What comes next...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... in the DR.  The fruit stands are out, the streets are decorated, the Supermercado has green and red balloons... it's a beautiful time of year.  And still nice and warm (it's been mid to high 80s).  (Throwing that in there for all our team who are a bit chilly right now.)   

The work has been amazing lately as we have watched our brothers continue to blossom and become the leaders God intended them to be.  They are planning ahead, organizing events, working together and continuing to disciple the coaches and instructors in the communities all while balancing their own teams and families and church obligations.  This Fall has been a great time for us to watch their growth and has been a huge growing time for us as well.  We have spent many hours on our hands and knees seeking wisdom and what God intends for us.  To that end, we have a very exciting announcement for our family and for our team:

This month marks 2 years and 3 months that we have lived in the Dominican.  These 2 years have been amazing, terrifying, full of love, full of joy, full of prayer and growth.  And as we knew 2 years and 3 months ago, our time living here was never intended to last forever.  God would grow and mold us to pour into our staff across the island so they would be prepared to disciple their fellow brothers and sisters.  And praise the Lord!  We are overjoyed as our brothers (Alfre, Checo, Freysy, Grande, Joaquin, Rafael, and Victor) are ready for this transition to step out on their own.  It is time we get out of the way and allow our brothers to “fly.”  It is time for them to continue growing and changing and pouring into their communities, cities, country and world.  They have grown just as we have in the past 2 years and we know their work and hearts will continue to glorify God.  And although this is a bittersweet moment, it is a time so filled with joy and love and excitement.  We are proud and humbled to have lived alongside our brothers for these 2 years.  We are blessed to have been taken in and cared for by them as family.   We know their faith is going to move mountains as God pushes them to continue raising up the men, women, and youth in the Dominican. We anticipate the story that is and will continue to unfold.   This is not the end of the story God is writing here.  This is simply the final brushstroke of the first paragraph He is writing in this wonderful place.  Pray with us throughout this transition.  A part of our hearts will forever be in Sosua, but we also anticipate and look forward to God’s next steps and the next challenge He has for us as a family and for our staff.

This decision has not come lightly for us and Fred (president of AIM).  The last thing we want to do is fall down at the finish line without completing what God called us to in the first place.  But, after many hours seeking and praying and watching our brothers this Fall, we know it is time.  Time for us to leave and for them to fully take on the leadership roles in Sosua and the Dominican.  We will still be part of the team as we will maintain contact with them (Skype, calling, emails, etc.), but we are excited to watch their continued growth as they transition (and us, too).  So again, please be praying for all of us throughout this time.  It is exciting and scary in its own way. 

So what is next for us?  As you know, we have been working with AIM throughout our time in the Dominican.  After much prayer, God is moving us back to Houston for a time of refilling, rejuvenation and more work.  So come December 16, we will be back in Houston.  We are very excited about this transition and the work to be done within the “home office” of AIM.  Although we don’t know the exact amount of time we will be in Houston, we firmly believe it will be a transition time as God prepares us for the next placement.  Although the location of this work may change from the Dominican to Houston to other places such as India, the mission, the call and the heartbeat of AIM to bring people to Jesus is the same.  Our heart is to train up nationals to do the work & then allow them to experience the fulfillment of God’s mission. 

Thank you as always for your love, support, & encouragement throughout this process.  We are blessed by this journey God has us on and are learning more everyday how to trust Him.

"Why do you go away?  So that you can come back.  So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors.  And the people there see you differently, too.  Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving."  Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!  Hard to believe we are 1 day out from Thanksgiving!  That being said, we wanted to take a few minutes to express our gratitude and thanks to each of you reading this.  Thank you for your support throughout our journey.  In prayer and love.  In donations.  In offerings.  In listening ears and heartfelt advice.  In encouragement. Thank you for being a part of our team and being the hands and feet of Christ.  Our time here has not always been easy, but you all have given us the courage and strength to press on when we wanted to quit. 

