Africa Eve

Well, it's the eve of the trip. We leave around 5:15 tomorrow morning for DC and then head for Ethiopia at 8:30 tomorrow evening. We'll have a nice short 15 hour airplane ride. I have plenty of sermons on my ipod and plenty of reading material, but I'm hoping to get some good sleep on the plane as well.

If you read Big Nanny's blog about packing, you know that I was quite shocked when they told us that all of our clothes needed to go in a 30 lb. carry on. Then it was changed to 15 lbs. I really thought it would never happen, but I'm travelling lighter than normal...I still wouldn't say light, just lighter.

Shocking I know, but I have decided not to travel with my study Bible. It may be the first time I've travelled without it and I hope I don't regret my decision. Even though Angela made fun of me, I really know exactly what side of the page certain verses are on and how they're marked. I guess I'm too dependent on it, because a Bible is a Bible and the Word of the Lord is living and active whether it's a study Bible or a teeny tiny Bible. :-)

There's 31 of us on the team, five from our church. I already love two of them to death, but I'm pretty sure by the end of the trip, I'll love Jesse and Tabby just as much. Mission trips bind hearts together forever!

Tabby, Alicia, Jesse, Angela, Sumer

Yesterday I was a bit stressed :-), tonight I am sad. I know I'm supposed to go, but it's hard to leave these sweet faces. Saying goodbye is never easy.

We just had a sweet prayer time as a family. Elizabeth prayed that I wouldn't get sick and she prayed the other day that I wouldn't die or anything like that. Matthew prayed that I wouldn't get "spelled by a witch doctor" and that the witch doctors would turn good. Stephen prayed that the Africans would have enough food and water to live. All sweet and needed prayers!

And of course I'm thankful for this sweet guy who supports me without wavering and allows me to go without question.
Those sweet kids and my dear husband are four reasons that some would decide not to go...the risk is too great...but for me the risk is in not going. The risk is in being disobedient to what God has called me to do.

And so, I go to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the broken hearted and to proclaim freedom to prisoners all in the name of our precious Lord Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 61) May all the nations rise up and call Him Lord! He is worthy to receive honor and glory!!

Thanks for praying for us!!

Perfect We're Not

Well...I should be packing, but I'm not. I was motivated to write a blog post about packing after reading Big Nanny's, but it may or may not happen.

I know sometimes perceptions can be wrong. I hope you don't think our family is perfect and I would especially think that's hard to believe if you even randomly check this blog.

This past week has not gone as expected. Derek's last day of work until January 4th was December 23rd. This was working perfectly for my mission trip, because the kids go back to school on the 4th.

But Derek was on the phone most of Christmas Eve. He spent most of Saturday on the phone. He was on the phone several hours yesterday. He has been on the phone for about 12 hours today...seriously and he's not done! My kids have played more than the recommended amount of wii and ds. They have watched more tv than anyone would recommend. Elizabeth even decided to take my travel size shaving cream and paint the bathroom wall. I was not only frustrated because I didn't have travel size shaving cream, but because now my bathroom wall is messed up.

Yesterday morning, Derek decided to take down one of those 3M sticky things that aren't supposed to leave a mark. Well, it left a mark alright. It tore the drywall right off. Whether it was user error or faulty product, I don't know. I was irritated Sunday morning. Why did Derek have to take it off right then...before church...before my trip...and now there's a big spot of exposed drywall on my painted wall. There's nothing else to say except, bless Derek's heart, he didn't say anything...he just went and got the spackle out of the garage and started to patch the spot. I wanted to scream...not sure why, just feeling all the stress of trying to wrap everything up before you leave town for 10 days.

This post is pretty random, but it is proof that life never goes as planned. This wasn't how I wanted my last week before my trip to be. We were supposed to go to the movies, go to Chuck E. Cheese, just hang out together as a family. Instead we are scattered, stretched and stressed! But we're still family and we'll stick together through it all.

I'm reading a book called You Were Born for This. He talks about how opportunities come along when we're not even thinking about them. They are not always convenient, but we have to decide whether to be available for God to work through us. If we're not, He'll find someone else or another way. A friend gave me this book to prepare for Africa and while I may have ideas of what I think God is going to do, I'm pretty sure that He has a different plan. He always does and His is always so much better. So, I'll leave a house with kids that have had too much screen time, a bathroom with shaving cream paint and a nice big white patch of spackle on my gold wall...but you know what, it doesn't matter. I'm leaving a husband who's dedicated to his job and three kids that I love to pieces to go and do what God has called me to do...minister to others across the world.

In the end, God's plans are perfect even if they include shaving cream and spackle!

In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Christ is Always Enough

Casting Crowns has a song on their new cd called Always Enough. It is one of my favorites on this cd. Christ is always enough. Here are part of the lyrics.


Your love is peace to the broken
Faith for the widow
Hope for the orphan
Strength for the weak

Your love is the anthem of nations
Brings out to the ages
And You're Always Enough for me

This Christmas season, I've been burdened for those who are celebrating Christ's birth along with sorrow. Those who have an empty chair at the table this year. For the family that tragically lost their child this year. For the mother that lost a baby that God took straight from her womb to His glorious heaven. For those who have lost a parent or grandparent either this year or in recent years. For those who have lost a spouse, their life partner. For the sweet seven year old boy I met whose daddy is in prison and who's mommy isn't in the picture. There are empty chairs at that boy's table. We all have empty chairs at our table. Someone we wish was sitting there, but isn't. For me personally, it's a child that would've been born in 2000 and a sweet grandmother that is incredibly precious to me. They are both celebrating Christ's birth in heaven! I love that no matter what we're walking through that Christ truly is always enough!

There is an empty chair at each of our tables though that can be filled. It's the chair for Jesus. I hope He's sitting at the head of your table and leading your family. Remember that He is our guest of honor. It is His birthday! I hope you don't forget to invite Him to His party! Don't leave His chair empty!

Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you for all have done and all that you do for us! Please be with those who are hurting and comfort them. May they know that you're sitting at their table and that You are always enough!!

Sweet Sleep Update

Go to Jen's blog to see the pictures of the kids in Uganda and the mattresses. I cannot put into words the emotions that I have right now.

Sweet Sleep raised enough money to help all the kids they were asked to help. How precious this Christmas will be for these sweet kids. A big thank you to my friends who posted and gave! God will honor your generosity! Thank you so much!!

My kids don't have to pray for a mattress or food or warm shelter. How incredibly blessed we are!

This picture below....naptime on a dirt floor.

The Second Best Christmas Present

I hope you know that the best Christmas gift ever is Jesus Christ. We are so thankful that God loves us and chose to give His greatest asset, His only Son, on our behalf. Sometimes I get so busy at Christmastime and I'm so familiar with the story, that I forget the miracle of it all...the greatest expression of love that has ever been shown. Our sweet Savior, Jesus Christ.

10 years ago today we were in Florida for Christmas. We received a call at Derek's parents house that Stephen had been born. We were cautiously excited to hear the news knowing that the fate of our son rested in the hands of the birthmom. I've never been in that position, but I've been in a hospital room with a birthmom facing the most difficult decision of her life. That day in the hospital with a different birthmom tugged at my heartstrings and showed me the whole other side of adoption.

