Decorating Christmas Cookies

Yesterday we were invited over to the Nielsen's, another missionray family here, to decorate Christmas cookies. We had a great time and I brought enchiladas and Mexican rice for dinner. We are thankful for this family and being able to get the kids together to play. Molly had made a Swedish braided bread which my mom makes every year. It turned out really good!  Yummm...

Next week, we will start making some Christmas cookies at our house.  I haven't ventured to make too many cookies here yet.  So far they have only been chocolate chip cookies from a mix.  We are at 7,000 feet in altitude so baking is a little different.  We have mastered brownies and cakes so cookies are the next step. 

Redemption and Transformation

Jesus is in the business of redeeming and transforming lives. In September we posted a blog about a kitten we found on the streets. This little cat, Sandy, was in very bad shape. She couldn't purr and she couldn't meow, most likely because of abuse. If she had not been picked up off the streets, she would have been lost forever. On the streets, there was no hope for this little kitten.  

This is a picture of Sandy when she first came to our house. 

We work with kids that are left out on the streets or have no place to go. Without help, there is no hope for them.  They are abused and neglected. We heard a story of one girl that came to Esperanza Viva years ago, who could not even speak, she had been so tramatized.

Galatians 3:18 says, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

You see, as the children come to Esperanza Viva, they are introduced to a redeeming and transforming Savior. Today, the girl who could not speak, can now speak. God has redeemed and transformed her life and brought healing to her as well as many other children we work with.

I thought of this the other morning when I was getting ready for the day. I was by the closet and I heard this tiny meow. When I looked down, it was Sandy. She was actually meowing and purring. Then again this morning, she was accidentally locked in the laundry room, but I heard her meow through a closed door. I was able to go to her and let her out.  It seems that she is being healed the longer she is here. 

This is a picture of Sandy today.

Lord, I thank you for your redeeming love and your transforming power.  I thank you that we can turn to you with our hurts and you heal us.  Please touch those that need your redeeming love and transforming power today. 

Think About Such Things

I have recently been battling my negative thought life. Have you ever noticed, when discouragement comes, how easy it is to focus on the negative? It is not a place I like to be. So lately, I have been praying and asking God to help me in this area. We have been through so many changes in this past year. With the holidays approaching and being so far away from our children, grandchildren, family and friends, it's easy to get down. But what does God's word tell us?

Philippians 4:8 tells us, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

If the circumstances around you are not as you would like, think about what is good. God is good, all the time. No matter where we are or what we are going through, He is good. The truth is, He loves us, O how He loves us. When I think of not being with my children and grandchildren for Christmas, I start thinking of how good it is that our technology today allows me to talk to them on the phone and that things like e-mail and blogs allow me see pictures of my grandchildren growing. What a wonderful thing. I am so blessed.

We serve an awesome God who loves us so much that he sent his Son to come to earth as a baby. How many of us would send our one and only son away? But God did, and Jesus knew and felt all the things that we do. So, when discouraging thoughts come, I know my Savior has been there and what did he do? He went to the Father. When times are hard, I am realizing how much more we need to run to the Father just as Jesus did.

So, today, if the holidays are hard for you, remember to think on the good things, the excellent things and the praiseworthy things. If you think you can't, start telling God out loud your thoughts about him. "God, you love me and you are worthy of my praise. Thank you for sending your Son to me. You are good, all the time." When I do this, and I do it out loud, it is very hard to continue thinking the discouraging thoughts. When we verbalize it, it is also something that the enemy cannot stand and he won't want to stick around. Try it and see what happens.

Lord, I pray today that you would help those that have difficulty through the holidays. Be close to them and help them to see the good things. Let them see that you love them so much and that you are right there with them. I pray blessings on them today, throughout this season and into the new year. Amen.

Our New Website

The decision has been made. We are moving our blog to our new website. We will no longer be posting on this site so if you would like to keep up on our adventures, please bookmark our new webpage. You will always be able to come back here and look at pictures or old blogs. This site will not be shut down so feel free to look back on where we have come from. Thanks for following us and we look forward to seeing you at the new site.

Carlson's Adventures

We Have a New Website

We are starting a new website and wanted to pass the information on to you. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Carlsons's Adventures