Washing, Drying, Packing.....

So, I've just returned from a week-long stay in GA and now I'm washing and packing for our mission trip to Nicaragua next week. The girls (all 4, Rudy and Tippy too) will be staying with my folks while Cliff and I share the Gospel in Central America. We've received news that we may actually have FLUSHING TOILETS in this village. I shared this with our crew from HBC and they were thrilled! However, I'll believe it when I see it. We leave early Saturday morning so please be praying for us as we travel and serve out of the country. Our initial information sheet informed us we would be in the village of Quilali in the northern part of Nicaragua very near the Honduran border. We are told it is a very poor village and we are pretty sure there is no protestant church there. Please pray that Satan would not hinder the work and that hearts would be open to hear and receive the Word of Salvation. We are excited to be taking 2 new team members from HBC this year also. Please pray for them as they share their gifts with the people of Quilali and for God to speak to them and reveal Himself in a fresh and exciting way. So long for now....

Home Again...

I had a fabulous time visiting with my friend in GA last week but as always, it's really good to be home. My girls are needing some "restructuring" after spending the last 7 days with their Nai Nai and Yei Yei. To put it bluntly, they are ROTTEN! But, I wouldn't have it any other way. I never worry about them in their care and they LOVE being with them. SJ was a bit, well, let's say, overwhelmed when her Daddy picked them up last night.....wailing and gnashing of teeth was heard by the majority of Attala County! She did finally calm down and they made it home safely. We are at home this week preparing for our mission trip to Nicaragua on the 31st. Then, as soon as we return it's time to get back into the school groove. Summer just gets shorter and shorter every year. Ok, nite all and keep trusting Him!

Wild Olive Tees

I just love these tees! Very unique and captivating! I saw the link on a friend's blog and just had to check it out. I've ordered a long sleeve one for winter. Can't wait to be able to wear it. Am about to order one for a friend as a gift. Check them out...only for Ladies and kids though!

North, South, East, West.....

So, I've been out of pocket for a few days due to some traveling in the deep south. After a few days with my folks, I headed out for GA on Thursday to visit my sweet friend and her new baby girl. I've not spent this much time away from my girls and hubs in a very long time and I must admit, it's getting time to head back. But, before I do, I would just like to share a few things. After a short tenure at the church where our families met, God moved us West. A few short years later, my friend and her husband also moved...West. We were thrilled to be together again. Then, after the birthing of 3 children between us, our friends moved East and we moved North. Now, what do all the directions in this post really mean, well, they mean absolutely nothing when you consider friendship. Friendship is infinite....meaning it never ends despite distance. Our paths do not cross frequently. Our cell phones are not a buzz with chatter each and every day. However, it seems like our conversations just pick up where we left off at our last chat. That is friendship. No matter how far apart we are, we are friends.
I love her and her family. I have loved being with her and sharing in the joy she is experiencing right now. We share so many of the same convictions, ideas, hopes and dreams. I truly appreciate her kindness and humble spirit and have learned from her, among many other things, to be soft spoken and to appreciate the small things in life. So, here's to my friend....whom I will treasure until Jesus calls me home. And then, I'll just wait for her in the .....EAST!

Weekends Are Made for Fun

This weekend feels like it's gonna be just as full as last weekend. But, I must say it's been fun so far. Our neighbors hosted a neighborhood swim party at their home and we all had a great time swimming and playing in the pool. The burgers and dogs were fabulous and dessert and sides awesome. Thanks do the D's for hosting us and making us feel so at home. Then, tomorrow is a cute little boy's birthday and we will celebrate with him in the afternoon. Next week will find us out of town, well, most of us. Cliff will hang around at home while the girls and I visit friends and family. I'll be traveling to GA next week to visit a friend who is bringing home her little girl from the hospital. She was born 6 wks early but is doing great and will be allowed to go home tomorrow...on her Mommy's birthday! It doesn't get any better than that! The girls will be with my folks which means they will be completely ROTTEN by the time we get back home! I'll be posting while away so keep checking back. Oh, we got rain tonight....Praise The Lord!

Psalm 91

Our friends who are battling cancer in their 13 yr old son posted an update today that included Psalm 91. She referred to verses 1-4a where is described safety under His wings. How comforting for her in this situation. It's really hard to understand how to handle devastating news such as they have received these past few weeks and ask "Why Me, Lord?" but in the wisdom and understanding of God, it is very appropriate and even wise for us to say "Why NOT me?". We are His children. So, why would a loving God demand so much of His children? I believe I find the answer in this same chapter as God himself begins to speak to his child....

"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

Did you get that? God gets all the glory! He gets the credit. When we realize just how undeserving we are of His love and Mercy, we begin to understand just how glorious and awesome He is! "with long life I will satisfy him, AND SHOW HIM MY SALVATION!"

Praise Him today!

4th of July Weekend

We are in the middle of a great weekend celebrating the birth of our country. Cliff is watching the History Channel about the Revolution. Meme is here and the girls are playing dress up in their Cinderella and Snow White gowns. We are headed to the Tobie Cinema this afternoon to watch Toy Story 3 and enjoy some A/C. We'll do church in the morning and then relax on Sunday afternoon while we wait for Nai Nai and Yei Yei to arrive. Monday we will swim and enjoy being together with family. It's been a really good 4th so far. Praying for our friends experiencing trials and rejoicing with those who are seeing God work in mighty ways. We are a blessed nation and so undeserving of all we have. Be grateful today!

33 Yrs ago today....

my sister Kelley was born. She was a miracle in more than way as the doctor realized on that day something was wrong and my Mom was taken for an emergency C-Section. She proved to be a special young lady her entire short life. I thank God for her influence in my life even today. I often recall her smiling face as she would share her faith rather unashamedly to those she was around. She proved her faith daily until God called her home 15 yrs ago in September. One particular event took place in a grocery store in our hometown. In the line in front of us, an older individual fell and was in obvious distress. Most were preoccupied with taking care of calling police and ambulances but I turned to see Kelley on her knees behind the grocery cart praying, interceeding on behalf of that hurting individual. That, my friends, is true faith! I miss her terribly but know that she is rejoicing in heaven today with Jesus and cheering me on as I run this race. I pray I first run to make HIM proud and then to make her proud. God is good even in difficult times and as Philippians 1:21 says, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Amen and Amen!