HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SISTER!

HOPE YOUR DAY IS FABULOUS!

Cultural Experience!

Today I received a cultural experience that I was neither expecting nor wanted. Braylon was up most of the night crying. He cried and cried and cried, we knew something was wrong because if you know Braylon, he is not a crier. This morning we headed to the Dr in Highgate. As a mom I was worried about the quality of care he would receive and the education of the Dr caring for him. The CSI crew and families prayed with Braylon and I before we made our trip to town, that brought comfort. As we walked into the Dr I was slightly fearful as the walls were not fully painted, the waiting room was about a 10 x 12, the receptionist was in the next "room" (a partially sectioned off room that held filing cabinets, one desk and one chair) and eyes were on the "white" baby. My name was taken down on a plain piece of white paper, as well as Braylon's age and his weight was taken on a small infant scale. The Dr's office housed the Dr's desk and a small patient table. Overall my experience was great. The Dr was good with Braylon and diagnosed him with a respitory infection, minor ear infection, and inflamed throat. The amazing part was our visit only cost 11 dollars and to fill three prescriptions was 2200J (approximately 22 dollars). After one dose of antibiotic, and the other two medicines, Braylon is acting much better! He took a nap with Brad (a Jamaican worker in the mission house) and awoke ready to eat and play :) God is taking care of us and providing for all our needs!

We are Here!

Fear

I have been excited about visiting Jamaica, until today. Okay I am still excited but a new feeling has set in, nerves. Nervous about the plane? "No" Nervous about customs? "No" Nervous about traveling with two kids? "No" I have complete faith that God will protect us and if anything bad is to happen he will be with us there too. So tell me, why have I become nervous about the possibilities? The possibility of falling in love with the same people my husband fell in love with. The possibility of confirming the call that we are to be missionaries. The possibility of changing everything we know to serve our wonderful and faithful God. The same God that will be with me while traveling is with me in all avenues of life. Sometimes it is easy to remember God and then leave him in the background for other circumstances.

I know why God wants us to be like children when we approach him. My daughter is so excited to go to Jamaica. She says things like "I want to stay at my new home in Jamaica!" "Will there be a school for me in Jamaica" (We have told her several times this trip is only for a few days) Audrey is not worried about the possibilities, the changes, the decisions....she is leaving them to God. She has not developed a sense of fear or stress so she is thinking as I should be. I must turn to my Father in Heaven and remember that he knows the numbers of my days and the plans he has for me!

Yummmmmmm!

Anyone for a sandwich?

Turkey, cheese, cracker, double chocolate oreo, turkey

I am surprised there was only one cookie in her sandwich!

Understanding

About a month ago I wrote about confusion in my spiritual life (you can read it here). After some time of thinking and reading, I have come to the conclusion I am worrying about too much! The two most important commandments are where I need to start.

But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"
Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:34-40

Concentration on solely loving God will allow all of the other qualities I worry about to follow suit. I have known all the answers but was too wrapped up in my "personal holiness" to remeber that I am surrendering to the Holy Father, not the holy or should I say unholy melissa. Keeping his word in my mind and heart by daily reading and devotion, dwelling on his word through music and serving others are my first steps. Transformation will be made as I count on the Lord's strength. I shall not worry because "perfect love casts out fear" 1 John 4:18 as long as I am surrendering to Christ.

Good Day!

Yesterday was a fun day! Audrey and Braylon were spoiled by grandparents and other relatives all day :) Aaron's parents were kind enough to get up early and stay with Audrey and Braylon for the morning. When Audrey woke I am sure she was pleased to have donuts waiting on her and a new outfit from Mamaw and Papaw. I know Braylon appreciated the two hour nap in Mamaw's arms. Aaron and I went to breakfast and did a little shopping. It was fun to hang out with just Aaron and take our time browsing the aisles. We even did a little dreaming and test drove this for fun. The sales guy was very nice and not pushy so it was easy to drive it and walk away. In the evening we headed to my parents for a birthday celebration. Dad's birthday is Tuesday and my sister's birthday is next Tuesday so we had a get together in honor of them. Before the food was enjoyed Aaron, my brother and I went for a nice run, the weather was perfect! We then enjoyed yummy tenderloins, fruit salad, and dessert. Audrey enjoyed playing outside with her Nanna and Poppy and Braylon appreciated a nap on Uncle Mike's shoulder. (Braylon is sick so he is wanting to be held while he sleeps, he is normally much more active)

The day was great, but there could have been a damper on it. Everytime we have a get together with family I am reminded of the shape of our economy. The scariness of job loss or lay off is hitting everyone including people in Aaron's and my family. I believe my Mom put it best that we need to keep our eyes on what God wants from the circumstances and not the circumstances themselves. While the circumstance may be scary, it can not take the Joy knowing Christ brings. We need to be praying for all the families being struck by the poor economy.