Memorial Day

Today we are thankful for our soldiers, who serve something bigger than themselves. Avery asked me last night why we celebrated Memorial Day. I had the great opportunity to talk to him about freedom, about rights. We talked about how in some countries boys and girls do not have the right to pray to God, or to go to church. How in some countries, mom's and dad's aren't allowed to stand up and talk about what they believe in. We talked about the men and women who love this country so much, that they are willing to sacrifice their own lives, so that we can enjoy ours. So today we are thankful to those who are serving, and those who have died as service members. Those who are home, but  still feel like they are at war. We are thankful for you, and we are excited that soon, we will be a part of your life; serving your family and loving your teenagers. 

We Are Not Alone

This past weekend we attended the NC homeschool conference. It was so encouraging as we embark on this first year of home education. I've learned so much over the past few months about styles of schooling: traditional, classical, Charlotte Mason. One of the best parts to me is that we can individualize our kids education, especially during these younger years.


My favorite part of the conference though, was the opportunity to hear one of my favorite speakers/writers Carol Barnier. 


She started her seminar with "your in the wrong room if.... your child has never made it from one end of the house to the other without ever touching the floor, your in the wrong room if.... you child doesn't fall out of his seat at least 8 times a day,  your in the wrong room if... you've never found your child licking the dog!" Yes, we were in the right room! 


I am so excited over the next few weeks to share some of the ideas, encouraging words, and personal insights, I collected from her speeches. I have received so many emails through this blog from mom's just like me, with kids just like mine. They share the same struggles and need a piece of encouragement during those tough times of the week. If you could have been there this weekend, you would have seen that every time she spoke, the auditorium was PACKED. And right there, I realized, we are not alone!  

Sudan

Here is a new video Samaritan's Purse released today. We talked to Daniel on Sunday, he said things were getting more difficult everyday for the people to survive - the video will explain further.  Thank you for your prayers for him and those serving in South Sudan.  We are thankful that they are using him as a spokesman and we can get a glimpse of him.

Water Projects - South Sudan (link)

Never Let Go

When you're an ER nurse you learn very quickly to put up walls. You try not let things bother you. You try to leave it at the door and come home with a smile on your face. But this weekend was very different for me. When that ambulance rolls in, and death is at the door, you are concerned with one thing only, doing your job and saving a life. You aren't expecting to look up and see parents of a child in your church. Or to see your pastor hugging them with tears in his eyes. You aren't expecting it to be so close to home. 


So, I wasn't able to leave it at the door this week. My heart has hurt every day for this family. But I know that God is faithful and that He is holy. I know that Christ will be glorified even through this tragedy. I know that J. got to meet his Savior. 


As I am putting my babies down tonight, I am sad but grateful for another day. Sweet Elly asks me to sing her favorite song "Never Let Go".... how perfect, how incredibly perfect. 


Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near


And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?


Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me


And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth


Matt Redman
You Never Let GO 

You Never Let GO 

Our Call to Go

I've had writers block this week. I think it's because I knew what I needed to write, what God wanted me to write, but I've been struggling with getting it out there. It's easy to let Satan creep in and start feeding you lies of deception, to tease you with fear. 

So here it is.... We have accepted a position with Youth for Christ Military,  we will be moving to serve military youth and their families living on base. 

We have wrestled with our decision, have struggled with the weight of logistics, and even today it doesn't seem real. But in the words of Jim Elliot - one of the greatest missionaries of the past century - 

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep

 to gain that which he cannot lose." 

Why go?

This is a rising generation of middle and high schoolers that have known only war, deployment, and consequently stress. While surveys show that almost all youth would say they are proud of their parents role and service to their country, the recent years have taken their toll. Many military youth will change schools 3-4 times during their adolescent years, as will their military friends... separation becomes a way of life.

What exactly will we be doing?
The short answer... loving kids whose lives are frequently changing and providing an extra support system to military families and an overwhelmed chaplancy on foreign military bases.

How do you do that?
Relationships-  Spending LOTS of time meeting teens where they are (i.e. school, games, hangouts). Our vision is to cast the “net wide”, engaging kids from all walks of life.
Chaplancy - Working hand in hand to build strong relationships through the love of Christ.
Club - Weekly, fun, high energy event for all youth to participate in.
Beyond Club - An opportunity for youth to go deeper in their spiritual walk through small groups.
Retreats - An “off base time” for youth to have fun, and enjoy unique experiences while learning about God’s love for them!
Missions/Outreach - Equipping youth with the opportunity to serve others globally.

At this point we are still at least a year out from going. To ensure we maintain our three year commitment to military youth, we must have 100% of our commitments to give prior to leaving. Yes this means we have to raise all our own support! The exciting thing is we have the opportunity to test our Great God in these things. We know that he has promised to throw open the floodgates of heaven for his servants and those that GIVE to make His name known.

Malachi 3:10b “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

Magic Age?

You can't find much more of a breastfeeding advocate than myself. I'm La Leche all the way. Straight militant if you ask my hubby (just kidding... well maybe!). But I do have to say that the front of Time magazine is distasteful. I am all about breastfeeding past a year old. All of mine have... I am still breastfeeding my youngest and he is going strong. HOWEVER he is not standing in a chair posing for a camera. 

So what's the magic age? We've been told that it's age "one"- stop breastfeeding, give your child live vaccines (uh-oh now I'm really rocking the boat!), introduce crap in their diets (food dye, dairy, preservatives). But why all of this at age one? When our babies brains are still rapidly developing.... 
For me, I have become more confident with each child. I've stopped worrying about others opinions, or widespread government "recommendations". I've realized that I know these children best, and what we do, we do for a reason.

A final word of encoragement. If you have made it to age one breastfeeding, give it a couple extra  months. They are walking, running, climbing, and gaining that new independence. It's nice to hold onto that precious few minutes of bonding time only you can savor together.  And by the way, mad props to those mama's who exclusively pump for their babies, I don't know if I have that much resolve in me! And if you haven't breastfed before, no one will ever tell you how hard breastfeeding a baby is going to be. It doesn't come easy, but the reward is great. 

Dan in Sudan

A few months ago I posted about my brother who is currently a missionary in Southern Sudan (here). Recently he narrated the following video describing the current crisis. It is so challenging that we never forget why we here, our great commission, to LOVE and SERVE. To share the love of Jesus Christ so that all may know the Life Giver. 


Ben and I have also recently made some big decisions for our own family. We too will be going on the mission field, full time, in the coming year or so. More to come about that later.... but please keep us and our decisions in your prayers. There will be lots of tough days around the corner, but we are excited about what God has laid before us.