I recently went to Hume Lake with our church's youth group.  It was amazing.  God did so many great things in many kids' lives and mine.  He taught me to trust in Him and to be satisfied with all that He gives me, or doesn't for that matter.  He brought kids to repentance and to Him.  He saved many lives and touched the hearts of many young souls.  We bonded and built closer relationships with the kids.  We laughed, we cried, and grew closer to God.  I witnessed young and sensitive hearts turn to Jesus and raise their hands in worship.  If even for just a week, the kids could experience Jesus as He is, loving, forgiving, gentle, compassionate, understanding, strong, wise, amazing, wonderful, peaceful, worthy of all praise and glory.  He is sufficient.  He is all knowing and sees the depths of our hearts but He loves us anyway.  He keeps no record of wrongs.  He does not see our filthy sins because He sacrificed Himself and became our Redeemer and Savior of our sins.  I learned from God to let go of my own control and just let him work in my life, what He wills and plans for my life.  I am thankful Jesus had mercy on me and did not leave me lost and hardened.    My prayer is that what we learned and heard spoken to us from God, will stick and grow strong within us.  For we are a people of God and desire to know Him more.

We prayed together tonight, knelt down on our knees.  It was the most intimate and rewarding gesture to one another and to God.  It has been difficult waiting for a child after 12 years of marriage.  Really difficult.  We have found out that I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.  I am battling infertility.  This just does not work for me, as I keep telling the Lord.  I really want a baby, it's in my heart and in my soul.  Every time I see a baby, my heart jumps.  Every time I hear of a new pregnancy or birth, I become discouraged.  I'm waiting on the Lord, but the wait is so difficult.  When we gave our lives to Jesus, we agreed to fully submit to His will.  This means completely sacrificing and giving up our hopes and dreams for Jesus.  And we have for the most part.  We're not perfect, but on a daily basis we trust Him.  The same God who deserves to be revered and respected, is the same God who gave me the desire for children.  All things are possible with God.  Doctors may say I can't have children, but God knows better.  I trust Him.  I pray He will answer our cry. 

Garage Sale

Our first garage sale to fund raise for our next trip to Costa Rica will be Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15. It will be held at our church, Parkside Community Church 401 Camp Lincoln Rd.  All proceeds will go to our trip.  Please come.  There will be a lot of stuff there.  You will be helping us go on this amazing trip.  Here's what we'll be doing.

The primary goal is to help build a church for the people of Alejuela, Costa Rica.  We will also be helping with food and vacation bible school for the kids of the neighborhood.  There's a lot of hard work amidst the humid and hot weather, but we have fun.  The Lord really pushes us and tries and tests us to our limits, to see how we will worship Him.  Our hands and feet are His, and so we go where He sends us. 

There is also time to unwind.  We get to see the country and do some shopping.  And we get to laugh and enjoy our time spent with new people.   This will be our third trip going, but our church's fourth church built.  We didn't go the first time in 2007.  We have been going every 2 years but we hope maybe we can go every year, if the Lord wills it so. 

If you wonder why we go and help people we don't know out of our own country, I'll tell you this.  It is out of sheer faith, hope, and love.  We love God because He first loved us.  God has given us this door to walk through, once again.  We could have easily had children by now, but we are not bitter.  God has plans for us.  We trust Him with our future.  Plus, we are extremely blessed to help others in need.  We are family in Christ.  Jesus would want us to help each other to know Him first and to help them teach others to know Him.  This is the Great Commission found in the last chapter of Matthew.  We don't let fear or selfishness stand in our way.  Jesus died on the cross and rose again for the forgiveness of our sins, unselfishly.  We can give our lives for others just the same.  We take up our own crosses and follow Him.  This means we take the criticism, the mockery, the hatred, and turn it into a blessing just to know Jesus Christ our Lord.

Plus, we have a great time! 

Costa Rica 2013

Matthew 28:18-21 (New International Version)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

We have another opportunity to go on our third trip to Costa Rica in March of 2013.  We are starting early so that we can raise enough funds to go.  We understand that maybe not everyone can give money but we know you can help us by praying.  God has put this on our heart once again.  We believe that when one door opens another one closes.  Example, we thought we'd be with a baby by now.  But God knew better.  So, we look forward to this trip.  We hope for it.  That is faith.  Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

In case you are wondering why we go on these trips, here is why.  We live day by day in obedience to the Lord's calling as He asks us to go out in to the world and preach the gospel. Look at the above bible verse.  We get to be a huge part of going and serving others so that they can be with a building to gather in and worship in.  There is a hunger for the Word of God there and we get to be a part of that dream for them.  We all have been blessed with different gifts.  Some giving, some serving, some preaching, some listening, some caring, etc.  We have been blessed to go and serve.  Here's how.

