WRITING AND WRITING SOME MORE

I am writing an END OF YEAR update as I do every year. Should be posting it very soon. Thanks for checking back for new updates. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

(It is posted on my other blog www.marciemayo.blogspot.com)

ON MY WAY

Tis the season...for traveling, for hugging, for celebrating life and the ones we love. I'm packing and heading out to florida/Alabama/Georgia tonight after midnight. Looking forward to each day and the day I will be hugging my husband when I return. FAMILY here I come!! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! See you in the way...

TIME IS FLYING

Time is flying by, ask anybody. A month has passed since I last updated this blog, and I have been thinking about you all. Wondering how everybody out there is doing. Wondering where we are all at with the latest non-changes in politics. I am still trusting the God who made us...keeping my eyes on the goal... even when I feel overwhelmed and scattered and sometimes speechless. It is best not to let circumstances gauge your attitude, but instead set your mind on things above. Keep eternal perspective. Don't be so easily discouraged.

Been seeing some answers to prayers. Once I have all the solid facts I'll be updating specifics soon. Just really thankful for a sense of determination as far as seeking the Lord and having right priorities. Letting things fall away that don't mean anything. Asking the Lord to help me take responsibility for the time He has given me on this earth and the hearts He has entrusted me with...

Hope to be more faithful in letter writing and updating friends with where I am in life. I appreciate that most of you have been ok with hearing from me just whenever... thanks for giving me time and space and praying that I would heal and keep going forward. I was laying in bed last night thinking.... in a few more months it will be 2 years since my Mom has been with Jesus...which will also mean, two years since Dylan and I have been married. Time flies doesn't it. It goes quicker than we ever imagined it would. Because of that I think we should all have a sense of urgency and a desire to be found faithful in the little things.

Prayer is the best way to stay calm and cast your cares on the Lord. I'm going to stay prayerful. Especially praying for Israel...the peace of Jerusalem. I'm going to pray that each of you would be praying and living love as much as it is up to you. Happy Thanksgiving Every day!

PACK IT OUT PACK IT IN

3 day backpack Summit Trip (between Squamish and Whistler) with 23 Pacific Academy Campers. I was privileged to be a part as an Assist/female guide.  Instructor Mat Milec lead the trip along with his Lead Guide, Victor Boulos. The emphasis on the trip seemed to mostly be about GOD CALLING US, GOD PREPARING US...   TO GO. To go AT ONCE and be HIS DISCIPLE, and what does that look like to us? Sure appreciated Mat incorporating JAM time (Jesus and Me time) each day and allowing each of them time for journaling and prayer. He gave some good illustrations and creatively delivered the message like story-time by the fire. I was greatly encouraged to remember the importance of taking time to listen and be still myself and stop the busyness that tries to steal me away from my devotion to the Lord. The Lord is speaking whether or not we will take the time to listen or not. 

The PA Campers were great! You can tell that each of their hearts are hungry for challenges and willing to go an extra mile to find what they are looking for. They are willing to listen and wanting to learn. The guys have what it takes to rise above the mediocrity and laziness that comes to most people their age, and they are blessed to have instructors like Mr Milec and Victor around to learn from. The girls were amazing in their thankfulness and never complaining and wanting to work together to get things done. I want those girls on my team! Truly a wonderful trip all the way around.

Victor, also encouraged me by his example of kindness and sharing and generosity. He was very real in sharing his heart and compassion for his family. Very much a proud father and loving husband. The kind of Guide you hope you run into on every trip. And I'm not just saying that because of his ability to prepare gourmet meals in the back country. 

NORRIS/FEENEY WEDDING

After a week, I'm getting ready to leave Arkansas. It has been a wonderful trip (except for I miss my Husband severely). My dear friend Jessica Norris tied the knot with Kevin Feeney. Lovely wedding inside a wood cabin in what felt like 'out in the middle of nowhere'. They were going to have it outside but suddenly the temperature seemed to plummet...no matter what, it was still THE PERFECT DAY. So privileged to have been there and spent time with her and her amazing family. Really felt like I was visiting Home. Guess LOVE makes you feel that way.

And towards the end of my time in Arkansas, my friend let me borrow her car and me and my sister Michele met each other halfway and spent a few hours together. HUGE HIGHLIGHT of this week....I'm so thankful to the Lord for His precious gifts to me...letting me drive through the countryside. I have been missing my sisters for a while now. Michele gave me a hug that will last me for a little while til I see her again.

