PEACE PEACE!!!

Do you ever feel as if you are going in the wrong direction?  Do you ever feel as if everything you are setting your hands to do is coming up as worm eaten and worthless?  The condemnation rings so loudly in your ears you could swear others can hear it as clearly.  It is written all over your face “YOU ARE WORTHLESS!  THE MISTAKES YOU HAVE MADE IN THE PAST ARE FINALLY CATCHING UP WITH YOU!  WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO PROVE AND WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPRESS?”  It rings on and on until you think you are going to suffocate from the weight of it.  You read the promises of God and think HOW CAN I CLAIM THAT PROMISE WHEN I KNOW WHAT IT IS MY HEART!?

We have been fighting that battle HARD this week!  Funny enough the Bible study I (Myranda) am working on is focusing on peace this week! 

Yesterday part of the reading came out of Matthew 14:22-23.  It is the account of when Jesus commanded the disciples to go across the lake while he went on a mountainside to pray.  They found themselves in the middle of a storm and were fighting for their lives.  All the while Jesus is sitting on the mountainside praying!  I don’t know about you but the first thing that pops into my mind when I read that was “Why didn’t he stop the storm?  He TOLD them to go across the lake, they were simply obeying the command.”   That is a point I noted, they were obeying God and found themselves in the storm.  Just because we obey Jesus, it doesn’t mean that everything is going to go smoothly all the time!   Just as Jesus had it all under control when the disciples were in the storm, he is the same God that has it under control today!  Isn’t that COMFORTING!?  

Please consider this quote:

Christ didn’t change His circumstances to make them bearable,  He mastered them a the peak of their impossibility.  Yes, Christ had perfect peace in the storm.”  Beth Moore

I wonder if the disciples had resigned themselves to certain death right before Jesus came to their rescue?  I wonder if the disciples could see Jesus sitting on the mountainside praying while they were fighting for their lives? Jesus isn’t going to change our circumstances for us to make it more bearable, he is going to ride out the storm WITH us!  He wants us to keep our focus on Him and walk in PEACE!  Then and only then will we be able to walk on water and the peaks of impossibility! 

We have shared with you all our hearts to reach out to the street children of Lusaka and how God has lead us, with the blessing of Times Square Church, to change ministries.  While we have been seeking God and praying about how and when to reach out to the kids, they keep showing up at our door.  God is bringing the kids to us!  There is one boy, his name is Moses.  He is 18, has been on the streets his entire life and knows nothing else.  He is desperate for change, but isn’t quit ready to give up the freedom of the streets.  Can anyone relate?  There is John who lives with his Grandma and shows up periodically because he knows that he will always get a hug and a plate of food.  Then there is an adorable 8 year old boy who calls himself Mr. Mwansa.  I just want to put him in my pocket he is so cute!  There is his beautiful sister Mary who is out there with him watching over him.  Just the other day as I was driving to take a dinner to someone and I found a group of boys on the side of the road and fell in love.  They looked like a group of puppies just tumbling all over each other.  Gave them a loaf of bread I made that morning.....

What we need from you guys is PRAYER!  We need direction and we need to make sure that we hear CLEARLY from the Lord the steps we are to take.  Do we get a bus and drive around to do outreaches?  Do we rent a store front in town?  Do we simply walk around with sandwiches in our bags?  

Would you also pray about how you can get involved?  How would the Lord want you to use your resources to help advance the work here....Do you send your money?  Do you volunteer in the missions office and stuff envelopes?  Do you get on a plane and come over with a team?  We believe firmly that a missionary is only as effective as the team of people behind them.  We need you!!!!!!!!! 

Prayer Points:

Pray for the kids that we mentioned above.  They need to know the love of God desperately!  

Pray for wisdom as we step out and help.  We don’t want our helping to hurt!  

Pray that God will bring Zambian workers to join in.

Pray for the finances to be available

Pray for our marriage and our family unity

As always, PLEASE keep us updated on your families!  We love to hear from you and what is going on in your lives!  

Many Blessings, 

Myranda, Luis, Amira, Hannah, Brooklyn Rose and Homer the dog

If you would like to give to the work you can send a check or money order to 

TSC MISSIONS FLOOR 4 

1657 Broadway

NYC, NY   10019

Put Morales Family/Zambia in the memo

Or you can go to tscnyc.org, select donate and specify “DONATE TO SOMEONE’S TRIP”  Put in Morales Family Zambia

a mad fat white woman gets some peace

We have been in Zambia for almost a month now and our heads are spinning with how fast life has moved!  One minute we were with you all in the States and BLINK  here we are back in Zambia!  WOW!  We had SUCH a wonderful time of relaxing and enjoyed reconnecting with so many of you and wish that the time had been stretched to see so many more of you! 


