Happy New Year from Ireland!

Happy New Year! We just got back from a friend's house in Ireland celebrating the New Year! It was so much fun. The neighbors at the house we are staying at and the OM team have been so lovely in making us feel welcome and taking care of us.

We left on the 29th. We were organized and worked hard up until the moment we left but due to luggage weight restrictions we worked up until then switching around items to make the luggage weigh the correct amount. We were able to get all the belongings we planned to take to Ireland in our luggage and did not have to ship anything! What a blessing! We were able to fit in toys for Griffin and a baby doll and baby doll stroller for Ruthie, and clothes for each of them to grow into. We are excited about that.

At the airport the luggage was right on the spot of the max amount that it could weigh! What a blessing! I could not imagine trying to figure out what not to take or what to switch because I spent so much time weighing and packing that I did not know what was where to be able to switch around!!!! We had a very sweet woman that checked us in. I did a Stacy Cochran prayer, "God please give us someone that is nice, and not a moron!" or as Pastor Johnny would pronounce "Moe-ron". I laugh everytime I hear that word.

Well back to the subject. We had people that were so sweet in helping us and getting us into special lines for families with strollers and medication. We had Ruthie's Ibuprofen with us since she just got over an ear infections and had her 9 month and 12 month vaccines the day we left-I'll explain that one later. Poor girl. She has done well and had no fever.

We had to leave the house undone. Thank you so much to Jenny Bagby, Jenny Iglesias and Trina Slatton for coming and finishing cleaning the house, carpets and taking out the trash. I am so overwhelmed to have these 3 women in my life that will come and do what they did. Thank you Todd Bagby for taking care of Griffin Monday. That was such a blessing for him to spend that precious time with Grant.

I have not cried for the longest time about leaving friends or family because we have been on survival mode and have been looking forward to getting to Ireland just to be able to settle as we have been living out or suitcases, etc for a while. However when we got to the airport and finally got settled I felt like I just had to call my family one, then two last times. I am sure the people around me probably thought what in the world was wrong with that woman! I called my grandmother (92) to talk to her but they could not wake her up she was so tired. It is just as well, I was a blubbering idiot. I did call her today and told her how much I love her, and was in much better state of mind (me that is-she is always in the right mind).

The plane trip was 8 hours but it felt like it only took 4-what a blessing from God. The flight was not full so we could move around. Ruthie only slep 2 hours but was good for the rest. She was so tired she was a little fussy but not screaming. The plane smelled like a liquor store and most everyone seemed pretty much passed out, so it did not appear as though she was disturbing anyone. The flight attendants were great and we hung out in the back with them a bit. Griffin kicked me in the head several times in his sleep, one sent my earring flying. Ludie was wonderful helping with the kids but Ruthie was so sleepy she only wanted mama. It is just as good, so one of us could get some sleep and deal with the kids when we got off the plane.

Immigration was very slow compared to usual. It took us a little less than an hour to go through, but they were friendly as always. We got out there and got our luggage right before they were to haul it away for being on the carousel for so long. Thank the Lord we got there in time before having to go through that hassle. We then got in the minivan where our luggage miraculously fit with no room to spare. I vaguely remember leaving Dubline where they had a coloring book for Griffin and grapes for us to eat. Oh the best grapes ever! Then I woke up right outside Roscommon. It was wonderful. I felt like, "Oh we are finally home!".

We got to the house. It was not too cold outside, but the problem was the heat in the house was off. We had the key to the house but no one on the team had an extra key to be able to get in to turn on the heat. Oh my goodness, it was cold. That was hard being tired and cold but we were so happy to be there it did not matter. Mary Wallace from church is on the team and was so nice to let us borrow her car and house while we are here.

Griffin and I went to play with the dogs outside and met the neighbor, Orla. She is so sweet. She found out we were waiting for the house to heat so she invited us in to have tea and biscuits (cookies). After Ruthie had 5 I had to cut her off. Orla knew we were coming and so she bought some chocolate Santa's for Ruthie and Griffin. How sweet. Pria, the other neighbor made us some curry chicken. Junior from the team brought over groceries. Katherine came by and brought maps of the city, library hours and other information on the area, as well as DVD's and toys for Griffin. Alastair, the accountant of the team, brought some money for us to survive on and visited with Helen and the kids...finally....bed. AHHHH!

Ruthie slept for 15 hours. 15! I should have slept that that long too but I kept checking on her to make sure she was not feverish and was breathing well. When she woke up she ate so much oatmeal and drank a whole sippy cup full of juice. I woke up and have never experienced jet lag coming to Ireland, only going West to the US. Well it hit hard this time. I just got out of the shower, did not dry my hair and went to bed again. I did not wake up until 11 am (Ireland is 5 hours ahead). I slept through Katherine coming over and checking on us. She showed Ludie how to make tea (we had to be taught how to boil water) :) She is so sweet and we are overwhelmed at everyone's kindness and generosity. I do not know what was in the tea Katherine made but I have been great since.

We went to town today. We found out instead of making 20 turns we only had to go straight and make one turn to get to our destination. We know the city much better now! Ruthie got a good nap in adn we got to see the Garda (police) outside the bank waiting with their AK-47's for a money delivery. You know me, I usually wave and smile when we pass people. I did not wave this time. Yes I still smiled. We toured the town, fun but unintentionally and made it to the toy store, our intedended destination. They were having a 50% off sale so we took the kids and got them a toy each as a welcome to Ireland gift. That was so fun. The toy store had an upstairs. (Just like 2 stores in one-in Griffin's mind). We then ate lunch, and Griffin loved the food. They even had a Cajun sandwich. Cajun in Ireland. Things are going to be okay! We then went to the grocery store. Great selection, and found the diapers ("nappies"). We got tea so we would be ready for visitors now. Great day!

And now to finish the day we celebrated New Years at Junior and Luci's house and had a great time with them and some of the team. I so love these people and they are so welcoming. How in the world can you come to a foreign country and feel at home? I know that someday I will wake up and think, what am I doing here and how can I go home.

I am thankful to God for a first great day, and people that are loving surrounding us. I am thankful to God for my precious family, my wonderful husband that is my hero, and two great kids that make life so much fun.

I then put our 6 year old to bed at 1:30 am, told him "Goodmorning, now go to sleep". The thought that was funny. When I said "Goodnight" walking out of the room, he replied, "goodmorning"...to which we both laughed. Ruthie was in the playpen on top of her doll, snoring. We finished the night by calling mom and dad, along with the Bagby's and wishing them a Happy New Year, and missing the annual Mirramont Cajun Christmas Tree lighting, and the 20foot plus flame that goes along with it. And now my dear friends, it is 2:30 am and I am off to bed. Happy New Years to you in the next 2 1/2 hours.

Jump Around

This is going to jump around a bit as I am tired and am trying so summarize some things too quickly. I will take time to make a more coherent entry later.

Hello All! I hope you are doing well. I am sorry the posts have been few and far between. We have had at least one person sick in the house each week since the week before Thanksgiving. I was just thinking that this has been the best year in wellness for our family that I did not remember any major sickness. Oh my! Well I have been humbled and have learned to ask for help and rely on friends.