Lately, we have had many trials and obstacles.  We have been short on water for about 2 months now.  And when I say short, I mean short.  We were playing the on/off shower game (get wet, turn water off and suds up, rinse off, turn water off and wash hair, rinse...) and "yellowing mellowing" if you get my drift.  But we are grateful for this trial and journey with water because we now know how to be more efficient with our use.  We know we as a family of 4 we can get by with very little (mind you this is not drinking water), and our thankfulness for running water is fresh in our mind everyday.  Our family who is regularly very healthy has been struggling with sickness or fevers or coughs/congestion since our return in August.  As one gets better another gets sick.  And although this can be said for many families, this is a change for us and I must say I personally have been sick more this Fall than my entire life.  But again, these trials make us grateful for the health we have.  Financially we have been tight.  Some of our donations did not come through as expected and we have "tightened our belts" even more.  Again, we are humbled and have been blessed by this struggle because we have learned how to be even more frugal with our purchases.  How to shop and cook better without wasting.  We are now a complete leftover meal family.  We make a meal and eat leftovers for 2-3 days depending on the item.  And our girls (and us) are learning that treats are treats and we don't always receive them.  Getting a chocolate milk (or Dr. Pepper for me) at the store is a treat and not a regular occurrence, but it tastes that much better when you do get it.

These gifts and struggles and annoyances are things we are so thankful for because they have changed us and our girls.  We have come to know God as our Provider in a true way.  No longer is He there when my savings gets short or my bank account gets a little low... no He is there as we pray and wait for His answer for another donation check.  God is there when we receive the call from Brittney saying, "Praise God!  He has done it again."  Our student loans are covered, our rent and electricity are covered, our health insurance is covered, our food and daily needs are covered.  God has and continues to replenish our daily need of water in our cistern when we were 6 inches from "out".  God continues giving us what we need.  So we are thankful for this journey God has placed us on.  It hasn't always been easy, but it's been worth it. 

We pray each of you enjoy your Thanksgiving and find all the ways God continues to pour His love and provide for you!

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13

Christian Sports Association

I know I have mentioned the Christian Sports Association many times in my blogging throughout our time here.  So I wanted to give a little background as to who they are... the Christian Sports Association is an organization that started to provide unity among coaches in a variety of disciplines in the greater Sosua area.  Coaches that work not for their own benefit but for that of their athletes.  It provides opportunities to play, receive training and support and encouragement in discipleship.  The Association began when a group of the coaches recognized a need to formalize the change in coaching that was happening here (changing it to being about the kids and not the coach).  Over the past several years it has grown and matured and is in the process of becoming a legal Dominican organization.  With the encouragement the Association offers, our staff and Luis Chingping (president of the Association) have been working on encouraging more coaches to be involved and participate.  Chingping has been attending our Monday staff meetings for a year or so now so AIM and the Association can continue working together and building up the community here.  When we wrote out the list of local coaches a few weeks ago, many of them are regularly involved in the Association.  It was decided amongst our staff and Chingping to visit the coaches who are not regular attenders to encourage them to come and be a part of the Association.  2 meetings took place earlier this week with J, AIM staff and Chingping and they were both very positive and encouraging.  Both coaches expressed a love for coaching and the kids and a desire to participate more.  We will continue praying for these coaches and their outreach and for their participation in the Association.

Last Friday, the Association hosted a parade to start off the 2 month baseball tournament.  We marched with them and then saw a game in Maimon (about 45 minutes from our house) with Coach Hector on Saturday.  I always enjoy the parades and it was a beautiful Saturday to watch some baseball. 

Checo inviting the community out to the games in all the areas.

There continues to be incredible work with the staff.  I know I just wrote about this, but they continue to amaze us in their growth and maturity.  J has been working with them on the critical thinking aspect of their work.  Every one of our staff are meeting regularly with at least 3+ other coaches throughout the week (among their other responsibilities and teams).  So we want them to be thinking about how they are reaching these coaches, what effect are they having, how can they encourage these coaches to grow in Christ and as leaders, how can they teach these coaches to lead devotionals (see one, do one, teach one)...  Again great movement and work!  So blessed to be here working alongside our brothers!

Several weeks ago Alfre led a devotional and J prayed with the athletes before a tryout for the Texas Rangers. 

Victor planned and organized a volleyball tournament joining all the teams of Sosua and the surrounding areas to promote volleyball and to take a step in unifying the elite athletes under 1 select Sosua team.

 One of our Monday staff meetings.

