What a long time since the last post. Several great news briefs. I finished writing the drama for our Church and we will present it on Dec. 12th at 7 pm- Faith Community Church in Waynesville. "Jesus In Blue Jeans." Yes it is a nontraditional drama that is set in today's times. I have had an outpouring of support and this is awesome!
My brother has now been sober for 9 months~Glory to the King of Kings! Only He could have gotten him through all this.
Gratitude to all who are in my life and who make my life a better one. May all have a Happy Thanksgiving, and remember your blessings in life. We are a blessed people. What a privilege to have the freedom we have in our country.

Summer goes by so quickly. As a child, I remember waiting for the days of Summer to come so I could enjoy the warm weather and swim. I love the water, although have never been into water sports except paddling around in the calm waters or being at the beach with calm waters.

Next May will be a beach trip to Mexico as my daughter will marry her sweetheart of 5 years. They will be married on the beach and I am so excited for them as they begin their married life together. I was honored to be asked to witness the proposal on the Parkway in the Blue Ridge Mtns. in May.

I praise God for my family everyday. They are healthy, loving and care about others. Soon, I will have a new member to be thankful for- my future son-in-law. I am blessed beyond measure.

My brother has now received his 90 day chip. He is employed and doing great. I am so proud of him. I have a new great niece born May 6, 2009. This is little Madi's sister. The year anniversary of Madi's death was May 17th. My daughter will visit this weekend who also has a birthday on the same day as my brother's. I was able to go to the Women of Joy Conference in Charleston this past weekend with 7 beautiful ladies. I saw my favorite band, " Casting Crowns." God is so good to me.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2: 6, 7
did you read the part of OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS?

My brother has received his 60 day chip. If any of you are familiar with AA, you know what this means. I visited him Saturday in his new half way home which he shares with about 15 other men. He looked so good and his color was great. He has gained some weight, and now is looking like the brother I remember from our childhood days. He looks at least 10 years younger. I am so grateful to friends and family who have been praying for him. Our God is so awesome, cos I know my brother could not have done this on his own. My new prayer is now that he can find employment as he must get a job in order to stay in this protective residence. God can do the impossible, and this is proof to never give up.
Mat 21:22And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

Yesterday was a good day as I heard from Doug. This was the first time I had heard his voice since he entered rehab. Then when I got home, there was a letter from him saying he was going to his AA meeting tonight to receive his 30 day chip for sobriety! I felt a surge of pride for him and secretly thought about going to the meeting to see him receive the chip. Then I realized how this was "his" journey and not mine. This is his gift. I wouldn't take that away from him for anything. He was also voted Peer Leader for a week. This is a privelege that the roommated vote on as to who shows leadership. They receive special perks and it is quite an honor. How proud and humbled he sounded by this.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)
8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

What lessons my brother is teaching me.

This past week has been a difficult one for me. My brother relapsed and had some health concerns. His blood pressure and heart rate were very high, and he was unstable to go into detox. Detox was his decision. I stayed at the ER with him during the afternoon and into the early evening. He was released after being stabilized with fluids and medication. He presently is at a Detox center and I have spoken to him several times. However the environment there is controlled. If only he can give that chemical dependance to the Lord completely. I know that the best program is AA and I highly commend and recommend the program for ANYONE with an addiction. But .. God is the ultimate One who is in control in my humble opinion. If any of my Christian brothers and sisters out there wanna help, the best help is prayer. Prayer for cleansing, for strength, for humility, for a place to live, for pyhsical healing for my brother. The list goes on and on. Obviously, the present concern is for detoxification and a renewed spirit and drive to get and stay clean and sober.

Several good things happened this past week. There were 3 birthdays in our family... .. my husband turned 54 on Monday, my son and future son in law turned 22 and 27 respectively. Life is good. I need to see this more often.