The countdown is on. tomorrow is Ludie's last day of work before we get to Ireland. I am so thankful. Both kids have bronchiollitis. I have started keeping a list of when I gave which kid which medicine and have the medicines labeled as to which Ibuprofen is for which kid. So we would appreciate prayers for a virus free house! I am so thankful though that the breathing treatment medicine for Ruthie was only $4! Wow!

I cannot tell you how blessed we are and how many blessings we have seen while here. God has shown us many things. Just some neat things that have happened. In preparing to go to Ireland I have prayed that God would send us curriculum for Griffin for homeschooling. It is overwhelming to pick that out normally without everything else that is going on. I did not tell anyone I was praying for that. God provided it through a lady at church. Then I was praying for a jacket for Griffin for Ireland. One of my friends slipped us some money just for that purpose.

Another wonderful thing to experience is blessing others. For instance. I needed to store my sewing machine with someone, and asked God to place a person on my heart that could use it while we were in Ireland. I called one of my friends who was just planning on buying one, she was so amazed at how God provided it in just the right timing. We also had a tent-tube plaything (I don't know exactly what you call them) but it is too big and heavy to take to Ireland. When going to a friends house the other day I felt like I should take it with me over there. She was almost in tears. She wanted to buy one for her son for Christmas but did not have enough money left in the budget to do so. This is also a couple that needed encouragement that God will provide in unusual, and unexpected ways.

I am not talking about prosperity...I am just talking about the little ways that God provides for us and does little things that are big to us. Those little things that remind us that He is there...that He loves us...that He cares about even our littlest needs-reminding us to trust Him with those and also the big ones.

One thing I am learning is to rest in Him. That He is in control. That I don't need to fret about decisions as long as I am seeking Him and doing the best I know how to live in His will. I am so thankful that He is in control. I don't do well in the driver's seat.

Prayer requests: That we can get the house packed up this week, that we will all be well for Christmas and most of all for the transition of flying to our new home.

I thank God for you. Thank you for your prayers. Keep looking for postings and feel free to contact us.

Great Christmas GiveAway

Click HERE for the Proverbs 31 Christmas GiveAway.

We have tickets!!!!

Thanks to all of you for your prayers! We have tickets to go Eastbound on the 29th! Praise the Lord!!! We are so excited! What a whirlwind these holidays are going to be!

I am so excited we get to celebrate Ruth Anne's first birthday with both sets of grandparents, and we get to spend the holidays with them!!!

We will be arriving to the Emerald Isle just in time for settling a little bit and then we will be off to Germany for training mid-January and finally, FINALLY we will be able to start establishing roots at the end of January.

That means only a couple weeks to do the Christmas shopping, the whirlwind tour and leave town. We love you all dearly, but I've got to get moving!

What is to come?

Just an update. We are still here. There may be a lease opportunity coming up that would allow us to be on the field by the beginning of the year, Lord willing. We would covet your prayers on this situation. Thank you for all that have supported us through prayer, financial support, and the blessings you have given us while we are here. God is so good and takes care of the smallest of details. Thank you for being a blessing!

Sacred Marriage

I have a new favorite verse (I write while grinning like a mule eating briars). It is Deut. 24:5 "If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married." How did I miss that verse before?

I am reading the book: Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. I have to admit it is a slow start in the first chapter but I am really enjoying chapter 2-4. It is a book that cuts to the chase and past all the fluff. It is not a book that gives you 10 steps to a better marriage or some other self help book. Thank goodness! Like we need any more of those!

One thing Sacred Marriage talks about in the beginning is that love is not a feeling, it is a choice. Loving someone is something that goes beyond the feeling of infatuation. "Love is not a natural response that gushes out of us unbiddend. Infatuation sometimes does that-at the beginning of a relationship at least-but hate is always ready to naturally spring forth." How true is that? I have no problem reacting quickly and spewing out hurtful words, but it takes an effort to bite my tongue and respond in love and respect.

The book reflects on the Scripture in Matthew 22:34-40 where we are not to just love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength but we must also love others. To become more like Christ (sanctification) is the journey of loving others and the unlovable-which may at times be your spouse (or for your spouse-you).

One point Gary Thomas makes that I have not contemplated before but makes sense is that along with our call to love others-even our enemies, to utter the words "The truth is, I have never loved you," are self condemning words for a Christian. By saying that you have not loved someone is an utter failure to love as Christ has called us to. Therefore by saying this, you are essentially saying: "I've never acted like a Christian." (41).

Another thought to ponder is this: Jesus told us to love others. The cool thing about marriage is that we actually got to choose whom we are going to love for the rest of our lives. God offers marriage as an opportunity not as a command. Because we get the choice and then find it difficult to carry out the love in practice, what grounds do we have to ever stop loving?

Let me end by saying, I am madly in love with the man I married, and had I the opportunity to do it all over again I would in a heartbeat.

Free photobook from snapfish

To get an offer on a free photobook from snapfish click HERE offere expires Nov 22nd. Thanks Penny for the heads up on this!

So why am I anxious and grumpy?

Today was a great day. The day started with blueberry pancakes-always a good start to the day. Then I watched some Andy Griffith with Griffin and we made a model clay ship. Then it was time to go to the church to plant flowers for the bench at Kidzstock. I came home, we had someone come and look at the house (no news yet), but an answer to prayer, and then I got to rock my baby to sleep, take a nap, have supper brought home by my wonderful husband and son, hang out and then put the kids to bed. By the time the kids got in bed I felt like running, getting out of the house, taking a bubble bath, or just escaping somehow...just an AAAHHH I need time to myself kind of moment. How on earth could I be feeling this way with such a great day?

Then it hit me. Today was harder than I let on-to myself. Today we planted bushes at a bench in Kidzstock. It is a bench that faces the cross on top of the church. There are two plaques there. One signifying that this bench is there in honor of Jesus Christ through Whom our faith rests that we as moms will see our little ones in heaven someday. The Scripture on the second plaque is Isaiah 61:1-3-Jesus's mission statement.

I really don't know what to say. There we were. Our mentor mom from MomCare, (She lost her first child right after birth. She is now a mother of 7 and a grandmother), my friend Andrea (who just lost one of her twins in September, and has the other twin at home doing great and gaining weight), Allison (pregnant and due in January), Sherry (it was her 40th birthday today, is blessed by 2 great boys), two boys (Suzanne's son and Sherry's son) and me (I have lost 5 babies through miscarriage and have been abundantly blessed by 2 precious children).

Going through the grieving process with Andrea is hard. I would not want to do anything else in the world but walk through it with her. One thing that I really could relate to is the statement she made that Matthew was not a mistake. I echo that sentiment LOUDLY. We don't always understand why, but we know that no baby is a mistake. God does not make mistakes.

Just to see what she is going through and having to wait on God to work on her heart (and mine) is hard. My heart hurts for her.

I heard Lori Apon, a widowed mother of eight say a couple of years ago, "God is good, even when we don't understand what good is." When Lori, Suzanne, or Mary Madeline Whittinghill talk, I listen. And that is a good statement that is true and I will cling to. There are many things I don't understand. But I know He is good. He has proven that to me over and over and over. Not just through His word (as if that is not enough) but through my personal relationship with Him. Like John said at Matthew's funeral, this walk of Faith is not a faith that is convenient, or easy, but it is one that works. That is the only faith that offers a solution and a hope. That is what makes it different from all other religions. John was much more eloquent.

