Leaving on a Jet Plane..
I flew from St. Louis to Dallas, Texas where I met our team. We then flew to New York. Where we had lunch and waited to cross the ocean.
Monday, April 30, 2012
West Africa- Part 1
Monday, April 16, 2012
Titus' Big Boy Haircut
This was Titus' first official big boy haircut where I used the clippers. Previously I had always just trimmed things up with the scissors.
Before:
(after I got it done I was a little shocked by how short it was and how grown up it made him look!)
Girls Getaway
For Josie's bachelorette party we spent a weekend in one of our family's favorite places, Osage Beach. We've gone to the Lake of the Ozarks every summer our entire lives so it was the perfect spot to celebrate Josie's upcoming wedding. We were blessed to be able to stay in an awesome condo that belonged to our future sister-in-law, Wesley's, family.
We spent Saturday at another new "favorite" the Spa Shiki. After massages, enjoying all the spa's amenities and drinking lots of room temperature water (inside joke) we were relaxed and pampered! That evening we went to eat on the water at Backwater Jack's.
We were excited mom was able to join us for the weekend.
It was such a fun weekend!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due-An Update on My Trip to Africa
Since I last blogged about my trip I've been busy making preparations. God has been AMAZINGLY FAITHFUL every step along the way. I can't emphasize that enough.
-It started with $395, 6 shots, and two very sore arms. God totally directed my path when I learned from a friend at church that the Quincy Health Department did international shots. After some internet research I was afraid I'd have to go to St. Louis, but God had provided what I needed right around the corner. Since Jeremy works in Quincy he was able to meet me there and keep an eye on the kids while I had it done. This was a financial step of faith. The Lord had yet to provide the money we needed for this expense. Despite the fact that our savings account was nearly drained (which we use to supplement our income during this slow time of year) we took the money and paid for them in faith. God has since provided every dollar needed to cover the bill. Praise the Lord he is so faithful!
-Then it was on to getting my VISA. After a quick snapshot at Walgreens & a very stressful trip to the post office with all 3 children in tow I was able to get all my paperwork sent off to Dallas to be sent on by our team leader to Washington DC. The Lord had provided a special donation that covered our entire team's VISA fees...about $135 per person. Praise the Lord!
-Next I needed to get a prescription for malaria medicine. I once again went ahead and made a doctor's appointment not knowing where the money to pay for it would come from. The next day my friend Lindsay called saying she had the exact amount of pills of the medicine I needed left over from an intern last summer in her medicine cabinet. Would I want them? YES!! For $5 in shipping I was set! (I realize this might not be recognized as the best option by the medical community but I have faith this was God's provision.)
-Our leader has been sending out weekly e-mails with task lists and encouragement each week. I believe it was in our 7 week countdown e-mail he encouraged us to consider how we would spiritually prepare for the trip. This challenge caught my eye as I am very task oriented and could easily miss this piece as I focus on my checklist. In the midst of this I went to my monthly children's ministry meeting where a section from, "Too Small to Ignore" was shared. I mentioned that I was reading the author's second book. My children's minster encouraged me to take the book home and read it. It is VERY unlike me to set down a book and pick up another book without finishing the first. However, I did. What I found was the exact book I needed to read to prepare for my trip. The book is written by the CEO of Compassion International. He writes about his experiences growing up as a MISSIONARY KID in AFRICA!!! (the very group I am going to serve!) The book encourages the importance of our influence on children. It was like God had handed me the exact book I needed to read to prepare for my trip. If ever I was tempted to think, "Its just a VBS to keep the kids busy while there parents are meeting"...I was reminded of the absolute importance of the task God had called me to. I was in complete awe at his provision once again.
-Last week I realized that in all my planning and such I hadn't thought about myself. So I took the time to e-mail my trip leader and ask about skirts. I knew this was a common cultural wardrobe requirement for Africa. After corresponding with the missionaries I realized I was going to need some long skirts or dresses. After a seriously disappointing trip to the Goodwill and my mother's closet I still needed some additional skirts. My husband and I also made a commitment that we wouldn't purchase anything new this year so I was thinking my wardrobe could possibly get VERY interesting. In my e-mail inbox was an offer from one of my dear friends. Her mom knew about my trip and offered to make me whatever I needed! (Even though I leave in less than two weeks!!!!) Isn't God amazing? What a great example of using the gifts you have for His service. Praise the Lord for ladies who can sew!! (this is NOT my gift)
-All the bills are paid.....and the Lord has provided more than needed. When Jeremy and I committed to this trip we didn't have enough money in our savings account to cover all the bills that would come due the next month. It was SO difficult financially to make a commitment to this trip and yet we had made a vow to the Lord and felt his calling. With our adoption we felt we would not ask directly for any support but that prayer would be our plan. In the end God has provided for every bill and I still have money in my account for traveling expenses. I have also been able to purchase needed items to bless the missionaries. WOW- isn't God amazing? I just can't give him enough praise. Please join me in giving credit to where all credit is due. Our God is truly bigger than the perception I often operate under.
And now I am waiting on the Lord to provide in a different way. The financial piece of our trip has went from faith to sight. But, as the date inches closer I must trust the Lord with the most precious gifts he has ever given me in my husband and my three children. My mama heart hurts as I think of nine days away from these special ones. Of what I will miss.
My Titus chanting "Song! Song!" before nap and bedtime each day.
My Faith snuggled up reading with me before nap time just the two of us.
My Grace skipping home from school with stories of her school day and all the new thing she is learning to navigate.
My Husband...the man who has taught me how to relax and laugh and survive this crazy life God has called us to.
When I think of being away from them with little to no contact and what could happen....it almost takes my breath away. When I think about my husband using two vacation days (a VERY precious commodity) and me missing the fun that will be had a part of my mama heart hurts.
And yet I wait expectantly knowing that the purpose that called me on this trip is yet to be fulfilled. Will you pray with me that God will honor this time and that the sacrifices that are made, however small, will be repaid with our time having a DEEP IMPACT on the missionaries that we are going to encourage. Specifically pray that God will impact these sweet children for all eternity. And no less important pray that this time of my husband being the primary caregiver will be a blessing to him and our children.
Thank you for joining me in prayer. This experience has truly been an opportunity for me to, "taste and see that the Lord is good." I hope that by sharing it with you it has been for you too.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Z is for ZOO
The Monday after Easter we headed to St. Louis to celebrate the letter Z at the Zoo for preschool. It was a fun trip!
Ready. Set. Go.
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