The Ramirez's and their call to the Didinga People

Join us for a night to raise awareness for the country of Sudan and to support God's call to mission in the lives of Jonathan and Lauren Ramirez

Friday, September 11, 2009

7pm - 11pm

DOMINICAN JOE COFFEE SHOP

Music performed by Aaron Ivey and Aaron Peace

Music will start at 8:30pm. Photography, T-shirts and hand-made goods will be avialable to purchase using check or cash. All proceeds will go directly to the Ramirez's and Africa Inland Mission.

Getting back to life...

I feel like we have still been on "vacation" even though stew is back to work. We have had a real chill summer...but we are slowly getting back to life here in Austin. This video just shows you a typical scene in our home with the kiddos. Alessia's girls and my kiddos have been reunited and they love each other so much...this is so usual, wesleygrant leads the girls to do something...he made them line all the chairs up and became their bus driver...it went on all day...but i caught a glimpse of what i hear from the kitchen...minus the "don't take my picture!".. =)

But isn't it true, when you get a real dose of rest after so much running, you almost don't want to get back up again...this is kind of how i have been feeling...but yet, i hear the chant of all the saints of Jesus over all this life...and so we are coming to a place of jogging again. Rest has been good to look more clearer ahead...so, ahead...we go...

We are learning :
1. that believing God loves us truly changes our lives, even to the smallest detail
2. that God is in control amidst the evil that continues...that it does have an end
3. that it is good to ask for help
4. that God is provider always
5. that seeing God so bright can often come in the harder times

will write more as we head into fall.....

The last 4 weeks for us

Pa and Gammy visit us to give all us girls gifts!! Thank you! We love you!

Theresa and Ryan King's Wedding!! It was both a celebration and a reunion of old friends!

We got lots of cuddle times with kids while away...stew also set up his own office in the closet!

We got back early and got to have a small bday party for Sally! She is 3!

Our traditional birthday morning fun! Special place, gifts and poster! and of course, happy face pancakes!

We got to visit our dear friends, the Crawfords in Kansas City...they are amazing and it was an amazing time! They are a part of redeemer fellowship church....we love you crawfords!!

Resting in Idaho!

The girls got twin babydolls for their birthdays!

Old Faithful in Yellowstone national park!

Kids got to ride horses for the first time in Yellowstone! It was so fun!!

Karis's first birthday! We introduced her to our family tradition of "happy face pancakes"! She actually didn't like the whipped cream! crazy! and we painted karis' toes for the first time...she loved it...such a girl! that was sally's idea of course! =)

We have had an amazing time the last 4 weeks as we have travelled over 11 states. There are many stories and many lessons...but all in all in hind-sight, we have found places in our hearts that believe more that "Jesus Loves us, always, no matter what" And b/c He loves us, we can be who he has made us to be! We are so greatful to our friends and their family that let us use their cabin and all along the way across america who opened their home! We are refreshed and ready to keep going ahead as we continue here in Austin.

The WORST GOSSIP from a friend

"It makes the hairs on the back of my neck bristle when I remember the worst rumor that anyone ever spread about me. It was so bad that I used to get sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I wanted to hide from it.

But there is another piece of gossip about me that frees me from shame. Nothing was more character-defaming than the news that was announced about me at the cross. That I am so full of sin and worse… that sin is my nature. That my self-righteousness is a theatre mask to cover my evil heart, that my good deeds are soiled rags that I use to wipe the guilt off of my conscience. That my murderous thoughts are just as bad as murder. That I am so far beyond rehabilitation that no behavior modification program could curb my appetite for vileness. That I need to be born again into a new creation. That to rescue me from the damnation I deserve it required the death of the perfect Son of God.

Truly this is the worst gossip– but gossip that turns shame on its head. Milton Vincent says about the cross, “With the worst facts about me thus exposed to the view of others, I find myself feeling that I truly have nothing left to hide (A Gospel Primer for Christians).” The cross of Jesus Christ liberates us from the heavy facade of self-righteousness."

Our friends Dave and Gloria posted this and it described what i have been discovering these last weeks away...we are home...will begin writing again soon...

Today with the kiddos

Today we said goodbye to Alessia and the girls for a while...we will miss them so much! The kiddos took a photo shoot together at the park...hilarious! We are off and will be back in a few weeks...cold weather here we come! especially since i just cleaned out our trash can outside full of maggots!! oh my goodness! I am out of here with this Texas heat! See you in July folks!

Summer Fun...

Girls Started Dance!
Our neighbor cooked us dinner!"Everybody's Birthday Party"



Fun times...slumber party
Pool time
We are leaving for 4 weeks to get away...but we have already had enough fun this last month to count for the summer! We are beginning to live life with neighbors on a daily basis and it has been so fun...life is always full around here. We will be MIA for a while, but will get back to blogging later this summer. See you in a few weeks!!

Trip to Memphis

We took a road trip to Memphis, TN to visit our old life there 3 years ago. It was so good to see old friends and see what God is continuing to do there through them. Memphis is like no other city...it is so broken, you can almost not help but cry when you drive through it. We went to see DONNIE! We have known him since 6th grade and he was now graduating from his class 5th and with honors. we are so proud of him. I cried just like a mom...or just like me, when i saw him cross the stage. We are so proud of him! We saw many close friends and mentors. It was good times.