Anyway, Stephen joined our family on January. You can go here to read the whole story if you don't already know it.

It's hard to believe that Stephen is 10 years old. Where did the time go? (I'm sounding old when I say that, but it's so the truth!)

Stephen, you have been gifted with an incredible mind. I really don't know how your brain can retain all the history and science facts. Your love for history and science will open many doors in your future. I pray that you'll choose wisely. Every now and then I see glimpses of that tender and compassionate heart that was so evident as a preschooler. I understand that a 10 year old boy has to be tough, but deep down that gift of mercy still exists. God will use that in a mighty way if you'll allow Him. I hope that you'll always be a warrior for Christ. I pray that you'll stand for Jesus until your death. I pray that you'll be faithful just as Stephen in the Bible was faithful to the very end. It's the only time in Scripture that Jesus stands at the right hand of God. Jesus stood for Stephen welcoming him into heaven. May you have that same legacy. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, my son. God will not disappoint. He is so good!
With all my love,
Mom

Happy 10th Birthday to our 2nd best Christmas Present!

Be Sure

Your Sin Will Find You Out....
or the same sins will be committed by your children.

I was in 3rd grade. I changed my report card from B's to A's. I then denied that I had done it. I told my parents that the teacher must have changed the grades. I sat in a conference with my parents and the teacher and still denied it. Determined and stubborn and I guess sinful. :-)

So fast forward many years later and Matthew forgot to bring his spelling words home. They were supposed to be alphabetized for homework. Derek wrote a note in Matthew's planner to his teacher saying that he didn't bring them home. This has happened before and he usually has to complete the unfinished homework during one of the recesses. Matthew decided to erase the note from Derek and then told his teacher that the note was intended for him and not for her. He kept talking and dug his hole deeper and deeper. So, she wrote us a note and told us to ask him about it. Derek then talked to him about lying and made him write an apology to his teacher.

I love Matthew's heart! He wrote most of this on his own.

Favorite Ornament of the Week

It was a favorite last year and it's a favorite this year as well! :-)

Everyone Needs Some Sweet Sleep

When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24

Every now and then God sends us little bits of encouragement regarding parenting. Every now and then I see my children's pure and innocent hearts...full of God sized faith.

This past week, Jen Gash from Sweet Sleep came and spoke during chapel at my children's school. She spoke about the orphan crisis in Uganda and the desperate need for beds and mosquito nets for these children. (Uganda just passed a law requiring that all children in orphanages have their own bed. Some orphanages have been closed because of this new law.) Matthew came home absolutely convinced that he would do something about this. He said that he wanted to use his $50 bill and his $20 check from his birthday and buy mosquito nets for these children. I told him that was great, but I kind of waited to see if the decision would stick. He mentioned it again the next day and the next. I am so proud of that boy. I see a heart that believes that one person really can make a difference and that warms my heart.

Matthew then told me yesterday that he'd be okay if all he got for Christmas was coal. He said, "At least, I'd get something because some kids don't get anything." I'm so thankful that the Lord is allowing me to see that what we're trying to teach our children does have an impact and that it is soaking into their hearts and minds. I pray that God will give them more passion and a bigger heart for those all around the world who are desperately in need.

So, we're buying mosquito nets with some birthday money and we're buying some more as Christmas presents.

Jen Gash and I will be in Uganda at the same time but in different parts. There is much work to be done everywhere. Let us not grow weary in well doing...
Northern Ugandan children face much adversity. It is an area that has been under attack from the LRA Rebels, who have systematically destroyed villages, killed adults and abducted children. The children, as early as six years old, are used as slaves and child soldiers, forced to kill or be killed. Over 1 million people have been displaced in Northern Uganda – three quarters of these, precious, orphaned children living in child-headed households/huts.

There are lots of ways to help this Christmas!
Here are the specific needs from Sweet Sleep.

Prayer for Jen and Sweet Sleep and their work in northern Uganda.

Notes of love to give to a child she encounters. They can be notes of love, encouragement, your favorite scripture, whatever. Mailed to Sweet Sleep. She’ll pack and take and hand deliver to a child she gets to spend time talking with.

218 mosquito nets. 8,320 Ugandans will die of malaria during the 26 days I will be gone. I will purchase these in Uganda for $8 each. Malaria kills more people in Uganda than HIV/AIDS.

Mattresses for 218 children so they will be able to sleep up off of the ground for the first time in their lives. Mattresses are $50.

Can you imagine not having a blanket to warm you during these chilly nights or sheets to sleep in? 218 more children still need to be able to be warm and snuggly. They can for just $30. $30 purchases a soft, fluffy banket and a Bible.

I hope your family will get involved in some way. Do something! Pray, give or send notes of encouragement to Jen at Sweet Sleep and the children in Uganda. (Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. Proverbs 25:11)

Jen Gash
Sweet Sleep
PO Box 40486
Nashville, TN 37204
www.sweetsleep.org

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for the gift of laughter! It's contagious!

A Lesson Learned

We're not current on pop culture...it may not even be called that anymore. We don't watch music awards or MTV or even local channels. We pay our cable bill each month so that we can watch two channels--Disney and Fox News.

So I didn't know that Miley has lost her way. I didn't know that she was no longer appropriate for young girls and I especially didn't know that she had a step brother who is part of a group called Metro Station.

Mendy and I surprised the girls Tuesday night with outfits and tickets to the Miley Cyrus concert. We expected a modest teen girl with her guitar and probably some good special effects. That's not what we got.



Metro Station opened and sang 7 songs...Mary Chandler counted them. The music was loud and obnoxious. I rarely understood a word and when I did it was completely inappropriate for my daughter's ears. There were two dancers with the group. These girls barely had any clothing on and they were dancing in front of mirrors so that we would get a front view and a back view of inappropriate dancing. The singers were grabbing themselves and lifting their shirts to expose their tattooed covered body. The lead singer took off his t-shirt and wiped his body down with sweat and threw it into the audience. Disgusting!! Mary Chandler kept her coat over her head the entire time and Elizabeth cried and begged, "Can we please just go home?" Mendy and I sat there horrified thinking, "What have we done?" Miley's brother even said, "I'm so thankful that my little sister fought for me to be on this tour because many people didn't want it to happen." Not surprising at all.

So Miley came out and we thought all would be well, except she barely had any clothes on either. She was dancing around provocatively and rubbing up against the guitar players...the first time she did that I really thought, "Maybe that's her boyfriend". Obviously, I am very naive, but then she did it to the second guy on stage. She was touching herself in places that just aren't appropriate to touch in public and she was throwing her head all over the place while she sang, probably so the camera could show us her cleavage.

Oh wait...there are mostly 5-10 year old girls in the audience. This would all be inappropriate for their eyes. If my daughter ever, ever, ever danced like this at home or anywhere else, she would be in big trouble. I could give you more details, but I think you get the picture.

