PREPARING FOR AFRICA

IT IS OFFICIAL...... Our plane tickets have been purchased & I will be turning 30 in Zambia, Africa! We depart on July 30th at 5:25 am (Yikes.... That's early) for our loooong journey across the world!

Since on August 1st I will officially say goodbye to my 20's, my license expires that day. I didn't think it would be a good idea to let it expire while in Africa (they may not let me come back home),  so we went today to renew it. It was surprisingly the easiest process I have ever encountered at the DMV & we were in & out in 15 minutes. Wow.... I am still amazed AND I actually got a decent picture! That's a miracle all in itself! See... Miracles do still happen. :)

We also had to go to the Health Dept. today and get our yellow fever vaccine. Poor David hates shots and I threw him under the bus and told them he hadn't had a tetanus shot in more than 10 years so he had to get that too. Oops!! He has such a fear of shots. Not of the actual shot itself but of the possible side effects. We both survived though and it was a fairly easy process as well. Those shots costs over $350.... So thank you soooo much to those of you that have donated to us and has helped us raise the money!

This weekend we will be turning in the rest of the money we have raised to pay for our plane tickets, room, & food expenses while we are there. This has so far been an awesome journey and I have actually really enjoyed the fundraising part. I got to sit down with several people and share with them what we will be doing in Africa and why we felt led there. But the best part was witnessing as people stepped up to God's call and assisted us financially and prayerfully.

I leave you for now with this picture of David and I going into the Health Dept to get our shots. I just love this man! He is so much fun and truly makes my life enjoyable!

AFRICA UPDATE: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

I have had a couple people ask me for an update on our fundraising efforts for Africa. As of right now we do not have an exact final dollar amount. We have a pretty good estimate of what we need and I am happy to report that based on that estimate we are AT THE MOST $300 away from being completely fundraised for the trip. We have a meeting to attend next Sunday evening and I am hoping we can narrow that down to a more exact amount so we know where to go from there.

When David and I began this journey we talked about how awesome it would be to be able to completely raise the money without having to send out support letters. There is nothing wrong with that (we will most likely have to do it when the time comes to raise the money for adoption)  but I am very prideful and I like to work for it. We agreed that we would try to raise what we could on our own and if we still needed more we would send out support letters. I never imagined that people would start stepping up and giving us money without us having to ask and for the most part it came from people I would have never expected it from. In one case we even had a sweet lady we had never met before give us money for the trip. We are so grateful that people have answered God's call to support our trip.

The way that God provided for us financially to go on this trip, for me, is the greatest confirmation of all! I am ashamed to say, I doubted Him and lacked faith that it would come in. But in those moments of doubt He came through in big ways. He showed me that all I have to do is say yes and He will provide the rest of the way with what I need to walk in His will.

For now I leave you with this scripture....
"For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37 (ESV)

THE CHILD WISPERER

While David & I were dating, I became an aunt for the first time. My brothers little girl was born on April 22, 2003. David came in from Florida to see me and met my precious little neice, Abby when she was about a month old.

Most 21 year old guys would shy away from holding a baby so small much less feeding her a bottle. But David went right to her and picked her up and fed her a bottle. While everyone else in the room looked at him like an alien from another planet they were so shocked, I looked at him and thought "I have found the one!" I knew he was a natural and would make one awesome Daddy one day.

About 5 years later I watched as David became a Dad. He was so nervous and anxious! But when he laid his eyes on our baby boy I saw him in an instant fall in love. He was so excited he rushed out of the surgery room leaving Austin behind  just to tell everyone he was here. The nurse had to go looking for him to give Austin to him to carry to the nursery. It was funny yet so sweet! He was so excited he couldn't wait another second to tell our families he was born.

Those first several months were rough with a very colicky and fussy baby and honestly I wouldn't have made it through without David. He never shied away from a dirty diaper, a sleepless night, or endless rocking and bouncing trying to get our fussy baby content. He gave me my time and allowed me to cry when I needed to, take naps when I was worn out or step out to have some peace and quiet. David truly kept me grounded and encouraged me the whole way that it wasn't me and I wasn't a horrible mom because my baby wouldn't stop crying.

Three and a half years later I got the privelage of witnessing David fall in love with our little girl and it was just as magical as the first time. He was a little more relaxed (although not by much) and this time he never left Alexa's side except to come check on me after she was already in the nursery.  He waited on me hand and foot while I recovered from surgery and was sensitive to my every need. All the while helping care for our children without complaining one time!