Freysy at his men's volleyball practice.  He is a leader amongst his peers and in the community.  His dedication continues to amaze me as he is a full time teacher, works with AIM, coaches teams, leads devotionals...

On the homefront things are good.  The "mystery pox" went away.  (Still not sure what it was.  The kids here kept calling them "little burns" and said they were very common and not dangerous.  So, praise the Lord that is better.)  Aubrey continues to love school and is doing great.  (Proud mom moment...) She was actually bumped up to "kindergarten" here because she knew her letters and shapes and numbers that would have been taught in the "pre-K" class.  She is learning her vowels, how to write her letters and numbers, etc.  One of her favorite parts of the day is when they all sing the national anthem.  J and I realized a few weeks ago that maybe we should work on teaching her the American anthem.  She stands with her hand on her heart and mumbles some of the words.  However, when she comes home to play school with her friends on the street, they always do the anthem as well.  There are times she only wants to pray in Spanish (Padre nuestro, que esta en los cielos...).  It's very sweet.  Ryann is good as well.  She is full of personality and joy (most of the time).  She loves her sister and loves to dance (it's actually a bit more like marching in place but still adorable).  She has 8 teeth and we are still figuring out what food she likes best (yogurt seems to be up there).  She still refuses to eat leftovers (how can a 1 year old know... and something she will have to get over as we tend to eat leftovers as long as possible). Ryann has become a daddy's girl and using her one volume (loud) yells, "Daaaa" for J and shows him everything (her sunglasses, her toys, her shoes, her diaper...).  So sweet..  J and I are great.  Working and loving life.  Nothing too exciting in our lives... just getting older. :)

We visited Alfre in La Cienaga a few weeks ago.  Here the girls are in their typical fashion.

Before Genesis's birthday dinner.  She invited us to a pizzeria at the Air Base that had a playground.  It ended up being just our family and her family (with all 3 of the girls I write about often.. Genesis, Loralee and Miralee).  We had a great time and the girls loved the pizza and playground.

Ryann on the slide.

Aubrey on the see-saw. (She was finally brave enough to try it and loved it.)

 

Liam, Aubrey and Ilene marching one afternoon. They are soaking wet because they were jumping and splashing around in the kiddie pool (to the left).  Liam and Ilene are twins and live next door.  Liam and Aubrey get along especially well as Liam is very calm and would prefer to play doctor or with the baby dolls whereas Ilene is all about playing with the balls or running around.

Ryann wearing Aubrey's shoes.

We were invited to Cristin's engagement party.  (This is Pastor Rivas's daughter- part of our Dominican family here.)  Cristin has always taken extra great care of Aubrey and loves on her (and buys her more chips and snacks than a girl knows what to do with).  Congrats to Cristin and Braulio!!

Cristin's ring.  This was a surprise for her... she was not planning on receiving a ring yet.

Aubrey a few days ago at school.  It was "dia de la raza" (Day of the People) so they all got their face painted and a crown.  Super cute.

So, things here are going well.  Thank you for your prayers and love and support.  We are humbled and blessed to be here!

Much love!

Overdue

So lately we have been undergoing some spiritual warfare.  And although there has not been one major event, it is the culmination of all those small things day in and day out that continue to add up.  Sore throat here, case of the "mystery pox" on Ryann here (Doc McStuffins anyone?), a 1 year old who has apparently decided to go on a hunger strike, 3 year old going on 13 attitude met with the stresses of daily life, finances, etc.  (You all know what I'm talking about.)  And through this time I have not been so good about keeping our team (you reading this) updated.  I have often felt lately I "don't have anything to blog about" but I realize now that I have kept the amazing work God has been doing from being shared.  So for that I am sorry.  So let me start by saying our staff in the DR are doing an AMAZING work.  When we came back 7 weeks ago (wow time flies), our brothers had blossomed overnight.  Their work, attitude, heart and overall demeanor just clicked.  They have always been hardworking and loving but now they are on fire.  We continue having our weekly staff meetings and then Jay meets with all 5 of them individually throughout the week for more individualized growth.  And all of these meetings simply thrill us to hear their thoughts and actions moving forward.  (Much of our work over the past 2 years has been pouring into these men to raise them up so they can reach the other coaches of the greater Sosua area and eventually the island.)  A list was formed last week of all the coaches within the Sosua area from all sports (baseball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, track, softball) and 90% of the coaches are being reached in some fashion by our staff!  How incredible is that?!  These coaches are being prayed with, taught how to lead devotionals, taught how to practice efficiently and better, and simply loved on.  Our brothers have always been a great mix of a desire to pour in here in Sosua mixed with the desire to go explore and meet new coaches.  They are making contacts throughout the north zone and continue to build and raise up leaders.  So, let me just say God is working overtime right now in the DR.  He is growing and building and moving in our brothers and we get to see their excitement along with ours throughout all of it!  Praise God!