 Also, felt very mothered this weekend by Jessica's mom, Cindy and her Aunt Gayle and the other older ladies that showed up to help with the wedding.

CLEANING HOUSE

Not too much of an update to write here. Just cleaning houses, thankful for part time work. Excited to see what the Lord has in store for this season. Starting to meet with a group of intercessors on Tuesday night to pray for Columbia Bible College, the Students, and the nation. Starting once a week bible study and prayer for the students here on campus...not sure what night that will be just yet (maybe friday). Meeting Monday nights with the girls from this dorm (we live on campus, in the dorms) looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in mind and glad to be praying together.

Praying to have right priorities myself. Seek the Lord early. Love my husband well. Keep in touch with my family. Be excellent at work. Be a faithful friend. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to me on the 5th of this month! Happy Birthday to Barron Freitas on the 5th and to Chantell Cooley! Happy Birthday to my brother in law Nelson the day before! Happy Birthday to my joyful sister Melanie on the 25th! Happy Birthday to Sarah Liechty on the 11th! Happy Birthday to Jay Patzer on the 20th! Happy Birthday to Mark Slaton on the 24th!

The day started out with oatmeal and a nice hot drink made by my super sweet husband. Followed by a few hours of manual labor for a local cleaning company. Came home to a candle light, note, and two long stem roses...

Was taken out to eat for lunch at a Mexican place across the border *in the U.S.* by my Dear Friend Marty. Who also gave me a dish with scripture *the fruit of the spirit* and some anti bacterial hand soap, and a 40 days of purpose devotional. She has been there for me and stayed in touch and prayed me through some hard times... and so happy and thankful to know such a thankful person.

Jean and Jared gave some gifts ...bath soaps *which I enjoyed immediately* and then Dylan and I got a special drink and some ice cream for my bday. Kicked the soccer ball around in the cool evening air...good way to celebrate 35 years of being alive. And then I thought to show my gratitude that I would write 35 things that I am truly thankful for.

1. I am thankful for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Blood of Jesus, His everlasting love for me. His strong pursuit and constant reminders to look unto Jesus.
   I am thankful for My Mom, who is truly Beautiful. For having me, for all that she taught me and how deeply she loved me. For every memory of her that comes alive in my every day life. She was a great teacher, very generous, a tender hearted servant, a nurse. She loved Jerusalem, enjoyed singing, whistling, dancing, doodling. Loved loved loved all her kids and grandkids. What a wonderful mother and great friend she was and always will be to me.

I am thankful for My Husband. I am thankful for the closeness we have. I am thankful for his willingness to communicate and to be patient and to always see the good no matter what. I am thankful for his hugs and kisses and that he is just the right amount of seriousness and humor and a diversity of gifts all rolled up into one big blast of an amazing friend and genuine Kingsman. I'm thankful for this journey we're on and that we get to keep sharing all that we have with each other and that it spills over into every other area of life.

I am thankful for My Family. My siblings. My sisters are the most amazing women I know. I've never had a closer friend, than them. My nieces and nephews, my extended family.

I am very thankful for my Friends. For my friends children. Can't imagine where I would be without true friends.

My friends (Julie O, Gramma Jo, Donna, Carmen, Marty, Aunt Pauline... that have mothered me)
    (Mark O, David Ackerson, Uncle Leon, and Paul ...that have fathered me)

My enemies (too many to list) jk about the 'too many to list' part.

Reminders to pray, the opportunity to pray, and people to pray with.

The Holy Spirit drawing me

Comfort and Instruction from the letters written in the bible.

The Lord's discipline

Songs He has generously given me

The ability to write, draw, paint, sing, and dance

Creativity

Freedom

Wisdom

I am thankful that I will always be a kid in the eyes of God. I am thankful that every day is a chance to grow up into Him who is my All in all.

I am thankful for LOVE.

I'm thankful for feelings, for ups and downs, for joy and pain, for changing seasons.

I'm thankful for desire.

I'm thankful for THANKSGIVING.

I'm thankful for provision, resources, and the ability to give.

I am very thankful for the package Melanie and Michele sent me with all my nephews cards in it and little gifts.

I am thankful for rest.

I am thankful for JESUS.