These last couple months has been some of the most shocking and emotional months of my life. Towards the end of July I
was suppose to head back to Mexico but one Saturday night before I was about to
leave, I felt in my heart that God wanted me to stay with my family for another
week. I prayed and told the Lord if you provide today for me to buy another
plane ticket, then I know it is your will for me to stay with my family. That
day the Lord had opened a door for me to visit a church in McCook that I had
never visited before, but I knew some people in the congregation, they had me
speak about my mission and were praying if they should support me as a
missionary. At the end of the service, the Pastor asked if people would give a
special offering to me for whatever I needed. At the end the Pastor handed me
the money and it was exactly what I needed to buy another plane ticket! I
looked at my mom and said, I believe I am suppose to stay, she said I believe
so too and I am so happy. I went home to
call the mission in Mexico to ask if I could stay another week since my
grandfather was so bad, and they said, stay as long as you need too.
“If we live, we live for the Lord; and
if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the
Lord.” Romans 14:8
For the next 3 days I spent
all day at the nursing home with my grandfather as I watched him stop eating,
talking, or even really able to do anything. I would ask him if he wanted me to
sing for him and he would shake his head yes. But every time I would start to
sing, I found myself just start to cry. We talked to him and held his hand, on
Wednesday evening I kissed him on the head and told him how much I loved him.
And then walked out with my mom, feeling like he would be going home with Jesus
that night. After midnight, the phone rang and I knew what it was, that he was
gone. Even though I knew exactly where he was my heart hurt so much to let go
of someone I love so much. A friend came over to be with me, to help me through
the difficultness and I couldn’t sleep. At around 5am, I finally fell asleep
and at around 7:15am I got a call from my mom in a panic that my other
grandfather was dead in his bed at home. I couldn’t believe it!! How could this
be? What do you mean the other one is gone? That just doesn’t make any sense.
She said, I know but I can’t do this, please call the family and get here now.
I then began trying to call everyone but no one was answering, finally I got a
hold of a cousin so he could help me tell the others. Then I finally got a hold
of my dad to tell him that his father was dead. My friend came back over to
pick me up and at that point I was hysterical. She took me over to my
grandparents so I could help. I saw the police car and it became even more
real, as I walked in the door I happened to know the police officer, he hugged
me and told me how sorry he was for losing both of my grandfathers in the same
night. I went to see his body, and he was gone. I just couldn’t believe it. 
We began to plan for both
funerals and decided to do them on the same day, one in the morning and one in
the afternoon. I went to the church that day to record the songs for the
funerals because I knew I wouldn’t have been able to get through it on the day.
Watching both sides of my family grieve through the losses of both of
grandfathers was incredibly difficult. All the images stick so clearly in my
mind. I do know that it is only by the grace and strength of God that I was
able to stay strong through the whole situation. I left for Mexico the day
after the funerals, and I came back to a lot of work and difficulty. Soon our
directors will be leaving, and others will be taking over. A lot of people are
leaving, and at times I feel like I am going to be alone in my work. But I know
the Lord will give me the strength and I love these kids more than anything. I
know with all of my heart that they need me to be here, and to love them
through each day of this transition. I believe that God has big plans for City
of Angels, and I am honored for all the days the Lord gives me in being here.
“You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You provide a
broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not gave way.” –Psalm 18: 35-36
Through all the difficulties
and a lot of work, we have gained 7 amazingly beautiful little kids who joined
our orphanage family. We are truly so blessed. And having all the children back and starting school is always a joy-- even though it is so much work, seeing them all again brings me such happiness. Please be praying for us through this whole transition, and for this new school
year to be prosperous!
When I got back, I thought Oh Lord, we need a
huge amount of money for uniforms and shoes, plus tons of school supplies and
we are running low in our pantries on food and toiletries. I was praying so
much and hoping the Lord would cover each aspect of the orphanage. He starting
touching hearts and Lord has covered all of our needs for uniforms and shoes!
And He has been speaking greatly into people to give donations of food,
supplies, and so much more! My heart was just bursting with happiness!
In all of this last month, and even this whole year.. I can see God at work in my life. Through the last couple of days as I watch our directors move their things out and I am completely in the dark to know what is going to happen next I felt Gods voice whisper in my ear.. "Do you trust me?" And I thought.. yes, yes I do! I trust my Heavenly Father more than anyone or anything.. And I know He loves these kids more than I. Thank you to everyone that has surrounded me and my family through all of this difficult time. Continue to lift all of us and this ministry up in prayer.
