To the young in love....it gets better!

This month there are 2 young couples from our church in North Carolina who are getting married. I also just heard that a young man from our church got engaged recently. At times I feel like time stands still back home with us living here, but this is proof that time indeed goes on. I am thankful for the love these couples have for their mates. I am thankful for the blessing they will be to the ones after them as they walk through marriage and become the next generation to be looked up to.

To you young folks: Your enthusiasm for the next stage of life is refreshing. The butterflies you feel when your loved one brushes past you; when he holds your hand and makes you feel as if you are the only one in the world who matters to him; I love those feelings! The newness...the desire to do everything possible together. The joy of looking forward to spending days and nights with your loved one is exciting. That love, I remember: but the best thing about that love is that it only gets better. I have been blessed with 15 years of marriage and I can say with an honest heart that my husband has never been more attractive or more amazing in my eyes. I catch myself staring at him and thank the Lord that there is a man who I know better than anyone with whom I get to grow old. I look back over the 15 years we have spent together and I know my love for him tomorrow will be more. I love the fact that Nate knows how to make me feel loved and secure; how I can make him laugh over the silliest things; but it's that familiarity which is the best part of our relationship. The desire we both have to share our every thought with each other...it's not getting duller as the years goes on, it's getting more rich! So my dear friends who are entering into this season, enjoy every moment! Know that this excitement and love will turn into appreciation, zeal, respect, and dedication. It is a bond that will keep your love growing. I am thankful for that!

Top photo: David and Elisa Cobb Wed 11/16/2013 Bottom photo: Jordan Southern and Sarah Costello to be wed 11/30/2013

2 years have come and gone...(poof)

October 30th marked two years since our family moved to Bocachica. I can remember that day like it was yesterday: leaving the house my kids grew up in; the living room full of friends who would accompany us to the airport to say their goodbyes. It is a day I will not forget. I think back over these two years and can see how much the Lord has shown me; how much I have had to call on Him. I can see how my family has grown, how much my children have learned, and how many more people we now have a love for as a result of working here. We are blessed to be here, and thankful for your role in our lives here. With out your love, prayers, and support this work we are doing here would not be possible. Thank you all for all that you do!

So I was thinking of all the things I miss from the United States and what things I love about Colombia. I thought I would share my list with you all. (They are not in any order) :) 

Things I miss from the States:

1) My church! Antioch has a special place in my heart!

2) Green grass.

3) Grocery stores--ones that have strict rules on how your meat is handled. You would be scared to eat meat here...not all stores have sneeze guards over their meat...anyone can touch it with bare hands....I won't go on!!! :) I miss that and also the variety of products you have in America!

4) The seasons! The weather is normally in the 90's daily...don't get me wrong; it's better than the cold...but at times every day feels like Groundhog's Day!

5) The City Park- What a treasure you guys have in Burlington. Once the ability to visit often is gone, you realize what a gift it is.

6) Hot water! Yes...it has been 2 years since I have had a hot shower.

7) Driving...The views you see while driving, and getting lost in your thoughts. I miss it!

8) The dishwasher....With 9 people in my family we seem to always be doing dishes. 

9) My kitchen table. I remember 4 or so years ago Nate bought me a nice, solid, wood table; one large enough to seat 9 people...no crack in middle, where, if the kids dumped their milk it would collect and spoil in the crack. We saved up for that table. I think my heart enjoyed it that much more because we waited for the perfect one. Well, I again am waiting and saving... I miss not having a table where we can all sit as a family and eat a meal. I know when I get another one it will be that much richer to me due to waiting on it. :)

10) Quietness. There are days I miss the still calm days in NC. where the only noise in my neighborhood was the squeals of my kids playing in the back yard.

Good things to miss. It is good to leave things you are familiar with to give you that extra appreciation of what was once there.

Now...on to the things I love about Colombia. (once again in no specific order)

1) The fruit! Americans: you are missing out on some good tropical fruits. 

2) Our church here! I have been blessed to see how our church calls those who live here to live for Him. The longer I am here the more I see the hearts of the people in our church and their desire for this island to be all that it CAN be!

3) Patacones and Queso...(fried plantains and cheese)  This is my favorite food in the city. I love them!!..and I am very thankful they are cheap! :)

4) For all of you who have visited me here...you will agree Colombia has awesome Coke-a-Cola! Oh yes...given to you in an ice cold bottle and made with cane sugar...it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

5) Arroyo! I think it is the prettiest beach I have ever seen and it is only a 15-minute walk from my house. The best part is normally when we go we are the only ones there; just our family. Our get away on the island!

6) The people. I have been blessed to meet some special people here! I could not imagine them not in my life. I will forever thank the Lord for these friendships!

7) Not having to wear socks or tie-up shoes. Yup; flip-flops are the way to go!

8) Luis and Adriana and family. They are missionaries from Bogota who live right behind us. They are a family of four. Their kids, Juan and Paula, get along so well with our children, and Luis and Adriana have been such good friends to us: ones we can look up to, have mature conversations about the Lord with, and work with together in this community.

9) Pan de Bono: It is a roll made out of yuka flour and grated inside is a salty, olive-like cheese that my taste buds love. And it's gluten free so my husband can enjoy bread once again.

10) Colombia has a laid back approach to things...not the same hustle and bustle as we once had living in the States. Living on an island not having any place to go makes you relax a bit...I must say I kind of like that.

So you see, while I have things I miss from back home, God gave us different things to enjoy. 

Please, if you could take time to pray for us for our next two years living here on the island we would be grateful:

That all we do here in Bocachica would glorify the Lord.

For our water filter project. That as we help those with the need for clean water, we can share the Word with the families, and that seed would be planted.

For our English classes: That the children would come with the desire to learn and the dedication to practice. 

Pray for our kids, that they would continue to stay in good health and that their schooling would continue to go well. 

For our projects around the house: That the honey-do-list would get smaller...vs. longer! :)

Information on how to support us: We are thankful to all who have supported us! If you would like to help our family and the work we do here in Bocachica, please send support checks to Antioch Community Church.  All giving is tax deducible. Giving can be mailed to Antioch Community Church, 1600 Power Line Rd. Elon, NC. 27244. Please write COLOMBIA in the memo line.

To all of our friends, thank you for you love, support and prayers for us. We of course miss you all so much! We think of you and pray for you often.

Love,
The Ariels