So Many Emotions, So Many Details....So Many Questions!!!

When one plans to embark on a mission trip into uncharted territory it is just commom sense that you prepare yourself mentally, emotionally and certainly spiritually! Well, all of these things I did and then some! When one finds themselves in a foreign country on an "extended" mission trip for up to 23 days...you learn a new type of preparation....Preparation for returning to a life you no longer feel part of in many cases. Having grown accustomed to the "no longer" foreign way of living, I found myself at one with Ethiopia, at one with being away from the "normal" way of life, at one with relying solely on "God" and at one with these beautiful people! Now, faced with the reality of having to return to my life and family in Williamson County( and I say this with all sincerity....we are ALL so OVERLY BLESSED that we don't even realize it most of the time), it is a new challenge in and of itself to prepare myself again...mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in order to return! Now, home, I am still having to process so many thoughts, emotions and ideas and somehow align them up according to His plan. He has without a doubt reshaped my heart if you will, and is currently renovating it in so many areas! I was told or "warned" if that's appropriate to use, that upon returning I would be on a "missions high" and that others wouldn't understand and that I'd just have to process on my own and eventually step back into life as I knew it pre-trip. WHATEVER! Pretrip or not, I do not ever want to go back to life as I've known it for way too long! Flight changes, rescheduling....VOLCANOES...whatever He chose to use...still kept me there for over 3 weeks. Absolutely a devine appointment...no coincidental "volcanic erruptions" in order to see, smell, feel and experience HIS love like I've never experienced before! In 2 Thess. 1: 3, "Dear brothers and sisters, we always thank God for you, as is right, for we are thankful that your faith is flourishing and you are all growing in love for each other." I have a new love for others, a new understanding of brothers and sisters and a new understanding of how I should THANK GOD for flourishing faith! The scripture goes onto say (v.4 -"We proudly tell Gods other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. But God will use this persecution to show his justice. For he will make you worthy of his kingdom, for which you are suffering...." ) I claim this for me and my new "brothers and sisters " in Korah, Ethiopia!! My faith is flourishing....their unbelievable faith already flourishes...and I will tell everyone about how they are suffering; suffering indeed with poverty and starvation yet in their weakness HE IS STRONG!! My sweet brothers and sisters praise Him with all they have! They praise Him with every bone in their body! They praise Him with COMPLETE FAITH in that He is listening and He is "Preparing a Kingdom" for them that can not even be fathomed!! Praise God, He is good! I WILL never be the same, nor do I ever want to be. He has chosen to bless me more than I could ever have imagined and now I want to serve Him and love Him more than I could have ever envisioned!! My sweet and precious family, thank you for your patience with me....thank you for your support and understanding...thank you for your love. I can not wait for you to meet my new "brothers and sisters" and to see what God has planned for us! In His perfect timing and provision, Aaron and I will return and again serve in whatever capacity He calls us. Our Yes is on the table, is yours? So, all this to say; yes you should prepare mentally, emotionally and spiritually when embarking on a missions trip to foreign territory but no amount of preparation can prepare you for the adventure you'll take when you open your heart up to HIS calling on your life and allow Him to guide your steps and heart along the way! Watch out! IT'S AWESOME!! Yes, Yes, pictures to follow...you know I'm new at this and first I needed to share what was on my heart...next, pictures!

I Love My Neighbors!!!

(Tiff....this is for you girl!) First, I'm gonna be honest....I am a horrible student! I have already forgotten how to edit my "practice post" and I only left your house an hour ago. I WAS paying attention but I'm just so technologically challenged. You are not getting paid enough to help me that's for sure!

I, we, have the very best neighbors in the whole wide world...at least here in the Grove that is! Out here it's brotherly love...we help each other with our children when we go on mission trips. We help each other grow gardens.."blue ribbon" gardens at that! We help each other blog...or learn how to blog! Oh, wait! That's what my awesome neighbors do for me! We are so blessed by the Lankfords...everyone should have neighbors just like them. As you can see from the pictures above (that aren't even attached to this post because I don't know how to edit them) that my kids love going to Ms Tiffany's and Mr. Nathan's! Thank you guys for pulling the slack while I was away! We love you!

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up all that is taught in the law and the prophets," Matthew 7:12

practice post

A New Beginning...Pierpressure...Whichever!

I can't actually believe I'm doing this!! For that matter, I can't figure out if it's because I suddenly have a new view on life and want to share all my "ahaaa " moments or if it's because in fact I feel pressured into becoming a blogger! Either way I'm brand spankin new and have no idea what I'm doing! Hence there are No cute pictures of my kiddos or even from my recent life changing mission trip! God willing more will follow and when I figure out what I'm doing I'll be able to "cutify" mine own space! For now...this is my first offical blog entry....don't you feel blown away by it's authenticity! Blessing to All! P.S. Tracey.... I know, I know...I've crossed over, well not really ...look at my work so far!