Hello everyone, I’m still here! At least for now… so get comfortable in your chairs and barstools because I have so much to share, but will try to keep it short & sweet :o)
I’m at the internet café and will be there when I can till we figure out if it is possible to have internet in our place, but hopefully we will have internet in our place soon. We found a source for internet through friends that is very affordable, which is a God-thing because everything that we’ve found has been way too expensive. We are pretty much in the middle of no-where Honduras. Well, not exactly no-where… because we are where God wants us to be and we want to stay in touch with you all!
We’ve been in our new home for over two weeks now and it has been a hard adventure, yet good for all of us. God has been teaching me to be content with what we have right now… such as cold showers, outhouse for a bathroom, ticks that we daily pick off of our bodies, ants everywhere, the small drafty house that 6 of us are sharing and a small kitchen that is hard to work in. Yeah, it hasn’t been easy, but God is faithfully reminding me daily why we are here in the midst of all those things. He has also been showing me that I need to get back into fully trust in Him and let Him be in control… let Him be the God He IS! I’ve been so busy trying to fix things and cure things and control things… basically trying to do His job. I know most of you understand because we’ve all been there and done that. He’s the one who will take care of the things I can’t fix, cure or control if I would just let Him.
Wow. He makes it so easy, but I make it so difficult.
Like I said… in the midst of everything God has been so good to show me His awesome faithfulness by providing for our daily needs such as fresh milk, cheese & eggs from a Christian family in town, fresh tortillas just across the road, a sweet gal who has chickens she can sell us when we are ready, neighbors who are helpful and a beautiful place to call home sweet home. We are blessed to be here and part of that blessing is painful to receive because it requires us to sacrifice our comforts and lives to Him daily.
Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to get settled, unpack and repack (yeah, it is a very small house) adjust to living in Honduras. The adjustment is going well, but it has been hard at times because Honduras is a very poor country and very much a third world country… its almost like I am back in Africa. Honduras is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere & Costa Rica is the richest and most advanced Central American country. See the difference? Even though they are both third world countries, from a worldly perspective, Costa Rica has a lot to offer while Honduras struggles to get by. For example, just over 5 months ago… there was no electricity in our area and most of our neighbors still live without it. They’ve lived for years without electricity and don’t see the need for it… that’s great for them, but I can’t imagine trying to wash all Tabi’s diapers & our clothes by hand or cook all our food by fire. I don’t think I’ll get rid of my washing machine any time soon (LOL!), but I do want to learn to use the traditional Honduran wood-burning stove to make tortillas and papusas.
Even though I haven’t been here long, I have not found a farmer’s market and miss my Fridays at the Feria in San Ramon. I am starting to get discouraged. Please pray that I will find one close by! It’s the dry season right now and there is not much around. That has been one of the hardest adjustments for me because I love fresh fruits for our smoothies and fresh veggies to make my ferments & salads. I do not like buying them from the supermarket because they always taste like cleaning products (seriously!). I know many of you understand how important it is to find sources of fresh fruits and veggies locally. I am not looking for certified organic produces… just fresh, chemical-free goodness directly from a farmer! I am planning to start a small, raised-bed garden at the end of May… that is the time when everybody plants their corn and beans for the raining season. We’ll see how that goes.
So, continue to keep us in your prayers! We need them and appreciate them so much. There are two specific things:
First, please pray for my baby, Tabitha… we took her to the doctor to get a diagnosis of an itching, dry & scaly rash that developed since Costa Rica… thankfully she has been very happy and goofy despite her discomfort. The doctor believes she has Atopic Dermatitis and recommends the usual steroids that are commonly given. We’ve chosen not to go that route and are giving her homeopathy, oatmeal baths with cocoa butter and rubbing her down with lots of shea butter, coconut oil and aloe vera. But most important of all we´ve been praying for healing over her. Her skin has improve a lot since we visited the doctor on Friday, praise God! We’ve been trying to get her to take her fermented cod liver oil and high vitamin butter oil, but she refuses them… I know they will help her skin so much! I’ve tried to sneak them into her with Aquacate del Chocolate, smoothies and bananas with lots of honey. We have a cinnamon flavor and garlic flavor… she loved the latter one with mashed potatoes the other day. Any more ideas how I can “sneak” them into her? The cinnamon is pretty overpowering and she doesn’t like it much.
