tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52011342989823692912024-03-13T16:24:57.247-05:00Joy, Hope and Everything in BetweenAn adoptive mother's journey of learning to love deeper and growing in her faith through missionselisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-53768426104980484042015-08-04T06:24:00.003-05:002015-08-04T06:24:39.195-05:00Putting it Into Words<br />
I am not new at this. I have returned home from a mission trip many times. I prepare my teams to come up with short responses for well meaning people who ask, "How was your trip?" But this time, I was not prepared myself. <br />
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Each trip is unique. Each trip has its own highs and lows. This trip was FABULOUS and it was DEVASTATING. How? I struggle putting it into words. I will try.</div>
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The best part of my trip was watching the relationships grow with children from the Sole Hope outreach house. Sole Hope is an organization that serves those with jiggers, a sand flea that burrows under the skin and produces its larvae that stay there until removed. Their outreach house takes on the worst cases. I saw familiar face. Little Abraham was at the outreach house when I was there this last December. He was brought back. This was his second time at the outreach house. So not only did I see a familiar face, so did he. We loved on him for the week he was there and then we drove him back to his families home to reunite him, jigger free, with his family. Whew...great experience and tough experience in one. It was nice to take him back home to his family, but what we took him back to brought me to tears. His family of seven lived in a homelike structure the about the size of a queen size bed. There was one bed and no door. No wonder this boy had jiggers so bad in twice in just 6 months. </div>
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My team, a few who had returned from previous trips, also were building relationships with children and ministry partners. In my opinion, that is the key to a successful short term mission trip. We served the long term missionaries who are the real heros. They work day and night, year round and we just come along side them for a short time. Our team loved on them big time!</div>
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Some of the harder things were not being able to meet all the needs. It's difficult when a child with a severe disability is brought to an organization seeking help and help is hard to give. It's difficult when hands are being held out for money and saying no. It's hard seeing young men being beaten, just yards away, by a village for stealing. Or being handed a malnourished child who looks like two years old, but has adult teeth and must be around 6 or 7. </div>
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So when you ask, "how was your trip?" Be ready for a brief, "it was good." Because it was. But honestly, it was much much more than good. It was profound! It was life changing! But I will say "it was good," because it's easier for you to understand. It's easier than going into long stories of how me and my teams lives were wrecked. </div>
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Do you really want to know more? Then let's have coffee! Or better yet, come to my house! I'll talk your head off and you can watch the 20 hours of video footage and view the over 4,000 images! Y'all...I live for this stuff! <br />
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elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-15431697746197352042015-05-05T15:35:00.000-05:002015-05-05T15:35:02.004-05:00The Real MeI live many lives, and have many hats. I am a military wife. A mom and an adoptive mom. A short term missionary and advocate. I volunteer in my military community to fundraise, and I mentor other military spouses. I lead small groups within my church. But I also love a good girls night out. I enjoy a good margarita. I listen to secular music. I joke and play pranks on my friends. If I really like you, you'll get a slap on the butt! I'm an open book. It's who I am. <br />
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I love my Jesus, that's no secret. I blare my worship music everywhere! But I'm also a very real person. I'm loud and outspoken. I'm a bit crazy and sometimes rash and sarcastic. I am far from perfect, but I am real. As Steve Harvey put it, "Don't trip, He ain't thru with me yet!"<br />
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Recently, someone questioned my authenticity. Their words seemed as if they were putting me up on a pedestal to meet the expectations that they had of a spiritual leader. I do agree that spiritual leaders should be held to a higher standard. People are watching you. But I am not God. I don't sing Kumbaya 10 hours a day, nor do I pray for 5 hours at a time. I am not perfect. I am flawed. But I am real. And I feel that being real with people and genuinely being the same person you are on Saturday as on Sunday is key. Love Jesus everyday. Strive for a stronger testimony everyday. I have had non Christians be more receptive to my faith because they feel less threatened by me. They see me. They see I'm flawed. They see me and my crazy self everyday, but they also know I love the Lord.<br />
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If I was to take it down a notch, and not joke around. I would be a hypocrite. I would be putting on a facade to appease others. God has made me ME! He made me spontaneous, he made me loud, he made me crazy and full of passion about a lot of things. And I believe He made me that way so that others can see that Christians don't all have it together, but our God does! I strive to grow in my faith and it's a journey I am on everyday. <br />
