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!