another perspective...

My Z runs a bible study group for middle school aged boys.

Last night they met at our house.... phew...middle school is a crazy hard age. But Z is good at working with them and speaking to them. I will admit to listening in some, I just wanted to hear how he interacted. ;o) Snoopy mom that I am.

I only listened for a couple of minutes then went about putting my boys to bed and getting ready to go out running.

The boys had all left so I went in to see Z quickly before going out. He had a troubled look on his face so I sat down next to him.

He said one of the boys in his group is having a really rough time of it, trouble at home, some depression and some self destructive behaviors and he's only 13yrs old. Z was very troubled, and recognized that this was over his head. We talked a bit about what his next steps will be. He's got a great head on his shoulders! ;o)

He then said to me "Man these kids really have it rough. I had it easy! Mom, thank you for loving me and for my life"

I wasn't sure what to say... he didn't have it easy...his dad and I divorced when he was 2 yrs old. We all went through some pretty tough situations.

He was always loved, he was always supported and he always knew he was wanted.

God is building my son to be an amazing young man, through all his bravado and sometimes colossal ego...he's got a huge good God loving heart.

Thank you Lord for my Z!

Ethiopia here we come!

I just mailed the first installment for our trip to Ethiopia! ;o)

We are really going baby!

SO very excited!!!

Please also continue to pray about the 'Vision' I asked about before... I have had some pretty amazing doors open and opportunities presented. I need His guidance, wisdom and discernment.

Have a better than good day!

Mom's Party

Apparently Flamingo-ing someone's yard isn't as common as I thought...lol But we did get mom's yard. I had forgotten until about 1145pm on Friday night...lol oops so at midnight I was out placing Flamingos in her yard. ;o)

My parents ;o)
See how big they are?!
Love these kids! ;o) Does S' head look exceptionally small here? ;o)
Part of the group that showed up... good turn out huh? ;o)

me, mom and my little brother
This is her surprised look...obviously this picture is out of sequence...lol

Vision?

I have been sharing a tiny bit about the leadership study that I have been doing at church...

It's been really good stuff.

One the things it challenged me with recently was being "quiet". I am a person that likes to have the TV on, I LOVE music, and just basically feel uncomfortable when it's quiet.

What I have found this week, is that God can speak to you when you are quiet.

hhhmmmm what a concept! ;o)

I have turned off my radio on the way too and from work. I don't listen as much while at work. And when I can turn off the TV I do.

What I have found is that God has alot to say. ;o)

I feel like He's given me a vision of something He wants me to do. It's big. Like I am not going to be able to do this by myself BIG... and what in the world am I thinking cause I already have a full time job, a full time family and a mission trip to plan... BIG.

This week I am going to continue my quiet time, do some fasting and praying.

I have started putting some feelers out about the process of what I think He wants me to do, and it's been coming back with good response.

I would ask that you pray with me... gosh I am asking that alot lately huh? I could really use them! ;o)

I would also ask you to let me know what I can pray for you about. During my quiet time, I find myself able to pray more intentionally...hhhmmm another weird concept. I pray for specific things that I know need them, like Silas, and friends adopting, and my kids and family... but I find myself able to be a little more intentional... a little more in tune. I am loving it.

So pray for me, and let me know how I can pray for you. I will let you know what the "BIG" thing is if God confirms it to me more than He has. ;o)

Blessings and happy Sunday to you!

Happy BIRTHDAY MOM!

Today is my momma's 60th Birthday!

Seriously does she look 60?!

My mom is the best! She's the one that always remembers to send a card, she stops by my house randomly to clean or cook for me, she will pick up my kids from school, take them to the Dr when my day is crammed...and EVEN have an Optimus Prime birthday party for me when I am 39! ;o)

She's been all over the world, yet keeps her feet on the ground.

She's got more creativity in her little pinky finger than I have in my whole body...lol And always amazes me with the great things she comes up with! She makes me want to be better and do better, not because she demands it but because she lives it.

I love you momma!

Crazy momma with my friend E.
Nanny with her youngest...
Beautiful momma ;o)
Mom and Dad
3 Generations.... good stuff!

Mission meeting recap

It was a good meeting.

We truly have a fun group of people coming along! ;o) Great energy and lots of good natured teasing.

I was a bit bummed though! We were going to take a group picture so that we could include it in the letters we will be mailing for support, but the camera I packed and placed next the front door of the house.... stayed at house. ;o( woops....lol

We have our next fundraiser scheduled. It's a spaghetti dinner... you know the typical yummy church dinner kind...lol It's in November.

We are thinking about having a benefit concert at one of the other churches represented in the team. We know a couple of people that have bands that would be willing to come sing and donate all the proceeds towards our cause... we are very excited about that! ;o) Just have to get a date and location...lol

Two of our members work at local schools, one is an assistant principle and the other a teacher so they are going to work on getting some Children's Health packets together for us to hand our while we are there. They are both pretty excited about that.

We got to conference in Andrea from Washington to listen along. It was great to have her 'there', although we cut up quite a bit...lol hope we didn't scare her off ;o)

Over all I think they are all getting excited about the trip, it's only 6 months away now... yikes!

Shucks I was reminded this morning that Christmas is 3 months from today.... whos ready for that??!!!

Over all it feel like the team is committed to God's call on their lives to be on this Team. He is SO good!

Mission meeting

Tonight is our next mission meeting.

I am really looking forward to it! I don't know why it's not anything special, other than it means one more step in the right direction.

You know... one of the things I am struggling with is the need to share the heart of Ethiopia.

I sent the video in the previous post to the team. It was of Rwanda, but it could have been Ethiopia. The faces, the roads, the people the houses, the smiles.... those smiles of joy when they have so little. The friendships and sense of family they have when they have nothing else. Neighbors carrying their friends to the hospital. Strength and courage like we will never have to experience here. Also pain and despair....

It's a country of beauty and warmth. It's green and lush... dry and dusty.

Last night in our leadership training there was a quote about being 'super Christian'. I forget what it was exactly but it warned against this mentality. All I could think of was our team. Seeing us all flying into Ethiopia as "Super Christians" with our white capes trailing behind us.

While it's a funny visual ...it's NOT the mental picture I want us to have. We may be going to work and do some good but I plan to come away with, and learn so much more than what I went there with. I am not special or super good or better than anyone... I just hurt for those that are hurting. I want to make a relationship with the country that gave me my sons. I want to give back to her a tiny little piece of what she gave me. Heal a tiny little sliver of the hurt that she has endured.

I pray that those that come along are able to see the beauty that I see, not just the pain. I pray that like a stone makes ripples in the water, each person that comes back starts their own ripple effect....

Will you pray that with me?