Jesus is not a way, but the way. If you do not know Him or the hope that comes only through Him but would like to talk more about it I would love to hear from you. If you are unsure or whether you would go to heaven or not when you die, or are struggling with anything regarding this I would love to talk to you.

Ludie and I always say there are no coincidences. Just to show how good God really is, He allowed us to see the first person that He was ministered to through the project (for lack of a better term). There was a lady that had a baby die of SIDS that found out what we were doing and came to talk to us. There is more to that story but I noticed that she took a picture of us on the bench with our shovels, with her own camera and not just the one we brought to commemorate the occasion. Maybe a small part of the healing process for her, and one for me. God is so good to allow us to see that.

The fund to minister to moms going through this is the Matthew Miller Fund (named after John and Andrea's son that went to be with the LORD September, 25, 2008. If you would like to find out more info, you can contact me. If you would like to contribute, you can make a check payable to FBCW and put Matthew Miller Fund on the memo line. Address info to send the check can be found at FBCW.org.

Aren't you glad?

"If you treat a man as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become the bigger and better man." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Aren't you glad God treats us like the children He designed us to be and not the ones we have been?

What kind of person do I want to be?...and impulse shopping.

Shelley Hendrix and I were talking one day last summer about what kind of mom and wife we want to be and don't want to be. I really love Shelley because she is down to earth. I can not see her for six months and feel that we can pick up right where we left off. I never leave her presence without being encouraged. God has made Shelley wise beyond her years. I truly believe she is this generations next Beth Moore. And I also love that she can find cool clothes from the thrift store that looks like she is the one setting the trend. (I love your $2 striped pants-you go girl!). Back to the point....

Shelley told me that a wise woman once told her. What you focus on is what you will become. For instance, if you continually focus on what you don't want to be, then you will take on the traits of what you really do not want. However if you focus on what you do want to be, then you will take on those traits.

So before this starts to sound like a self help writing, I will let you know that I turned to the Bible to see what God's views on a good model for a woman are. The first thing that I turned to is Proverbs 31:10-31. So now I am working on memorizing those verses. I want to understand those verses better and have them written on my heart. Right now I am at vs. 19 and feel like my brain is at it's capacity. :)

One of the verses I am completely in awe of is the one that says: "She considers a field and buys it, with her profits she plants a vineyard". Wow this verse says a lot. This woman first of all, is not an impulse shopper. She does not do what is right just because it seems like a good thing to do but really thinks about it before she acts. I have really been convicted and failed some tests over the years of jumping at opportunities because they seemed like the right thing to do, however I did not stop to seek if they were God's will for my life. We won't go down the rabbit trails that that kind of thinking has taken me on. I still jump at great things sometimes, but am a lot slower to do so and prayerfully consider my steps before doing so. One other cool point I found in just pondering this verse is that she did not go into debt to make money eventually, she managed her money well and expanded based on her profits. She did not put her family in jeopardy by unwisely investing. I say this could be applied not only to money but time and energy.

Origin of Halloween and Halloween Costumes

Griffin asked me about why we celebrate Halloween and dress up in costumes. I did not know the answer so I looked on the internet. The following information comes from http://www.wilstar.com/holidays/hallown.htm.

Halloween is an annual celebration, but just what is it actually a celebration of? And how did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual?

The word itself, "Halloween," actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic
day of observance in honor of saints. But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday was called Samhain (sow-en), the Celtic New year.

One story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed to be their only hope for the afterlife. The Celts believed all laws of space and time were suspended during this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living.

Naturally, the still-living did not want to be possessed. So on the night of October 31, villagers would extinguish the fires in their homes, to make them cold and undesirable. They would then dress up in all manner of ghoulish costumes and noisily paraded around the neighborhood, being as destructive as possible in order to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess.

Probably a better explanation of why the Celts extinguished their fires was not to discourage spirit possession, but so that all the Celtic tribes could relight their fires from a common source, the Druidic fire that was kept burning in the Middle of Ireland, at Usinach.

Some accounts tell of how the Celts would burn someone at the stake who was thought to have already been possessed, as sort of a lesson to the spirits. Other accounts of Celtic history debunk these stories as myth.

The Romans adopted the Celtic practices as their own. But in the first century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of some of the other Roman traditions that took place in October, such as their day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, which might explain the origin of our modern tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.

The thrust of the practices also changed over time to become more ritualized. As belief in spirit possession waned, the practice of dressing up like hobgoblins, ghosts, and witches took on a more ceremonial role.

The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potato famine.

Smelly Stuff-House Fragrance

What an interesting topic from the Creech Family! We won't go there...
in homeschool this week with Griffin we have been talking about the 5 senses. The sense of smell is the one sense that is strongest in bringing back memories. Whenever I smell coffee and bacon cooking, it instantly takes me back to Aunt Jane's house. Oh she can cook so good!!!!

I walked to my friend, Debbie Johnson's house and was invited by the cozy, holiday smell of warm cinnamon. We started talking about how plug in fragrances are not as strong after they have been in a while. I know that from working on the hog farm-not a good smell-that after smelling something for a while you become accustom to it and don't smell it or at least not the intensity of it anymore. Anyway, plug-ins are expensive and not as effective as I think they used to be. I asked Debbie what she used, she said she just boiled cinnamon on the stove. It was cheap and smelled so good.

Ludie is out this moning so I have boiled some cinnamon and cloves. We'll see what he says when he walks in.

PS. Look on the Hispanic (Mexican) Aisle of the grocery store for spices. You can find many of the same spices (i.e Cinnamon) at a cheaper price.

Not yet

It hasn't happened yet. The house is still for lease. We got a call this morning saying that they were not going to go through with the lease. Keep praying and if anyone wants to lease the house, call us or email us!!!!

God's Blessings

I cannot tell you why we did not leave for Ireland on our intended date, put I do know our steps are ordered by the Lord. As my dear friend Trina says, if our steps are ordered by the Lord then our stops are too. I do know that our stop has enabled several blessings.

Some more blessings from this week, are that we got to travel to Parris Island to see my brother-in-law, Claude graduate from Marine boot camp and is now a Marine. I am so proud of him. He had every opportunity to make bad choices in his life and yet he chose one of honor, an answer to prayer.

We also got to participate in the Love Loud project at our church. In this project our Sunday School Class (Davis) went to the Little River Mobile Home Park and had a yard sale to the people of the park (free sale), while there they had the opportunity to get lunch, have free hair cuts, face painting, a puppet show, pick up school supplies, music from Seth Condrey in Spanish, clowns for the kids, and a Spanish presentation of the gospel. The thing is we went to help them, and to my embarrassment, I came with preconceived judgment and expectations. It was there that while talking with the people there I realized they only took what they needed, and probably not enough. They were not taking the food that we had for them to take home, but realized if I handed it out they would take it. While handing out the bread I felt God talking to my heart reminding me that we are not there just to hand out bread but to be the hand of God, and through that love giving the bread of life. I teared up overwhelmed that
God would allow me to do that even when I came with a dark heart, He still chose to use me, and in the process changed my heart. There are many other blessings but I am just thankful to have God work in my heart.