So for tonight, I just want to say thank you, our team, for your love and support and listening ears and prayers throughout our journey.  It continues to amaze me the love we have from all of you (even when my communication has not been the best). 

Oh, and there was the case of the bugs in our macaroni and cheese.  First from the box mixed in with the pasta (which I can understand having been shipped from the States... well things happen), then when we mixed in the cheese a couple of bugs fell out.  Bugs.  In the sealed packet of cheese. 
We ate something else.

We want you... for 2016 trips

So just a little behind on blogging but who's counting?

We had camp in San Luis July 7-14 and it was phenomenal.  About 5000 kids for 4 days of camp hearing the Gospel, playing sports, eating hotdogs and feeling loved.  Pastor Joaquin (our brother in San Luis) did a wonderful job planning and organizing the events on his end.  But I have to say one of the most heartwarming moments was actually a visit to a local school where a team of about 100 Dominicans had volunteered to prepare the 5000 hotdogs needed everyday of camp (mind you that is a total of 20,000 hotdogs with bread, ketchup and cheese and then bagged).  We were given just a small vision of heaven as the multitudes gathered to serve Christ and glorify God.  These volunteers are not the moms or school volunteers you might imagine from the States, but ranged from teens on up.  Men and women and youth sharing together and working to reach their local brothers and sisters.  It was an amazing sight and I will just say many tears of joy and love were shed.

First day at our site... it's a must to start with a push up contest.

One of our American missionaries luggage was left at the airport. So when we went to get it we decided to take a few minutes as a family and buy an extremely overpriced donut. Totally worth it.

Adrian helped J throughout camp at our site.  He had a great connection with the kids.

Last day of camp was primarily games.  Another must- include the spinning bat game to get some great laughs.

 

 

Tessa at our site one day.  (she is normally the mastermind behind the camera)

 

Picture of the girls at the hotel on Ryann's 1st birthday!

The last evening at camp, we had 3 Americans get baptized in the ocean.

I don't know the numbers of those who accepted Christ, but I do know seeds were planted, relationships were formed and smiles and laughter were everywhere.  Camp is always one of those humbling, fast, crazy times but so joyful as we get to show Christ's love!

Following camp, we headed back home for a few days before heading to the States for a few weeks.  A regular trip of visits, friends, fundraising, work with AIM...  Always a crazy few weeks but so great to be with family and friends (and eat us a few hamburgers along the way). 

We headed back to the DR the middle of August and have been cruising along.  Our staff have grown so much over the past several months.  J and I have been so proud and humbled as we continue watching God unfold our brother's lives to glorify Him.  Their outreach to the community, their discipling of their fellow coaches and brothers/sisters, their love for each other and the work.  We continue to be blessed beyond measure!

Parade to start a project by Victor promoting unity among all the volleyball teams in the Sosua area.

2 of the teams in Victor's project.  The man in the middle is running for office and donated a few balls and nets for the event.

Aubrey and Ryann enjoying some volleyball.

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Aubrey started school at Pastor Rivas's school in Charamicos immediately after we got back and is loving it.  She goes half a day and is learning vowels, Spanish (which she is a champ at), having fun, cutting, gluing, coloring, and even has daily homework. She has a huge smile every time I pick her up (one of my favorite parts of the day) and always talks about her friends and the toys.  She even has a little uniform.  (Yes, she is only 3 but here in the DR they start school at this age.  Ultimately, it's like a pre-pre K.)  Ryann is good and growing.  Her personality comes out more and more everyday (much more animated and dramatic than Aubrey ever was).  Getting more teeth and still loving all our friends that come over after school.  She is much pickier than Aubrey ever was with food so we are figuring that out for her.  Apparently she is too good for leftovers (which we eat every other day here).  High maintenance much?  J and I are great.  Growing and having fun.  Continuing to learn to trust God for His provisions (and not worry- something I am extra skilled at). 

