Family Mission Trip

What if we could go on a family mission trip? What if our kids got involved in “missions” at an early age and what would the impact be for their lives as believers? What if we are obedient as a family to God’s call for each of us to go? Matthew 28:19-20. These are the questions Joey and I began to ask ourselves over the last year. Our home group read through Radical. A book that would transform how we thought about missions. We were wanting to "GO" last year but when I experienced 2 more ankle surgeries we learned we would have to wait for God's timing.

Like most parents, we wondered how we could go on a mission trip and how would we leave our children behind. We knew we wanted our kids to go with us. As parents we try to talk to our kids about how blessed their life is and even find ways for them to serve others. However, as parents we have spoiled them beyond measure and as parents we want to let them experience different realities more than we want them to get the next new video game. Our prayer was for a family mission trip. Husband and I have never been on a mission trip and knew it was something we wanted to experience together. Then the opportunity came to go with our faith family on a family mission trip to Belize. This will actually be the second time a group from our church will take families on a mission trip.

Our faith family partners with Light of the Valley school in Belize. Our family met David Rhodes the missionary we will be partnering with almost 2 years ago. He taught my children how to eat a banana upside down or right side up but they thought he was super fun. On this trip we hope to have VBS in the mornings with the kids at our partner school. VBS is dear to my heart here at our local church and I am excited to share that with the kids of Belize. We hope to provide some training for the teachers of the school. Most have a high school education and don’t get much training as far as teaching methods and classroom management. In the afternoons, our kids will spend time in the classrooms with the Belize students and the adults will work on projects at the school. One afternoon we will deliver rice and beans in a nearby village.

We are so excited about this opportunity for each of us to be used by our Heavenly Father. Most importantly, we need your support through prayer. We firmly believe that through prayer and faithfulness, all things are possible - Matthew 21:22. As you can imagine, a trip like this requires financial support from a number of people. We will be having fundraising opportunities to help with the financial cost. We look forward to seeing not only what God has in store for us but what He will teach us through this process.

If you'd like more information about our trip, or how to make a tax deductible donation, please send us an email mommyroachof2@gmail.com and please follow our journey on our blog.

LSU and Spooky Sliders

Since all I can hear about is LSU this week, here is my LSU recap. The boyfriend and I enjoyed a weekend away without kids in tow to LSU. And though the outcome of the game was less than desirable we had a great time. I got to meet the boyfriend's big boss, enjoy the biggest and fanciest tailgate of my life. Ate gumbo, gator and stuff that would make you scream "Geaux Tigers!" The overall fan base in Baton Rouge is a little scary. I would not say that most were hospitable. They love their purple and gold and EVERY single fan wears it from head to toe. I am use to the Plains where everyone says hey no matter what team you cheer for, where a handshake and a "good game" are often heard, where southern hospitality is the norm and dressing up like pimps is for Halloween not ballgames.

Speaking of Halloween we went low key this year. I cooked up some Spooky PW sliders before we left out the door and can I tell you, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. They were yummy. Don't skip a step. We went and visited family, home group leaders and close friends. My children only knocked on a few doors of people we did not know. Daughter rocked her costume and son is starting to be too cool or too big for costumes. Sad.

My Lunch Break

On husband's lunch break he loves on Lulu the dog. On my lunch break I love on our two kids and help mark their shirts for Track Attack!! I love my job. I love working with kids. I love the funny things they tell me. I love things they teach me. I love to hear them laugh. I love it when they give me a bear hug. I love it when they say "I saw you at the grocery store!" I love that they think I live at the school.
But I love it for these moments. For the moments I get to hug my own kids at school. For moments when they are still little enough to want to hug me at school. For moments when I hear "mommy" in the hallway and know it is mine.

Lunch Break Emails

Husband comes home for lunch now. We spoiled him this summer and would have his lunch ready for him. Now he has someone to spoil. He sends me pictures on his lunch break. He will send an email that says, "hurry home, she (not him) is lonely." "She is a digger."
"Your flip flops are toast."

Newest Little Roach: Lulu

I have another post about my recent trip to Baton Rouge but I needed to put out some happy first. You see if truth be known it probably was one of my most favoite weekends minus some hiccups. Me and my boyfriend. No kids. No kitchen. Hotel. Auburn footbal. New puppy. Those are all makings of perfection. We ended our weekend away at Arby's where all good puppies come from in the town of Grande Bay, AL. It was pretty much love at first site. I pleaded for the name. Lulu. (Winner J- Mo) If you have known me for a long time you know Lulu was my name growing up. Having a sister with also an M name made life difficult. One of us needed a nickname and since sister had her name painted on her glasses, I got the name LULU.

Lulu had a hard time getting comfortable on the long drive home. I mean can anyone with a tail do this? She is talented.

We made the 3 hour drive to Greenville and surprised two other little Roachs with the.best.present.ever.!

Even Tbone, sick with strep, gave a thumbs up to his new little friend. When I think about the trips to the creek the kids and her will take or the dips in the pool...my heart sings.

Then it was another couple of hours home to meet the brother dog. They did the smelling of the rear dance. Yoda is not really sure why Lulu cares so much about being friends. Yoda is a loner. And all the puppy hype is a bit overrated to him.

However, Lulu has started to make her mark. Just like with any new baby in the family we have big plans for her.

And just like a new baby, sleep is a process. But one thing is for sure...my heart she already has.

"Happiness is a warm puppy"- Charles M. Schulz

The legend of Stamps

I received word two weeks ago that Stamps aka Romeo of Roach Ranch was dead on the side of the road. I went to investigate after school but the crime scene had been cleaned up. I told Momma Kitty and her babies. We had visitation and tuna casseroles with milk. Momma Kitty was sad and even she disappeared a day in what I thought was a search and rescue operation. However, husband came inside the other night to inform me STAMPS is ALIVE.

I saw Stamps yesterday taking a nap by the pool. He has a swagger in his walk and I think he is nursing an injury. Mommy Kitty was licking his paws and seemed thankful her boyfriend had returned from the grave. If a cat has nine lives, I am pretty sure Stamps is on number 6. I am also pretty sure he and roaches will be the only thing that survives a nuclear bomb.

This will not make you cry, well maybe.

This baby will be picked up next weekend. Her current momma sends me pictures like this... It makes me want to drive right now and go get her.

Oh my, she is so sleepy. She needs me to rock her and give her a bottle. Oh wait, different baby. Fur included.

I think she smells the bacon we cooked for supper tonight.

Oh my goodness. I.AM.IN.LOVE.

She still needs a name.

If you pick the name I will send you a basket of sweet potatoes.