It Must Have Been Her Birthday

Yesterday was Audrey's birthday. She started the day with a few gifts from Aaron, Braylon and I. Then the fun began as her friends arrived for the tea/birthday party. Audrey shared the event with Gretta as her 3rd birthday was the day before. After a beautiful craft, tea/punch was served and candles were blown out. Then the highlight of the party-PINATA! No one could bust it but they sure enjoyed trying! Thankfully pinatas now come with pull strings and a trap door :) After party festivities ended everyone went outside to play. A singing birtday wish came from Nana at lunch time that put a BIG smile on the little girl's face. Audrey's friend Luca stayed for the afternoon and believe it or not I convinced them both to take a nap! After nap Audrey opened her mail, 3 birthday cards! At her request Audrey ate Applebees for dinner and then spent her birthday money. She is now the proud owner of a small strawberry shortcake car, two pirates to ride in the car and a littlest pet shop pet to add to her collection. As if the day was not good enough, Audrey stayed up waaaaaaaaaaay past her bedtime to watch a movie and color a picture with Mommy. Thank you to everyone who made Audrey's day special as it ended promptly at 11:30pm!

Pictures to come!

Emotions

Why do women need to talk over their problems, viewing them from every angle?

Why do men need to deal with their problems inwardly or just avoid them completely?

First of Many

Today was a hard day for me. Aaron and I had two speaking engagements at area churches. My sister, brother and brother in-law attended both churches and my parents spoke alongside us in the second church. During the first presentation, I looked out into the crowd and spotted my sister sobbing, this was the first time I have cried on stage. As my mom took the microphone this evening and shared her fears and pride of her children/grandchildren moving to Jamaica, I lost it once again.

I love God and I want to do his will. I have no question that my family is called to Jamaica and that God has placed a love in our hearts for the people of Jamaica.

I also love my family and will miss them dearly. I just wish that God would decide to ship them down to live with me. Whatever the future holds, I know God has a plan and is in control. He will be with me and provide friends, relationships and the strength that I need.

What the heck?

While we were on vacation my brother sold our 57" television (with Aaron and my permission). We neglected to tell our daughter, who coincidentally LOVES tv. Upon arriving home from vacation the first place she walks is to the living room to turn on the missing tv. Her exact words "What the heck" she then walks to the couch and shakes her head saying what the heck?

This was rather comical as she has never used this phrase and her sincerity in being completely taken off guard. Audrey was not happy that we had sold "her" tv and that we had not informed her of the decision. She instantly wanted a "fix" and was not content until Aaron and I had devised a plan to remedy the situation.

While talking things over with Audrey, I was thinking about how petty her complaint was and could not believe she was so upset. To be honest I was annoyed that we were spending so much time "restabilizing" her world.

Well today my mind set has changed...some things transpired today that left me saying
"What the heck?"

I have no control over this situation but I was completely taken of guard and do not appreciate the feelings it has left in my heart and stomach. While speaking with Aaron as to how we can "remedy" this situation, we conclude that it is out of our hands. I know only grace, forgiveness and salvation can solve the situation and I am left to pray. My hands feel tied and it is now that I am glad that I could give Audrey such simple stability. That what currently shakes her world is not so devastating that she cannot have an easy fix. I am glad I took time to hear her feelings and did not leave her feeling the way I feel right now.

New perspective

Most people know the story of Noah's Ark, he built a boat and brought two of every kind of animal aboard. We think of it as a difficult task but not the HUGE undertaking that it was.

As I was reading a "open flap" book about Noah to A&B yesterday, I began to realize how much planning Noah had to do. In this book the pictures covered the entire page and the flaps introduced even more detail. There was a picture of bird houses lined up-one was for Robins, another for Cardinals and another for Fenches, then there were mice in the fruit bowl, a basket holding skunks, and a dark home for bats. There was a lily with a hummingbird eating nectar, one of Noah's sons had a bucket and was climbing a ladder to feed goats on the second level, there was a cage containing several species of butterflies. One picture shows a partition separating tigers from animals, it would typically enjoy for breakfast!