The other day I attended a ladies bible study.  Currently we are doing a Beth Moore bible study on the fruit of the Spirit.  One of the ideas that was discussed was this "JUST BECAUSE IT IS HARD DOESN'T MEAN IT ISN'T THE LORD AND JUST BECAUSE IT IS EASY DOESN'T MEAN IT IS THE LORD!"   I needed that so badly because the enemy has been telling us that we are insane for coming back to Zambia, that our kids are going to suffer, blah blah blah....One thing that was said really stuck with me

                                     NEVER MISTAKE EASE FOR PEACE!!!!!

 I know that we aren't supposed to walk around with our heads hung low and our shoulders stooped all the time, but lets be honest here, some days it is harder than others.  It is a simple comfort to know that even though it is hard, Jesus is going to give us what we need when we need it!  AMEN!!!  I hope that you can take as much comfort from that as I have! 

Our kids are adjusting back to life beautifully.  They have started school and have been able to reconnect with their old friends and seem to enjoy the school schedule.  ( I KNOW THAT WE DO!!!)  Amira is thriving in art, Hannah is turning out to be quit the Jane Austin and Brooklyn....well we think she is going to run for president in the next zambian elections.

The Lord had laid it on our hearts to pour more of our attentions into the lives of the street kids.  Do we open a store front for them?  Do we have a bus ministry?  Would you please pray for us as we seek God's will for this?  We don't want to get ahead of the Lord and start something that will just turn out to be Luis and Myranda's good efforts for the street kids and not God's perfect plan for their lives.  Our leadership at home and here has told us to just simply wait on God....so that we is what we do....doesn't the Bible have some pretty good things to say on the subject of waiting?

Would you also pray about how the Lord would want you to get involved?  How does the Lord want you to use your resources to help?  Do you give your time? Do you give your finances?  Do you go on a trip?  (Praying is a given) A missionary is only as effective as the people supporting them and standing with them...WE NEED YOU! 

What are some specific ways you can pray for us? 
1. pray for our kids as they adjust back into lives as missionary kids......that isn't an easy life!
2. pray for us as we seek God's will for the street kids
3. pray for the resources to be available
4. pray for our marriage....pray that our decisions are unified and that we stay as one mind

How can we pray for you?  We LOVE it when you guys let us know the goings and comings in your lives!  We pray often for you all carry you in our hearts! 

ROCK ON!!!!
Myranda, Luis, Amira, Hannah, Brooklyn Rose and Homer the Dog


If you would like to give a donation to the work here you can send a check, cash or money order to
Times Square Church
Missions Floor 4
1657 Broadway
NYC, NY 10019
Please remember to include MORALES FAM/ZAM  in the memo

Or you can go to tscnyc.org and click on GIVE, choose GIVE TO SOMEONE'S TRIP and follow the instructions given. 

a mad fat white woman gets some peace

We have been in Zambia for almost a month now and our heads are spinning with how fast life has moved!  One minute we were with you all in the States and BLINK  here we are back in Zambia!  WOW!  We had SUCH a wonderful time of relaxing and enjoyed reconnecting with so many of you and wish that the time had been stretched to see so many more of you! 


The other day I attended a ladies bible study.  Currently we are doing a Beth Moore bible study on the fruit of the Spirit.  One of the ideas that was discussed was this "JUST BECAUSE IT IS HARD DOESN'T MEAN IT ISN'T THE LORD AND JUST BECAUSE IT IS EASY DOESN'T MEAN IT IS THE LORD!"   I needed that so badly because the enemy has been telling us that we are insane for coming back to Zambia, that our kids are going to suffer, blah blah blah....One thing that was said really stuck with me

                                     NEVER MISTAKE EASE FOR PEACE!!!!!

 I know that we aren't supposed to walk around with our heads hung low and our shoulders stooped all the time, but lets be honest here, some days it is harder than others.  It is a simple comfort to know that even though it is hard, Jesus is going to give us what we need when we need it!  AMEN!!!  I hope that you can take as much comfort from that as I have! 

Our kids are adjusting back to life beautifully.  They have started school and have been able to reconnect with their old friends and seem to enjoy the school schedule.  ( I KNOW THAT WE DO!!!)  Amira is thriving in art, Hannah is turning out to be quit the Jane Austin and Brooklyn....well we think she is going to run for president in the next zambian elections.