David truly is an amazing Daddy! He has endless energy and always steps in to help me with them. I hear so many other women complain because their husbands won't get up in the middle of the night with their children, won't give their kids baths, won't cook and clean to give them a break, won't change a #2 diaper, or wipe a snotty nose. David has stepped up to help in every way he possibly can and even beyond that. Our kids absolutely adore him and I can definitely see why!

I started telling people he was the child whisperer. Kids everywhere just gravitate toward him. We were at the beach last week and several kids that we didn't know just came over and sat with him playing in the sand. We go to parks and he always ends up with extra kids around him. We go to family gatherings and all the kids in the family end up on David's lap or all around him playing. My neighbors granddaughter comes over and immediately asks where David is if he isn't home. When we volunteer in the nursery at church all the kids follow him around. He has this way with them that is really hard to put into words. You have to experience it in action to truly understand it. They all love him!

So Happy Fathers Day to the most amazing, funny, energy filled Daddy in the whole world! You are loved and appreciated more than you will ever know!!!!

THE BEAUTY OF THE STORM

I was blessed today to be able to spend my morning prayer time on the beach amongst the most beautiful, majestic view.

 As I sat watching my children play with their Daddy, I asked God to help me live in complete peace and to teach me how to not be a worry wart. I am a worrier (I openly admit it) and it causes me to literally be physically sick. Sometimes I don't even realize I am worrying or stressed until I start to not feel good. God surrounded me this morning with his power and showed me why I should not worry and have faith in Him.

We are on vacation in Tybee Island, GA this week. This place is so awesome! It's laid back, beach bum atmosphere is just perfect for a relaxing getaway. Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Andrea decided she needed to visit here this week as well.

We arrived on Wednesday. Thursday it started raining about lunch time and poured the rain most of the day. That evening the wind arrived and whipped through this quaint, peaceful island.

Today was a beautiful day, with dark rain clouds mixed with pure white, fluffy ones. The wind decided to stick around and it would literally take your breath away on the beach if you were walking right into it. As I sat on the beach deep in conversation with God, the wind picked up and loose sand glided across the beach. It was so majestic as sand and wind blew all around me. My whole left side was sand covered in minutes as the wind whipped through my hair. I was immediately reminded of the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. It was described in verse 2 as a "mighty rushing wind" as it swept in and filled the apostles. God reminded me in that moment that the Holy Spirit dwells within me. I am never alone and I have nothing to fear. He is with me always and He controls everything.

The wind died down enough to allow the loose sand to rest on the beach but it remained constant. As I leaned back, I was captivated by how beautiful the sky was. Just yesterday it was rainy and muggy, yet today it was picture perfect and worth stopping and enjoying. A few storm clouds remained and at times they would block the sun. But every chance the sun got it would shine through a cloud and warm my skin....reminding me that it was still there.

It made me think of trials that we go through in life. It is hard, depressing, and not much fun while we are in the middle of a storm but the aftermath can be worth it all. The beauty shines through the darkness and God is continuing to shape us into the image of Christ and preparing us for what he has ahead. 

For now I leave you with this scripture......

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

TO HOMESCHOOL OR NOT TO HOMESCHOOL?

Last year at this time I started researching homeschooling for my kids. I found this awesome umbrella school, HomeLife Christian Academy and learned about local Co-ops that I could join that would provide my kids with opportunities to take certain classes in a class room setting, support from other homeschool families, field trips and other events they could attend.

If you would have asked me a couple of years ago if I was going to homeschool or had considered it, my answer was a bit fat NO! Mainly because I didn't feel like I was smart enough to teach my children, I didn't want to take on that responsibility, and I have fond memories of going to school that I wanted my kids to have.

But, the more I learned about homeschool the more interested and excited I got. I was excited that I could teach my own kids and how awesome it would feel to know that I taught them how to read, write, add, and subtract. I was excited that I would have control over their curriculum and what they were learning.