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But for those who question my authenticity, I ask…How many people are you winning over with your methods? How many people want to hear about Christ's love for them through you? elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-87175653174520598102015-03-24T03:18:00.000-05:002015-03-24T03:18:22.804-05:00Compassion <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What does it mean to have compassion?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="dbox-pg" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span><span class="dbox-pg" style="box-sizing: border-box;">noun</span></span><span class="def-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; float: left; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1.</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">feeling</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">deep</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">sympathy</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">and</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">sorrow</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">for</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">another</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">who</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">stricken</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">misfortune,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">accompanied</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">by</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">strong</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">desire</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">alleviate</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">suffering.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a work in progress, and I'm the first to admit that. I have come along way, but God is still working in me. He has given me compassion and He commands me to give it as freely as He has given it to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What does the bible say about having compassion?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ephesians 4:32</b> - <span style="background-color: white;">Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Galatians 6:2 </b>- </span><span style="background-color: white;">Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>James 1:27</b> - </span><span style="background-color: white;">Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>1 Corinthians 13:1-13</b> - </span><span style="background-color: white;">If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>James 2:14-26 </b></span><span class="text Jas-2-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> - </span>What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30308A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30308A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Can such faith save them?</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Jas-2-15" id="en-NIV-30309" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. </span><span class="text Jas-2-16" id="en-NIV-30310" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30310C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30310C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Jas-2-17" id="en-NIV-30311" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Jas-2-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><b>Matthew 25: 35-36 -</b></span></span><span class="text Matt-25-35" id="en-NIV-24044" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24044A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24044A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-25-36" id="en-NIV-24045" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>I needed clothes and you clothed me,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24045B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24045B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> I was sick and you looked after me,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24045C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24045C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> I was in prison and you came to visit me.’</span></span><br />
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So what does that mean for us as Christians? We are COMMANDED to have compassion! We can not just say, "I will pray for you and your needs." We need to help each other out! You see someone hungry, feed them! You see someone without clothes, clothe them! I think a lot of times, we want to believe that the said person in need somehow deserves the hunger or nakedness or homelessness. The bible is saying the faith without deeds is dead! Love one another people. Have compassion on one another! See a need, meet it!<br />
<span class="text Matt-25-36" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-38604060926665061382015-03-03T06:51:00.001-06:002015-03-03T06:51:27.664-06:00My Double LifeI live two very different lives. I wish they weren't so black and white, and that they could both exist together at the same time. Slowly my two worlds are beginning to collide. <br />
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I spend the majority of my life being a military wife and a mom. Dropping my kids off at school, attending teacher conferences and scouting events fill my days. I do homework with my kids and read them bed time stories. I grocery shop and cook. I clean. I work a part time job and am involved in various military functions, including my favorite…military balls! <br />
