22 days and counting....

photo courtesy of Ecosalon
Joe and I will be leaving for a week long trip to Haiti in just a short 22 days!  I am both scared and excited.


Worried about how the kids will do with Grandparents and our hectic schedule! 


Worried about doing, seeing, feeling the unknown.  I have never done medical care in a 4th world country, how will I know what to do?  Will I be able to do it?  Will I be able to tell women "NO" when they offer me their babies, since they can't take care of them?  I want to take them all home in my suitcases.


Worried about the oppressive heat.  I like me some A/C.  Hopefully there will be some working somewhere while we are there.


Worried about forgetting something, getting sick or injured, getting lost.  These are the things that run through my mind at 4am. 
Why 4 am?  I have no idea, but that is when God wakes me and reminds to pray and give it all to Him- the one who can handle it all.
1 Peter 5:7
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."


Ahhh... that feels so much better :)


*If you would be so gracious to join us in prayer for our trip, we would be forever grateful.*

**If you would like to donate to our mission fund, please let us know.**
photo courtesy of nzpost

Menu Monday on wednesday?

I know, I know, I haven't been on here forever.  Summer fun was too much fun to be on the computer.  Since I am working full time now, menus are a must.
Sunday
Chicken Pot pie

Monday
Spaghetti and meatballs in the crock pot.
garlic bread

Tuesday
Cheeseburgers on the grill
fruit smoothies

Wednesday
Taco salad
apples

Thursday
Chicken on the grill
rice and beans
applesauce

Friday
Tailgating at the football game
Pumpkin choco chip cookies
brats
hot dogs
apples

Love it!

“I see women who are doing their absolute best in every way – but they keep track only of their mistakes. They make lists of things they haven’t done instead of the phenomenal amount of things they’ve accomplished. No matter what mountain of achievement they’ve just climbed, they stumble over molehills, saying things like, “But it’s not enough,” or, “I didn’t do it well enough.” The good news of the gospel is that who we are is okay. Our best is good enough. The Savior came for us –just as we are.




…perfect people don't need a Savior. He came to save his people in their imperfections. He is the Lord of the living, and the living make mistakes. He's not embarrassed by us, angry at us, or shocked. He wants us in our brokenness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and our grief."
--Chieko Okazaki

Rocks Baseball 2011

Look at his cheeks! Ha! What a cutie!

This is after his 2nd Homerun of the year! He hit it for Amy's Birthday!

Way to go Aaron!

30 day Challenges

I saw this on Revive our Hearts. Great ideas!

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/challenge/

Menus

Menus have been weak these past few weeks. Our life is normally busy, but we have kicked it up a few notches with rain make up games, basketball tryouts, and other meetings. I like being somewhat busy, but this is crazy! School will be out soon and hopefully we can get back to a "normal crazy" for us! Honestly, that is wishful thinking! Mission trips, camps, baseball and vacation will fill it up fast. I pray I can be intentional in my relationships with family and friends.

Monday
Amy soccer game and Mom at a meeting at church.
Subway giftcard meal!
Tuesday
Lemon chicken
beans and rice
strawberries
Wednesday
Shredded crockpot beef
baked potatoes
green beans
Thursday
Chicken pockets
salad
friday
pizza

Women of Faith

I went to a Women of Faith conference with 2 of my dearest friends, in Columbus Ohio this past weekend.

We laughed, we cried, we ate ice cream for breakfast one day, ate other yummy food, slept in, shopped and listened to some awesome worship and speakers.

Here is a recap:

Worshipping with 11000 women is incredible. I couldn't help but cry singing Holy Holy Holy with them-amazing!

Natalie Grant, Mary Mary, and Laura Story gave us mini concerts on top of the great worship team.

Sheila Walsh

She taught us that the Shepherd always finds us. Even if we aren't looking for him or are unable. He always wants to save us, and bring us back, even when we don't think we are worthy.

Henry Cloud

He taught us that we all need a "monkey" in our cage. Research shows that having a companion to come along side us decreases stress and helps us handle situations better.

He also taught us that there is always a way out of sin patterns, it takes hard work, but we can do it.

Angie Smith

She told her amazing story of fear and loss. She had everyone laughing and then crying with her. She told us of crying out to Kudios- our Lord, our all.

Luci Swindoll

She challenged us to live for meaning and not more. She is a very wise and funny woman!

Lisa Hartman

She taught us to live a life untamed for God, whatever your situation in life.

Nicole Johnson

She is a gifted actress and performed a few skits for us and then told of her own painful journey through her parents divorce. How pain that is not dealt with correctly can lead us into angry outbursts and our own "fuel dump". Her skits were about the many hats of a mom and to not get them mixed up. And also the feeling that we as moms feel sometimes invisible.

Good stuff- I highly recommend a weekend with girlfriends to refresh and re energize. I am so thankful for a husband who allowed me to be gone on a very busy weekend for our family. And also thankful my parents were able to come and help him out!