The blessings come in many different ways.  We get to meet new family in Jesus Christ.  We get to work side by side for the cause of bringing new people to the Lord Jesus.  We laugh, sometimes we cry, and we lift each other up because we are family.  Neighbors watch us build and wonder about more.  They invite each other over for food and fellowship.  How often do we do that with our neighbors?  And since there is a hunger for the Word, there is no hesitation in sharing it with others.  There is a love and friendship unexplainable, yet inspiring.

The climate is very hot and humid and we work all day in the sun.  Yet, there are always smiles and laughter.  Hugs and warm greetings.  Great home cooked food.  And we are learning Spanish.    We give gifts to each other.  Just as in the bible.  We are examples for each other.  This is how we are to love one another.  Be humble in spirit and always consider the other more important than yourself.

My eyes are always open when shown how they live yet are so happy and content.  It is always an amazing testimony and blessing for me.

So, we have been given this blessing once again.  So we hope and have faith that God will see us down this journey.  We have faith in all of you.  We understand not everybody can give money, but maybe pray for us.  Or maybe come to our fund raising events.  Proceeds will go to the trip.  Soon, we will have garage sales at our church, hot dog sales, etc.  Anything you can do would be appreciated.

If you would like to give us a donation personally, here is how.

Write your check to Parkside Community Church and in the Memo write only Costa Rica 2013.  Not our names; this is for tax deduction purposes.  And if you need a receipt we can mail one to you.  Here is our address.

Eldon and Tanya Schoonover
PO Box 3421
Camp Verde, AZ 86322

Thank you in advance and may God Bless you.  In Jesus' name,

Amen

Matute

I am pleased to know my family in Christ from another country.  The Matute family.  Luis and his youngest daughter are here in AZ visiting.  So far, we got to go to a baseball game in Phoenix and watched the Dbacks lose.  But it's okay because they had fun and so did we.  Janie liked the shirt I gave her.  We ate chicken wings, peanuts, chicken tenders, fries.  It was overall great times.  They have a busy schedule, but we're especially glad to be able to spend the most time with them.

Tomorrow we are taking them to the Grand Canyon.  They have never seen it in person.  We have them for the whole day so this should be a lot of fun.  The weather will be nice and we can practice our Spanish in the car.  My Spanish is improving.  I am practicing a lot now that they are hear.  Fast learning.  They are learning English too so we are doing great communicating.

Saturday we are taking them to a friend's wedding.  Sunday we visit again to talk about the next trip in 2013 in Costa Rica.  Monday, Janie and I get to hang out and go shopping and site seeing in Sedona. I know she will have a good time.  We're taking a lot of pictures.

I learn a lot from them.  I am learning their language, their culture, and their devoted faith. They are happy and blessed to know our Lord Jesus Christ and teach me to just love each other.  Be content with whatever God gives us.  Don't let the worries of the world overwhelm you.  I am glad to know them and call them my family.  Praise and glory to God forever.

Holding onto faith

I had an attack today.  No, it wasn't a physical attack but a spiritual one.  The enemy we call Satan likes to tell me I'm worthless.  He often likes to make me feel stupid and often steals my joy.  I was enjoying my day.  Then, when a little frustration comes I take it to heart.  Suddenly, I can't cook.  I'm not a very good cleaner.  I'm lazy.  I can't bear children.  Blah Blah Blah.  I listened to this trash.

After some tears, and leaning on my strong husband, I realized one important fact.  Satan has no control over my soul.  He has no control over my life.  Jesus Christ does.  The only time Satan does have control is when I let him have it.  I was letting the enemy have control by listening and believing in his lies about who I am. That's the enemy, who just wants to destroy me, my faith, and my ministry.

Jesus tells me who I am.  I am His.  I am worth something to Him.  He loves me when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm angry, when I'm sinning, when I'm at my best, and when I'm at my worst.  He loves me in the morning when I have bad hair and breath.  He loves me when laugh and when I cry, when I wake and when I go to sleep.  If the Lord is my Rock and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? Nada.

So, when those lies come back and I hear those voices tell me I'm pitiful, I will choose to listen to Jesus.  His voice is truth and love.  Only He can convict my spirit through His.  And He never condemns.   Jesus wants to lift me up and make me stronger.  I will look forward to the day He comes back for me and brings me to Himself.  Amen.

On a mission

On this road to having a baby, we have come across one difficult obstacle.  Our insurance does not cover fertility treatment.  For now, we are not going to see a specialist until we've tried all we can.  I have been referred to an endocrinologist, one who specializes in thyroid conditions.  Yes, I have inherited a bad thyroid.  But really, as long as we get it under control there's no reason why we can't still conceive and carry.  My sister is a living miracle and her newborn son is the receipt.  She wasn't supposed to bear any more children and here she is at 38 with a new happy and healthy baby.  I am not giving up hope.