First day of school pictures.

I think this picture is hilarious.  I have no idea what she was doing, but it's funny.

Resting on a Sunday (and swimming in our kiddie pool).

Visiting La Cienaga one day.

Tyler, Marcos and J talking about Tyler's project in La Cienaga.

We want you to join us on our 2016 trips.

At a Father's Day dinner at church last month.  (Father's Day in the Dominican is the last Sunday of July.)

Genesis (our neighbor) has been taking music classes on the recorder in Cabarete for a time now.  We went to see her concert.

Bottom row, far right- Alfre's son and Loralee (neighbor) performing at the same concert.

Thank you for your continuous prayers and love!

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."  Psalm 91:2

I'm not worried, I'm living by faith

During our camp in Sosua this past June, part of our team came from the Willing Workers Church in Houston one of which is Eric Carrington.  During Eric's time here, he was able to share his passion for music in a variety of places and share one of his songs within AIM and Sosua.  The words are simple but mean so much...
La La La La
La La La La
I'm not worried
I'm living by faith

La La La La
La La La La
I'm not worried
I'm living by faith
....

My God is big
My God is strong
So I'm not worried
I'm living by faith

Ever since camp in June, Aubrey has been singing this song.  It comes randomly and at the times we need to hear it most.  In the shower, on the road, when something happens that she doesn't even realize is happening...  And it has come to mean so much as I hear God using her to reach me and remind me that He has it in control.  He has it taken care of.  It may not be what I wanted or how I see it or what I thought it should be, but it's all in His hand.

So J and I are working on trusting in God.  I'm not going to be worried because I know my God is BIG and STRONG and CARING and LOVING.  He teaches and instructs us; He guides us and leads us. 

Please be praying for us in this growth and trust.  Not allowing our circumstances to dictate our decisions but relying on God through the circumstances to guide our paths.

(hear the full song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX0EhohnmKE)

Smudgy fingerprints

Wow... what a June!  It came and went, and I am not sure I caught all of it.  It has been a crazy few weeks full of work, camp, love, prayers, interns, spreadsheets, hotels, laundry...  But a great few weeks.  Last I left you we were finishing all the preparations for camp in Sosua which, praise the Lord, was great. 
We had a total of 110 American missionaries and 6 Dominican missionaries (outside of our local Sosua based staff, coaches, pastors, and community leaders) join us for 4 days of camp.  We had a total of 18 different locations and 46 disciplines (baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, softball, VBS, art, music, and dance) for 4 days.  At every location, we had a local pastor preach and pray with the children ultimately leading up to the presentation of the Gospel the last day.  One of the most important things for us is for these youth (and even adults) to get plugged into a local church and church community so they have support and a family to lean on.  Being a Christian does not mean the path will be easy, so we want to make sure our new brothers and sisters have someone to lean on and pray with and ask questions.  I cannot honestly tell you how many accepted Christ, but I do know we had about 3500+ kids every day in camp laughing, playing, singing, talking, hugging and loving.  Although for J and me on this side (more behind-the-scenes) it was a bit chaotic and crazy (making sure every place has hotdogs, water, drinks, Dominicans, preachers...), God continued to pave the way ultimately wiping away all our "smudgy fingerprints" and making it His own.  There were some miraculous (and yes I use that word purposefully) things to happen throughout the week in our American missionaries and our Dominicans.  It's always fun to watch the attitudes and nervousness of the Americans the night before camp and even after the first day transform into something open and loving and beautiful. 
One of my favorite parts about camp is getting to share our home with the missionaries if only for a few days.  Those visiting get to see how and why we fell in love with the Dominican.  They get to experience the people, the relationships, the hugs and love, the singing and all out praise to God, the beauty of this place and the overwhelming sense that God is with us.  Even through our struggles (and trust me J and I have had quite a few over the past several weeks) God shines through encouraging and leading.  So how was camp?  It was magnificent and beautiful and stressful and frustrating... but overall it was full of God.