Second, please pray for our tick situation. Honestly, I’ve never seen so many ticks before in my life. The ticks here come in all sizes… the smallest I’ve ever seen is as small as a black dot!! You know they are there when you start to itch and see redness surrounding them. They are truly little demons. Thankfully, it hasn’t been too bad the last several days… we are hoping they are starting to die off because we’ve been keeping the cows off the property. We’ve been taking garlic tabs and rubbing ourselves with essential oils… that seems to help hold them off a bit. But we need to figure out how to get rid of them completely and keep them away for good… any ideas?? We don’t want to use chemicals, but that seems to be the only “good” option right now. Please join us as we pray in faith that God will simply sweep the little demons away so we wouldn’t have to do that.
Before I close… I want to let you all know that this month marks the 1-year anniversary of Just Making Noise! Wow! I really can’t believe how much has happened this past year and how much the blog has grown since the first post. I have several great giveaways that I have been planning for several months now, but that was before Honduras happened. I originally planned to do a whole month of giveaways to celebrate, but that’s not exactly happening. So, I will do my best to do them when I can over the next few weeks. Like I said before… I have several great giveaways, but there are some awesome ones that I will most likely save for last, so make sure you come by regularly to check them out, enter and let your friends know about it too!!
Thank you for your support, prayers, encouraging emails and comments! I am sorry that I can’t respond to all of your comments and emails, but please know that I do read every single one of them and they do mean a lot to me. I will keep you all updated as much as possible and will keep posting recipes when I can. Looking forward to celebrating with you all and keep checking back for the giveaways!
Hugs,
Mare
Thanks so much for letting us in on your life and giving us specific ways in which to pray for you and your family. I feel I have found a kindred spirit in you and your blog. Today alone I made 2 of your recipes (Rise-n -Shine Smoothie & Kefir Sourdough Pizza) – both were delish! Will be praying for you and your family as you make this transition to Honduras.
Here’s a section of Scripture that has encouraged me as of late: Phil 4:11-13 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any & every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance & need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. “
So sorry to hear about the ticks. I will pray this prayer over you! “Lord, God. You are the creator of all the things, and you know the job that your children are doing for you. May you make known to them a way to cease this infestation! By your strength Lord!” Thank you for sharing!
Wow, truly an adventure — hang in there and take your time learning to live well in the land He’s given you.
I do hope you can get internet soon though. It’s purely selfish but I miss your blog!
Hi Marillyn,
Finally, you’re now in Honduras! I’m sure you’re going to be terribly busy. I’m sorry about your little one. Hope she’ll get over it(itcheness) soon.
Yeah, I can’t imagine myself without electricity! But if you’ve to choose between electricity & water. I think I’ll take the water and live without the electricity. hehe…. There’s always generator available but not water! Btw, you can still use kerosine cooker.
I’m glad that everything is fine over there. May god bless you all!
Take care.
Best wishes, Kristy
Hi Mare, nice to hear from you again. I could relate on your first few paragraphs. Trusting God and casting all our cares upon him; also being content on what I have at moment and trusting Him when I don’t see any evidence of positive change. But honestly, it’s easier said that done. I’ve been keeping you and your family in my prayers. Happy anniversary to your blog. It’s been a wonderful experience for you and I’ve learned so much from you and best of all it’s a blessing to know another Christian blogger who can encourage you to keep on keeping on. God bless.
I am so glad to hear from you. I just recently started following and was missing your post a little.
I hope you guys adjust well to the new life your making there.
I want you to know I have the most respect for you and your family. You are truely Godly people and I believe you are doing wonderful things. I look forward to hearing more about your new home.
Keep your head up!
I am so glad to hear from you. I just recently started following and was missing your post a little.
I hope you guys adjust well to the new life your making there.
I want you to know I have the most respect for you and your family. You are truely Godly people and I believe you are doing wonderful things. I look forward to hearing more about your new home.
Keep your head up!
Dear most awesome Mare!
So good to hear what’s going on with you! I wish you were more comfortable though! I’m the featured blogger this week on Refrigerator Soup, and I mentioned your wonderful site in the article!
Cheers!
