Happy New Year :)

It´s my good pleasure to greet you all again from Quito, Ecuador - after a rewarding time with my family this Christmas AND New Year´s Eve!

Somebody sent me an email once (I´m SO sorry I can´t remember exactly who it was!), that showed foto after foto of an incredibly perilous (but at the same time beautiful) climb. Then the last slide was a view that would take your breath away... you could see for miles, all kinds of mountains that you were over the TOP of, trees, rivers, waterfalls, etc. And the statement at the end had something to do with asking if you´d be willing to make such a climb in order to have such a view. I feel as if I´m taking huge gasps of deep deep breaths way down into my heart as I take in this new view of what 2011 is offering up. Knowing my path continues, and God continues leading the way...

1- I got word that the Dysphagia book will be coming out on the 15th of this month, while I was in Georgia for Christmas.
2- I got word before I knew for sure it was getting printed that SEFAL (the Ecuatorian SLP organization) wants to launch the book sometime between Jan-March this year.
3- And our Dysphagia Clinic in Quito is already communicating (mutually, I might add) with the therapists I met there in Talca, Chile.
4- I was verbally invited to be a guest lecturer for a class of about 2-3 months at the University of Talca in Talca, Chile ... as God provides, would most likely be arranged for sometime this fall.

Of course with all of these hopeful opportunities arising,,, there are many challenges in between here and there --- and I recognize that some things I think I see may shape-shift or fall out of scope even along the way. I´ll ask for your continued prayer support as I seek God´s provision for the things He´s asking me to do,,, as He continues to clarify what He´s asking me to do:

1- Some type of income that will give me access to cash here in Quito,,, and support the program´s transition into a professional, qualified, and (hopefully) reproducible program.
2- Good and steady communication among Quito professionals for this transition,,, and with our Chilean colleagues as we start to form a sort of professional family.
3- Wisdom to know what to hold on to and what to let go of,,,, for all of us involved.
4- Personal strength to hold up in the face of constant complaints and criticism from a myriad of sources,,, which could grow as we attempt to transfer this program into the hands of Ecuatorian professionals.
5- For hugs.

And I´m amazed by God´s incredible persistence and perseverance on my behalf on so many levels. In trying times, I´m humbled by the many individuals who continue to faithfully support this work and incredible adventure --- even through their own troubled finances and uncertainty in this coming year. I´m grateful to Pastor Gary Dolan and RiverTree for continued support through June, and to Pastor Brighton and Mt. Calvary for another year´s support. I´m so curious to know what God is up to --- and continue humbled to see so many who want to find out along with me!!! I´m so grateful for His word that reminds me His plans for us are good,,,, to give us hope and a future... (Jeremiah 29:11 paraphrased) ... because sometimes what I see directly in front of me makes my knees shake and my heart almost sink to my feet. I´m so grateful that God is there anyway.

I´ve already hooked up with "my" kids again,,, looking to get them into some board games with me. Might be a fun challenge... and continue to look for ways to help them know that it´s a good thing that God loves them,, and it can really help them overcome their own doubts and fears.

Please let me know if there is some way I can be praying for you,,, as I´m aware that we are all God´s kids working on cleaning our hearts out, knowing Him more, and giving others a reason to love and trust Him, too ... I´m happy to remember you in my prayers... for ALL the saints.

Wishing you all a wonderful view in 2011!!
m