Almost time to fly

Eeeekkkk!  It is Wednesday already!  How time flies when there is much to do.
Last night was our final Pre-Trip Preparation Meeting for Mexico.  Pastor gave a great devotion on the power of God, in us and through us.  He reminded us that we are made new, we are not created to work ON the world system of things, but ON God's system.  In Acts 1 when Jesus is telling his disciples that it is good for him to go..... that the Holy Spirit will come and give them power..... the power to witness to all the earth.  We were challenged to look at 5 manifestations of that power, in relation to our trip, and more importantly our lives.

The Holy Spirit, within the believer provides:

1. The power to choose wisely.  Micah 2:6-7. 
We are given the Word of God.  In it the Word tells us what to do or not to do.  We make choices, and depending on if they are right or wrong, based on those biblical principals, determines whether we receive blessing or cursing.

2. The power to endure. 2 Corinthians 4:7.
The Holy Spirit will enable us to handle trials with grace.

3. The power to overcome.  2 Corinthians13:4.
When I try to do things in my own power, I fail.  I can overcome any situation with God.

4. The power to minister.  Ephesians 3:7.
Being able to minister to and encourage others, is a gift from God.  When I do it in His strength, I magnify HIM and not just my good deed.

5. The power to witness.  1 Corinthians 4:20
My actions are important.  Frequently, they will scream louder than any words I may ever say.  Incorrect actions, can nullify any thing I may say about the Lord.  Without God's help to act and speak rightly, my words are worthless.

We were also asked to look for God's grace every day during our trip.  Please pray for us that we will be quick to see the many ways that God will be walking with us, and the many ways he is shepherding our every step.

Friday we will meet and receive the medicine we are taking in our bags for the doctors we are working with. Sunday we will have a Commissioning Service with our church body, and Monday, we fly. I will be journaling while I am there so that I can share with you all when I return.

Happy Birthday Sister

Long, Long Ago.... in a land far away, mom and dad brought home a sister for me to play with.

By the photographic evidence; I thought she was pretty cool.

We will choose to ignore her incessant tattling.... her unnatural drive to get me in the most trouble possible.  We will not discuss here the way that we teased her about being adopted, left on the door-step, with the horrid given name of Henrietta pinned to her dress................. we will not discuss frustrated farts, flaming farts, breathing too loud, sock stealing............ no this is not the place for those things....

We will instead focus on her quick wit.  I still remember how hard my dad laughed, when one night at the dinner table someone was complaining about something.... and Kelly quipped " Here's a dime, call someone who cares." 
We will extol her virtues as a mom.  She is a wonderful mother to two handsome boys.  She loves them very much and does all she can to provide a good life for them.
She is loyal.  She loves her friends and family very much.  She often goes out of her way to take trips to see the ones that live far away....She still talks to her two best friends from Elementary School!

now for the serious stuff:
I am glad you are my sister.  This last year has been hard on us all.  You were faithful to be there as much as possible, and you always made him smile, every time you were there.  He loved you very much, and he would hate to be missing cake on your birthday.

If I were closer, I would take you for a mani-pedi... a big cup of coffee, and I would have called work for you and told them you were calling in "birthday" and would be back tomorrow.  I would take you to the Fish Market or maybe a show.  But since I am far.... you will have to settle for my lame song on the phone this morning, and this equally lame Birthday post.


I love you, kid..... love you lots.  Happy Birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Final Preparations

Next week, at this time, Evan, Tayler and I will be in the air.  Traveling to Mexico City for our missions trip.  God has been working and preparing our hearts for this time of service.  Please pray for us as we pack our bags, and drive all over town purchasing final items.  It is a busy week. especially for me, because I need to finish VBS work too ( it starts as soon as we are back )

Pray for the kids.  Both of them will be ministering through skits that show how we are easily snared by sin....

Evan plays the part of the "boyfriend" in this music skit. Please pray that this amazing, moving, expression of Jesus' love for us, touches the hearts of the people that see it.

From the left we have Nelson, and his wife.... they are the missionaries we are going to work with. Then Karla, and Pastor Bill. Karla will be translating for us, and Pastor has put all of this together.

Farmers Market Harvest

 These are some of the delicious cherries that we got from the Pasco Farmers Market today.  Can I just tell you how much I love going to the Farmers Market?  I love the hustle and bustle, the smells of fresh green things and the dirt they came from.  Today, besides the cherries, we picked up fresh Zucchini, Cabbage, Beets, Red and White Salad Onions, Yellow and Green Beans, Fresh Garlic, Carrots, and the mandatory bag of Kettle Corn.  Not a bad haul for around $30.

Our friends the Antos Family are there with Eggs and selling pork and chickens..... so we always stop for a chat at their booth.  If you are local, you need to check out their farm website "Happy Lil Homestead" and see what things they have going on over there. 

Simple Pleasures

This morning, as I shuffled over to the coffee pot for my second cup.......I caught myself with a little smile on my face. Why you may ask?


I was thinking about last night..............

The day of the week was not so extraordinary, it was Thursday. We didn't do anything that was extra special. Tayler had a softball game. We decided to walk to the burger stand by the ball field with Evan, Hunter and Jeremiah, and have soft serve ice cream for dinner. I got to hold Big Daddy's hand while we walked. Evan ordered a blackberry cone, Hunter ordered black cherry, Jeremiah chose tutti frutti, Big Daddy and I rounded out the order with pina colada and cheesecake. We sat at the tables outside, enjoying the breeze, and watching helicopters, cars and clouds go by. Jeremiah got sticky and wore more than he ate. Everyone shared licks of their flavors..... It was a perfect, lazy, early summer evening.......


and it is still making me smile....................

Puppy love

Nuff' said..............

I'm BAAACK!

I was away from my computer for awhile, some of the reasons are sad, downright tragic. Some of the reasons are just because of the busy-ness of life.... and lastly, because the modem broke..... 
In the last month, I have learned much.... about myself, about others.... and most importantly, about my God.  He is still God, no matter what is swirling around me, nothing takes Him by surprise. My job is to place Him first, and not let anything block my view of Him.