The song playing when you log on is my favorite song to listen to in the morning when I wake up. I cannot live on yesterday's close walk with God. That was yesterday. Today I need him, and if I do not seek Him, I fail to grow and stay at the same spot of spiritual growth. In my devotions, God showed me that those who succeeded at being close to the Lord and therefore successful in following Him were those that set their minds to seek Him.

Today we celebrated our son's 6th birthday. He is such a blessing. Yesterday was his birthday, and we gave him some cheap but fun gifts yesterday just so he would get something on his birthday, and give him his main gift today at his party. Would you believed he loved those gifts? Never once complained, never once expressed disappointment that he wanted anything else, and was so excited to get them. He also astounded me at the mobile home park when we went to work with the families there. I thought he would just run around and play. He asked how he could help. He wanted to help sort the toys (did not ask for one on his birthday), he wanted to help blow up balloons and even asked how else he could help. It is only by the grace of God to have a son so thoughtful. It is not after his mama because I tend to naturally think of only myself and how to protect what I have. God is slowly showing me how to live with my hands open and not closed. Like our pastor says, He cannot bless us if we are not living with our hands open to give back to Him what He so graciously gave to us, if our hands are closed grasping onto our blessings and not trusting Him with them.

Someone came by the house today and is interested in leasing based on the terms we set forth. If all goes well then we should be out by the end of the week. I pray that if this is God's will He will allow it to happen and if it is not, that the door will slam shut. Thank you for your prayers.

I called to tell my best friend the good news but burst out crying as the phone was ringing. I don't think I will ever be ready to say goodbye.

I know this is all a lot of news and jumping from subject to subject but there is a lot going on right now. A lot of great stuff that only God could do and opportunities that only He could create.

Lots Going On.-Matthew Miller-Love Loud.

Well it has been a busy past two weeks. I have not been going to bed before midnight-which is late for me. I prefer 9 hours sleep. HA! I really just find it hard getting organized and keeping the house and family running. I know that this is just a different time in our lives. It is not a normal season, but we have been living in this season of transition in our lives for so long it is starting to feel like normal.

I have to admit I have been indulging in some Barbara time and reading a book that a friend gave me a year ago. Why did I wait so long to read it? It is Wild Heatherby Catherine Palmer. The first two chapters were a little dry but after that I could not put it down. I even locked myself in the bathroom for 10 minutes of uninterrupted reading-a mommy trick that I hear is very common.

The biggest news that happened is that Griffin prayed with Ludie. On September 28th, 2008 Griffin. I really feel that God has used his memory verses from the SPARKS program at church to work on his heart. On is James 2:10 "For whoever shall keep the whole law, And yet stumble in one point, He is guilty of all." Another big verse God has used in his life is Acts 16:31 "Believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." He believes on the Lord Jesus (not just in-even the demons believe in Him, but on is to trust in Him) and repented (turned from wanting to do as he pleases and surrendering to do what God wants him to-turning away from sin and to God). Ludie got to baptize him. I don't think there is anything more precious than seeing your children saved. It is something I have wanted for him for so long, but I cannot do it for him. It is a work God must do in his heart and he choses to accept it or not.

We are waiting for our house to sell or lease. If you know of anyone interested in either please send them our way! Click on the link to the right to view our house. I have to admit, since we neutralized the walls it has taken our own personal touch out. I have had the overwhelming urge to decorate and create a home. God has had to redefine my definition of making a home. I have had to go from a house that looks like a Southern Living Magazine to one that is filled with love and laughter. I knew that before but there is a difference of a conception and carrying that out when you are in a setting that you would not normally be. Does that make sense or am I just rambling since it is after 10pm?

I cannot tell you why we are still here. Only God can answer that. I know beyond a doubt that we are called to Ireland, but only God knows the timing and why. He has been gracious to show us benefits and give us blessings of being here as well as remove some dross too.

One blessing is extra time to be with our wonderful family and friends. We got to spend a couple days with my 91 year old grandmother. What a treasure! To talk to a godly woman. Find out what her wishes for future generations are, what her favorite Bible verse is, her views on life and to hear her wisdom. I am so grateful for a husband that asks her such wonderful questions when I was paralyzed with the thought that this may be the last chance I get to see her this side of heaven since we are planning on God answering our prayers about leaving for Ireland soon. She is in great health, but she is also 91 (92 on Nov 15th). It was so amazing that I know God really did bless that time.

Another blessing is that it has been a blessing to be a blessing. I say this only because there is no good in me. The only good in me is that which comes from God. Recently a friend that has grown dear to me has lost one of her precious twins. We have had 5 miscarriages but none to term. Each person's road is different but I cannot imagine going through what this family has gone through. It is amazing to see God's grace at work in the good but even moreso in the hard. A dear lady I admire, a widow and mother of 8 once said, "God is good, even when we don't understand what good is." Due to the sustaining hand of God and ability to heal and restore my heart through the our children going to be with the Lord, God has given me a heart to reach out to women that are hurting through the grief of the loss of their children. This past week we have been approved to establish a Matthew Miller fund. Below is part of a proposal that was approved by our church to reach out to hurting moms in the church and in the community.

God’s word says in Isaiah 61 (Jesus’ mission statement):
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me, To preach good tidings to the poor; H has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, …To comfort all who mourn …To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

In our church/community playground there is a bench facing the cross on the worship center with plaques to show that this bench is dedicated to the glory of God, a place to honor the healing of our hearts as moms that have lost children through the healing touch of Jesus Christ. We are now going to plant perennials around the bench to give it some small privacy and also be a beautiful reflection place.

The Matthew Miller Fund (in honor of John and Andrea Miller's son) is being established through the MomCare ministry of our church to have bricks engraved with the names of babies and the dates they were born into the presence of their Savior.
This could also lead the women that are going through a grieving process to the opportunity to be loved on by the MomCare ladies.

We have also been approved to write a devotional regarding Gods healing through such circumstances. These would be available to anyone in the church to give to anyone that is going through a time such as this in their life in the church or in the community.

The bench would be an outreach to the community. We could work through the Sunday School classes to let their neighborhoods know that the bench is at the church playground, and have this as an outreach to the community.

Therefore...anyone interested in writing a devotion and emailing it to me I would appreciate it. Or if you would like to donate money to the Matthew Miller Fund to have a reserve for bricks, just make your check payable to the church and then ear mark it Matthew Miller Fund and put it in the offering plate. Any Home Depot gift certificates or Pikes gift certificates would be welcome. I don't think it will cost over $100 to plant around the bench.

Happy Birthday and Praise the Lord!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. I think the older he gets the more attractive he gets. (as I seem to have to use more moisturizer everyday) :) I just love birthdays. We usually don't have a birth-day but a birth-month in our house. what is so neat is that Griffin, our son is more excited than I am about making this special for him. We are making a triple layer German Chocolate Cake, and painted the back sliding glass doors. Woo hoo!