The bright side of the concert was that I have a friend who is sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit and could get past the fact that we together had thrown $300 out the window. After 4 songs, she said, "I'm feeling convicted. Will Elizabeth be devastated if we leave?" There was a bigger lesson to be learned than E's missing this concert. This was not a concert for young girls. I told Elizabeth this wasn't a good concert and we needed to leave...no fussing. We got up and had some wholesome food at Cracker Barrel on the way home. Coca Cola Chocolate Cake can make all things better. The girls never even mentioned that they were sad that we left. I don't think they enjoyed it anymore than we did.

I did talk to the event manager of the Sommet Center before we left. He said we weren't the first to complain.

Miley has lost her way. Did she forget that she made her money by being a modest, clean cut girl? There weren't teenage girls or boys at this concert and even so, I still don't think it would've been appropriate. I can't imagine that her daddy is proud, but he must be if he's letting this all happen. If Miley is a believer, I hope the Lord intervenes soon and shows her the error of her way. Her dancing and gestures were completely inappropriate. If she's not a believer, then I pray that God saves her and she turns from this wickedness and will be a godly role model for this young generation.

On the way out of the concert, Mary Chandler found a penny. Heads were up and Mendy said, "God is reminding us to trust Him because it says 'In God we trust'". I do trust Him. But He has entrusted me with a precious daughter and I don't want to have to stand before Him and give account of taking her to inappropriate movies and concerts. So, I will buy tickets much more cautiously next time! It was an expensive lesson, but a lesson learned!

Give This Christmas Away

This Christmas, our family is trying to be intentional about Christmas. We are trying to focus more on Christ and less on us. We are trying not to shop, shop, shop til we drop. We are incorporating Matthew West's book and song Give This Christmas Away and looking for ways to give of our resources and our time and our love. A lot of them are simple...pack a shoebox, hold the door for someone, give the waiter/waitress a very big tip just because, buy a cup of coffee for a stranger, smile, and the list goes on and on.

I found this video intriguing and convicting all at the same time. If you're reading this and I'm on your Christmas list, cross my name off. Give the money away to someone in need--someone who needs clean water or a warm blanket or a month's worth of food. I'm serious. We are blessed abundantly and we need more Jesus and less stuff!



Go to Advent Conspiracy for more information.

Found!!!

Well, the pictures were found. They were right where I looked several times the night before, but I guess God needed to teach me a lesson before I could realize that they were in the stack that I looked through several times.

Something else is lost....FINALLY!!! He's 8 years old and this is the first one to come out. A big thanks to the apple in his lunch for the assistance in making this finally happen!

Lost

Stephen lost one shoe, not both, just one. We tore several rooms in the house apart looking for the shoe. I looked under furniture, on top of furniture, in bathroom cabinets, in drawers...everywhere I could think to look. So, it was missing for several days. It drove me crazy. I can't stand for something to be lost. I offered a $5 reward to the finder of the shoe. I thought if somebody had hid it, they would fess up.

Last night, I found the shoe. It was wedged between Matthew's headboard and the wall. Not sure how it got there, not sure I want to know. I was so excited!

Then I went looking for some pictures we had made last fall. I wanted to put them in the frame that I finally bought. I knew where they used to be, but they aren't there now. I tore the office apart last night and looked for over an hour for those crazy pictures. Derek joined in the search because he saw a frustrated and frantic wife. I finally called it a night and went to bed. I woke up every hour (seriously)! I don't know why I woke up, but every time I did I would think about those pictures and wonder where they could be. I woke up this morning thinking about those pictures. It's driving me bananas.

And then the conviction came, the Lord spoke in my spirit and said, "How do you think I feel about those that are lost and need a Savior? Don't you think I'm always looking for just one more person to give them a clue--to point them to Christ? You're concerned about some pictures that have no eternal value, but I'm concerned about those lost souls all around you?"

The Lord loves the lost more than I love the pictures. I'm convicted, I'll admit it. I miss opportunities each week to touch the life of someone hurting or someone lost because I'm frantically involved in things that really just don't matter. I need some priorities that line up with God's heart.

I'll look for those opportunities this week to encourage the hurting or share the gospel with the lost, still hoping though that what once was lost will be found---pictures and peoples souls!!

A Bent

God's been telling me something lately...we all have a bent. Some have a bent towards numbers, some might have a bent towards books, some have a bent towards people, but we all have one. It's God given.

Max Lucado talks about this in his book, The Cure for the Common Life -- Living in your Sweet Spot. My sweet spot is not anyone else's. God intended it just for me. He also talks about our children and how they have a bent and to be quite honest, I haven't always liked the bent one of my children has, but there's no denying that it's God given. We are complete opposites -- this child of mine and me. Sometimes I wonder if God just wasn't playing a big joke on both of us. Let's see if these two can get along! I drive him crazy and he drives me crazy. But I know that God is going to use his bent and it's our job to help develop and refine it.

This pastor talks about knowing your child's bent on his blog. It's a good little read reminding us..."don't try to make your child into something they're not". I need that reminder daily because the two of us are like sandpaper rubbing each other smooth. But maybe that's been God's plan all along to refine both of us into a better image of Christ.

How Many?

Too many.

Too many what?

Orphans. There are over 140 million across the world. Today is Orphan Sunday. Several of us sported our baseball 147 Million Orphan tees. You can buy one here . Part of the proceeds go to feed children in Uganda.

My Matthew (8 yrs. old) told me that my shirt should say 147 Million plus one. He was being funny, but I want it to say 147 Million minus one or minus two or minus five hundred.

I hope our church explodes with hearts that decide to rise up and care for the orphans...not just feed them, not just visit them, but make them part of our forever families.

If you want to know about orphan awareness, you can go to this site.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8

Seven Dollars

$7 can do a lot in Africa.

What is $7 to me?
Two trips to Chick-Fil-A
Two trips to Starbucks
7 trips to McDonald's for an unsweet tea
Less than the change I probably collect in a month
One trip to Pancho's Mexican Restaurant (my favorite)
Very little clothing is $7 or less, but you get the point

So, I joined Mocha Club. $7 in Africa feeds one person for a month, educates 2 children for one school term, saves on person's life from malaria, and provides clean water to 7 Africans for one year.

What is $7 to you? Maybe this is something simple you can do to give away out of the abundance we have been given. I can do without any of those things listed above.

If you join the Mocha Club right now, you can get a free tshirt (I need Africa more than Africa needs me) and a free cd download. Click on the link below if you're interested in giving $7 a month to help a brother or sister in Africa.

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done. Proverbs 19:17
http://mochaclub.org/joinme/tsclovingothers/14

She Makes Me Laugh

Me: Was your whole class at school today?

Elizabeth: No, Tori wasn't there. She has the swine flu.

Me: I'm so sorry.

Elizabeth: Now she's allergic to swines. What are swines anyway?

Entertaining Strangers

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

I feel like I'm always telling you what I'm not good at ---I won't disappoint you today. Hospitality, it's not my gift. I love people, but showing traditional hospitality stresses me out.

