Better late than never

Mr. and Mrs. Bush 

Photo Credit goes to Storyteller photography

Ryan and I are going on 4 months of marriage and are preparing to move back to Nicaragua in exactly 3 weeks. Our flight leaves August 1st and we will not be returning to the states until our visit for Christmas on December 4th. We can hardly wait to be there.

We have spent our 4 months of marriage finishing our home (so we can rent it out), raising money, and traveling around to visit with family and friends for the last time for a while.

God has blessed us tremendously and there are a lot of big things going on in Nicaragua right now.
-Please keep the work in Nicaragua in your prayers- and hopefully we can share these things soon!

Our wedding was perfect. Not only did we have all of our loved ones in the states there with us on our special day but we also were able to skype in all our friends in Nicaragua. The children at the school surprised us with a song (in spanish) that was played during our ceremony. It could not have been more special. We spent our honeymoon week in Runaway Bay, Jamaica and it was beautiful. We are very excited about all the traveling we are going to be able to get in this year!


In August, we will spend the first two weeks in León and then we will head to Apoyo Spanish school for a month.


Thanks for keeping up with us and for keeping us in your prayers. We are so thankful for all the love and support we have been given over the past few months. 

We are looking forward to starting our lives together in Nicaragua...

Two are better than one,

    because they have a good return for their labor:

¹⁰ 

If either of them falls down,

    one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

    and has no one to help them up.

¹¹ 

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

    But how can one keep warm alone?

¹² 

Though one may be overpowered,

    two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

(A Better update is coming soon!) 

One year later.

January 20, 2011....
On this day, one year ago, I left for Leon, Nicaragua. I thought I was going to stay for two years but God had other plans.  Wonderful plans. Plans that exceeded anything I could hope for or imagine. I spent so much time dwelling on the past, so much time trying to control my future, so many years saying "no, I think this sounds better." I had been hurt, I had been lost, I had made the wrong choices. Let me say that good can come when you feel hopeless and broken. God had something big planned for me and when he saw that I was finally willing to let him lead, he took me on the greatest adventure of my life.

It started in 2009 when I left for a mission trip to Nicaragua Christian School. I had been on several mission trips but this one was different. This one changed my life. This one haunted me everyday after, in a good way. It redefined and reminded me of the woman God wanted me to be and where my real passion lies: Children in need. After graduation in May of 2010 I decided there was a reason nothing made sense to me anymore, a reason my "next plans" no longer appealed to me, a reason I was beginning to feel real uncomfortable with myself. But, I knew something was coming. I felt a stirring. God had laid something on my heart and I did not know what to do with it. I didn't think God would really want to send ME? Why would he want me there? I couldn't do anything to help? As I struggled to understand what I was being told, I began talking to my parents and praying about this idea. I then set up a meeting with the US directors of Nicaragua Christian School. Still not sure if this was even possible, I asked if I could move to the school and work.

For the next six months I watched in amazement as everything fell in to its perfect little place, as I prepared to move to Nicaragua in January of 2011. I sent out my letters in August and by the end of September I had all the money I needed for the two years I had planned to work down there. When November rolled around, due to some obviously God-planned happenstances, I went on a first date with Ryan Bush. Although I was excited about the opportunity to get to know him, I could not help but feel confusion about the timing. I felt like I had finally accepted the fact I was going to do this alone.   I never thought a man would care to date someone with countries between them. Meanwhile, during all these thoughts, God was saying, "Oh ye of little Faith.. Watch this."

January 20, 2011 comes along quickly and I am saying goodbye to everything I know and love to head toward my new life. Landing in Nicaragua, I was quickly reminded of the reason for my passion.  I was there to let God show me how I could help the poor, innocent, abused, broken, dirty, beautiful, hands and feet of God's little children.

For the next 9 months I began a healing process. I wrestled with God, I was broken and he healed me, I was lost and found, I learned from him, and I fell in love with God along with 206 precious children. I learned and was filled with God's never ending, faithful, and ever so redeeming love. I was able to watch first hand as he transformed lives and I saw him make beautiful things out of the dust.