Praise the Lord that we are fully supported to go to Ireland! All we are waiting on is our house to sell, or lease. For a virtual tour click on the link to the right. Thank you to all of you that have made this possible. We are pratically packed and just waiting to go. Your prayers for the house to sell or lease would be appreciated, as our health insurance coverage runs out the end of September.

What is your pirate name?

I am Dirty Morgan Flint. Apparently when I am out to sea too long I have brought my perfume with me to cover the smell before I am thrown overboard. The rest of the story: Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr! Griffin is the fighting pirate: "Bloody William Flint". Apparently he takes after his mama.

To find your pirate name click on the following link. Pirate Quiz. If your computer will not allow you to do that, to to piratequiz.com

Little Moments

My favorite thing to do is hang out with my husband in the evenings, drink coffee and act silly. Love you Hon.

The Next Step

I am a planner by nature. As soon as I learned to write I remember making lists and finding comfort in them . Lists have served me well over the years. Being a planner I also like to set goals and timelines. When I was in college I remember buying a florescent pink poster board that I wrote my life goals and timeline. This was during my decision making process in trying to decide whether I should go on to Vet School or get a Masters in Nutrition (Swine Nutrition). Mind you, I am from NC and pigs are the #1 agricultural income in livestock. That is another story on it's own, a smelly one.

On that timeline I had written when I planned to get my MS, my PhD, get married and when kid #1 and kid #2 would come. I look back and thank God that my life did not occur as I had planned it. I did complete my masters in Swine Nutrition, and got married to the love of my life during the middle of completing my degree, but the rest did not go as planned and I thank God for that.

Through God's plan, He has taught me that I should seek Him first (when I do not seek Him first is when things get messed up). The path He leads me on is not always easy. It has been full of many trials and heartache, but through those paths He has taught me several things. Some of which are: God is good, no matter what my understanding of good is (quoted from Lori Apon, taught to me by God). Never question in the dark, what I've learned in the light (quoted by Johnny Hunt, taught to me by God). Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted-literal meaning crushed into pieces (quoted by God in the book of Isaiah, taught to me by God), His word is completely real and true, every word of it and therefore I can rely fully on His promises (taught by God in the Bible and through life experiences), He is Who He says He is. Any security I have other than that in God is only perception and not real. God is the one in control, He is the good and allows the bad in order to teach us, draw us closer or to teach others through our trials. He is my Rock and Fortress.

Right now, we are getting a lot of questions: "Why are you still here?", "I thought you were supposed to be in Ireland", "What are you going to do when you get back?". My answer is, "We are waiting on God". If He showed me the map and timeline, I would trust those and not Him. Right now, we are to wait until He sells the house, unless He leads otherwise. Right now we are to do what He called us to do in Ireland. After that, I am sure He will show us. He always has before. I would be stupid after all this time to make plans of my own, just to know that it is His path that is the right way to go and will usually be different from mine. The cool thing is, I know that He cares about my desires and wants, and He is precious to throw those in to His plan in better ways I could have ever imagined.

Example: When I was a little girl I would dress up like Lottie Moon. I also loved to go on the back deck and I would preach to the trees, tell them about Jesus. I would witness to my neighbor that was not a Christian. If you asked me at that time, any place in the world I wanted to go if I could, my answer would be Ireland. I have always had a love of learning about international cultures and missions. As a teenager and college student I allowed outside factors to effect my walk with Jesus. I soon found myself with goals and lists that would offer security, and what the world showed as success and safety. Yes, I still kept God in the mix, but I was the author of my destiny, He was just the paramedic that came when I needed help and then I sent Him away again. Shameful of bad decisions I had made in my life I put away those childish dreams that I did not feel that I was fit to serve God in such a capacity, and pursued goals that I felt brought me security. Slowly, God wooed me back to Him. He taught me about His character, His love. He has healed my broken heart. He has taken away my shame. He has called me back to my first love Him and included the dreams I had as a child that I had forgotten and did not remember until He had put me in the middle of this journey.

So now we are on a path. A dot-to-dot journey (for my homeschool moms), where God is illuminating one step at a time. We are living day by day and finding rest in it. Not a list, not a map but a candlelight. He has taught me enough that I thank God for what I cannot see ahead, and I am excited about the journey I am on. I do not understand joy. It is a hard concept for me. I understand happy, but my prayer two months ago is for God to teach me joy. And now I am finding joy in the moment.

My blessed friend Trina (from the Phillipines but living in the US) called me to tell me that, just like the apostle Paul we are being detained. God knows what is best. He orders our steps and orders our stops. My job now is to enjoy being here with my friends and family, and not worry about the next step. God has called us and He will send us to Ireland in His timing. So since He has called us, He is in charge of when we go and when we stop.

Thank you God for the journey and the light. Psalm 119:105 "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". Help us to see clearly, give us wisdom (James 1:5) and not step to the right or to the left but run with endurance the race (Hebrews 11&12) until the end. May it be said in the end: By faith Ludie and Barbara....(like in Hebrews 11), and may we hear our Savior say: "Well done my good and faithful servant). When all is stripped away, Jesus is the only one that matters.

Here We Are

We are getting closer and closer to being able to move to Ireland. The only thing we are waiting on is the sale of our home. To view a video/glide tour of our home click on the link to the right.
A lot of people have been asking how you can help us.

Here are some ways you can help:
1. Buy our home. :)
2. Pray for the sale of our home.
3. Forward the link on the right to everyone in your address book with a note about who we are and why we are trying to sell our house, to give a personal connection, vs. just another forwarded email.

Please contact us at blcActs420@gmail.com for more information.

Thank you thank you thank you for your prayers and all your support. God has answered. We are now 99% funded and on our way, as soon as the house sells.

Under the $400 mark

Yeah we are now at $375 of monthly support left to raise and a house left to sale. Click on the link to the right for info on the house and forward this to everyone you know in case they know someone interested in buying a house. We have someone coming tomorrow to make a virtual tour of the house. That will be interesting.

Here is a pic of Ludie organizing for the yard sale at midnight. It is amazing how blessed we are. God forgive me for ever complaining.

Garage Sale Complete

Woo Hoo! We finally had our final garage sale on Saturday. We can finally park in the garage again. (The first time since May!). Thanks to our neighbors for donating things to be sold to help raise money for getting to the mission field.

Great update and Praise to our LORD, there is only $444 in monthly support left to raise for a 24 month commitment!!!! That is so exciting. If I could do a flip I would. I always land on my back.

Ludie gave his testimony and an overview of what we will be doing in Ireland at a local church this Sunday. The audio clip should be posted soon, but I am putting the link on the right. Just scroll down the sermons to August 24. I am so amazed at the work God has done in his life over the past six years. God is good.

Also a link to the short video of Ireland is on the right also. We absolutely love the Irish and cannot wait to live in Ireland. The Irish are sweet, hospitible people, and we cannot wait to learn from them.

Eastbound soon!

Things are going great this week. They've been going great all along, I just am not so quick on the learning process. When we were delayed in going to Ireland everyone kept asking us: Are you okay? or I wonder what the reason is that God delayed you...it is in His timing. First of all we are okay. God has already shown us some benefits of not going when we had planned. It has also taught me to lean more on Him. We have a huge praise! We only have $550 more in monthly support to raise and we need to sale or lease the house. We would prefer to sale but leasing to a trusted individual is okay. Wow! I feel like we are on the homestretch. We can really feel the prayers of everyone and are thankful for them.