The illustrator put much thought into the pictures of this "children's" book, maybe he realized adults would be reading too. The pictures made me realize the magnitude of his project and how Noah could not have done it without God's planning. When I think of the ark, I think of typical animals (hippos, tigers, elephants, girafees, crocidiles, etc) not hundreds of birds, farm animals, iguanas, frogs, BUTTERFLIES, BEETLES, MOSQUITOS and all the zoo animals as well. I know there must have been tons of food but WOW, to think of all the needs like nectar for bees and hummingbirds? fish for penguins?, flies for spiders? desert plants for iguanas?....I could go on and on!

Noah had to trust God to help him obtain everything he needed. God equiped Noah with the knowledge, man power, skills, equipment and desire to see this project through.
For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back? (Isaiah 14:26-27).

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:1-3

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Ephesians 1:10-12

Just a Table

As I sort through our possessions attempting to sell most of the items and keeping a minimum, I have come across a few items that hold an unexpected amount of memories. This table was given to Audrey by her Mamaw and Papaw Black for her 1st birthday. I know that my suggestion of a little table seemed odd for a one year old but I am so glad we have it. At this table Audrey has painted many masterpieces, had an organized tea party, served many meals to her mommy and daddy, her first date with Sammy, wrote her first letters, colored Easter eggs and ate many meals. This table has brought laughter, tears, frustration and pride to her Mommy. Audrey has been a big girl and used her table to get her own items out of the upper cabinet (sometimes without my knowledge :), this table has been used to make her own pudding, and to turn on lights in the house. The table makes a distinct noise as it is pushed across the kitchen floor, upon Audrey's observation that Mommy is cooking. Audrey has stood beside me and made many cookies, cakes, and meals using her table as a stool. For awhile Audrey thought she should stand on the colored part of the table only and would mightly throw the red cover off before climbing upon it. What pride I had the first day I realized Audrey was sorting the legos into the correct colored squares on the table. A smile comes upon my face when I walk into the kitchen and see little Audrey standing proudly beside her Nana making cupcakes or beside her Daddy making pancakes. This may be the first item I cry over if we decide to sell it, I just do not know if I can do it.

Great Weekend!

Friday-Fireworks, family and good food

Saturday- good food, shopping, friends, more good food and fireworks

Sunday-First Speaking engagement, great food, meeting new friends and now relaxing!

This weekend is almost a blur as I sit with my eyelids half open, listening to my brother and Aaron play video games and reflecting on the events of the past three days. I am so blessed to live in the USA where I can freely fellowship with family and friends and eat too much yummy food every meal, never once worrying about my safety or where I will sleep tonight.

God was with us today as we spoke to Providence Christian Church, pastored by Steve Sorensen. Everything went smooth and I was much less nervous than I anticipated. Aaron was great at striking up conversations and getting to know people. Braylon did his part by being friendly and reaching out to strangers :) Audrey was the highlight of my day! First I must say that my kids were so well behaved today that I could not ask for anything better! We were at church for 4 hours and sat through two services. Audrey has been preparing to "speak" to the church congregation about Jamaica for a week or so but I was unsure if she would perform when the day came.

As I offer her a chance to speak she pulls the microphone to her face and all of these wonderful well spoken words come from her mouth. I was so proud of her! Not only did she do well with public speaking but she understands our call to Jamaica. If you want to hear Audrey's interpretation of God's call on our life, visit one of the church's below while we are attending or just look her up and ask her!

We will be at the Union Chapel Church on July 19 and then we come back to Farmland Friends on July 26!!! Hope you can join us!!

Thank you to all who prayed for us today. Your prayers were answered and we had a blessed day. Thank you to Ron and Yvette for allowing us to bombard their house again!

It is Reality

The talk of being missionaries has been dream like and futuristic until the past week. Tuesday I spoke with a small group of ladies, informing them of our missionary plans and asking for prayer. Our letters have been sent out and we are approached daily by people "surprised" to hear we are leaving. Our truck is sold and our house and car are going on the market very soon. Our missionary "status" seems evident and real as I prepare a video and Aaron and I discuss topics for our upcoming speaking engagement, THIS SUNDAY! That's right in two days we will have our first official run through, pleading people to follow the commandment "Therefore go and make disciples of ALL nations." I feel like I am begging and pleading for money, the hard part is reminding myself that the money is not for me but for the work of Christ.

All prayers are appreciated as we take the next step in our journey.
Here is the video I have put together: