Embrace It

We are just a few days away now from stepping on a plane for Costa Rica.

But it is part of a larger journey.

This journey started so long ago, neither Dave nor I remember where or when it started.The pieces seem kind of random, but have fit together.

The first piece happened when I was 15. I went to Costa Rica on a mission's trip with other teenagers from South Carolina. The country and people were so beautiful, I knew I wanted to go back. I have such vivid images from that week that are still in my heart. The Lord planted some seeds.

And then of course, Dave and I, have shared a life long passion for missions, but oddly enough have not served together on a mission's trip since we met. So our desire has been to be able to serve along side of each other, some day. Another seed.

Then along came Maggi and Emma. My hearts desire has been that they were able to see what it was like for people in other countries. I have also wanted them to witness, first hand, what it was like to share the gospel of Christ, to a person who has never heard, and have that person make a committment to Christ. Another seed.

Then, another dream(seed) of mine, was to do a Spanish Immersion Program with my family. Where we all learn the Spanish Language, while living in the culture.

So when Dave and I are dreaming of our future, these seeds are all budding.

The beautiful flower is now starting to bloom. They have led us to where we are now. About to embark on an amazing journey. A combination of it all.

I have an amazing partner, because he believes in helping my dreams come true.

The first step of the process started in the fall, when we sat down with our friends Jay and Nancy Dickerson. They had been the directors of Cincel, the school where missionaries for the Assemblies of God, go to learn Spanish. They also have a summer school program where people can come and learn Spanish, and learn how to minister to Latin American people. So while meeting with them, they really inspired us.

They asked questions like, "instead of summer school, why not a trimester"".
And. . . "instead of Language school, why not answer the call for full time missions".
And . . ."what are you waiting for"
And. . ."what are your fears"
And lastly, Jay so kindly said, "you need to get out of the boat"

The boat, meaning our safety.
Our Clover,
our paid for house
our paid for cars
our great jobs with decent benefits
our comfort zone.

And with that, and alot of prayer, and shakey legs, we got out of the boat.

We, meaning me, having sometimes felt like I was being carried by the waves. But getting out of the boat has been good. Scarey but good.

We have our application in to become missionaries with the Assemblies of God, and will take those steps as the come.

But while we wait for that, we needed to go deeper.
We decided to proceed with the summer school plans. We did this for several reasons. But the main was that we felt this would be really good for our family.

It is like dipping our toes in the water so to speak. We want our girls to really understand what it will feel like for us to be missionaries. What it will be like to be living in a place where we are totally dependent on our Father. Where we are "foreigners in a strange land". Where Dave and I get to work together, side by side.

So here we are.

As my beautiful life long friend Heather put it, I am going to embrace it all. "Embrace all the emothions I have. . . and take my husband by the hand, with my precious girls, and embark on what is the very beginning of my life and legacy". {Heather that was perfect timing}.

We are all stepping out of the boat.

We will be spending the next eight weeks in Costa Rica, all of us. We have taken a leave of absence from work, and are both blessed to have our jobs waiting for us when we return. The girls will be in school also. We don't know all the details, but are excited to be taking the first steps.

So Here we Go!

Circle of Friends

I feel so blessed.
Getting ready to leave this past week, I have been showered by my friends.
It has been such a sweet tender time God has given me before I leave.
Friends have taken me out to eat, offered prayers over me, helped me manage my girls while I finished up my job (while working opposite Dave's).
Gave me a survival basket of beautiful and practical things to take.

I feel blessed.

"your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, (sister), have refreshed the heart. . ." Philemon verse 7

Packing

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 138:7-9

We are almost ready!

Suitcases are everywhere.
Piles of freshly ironed clothes are stacked all over.
We have new jackets and shoes.
We have our passports and planetickets.
Bugspray and sunscreen are ready to be used.

But most importantly, our hearts are being "packed" too.
God is drawing us closer to him each day.
We realize that no matter how much planning and packing, we need God's protection.
We need his hand on our life guiding us each step of the way.
We need his small voice drawing us to him every morning.
His Word needs to be burried in our hearts.

We are packing more than what we can carry in our suitcases,
We are packing our hearts, minds, and bodies with God's love and protection.

From my Perspective

Standing here, in the midst of the presbytery of the South Carolina District Council was a pretty powerful place to stand.

We were standing there, to support and uphold David before the Lord.

From where I was standing, I could truly feel the hedge of protection, and the wall of fire the Bible talks about.

I was humbled listening to these mighty men of God, pray blessings, protection and a double portion out on Dave.

I was so proud that my husband has been set apart and ordained to the ministry. I have watched Dave's life for over 16 years now, and this was such a blessing for him to be publically recognized for a life of service to the Lord.

The certificate of ordination says that Dave has proven that he has a divine gift and is called to the minsitry of the Gospel of Christ.

