post? The trip to Progresso was a admonition to me personally. I was often using our days of rest as a time to catch up on projects. This is not what rest was intended for. Personally I strive to not do the things I dislike on that day, and not do chores. I was actually going grocery shopping on Mondays, but I hate grocery shopping!

We found Hershey's Sunday pies in Belize!! 

I also thought it important to give you an accurate picture of our week. I started last week with a post about our Sundays.  Mondays are our day of rest as a family.  This doesn't always look the same. Sometimes we go places. Sometimes we hang out at the house. We try to have family game night/movie nights every other week in the evenings on Mondays. Other than that, our time is unplanned. We enjoy it that way.

Playing a game of Code Names 

How do you incorporate God's rest into your schedule?  (I would love new ideas!)

A Typical Sunday

I have mentioned in one of our letters that Nathanael desired to keep things the same as Nancy had done them. He followed the same order of service, van pick up schedule, and traditions.

A typical Sunday morning. Apparently I was ignoring Nathanael taking pictures

In the beginning, the words were grating. We often heard "that's not how Nancy did it" . At first it felt like an insult. Then we recognised they were just stating facts.  We came to the realization that no matter how much we followed what she did, we are not her. She left after 12 years and she left a legacy. We are thankful to be here, but by default we are different.

A picture from 2 and 1/2 years ago Nancy prepping for the Christmas service

That being said, the order of service is basically the same. Let me take a step back though.  Church starts on Tuesday.  Nathanael works at his sermon prep.  He puts a lot of work into making it visual, and applicable.

Nathanael 2 years ago doing a drama

When we first arrived, he was unsure of where to begin. How should his sermons focus be determined?  As he prayed about it, and worked here, he felt God's tug to start with basics. He is currently preaching through the Bible. He uses the book The Story as a guide.

Drama day at church, we do these once a month

He spends time both reading the stories in the Bible a few times, listening to them, and watching them interpreted into ASL.  He then makes a powerpoint presentation.  He uses many pictures to illustrate and help explain.

People standing to worship

So what happens on a Sunday?  Saturday night, Nathanael messages every Deaf person in the area to ask if they will be attending church.  This helps him plan out his pick up route.  He preps the Tang that we have for break time, and loads the van

Misael's 18th Birthday, and him getting sung to

I know it's taken me half a blog post to actually get to Sunday morning.

This is what our Sunday morning starts with:

At 8am.

I know I know that's not early for most of you. Really, it shouldn't feel early for us. I have found that I need more sleep living overseas. That and I just don't sleep well. (which is a totally different blog post)

I really considered doing a time lapse video of what the running around looks like then I thought better of it. Really most of you know what running around on Sunday looks like. If you aren't sure: 

At 9am, we clamor into the van. Nathanael drives to church.  Sometimes Misael is there, sometimes he isn't. He helps us prepare the area for church.  Nathanael usually leaves 1 or 2 children with me and Misael at church. I do some more cleaning. Misael usually gets some tacos for breakfast.

Selah signing a worship song

After making his rounds picking people up, Nathanael arrives at church around 10am.  People settle in . They pick songs for worship.

Each person who desires shares a song during worship. Really we don't sing we only sign. The exception being "My God is so Big" which seems to be a current favorite of the youngest members.

A few people doing worship on Sunday

After worship there is a sharing time. We are able to share what God has done during the week.  

There is a break where everyone enjoys tang. Thankfully there are many different types of tang here.

Just a sampling of the Tang we can get here

Finally, Nathanael preaches.

Nathanael preaching

The children are dismissed, I take over Sunday school. In Sunday school there is a lot of play. Recently I've been going through the Jesus Story Book Bible. We try to do an activity or craft related to the story we are studying. Many of the kids don't get read to at home. I relish the opportunity to do this for them.

Reading from my phone and showing the kids pictures

After his Sermon, Nathanael gathers the congregation in a circle. They all pray to close the service. He has started having people pray for those who were unable to come. 

Before going home, we all snack on chips. We clean up the church, and leave. The drop off happens in reverse. We arrive home.

I hope you enjoyed this small picture of what a typical Sunday looks like for us

A couple of visits

to the hospital.


3 to be exact in one week period.


It actually started about 3 weeks ago. Selah seemed to have the same illness as I did when my sister was visiting. I texted about 5 people, asking them to pray. She stayed home from our church, but went to Spanish church that evening. I forced her to take disgusting re-hydration salts.  She did well, and had about a week of recovery.

(Selah taking a glamour selfie after curling her hair overnight)

I was thinking to myself that perhaps I jumped the gun with her. (or the better alternative, God answered people's prayers)

Abigail getting an IV

When Abigail started to feel sick, I was more laid back. I watched her. After three days though, I was convinced she was in need of some hydration.

She is surprised it feels cold

At the same time, Zephaniah also developed the same sickness. His fever was 104, and we (yes me as well as I had to help him) had a pretty terrible night.

Zephaniah and I after having been up most of the night

The doctor wrote a prescription for Zephaniah, and sent him on his way.

Waiting in the hospital

He felt Abigail was dehydrated, started an Iv, and kept her overnight. Since it was her first time she had a tinge of excitement. She also enjoyed sleeping in a room with AC. She felt like she was in the lap of luxury!

Abigail in her room, watching TV! She enjoyed it! 

She came home and has fully recovered.

She learned to navigate with the IV pole

Of course Zephaniah could not be left out. He was playing and fell. I heard Nathanael yell "Spring" .  (Apparently the correct thing to do when one has a medical urgency is to yell for the nurse). Blood was everywhere!

Zephaniah's cut

Fortunately Nathanael got to the public hospital at at a time of little attendance.

All stitched up! 

 He was in and out in 45 min!  Three stitches completed and hopefully the end to our medical needs for a while! Not to mention it was the public hospital so the visit was totally free, what a blessing