Anyway, it's been a rough week. Nothing life shattering and compared to the big problems in the world, nothing that won't just leave a small mark on my memory. Last week, Elizabeth's teacher told us that she thought that Elizabeth had some kind of auditory processing disorder. We've kind of suspected this for some time, but we were trying to eliminate some other possibilities first (we had her hearing thoroughly tested, four hours of reading tutoring a week this summer and speech therapy for the past four months). The teacher specifically told Derek that she didn't know if Elizabeth would be able to keep up and survive the first grade. (If you don't know, we are at an academically advanced school. I'm not sure I would survive any grade here!) Anyway, we met with her teacher and put a plan in place. Her teacher was more than willing to work with Elizabeth and us. We felt good about things. We told her that Elizabeth's grades didn't matter. We just want her to learn.

So Monday, I talked to her speech therapist who is also a reading specialist. She ran a quick exercise with Elizabeth and said that she definitely thinks there's something going on. We are just on the front end of this, so I really don't understand it all. I was a little saddened by the news, just wondering what all is ahead for Elizabeth. Then I read a note in Elizabeth's folder telling us that her 1st grade teacher is resigning effective next Friday. I immediately was in tears. We adore this teacher! This is the teacher that Matthew had last year. She is a wonderful grandmotherly teacher that loves my kids like no other teacher we've ever had. I'm sad for me. I'm sad for Elizabeth...just sad all around.

Derek met us for dinner and I showed him the note. On top of all of that, Matthew and I had been battling over homework while Elizabeth was in speech therapy. Why does a 2nd grader think that they know everything? Anyway, I was just tired. We're in the restaurant and Matthew's fussing and I'm on the verge of tears and this sweet woman walks up to me and says, "Your children are just beautiful."

I said, "Thank you. I have one that is melting down right now (he's sitting all by himself in a booth pouting), but thanks."

She says, "They're still such a joy. They really are beautiful."

I walked away humbled and feeling a bit chastised. God sent an angel to remind me just how precious my children truly are. Thanks for the reminder God because I'm feeling tired and worn out right now.

Matthew ordered a salad and midway through dinner needed more dressing. I go back to the counter and ask for an extra packet of dressing and the guy tells me it's 25 cents. "I'll go get my wallet" I say and this same lady stands up (I guess she was waiting on a to go order) and says, "I'll pay for it" and she did.

I sent Matthew over to thank her. God sent an angel to show us hospitality just by offering a word of encouragement and paying 25 cents for an extra package of 1000 island dressing. It's a lesson I'll never forget.

Don't miss those opportunities God gives you. The small things do matter!

That Girl

I just love her. She makes me laugh. She makes me smile. She loves to hug, she loves to kiss and this is why she won't be dating until she's 21. She loves to leave you notes telling you that she loves you and that she loves Jesus. She's simply precious and a gift straight from the hand of God!

When she got off of Big Thunder Mountain (roller coaster) at Disney, she said, "There's a party in my tummy". That pretty much sums up the thrill of roller coasters.


Then Sunday night Derek and I were talking about Africa. We've told the kids several times that I'm going to Africa in December, but Elizabeth says loudly and with attitude, "You're going to Africa!! Why does nobody tell me these things??"

Hmmm...the thinking face.

The silly face....

The pirate face ( you have to have this at Disney)....

I'll love this face forever!

Plant and Water

That's the call. Go and make disciples. What's the best way to do that? Do you go plant churches across the world? Do you disciple the nationals in their countries one on one? Do you work to change the destructive behaviors so that those behaviors don't get passed from one generation to another? Do you meet the physical needs and provide them food, clothing, shelter and the possibility of an education? What's necessary and what's the best path? Honestly, I don't know. I have seen first hand that if people are hungry and unhealthy physically, it's more difficult to talk to them about spiritual things. You have to meet them where they are. Check out Matthew 25. We need to offer food, drink, clothing, help to the sick and visit those needing a visit. Sometimes they may need to hear the gospel during that visit, sometimes they might just need encouragement. It really doesn't matter except that we go and we visit and meet needs both physical and spiritual in the name of Christ.

The task is daunting sometimes. I'm overwhelmed sometimes just by people in my small circle that are in need, let alone all around the world those who are hurting and in need. One verse that always brings me comfort is 1 Corinthians 3:6 which says that "I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth". That's our job--to plant, to water and then watch God cause the growth. Even if we don't see the fruit, we've been obedient and God will reward. Sometimes I get to reap the rewards of someone else's planting and watering and sometimes someone else will reap where I planted and watered. In all honesty, we deserve no credit. God caused the growth. God doesn't need us. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He could meet every single need across the world with a blink of the eye or a snap of the finger. He spoke the world into being. He could do a better job without us. BUT He chooses to involve us. We need to take every opportunity and plant and water and then watch God do amazing things, because after all we serve an amazing God!

Are you planting and are you watering somehow and somewhere? If not, pray and I know God will give you the opportunity.

You can check out this blog if you want to read about opportunities around the world. Amanda is the director of Visiting Orphans. We are travelling with this organization to Uganda and Ethiopia in December.





Visiting Orphans....just one way that we can be the hands and feet of Jesus.

The Challenge

Our missions coordinator told us that we would be taking a 30 lb. carry on suitcase and two 50 lb. checked suitcases to Africa. All of our personal belongings need to go in our carry-on. The checked bags will be used for missions supplies. Do you think that I can fit 10 days worth of clothes into one small checked carry on? It's going to be the challenge of a lifetime!

See Exhibit A....this is the luggage for a 7 day vacation with the family.


Exhibit B
No picture...just the fact that I love shoes and between the 5 of us, we had over 20 pairs of shoes in our hotel room.
Alicia -- 6
Derek -- 4
Stephen -- 4
Matthew -- 5
Elizabeth -- 4

Granted some of them were flip flops for the pool and we each needed a pair of church shoes, but still 23 pairs is probably a bit much for a 7 day vacation.

Anyway, I'm going to be shopping for the lightest suitcase I can find so that I can maximize my space. It should be fun!

Pig Latin Anyone?

Matthew decides to tell his teacher last night at church that he's allergic to milk after he's had two pieces of pizza. I think it about sent the teacher and some other students into a panic. For the record, he's not allergic to milk--just a little lactose intolerant. We tried to explain the big difference to him last night, but not sure he completely comprehended. He's all about getting some attention.

He told his Sunday School teachers that he speaks Latin. "Speak" might be a strong word. He does know some Latin--way more than I do for the record. They learn Latin at school. Anyway, his teacher asked him if he knew pig latin and Matthew told them, "No way, that's a college course". Did anyone take that in college?

His 2nd grade teacher told me on Wednesday that we needed to work on measuring with a ruler and drawing a straight line. Start at the dot, draw a line that's 6 inches, etc. Derek said, "He knows how to do that". Well obviously he didn't in class, because his teacher said something to me about it. After Derek talked to Matthew about it and Matthew successfully did it several times, Matthew said, "I was just messing with her". I'm going to mess with him if you know what I mean.

Nobody makes me laugh more than Matthew. His smile just melts my heart. His tenacity and perseverance exhausts me most days, but he'll make a great salesman or preacher some day. He's not lacking in self-confidence and always wants to be the center of attention. I praise the Lord because Matthew is fearfully and wonderfully made. Pray that Derek and I will have some patience "refining these gifts" in Matthew's life. I trust that God has big things in store for him.

