November Recap

November Highlights

Thanksgiving Eve Service

Josh and Gabe before they left for Kenya

The team that went to Kenya to help the Simpsons.

Bill teaching the guitar

Josh giving a lesson too.

Enjoying some time while on safari

Josh B and my Josh practicing for worship

Roomie

I was so blessed to have shared 7 nights with this wonderful, godly woman. 

Packing Up

Getting ready for Belize. 

Missions Trip

Well is has bee in the works for a year. A missions trip to Belize with the youth and parent(s). So Abs, Josh, and I will be leaving on August 4th. 

I am a little nervous as this is my first ever missions. We have a group of 22 most of us new timers. I was encouraged by a friend who has gone before, that BeliZe is a perfect way to start off.  

One of the reasons is due to the relationship we have with the churches there. Over 12 years in the making. Another reason is that they are a friendly bunch. Very open and willing to talk about the Gospel. And finally the language most if not all speak English. (Thank you,  God)

So today I received a devotional by way of preparing my heart. Was so excited, I already did lesson 1. Looking forward to going through with the young ones. 

Sleep Over

Friday night Joshua had is first ever sleep over that was not family.   Granted Abigail was there too but he did it!!!!  We are very excited about this.  He said he had soooooo much fun and that is what helped him.  He and Abigail were gone for about 23 hours.  Stephen had his youth group missions meeting so Bill and I had the evening to ourselves.  Which one would think would be good but we were able to just sit and talk because before we knew it it was about time to get Stephen.

Watched some olympics later on.  I love the olympics.   It really reminds me of my youth.  We would get so pumped to sit in front of the TV and watch.   I remember in the summer time we would create olympic type games in the pool.  Relay races and individual races.  What a great time!!!   Even had the opportunity to attend the 96 games in Atlanta!!!

Have been an olympic junkie these last couple of days.  Love getting excited for the Americans!!!  Go Team USA!!!

Belize in 2010

Stephen will be 13 in mere weeks. I am shocked and stunned that I will have a teenager. But I digress. The youth group he belongs to has been planning on going to Belize. One of the couples from our church have been going there for over 6 years and helping out some churches, orphanages, and getting the local youth involved in activities. This past January a small group went with them to see what type of missionary work we as a church could be doing for the people there. One of our pastors went and felt we needed to be more involved. The idea then surfaced that our youth group should go down. The churches that we have affiliated with have an abundance of children. There are waaaay more kids than adults. So, who better to send than our youth.

Last night was the parent meeting for the trip. They wanted to let us know the dates - end June into July - and the types of involvement our kids would be having while down there. As mentioned above they would get the opportunity to help in an orphanage, assist in a VBS, and go out into the village to speak to the kids their ages and younger.

What makes this a fabulous place to go is that Belize is an English speaking country. While located in Central America, it was owned by the Brits, so they speak English. There of course will be some type of communication barrier but for the most part it is not a new language to have to learn or even know!!! While I am still torn about sending him soooo far away from us, I am also confident with the leaders that are going and know that I can trust Barb to be his "momma hen" while I am not there. And trust Gregg to be "pappa".

Stephen is excited and nervous (I think) about going. He did ask if I was going too! He is looking forward to going. Over the next few months they will be raising money to make the cost more manageable. Let the fund-raising begin. Stephen will also be "working" towards earning money that the church will put into an account so the kids don't spend it.

My baby is growing up!!!!

Missionaries from Brazil

Today at church we had both the privilege and honor to have guests from Brazil.   A family from our church went on a mission trip to Brazil back in July and the Pastor and his wife came back with them for them to share with our church all that occurred there.  It was so touching to hear all the places they went and all the people lives they touched with the hand of God!

Pastor Sergio only speaks Portuguese so Romy had to translate.   It was great and it really touched my heart.    I don't feel a calling to be a missionary but I would love to support one.  I did about 6 years ago for a full year.  Anyway, Pastor spoke on the heart and how God changed his and called him into the mission field.   They work with the Wai-Wai tribe and also with people who live in the slums.  He is also a teacher at the seminary there.  Truly moving!    

I left there thinking all day about how my heart needs to be touched by God.   I am not saying that I expect the same kind of touching but I know that I just need to give Jesus more of me and my time and wonderful amazing things will occur.   I will be praying this for myself and for all of my friends and family.   Just imagine how wonderful our lives will be!