trip anxiety

We are less than 3 weeks before we leave for Africa.  I've been pretty excited about this for a long time now.  Last night we had a team meeting and I think the realization hit me about the challenge and the opportunity we have as a team.  I got alittle overwhelmed just thinking about being the hands and feet of Jesus.  I was thinking I hope I don't freeze up or hang back in the crowd when any opportunity presents its self.  A little fear hit and I then I  thought, wait I believe that Jesus is the King of Kings, what do I have to fear, I(we) can do all things through Christ who strengthen us.  Please continue to pray for our team because we have a great opportunity to make an impact.

Its About The Children

one hundred pushup challenge

Today i have taken the plunge to do the one hundred push up challenge. Who else wants to join in? I think this is going to help me in the commitment department, if you know what I mean

Thank you!!!

Thank you to all our supporters for your contributions and prayers. Friday was our deadline to turn in the last of our money and we were able to pay every last penny! We could not have done it without you and of course God had it all under control. In fact, as we were preparing to turn the money in, Kevin told me we needed $270 to reach our total. What Kevin didn't know is I had spoken to a dear friend and supporter, a couple days earlier, who was sending in a check for that exact amount! It's so awesome to know that God really is in control and taking care of the details of our lives.

Pictures (Because I Can)

Christy, Baker, The girls and the ferrets Lily and Gabby with the ferrets named Lily and Gabby (who turned out to be a boy) Lily's last game The two moms in my life Gabby and Noni at Mother's Day Tea Steel's suckers! Gabby and friend Steel Lily's birthday at the Cinderella Ballet

Jambalaya=Africa

We recently had a Jambalaya sale at Wal-mart to raise money for Africa! A friend of my Dad's, Mr. Greg Standfill, cooked the Jambalaya for us along with his son-in-law, and let me just say, this guy is a competition cooker. It was so good! Not only did he cook, but him and his wife also donated all the ingredients. What a blessing!

Graduation--So Worth It!

So we graduated a couple weeks ago from our first year of Elevate School of Ministry. It was an amazing year! God really stretched us, changed us and revealed so much to us. It was not easy at all but He never left us and gave us all we needed to get through it. And the kids made it too! They were right there beside us the whole way through- bringing blankets to the homeless, giving groceries to the needy, helping set up at church before anyone else gets there, meetings with worldwide missionaries and all! I thank God He gave us the grace to do it all. There is one thing that stands out over the year, though: At graduation, as Michelle listed all the different things done by interns this year, which included bringing a friend to church. I have a lifelong friend-I mean one I've known since we were literally babies. She moved away when we were around 10 but we always kept in touch and I used to visit her during summers. She is probably the funniest person I know ( one reason I love her so much) and always living life for the moment. Within the past few years we had kinda lost touch and I knew she was going through some rough times. Her mom let me know she was coming in town this past October. We got in touch, spent some great time together, and I invited her to church. I prayed and prayed that a seed would be planted. A couple months later I received a letter in the mail from her saying she wanted to put God first in her life and run to him with everything! God is amazing! I think, if this was the one thing that came out of this year of sacrifice (although God did so much more), it was so worth it!To know that such a wonderful friend, one that I could never imagine doing life without-I will never have to do life without. That's what it's all about. That one soul, saved for eternity!