Compassion and Enough

Compassion

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin compassion-, compassio, from compati to sympathize, from Latin com- + pati to bear, suffer ---more at patient

Date: 14th century

:sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

Do you see the word patient used in the etymology? If you know me well, you probably know that I don't have a lot of patience and probably not a lot of compassion either. I always score very low on the spiritual gift tests/surveys in the area of mercy. It's not my gift, but that doesn't excuse me from the responsibility. We are called to have mercy and to show compassion.

It doesn't always come easy for me. Just ask my kids. When one of them says, "That's not fair.", I usually tell them, "You're right. It's not fair. But life isn't fair. You might as well learn that early." I also tell them, "Life is hard, but God is good." Honesty, that's my policy. Life really is hard, but even in the midst of hardship and/or heartache, God is still good. He doesn't change.

Since we've had children, you'll be happy to know that my mercy meter has increased some. I do score somewhat better in the area of mercy than I did pre-children. However, I'm not ranking high in the mercy area. That is why it is all the more shocking to me that my heart breaks for the orphans of the world. The lack of the basic necessities of life just rips at my heart. No shoes, no food, no clean water, no mom and dad to kiss them good night. Just thinking about it now puts a pit in my stomach. I'll be honest though, I struggle with what to do with all of this. Derek reminds me that even if we sold everything and gave it all away, it wouldn't even put a dent in things. "The poor will always be with you". There's the logical side speaking.

However we can't just walk away and do nothing either. We might not make a dent in poverty, but how we could change a child's life and a family's life and even the course of a generation if we decided to get radical and start saying no to things that we want and yes to helping those less fortunate. I love Brighton jewelry, I love Vera Bradley, I love shoes and Yellow Box flip flops, I love Gymboree. But honestly when I think about paying $90 for a new Brighton watch or a new Vera bag, I don't think I can justify my love. I don't need anything of those things. I have enough. I'm buying to satisfy something that really can't be satisfied. I'll just want more. Bigger and better...that's the American way.

The opposite of poverty is not wealth. The opposite of povery is enough. I have enough. Do you have enough? If you have more than enough like me, then I think it's our responsibility to help those who don't have enough. They don't have shoes, they don't have clean water, they don't have sometimes even one meal a day, they don't have a mommy or a daddy or a warm blanket on a cold night.

This is just another reason that I'm going to Africa. I have enough. I need to pour out of my abundance, both spiritually and materially. I can leave my shoes and clothes in Africa because I have enough here that will be waiting in my closet for when I return. I can go without the luxury of three meals a day while I'm in Africa, because I have enough here.

I hope you'll pray and see if you have more than enough. I know you'll see that you do. What is God calling you to do? Maybe sponsor a child through Compassion. Maybe give to your local food pantry or volunteer at the Rescue Mission. Maybe you need to go on a mission trip and share from your abundance. Maybe you just need to start serving in your church on a regular basis.

I'm hear to testify that if you're not fulfilled spiritually, you're not pouring out. Give out of your abundance. I promise you won't be disappointed.


Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget none of His benefits...who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion...The LORD is compassionate and gracious....Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Everything or Nothing At All

Sometimes my children are so ungrateful. We sometimes make them list 5 things they are thankful for. Yesterday morning I made one of our children list 10 things--he couldn't come up with ten. He was being stubborn because he didn't get his way that morning. God reminded me in that moment, "Count your blessings, name them one by one". Sometimes I am just as stubborn. It seems that the more we get the more we want. The flesh is never satisfied and God created us so that any void in our life can only be filled through Him.

I love to worship with the Africans. They worship God well. They worship a God who has saved them from the pit of hell. They serve a God who gives them hope. They serve a God who supplies their needs, who comforts them when they mourn, who is a very present help in time of trouble. They worship with everything in them because they serve a God who has changed their lives.

If your faith hasn't changed you, your faith hasn't saved you. James MacDonald

I'm not the same as I was 5 years ago or last year for that matter. I feel like my life is an onion and God just keeps peeling back one layer at a time. He shows me one thing and I get that resolved or under control and He says, "Oh, let me peel back the next layer. Do you see that? We need to work on that now." If He peeled the whole onion at once, well, I'd just cry like I do when I chop a whole onion. :-)

Around 50% of the world lives on less than $2 a day. If you make $4,000 a month, you automatically make one hundred times more than the average person on this planet. Which is more messed up--that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don't think we're rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves "broke" or "poor"? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich. Francis Chan

It seems in American that we have everything and in having everything, sometimes I think we have nothing. We aren't desperate for the Lord. We aren't dependent on Him. We don't find our security or satisfaction in Him. We're living the American dream...a bigger bank account, a better car, a bigger house, a nicer wardrobe, the newest shoes, the latest purse, an exotic vacation, my list could go on and on. Do any of these things satisfy? Absolutely not. How often do we run to God crying out for help? Rarely because instead of trusting Him to supply our needs, we trust our savings account or Mastercard and Visa.

I love shoes. If I find a comfortable pair, I'll keep them for a long time. This image below began to soften my heart for the poor and for the orphan. It made me ashamed that I will so quickly buy another pair of shoes or flip flops without thinking about those around the world who don't even own one pair of shoes.


And this picture I took myself July 2008. It was shoe day and we were about to give 1000 orphans each a brand new pair of socks and shoes. They take their beat up or mismatched pair home in a grocery bag because for many of them, they borrowed a pair of shoes to be able to come to camp. Once again, it made me sad to think about the things I waste my money on. Things that have absolutely no eternal value.



Following Christ isn't convenient and it can't be half-hearted. God wants all of us. God calls us to minister to the poor and the orphans and the widows. That's why we're traveling to Africa with Visiting Orphans. My life needs to be about loving God and loving people. Is that always easy? Absolutely not. Is there sacrifice involed? Absolutely. Do I always make the right choices and deny myself and choose to follow Him? Absolutely not. But His mercies are new each morning and at the end of my life I want to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant". The desire of my heart is to finish well and we can only finish well when we're living completely for Him. It's not about me anyway, it's all about Him and bringing glory to Him.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Manna...Stone Number 3

This is our third "rock of remembrance"...we are tracing the hand of God's faithfulness through the years.

April 2001--Stephen was 16 months old and we were deciding which adoption path to pursue next. We had talked about the Ukraine and China, but decided to try domestic adoption again. We put in our paperwork with the same agency in VA, but had to have a home study done from an agency in our state. We decided to put our paperwork in with both agencies (one in VA and one in Michigan). We were living with my parents at the time and were building a house two doors down from my parents.

Oh the joys of adoption paperwork. Since we were living with my parents and my brother at the time, we all had to submit paperwork. We all had to get physicals, TB tests, fingerprints for background checks, interviews for the home study, etc.

Our home study was approved in July of 2001 and we decided to pull our file from the agency in Michigan sometime in late July. We were receiving bills for thousands of dollars from both agencies to keep our file "active" and we decided that we would just keep our file active with one agency. I called the office in Michigan and talked to the director and she said she understood and that they would pull our file.

Sometime in September we got a call from the agency in Michigan saying that a birthmom wanted to "interview" us. I told Rachel (our social worker) that we had pulled our file a couple of months ago. God in His providence allowed our file "not to be pulled". Birthmoms were still viewing our file. Rachel asked if we were willing to meet, she didn't care if we had pulled our file or not. Of course, we said absolutely. We drove 3 hours to Grand Rapids and met the birthmom and her mother. Matthew had already been born (August 1, 2001) and it hadn't worked out with a previous family that she had chosen. Matthew was in foster care and Laurie (birthmom) was struggling with this decision.(I'm really not sure of all the details, but they really don't matter). They were interviewing another family after us that didn't have any children. The social worker in Grand Rapids told us that Laurie preferred a family without any children. We walked away and just decided to trust that God would work out His plan. If Matthew was to be ours, He could move their hearts.

We were on pins and needles just wondering what the outcome would be. We did completely trust God, but your mind just races with dreams and plans, etc. We received a call that they wanted to talk to us again and to meet Stephen. For the record, it is nerve wracking to take a 21 month old boy to this kind of a meeting. But we did. We drove 3 hours to see Laurie again and I think Stephen was pretty well behaved...can't really remember all the details.

There isn't enough room for all the details, but on October 9, 2001 we welcomed Matthew Joseph into our family. Laurie had interviewed several families, worked with two different agencies, but she chose us. We were humbled and honored.

Matthew was a happy and sweet baby. He was so good-natured right from the beginning. He smiled and laughed at an early age and still has us smiling and laughing today. Stephen couldn't say Matthew I guess, so he called him "Manna". God caused manna to appear in the Old Testament at the right time and used manna to meet His people's needs. God sent Matthew to our family at just the right time and fulfilled the desire of our hearts for more children. Matthew means "gift of God" and that's exactly what he was then and still is today.

Meet Matthew Joseph Jordan
Born August 1, 2001 at 12:52 p.m. weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz.







I hope you can see God's faithfulness in your life as well. He has abundantly blessed us and we are so thankful.

Two Fifths of a Second

God used a trip to Zambia to change my life. As I saw a country in bondage to witch doctors and the affect it had on these precious children's lives, my heart was overwhelmed. What things did I have in my life that were holding me back and holding back the plans that God has for me? How was that affecting my children? Was I truly living the abundant life that Jesus called us to in John 10:10? My heart is full even as I think about it because God did a big work in my life that summer and in the months to follow. He showed me things that I guess I needed to go to Africa to see.


God has softened my heart to the poor and needy. He put a special place in my heart for orphans. What is our responsibility in all of this? These are things that we're still trying to figure out. You have to do something...so we give when we see a need, we sponsor a child in Nicaragua, but it just never seems to be enough.

I read this book and it pushed me to ask myself some tough questions.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan...an incredible read.

He talks about how life is a movie and our part is only two fifths of a second. I want my two fifths of a second to count, how about you? He also asks the questions, "If you stopped believing in God today, how would your life change tomorrow?" His point, if your life wouldn't change dramatically, then are you really living a life completely surrendered to God. So, I started talking to Derek about what we should do. Should we downsize and move into a smaller house and give more to missions? Should we adopt an orphan? Should we just sell it all and move to Africa? I tend to jump into things quickly...Derek tends to think things through and pray and wait. If it were up to me and my emotional side, we would have a for sale sign in our yard, an application with the IMB, and an application to an adoption agency for a family of five that I found online who desperately need a home. But God brings logical and emotional minds together (men and women :-), so that there's balance. God wants hearts completely surrendered to Him. Sometimes He uses us in a secular workplace or in a ministry in the US or on the mission field in Africa or central America. The point is not where, the point is that your heart is completely surrendered to Him. Is your yes on the table for God to use to bring Himself glory?

Angela told me that she was probably going to go on a trip to Africa, what did I think? Of course, I thought that was great. "Sumer's going with me, do you want to go?" Big Nanny needs to stop asking me things. She asked me in December of last year if I had thought about joining the preschool staff, I didn't have an answer for her...just that I needed to pray. I had plenty of reasons to run for my life...talk about a tough job, but God pricked my heart to say yes. She then asked me about Africa and God once again pricked my heart to say yes to Ethiopia and Uganda even though that means I might have to say no to Zambia in 2010.

God ordained for "such a time as this" for three hearts that are crazy for Jesus to join Him in changing the world not just here in Tenn., but in Uganda and Ethiopia as well.

From Crazy Love, p. 44 "We have only our two-fifths-of-a-second-long scene to live. I don't know about you, but I want my two-fifths of a second to be about my making much of God. 1 Cor. 10:31 says, 'So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.' That is what each of our two-fifths of a second is about."

Make your two fifths of a second count! Give God the glory!

God's Faithfulness, Stone Number 2

As I thought of God's faithfulness today, I remembered that in Old Testament times they would build an altar to the Lord out of stones. This altar would be a reminder of what God had done for them. So, I'm labeling my "rocks of remembrance". Todays is stone number 2.

I do not know the pain of childbirth, I do not know the pain of losing a school age or teenage child, but I do know the pain of being a barren woman. I know the pain of an empty womb that will never be full. As I've aged, I've realized that pain cannot be compared. I cannot compare my pain to yours. I cannot describe the pain of baby showers or labor stories or nursing stories or the longing deep within for a biological child. Yet, God has been faithful. Over time, the longing has been soothed but not erased. This is the plan for our lives and it's God's perfect plan.


God choose to bring life into our family through adoption. Here's Stephen's unique story:

We knew that adoption was our next step. Months before our fertility treatments, I had seen a Dr. Falwell Old Time Gospel Hour where he talked about the Liberty Godparent Home. Sometime in September, I called the adoption agency in Virginia and asked if they had a long waiting list. I had heard that domestic adoption waits were 2 years or more. The lady told me that they actually didn't have a very long waiting list right now. We started on the paperwork immediately. Budgets, references, bios, fire escape plans, background checks, physicals, question after question about our marriage, our personal life and our faith. It was probably 50 pages of documents. We filled them out quickly and mailed them the beginning of October. It would be 30 days for us to hear if we had been approved by the board.


Derek was scheduled to go on a mission trip to Kenya with PT (our pastor). Derek debated canceling because of the recent events. I encouraged him to go. I would be fine. They went and their team lead thousands to Christ. The stories of Kenya are a post all in itself.


While Derek was gone (this is mid to late October) we received two phone calls about birthmoms that wanted to view our files. We didn't even know that we had been accepted by the board. One mom was interested and we needed to do a video as soon as Derek got home. We shot the video in our family room and we'd pause the video and Derek would lie on the floor in between segments. Partly because of exhaustion from the trip and partly because of some mysterious illness he picked up in Africa or had prior to the trip.


We mailed in our video the beginning of November and the weekend before Thanksgiving, we met Stephen's birthmom. She told us she was having a boy, "Did we have a name picked out?" We had been discussing names for months, possibly years. Stephen had never come up, but I had just studied Stephen in a Bible study and fell in love with the story of Stephen. As the heavens opened, Stephen could see Christ standing at the right hand of God. Christ stood for Stephen as he was stoned. It's the only time in Scripture that we see Christ standing for someone. (see Acts 7:54-60)


Anyway, I said, "What do you think about the name Stephen?"

She loved the name. It is her father's name. So Stephen not only has a biblical name. He has his biological grandfather's name. Isn't God good?


Stephen was born December 18, 1999. We had to wait 25 days for all the paperwork to clear. We didn't see any pictures of him. They asked us if we'd be willing to come share a testimony Sunday morning at Thomas Road Baptist about the Liberty Godparent Home and what adoption meant to us. They told us that they would give us Stephen later that day in the evening service. They thought the church would love to be part of his "Gotcha Day". Was that okay? Sure, why not?


We shared our testimony for the church that morning and this is what happened next....
(Note: Our last name and place of residence was kept quiet because of adoption policies)



Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!!!

God's Faithfulness Part 1

Sunday afternoon I brought a challenge to the preschool teachers. Don't doubt, have faith. That's it in a nutshell. Why should we ever doubt when Scripture is full of promises? God doesn't lie. God is who He says He is and God's going to do what He says He's going to do. He is faithful, even when we aren't. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness forgetting what all God had done for them. They wouldn't go in and conquer the land that God had promised because they doubted. I look at it and think, how could they doubt? He freed them from slavery in Egypt, He parted the Red Sea, He provided manna for them and yet they had doubt and were afraid. They actually thought it'd be better to go back to slavery in Egypt. Seriously, how crazy is that? Don't we react that way sometimes in our lives. Don't doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.

So, I've decided to go back and mark some of those miracles in our family's life. I may have already posted about Stephen's adoption story, but I'm doing it again, just because it really is a miracle. It's a reminder to me of God's goodness and faithfulness.

January or so of 1999: The infertility doctor told us there was pretty much no chance we'd ever have children without the help of fertility treatments. So we tried some minor stuff first and then decided to try in-vitro. We did get pregnant, but I realized about week 14 that I felt different. I didn't feel pregnant anymore. I had been starving every morning and that feeling was all of a sudden gone. So I called the nurse several times over a two day period and they allowed us to come in for an ultrasound. Derek and I will never forget being in that room and seeing a very still baby on the screen. The tech left and said she'd go get the doctor. I'll never forget lying on the table, Derek's head falling into my lap and us crying. We quickly composed ourselves as they told us to go the doctor's office. (Side note: We had been released from the fertility doctor and hadn't actual been to this ob/gyn for an appointment yet. Great way to make a first impression!) Anyway, Dr. Bressman was incredibly compassionate. God sent us a kind, compassionate doctor who shared comforting words. That was simply step one of God's faithfulness.

One of the hardest things we ever had to do was to call my parents and Derek's parents and tell them the news. I remember that my dad was working in his garage and I told my mom to go out there and put it on speakerphone. It was so hard to tell them our devastating news, but there was no need to delay the news. Things wouldn't change. It was what it was.

I had been on major progesterone pills and shots to keep us from miscarrying, so Dr. B recommended that we schedule a hospital visit. (Another side note: isn't there a way to put in the hospital notes the right questions to ask?) The nurses were asking why I was there, what had happened, etc.? Like I wanted to be there or that this was optional. I didn't want to be there. The week before, life was good. God had answered our heart cry for a child and we were pregnant and all was going well! Now I felt like my world was crashing in on me. Why had we spent all this money only to end up in a hospital 14 weeks later? Once I started explaining things to the nurse and started to tear up, she was then very compassionate. As another testimony of God's faithfulness this happened just prior to Labor Day. My parents and Derek's parents were both scheduled to come down Labor Day Weekend. Derek's parents came a little earlier than planned so that they could be at the hospital with Derek. I'm so thankful for incredible parents on both sides of the family!

So as devastated as I was I knew that even when life is hard, God is good. I am a fighter and I decided that Satan would not have any victory in this. I remember specifically stomping my foot one morning in the shower and deciding, "No more. God handed this to us and we'll just move forward". I put Scripture index cards all over our house...by the sink, on the fridge, on the mirror. I was determined that I would not question God and I would be faithful to Him even amidst the heartache.

Don't doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.

God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

God was very near and He was working His plan behind the scenes!

More to come....

It's the most wonderful time...of the year

Back to School! I enjoy having them home, but we're ready for some kind of routine. We all do better with it.

Stephen was a little grumpy this morning (as you may be able to see...that's a fake smile), but I was determined to get a back to school picture.

I'm praying they have a fabulous first day back!

Going Into Battle

As I was pulling the massive amounts of Bermuda grass out of my flowers beds, I knew there was a devotional challenge in it. I thought about sharing earlier in the week, but put it off. Now is the time…

Have you ever pulled Bermuda grass up? The roots run fairly shallow, but they spread like crazy. As you pull it up, there are roots that have taken ground all over the place. It starts out with just a small amount and pretty soon, it has overtaken your flower beds. Isn’t sin just like that in our lives? It starts out minor…with just a thought perhaps that we dwell on for too long or a small compromise that we make and then sometimes it’s more than that, we take action and say or do something that isn’t pleasing to the Lord. Before we know it, we have established a bad habit and/or allowed Satan to develop a stronghold in our lives. It can be negative thinking, bitterness, pride, unforgiveness, lust, greed, etc. It almost seems like our problems came out of nowhere, but it all begins small. Satan is crafty. He’s been at it for years. He understand the way we think and act.

So, I decided to reclaim our flower beds this week. It was extremely hard work because I had neglected them for months. The job isn’t completely done because there are roots hiding beneath the service that are just waiting to pop through the mulch. I had to sacrifice some plants because the weeds had become so intertwined in the plants, I didn’t think there was a way to completely rid the plants of the Bermuda.

Let me fast forward to later this week, I had a icky day yesterday. It was just yucky. I’ll spare you the details, but as Derek and I left for Bible study I just felt overwhelmed and tired. I thought “I can’t do this anymore. I’m tired. I don’t have anything left to give.” In that moment, I’m not sure what I was wanting to give up—my role as cook, my role as launderer, my role as personal shopper, my role as mom, my role as wife, my role as friend, my role as preschool director. Who knows? Just feeling like I needed to run. (Just for clarification, I didn’t really contemplate running away. I knew it was just emotions, which don’t always reflect truth.) As I sat in the quietness waiting for Bible study to start, I told the Lord “I need a word from You tonight. I’m tired. I need some strength to go on. Please let me hear from you.” Oh friends, our God does not disappoint. Rob S., Mike F. and Monty L. were on a “parenting panel” and I got a personal word from each of them.…not just about parenting, but about my life and my relationship with Christ. Then Monty brought a challenge charging us to engage in the war. What war? The cultural war, but also the spiritual war that is waging all around us. Oh I could feel the fire begin to burn in my soul. That’s what all this is about! There is a spiritual battle going on. I’m wanting to quit…to throw in the towel and just give up because it’s too hard and the cost is too great. Satan and his demons are cheering on the sidelines hoping that I’ll do just that. Or if I won’t quit, then maybe they can just discourage me enough to make me ineffective in my home, in my neighborhood, in my church.

God set my soul on fire again last night and I am declaring war on the enemy. I am reclaiming the ground that he has taken (look at Joel 2:25). Just as David ran toward Goliath (1 Samuel 17:48), I am running toward the battle line as well. I’m going to stand in the gap for my family and my church. Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy. We all need deliverance or victory in some area of our lives. It’s ours to claim. Stand up and take your place as a child of the King. There is no weapon formed against us that can prosper.

I’m going to be doing some “weeding” in my life. Some things may have to go. It’s probably going to hurt a little, but I am determined that God will find me a faithful soldier. Monty challenged us to not be content to be a “normal Christian”. There’s enough of those to go around, that’s not what I want for my life or my children’s lives.

So, I’m declaring war once again on the enemy! Will you join me? Will you do some weeding of your own and ask God to show you what needs to be removed? It won’t be easy. Satan will try to disrupt the work that God wants to do. Satan knows what will happen if revival really breaks out in America. Just as David said, “The battle is the Lord’s”, but we need to be engaged in the battle. Let’s stop playing defense and run towards the enemy. Let’s fight him off with the full armor of God! (Ephesians 6)

Let the war begin and let the revival begin and let it all begin with me!!

The Birthday Planner...I Am Not

Saturday was Matthew's 8th birthday. Birthdays are just not that big of a deal to me...why, I'm not sure? It just feels like another day to me. I don't expect any fuss on my birthday...if I could just sleep until 8 am, well that'd be great. :-)

Anyway, I understand to an 8 year old, a birthday is a big deal. There was a time when we threw the big "invite your friends" party, but then I got tired and decided it's expensive to do that three times a year. There's also the competition/comparison problem between women. (This is a whole other blog post) When I was in Zambia last summer, I felt like I was released from people pleasing. I was set free from feeling the need to live up to someone else...to compare my marriage or my parenting or my child's party to someone else's. I've been there, done that and I'm not jumping into that pit again.

Anyway, I told Matthew he could have a party or get a Nintendo DS. He opted for the DS. We did go away with some sweet friends for the weekend. We visited Beech Bend in Bowling Green on Friday and I got incredibly dizzy and sick. I've never felt so terrible in my life. Too many spinning rides, I suppose. Or maybe those birthdays are affecting me and I am feeling a day or two older!

Here's Matthew cracking up at his silly daddy acting scared on the previous ride.

We celebrated Matthew's birthday Friday evening...yes he loved wearing a crazy hat. It attracted a lot of attention (Matthew loves it!) and he also got free desserts for everyone.




On Saturday, we headed to Lost River Cave. Only to take pictures and realize that it was closed because of all the rain.



So we headed further north, to Diamond Caverns. And because I am not the birthday planner, it never occurred to me to ask the tour guide if we could sing Happy Birthday to Matthew in the deepest part of the cave. But the joy of good friends, Mr. Brian spoke up and a group of 25 on a tour of Diamond Caverns sang to Matthew. He enjoyed every last minute because like I've said before...he likes the attention! Overall, I think his birthday was a success!

Livin' in a Swamp

You may think that the Jordan family has gone missing, but we have not. I've been preparing for VBS with an incredible team of people. This week all the months of planning and hard work come together. It is Crocodile Dock at the church and it's always great fun to see the rewards of our hard work. VBS is nothing that anyone can do on their own. We have over 300 preschoolers there in the morning along with 150 workers to make it all possible. We do it a second time in the evening with another 130 people. It makes for long days, but watching a preschooler sing and learn about God....well, there's just not anything better.

I'm so thankful for the great team God has put together. I want to give them a quick shout out in no particular order.

I'm thankful for...

Ashley C and her incredibly sweet and caring spirit. She is simply a joy to be around. Her love for younger preschoolers is contagious!

Amber and her patience with a team of people that put incredible demands on her. How she keeps it all straight, I'll never know. How she doesn't get frustrated with us...it's simply God's power and love shining bright in her life. She is the best preschool assistant in the world...hands down.

Leigh is a "get it done" girl and I love that about her. She takes a task, runs with it and completes it way ahead of time. She does not procrastinate. I do not know how she physically does all that she does. Maybe she should teach a class on time management. :-)

Christine is straight forward and willing to take on just about any challenge. She doesn't waste time; she just nips it in the bud. I love that about her!

Robyn, well I admire her for her spiritual maturity and her calming spirit. She is a great leader with a compassionate heart.

Teresa and her ability to recruit volunteers. She takes a task and sees it through to completion and I know that her area is always covered well. I love that I can completely trust her!

Kim and her sweet spirit and great smile. She also has a gift for recruiting volunteers. She spent many Sunday mornings walking the preschool hallways getting volunteers. Teresa and Kim partner together in an amazing way. They never give up and they have recruited more volunteers this year than ever! They do their job well!

Tracey and her attention to details. Tracey and I have worked together in VBS for years. We have learned a lot from each other. Tracey has the experience and the heart to make sure that all is running well. Tracey has a spirit of excellence in all that she does.

Ashley L and her heart to do things right. Ashley has a sweet and kind spirit. She is a joy to work with and I'm so thankful for her friendship. Kind words are always on her lips and she always knows when to offer words of encouragement.

Sumer and her willingness to go above and beyond. She's always willing to help. I love that I am learning to see straight to her heart. Oh, and she also bought some awesome snacks for her workers....some of which I sampled. :-)

Angela...she's the one responsible for all my long days and nights. I would've never even considered the job/ministry if she wasn't one of my dearest friends. She's not perfect and neither am I, but these two Michigan girls understand one another. She is a team leader that is fun to follow!

There are so many more to thank. The girls mentioned above are on the VBS leadership team. They have been the hands and feet for VBS. I am so thankful for the hours and hours of time that they have invested. We haven't been without conflict. We haven't been without drama. We haven't been without hurt feelings. We have thought about quitting and never doing VBS again, but iron sharpens iron and sometimes it hurts and sometimes it's hard.

God never said the job would be easy. He did however say, Be strong and do not lose courage for there is reward for your work!

God is working it all out for His glory!

Wordless Wednesday

Dreams

While on vacation, Derek and I made a list of things we'd like to do before we die. I'm not sure what prompted all the discussion, but I told him I was making a list, so he made a list too.

Alicia's List

Go to Hawaii

Go to Chicago and attend Harvest Bible Chapel. (I love James MacDonald's preaching!)

Run a 1/2 marathon (Derek said I better do that soon...I'm not getting any younger)

Zipline somewhere beautiful

Go on a cruise

Swim with dolphins

Study and learn biblical Greek

Go to Israel

Memorize large passages of Scripture (Psalm 34 and 139 for starters)

Learn to play golf...well

Derek's List

Go to the Grand Canyon

Zipline

Go whitewater rafting on the Colorado River

Go to Australia

Go to a Ryder Cup

Not sure how many will actually come true, but it's fun to dream!

Sometimes on the way to our dreams, we get lost and find an even better one.
Unknown Author

Wordless Wednesday