The Truth

I went with my friend the other night to plan out the VBS for Belize. Simple logistics. We will essentially divide the kids into groups of 100. Different groups will come on different days. Each group will get to do two days of VBS. The older group of kids will do worship and spend one morning with us talking about service and essentially train them to help some with the younger groups. We were making plans. I love a plan. I love a spreadsheet. I like organization. But I also know that we when arrive we might scratch these plans. Working in kids ministry on Sunday morning is the same way. Always having a plan and then being smart enough to change when you need to. My friend has a law about being FLEXIBLE. Even with Wednesday night suppers we have to be flexible. Change the plan. Move food. Plan for more. (FYI - you don't want to miss this coming up Wednesday night - Chicken Fingers, Green beans, Mashed Potatoes and Banana Pudding! RSVP right here!)

My prayer has been that God would prepare my heart for this trip. The other night as we sat to look at what 2 days of VBS should we do, my heart was broken. Each day of VBS in the Group Curriculum (what we use at our home church)uses a bible truth and then builds on that truth all day. Having worked in VBS before, I never looked at those truths with the eyes of who is hearing this message. Yet that night in a coffee house, I looked at those truths and thought which one do they need to hear? The child that has one piece of paper for a day's work at school. The child who hunts for food before walking to school. The child who eats one meal a day at the school. The child that refuses to eat the meal provided by the school because their family at home is not eating. The child who has no walls on his home.

What truth would you tell that child?

You would not read them them any book on the NY Times Best Seller list.

You would not give them a 12 step program to be a better whatever.

The only hope and the only thing you can share and have to share is Jesus.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Birthdays, Pancakes and School Supplies

January is flying by. Little bit turned 7. She celebrated with a few friends and family at Sip and Strokes. It was a sweet birthday.

We are 53 days away from Belize. My heart might explode because I am so excited. We had a pancake breakfast and raised over 2,000 dollars for our team. Lots of people came out and showed the love.

And yes, Maddog and Husband are starting to look alike.

Our mission team is getting really good at serving food. We are helping out on Wednesday nights and serving dinner before church. Plates are 5 dollars and families don't exceed 20 dollars. The proceeds go to support our mission trip. The idea is that different teams will serve and each month or so different mission teams will be able to raise some support and tell others about their mission! I love the idea. If you would like to RSVP for dinner click here and come eat! Tomorrow night is Taco Night!

There are so many cool things going on with our trip as we prepare to go. The biggest question I am asked lately is "what do we need?" I am so glad you asked! We are packing a pallet of goods to ship to Belize so we don't have to pack it all in our suitcase. This is really a huge blessing to even be able to ship. There are lots of items you can help send to the children of Belize.

Here is a portion of an email from one of the teachers:

stickers- for 100%, good behavior, perfect attendance, etc & personal that i can use)* pencils-(the decorative kind that children can get as a reward)* other little gifts that i can give for the well behaved children, etc* library books for infant2 (grade 2) level* and whatever personal or school stuff you think i can use hope this is not too much. and i asked the teachers if they had any specific prayer request and the most needed is for our school and the children. thank you and God bless. Love, Miss Lucy

We will be packing these items on February 6th. We will also be shipping chewable vitamins. NOT GUMMY vitamins. If you would like to contribute in any way I will be happy to arrange a way to pick up the items.

I want to say thank you in advance. Already we have watched our friends and family love and support this mission trip. God has used each one of you and we are so humbled to be such a small part of His master plan.

Pancakes for Belize

We are 67 days away from our trip to Belize. Notice my cute little countdown clock that sweet Laura will love. We are going with a team of 19 different people. Some of these people might be my favorite people on the planet and some I am just having the opportunity to get to know. This Saturday we are having a pancake breakfast to help raise money for the team. If you love pancakes and sausage come enjoy all you can eat for a 5 dollar donation at the Applebee’s in Pelham. I have tickets available or you can make a donation at the door.

When: Saturday, January 14, 2012
Where: Pelham Location — HWY 119
Cost: $5.00 Donation Per Ticket
Time: 8:00-10:00am

When is that last time you went out for breakfast? When is the last time you ate syrup for a good cause? The added bonus of coming is that I will serve you. Now some of you might not know but I was a waitress in college and I have hidden skills. Don't miss showing the love and enjoying some pancakes.

Happy New Year

We went on a walk around the farm today to walk off all the lunch we ate.

Some of us went on a run.
Husband who prefers to not to communicate as much as me is apparently at home with the bovine community. They connect on a different level.



I love a new year. A fresh start. A reflection. A new beginning. But the past is always there. A road that got you where you are today. It doesn't matter if the road is ugly, wide, narrow or long. It was meant to be. And forgiveness makes the future bigger.

This is my great grandfather's 1949 tractor. Legend has it he called her "Allie Cat" with great affection. To me it is a reminder of the past and a story of the future.

“Looking back you realize that a very special person passed briefly through your life- and it was you. It is not too late to find that person again.” Robert Brault

I am pretty sure that girl I am looking for is somewhere on this farm. Somewhere in between the little girl that ran to the creek barefoot and the momma who calls for her children to come in and do homework.

So I have some New Year's resolutions up my sleeve. But if I share them they might not come true. So I will take some advice from Lulu. I am going to do what I love more.

I am going to learn how to take soak up the blessings before me.

I am going to try something new and let the wind blow in my face.

I pray you all have a wonderful and blessed 2012.