It`s Raining, It's Pouring...

They say when it rains it pours and that the calm follows the storm.  I am currently living in what feels like stormy waters and am seeking to reach calm lands.  Life has been in a whirlwind lately and I ache for God’s truth to reign in my life.  This is the first time in my life as long as I can remember where I haven’t the slightest idea of where God is leading me.  Whether I want to follow or not, I usually am in tune to the power of His voice.  I pray fervently that may ears may hear His voice and that I will obediently follow.

As many of you know, Daniel and I recently applied for him to obtain another tourist visa.  Much to our surprise, he was immediately rejected by the officer at the embassy.  Shocked and confused, we were told that either I get a job and become more established in Guatemala, which is illegal since I am not a resident, or that we apply for a spouse visa, which takes a year IF all goes well.  We were certain that since he abided his first tourist visa that it would be easier to get a second one.  The officer informed us that she has no idea how he even got a one-time entry visa in the first time and that they do not hand them out.  I guess she doesn´t know the God we serve.

I take great hope in knowing that God is bigger than any governmental power and that perhaps, by some miracle, Daniel will receive his spouse visa sooner than a year.  I know that God called me to leave a job I love, a church family that I love, and a youth group that I love to attend seminary and so I am certain of one thing, seminary I shall finish.  It is with much regret that Daniel and I have decided that I will return to Chicago this fall to finish my studies while he will remain in Guatemala and continue working with Flames of Fire.  Financially it is our only option and so we pray that God will watch over us while we are apart from one another.

There are still many decisions to be made and unless God speaks otherwise, I will return home the first of August.  Please keep us both in your prayers as we prepare for the road ahead and as we gather all of our papers to file a petition on his behalf.  And if you ever interested in making a phone call to one of our state officials, please let me know and I will send you more information on how to do so and what to say.  

There is one last remaining element to the storm and that is the saying goodbye to my dearest dog Maggie Sue Musselman.  Maggie became a part of the Musselman family 14 years ago.  She was peacefully put to sleep today at the age of 17.  We were sure she would outlive us all.  She was the best mutt a little 13 year old girl could have asked for.  Some of you may well know her by her other names:  Muffy Fuffy bear, Maggie Waggie, Pretty, Pretty Princess, Squishy Wishybutt, Maggie Suzannie, and the list goes on…May you receive all the dog biscuits you want in dog heaven!

 

Thanks for taking time to read our blog and an even bigger thanks for all your love and support!

Up, Up, and Away

 As requested, I am finally updating our blog.  Sorry for those of you who have been anxiously awaiting, counting down the very hours until a new entry is posted on our site ;). 

Daniel and I just returned to Guatemala after a month long visit with friends and family in the States.  Our time was rejuvenating and fruitful in many ways.  We arrived just in time to celebrate Easter and spend time with the entire immediate family.  It was the first time that Jack and Eli (nephews) were finally able to meet “Uncle Taco” in person.  They LOVE their Uncle Taco!  Jacob (brother-in-law) got his turn to finally meet Daniel a week later at our wedding reception.

Our first week was consumed by planning and preparing for our State-side wedding reception.  We had a total of 170 guests join us in the “third” celebration of our marriage; the first being the civil wedding, the second be the religious ceremony in Guatemala.  Pastor Derek did a tremendous job with the ceremony.  Daniel and I reaffirmed our vows (it had been a whole 3 and a half months ya know…ha).  We had friends and family from all over join us.  To say it meant a lot is not to say enough!

I took Daniel on his first visit to Chicago where we reconnected with seminary friends, ate CHIPTOLE (YUMMY) and Chicago style pizza.  We also hit up the Sears tower (I refuse to call it Willis Tower).  I even managed to shimmy my body out unto the sky boxes…SUPER SCARY!  Oh and we found an apartment for next year.

But perhaps the most exciting news is…DANIEL GOT HIS PRIVATE LICENSE!!  This was by no means in the plans for our trip.  In fact, while we were packing, Daniel asked about bringing his pilot books to study and told him it would be a waste of space…WHOOPS!  Daniel spent significant amount of our trip hanging out at a crop dusting airport where he immediately made friends.  The mechanic, Michael, offered to give Daniel free instruction and free use of his plane.  In less than two weeks time, Daniel studied for a written exam, oral exam, and a practical test, along with 35 hours of training.   To say I am proud is an understatement and to say that what Michael and everyone else at Woodley Aerial did is a blessing is also an understatement.

Daniel has always wanted to be a pilot since he can remember.  When he was younger, people would laugh when he told them his dream.  After all, how would an orphan boy who once lived on the streets ever accomplish a dream like that?  The answer, God!  God is good all the time; all the time, God is good!

Thank you to each and every one of you who have lifted us up in prayer, who have encouraged us, and who have supported us in various ways.  May you too be blessed by the Almighty God!

 

UNCLE TACO!!!!!

 

SkyBox...CREEPY!

 

Enjoying the sunshine and flowers in Chicago.

 

First Day of Solo Flying

Michael and Janet.