Once life settled back to normal upon our return, it was dificult not to think about Alexander. I mailed his Mom a letter asking about his condition and if he needed anything. That was the invitation she needed from me. She wrote back and elaborated on life in the village where she and her 5 youngest kids live. (She has 5 more grown children). Biscayne Village is near Belize City and this is where they call home. One son, Kameron age 10 is blind; the others are Carol age 8, Jonathan, age 11, and Anna age 16, along with Alexander (with cancer) age 14. She told me that it was difficult for her to send them to school at times as she did not have food to send or money to buy their lunches. I asked many questions like what about milk? She cannot afford it, and pretty much feeds them a staple diet that is not nutritious at all.

I sent her 200 USD to have her power restored as it had been turned off. She was concerned about leaving her other kids by themselves to candle light while she and Alex returned to Guatemala City for another treatment. I had doubts about her using the money for the electric bill, but God told me clearly not to question, but to give. Funny thing happened the following Wednesday when I received a letter from the courthouse and my deceased Mother's estate. There actually was no estate since she owned only her clothing, as she was in a Nursing Home. The letter stated that there was a refund due me in the amount of $600.00!! I couldn't believe it.

As I began to share about the Dominguez family at my place of work, others wanted to help. I started collecting clothing of their sizes from friends, and found many articles of clothing from Goodwill. It was so much fun for me shopping for these kids. Many items were donated from ball gloves to toys and games to rain coats. I mailed a package that arrived on Thanksgiving which happened to be Anna's 16th birthday. They all received a new pair of shoes from the US. The other packages were wrapped thanks to my friends at Biltmore, and I mailed them off just in time for Christmas. All the mother asked for was some sheets and towels for her children. They bathe in the river. I kept trying to picture this and just couldn't grasp this concept. I also sent her a Bible and that was my special gift to her.
Jimmilee called me and each child thanked me several times. What a blessing ! It was a great project for us at work as well.

Jimmilee calls me a couple of times a month. She has started taking Alex to Merida for chemo treatments as it is closer and they seem more helpful according to her words. Unfortunately, his cancer is at stage 3. My dream is to be able to visit this family in their home and take these children who literally have nothing to places like the zoo, or on a water taxi ride to Caye Caulker and swim for the day. All of the things we take for granted, they will never experience. Yes, we are in a recession, but I have felt and know beyond a doubt that my God is in control. If you think of it as you lay your head on your soft pillow tonight, please say a prayer for my friends the Dominguez family and for their health and well being. But mostly, that they will experience the love of Christ in every small thing that is sent their way.

We continued our journey in Belize starting on the western side, San Ignacio. It is a great little town and if you want to go tubing, caving or experience the mountains of Belize, this is where you need to go. At first, I didn't warm up to the town at all. Our motel room was very modest, but had a/c and to us this was important. Rosa's was the name and it was clean and small. Rosa and her staff were wonderful hosts. The motel is right on main street and close to restaurants. We loved Eva's food and right across the street is where we booked our trip to the ATM cave- (Achtun Tunichil Muknal). Also booked our trip to Caracol, the Mayan ruins. Both excursions were well worth our time and money. The ATM cave was the most fun and adventureous of the two. After our tours, we realized that the locals there were very friendly and anxious to talk about their heritage. Working in a museum, the history of this tiny country fascinated me. We chose not to ride a bus to our next destination if possible, and we met a couple who were willing to share the cost of a van ride to Placencia. We paid a driver to take us the 3 hours to the coast and it was definately worth it.



Placencia was a beautiful place, but when we arrived it was disappointing to see all the trash that was littering the beach and water. If we had chosen to swim that day, we would have had to swim through plastic, styrofoam and debris about 15 feet all across the shoreline. I realized how filthy people are and I was saddened that recycling is not more prevalant here. The locals told us that this trash blows in from the Caye's occasionally. The wind was very strong, and the beach was a total mess. However, the locals began to pick up hundreds of trash bags full that afternoon and made it more appealing to us. The next day was a calm, clear day and the beach was nice. Great food in this small place and the room at the motel next to the restaurant De Thatch was a great find. Our room had a balcony with a hammock overlooking the beach- 35 USD per night! No a/c but the breeze was great the entire time we were there.