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My other life is in Uganda. I'm also a mom in Uganda. Culturally, you begin to take on the name "Mom or Mum" when you have earned a level of respect in someones life, or you are old…lol. I was called mom on my second trip to Uganda by a few girls that I began to sponsor. Slowly the older kids started calling me Mom. And within the last two years, even my drivers call me Mom. Or Mama Elisa. These relationships that I have been building for the last four years are no longer just casual relationships with people I see twice a year. They are ongoing relationships. I see them more than I do my own extended family! They are real life people that I love dearly. <br />
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When I get off the plane in Uganda, I feel at home. I know the airport and where to go to report lost baggage. I know the exits. I know the parking lot. I know the familiar faces of the loved ones picking me up. I know the places to stop for food and a good bathroom. I am familiar with the guesthouse that I stay at and how the plumbing and electricity work. I know the guards that protect it. I know the cooks and their specialty dishes. I know which boda driver knows his way around Jinja Town and won't screw me over. I have his number! I have my favorite super markets and street vendors. I'm learning more and more of the language. <br />
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When people ask me where I'm from, I'm stumped. I'm a Navy wife and a Navy brat. I'm from the Navy! When people ask me where is home, I've got two answers, "Home is where his boots are," and "Uganda!" I can have two homes right? <br />
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Every year, I spend more and more time in my Uganda. Last summer, the kids were able to join me for almost two months. It was an experience. I was so excited to share my Uganda with them. They loved it! But there is still a very big divide in my life here, as a wife and a mom, and my life there. It's as if I'm Superman leading this double life. I'm home playing mom and then a trip comes up and I put on my cape and fly to Africa.<br />
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I desperately want my two lives to fully collide. They are slowly. I used to spend about 3-4 weeks a month in Uganda and this year, it's looking more like two months! In the meantime, I will continue to be obedient to the calling on my life and live both my Super Elisa lives!<br />
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elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-32179735300453965462015-03-02T06:12:00.003-06:002015-03-02T06:12:56.941-06:00How a Military Wife's Mind Works Regarding PCS SeasonAnyone involved in military life is VERY familiar with the term PCS. Our lives bank on it. We set our calendars around it. Our children dread it, or learn to embrace it. What does PCS mean? It means Permanent Change of Station, in other words…moving time. <br />
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My entire life, with exception of the 7 years in-between my dad retiring from the Navy and marrying a Sailor, I have PCS'd. A lot! I actually can't imagine a life not PCS'ing. It's how I'm wired. In the Navy, we typically PCS ever three years. So after two years, I start to get the itch. I start stalking potential duty stations. I purge the house and prepare for a move. I start disconnecting a bit in my circles to emotionally prepare for the separations of friendships that I have built. <br />
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So I've created a list of what runs through a military wive's mind during PCS season!<br />
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1. When is that freaking list coming out?! <br />
I call Boo probably at least once a day to see if he's heard anything about the list of potential duty stations. Even though I know what day the list will be released. What if he just happened to get it early? Or what if he had some inside knowledge of potential duty stations? <br />
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2. When can we leave?<br />
I love every place that we have lived! Seriously! I am in no rush to leave, I just want to know when we are leaving! I know he has a timeframe, but what about exceptions? The kids need to start school, so can we leave a month early? What about our family time? I want to visit our Texas family before we head to our new home, we haven't been back in three years! Will we be able to do that?<br />
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3. Where are we freaking going?<br />
I know we have to wait for the list to come out, select our top three choices and then wait for someone else to decide where we are living, but WHERE ARE WE GOING? Every little job that pops up, even though it probably won't work, I research it to death! Boo comes home and says, "hey, I heard they may release a billet (job) in Pensacola." What do I do? I join every Pensacola Face Book page I can! I start making Pensacola friends! I look up houses, neighborhoods and schools. I research demographics and crime stats. I look up airports and research rates to and from our home town. Then…I find out Pensacola isn't an options after all. So I start doing the same thing with my our dream list of duty stations. It drives Boo insane, but a girl has to be prepared right?!<br />
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4. What needs to go?<br />
I start purging through our crap. There's nothing like arriving to your new home and having to unpack all the crap that you never used during the last three years! I remember growing up and watching the same boxes be moved everywhere we went. Some, never even opened. After my dad retired, I went in and opened a few boxes only to find some of their wedding presents from 18 years earlier! It's gotta go!<br />
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5. What do I need to stock up on? <br />
Depending on where we live, I like to bring some kind of memento of our time at said location. Currently, we are stationed in Germany. I'd like to have a few pieces of European furniture, some Polish pottery and other German like decor to remind us of our time here. <br />
