MSMissions

Taking middle schoolers on mission trips is life changing chaos. About 9 years ago, Greg decided that we would venture out on our first ever Middle school (junior high) only mission trip. We didn't leave the city of Arlington, but it felt like we were hundreds of miles away from our usual surroundings. Immersed in a culture many of our students had seen but never understood, we saw 7th and 8th grade students' lives completely transformed as they shared the gospel of Jesus with children in their own city. Many of those students are still very involved in missions to this day.

Each year brings on its own set of challenges. One year we ventured to San Antonio with our contact person not returning calls and Greg almost canceling the trip. Stepping out on faith (this included the parents staying behind), we voyaged on. God stretched ALL of us that week. I think that was the week we put "being like Gumby" to it's biggest test. After a week of service projects to feed the hungry, they had a greater understanding of just how blessed they were. They returned home talking about the mission trip and never mentioned their trip to the water park they had just left. Last year's group of students became so attached to the children we had to pry them them away with tears in their eyes. It truly was amazing to see their spiritual lives evolve over these past year.

This year was the youngest group we have ever taken on a mission trip. Mostly students made up of 6th graders with two 7th graders. We had our usual sleep deprived drama and goofy antics. Our students were stretched beyond what they thought they were capable and leaders emerge. As ever year before them, they came home changed forever by what they had done and the unsettling urge to return. Mission trips just seem to do that to a person, no matter the age. I look forward to seeing what God does with them this year and the hope of seeing them on mission next year. I am truly blessed to be married to a man who gets the importance of middle schoolers being on mission for our Lord. It's just another step in understanding their purpose on Earth- to bring glory to God.

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV84)

Spinach to cupcakes and thanks mom!

It has been said that we have THE most difficult job. While this might be true, I couldn't imagine a better job. I get the honor of watching two little people grow up and figure out life in this crazy world. I know there are struggles and sometimes they don't do what they should. Those are just the cooked spinach moments. We don't like it, we have to get through it, and it makes us stronger. But oh the sweet cupcake on the other side that is waiting. So, if your a mom eating cooked spinach…just hang on the dessert is coming.

Mom-thank you for showing me what it means to be a Godly mother. You completely understand what it means to give all of yourself in every area of life. You have helped to mold me into the strong, independent (yet submissive) mother that I am. Your examples of submission, compassion and love are embedded in the fabric of my being. Now, let's see if I can pass that on to my already independent daughter.

Mother in Law- thank you from the bottom of my heart for raising a son after God's heart. My prayers were answered the day we met. Thank you for the countless hours you poured into raising him. I know he must have seemed a bit misguided in his late teens, but look were he is now. He truly is the most incredible father (awe but that is for another day).

So, sometimes as moms we have to eat the spinach to get to the chocolate, but how sweet it is. I would eat all the spinach (I HATE cooked spinach) in the world knowing the sweet ah ha moments are always right there.

Cold Pink Blankie Memorial

It was a sad day in our house a little over a week ago. Last Wednesday, we walked in to Albertson's with Jayla's most favorite pink blanket and somehow walked out without it. We were not out more than two minutes before we were back in looking for it. The sacred "cold pink blankie" had vanished. We looked everywhere. I left my number with customer service. Jayla assured me that it would be ok and that she would just use her "stripe pink blankie.". Nevertheless, I was heart broken. That sweet thing has been around since the beginning of Jayla. I can not number the times it has provided comfort in the midst of chaos. GONE. What was I, I mean Jayla, going to do? How was she going to sleep without "cold pink blankie in a big square" touching her back?

Well, I'm happy to announce SHE has been completely fine with stripe pink blankie. I, however, need to let go.

We miss you Cold Pink Blankie. May you be doing good somewhere.

1 1/2 years in a nutshell

As I'm cleaning my kitchen I realized that I really haven't blogged since last November. So much has happened since then. I'll try to keep it brief.

The kids were sick Dec and Jan, we decided to build, had trouble getting a loan, Joshua turned 4, METRO, ran my first 5k in 10 years, Greg got a year older, got a loan, built a house (during summer which was insane), moved into the beautiful house, Joshua started preschool, Jayla turned 3(that's been interesting), celebrated 7 years with my great husband at cirque du soleil (Christina came all the way from Dallas to watch J&J), Mom and Dad came for Christmas, I got a year older, Valentine's day at home with the kids, Joshua turned 5(oh my baby boy is 5), and back to METRO.

Now, you're all caught up. Today we running in the Stockwell 5k. Maybe I'll have something interesting to share.

Until then…stay Anchored.

Blogging on the road

So I just learned today that Blogger has finally developed an app for iPhone while I was reading a Twitter post via Facebook. Ten years ago that sentence would have been a foreign statement. I don't think I could have imaged that I could write (type) while on the road from Florida to Louisiana on my phone in the car for the world to see instantly. Ten years ago I did not even text and thought typing on a phone was a crazy concept and that it was much faster just to pick up the phone and call a person. Suddenly, phones got smarter and people got dumber. Our phones serenade, remind, take pictures, make us creative, correct our spelling, give us directions, make dinner arrangements, instantly connect us to each other and put a world of information literally right at our finger tips. Now if I could just get my phone to do dishes, laundry, and floors I would be set. In the meantime, I will be doing blogging from my tiny computer in the palm of my hand.

On the road.