We stayed there for 3 days and went by plane on to Caye Caulker. The plane ride was great in itself, soaring above the Caribbean, flying low enough to see clearly below. The plane was very small, but the ride was smooth. I found my ideal destination in Caye Caulker. The place is very laid back with no paved roads. Being only 5 miles long and 1 mile wide, it was easy to get around by hoofing it- day or night. We snorkeled in Shark Ray Alley and I couldn't believe how clear it was. Did you know this is the second largerst barrier reef? We ate well, and when I found lobster kabobs, all other food became less important. Getting off the Caye is an adventure too. The water taxi was very reliable and actually quite fun. We went back into Belize ond day so we could visit the zoo and the Howler Monkey Preserve.

All too soon, it was time to leave, but the memories will remain forever.

Blessings in Belize

Journeying on through the winter months becomes more difficult for me as I grow older. I used to love the snow (especially when we really had some), but now if we don't get a good one by the middle of Feb. I am looking forward to Spring, and then to Summer...

I think back to the Summer of this past year, and to the vacation that we went on to Central America. I had always wanted to go to Belize and Ron and I had talked about going many times. The plane fare into Belize City, however is very expensive. We decided to fly into Cancun Mexico and take a bus down into Belize. Either you take the time, which is cheap, or spend extra money and less time. We chose the first route.

It was such a great trip, even though it was August 4th when we left. The flight from Charlotte to Canun was great, and the bus we boarded from the airport was very nice.. and air conditioned.
Traveling just a few miles outside of the miles of motels in Cancun was an eye opener for me. The poverty is staggering. I guess I just didn't realize that thatched roof huts exist, and they aren't just in Africa! I saw workers waiting on buses and saw why these people want to leave here and make a better way of life for themselves and their families.

We stayed one night in Playa del Carmen, and it was nice, but a bit touristy. The next day we walked to the bus station with our packs on our backs (luckily we didn't carry food), and I couldn't believe how hot and humid it was there. We went from Playa to the border crossing at Chetumal. Then we went to a Northern town for the night, Corozal. The best thing about there was the nice man who owned the motel and the wonderful breakfast. The motel was about 30 USD.

We set out on our second morning after learning a bit about the natives there from the motel owner. He told us that the average wage for nurses and policemen in Belize is about $12.00 per week. Our next stop would be to change buses in Belize City. Quite a difference in buses too, as we were now on an old US school bus. You know what that means.. no a/c. The bus became jam-packed with locals going to and coming from the city. We went past many villages where folks just stand on the side of the road and wait for the next bus. The fare was so cheap to us- I think about 5 USD from Corozal to Belize City. To them, though that may be a full day's wages.

When we arrived in Belize City, I couldn't believe how dirty the city was. Open trash was everywhere. This is the place where lots of business takes place. so it is a busy place. When we boarded the bus here it was crowded so I asked a young man if I could sit next to him. He answered yes and if you know me, I can't keep my mouth shut and not talk to someone.. even (especially I should say) a stranger. This young man stole my heart, and we talked about basketball, food, and travelling. His name is Alexander and he is now 14 yrs. old. His Mother was in the seat in front of us and leaned over to tell me that they were going to Guatemala City for Alexander's chemotherapy treatment. Cancer!? At 14... I couldn't believe it. I offered him some gummy bears to eat and he was amazed at them. Obviously, he had never tasted them.

They had to change buses too quickly, and I pressed some one dollar bills into his hands as he left the bus. Jimmilee, his Mom in return pressed their address into mine. I knew there was a connection between us. After they left the bus, I thought of this young man so often. I sent him a postcard from one of our destinations knowing he may never see the Mayan ruins of Caracol. I kept thinking, "what can I do for this child?" I began my prayers, knowing I would help him in some small way.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

...stay tuned to the rest of the story.

