Katie McGrew: Seeing Jesus

My blog writing has really gone down hill these last few weeks! It is not nearly as fun when I can't add pictures. But, ok I still want you to know what is going on! Leslie, Payton and Marlee left yesterday. We had the best time! I have become proficient in Nicaragua driving, thankfully because without a car we would have been extremely limited! Our first day together we went to El Faro church and drove into La Chureca to help serve lunch. I am so thankful that this is the ministry the girls got to see. We spent that afternoon at the Villa. Payton, Leslie and I went on a long walk with Martha, Monica and Sara. Friday was Leslie's birthday ~ so we went to Granada. I have learned that August is filled with all sorts of celebrations, I am not sure what we were celebrating but I drove right into the middle of it!!! (If you can have Leslie tell you the story you will be laughing) The streets were so crowded with people selling everything! I felt like I was on an episode o...

Dear Friends.... As our time is coming to a close here I find myself reflecting so much. I want to take EVERYTHING in and make sure it is etched in my mind! I am always telling the kids to pay attention to where we are because so soon it will be hard to believe we were ever in the places that we are walking today. Everything that seems normal right now will seem so distant. I know the transition will be difficult. I am asking God to fill me with thanksgiving and his joy and peace. We have had the most amazing experiences! We travelled to Granada on Saturday with our friends Shirley and Larrys. The first part of that adventure was renting a car! I love having the freedom that comes with driving! Now I can be out past 6pm and can go to the store to buy a snack or whatever else we need (need?). Really my perspective on what 'we need' is so different. How do I keep this??? Ok, back to the adventures of Granada! We had a beautiful time. Shirley is studying architecture ...

Sorry my stories have been short lately, it's a lot of work with a team, a family and staying in different places! But I love it! What a great team. I think Maggie has already scheduled a family trip to Virginia Beach for spring break. I want to ask for a lot of prayer for our day tomorrow, we are taking kids from H.A.T. (temporary government housing for at risk kids)to the beach. I think it will be a great day but this is a new adventure and I want to make sure everyone is safe and well loved. At the end of the day we will return with the kids to H.A.T. and pray with the workers and kids and hopefully encourage them with the hope of God. They are pretty worn down lately and hopefully the day will be refreshing for all of them. I have some great pictures to send soon, when I can get them in my computer!

Today we are going to La Chureca for the day. In the morning we will walk and meet people and pray for them. In the afternoon we will put plastic on roofs to make them waterproof. It will be a long day there, I am looking forward to it. The only thing I don't like is having to wear tennis shoes, it feels so claustrophobic! If that is the worst thing.... haha. I am looking forward to spending time with Pastor Ramon and Miriam. Love you all!

Dear Friends, We are doing well. God has answered my prayer this week and I want to tell you. When we were at church last Wednesday night, I was so thankful to be there but desiring with all my heart to be able to understand the sermon and all that was being shared. I am so thirsty to be taught and filled by Gods word. Friday night my team from Virginia Beach arrived, they are the answer to prayer. Scripture flows from their mouths, their hearts and their lives. I am so thankful that they are here. Thank you to everyone that is praying because He is always listening. Sorry not so many pictures once again my computer refuses to accept them. I will work on this.

Dwight left this morning. I think he was so focused on security that he forgot to turn around for that last look and wave! Our friend Ian drove us, on our way home we got pulled over by the police two times! Once because we had kids in the front seat, so we all switched and the second time because Ian crossed a double yellow line. For that one he got a ticket for 400 cordoba ~ $20. Most of the day we just hung out at the house because it was raining so much but when the rain stopped for a bit we walked to the Cruz house to hangout out with Kimberlin and her cousins. Maggie played with 2 precious puppies and William somehow ended up with with another pollito! A little black one! We took a little taxi back to the house and I heard a cheep cheep and asked if someone had a chick ~ sure enough!!!!! Dont' worry he is going back in one hour!!!! Tonight I have a team coming in from Virginia Beach. A group of adults ~ I hope I can do it! Tomorrow we are working in the Villa. I...

It's hard to take a family picture so maybe you can piece these two together and have complete picture of our family. We have had a great couple of days together as a family. We have rested alot and spent time with our friends Ian and Taryn that have been here since May working to adopt 3 precious boys. We have walked to a favorite spot called Raspados Loli, they sell shaved ice with different toppings, like a snow cone but my favorite flavor is Leche (caramel, amazing!) and the kids favorite is chocolate! Crazy, but I think I can recreate these at home! We have spent time at home, enjoying the fans, which from what I understand is what you guys are doing now. The kids have watched movies on Dwight's laptop the last two nights with Judith, their sister here at the Hernandez home and today a movie with Natan, their brother. It is a precious time. This morning we went to the Villa for Dwight to help with a few computer issues and I helped my sweet friend Flor d liz in th...