The Lord had laid it on our hearts to pour more of our attentions into the lives of the street kids.  Do we open a store front for them?  Do we have a bus ministry?  Would you please pray for us as we seek God's will for this?  We don't want to get ahead of the Lord and start something that will just turn out to be Luis and Myranda's good efforts for the street kids and not God's perfect plan for their lives.  Our leadership at home and here has told us to just simply wait on God....so that we is what we do....doesn't the Bible have some pretty good things to say on the subject of waiting?

Would you also pray about how the Lord would want you to get involved?  How does the Lord want you to use your resources to help?  Do you give your time? Do you give your finances?  Do you go on a trip?  (Praying is a given) A missionary is only as effective as the people supporting them and standing with them...WE NEED YOU! 

What are some specific ways you can pray for us? 
1. pray for our kids as they adjust back into lives as missionary kids......that isn't an easy life!
2. pray for us as we seek God's will for the street kids
3. pray for the resources to be available
4. pray for our marriage....pray that our decisions are unified and that we stay as one mind

How can we pray for you?  We LOVE it when you guys let us know the goings and comings in your lives!  We pray often for you all carry you in our hearts! 

ROCK ON!!!!
Myranda, Luis, Amira, Hannah, Brooklyn Rose and Homer the Dog


If you would like to give a donation to the work here you can send a check, cash or money order to
Times Square Church
Missions Floor 4
1657 Broadway
NYC, NY 10019
Please remember to include MORALES FAM/ZAM  in the memo

Or you can go to tscnyc.org and click on GIVE, choose GIVE TO SOMEONE'S TRIP and follow the instructions given. 

A Mad Fat Woman Gives Her Kids A Bath

Here we are back in Zambia......tonight around dinner time the lights went out and the water went off.  Here I had 3 FILTHY kids and a pot of boiling water to deal with.  (pasta was on the menu)  After a slight moment of UGH I did what any mom in a pinch would do.....pulled out the peanut butter and started praying for a creative way to bath the kids.  You see, tomorrow is their first day back as school.  PRAISE THE LORD....RAISE THE ROOF AND SHOUT HALLELUJAH!!!  

As we sat around a candle enjoying our peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches and dwelling on the thought “Jesus do I have to get them up at 5:30 am to bath them before school?” , the thought occurred to me, THE HOT WATER HEATER IS FULL AND READY TO GO!!!!!!!  And the reserve bucket we keep for emergencies is FULL!  YEAH! So, happily, I piled one kid after another into the tub, washed the grim off their adorable bodies and realized that there wasn’t enough for Luis to take a bath.  Wouldn’t you know it, low and behold at that moment, the lights flicker on like creation and BOOM the water starts flowing out of the taps like a beautiful mountain spring.  

Whats the point Myranda?  Well, I will tell you.....and this may sound elementary to some, but I was reminded of how much Jesus cares about the little things in my life.  He knew it was important to me that I be able to bath my kids and have them ready and prepared for tomorrow.  He knew that Luis can’t go to sleep with out taking a shower.  I like to take mine in the morning.  

So, despite weird earthquakes and hurricanes hitting NYC, Jesus hasn’t forgotten about the details of our lives!  Isn’t that comforting?  He is GOING TO TAKE CARE OF US!!!

And to those of you who would like to know about my weight loss journey, I have lost 5 pounds, although my mom says it looks like more...dunno, I just know that the size 16 jeans I bought in the “womans” (that is pc for BIG LADY) section in macy’s now need a belt YEAH!!!!  (and I have to put the belt on the 3rd hole)  AND I noticed on the airplane back to zambia that I had to TIGHTEN my seat belt!  On the way home in May I filled the entire belt, there was no slack to pull.  YEAH!!!  

Diary of a Mad Fat White Woman

I have come to the conclusion that I need to loose weight. I am 35 years old, 237 pounds and feel like an old woman.  I don't feel good about my self, don't feel comfortable in my skin and am SICK of being tired all the time. 

My husband, sweet man that he is, has always told me that he "loves me just the way I am".  I shoulda known that was code for "your fat woman deal with it!"  You see, we don't have big mirrors in our house, so I have been walking around for 2.5 years blissfully unaware of the size of my muffin top.  I have always known I am a larger woman, but in recent time have really started to pack on the pounds, although it is amazing what you believe about yourself when you don't have to come face to face with it in a mirror.  Coming to my mom's house for the summer has been a good wake up call for me because the woman has mirrors EVERYWHERE!!!  I can't hide! Also I saw a full body picture of myself that my dad took in April when he came to visit Zambia and I was MORTIFIED you guys!  I couldn't believe it.  At first I was really mad at my husband for not telling me, but then I realized that "DUH YOU DOPE, HE ISN'T GOING TO TELL YOU BECAUSE MAYBE HE REALLY DOES LOVE YOU THE WAY YOU ARE!"