I have learned how easy it is to battle between being focused inward on what needs to be done vs. being focused Christward. When I focus on myself that is when I start to fall apart, but when I focus on Christ, the burden is lifted. He is willing to take the burden, I have to be willing to give it up. It's harder to deal with to keep the burden but more natural. I know I am babbling. I am pressed for time. I will explain myself better later.

If you are interested in giving even $10/month, please contact us at blcActs420@gmail.com

We are waiting upon the Lord.

I know a lot of you are wondering what are we still doing here! We are waiting on the sale of the house and, praise the Lord have only $900 in monthly living expenses for the next 24 months to raise (we are praying for monthly supporters to partner with us at $10, $25, $40 or $100 a month for the next 24 months). Our start up costs have been covered-Praise the Lord! We are relying on God's perfect timing and trust his timing more than we trust ours. However this is not a time to sit and wait. There is a lot of work to be done and we are diligently doing it so when He says move, we are ready.

Fantastic news, as of this very moment May May (Mary Wallace) is now on her way over the Atlantic to Ireland. God speed Mary. We cannot wait to join you. Love you!

"He Maketh my way perfect." 2 Samuel 22:33, "And now. Lord what wait I for? My hope is in Thee." Psalm 39:7. Thank you Mary Madeline for these verses even before we knew we were on this journey. I did not understand Psalm 39:7, now He is teaching me.

Garage Sale

Come to our house this Saturday. We are getting rid of furniture, clothes, baby stuff, some boy's toys and cooking stuff. We look forward to seeing you. Sale from 8am-noon. Presale 2pm-evening today, Friday.

OM Ireland 2 minute Video.

Click on the text or type in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Wfmj66HcY The countdown is on. We will not make the August 11th deadline but with your prayers and God's work in His perfect timing, we need to raise monthly support of $1000 per month for the next 24 months. If you are able to donate $5, $15, $25, $50 or $100 per month please let us know. We would love for you to partner with us as you can and as the Lord leads you.

Hokey Pokey

Click on the text below to see the Hokey Pokey at Beyond 48 (Teen Evangelism Conference in Ireland). You have never seen Mike Mullins like you are about to see him. If the link did not work go to you tube and type in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfQ9apQUMRs

Barbeque Blessing!!!!!!

How can Barbara and I ever say thank you enough for the awesome barbeque benefit yesterday. We were excited going into the event, but had no idea that it would be so huge. Thank you to everyone involved, especially the Moss' and the Davis'. Thank you to everyone who assisted with set up, to everyone who served the food, everyone who cleaned, up it was amazing. I know the Lord will bless you all for your sacrificial service. The best news of the day, the event was an overwhelming success in terms of its intent to raise support for Barbara’s and my launch to the mission field. A total of $11,111 in one-time gifts was received, as well as $640 in monthly support. When you multiply the $640 by the 24 months we will serve, this will mean that yesterday’s event will have raised $26,471 in total contributions to our ministry. How in the world can thank you ever be sufficient to express how we feel?

This means we are only left with about $1,200 in monthly support to raise to be fully supported. God all of you for your love and support. If you are interested in being a monthly partner for the next 24 months from $5 to , $10, $20, $25, $50 or $100 per month please contact us at 678-656-6735 or blcActs420@gmail.com and we will let you know how. The sooner we are supported the sooner we can leave for Ireland.

Thank you and God bless you!

Commissioning, Licensing and Benefit Aug 3rd

Just as a reminder, there is a BBQ benefit in the gym of our church from 1-3pm on Sunday, Aug 3rd to raise money in order for us to get on the mission field in Ireland. We would love for you to come and join us. Also tomorrow night (Sunday at 6pm), at the 6pm service we will be commissioned and Ludie will be licensed. Afterwards there will be a reception in the Magnolia room following the service. We would love to see you there.

5 days to go

Praise the LORD, He has done some great things this week. We now have $12,000 in start up costs left to raise, and $2300 in monthly support left to raise for the next 24 months. We need your prayers and giving if the Lord lays it on your heart. On Monday, August 4th we will be meeting with OM to discuss whether our Aug 11th timeline needs to be changed. We are praying for a miracle. Please pray, and also join us for the fundraiser at church from 1-3pm in the gym. See details below or contact us. Thank you for all that have been so supportive.

Leprechaun Sighting in Alabama

There has been a leprechaun sighting in Alabama. Click on this text to link to the newscast. If this does not work, copy and paste the following web address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nda_OSWeyn8

Final Countdown

It is so hard to believe, but Lord willing, in less than 3 weeks we will be leaving for Ireland! We just wanted to take a moment to update you on our progress. God has been good to us, and at this point we have received 47% of our monthly support needed. That leaves us needing to raise an additional $2,500/month.

On August 4, we need to make some critical decisions regarding whether or not our timeline for departure for Ireland needs to change. We very much appreciate the opportunity we’ve had to share our story about what God is doing in our lives and what God is doing in Ireland. We know that people are praying and God IS moving.

We are praying that God would send us:
2- $500/month partners
5- $100/month partners
15- $50/month partners
20- $20/month partners

As you can see, God is already answering this prayer. If the Lord leads you to partner with us and you can support us at any of these levels (or at any level), would you simply contact us and we can let you know of the process for getting this started, if necessary. Thanks so much for your prayers, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Some important dates to note:

August 3rd BBQ Benefit for Creech family for Ireland 1-3pm in gym at the church. Entertainment including Clowns for Christ, Johnny Christopher (co-writer of "Always on my mind" and more.

Aug 3 6pm service. Commissioning of the Creech Family and Mary Wallace to Ireland. Also Ludie is being licensed at this time.
Reception to follow.

August 4th. Evaluation of timeline based on support raised with OM.

August 11th. Goal Departure Date for Ireland

August 19th-30th OM Global training in Holland.

DVD is here!!!!!

I am so excited. Ludie is on his way to pick up the DVD that Jeff Smith (our hero) produced and put together for the Ireland ministry!!!!! This is such an awesome tool at such a great timing-the 11th hour. God is so good. If you would like to have a copy to view or show to your friends we would be happy to provide you with one. Just put a comment on the blog below this paragraph and we will get one into your hands. Thank you so much for supporting the Kingdom work in Ireland.

Great News. Keep Praying.

We are almost at the halfway point on raising the $32K in start up costs, and have 2900/month in monthly expenses to raise for the next two years. That is a great increase in the past month. Ludie is home now so we are able to make a lot more headway in contacting people and more flexibility in meetings. Operation Mobilization called this week to evaluate where we were in the fund raising process. We asked them to wait until the end of July to discuss any change in dates, etc so please pray that God's hand will move mightily and that He would give us wisdom to make decisions according to His perfect will for our lives. Within the next couple days we will have a DVD with information on the Ireland Ministry. This will make it easier to inform more people in a timely manner. I cannot wait to see what God is going to do. It is a big mountain for us, but a small thing for the LORD.

