Today was a fun day! It was Celebrity Reader Day at Cully's school and the humorous thing is that I was considered a "celebrity reader". I got to ride on the coat tail of our Celebrity Pastor Burt Boykin. I was a little nervous being in front of people, but it turned out really great! I read to a 1st grade class then to Cully's class. It was cute to see him so proud to have his Mommy there as a special guest. I better enjoy that while it lasts because it won't be too long before he begs me not to even come to his school! They did a lot to make it special, including a huge spread of food and gave us all a t-shirt.
Then, after a bit of work at the church, Ansy and I came home for lunch. We took a two hour nap! That was lovely! This would be why I'm up blogging at 10:30pm- I can't sleep! Once Cully came home, I took them to the new Leeds park and library. The new park is awesome!! You must go and take your children if you haven't already. Anyway, my spontaneous friends (Steve and Laura- that is one of the reasons I love them so) asked us to come and hang out after dinner. We stayed a long time and the kids were almost asleep by the time we got home. I love when they are worn out from playing and go right to sleep!
These are the days I really enjoy my life; getting to do cool things with my job and being able to spend time with my children during the day. I love the community I'm in and the people He has put in my life!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Mission to the World
These past two days were wonderful! Trace and I went to the MTW home office in Atlanta for missions training. It was a big family reunion! We got to be around some of the most godly, grace-oriented people on the planet (although very human)and really came away feeling encouraged and having more direction.
No matter the weather outside, when you walk through the doors of Mission to the World its like a ray of sunshine. Really its a refuge in a dark world and I love being there. We were around people who are like us, who experienced the same unusual experiences of foreign missions(what little we've experienced), understanding everything that we say or ask, everything we are going through emotionally and personally. And I know they feel the same, everyone excited and content, ready to see their brothers and sisters in Christ and catch up. This weekend is the Global Missions Conference where most MTW missionaries are getting together. I wish we could go, but circumstances are not permitting this time. Although Trace and I have had limited interaction with these folks, what we've had has bonded us together. Through evaluations, interviews, prayers and couseling we've had to open ourselves up completely, lay ourselves out on the table for all of these people to examine and by the grace of God, they accept us anyway. Nothing brings you closer to folks than that.
One of the highlights of our trip was seeing Tom Courtney, the director of MTW Europe. He was our final approval to go to England and begin raising support. If that sounds intimidating, its because it is! We didn't know he'd be there and vice versa. We got off the elevator and recognized him at the same time he recognized us. He just came and approached us with a big hug and invited us to his table for breakfast. We had such a fun time. We got to see a different side of him, the silly side, not the intense, down to business interviewer side. It was encouraging to be embraced in that way, introduced to others working in Europe and feeling like a "part of the team".
One of the best parts was when it really hit me that these people will be our family, our support, our mentors and our friends while we are in a foreign place. Some will be with us, or on the same continent and the rest will be here in the US, doing behind the scenes work to keeps us afloat.
We really saw a different prospective on raising support to go on the mission field. We learned the biblical basis of it and how caring for our supporters was a big part of our ministry. Also, about speaking and writing prayer letters. We got a rough draft of our budget and learned about each line item. Man, great stuff. It was such a wise thing for our coach to suggest we come and get some of this training now!
Here's a tiny bit of interesting facts I learned about the biblical basis of support raising. Go on a mini bible study with me... (I linked the verses, just click 'em)
I'm very thankful for the things I am learning and the people I am meeting while on this journey!
No matter the weather outside, when you walk through the doors of Mission to the World its like a ray of sunshine. Really its a refuge in a dark world and I love being there. We were around people who are like us, who experienced the same unusual experiences of foreign missions(what little we've experienced), understanding everything that we say or ask, everything we are going through emotionally and personally. And I know they feel the same, everyone excited and content, ready to see their brothers and sisters in Christ and catch up. This weekend is the Global Missions Conference where most MTW missionaries are getting together. I wish we could go, but circumstances are not permitting this time. Although Trace and I have had limited interaction with these folks, what we've had has bonded us together. Through evaluations, interviews, prayers and couseling we've had to open ourselves up completely, lay ourselves out on the table for all of these people to examine and by the grace of God, they accept us anyway. Nothing brings you closer to folks than that.
One of the highlights of our trip was seeing Tom Courtney, the director of MTW Europe. He was our final approval to go to England and begin raising support. If that sounds intimidating, its because it is! We didn't know he'd be there and vice versa. We got off the elevator and recognized him at the same time he recognized us. He just came and approached us with a big hug and invited us to his table for breakfast. We had such a fun time. We got to see a different side of him, the silly side, not the intense, down to business interviewer side. It was encouraging to be embraced in that way, introduced to others working in Europe and feeling like a "part of the team".
One of the best parts was when it really hit me that these people will be our family, our support, our mentors and our friends while we are in a foreign place. Some will be with us, or on the same continent and the rest will be here in the US, doing behind the scenes work to keeps us afloat.
We really saw a different prospective on raising support to go on the mission field. We learned the biblical basis of it and how caring for our supporters was a big part of our ministry. Also, about speaking and writing prayer letters. We got a rough draft of our budget and learned about each line item. Man, great stuff. It was such a wise thing for our coach to suggest we come and get some of this training now!
Here's a tiny bit of interesting facts I learned about the biblical basis of support raising. Go on a mini bible study with me... (I linked the verses, just click 'em)
- God's Way-Teamwork
- Priests were supported by offerings Num 18:8
- Matt 10:10 Jesus told them to take nothing
- Luke 8:1-3 Jesus and the 12 were supported by women of means
- Phil 4:16 Churches sent Paul what he needed to live and minister
- 2 Tim 4:9-13 Paul asking for help
- Donors
- Giving is a gift Rom 12:1-8
- Work of Sanctification 2Cor. 8:7
- Reflects relationship w/ Christ 2 Cor. 9:7
- People have a need to give 2 Cor. 8:1-8
I'm very thankful for the things I am learning and the people I am meeting while on this journey!
