Blessings & Writings

The Lord is good. I am more & more keenly aware of his blessing in my life. He has given me some beautiful & godly women to walk with...One of those is my friend Donna Stuart. Well, if you don't know Donna she's a disciple of Jesus, loving wife to Ben, writer, singer, artist, visionary...she's also an encourager.

So grateful to my friend Donna for encouraging me to write more and giving me a chance to put to paper what God has been doing in my life. You can read it on Donna's site: Butterfly Blog

Family Camp-ing.

We just got back from Family Camp with the Village Church (our favorite people in the world). We spent a refreshing week at Shepherd of the Ozarks camping, swimming in the creek, riding horses, canoeing, hiking, & paintballing (Caleb & Scott)...and simply enjoying God's creation. The children loved every second! We loved getting to meet new families and having fun adult hang out time after the kiddos went to bed. Sign us up for next year!

Charlotte & Beckett meet Bambi.

What the...

Where did we sleep? Bunk beds of course. Fort style.

Day trip to Mountain View. Of course we had to visit here...

Best Milkshake ever.

Charlotte & Ella.

Post dinner madness.

Family pic.

Chilling creek-side.

My girl.

Adult hike to Indian Bluff.

Douglass fam.

Carruth fam.

My beautiful girls.

Charlotte & her BFF- Milkshake.

Jesus Came to Save Sinners.

Lovely.

Until Next Year!

Home is Where My Heart is...

I am going to be staying home as a full-time mom & wife this next year. I am thrilled and terrified, but mostly I feel peace. I know that this is a specific season of life & that the Lord has spoken clearly to me about staying at home. I've always been in school, working, teaching, counseling, and now I have the privilege of using every gif that God has given me to pour into my daughter, my husband, and our home. It's been a long road of my own opinions, pressures of the world, fears...but I finally see with clarity and have confidence that being a mother is one of the primary roles that God has given me. Will I struggle? Yes. Will I fail? More than likely on several occasions. But my confidence doesn't come from me...it comes from Jesus and who He is...He is changing me and I am grateful. I will not get the instant gratification all the time of seeing the fruit of my work at home, but I can trust that God will be faithful in all of the unseen and that is enough. Home is where my heart is because that is where God has called me...

Sudan Day 7

Today was the last day full day in The Sudan. We finished up with the pastor's conference and teaching at the orphanages. The week has been great and a full success. God has been so gracious to us in allowing us to do his good work here in The Sudan and be a part of the ministry of the EPC. Tomorrow morning we fly out to Entebbe, Uganda - then on to Nirobi, Kenya and then on to Amsterdam.

The orphanage team. I'm not sure why they are standing at attention. Apparently I'm a pretty demanding photographer.

The last teaching in The Sudan this week.

The comforts of home.

Jason dances during worship - Sudanese style.

Papa Moses asks a clarifying question to Jason and Michael.

Jason and Michael excited to have finished out the week. They are mentally exhausted.

Bishop Taban thanks Jason with a gift.

Bishop Taban thanks Michael with a gift.

Bishop Taban thanks Collin with a gift.

Bishop Elias Taban and his sweet wife Anne Grace.

Michael prays for one of the pastors at the conference.

Bishop Taban shares his life and testimony.

The team is honored to lay hands on and pray for Bishop Taban and his ministry.

Sudan lightning storm.

Village Sudan Campus anyone?

Sudan Day 6

Today I had my first chance to visit one of the orphanages. It's great to see how the EPC is meeting the needs of so many children who have been orphaned by the war by sharing the love of God with them - both tangibly and spiritually. It is an honor to work along side them this week.

Phillip prepares to teach.

Classrooms at the orphanage.

Phillip teaches the Gospel.

Phillip and Jocilyn (Headmaster)

Me teaching the Gospel

Explaining the fundamentals of the Gospel.

Enjoying the view.

Enjoying the delicious empanadas.

One of the many young victims of the landmines.

Flora.

Playing.

Phillip frolicking.

Striker.

Carissa teaching.

Teaching on Daniel and Lions Den.

Post soccer.

The children sing us a song before we leave.

Dave teaching the pastors on spiritual disciplines.