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6. Where the heck are we going again?<br />
I seriously can't emphasize the magnitude of this question! We, as military spouses, just want to know. In most cases, I'll adapt where ever we end up going. But I just want to know! <br />
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So, we have lived in Germany about 2 1/2 years. That means it's time for us to know! I love this life, and can't imagine not living it like we do. But bring out that list baby!elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-57908650716313660642015-01-20T11:20:00.001-06:002015-01-20T11:20:25.714-06:00Uganda December 2014How was your trip? I hear these words so often. The words I have to share are so few. How can I put what I experienced into words? I can not. My words don't do it justice. How was my trip? It was life changing. It was heartbreaking. It was joyful and fulfilling. It was all of these things and more. My teams are rocked by their experiences! I am so thankful that God has chosen me to lead them! I can't think of anything I would rather do! <br />
Mission trips are for anyone willing to go! You don't have to be a bible scholar, or a Pastor's kid to go. Lord knows my qualifications would be lacking! You just have to want to go! I truly believe that passion is God's way of tugging on your heart. He wants you to see what He sees. He wants your life to be affected. He wants you to go! <br />
Join me this summer in Uganda! <a href="http://www.visitingorphans.org/mission_trips/events/uganda/2015/05-28/uganda-mayjune-2015-leader-hyman">I'll be leading a two week trip leaving on May 28th</a>. I will also be leading <a href="http://www.visitingorphans.org/">Visiting Orphan</a>'s first <a href="http://www.visitingorphans.org/mission_trips/events/uganda/2015/05-28/extended-trip-option-uganda-mayjune-2015-leader-hyman">Ugandan Extended Trip</a>! If you have been to Uganda with Visiting Orphans and would like an opportunity to stay for a month, this trip is for you! <a href="http://www.visitingorphans.org/">Visiting Orphans </a>leads teams all over the world! Check it out! <br />
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<br />elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-8146176695241767732015-01-09T08:21:00.000-06:002015-01-09T08:21:26.605-06:00Processing AgainProcessing is something I encourage my teams to do. Process the things you saw and did and make sure you have a way to do that. For some, it's easier than others. Some of my team members process by writing, some process by sharing their stories with others. Some have a difficult time putting into words what just happened. That seems to be where I am. <br />
I just came home from my sixth mission trip in four years. And I'm still processing. It's difficult for me to get back to everyday life. As I walked to my children's school this afternoon to pick them up, I realized that my children get to go to school. My children have the security of knowing that someone will be there to pick them up. They come out of school jumping and running. There will be dinner on the stove tonight and they will sleep in a bed protecting them front the outside elements. If they are sick, they have easy access to a doctor and a hospital. <br />
My children are also in a culture of greed and materialism. They have access to their choice of clothes and matching shoes. They get more excited about their video games and electronics than they do out of God's word. They are American children.<br />
I often think I am becoming desensitized to the poverty, illness and cultural differences that I experience. I have seen so much, it takes a lot to shock me. This trip shook me up a bit. But I think what shakes me up even more is that there are so many people that haven't seen what I see. They hear the stories, but until they have seen…they don't get it. I want people to see, I want others to experience something so outside of themselves that it rocks them to the core. That is where transformation and change comes from!<br />
While I am processing again, for the sixth time, ask me how my trip went. I have a ton of stories to share! If you want a one line answer, I'll give it to you. But if you really want to know how my trip went, give me an hour and I'll show you how my heart is really breaking. I will tell you things that will break your own. And THEN, I'll get you to join me in <a href="http://www.visitingorphans.org/mission_trips/events/uganda/2015/05-28/uganda-mayjune-2015-leader-hyman">May</a>!<br />
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<a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-44665438809920264752014-10-23T06:43:00.003-05:002014-10-23T06:43:47.203-05:00Spiritual Check UpChecking in on your spiritual life is essential to spiritual growth. I am a work in progress…I am well aware of that. After reading Interrupted, by Jen Hatmaker, I found myself torn. Her book is amazing and truly puts to words a lot of my beliefs. I think the church needs step it up, to evaluate her methods and get back on track. <br />
I am the church. You are the church. WE are the church! So do I have it all together? Do I have all the answers? No….that's a big fat NO! BUT, I am evaluating my own spiritual growth. God has been showing me areas that I need to work on. He is showing me how to get back on track. It's not always pretty, but being in His will is.<br />
Working in ministry isn't always easy. It can be tremendously fulfilling, but comes with great responsibility. I am learning that. My actions are watched. My REactions are being watched. How I deal with conflict is being observed. My language is heard. Am I living up to what I am intended to be? No. Am I recognizing my faults and trying to get back on track? Yes!<br />