From my perspective, we didn't need a paper to prove that. I knew it the day I met him.

We have so few opportunities to publicaly praise our husbands for their good work, and I couldn't let this one go by. I am proud of the life he has led, and can't wait for the next chapter to unfold for us.




Love being by your side, I'll follow you anywhere!






My Dad and Roxane came down to celebrate with us


Nancy was also there to support us



Dee. . . What more can I say, my Public Relations Manager. . .

Watchfulness

I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Pleasing to you

May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock and my redeemer.

Psalms 19:14

Those Baby Blues

Someones life is changed today.

I have never met her.
But I am so happy for her.

We have a mutal person in common.
Baby Boy.

I was a nurse taking care of his mama.
She made an amazing decision.
She decided to put baby boy up for adoption.

She chose the best life possible for him.
A life she felt she could not give him.

This decision did not come easy for her,
I know because I saw the pain in her eyes.
I could feel her sorrow, as I helped her wipe her tears away.

She couldn't look at him when he was born.
I don't think she even knows if he was a boy, she didn't during her pregnancy.

She loved him though, she didn't have to know if he was a boy or a girl. She carried him inside of her for 40 weeks.
She decided that the baby would have a better life with someone else.

I can't imagine that kind of love.
I can't imagine her emotions this mother's day.
I know she must feel the ache of an emptiness few of us know.

I didn't get to take care of her when she delivered. But she was in my thoughts and prayers.
I wasn't there when she left the hospital, without her baby, but I lifted her name before the Lord.

I did get to meet her son.
And I held him in my arms and prayed over him. I prayed for a life of joy, peace, and that the hand of the Lord would be on him.
I prayed that he would carry a piece of his mom in his heart, even if he never gets to meet her.

And I prayed for his new mom.

Can you imagine, getting a call, 2 days before mother's day, that. . .
-what you have been waiting for, for years is here
-what you could not have, someone has given you
-you have a healthy baby boy waiting on you
-you have reason to celebrate this mother's day, instead of feeling the void you have had for several years
-getting a call that says

YOU ARE A MOM.

Can you imagine?

I get overwhelmed thinking about her.
So whoever you are,
Happy first mother's day.
Your Baby Boy is beautiful.
Know that the mother that gave you that gift, was a beautiful mom who wanted only the best for her baby.

And for the mom who gave up that sweet boy with big beautiful eyes.
Know that there are people who think you are so brave.
That you are strong.
Know that you are loved.

Be blessed this mother's day.

one small act of kindness

"I can not change the world, but I can change the world for one person."
Mother Teresa


My world continues to be changed, one person at a time.

Yesterday it seemed that people knew I needed my "world" changed.

Seriously, I got a phone call from a friend I have wanted to talk to for a while now.
There was a handwritten note in my mail-box. (not my in-box)
Someone brought me a pie. (handmade)
Someone gave me clothes for my trip
(I had been to the goodwill yesterday morning in search of the very things she gave me except they were brand new and purchased just for me!).

Seriously, that all happened between the hours of 11:00-6:00.
All for me.

I felt so blessed.
I felt so humbled.
I felt comforted.
I felt loved.
I felt supported.

I needed a "change", but more than that I needed to know I had "persons".

thank you
thank you

Bringing up girls

I have been reading a book I have waited a long time for, Bringing up Girls, by Dr. James Dobson.

So far it is a powerful book. In one chapter he gives some suggestions that he found doing research for his book.

In honor of mother's day here are some of my favorite

*Accept the fact that (your little girl) will melt your heart anytime she chooses.
*Teach her to count. First her fingers. Then cheerios, M&Ms, dandelions, and fireflies.
*Never ever make fun of her
*Make her a Valentine's Day card-every year
*Suprise her by showing up at her school for lunch, bearing happy meals or pizza
*Encourage her to be kind. Even to the girl nobody likes
*Remember she needs a strong self image before she becomes an awkward teen. A father's love can make all the difference.
*Little girls are fascinated by escalators. Make sure you hold hands.
*Drive the car pool. You'll learn firsthand what she's doing each day.
*There will be days when you think you've raised an alien. Those are the same days she feels she's being raised by one.
*Teach her to pray for her enemies. This could possibly include a rotating cast of classmates and ex-boyfriends.
*Teach here that if she acts stupid to attract boys, she'll attract stupid boys.
*Be firm about maintaing family traditions. They will become more important to her than either of you can imagine.
*Take a look around her room. Take a moment to look at her pictures, her photos, her keepsakes. These are her memories. This was the childhhod you gave her.
*Tell her she is the daughter you always dreamed about.
*tell her the three keys to wisdom, not believing all you hear, not spending all you have, not sleeping all you want. This will be difficult for her until she graduates from college.
*Remember she will break your heart when she leaves for college. But you will survive.
*In the end, let her go.

Just splashing around