"Who am I, O LORD God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God;..." 1 Chronicles 17: 16b-17a.

If you are reading this and are interested in finding more about the ministry or know someone who you think might be interested, please feel free to contact us at blcActs420@gmail.com or at our home phone.

Our Journey to Ireland

We will be going to Ireland to serve a 2 year term (initially-then see what God wants from there) with Operation Mobilization starting this August, Lord willing. To find out about Operation Mobilization and how they are involved in Ireland and around the world, click on the Ireland links to the right of the blog.
Since 1957, OM has trained more than 120,000 people in evangelism, discipleship and cross-cultural missions. OM works in more than 110 countries and is well represented in the 10/40 Window with approximately 2000 workers there. OM is an evangelical, interdenominational mission agency. OM's role in the body of Christ is to motivate, develop and equip people for world evangelization and strengthen and help plant churches.

Ludie will be the Global Action Coordinator. He will be taking in students (age 18-25) from all over the world, including Ireland and training them and then mobilizing them into the churches in Ireland to help them with short or long-term projects. In doing so he will be developing partnerships with Irish Churches, finding the church's' needs and then placing the students with them to enable the churches to more effectively share the hope that comes only through Jesus Christ through whatever their specific needs are.

When we were in Ireland last we were talking with one of the local politicians.We had asked him about the suicide rate in Ireland. The suicide rate among young males, is statistically the highest in Western Europe. He actually added that there are more suicides in Ireland than there are deaths from car accidents. Another local politician mentioned that the younger generation has a different perspective than the older generation that lived through "The Troubles" during the 1960's and 1990's). The younger generation is currently searching for answers traditional religion has failed to answer. They are experiencing the material prosperity that has come over Ireland in recent years since Ireland has entered with the European Union, however they have become disillusioned with the church because of recent scandals. In recent years drug addiction and alcoholism have increased also. It is a great time to bring back the Good News St. Patrick brought to this wonderful land so many years ago. Now that there is outward physical peace in Ireland, there is an inward search for peace.

The lifeblood of our ministry is regular, monthly financial supporters. We have past our originally established a June 30th deadline to raise our necessary financial support of $4600.00 per month and an additional $32000.00 in initial start up costs. At this point we are considerably behind in this target but are excited to report that God is good and faithful and we are now at 23% of our 32K start up costs and 20% of our monthly costs. Thank you for your support.

For more information on how you can partner with us through praying, giving or going please contact us directly at blcActs420@gmail.com.

Ireland

See June 17 post for info about Ireland. We are now at 19% of our monthly living expenses being of 4761 per month, and 14% of our 32K start up costs. What a praise. We are working on raising support fast as our goal is to leave for Ireland on August 11th to live there for a two year term serving Christ. If you would like to help in giving or in helping to raise support we have some fun and exciting ideas, and need your help. Please call or email me at blcActs420@gmail.com.

Unclean Lips

I was listening to a sermon by Alastair Begg. In this sermon he quoted this poem below which really spoke to me.

If all that we say in a single day, with never a word left out, were printed each night in clear, plain black and white, it would make a strange reading no doubt. And then just suppose before our eyes close, we should read the whole record through, and when we sigh and when we try, a great deal less talking to do. And I more than half think that many a kink would be smoother in life's tangled thread, if half what I say in a single day were to be left forever unsaid. -Author Unknown

I have a black and white personality and left unfiltered, and even filtered, my lips get me into trouble and can cause pain. I was very convicted by a Bible study I did with a phenomenal group of ladies. The Bible Study was entitled Conversation Peace by Mary Kassian. It is one of the greatest influences on my life. It is an easy Bible study to follow (video supplements not necessary-save your money)and great Scripture memorization!

God made him just for me

I just wanted to brag on my husband. He is the best husband in the world. We just celebrated our 11th Anniversary and I have had the best time in my life. He took me to a Brazilian Steak House for dinner one night. An experience everyone should have (except vegetarians). We had so much fun watching the waiters move so fast around the restaurant and learn a little more about a culture that is different from ours. Then this Saturday he took me to a target shooting range. We had the most fun. I beat him on the first round but on the second round he beat me 20 out of 25 on trap shooting. Our shoulders are bruised, my arms and cheek bone is sore and I am so thankful that God gave me a husband that takes me to do fun stuff like that (just look at my profile on the blog).

I often sit in amazement that I am married to my best friend...that we have two awesome children and we are on the ride of our lifetime. I could not imagine doing anything else or being with anyone else. Since Ludie was saved 6 years ago I have seen God change my husband from a good man to a godly man (a huge difference). He is a great living picture of the provider, protector and bridegroom of my Savior Christ. Don't get me wrong, I am not putting him on a pedestal. He has his own faults (we all do), but he does a good job of pointing me and our family to the One who is perfect, who is my King, Jesus.

Thank you honey. I love being married to you (most of the time). :)
Love, your wife.

Praise Report for Ireland

We have now gone from 15% to 17% of our goal of 4710.00 for our monthly living expenses of our goal for the end of June pledged for the next two years we will be on the field. We have gone from 8% to 12% of our start up costs of 32000 which include trip costs, technology costs, transportation and conference fees. What a praise!!!! Thank you for your prayers, pledges and commitment. All praise to God for his provision and timing!

Beach Vacation

Just got back from seeing the family at the beach. We had a great time. I am so amazed at how fast the time is coming that we will be leaving for Ireland in less than two months. It is really starting to hit how much I am going to miss seeing nephews and nieces grow. It was so great hanging out with everyone. Thank you Uncle Marty for planning all this!!!! It was an awesome week. One I will treasure always.

What great friends

I go to MomCare on Wed nights at church. There I have met the dearest group of ladies, one of which is Eva. Eva is originally from Brazil. She is so amazing. She is one of the ladies in the group that I just feel that I have known for years but have only known a couple months. Thursday, she was so sweet to take me to a Brazilian grocery store and show me the different Brazilian products of her homeland, then we ate Brazilian food at the cafe (I had a Kibo com Ovo and Griffin had a Pastel with Guava juice). I am craving the guava juice now. I think I could put my head under the dispenser and just drink. Anyway we came home and she taught me how to make Cheese Bread out of Yukka flour and Cotija cheese. OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH so good. So now if you come to my house, I will be happy to make them for you. We have a Brazilian family that we will be working alongside with in Ireland and she taught me how to make those so that I can give them a little taste of home when they need it. God is so good for giving me great friends here and in Ireland. Thank you Eva. (Here is a pic of Eva with Ruthie. I think Ruthie is as big as her!!!) :) Love you. Thank you!

What are we doing in Ireland?

We will be going to Ireland to serve a 2 year term (initially-then see what God wants from there) with Operation Mobilization starting this August, Lord willing. To find out about Operation Mobilization and how they are involved in Ireland and around the world, click on the Ireland links to the right of the blog.
Since 1957, OM has trained more than 120,000 people in evangelism, discipleship and cross-cultural missions. OM works in more than 110 countries and is well represented in the 10/40 Window with approximately 2000 workers there. OM is an evangelical, interdenominational mission agency. OM's role in the body of Christ is to motivate, develop and equip people for world evangelization and strengthen and help plant churches.

