We’re at the less than one week mark!

Everything feels so surreal, I cannot really even imagine that in less than one week I will be, Lord willing, up North… This year has gotten off to such a speedy start!  It’s exciting and right now I am a mix of emotions.  I’m nervous to be away for so long, sad to miss out on this time with my new missionaries, however, the joy of being able to see all my friends and family in the lower mainland is slowly surpassing the nerves!  I know the 6 weeks will seemingly fly by, like these past two months have, it’s so fun to have so much to do!  I’ve been LOVING having my pollitos (that’s what I call the girls I’m responsible for- I feel like a mother hen with her little chicks)
Since you last read my rantings I’ve been to, and froze, in Guatemala.  We had our annual Central American conference which went really well …aside from the 10° weather!  I’m not going to lie, I wore like all my clothes, and wrapped myself up in a blanket for the majority of the time there.  It was a great trip,  I went a few days early to see a friend and we took some of the short termers from Nicaragua with us to do some touristy activities.

Highlights of the conference:

• I gave my presentation/review of 2015 and what’s planned for 2016 in front of the group (with a microphone) and didn’t throw up on anyone!

* Spending time with the other Latin Link members in Central America and Mexico!

• I found and quickly snuggled a baby goat!

• The gentleman who did our morning devos nailed it each morning!  He had great insight and awesome anecdotes!  My favourite was about this blind man who was at a friends house visiting and just having a blast and then once it was time to head home (in the dark) his friend gave him a lamp to walk home with.  The blind man of course could not see and questioned why he would need a lamp, his friend explained that the lamp was not for him but for others to see him to avoid crashing into each other.  So the blind man took the lamp and started walking home, during his walk he was hit by someone, the blind man angrily demanded to know how the other guy managed to run into him when he had a lamp and was clearly visible.  To which the other guy responded by saying that the lamp was nearly out and it was very difficult to see. 
  Then we were asked how our lamps are.  The lamp was a metaphor for faith/relationship with God.  We may think that our lamp is strong and bright but reality may be that we are just barely shining and not lighting anything up. 
  There was also another one with a man hanging off a branch over a cliff – he prayed to God asking to be saved.  God told him if he let go of the branch and he would be saved.  The man, couldn’t let go- he had to cling to the branch.  The branch is a reference to anything of this world vs. Christ. 
  These two stories stuck with me I pondered over branches that I have in my life and the brightness of my lamp.  No profound responses came from these ponderings but it was definitely beneficial to take time to think about :) 

There is so much to be grateful this month!  I have seen so much growth on the work front, deepened friendships, felt more at home… ah how the list could go on!  BUT I must pack!  I only have 5 more days left to prep everything :)
Which leads us to some prayer points to wrap up!
Please pray for my trip, that all my luggage comes with me, that nothing gets lost and that I don’t get sick and am able to rest.  Please also pray that I meet with and see everyone I need to see that my time is restful, productive, and just excellent!  AH!  I can’t even believe that this is happening!

“We put our hope in the Lord.  He is our help and our shield in Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His holy name.  Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord for our hope is in you alone!”

Psalm 33: 20-22

February 1st!?!?

Hello world!
I have just come home from dropping off my TWO striders (short term missionaries) at the language institute; if I didn’t feel like a mom before – after dropping my kids off at school-  I certainly do now!
The past month has been quite good, my work load has tripled, there is a lot being planned for the year, my home feels much more homey (thanks to some homemade furniture from some cement blocks and pallets I found in the street!).  January was good – I cannot believe that is is already February!!!  In a few weeks we have our annual Central America Team Conference, which is in Guatemala this year!  Then after a week or so back in CR, Lord willing, I will be heading North to visit the homeland!!!*insert Canadian anthem playing in the background.

This year has started off wonderfully, many times things have felt surreal, and other times, the feelings just body slam you to the ground!  Emotions are a funny thing, they love to travel and explore (joy…excitement…anger…sadness..take a turn back to joy…quick stop to see fear…doubt…joy..the journey is never ending).  We’re only 32 days into the year and I’ve already picked up souvenirs from a number of stops!

I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
– John 15:5

So this month’s key issues seemed to revolve around my attitude.  Sometimes it was great, other times I felt that there was room for improvement.  As mentioned above, emotions take their toll on how you see things, and when not kept in check, your emotions can distract you from what God is trying to tell you.  For example, when God called Moses to go and free the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 3-4) he responded in doubt and fear, saying he wasn’t capable, he was full of ‘what ifs?’ ‘how can i?’ ‘i can’t’   to be honest reading it I thought to myself “Man! Moses!  Stop being such a butthead, pull yourself together!  God was super clear…what’s to not get?!  You can’t lose! Just go, leave all you know, go back to the place where people wanted to kill you and tell the Pharaoh that you’d like your relatives back!”  Easy peasy! 
In all seriousness though,  I do think about the fact that God spoke to Moses and told him what to do, and I do wonder why he panicked but actually, Moses and Kayla are a lot alike.  Many times I question God.  I wonder what I am doing, I doubt my abilities, I evaluate myself based on worldly perspective or how i feel…*insert gasp!  I feel like if I was reading about myself in the Bible i would smack myself on the forehead – and just like with Moses- be yelling at my Bible “Come on Kayla!! You are better than this!  You know better! Feelings are NOT sufficient evaluating tools and comparing yourself to others NEVER ends pretty!” 

Reality is that human reasoning will not give me God’s perspective!  Punto! (that’s Spanish for Bam! Case closed!)  God sees things differently than we do, he uses ordinary people, weak and despised things because out of those He can receive the greatest glory (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).  My decisions and evaluations need to be based on biblical principles –how did God deal with similar things in the Bible?  How should i see myself according to the Bible?  Recently, I was having some down time with JC and realized that I’m so in love with him that it physically hurts me that I can’t hug him.  I feel like the anxiety/stress/nerves would just leave me and I would be completely reenergized with an engulfing hug!  But, for now, I have to suffice with seeing Jesus in others and giving them his hugs (Matthew 25:40).
Psalm 81:10 God says “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” 

“Open wide your arms and I will fill them!” 
- Kayla

Praise
“I said to the Lord, “You are my master! Every good thing I have comes from you” Psalm 16
- I am delighted to announce that i finally have my debit card! (Picked it up on Saturday!)
- This week TWO new short term missionaries joined the ranks:
         - Sophie will be working in a daycare in an at risk neighbourhood
         - Lexie will be working with university students doing outreach and discipleship
- My sinuses are much better than they were last year!
- A student of mine was in the hospital for a few weeks with an alarming illness and is now recuperating at home!
- Recently, a friend finally got to go meet Jesus face to face! *Also a prayer request, for the family and friends who will miss him from here.- My brother, Graham, has announced that he is coming to visit!!!
- I was given a desk!  With free delivery!
- My old roommate Marianela came back to visit for a night!  We had a great catch up!
- Living here is not all bureaucratic stress, I have some great relationships and super grateful to be able to wake up to sun and Spanish!

Prayer”Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”  Ps 20:7- I am delighted to have my new debit card, however, none of the ATMs will let me take out more than $130 …so far!
- To rest and give (and actually give them over and have peace) my stressors to the Lord.
- For direction and clarity to what God is trying to teach me.
- That He would give me confidence in where I am and guide me in how to receive and respond to the, more recent, onset of fear inducing comments from others.
- For nourishing and fun friendships.