I don't have to be Great because my God is! But I do need to grow and share His love. I'm working on improving my part of the church. Are you?elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-83373354767192300352014-10-07T01:42:00.001-05:002014-10-07T01:42:57.890-05:00Mom of the Year….HA! I sooooo don't have it together when it comes to parenting. <br />
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I can guarantee that there will be many that don't agree with me on a few of my "great parenting" skills. But this is how we roll in our house.<br />
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First, I feel that my kids need to be independent. That means they entertain themselves. I am not here to meet their every need. If they need to wipe their butt, THEY need to wipe their butt! If they are thirsty, they know where the cups and water are. They are arguing, THEY need to work it out! They need to wake up, dress themselves, groom themselves and feed themselves. I feel like there has been a transition into hyper parenting in the American culture. I'm not sure where it came from, and I don't think it's healthy. It creates a sense of entitlement in adolescents and adulthood. I feel like my job as a mother is to teach my children to ultimately become successful, loving and giving adults. By allowing them this independence, I feel that they are learning that if they want something to happen, THEY need to make it happen. And I feel that that is healthy!<br />
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This brings me to another touchy subject. Now, before you freak out, you must know that I live in Europe and on a military instillation. However, if I lived back in the states, I would probably do the same in the right area. I let my kids play outside without me! Yes without me! My children, ages 10 and 5, play outside…OUTSIDE! There are guidelines (many) and a means of immediate communication if need be. But they play outside WITHOUT me! And they are fine! <br />
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My son walks to and from school alone. On days that I cannot walk Marley all the way, Miles is responsible for his little sister. It's teaching him to take care of her. NO, he is not parenting her, but he is learning that being an older brother has responsibilities. Just this morning, I dropped them both off at the curb of the school, and Miles was responsible for waiting in the Kindergarten line with Marley until a teacher shows up. I say that with pride. He is learning responsibility. Does it always go smooth? No. But we are trying.<br />
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I think it's ridiculous seeing capable children his age, 10 years old, walked by their parent daily the whole 4 blocks to school. I understand not all children are the same. Marley is NOT as capable as Miles was at his age. She is a different child. But a 10 year old is capable of walking to alone to a school that is 4 blocks away…lol! <br />
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Here in Europe, there are children that navigate the public trains as early as maybe 7 years old! Now we aren't taking it that far, but I'm trying to make a point. <br />
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Miles, age 10, is also learning to cook. He can prepare pancakes and grilled cheese. I'm not afraid to have him use a knife, he has been trained how to use one. He also is in charge of all the dishes in our home. Marley, age 5, is slowly joining the ranks of independence. Since she requires a bit more guidance, she helps with peeling carrots and potatoes, and her daily task of making her bed and cleaning her room. <br />
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Our American culture of parenting has become so protective and all about hyper parenting and I feel like it's creating a generation of entitled , self absorbed children that expect Mom to clean up there rooms and make their beds when they are in high school. I wonder if this same hyper parenting is keeping these young adults at home until they are 30? That is ridiculous! <br />
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<br />elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-58758389988544557082014-09-09T06:47:00.001-05:002014-09-09T06:51:39.659-05:00You Can't Stop Me!Yeah, I'm coming at ya with another controversial topic…deliverance.<br />
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If you know me, you know I LOVE missions. If you follow me on Facebook, you know I have broken a tooth in Uganda, then turned around broke two bones in my foot while living in Germany and then got on a plane to Uganda just four days after getting out of my walking boot. THEN…this past summer, I dislocated my left ankle and broke three bones in my foot the first day back in Uganda. The funny thing is, some of the Ugandans said, "Momma, your foot is still paining you?!" Ha!<br />
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So I'm back home in Germany and YES, my foot is STILL paining me! So, the screws from my first foot surgery need to come out. <br />
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What does this have to do with deliverance? Well let me tell you! I have a God given calling, and the enemy doesn't like that. With God's help, I am changing lives. I am showing the love of Christ all over the world and the enemy has been trying to keep me from doing it for a long time! <br />
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Let me back up. Back in 2006, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I couldn't open doors or jars. I started having chronic pain about two years later. I was on so many pain relievers, I was eventually diagnosed with Narcolepsy because I couldn't stay awake due to all of the drugs. Then I was given medication to stay awake. It was ridiculous! When we moved to Germany, thru the prayers of many, I was healed. Serious healing y'all! <br />
