Trip blog #5

So Friday was our R&R day. We hadn't gotten to see much of the area except the drive to and from HOA, so Friday after a week of hard work, Fenel rewarded us by taking us to not 1 but 2 beautiful beaches.

The first beach, "the cove" is where we got to dip our toes in for a few minutes earlier in the week. We came back again for a few minutes to do a little souvenir shopping for family and friends. They had pretty bracelets, hand carved boxes, figures, wooden machetes, and even (albeit extremely inaccurate) hand made wooden globes. It was funny because the places on the globe were distorted at best, but it was still really cool. I know I could never do that any better!

Trip Blog #3

In continuing to recap our recent Haiti mission trip, I wanted to talk about what we did last week a little bit more each post. It's still hard for me to believe we've almost been back a week already. It feels like we were gone much longer than just a week, and it also feels like it was so much longer than just one week ago. It's a strange feeling that I can't really explain except that I'm sure other people who travel out of the country for something like that do feel out of sorts for a little bit.

Back to the trip, though!

Day 3 found us getting ready Monday morning for the first work day. We headed to the work site and the kids ran out to catch the action any time they had a brief break from their schoolwork.

Trip blog #4

Days 5 and 6

Wednesday and Thursday we got more time to play with the kids, and more work to do! Thursday was an especially busy day for the team, as we divided into 4 teams to get all the jobs accomplished. Jim worked on welding

Trip Blog #2

For those wondering, here's a summary of our recent trip to Jacmel, Haiti. If you have questions, feel free to leave them as a comment and I'll be happy to respond. We had such a jam packed, overwhelming week of new experiences, sometimes it's hard to really put it into words, but I can try!

Saturday: We got up bright and early at about 3 am to get ready to go to the airport, and my dad picked us up early because of all the snow and ice on the road. Once we boarded the plane, I wasn't sure what to expect. The only thing I knew was God had taken my fear away and replaced it with excitement and eager anticipation. It was more fun and less scary than I had assumed. Kind of like a big charter bus with wings, if that makes sense!

Trip blog #1

As I sat here this morning, drinking my Spark, and eating my apple slices for breakfast, I realize I am still trying to get back to the swing of things. See, all last week my husband and I had probably one of the coolest adventures we've had in our almost 9 years of marriage. We went to Jacmel, Haiti where we got to serve with members of three other churches on a mission trip team. We got up early, went to bed early, and for some reason it's been kind of wonky trying to get back on Mississippi time, even though it's only an hour difference, it literally feels like another world down there.  These last few months have been a series of firsts for my hubby and I, and I know already that it is going to continue in the coming months.

Some of you may know, if you know us personally or have kept up with this blog, that since September God has been pulling us out of our comfort zones and stretching our trust, further than I ever thought possible. He has torn down walls, shattered fears and expectations, and has been chipping away at the security bubble around us.

Modern Day Slavery

Slavery.

It's easy to think that slavery doesn't exist anymore.  It's especially easy to live in our comfy little US bubbles, where are are *free* to be blind and oblivious to oppression in all the other parts of the world. After all, slavery was abolished a long time ago, right? But the truth is, it happens every day. I have to admit, I was stupidly blind to this issue for quite some time. But it is all too common. Actually, it's probably right under you nose, in your city!  We just choose to look away, and after a while, it doesn't even phase us or worse-we're naive enough to think because we don't see it, it doesn't happen. Not even a blip on our radar.

In Oceans Deep.....

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

-Oceans, Hillsong United

I've been hearing this song quite a bit lately. If you have turned on the local Christian radio station or been to a modern worship service lately, chances are you have too. Although, I have to admit, I liked this song from the very first time I heard it. Something just resonated with me. It could have been the lyrics, since that is usually what draws me to like a song. I'm a lyrics junkie, for sure. Or perhaps the passionate voices set to peaceful "oceanic" music that built and built up intrigued me. 