Kristy
oh mare! i’m sorry things have been so tough. i replied yesterday to your question to NOAH but i wanted to tell you too that i get my kids to take the cod liver oil/butter oil by first dipping the spoon into raw honey! they take it just fine now! :0) hope she gets some relief!
emily
congrats on your blog’s anniversary! i know you’ve enriched my life by sharing your recipes and experiences on here. 🙂 i pray you all get everything set up and settle into life in Honduras!
to keep the ticks off yourself, mix almond oil with Rose Geranium essential oil and rub a small amount onto exposed skin, but not around the eyes or open cuts. the almond oil has sulfur, which is a natural repellent, and the little suckers don’t like the rose oil. this is also safe for animals. just put a few drops around their collars. putting a drop of apple cider vinegar into water glasses also helps repel insects, for people and pets.
to keep the ticks away from the house, make sure the yard is mowed, and watered. sprinkling sulfur powder helps keep them away, too (and snakes since it “burns” their bellies). keep branches cut away from the house so they don’t drop onto the roof. also, IF you can, get some guinea hens who LOVE to eat ticks (i have no idea if those are in Honduras). some nematodes also eat ticks, but i’m less familiar with them.
good luck! 🙂
Mare, Mare, Mare! So good to hear from you again! I can soooooo relate to you… bugs and all! I do come into agreement with you for healing for your baby girl… total, complete healing. May God’s presence increase around you, may His grace overwhelm you and may all those little tick demons flee!
bless you!
That is my girl!
2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2) But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (3) But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, (4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (5) For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. (6) For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (8) We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed– (10) always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (12) So then death is working in us, but life in you. (13) And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe and therefore speak, (14) knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. (15) For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. (16) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18) while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We are looking to the author of our faith!
Daddio
Live better through chemicals! Ticks suck! (literally) and cary disease worse than any risk from chems. 🙂
I am glad you are Ok, even though not a great situation right now, it will get better. Sorry you have to deal with ticks. It always takes a while to adjust in a new place and get situated. Your daughters are adorable, just like dolls. We are so used to our comfort than when it’s gone, we tend to miss it and be frustrated, it’s natural human behavior, but you are a strong and faithful person and you will see with patience and trust in better days, it will get better. Just hang in there and let us know how you are doing.
Wow, you make me realize how very blessed I am to have a constant source of electricity 🙂
I will be praying for you- about everything especially the ticks! Read Psalm 91 and pray it over your house. Our area is known for scorpions and since we’ve prayed using that Psalm we have seen none!
Jessica
Consider yourself PRAYED FOR. I appreciate the descriptive nature of this post and how honest you are about your feelings. Hang in there and find your strength and joy in the Lord.
Hey Mare! It is awesome to hear from you again! Welcome to your new home, you and your family are definitely in my thoughts – hoping you get things figured out soon, and stat to have more of a routine. Best to you all! *hugs*
Everybody, I wish I had the time to reply to each one of your comments. THank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! Your prayers and encouragement means so much to me and my family. I am happy to say that Tabi is doing so much better… she´s about 95% healed! THank you!
Brie- Thank you for your advise with the rose oil, almond oil and apple cider vinegar!!!!!!! Plus the hens… I think we can get them here. THank you thank you!!!
Again, you guys have no idea how much your comments and prayers mean to me. Today was a rough start for me and I needed to ¨hear¨what you all had to share. Muchas gracias :o)
eucalyptus? The natural bug spray that we use has eucalyptus and lemon grass in it and says it gets rid of mosquitos and deer tics. Maybe you could plant some eucalyptus, it probably would grow well there.
sorry you’re having such a hard adjustment! You’re at the top of my prayer list.
One more thing… There are a couple of guys at our church that routinely go to guatemala and mexico (for a week or two at a time) to do electrical/ other types of construction work. Should I give them your e-mail address, or are you not ready for that kind of work for awhile? No guarantee that they’ll come, but I know they both just retired and are looking for places to help out at.
My son suffers with the same thing as Tabitha. From time to time it gets really bad and we have to use steroids because he would scratch until he bled. He is 19mths now. I have tried many natural remedies and topicals but the thing that worked best for him was flaxseed. I gave him ground flaxseed every day in his rice cereal and ate it myself daily as I was still breast feeding. In about 3 days his skin was literally transformed. Finally my baby actually had skin that felt like a baby’s skin should. The omega 3 in the flaxseed has been proven to improve this skin condition. Natural yougurt also helped as did avocados but by far the most dramatic improvement with my son came from the flaxseed. Hope this helps