During my time in Nicaragua I also fell in love with a man. Although it was very difficult for us to be so far apart, I am thankful for these unique and incredible chapters God wrote in the beginning of our love story. God allowed Ryan and I to get to know each other in such a special way. Ryan was my constant encouragement and support system, as well as my reminder that God's plan is the only plan that I want to be a part of. Not only did God send Ryan to help me through this past year, but God gave me a man who shares the same passions and dreams as I do.

In July of 2012, Ryan was able to spend a month with me in Nicaragua. After his trip we couldn't stop talking about it which led us to discuss doing mission work together some day. My heart was so full. I was in a country I love, surrounded by children I love and whom I learned from daily. I also had so much love and support back home that my two worlds (or countries) couldn't have felt more perfect.

In October I came home (and at a perfect time I might add, just another sign of God's faithfulness) to work a golf tournament my father and I were doing for the school in Nicaragua. It was awesome to see all the people involved in the tournament and the money raised for the school. I also really enjoyed visiting with my loved ones.. Especially with Ryan..

On November 2, 2011 Ryan asked me to marry him. We decided that since we both wanted to be doing work in Nicaragua, we should get married and then I could complete my last year and (Lord willing) many more after, working together, with Ryan.

And now, here I am, one year later, healed, preparing to take on a new journey, as a wife, and starting a new adventure where God is calling US, in Leon, Nicaragua. I look forward to being back in my new country with the ones I love, sharing a desire to serve the people of Nicaragua with the man I love.
I could never have dreamed how perfect my love story was going to turn out. I am thankful that God is the author, and that he had a plan for us that was greater than we could have ever imagined. It has been the best year of my life and I can not wait to see what God has in store for the future, Mr. and Mrs. Bush.


I have found the one whom my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4


Thank you for always thinking of me. Thank for forgiving me daily even though I do not deserve it. Thank you for Ryan and for the blessing he is in my life. Thank you for the best family and friends anyone could ask for. Thank you for the children in Nicaragua. And thank you for the opportunity to see your love and beauty in every day life. You are the creator and the sustainer. Thank you for being the bread of life to those that are hungry. Thank you for blessing a sinner like me. I love you.  

Quick note

What a blessing this trip home has been...
God is so good to me and I am thankful for all the wonderful things happening around me.
The Golf tournament was a great success. We raised a great sum of money for the start of our multi-purpose building at the school. I am looking forward to having this golf tournament annually and watching the doors that it will open for the people of Nicaragua Christian School.
Elections in Nicaragua are over and I am ready to get back to see the children. I will be going back for Graduation which is the week of Thanksgiving and then the kids will be off for their "Summer break" so I will be able to spend Christmas with my family and my Fiancé. Yes, you read that right :)
A better updated blog will be posted in the next week or two.

For now, Please go to www.youtube.com/nichristianschool and check out some of the new videos!

Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement. I am a blessed beyond measure.

Life Interrupted

I have started a new book by Priscilla Shirer called "Life Interrupted" and let me just say it is absolutely amazing to me that God can work on my heart through the ink pen of someone that I do not and probably will never know. 

" So just go with it. Follow Him -- Impossible as it may seem. Let him take you places, even to places you honestly don't feel all that great about seeing firsthand. You may not grasp what He's got in mind for this, but if you'll follow where He's leading, You will walk yourself right out onto the stage He has set for you. You will locate a significance bigger than you are because it's not based on your own smarts and planning and goal stratagies but rather on your utter submission to the Father's eternal, all-wise plans-- plans that are "higher than your ways" (Isaiah 55:9), beyond anything you could "ask or think" or imagine (Eph. 3:20)."

There has been many a day that I have been completely confused on what God's plan is. Sometimes I just can't understand why he would want me to do something that is interrupting what I saw my future to look like. But when I look at the "big picture" I am absolutely blown away at what God has brought in to my life and ever so thankful for what he has taken out. Seriously, I am the most undeserving person to the most beautiful gifts. God's plan is SO MUCH GREATER than anything I could have imagined for myself. His grace is amazing and it covers me daily. The things that I imagined would have never been close to the amazing-ness of every part of my life right now. He has a plan for each of our lives.. There are billions of people in the world and he has a specific plan just for me.. I love being His child and I look forward to seeing what it is he has in store for me next. 