As I listen to the lyrics, I'm reminded of one of the great stories we've grown up with. Glossed over even. See, for so long, I was one of those Christians. Those Christians who had a sincere belief in the Lord, but no real lasting hunger for Him. I don't know what happened. I had it as a child, but somewhere along the way, I got satisfied with mediocrity and Sunday school characatures of those mighty men and women of God, and sound byte Bible studies that really are only suitable for kids under the age of five. What happened??? I let the world influence me too much. I let the enemy fool me into being satisfied with mediocrity. With being a fence sitter. Sure, I knew where I stood on sin-especially sins of others. Homosexuality? Wrong. Murder of innocent babies? Tragically wrong. Lying? Wrong, but acceptable... Somewhere along the way, I became so complacent that I was satisfied to "facebook rant" about stuff rather than actually doing anything about it. Somewhere along the way, I became apart of this distorted, twisted world that hates and points out the sins of others, and even prays for them to 'find their way', but ignored my own sins. 

Here I am calling myself out. Laziness. Gluttony. Selfishness. Lack of willingness to spend a daily quiet time with God, though I knew the importance of it. Losing my temper and acting in anger too frequently. Lack of obedience to tithe and commit my finances to God. Not having trust in God to do what He says. Letting my fears keep me from doing something God told me to do. Not having a daily prayer life. 

For so long, Jacob and I both lived this way, but this is personal to me. People would stop me and tell me how good I was raising my kids. That they were well mannered and loved God. That did make me happy, satisfied even. Job well done, pat on the back to myself. The problem is, what kind of example were we setting if we never prayed except meal times or in dire need of God to save us from some unexpected trouble. I never doubted the power of prayer, except that I never did it, so obviously I didn't understand the power of it. But I had accepted Christ, and I meant it. And I went to church, and that was enough right? That's how you raise Godly kids right? Teach them to accept Christ and attend church and that will be that, right? They're good, right? I'm good, right??????????? 

Then there was the marriage conference. It's about time for a tune-up I figured, but we were doing good for a marriage going on almost 9 years. No major defects. That was true, too, but I had no idea and neither did Jacob what was missing. I tell you what, no one event in my life besides my salvation has rocked me as much as that weekend. When Pastor Shannon O'dell spoke, I had no idea what we were in for until it was too late. I was no longer satisfied with what I now identified as mediocre at best. It was like a light bulb switched off to my faith, AND Jacob's! The Holy Spirit was at work that weekend big time and I know so many other marriages were shaken too. 

Since that weekend, I don't want to be satisfied with mediocrity ever again. And I pray I never get to that place. I pray I stay hating my own sin more than yours, and focus on God rather than myself. I pray I am a light to my husband, my children, my family, my church, my community and my world. I pray that God continues to reveal Himself to me and that I can get over my selfish fears and moments of weakness. I pray that God will continue stretching me and my family to serve Him and His purposes instead selfishly seeking whatever is we thought we wanted.  Because it pales in comparison to what God has planned I assure you. That dream of owning some big house eventually and having plenty of money and earthly things and being comfortable doesn't matter as much anymore. I pray that these might not just be words, but I am willing to put them down on 'paper'...or more permanently rather, the internet, where words live forever. I'm willing to do that because as much as that scares me to hold myself accountable like that, I want it! I want to have that much faith in my God, that I will hold him to what He said about providing for me. I want to have that much faith, that I believe Him enough to provide the money for our trip like He said He would, to tell all of you that He said that! He told me if I would only obey, no, if we would only obey, that He would provide and that I needed to trust Him. We have 2 weeks left till we leave and I'm freaking out here just a little bit! But I know God always keeps His promises. And I know what He said. We're going to Haiti. It's a done deal. Am I scared? Sure! But I have to trust God more than I fear the unknown. Just like Peter. 

When I hear that song, that's who I think of. I think of not only the mistake He made, but what we can learn from it.  
Matthew 14:22-33 
Jesus Walks on the Water

25 Early in the morning, Jesus went out to the disciples. He walked on the lake. 26 They saw him walking on the lake and were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said. And they cried out in fear. 27 Right away Jesus called out to them, "Be brave! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, is it you?" Peter asked. "If it is, tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," Jesus said. So Peter got out of the boat. He walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid. He began to sink. He cried out, "Lord! Save me!"  31 Right away Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "Your faith is so small!" he said. "Why did doubt me?" 32 When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those in the boast worshiped Jesus. They said, "You really are the Son of God!"