Madison Lindsey Marzol

My great niece was born on April 28, 2008. Her short life on earth made such an impact on my family. I would like to be known as someone who made the kind of impact that this newborn baby made on me. There are unanswered questions about Madi's life and why she was taken from a loving, caring Mother, Father, brother, and 2 sisters. We hear how we are not to question, but humans do question. It is not for us to continue to question, but to accept. We know that this baby was placed on earth for 19 days for a reason.
Her Mother's letter has helped me understand as I have re-read it many times. I was the privelged one who read this at her funeral.

Mommy’s message to Madi
by Kristin Meares Marzol

Nobody seems to know what to say or how to feel about your short earthly life. We have to thank God that He allowed us to spend the weeks with you that we did. You were sent here for a purpose, and you have touched more lives in your two weeks than I have touched in 29 years. You have mended a family that has needed to and never could, you have brought friends back together with what true friendships are; coworkers have mended ties; marriages have become stronger, and best of all, you have made people question,”how does a family make it through something like this?” There is one simple answer: Faith in our God. God knows all: He knows what we can handle.

Madi, you had so many people praying for you and for us. Prayer to make a miracle, prayer for comfort, and prayer for healing. I thank God everyday for the life that he has blessed me with, my family with, and the children I have been blessed with. Nothing we do in life is guaranteed, not tomorrow, not an hour from now, not even our next breath. I’m not supposed to be doing this, standing here talking about how great it was to get to know you, my baby girl, Madi. But this is how God had things intended for your life to be, short lived here on earth.

I praise God for blessing me with such a beautiful little girl. Your beautiful dark hair, your dark blue eyes, cute round lips, and the smooth skin that I loved to rub and kiss as you were nuzzled against my chest. I always giggled at how you found comfort in any woman’s bosoms. I think you did this to hear my heart beat as I could still feel your heart beat as if it were your body still in mine. There were many nights that you slept on Mommy’s chest, and would awaken quickly if moved from that comfort spot. I remember all the times you sent Daddy and me to the hospital anticipating your arrival, but you just weren’t sure if you were ready. But on April 28th, you were in a hurry to come and meet us, as we were in just as big of a hurry to meet and love you.

There is a poem that reads,” to have a child is to accept that your heart will always walk outside your body.” You are a piece of my heart that will never stop beating. I will lay you down now, so that you can rest your weary body. You can fall asleep now, and awake soon, for Mommy and Daddy to carry you into the gates of heaven. Zachary, Bailey, and Ashleigh send their love with kisses and want you to know how much they will miss you, but want you to also know that they will meet us at the gate on our special day. Please know that I will always love you and carry such precious memories of our bond that started months ago as you started to grow inside of me, and would move throughout the day, and sometimes keep me up at night. I will always remember the day you were born, with your eyes wide open looking up at all of us with such wonder and amazement. And most of all, as any new Mother, the intimate moments that you were nuzzled at my breast falling into the deepest of sleeps. Mommy loves you very much; much more that there is an understanding of.

There is a song that I have picked out that speaks to my heart that says, “though my heart is torn, God is always there; I will always praise God for helping me through this storm.” Life is full of storms, some bigger than others. God is there to see us through this storm, and we have to remember to praise Him for all things He has blessed us with. This is God’s will. Madi brought us ALL more love than we needed in our lives. How could we dare question such a purpose as that?

Our precious Madi, full of innocence, with such a powerful purpose. We will all miss getting to know her in our time, but will be reunited with her in HIS time.

One Day at A Time

Ever heard this? Yes, it is from AA and so many of us live like this. Today was a good one when I visited my brother. He is 5 years older than me, and he is an alcoholic. He has numerous health problems, and recently lost his job. He is struggling financially and emotionally, but last week, I saw a difference in him. We attended Faith Community Church together and prayed together in public for the first time in many years. I hate to admit that I have avoided him in recent times because of my mistrust. I had pretty much given up on him feeling that he would get or do no better. God had been telling me differently, but I didn't want to listen. Last Sunday, however made a huge impact on me, as I realized that with God all things are possible. I knew this in my heart, but my head kept saying different things. It was a joy to take him to the grocery store and see him purchase cookies instead of alcohol! It has been 10 days since he has had any alcohol. To God be the glory!