Speaking of God's plan and him knowing me so well... My mother and Sherry Brooks surprised me last Monday.. This is how it went... We were suppose to go pick up Mr. David and Mr. Tim from the airport in Managua so we decided to make a fun day of it. We went to the big mall and to the nice grocery and then to TGI fridays. After all of this, as we were heading to the Airport, I told the Brackens that this was a much needed day and "one of the best days ever(of course I was being a bit dramatic)". I had no idea what was about to happen but Kim and James sure do keep secrets well.. We get to the airport and are waiting and I was just so excited to see Americans that I was desperately looking in the window with excitement. I guess James was worried he wouldn't catch my reaction on camera or that I knew they were coming because he said "what are you so excited about, it is just two old men!?"(which was a fun joke for the rest of the week). Boy, you should have seen my face. God really knew how badly I needed to see those two. I was a basket case. They snuck up around a corner and jumped in front of the glass wall and I started screaming and crying.  I then had to wait 15 minutes for them to get through customs during which time I had 300 nicaraguans looking at me like I was crazy and trying to piece together what just happened. 

It was a wonderful surprise. I mean wonderful. Being able to see two people who have been absolutely awesome at keeping me strong during this past year, working with my babies, was Heaven to my eyes. It really gave me the courage to keep going. 

Thank you Jesus for that time with them.. 

If you are sponsoring a child at Nicaragua Christian School and have not yet considered making a trip down to the school, start considering. I know that this trip was such a blessing for not only Mama and Sherry but also for the sweet babies who they help receive a chance at a better future.

Here are some pictures of their trip... 

Mama and Rosita happy to see each other after three years. Seriously, you have never seen two happier people than these in this moment in time. 

Pedro and and his sponsor (and my dear friend) Sherry meeting for the first time! He was so blessed by the time he got to spend with her and can't stop talking about her.

Some precious moments with the children

Visiting Pedro in his home. Another awesome experience you can have with making a trip to NCS.

If Daddy, Isaac and Amelia were there we would have had a completed family. So very thankful for this moment.

Sherry at Pedro's house with him and his brother Daniel and their new soccer ball!

Every time I look at this picture I cry. The most amazing woman with the most amazing children.

Sherry with all her little notes and love from all the students. They love visitors :)

I wish I could hold these moments forever.

Mr. Tim with the little girl he sponsors.

Sherry with some of the preciousness of NCS

Mr. David feeding this little boy his second cup of Icecream.. Ever.

Mom, Sherry, and I went to Surfing turtle one night while they were here. It was a lodge on the beach. We were the only people their other than our guard and our cook, for miles. We had a great time. We stayed in a cabana that was only screen so we could listen to the ocean all night. We also got to watch a Paslama turtle lay eggs on the beach. It was a great trip.

Sherry, myself, and mother on the swings at Surfing turtle

This was the only way to get to Surfing turtle

Also, during the time my mother was here, Cristina had a hernia removed. I went to the hospital with her the morning before the surgery and this is her at her house the afternoon after surgery. Always smiling

Mr. David and his homemade baptistry. He had to demonstrate for us.

If I can be half the woman she is I will be happy. I am so thankful to have such an incredible mama inside and out that supports me in everything I do.

Mom and I with Sergio and Daysi (Preacher at the school) 

It was perfect timing. God is so good to me and I am very blessed. 

On other note, I leave for Honduras tomorrow with Sergio, Daysi and 4 other members of our new youth! We are going to Baxter (the preacher school) for a youth rally. The theme is "The Battle Belongs to the Lord". I have NO idea what I am getting myself in to for the next week but I am really looking forward to seeing God work. Please keep this trip in your prayers. 

Also, Please check out my previous blog about some opportunities to help out at the School. 