More later...
Sorry, guys! I really didn't intend to have NKOTB on my blog for a week! I'll update soon!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord
Funny story about my little "missionary in training"-
Cullen, Corin & Silas were playing outside yesterday for a long time, very busy and hard at work. On the way home I asked Cully what they played outside. Here's how the conversation went:
"Momma, we played with roaches!"
"Ooh, yuck! Roaches? Were they alive?"
"Well, one was. The other ran off. Then, one was dead."
"What did you do with these roaches?"
"We built them a little house out of some wood and leaves and stuff."
"Well, that's nice. Is that it?"
"We also built them a little cross out of wood, so they'd know about God."
I tried hard not laugh hysterically, because it was very sweet.
Do roaches have breath? I guess so if they are alive, right?
Cullen, Corin & Silas were playing outside yesterday for a long time, very busy and hard at work. On the way home I asked Cully what they played outside. Here's how the conversation went:
"Momma, we played with roaches!"
"Ooh, yuck! Roaches? Were they alive?"
"Well, one was. The other ran off. Then, one was dead."
"What did you do with these roaches?"
"We built them a little house out of some wood and leaves and stuff."
"Well, that's nice. Is that it?"
"We also built them a little cross out of wood, so they'd know about God."
I tried hard not laugh hysterically, because it was very sweet.
Do roaches have breath? I guess so if they are alive, right?
Saturday, November 3, 2007
I've Been Lied To
For the last couple of days, I've been feeling very defeated. All of the day-to-day crap, stuff that makes your otherwise happy life not-so-perfect, was really getting to me. We've had a lot of that lately, and I call them either "character building exercises" or attacks from Satan. But the last couple of days they've gotten me down, and I started getting angry, overwhelmed and frustrated. I won't bore you with details, but will just touch on the surface of the issues. First of all, my little girl is a 24 pound monster 75% of the time these days. She gives a whole new meaning to the term "Terrible Twos". She hits, screams, kicks, bites, pinches and does the opposite of what you say while saying "NO!!!!", that's if she pays any attention at all to what you are saying. This is new for me, Cully wasn't this way, and that's good because if he was, Ansley wouldn't be here today. Anyway, that behavior has been constant at home and in public for a couple of weeks now, and we have yet to find a punishment that works on such a strong willed child. I'm at the end of my rope!
Secondly, we've had some unexpected money spending issues which has all but cleared out our savings right here before Christmas-lovely. This along with the everyday stress that goes on in my head about the missions thing and when to sell our home, Trace's new job, and a perpetual dirty house that DRIVES ME CRAZY, I'm spinning in circles! So, not surprisingly, last night I broke down. I completely tuned Ansley out, sat in a trance and pouted. I put the kids to bed and went and sat on my bathroom rug to think and pity myself.
As I sat there, I thought "What lies are you believing today, Ginger?" (That was a brilliant thing I heard Laura Morgan say) I began to realize that thinking I'm a horrible mother was a lie that was feeding off the guilt I already feel everyday as a young mother. The feelings of how God won't prevail through our financial struggles, our family decisions, our vehicles and how Christmas will suck again this year are all lies. And I believed them, hook, line and sinker.
I love putting all my "dirty laundry" out there for everyone to read, but blogging about this makes me feel better somehow. It makes it more true to me and besides I have to share my little AHA! moment because I believe lies alot and am just now starting to recognize them. As we try to preach the Gospel to ourselves everyday, that should include who we are because of Christ. When has He not come through, providing for us in incredible ways?
Tell this to the Liar:
I am a daugher of the King
Nothing can seperate me from Him
He gives me all I need
He has plans to give me hope and a future
I am precious to God
He knew me when I was in my mother's womb
I am a coheir to the throne of grace
He will never leave me or forsake me
He has called by my name and I am His
Secondly, we've had some unexpected money spending issues which has all but cleared out our savings right here before Christmas-lovely. This along with the everyday stress that goes on in my head about the missions thing and when to sell our home, Trace's new job, and a perpetual dirty house that DRIVES ME CRAZY, I'm spinning in circles! So, not surprisingly, last night I broke down. I completely tuned Ansley out, sat in a trance and pouted. I put the kids to bed and went and sat on my bathroom rug to think and pity myself.
As I sat there, I thought "What lies are you believing today, Ginger?" (That was a brilliant thing I heard Laura Morgan say) I began to realize that thinking I'm a horrible mother was a lie that was feeding off the guilt I already feel everyday as a young mother. The feelings of how God won't prevail through our financial struggles, our family decisions, our vehicles and how Christmas will suck again this year are all lies. And I believed them, hook, line and sinker.
I love putting all my "dirty laundry" out there for everyone to read, but blogging about this makes me feel better somehow. It makes it more true to me and besides I have to share my little AHA! moment because I believe lies alot and am just now starting to recognize them. As we try to preach the Gospel to ourselves everyday, that should include who we are because of Christ. When has He not come through, providing for us in incredible ways?
Tell this to the Liar:
I am a daugher of the King
Nothing can seperate me from Him
He gives me all I need
He has plans to give me hope and a future
I am precious to God
He knew me when I was in my mother's womb
I am a coheir to the throne of grace
He will never leave me or forsake me
He has called by my name and I am His
Thursday, November 1, 2007
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