After a few months of research, David and I settled on the decision the we would homeschool! Just to be clear on both sides of this topic these are the reasons we came to this decision:

1) Most homeschool kids actually test 1 to 2 grades higher than what grade they are actually in. This is because they are not held to the states standard and pace at which they learn and can move on once they have mastered a certain level. This also helps to keep learning exciting because they don't get bored.
2) Homeschool is MUCH more flexible. For example, we could spend the entire "school day" outside enjoying God's beauty. We can do homeschool anywhere! If we decide we want to go on vacation we don't have to wait until a scheduled break. We can just take our books with us. This will also be beneficial if we get more involved in mission work.
3) A "school day" for a homeschooler is only about 4 hours a day.
4) We can sleep in!!!! This is the best reason yet.....don't ya think?!!! We can get up at 9:00 and start school and be done by 1:00 AND do school in our pajamas if we want to!
5) I don't have to worry so much about my kids being exposed to things before I am ready to expose them...... bullying, sex, foul language, etc.... (For example, my brother learned the f word in kindergarten). I want them to just be kids for as long as possible. I don't want them to be completely sheltered from the brokenness of this world but at the same time I want them to learn certain things when I see fit.
6) I can incorporate a daily Bible study in their school day and make God apart of their schooling all together. 
7) Most importantly, we came to this decision because we have felt called by God to do so. 

Until about a month ago we were 100% sure we were homeschooling. I even registered Austin already for HomeLife Christian Academy. But, a few things have happened that have made us question whether or not it is the best decision.

At church our pastor has been preaching verse by verse through the book of Mark. Actually it was back in March that I had my first uncertain moment about homeschool during one of the sermons on Mark. Our leadership pastor, Daniel, preached that particular Sunday. He preached from the scripture in Mark 2:13-17 when Jesus called the tax collector, Levi, to follow him. Daniel mentioned the part in the scripture where Jesus went into the home of Levi and ate with the sinners and tax collectors. Jesus was harshly ridiculed for this. Ridiculed for being a friend of sinners. But in verse 17 Jesus says, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

So what does that have to do with homeschool? Well Daniel said during this sermon, "Stop trying to shelter your kids. God has commissioned our children to be light in the world. You've got to send them out. Teach them how to be a friend of sinners and get in their world. Take them with you and model it." By homeschooling Austin this coming August am I denying the world the light he has to shine into their darkness?

I soon placed this doubt I all of a sudden had in the back of my mind because we had already made our decision and God had called us to homeschool (I guess.... I'm still not certain).

Then about a month or so ago one day in the kitchen while I was making the kids breakfast Austin says to me out of the blue, "Mommy, I want to go to school." Up until this point he has always said he wanted me to teach him at home. So you can imagine my surprise. I asked him why and he said he just wanted to. I said, "So you don't want Mommy to teach you at home" and he simply said, "No." At this point I had already registered him for homeschool and bought 75% of his curriculum. 

I have always said that if at any point either one of them want to go to school I would not deny them that choice. But he is only 5 & actually if I asked him today if he wants to go to school or be homeschooled he says homeschooled because they have nasty food at school and some kids might be mean to him. So I can't really leave this big decision up to him but I do seriously consider his desires. This brought doubt to my mind once again. I immediately remembered Daniel's sermon.

Just a couple of days ago I started thinking about it again and really questioning myself. Am I choosing homeschool because of fear of what public school will bring to my kids, am I sheltering them, am I denying the world of this awesome 5 year old that is so giving and genuinely a great kid that loves to talk and learn about Jesus? Don't our public schools need little missionaries to infiltrate them and spread the good news that our world so desperately needs to hear? I want my kids to experience the brokenness of this world so they can learn how to live and thrive in it and trust the Lord no matter what. They need to know whats out there. Will they truly know when all they know outside of our home is a Co-op that meets at a church and is made up of other christians and at church where christians gather? Where exactly would they be exposed to children that aren't taught the love of Christ?

David has always been open to what I want to do because he knows it is a major commitment on my part but doubt has started to fill his mind as well.  I brought it up to him in the car the other day and he said he had been thinking about it too. His boss had told him about this kid that said he learned about Jesus through another kid at school. I wondered then if maybe it was Satan trying to persuade us to homeschool because he knows what Austin is capable of and he doesn't want him out in the world being a friend to sinners like Jesus was in Mark. Or maybe Satan is casting doubt on our plans to homeschool? It is safe to say, we are so confused!

At this point we have no clear decision and honestly a couple of months ago I never imagined we would be in this position. We were so certain. But we just want to do what God wants us to do no matter what that looks like. We put our yes on the table! I don't want to homeschool out of fear of what they might learn or be exposed to. I want to homeschool if the Lord is truly leading us to that for whatever reasons He has. But if God is calling us to send Austin to school to be a missionary then we are ready to set our fears aside and let the Lord take care of him as he takes his light into our dark world.

No matter what God ends up leading us to concerning homeschooling, I am reminded of His promise in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

He has great plans for our children.... after all, they were his first! Pray for us as we navigate this decision and pray that we will follow God's plans and not our own.