Missions on the Mind

This past week our church hosted a missions conference. We had the privilege of hearing several of our church's supported missionaries share what God has been doing and where He is leading them. Some were "seasoned' missionaries while others are preparing to go the field. Each was encouraging to listen to.

Yesterday we heard a family share about their experience working in the states with refugees. They shared about how we can reach out cross-culturally in our own community. We often think we have to go somewhere exotic but really the Lord has given us the opportunity to reach others for Christ right where we are.

The missionary used the text of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37. They shared three points that I thought I would share with you.

1. Be on the same road.
*We need to love others.
*We need to be willing to take a risk to be on the road with others.

2. Be spontaneous.
*If we are running all the time it is difficult to be spontaneous.
*Be prepared to be spontaneous.

3. The Good Samaritan acted out of compassion.
*Compassion enables us to roll up our sleeves and get dirty.
*Compassion enables us to see beyond the obstacles.
*When being hospitable - remember the food is not the most important thing.

4.Involve others in service.
*(my interpretation here.) We don't have to go it alone, allow others to help too.
*Love others.

It was a great morning challenging me to think deeper about how we do missions right here.

As a side note: Please pray for our oldest two children and their team as they minister this week in London.


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Challenged

I know that it is truly summer here. The temperature this evening was 87 and it was humid, though there was a nice breeze as the kids enjoyed the pool. (the four kids that were home) And while it is summer I have been thinking lately about what season of life I am in. Actually, trying to figure out what season of life this is? With an about to be 20 year old down to an almost 3 year old sometimes I get confused where I fit.

The one thing that the Lord keeps bringing to my mind these days is "Who am I sharing the gospel with?" I feel that I could use the excuse that at this time in my life my family is my mission field, or my 4th grade Sunday School class, or the families that I come into contact with through the Orphan Ministry that we are involved with but what the Lord is impressing on my heart is that there are others out and about that need to hear the gospel.

I am being challenged to look outside my comfort zone and I am asking the Lord to open my eyes to those that need to hear His truth and secondly that when He opens my eyes to someone that then I respond by taking hold of the opportunity to share His truth with them.

Pray with me, won't you?

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Working Together

We have this wonderful cherry tree in our backyard. Early June the cherries are ready to pick. We usually fight the birds for the cherries, some years when the birds were particularly busy we hung a rubber snake in the tree to deter them - it didn't work. A couple of years ago we went to bed with lots of cherries and in the morning the tree was empty, not one cherry left. We think that perhaps a band of very hungry and satisfied racoons got into it.

This year we got to them before any little varmints did - except our two legged variety. Our neighbor has picked cherries, our kid's friends have picked cherries, we have picked cherries. We have delivered bowls of cherries to other neighbors. (It's almost like growing zucchini.) Some of the kids did a great job of picking cherries along with eating many.

Daniel eating and picking.

Nathan helping Daddy (Ken is right behind him)

Molly and Brandon busy at work.

When they were done the not so fun part was pitting them so they could be frozen. We will be enjoying them for quite a while. While it takes some work our cherry tree is a blessing.

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day!

From here-----

Two years ago today about a half hour after we arrived at our hotel a dear Mama from the Children's Home brought Nathan to us. What a special time that was as we were reunited with our son that we had originally met in February. I can't believe that it has been two years and yet it seems that he has been here forever.

He is talking more and more, loves to keep up with his older brothers and sisters, and has a wonderful sense of humor. He does a little jig to get a laugh and has such a bright smile.

I am attempting to upload some pictures and it isn't working this evening, I will post them perhaps tomorrow.

Happy Gotcha Day Nathan! You are a wonderful blessing from the Lord.

To here!

Love you!

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Busy Weekend

We have spent much of the weekend staining our house. It needs it badly and I was ready for a change.

The backyard, a little disheveled

.......The kids and I started on the back before Ken got home from work Friday. At first I was a little unsure, paint never seems to look exactly like you picture it in your mind. I thought this would be a little darker green but I really like it now that more of the old blue is covered.

While we painted some of the younger ones entertained themselves in the water. For a while Nathan wanted to paint with us so we gave him a cup of water and a paintbrush and he "painted" the bricks.

.........It was a hot day and is usually the case: heat + water = water fight!

They were all lovin' it! Not sure how a couple of the kids escaped being involved.

We continue to work on the house. A thunderstorm mid-day today put a stop to our painting. We'll keep plugging away at it. I'll post pictures when we get more done, only two upper level sides to go!

Go Fish - The Mom Song

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of you out there that are a mom, will one day be a mom, or act as a mom to someone that may be not even related to you - Happy Mother's Day!

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May you be blessed by the Lord as you fulfill the role you have been given by Him.

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We had a great day worshipping the Lord and being together. My family is an amazing blessing from the Lord, one which I don't feel that I deserve most days. I received a wonderful present of a new bicycle, my old one was, well, very old and needed to be replaced. I look forward to the adventures it will bring!

Happy Mother's Day!