So, as of Friday, July 8, 2011 I have become a bonafide card carrying member of Weight Watchers.

I have learned very quickly that in my journey to loose weight I am going to have to uncover areas of my life that I have used food to pack away.  For example, the other day it was a stressful morning, but as soon as I could, with out a thought in my head, I ran and bought a 1.5 pound bag of Reese's Pieces and proceeded to inhale 3/4 of the dumb thing.  WITHOUT THOUGHT  Then when the bag was empty (I did give my kids some) I had a revelation.  I eat when I am stressed out!!!  Then realized "Myranda, you feel sick!"  It was fun for a moment to eat the candy, but then I payed the price for it the rest of the day when the sugar wore off.  Not to mention that was A LOT of candy.  It sounds trite, don't all women do that?  But it was eye opening for me.  I don't fill the void with Jesus, I fill it with food!  How is that any different from the dude who snorts cocaine or the lady who likes to drink a 5th of vodka? 

So, please pray for me as I need the courage to walk down this path.  Some might call it "Discovery", some "Enlightenment".  I choose to call it "JESUS!!"

Ok, I need to go get ready for my Weight Watchers meeting!! 

resting

We would like to officially give everyone a big H-O-W-D-Y from the U.S.A.  We have been throughouly enjoying our break and are actually feeling rested.  It has been awesome to get reconnected with old friends and catch up on that has gone on in everyone’s lives over the past few years

Looking back on the past few years in Zambia, we have been amazed at God’s mighty hand of provision and grace in our lives.  From surgeries, to out reaches, to everything that life involves, God has been SO faithful and we can say with good assurance that we wouldn’t have done it any other way.  We have grown, the Lord has tested us and we have become different people.  (I know my husband is happy about that!) 

Our expectations of ministry, of ourselves, of God even, have had to be refined, and in some cases ripped down, so that the Lord can come and give us his perspective and understanding.  How often do we put our own weird spin on things and mess up what the Lord wants to do in and through us?  How often to do over complicate His purpose in our lives?  How often do we hold onto to the sinking ship of our flesh and Jesus has to come along and smack our hands to make us let go before the ship goes down?

We can say now that these past 3.5 years have represented a death for us, death to ourselves, our expectations, our desires…..and it is beautiful in the sight of God.  We sense in our hearts a new chapter is about to unfold.

One way we are going to move forward in our new chapter of the Morales Madness is we are going to Colorado in July to the Missionary Training International program.  There they equip missionaries incoming and out going, with the tools required to cope with all the crazy changes that take place.  It is a big toll on a family to make a change like this and we are praying that at MTI we will gain some valuable insight in moving forward.  Would you pray with us that God provides a way for us to get out there?  We need to be there from July 17^th through the 25^th. 

Luis and I are also praying about how we move forward with outreach to the street kids.  We have some ideas in mind, but are praying and seeing what direction the Lord will have us go in, so please pray for wisdom and direction.  We will keep you guys up dated as the Lord shows us the steps to take. 

We love you all and want to hug each and everyone of you! 

PLEASE CALL US TO SAY HI!!!  You can reach us at 973-615-6794.  We would LOVE LOVE to hear from you and find out how you all are doing! 

Much love,

Luis, Myranda, Amira, Hannah and Brooklyn Rose

rest and reflections

We have been home for a week and it feels so surreal on many levels.  We are SO happy to be home, but I think we have entered that dreaded reversed culture shock that all missionaries hate.  Life has moved on with out us and we have to find a way to fit in.  People have gotten married, had babies, gone through their stuff and have changed.  New people have come, old people have gone.  We went to church on Tuesday and I was so overwhelmed by everything that I had to have a good cry.   NYC moves SO DANG FAST!!!  I didn’t realize how accustomed I have become to an African life style.  Things revolve around the people in Africa while things revolve around the event in NYC.  No one is right or wrong, it is simple cultural differences.  I do see how we can learn from each other though. 

My goal for this time home is to work on my health;  physically, spiritually, and mentally.  Get reconnected with friends and just rest.  I want to loose weight, feel better about myself and just let the Word of God sooth my soul.  It has been a difficult 2.5 years and I want to make sure that I sit and properly reflect and learn.