We have had another busy week of missions conference and traveling. Our missions conference, for this week, was at Sara Bay Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida (Pastor Arlo Elam). It has been an excellent conference with lots of good food and great preaching! The theme of this conference is "Staying on Track" and they have all sorts of trains set out. They have a huge cardboard train hanging over the pulpit. The meeting will end on Sunday, then we will head back to Ft. Myers, until our meeting for next Sunday.

Wednesday through Sunday we had a missions conference at Southside Baptist Church in Tampa, FL (Pastor Kerry Nance). Our family stayed at a cottage, that Hope Children's Home provided. We did not have any internet connection, so I was not able to post.

It was a great missions conference and I really enjoyed it. I met a total of 12 new friend, at the church! On Thursday, my family went with the Pastor's family to lunch. On Friday, all the missionaries went to the Lowry Park Zoo. Then on Saturday, all the church went soul winning. They paired me up with a boy who was uncomfortable talking, so I was the one who was able to do all the talking. I loved it!

We have located a house on St. Barths, that is in our budget. It is a very nice, two-bedroom house that looks perfect. Please pray as we make this big decision.

On Saturday and Sunday night we had no internet access, so I was not able to keep up with my posting. Starting tomorrow, we have a 5 day missions conference in Tampa, FL. We will be staying at the Hope Children's Home. The Pastor said that there would be a missionary family who has lots of kids, ranging from 14 to babies. My sisters and I are excited about having the opportunity of meeting some other MK's our age! We are in the process of packing, but this is an extra long process because of the size of our family. There are so many bags! I don't know how we fit in the van with all this stuff!

As we walk into our hotel, people look at us like we are nuts, trying to fit so many people (and stuff) in one hotel room. The "look" is something we see a lot on deputation, but it should be the same way for all other Christians. The Bible says in Titus 2:14, "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Notice the Bible says, "a peculiar people." We as Christians are a peculiar people. Christians are funny, weird, and nutty, to the world. The world can look at us and think, " That guy is weird. He never drinks." Or, " Man, that guy is always praying." Or, "That guy is dressed funny." On St. Barths (my mission field) just about everybody drinks, even the catholic priest is known for getting drunk at times. Drinking is just a way of life for them. When my dad was down on the island, a man asked my dad if he wanted a drink. My dad said no, and that he never touches the stuff. The man thought it was so weird that my dad never drinks. To the world, we should be funny or weird. We should have the testimony, that we are Christians, and everybody knows it. This week, we should try to be true Christians, and look like a peculiar people to the world.

Jim, a 16 year old Christian boy, came to his dad with a serious question. "Dad, I have a question," Jim asked. "I'm busy. I don't have the time," his dad quickly replied. Jim went to his mom. "Mom, I have a question." " Not now, Jim. I'm trying to prepare dinner," she answered. So where did Jim go next? He went outside to his friend, Tom. "What have you been doing," Tom asked. "Trying to get a question answered,... Hey! maybe you can answer my question" Jim said. "Do you think it's okay to have a beer if you don't get drunk," Jim slowly asked? "Of course it is! It's perfectly fine!" Tom replied.

There is a lot of truth to this story. If you won't answer your kids questions, then the world will. Often times, when a child comes to his parent with a serious question, (that could have an impact on their future) the parent is to busy to answer his child's question. Kids need the advice of their parents, or else they will go to their friends and receive the wrong advice. Most of the time, this wrong advice will change a Christian kid to a one that has a ruined life. Parents if you ignore your kids questions when they are young, they will ignore your answers when they're old. Please answer your kids questions, it could change their future.

Your friends will influence you for good or bad. Kids, choose your friends wisely. Don't pick a friend, just because they're popular in school. Don't pick a friend, just because he has the coolest video games. Don't pick a friend just because he wears the best clothes. Don't pick friends, just because you look cool with them around. So, how do we know what people to hang around?
1: Ask your parents advice. The truth is, if your parents are Christians, your parent will have some, if not the best, advice on which people to hang around. Parents will see what you don't in other kids. Trust your parent's advice and obey it.

2: Look at that particular person's spiritual background. Often, most kids don't have the best spiritual life. You know why? Probably because, they are listening to the wrong things on their MP3, watching the wrong things on TV, and looking at the wrong things on their PC. Spirituality is the key to finding the right friend.

3: Pray. This may sound funny, but God is very interested in the friends you pick. Friends are some of the most important influences in your life. God is very, very interested in who is influencing you. Your friends should be picked by you, your parents, and God. God should be your best friend, and He wants you to talk to Him about the friends you have.

In today's world, these two subjects are a major problem because nobody wants to correct them. It is about time us Christians stood up for the right and pushed these problems out of America.

Stomach Flu!!! So, since my last post, each child member of the Gimenez has thrown up multiple times. (My Mom stopped counting Brenna's at 25! eek!) But thank God we are all on the road to recovery. We all feel, somewhat, better and hope to be ready for Sunday.

Back in March of 2010, I did a post on some of my favorite preachers. I said that I would post some more of my favorites, so here you are:

I know, I know. It has been forever, so let me briefly review the past couple of months:

1: We finished language school (Praise the Lord!... finally!)
2: We moved into my Grandmother's house for the next few months.
3: My Dad took a trip to St. Barths to look for a house.
4: We've been dropping in on churches and been booking meetings for March.

Language school was a great experience. Would I chose to do it all over again?... Never! We had a great time, but I'm thankful that we have finished our "major" study of French. I do not have French all the way down, yet, but I hope to be a French speaking American in the near future.

Grammy's house has been a great place to live in for the past few months. We have (well sort of) have our own space in which we can do what we please. Not counting, I now have Grammy's cooking every day! What could be better! I sharing my Uncle Marc's room and he has been a great roomate. Thanks so much Marc!

Dad's trip went well, but no houses were open at the moment, in our budget. My Dad was able to find out about some things, like a car and other things. Everyone on St. Barths said to come back in April, because that is when their "high rental season" is over. We still need some French paper work to come in. Please pray that they will put a stamp of approval on our much needed paperwork.

March is a full month of mission conferences and meetings for us (with revivals on weekdays!). We need only 8 more churches to take us on so we can leave for the field! Please pray that these meetings will provide our extra support.

Thanks for your prayers!