Come and see what is being done in Nicaragua. 

Give a little love

I am coming to all of you, friends, families, and people I have never even met to ask you to take some time and look at two very important things we have going on for the school right now. 

Please take a moment to read this and SHARE it with your people who might be interested in participating. 

Nicaragua Christian School exists to provide the opportunity for the poorest in the communities of Leon, Nicaragua, to receive a Christian Education. It is vitally important to the employees and supporters of NCS that these students learn how to read and write in a God-centered environment. 
The teachers and staff are constantly pursuing new and improved learning techniques and strategies, and they do the best they can to implement these in the classroom. The goal of NCS is to educate and to provide a support system for its students and their families. When students leave NCS, it is hopeful that they will carry their knowledge and love for Christ into their homes and their communities. Due to the monetary support and prayer for these specific things, the Nicaragua Christian School is thriving.





This year we are starting a new tradition. We have been brainstorming about how we could raise money for the school and we feel like this is a great opportunity for us to do so. Leon, Nicaragua has been such a blessing on so many lives and we want to keep giving back to the God's precious children in Nicaragua. 

On MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011 we are our having our first Annual Golf tournament for Nicaragua Christian School at the Jackson Country Club. 
Format: Texas Scramble. We have openings for Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorships, team sponsorships, and hole sponsorships. If you are interested in sponsoring teams but are not able to play we can find someone to fill your spot! Prizes will be included in goodie bags... Winning teams, closest to the pin, longest drive, and putting contest awards following the tournament. Take some time to get to know us and learn more about the school at Nicaraguachristian.org.. we would love for you to be a part of our mission, starting with playing in our first Golf Tournament!!!

Also, with Christmas around the corner we are hoping to give each child at Nicaragua Christian School a Christmas gift this year and we need your help.  

Three easy steps: 

1.Fill a shoebox with items from the list below. 

2. Wrap the box and lid separately in holiday wrapping paper. 

3. Indicate whether the gift is for a boy or girl and place $5.00 on top of the box to cover the cost of shipping.  

Each box should contain: School supplies (pencils, pens, crayons, paper, pencil sharpener)  Personal items (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo, soap, washcloth)  Clothing (socks, underwear, shorts, t-shirt, sandals, ball cap, sunglasses)  Toys (yo-yos, small cars, dolls, stickers, jump rope, bubbles, harmonicas)  Filler (candy, mints, gum.  No chocolate or other candy that might melt).  

All boxes need to be at Campbell Street Church of Christ no later than SEPTEMBER 19th.  For more information, contact Christy Lovelace at 731-427-9511.

Please consider being a part of the work being done in Nicaragua. Lives are being changed and they are the precious children of God. Help put a smile on these faces!

Gracias y Dios te bendiga!

Why am I here?

Though having the opportunity to live in Nicaragua has been one of the greatest blessings in my life, I still get home sick from time to time. This is one of those times and times like these are when I have to remind myself why it is that I am here. There are so many reasons but here are a few that I feel need mentioning. 

I love living in Leon, Nicaragua because.. 

I get to see things like this.. 

(weird.funny.cute)

and this..

I love new friends.

 I love the way a little tan hand fits in mine.

 I love kisses

I love hugs

 I love seeing what God can do for children in need.

 I love seeing this face.. 

 Turn in to this one.

 I love their eagerness to learn and know more about the God who loves them so.

 I love my girls class. 

 I love teaching english to little ones who want to learn.

I love cheeks.

I love moments like these. 

I love this family.. and so many more.

I love playing dress up.

 I love that joy joy joy joy down in their hearts.

because I learn how to be grateful for what I have.

and I even like getting lice.. If it means I get love like this. 

Thank you God for the children that will forever impact my life. They are such a blessing and I have learned so much just from watching them. Please help me humble myself like a child. Help me be a positive example to them each day. And when I need a reminder of why I am here, let it come from looking in to the eyes of a child. Thank you for their hearts, thank you for their joy, and thank you for what you plan to do in their lives. Help me to love unconditionally. I want to be clay in your hands. Use me. Amen.