The dance girls during camp.

One of the art sites.  Every kid received a sketch pad, pencil bag with pencils, colored pencils, black markers and pens.

A VBS site

The megaphones for camp day 1 (because God speaks and listens so we can speak to God, too).

Basketball in Villa Liberacion.

One of the ladies who came with us has a passion to paint and a passion for women's ministry.  She joined the 2 and developed this painting where she walks the ladies through the process with each color of paint representing our sin, past life, hurts and struggles, rebirth through Christ, and new walk.  It is absolutely beautiful.  She had a class in La Cienaga with women (and girls) of the community and here is their artwork. 

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We are amping up for camp in San Luis this coming Tuesday (July 7-14).  As of right now we are expecting over 6000 children in 16 baseball, 6 volleyball, 6 basketball, 7 VBS and 1 music site.  I know it's going to be another whirlwind of a week, so please be praying over the next several days and throughout camp.  Just like last time, we are all (Stateside and Dominican) finishing all the preparations and spreadsheets (yes a few more) and site breakdown in anticipation of this camp.  And please say extra prayers for our Dominican brother, Pastor Joaquin, who lives in San Luis as he is working overtime organizing and meeting and preparing for our arrival.
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And something else exciting is J and I got to keep 2 of the missionaries from the first camp as interns!  (Moment of truth... J and I have never been involved in an internship program so we are taking it day by day and acting like we know what we are doing.)  :)  It has been so much fun showing them how we live and helping them get accustomed to the laundry and housing and neighbors and our way of life here.  Aubrey and Ryann have loved the extra attention (as if they don't get enough already) and it is nice having someone around to help as needed with AIM preparations.  They have been a true blessing organizing the camp equipment for San Luis and Cuba, cutting the bottoms out of another 800 foam cups for VBS on the south side (whose idea was it to make megaphones... oh right, mine...), and just simply sharing.  Our house is going to be very lonely when they head back after San Luis camp.

Meet Caitlin and Vanessa...

First day here and they are learning how to do laundry (Dominican style)!

Caitlin and Genesis.

Vanessa and J sorting through equipment.

A picture of all the equipment...

Organizing, sorting, arranging...

Through donations, we have 587 Bibles (and more in Houston) to give out to our coaches and youth on the teams who commit to a 1 year discipleship program.  We are very excited about this opportunity and are praying for those who participate.  I know this can be life changing and generation changing, so please join us in praying for this outreach and program.

Vanessa and Caitlin (and Genesis who hates pictures) stickering the Bibles.  (Yes, that's more equipment in the background.)

587 Bibles stickered and ready to go... and yes, our house is a little full right now.  :)

Sorting and organizing clothing to be given away.

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Things at home are great.  Aubrey is officially 3 years old now (crazy), and we celebrated J's and Aubrey's birthday on the 28th (yes, they share a birthday).  We actually had Aubrey's party a few weeks early before camp knowing it was going to be a crazy month.  It was a Doctora Juguetes (Doc McStuffins) party and we played with our friends, ate hot dogs, and had cupcakes.  Simple but fun.  Ryann is good.  She will be 1 in 9 days (eeekk!!).  Her personality develops more and more each day and I must say she is a riot.  She is VERY different from Aubrey and much more outspoken (already) with opinions and thoughts and an attitude.  Keeping us on our toes.  J and I are great.  Busy but great.  Nothing too exciting here except for camp planning and working and living life.

Ruth, Aubrey and Miralee at the party.  Everyone loves helping make and ice the cupcakes, so this time it was Aubrey's turn for her birthday.

Aubrey wearing her Doc McStuffins coat (thanks to the Morris family for this amazing birthday gift last year!) and her party hat.

Aubrey and J with their birthday hats.

We bought Aubrey a bike for her birthday.  J and I were very excited as this is the first real birthday she was excited about and knew what was happening.

A recent picture of Ryann enjoying some rice (and wearing most of it).  It is so nice having a high chair now (grateful for the chartered airplane AIM used in June to help transport it as well)!  :)

Thank you for your continuous prayers and love.  Even when it's rough and tiring, we know we are surrounded by all of you.  We could not do this without each of you!  Much love from the DR!

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal..  2 Corinthians 4:17-18