Ludie will be the Global Action Coordinator. He will be taking in students (age 18-25) from all over the world, including Ireland and training them and then mobilizing them into the churches in Ireland to help them with short or long-term projects. In doing so he will be developing partnerships with Irish Churches, finding the church's' needs and then placing the students with them to enable the churches to more effectively share the hope that comes only through Jesus Christ through whatever their specific needs are.

When we were in Ireland last we were talking with one of the local politicians.We had asked him about the suicide rate in Ireland. The suicide rate among young males, is statistically the highest in Western Europe. He actually added that there are more suicides in Ireland than there are deaths from car accidents. Another local politician mentioned that the younger generation has a different perspective than the older generation that lived through "The Troubles" during the 1960's and 1990's). The younger generation is currently searching for answers traditional religion has failed to answer. They are experiencing the material prosperity that has come over Ireland in recent years since Ireland has entered with the European Union, however they have become disillusioned with the church because of recent scandals. In recent years drug addiction and alcoholism have increased also. It is a great time to bring back the Good News St. Patrick brought to this wonderful land so many years ago. Now that there is outward physical peace in Ireland, there is an inward search for peace.

The lifeblood of our ministry is regular, monthly financial supporters. We have established a June 30th deadline to raise our necessary financial support of $4600.00 per month and an additional $32000.00 in initial start up costs. At this point we are considerably behind in this target.

For more information on how you can partner with us through praying, giving or going please contact us directly at blcActs420@gmail.com.

A Deliberate Choice

"When we do not make the deliberate choice to think according to the Spirit, we tend to default to the flesh...pray for a heightened awareness of the way you are thinking." -Beth Moore

I have been talking with my son about choices. There are wise choices and bad choices. Most of what happens in our lives are due to the choices we make. I realize that I have been more deliberate in planning my meetings about God than I have been on pouring time into my relationship with God. I have been living out of reaction than deliberate action. Our busy schedule between Ludie's work and meetings about Ireland partnership,and keeping the house clean for sale, homeschooling, adjusting to a the changing schedule of a baby has allowed me to make excuses for shortened time with the Lord.

I pray throughout the day. I do a 10 minute devotion in the morning and if I can get it in before the kids wake up, I read a passage out of the Bible (the genealogy of 1 Chronicles is not as exciting as the adventures in Genesis-but there are really cool tidbits within the genealogies. I have to actually read it to find out what they are). This is what I call survival mode. The only thing is, this is a false survival. I have to rely on God. I have to put on the mind of Christ or else I will slowly start to slip into a pit. Today, I am making a deliberate choice to go to bed early and put my first priority that I claim to be my real first priority as shown by my action. Forgive me LORD for taking you for granted.

God a Genie?

Below is part of my devotions from this morning. I often write so my thoughts will stay focused. I am putting it down for you to see. I don't know why, I just feel that I should. I don't like bearing my soul because that would leave it out there for others to tread on. But, I'm doing it anyway so here you go...

I often find myself treating God like a genie. I don't desire to do that but often find myself doing so. We have a lot of things going on in order to get over to Ireland at the beginning of August, including raising support by the end of June and selling a house. I find myself falling into old habits of trying to please God in order to find His favor so that he will work the way I want in my timing. Deep down my heart just simply desires to please God but that natural desire can quickly become twisted into manipulation. Thank God He can see this better than I can and will not be manipulated. I have to constantly remind myself that other than through the redeeming blood of Christ, my works are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). When God sees me He only finds favor in me through the covering of His son's blood that covers my sins. Through this covering my Father sees me as beautiful. Nothing I do will ever make God love me more or less than He does now.

I am overwhelmed at the task before us. I have to remind myself that it is God that called us to His work and therefore it is His responsibility that He provides for us. We just have to be obedient to His calling. I have to rely on Him and trust Him so that I can have peace(Isaiah 26:3)...so that my life can glorify Him. Deep down that is my desire. I don't know how or when He will move, but I trust that His plan is better than mine. I praise God in advance for the work He is going to do in the perfect way He always does.

Lord, have your way in my life. Let it not be my will but Yours. Show me what you would have me to do today. Help me to die to myself. Whatever it is You want me to do, my answer is Yes. Help me to obey your will. I believe in You, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).

Cagle's Dairy

We are so excited. We as a family are going to Spring Farm Days this weekend at Cagle's Dairy. They are having the Dixie Master Cup Stock Dog Trials (right up my alley), along with arts, crafts and exhibitions. Something new that Cagle's is doing that I just love is home delivery of their dairy products to homes within a 5 mile radius of the farm. We live farther than that but what a cool idea. When we lived in NY as a child I vaguely remember the milk man coming and delivering milk in glass jars. Oh what a great memory. I am excited as to what God has waiting for our children's memories in Ireland. What memories even through the small things are you creating for your children that you may not even realize?

Dealing with Anger

Have you ever been spending time with the Lord, reading your Bible or a devotional book and it is so amazing that what you are reading is exactly what you are struggling with? Well this week we have been working with Griffin on how to properly deal with anger. Lo and behold, that is what his devotions were on this morning. It is even cooler when you see God work in your child's devotional life and in God's perfect timing. I do not know what I am doing as a mom half the time and I was just praising God that He gives us the right resources and the right people around us in the right timing. And He did it again. How absolutely amazing He is. I confess I have no idea how to deal with anger properly other than stuff it-which is not good, so how am I supposed to teach my child? Well he showed me during a playdate with my accountability partner when she had to work with her own child on it. He brought up this devotion today that walked us through it and he gave me my mentor mom, Suzanne Miller that I had to call on Tuesday when I did not know how to properly respond to Griffin's anger and it was making me angry. Praise God for His provision and perfect timing.

Squirrel at the Door

This morning, Griffin and I were eating breakfast and we kept hearing a tap tap tap. We looked out the back door and there was a squirrel tapping on our window trying to get in. It kept on for a minute or two but when I moved to get the camera it ran away. Griffin and I found this picture instead.

Parenting -I am trying to learn.

"We are not raising children. We are raising adults." -Suzanne Miller.

Suzanne is a wonderful mentor mom for our MomCare group that meets on Wednesday nights. She is a great example of a Proverbs 31 woman and the Lord has used her to bless my life. She has taught me many things but one thing that will stick in my mind forever and that I will be forever grateful for the perspective it gives is the quote above. When my child/ren roll their eyes at me, throw fits or do anything else that their sin nature causes I approach it as: is it acceptable for them to do this as adults. When they don't get their way at the office as an adult would it be better for them to talk back disrespectfully as adults or use their minds and words to express themselves for a better outcome. The Bible teaches us to die to ourselves, our fleshly desires and to put on the mind of Christ, to be equipped for battle and to do His will (paraphrasing and putting parts together). What better time to learn now while their minds are able to be molded and before it is too late. They may not understand all of these truths now, but it is better to start explaining it now so it can sink into their hearts before their hearts are too hardened and set in their ways to accept it. It is our job as parents to teach God's ways. Jesus has a plan for us as parents. A lot of our homelife depends on us and has an effect on eternity. Anyone can be a good Christian at church, but do we model being a biblical Christian through our actions at home when little eyes are watching and learning most?