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Summer of 2013, I traveled to Uganda before my team and on day one I fell and broke my tooth! Thankfully, there was no major damage and I sported a fancy smile until I got back home to get it repaired.<br />
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Then in October of 2013, I fell off a bench at my city's version of Oktoberfest. Yeah, I was dancing on a bench! Before you start judging, you get trampled on if you are on the ground! And it was a cultural experience, ya know?! So, my team was scheduled to leave over Thanksgiving. I seriously had NO TIME for a lengthy recovery! I flew out to Uganda four days after getting out of that boot. <br />
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That did not stop me! I had a team to lead and work to do! That ankle brace went with me everywhere! And so did the swelling! <br />
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June of 2014, the FIRST day in Uganda, I fall off a step. A FREAKING 4 INCH STEP! Immediately, I knew I had done some damage. I started praying prays of deliverance. I casted out any spirit that was trying to oppress me. My husband, kids and Ugandan friends looked on with wide eyes. I KNEW it was the enemy. That was not a coincidence. Long story short, with the help of some missionary friends, we treated my feet with what we had. See if you can find the boot in these photos…lol!<br />
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I came home and got re-xrayed and they said my bones had healed fine. I knew that, my God is a Healer! <br />
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I was just diagnosed with Osteopenia, an early version of Osteoporosis. I'm 36 y'all! My bones are breaking because they are fragile! And the enemy is using that against me. <br />
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So I claiming deliverance! The enemy CAN NOT STOP ME! I have too much to do! <br />
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<br />elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-28831770664970081662014-09-04T02:42:00.001-05:002014-09-04T02:48:56.662-05:00My Take on Evangelism<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OH the dreaded E word…..Evangelism. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a Christian, we are called to share our faith with others. But our methods are all different. As they should be, because we are all gifted in different ways, we are in different environments, our life experiences are different. Those we are "evangelizing" to also have different experiences. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mark 16:15</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation"</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This one verse can be interpreted many ways. What some of my non church going friends hear is, "YOU SINNER….." I hate that that may be their only experience of someone sharing God's love with them. WE have to share God's LOVE! That is how people are reached! Well that is how I was reached. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I rededicated my life to Christ, I was a sinner. A BIG fat sinner. I was a party girl. Thankfully, I had a few Christians that loved me anyways. When I reached a very low point, they were there. They didn't judge my sin. They showed me grace and love. They modeled what Jesus did…He loved!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Matthew 22:36-40</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Matt-22-36" id="en-NIV-23909" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">36 </span>“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”</span><span class="text Matt-22-37" id="en-NIV-23910" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">37 </span>Jesus replied: <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23910a" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23910a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:36-40#fen-NIV-23910a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23910A" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23910A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span></span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-38" id="en-NIV-23911" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">38 </span>This is the first and greatest commandment.</span> <span class="text Matt-22-39" id="en-NIV-23912" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">39 </span>And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23912b" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23912b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:36-40#fen-NIV-23912b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23912B" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23912B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-40" id="en-NIV-23913" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">40 </span>All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Matthew 5:16</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I believe that the best type of Evangelism is being a light. An example of God's love and grace. Showing others that we are no greater. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Matthew 9:36</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">1 Corinthians 11:1-2</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Ephesians 4:32</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">32 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29288BV" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29288BV" title="See cross-reference BV">BV</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29288BW" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29288BW" title="See cross-reference BW">BW</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hey Christians….You can scream if you want to! I have a megaphone you can borrow. You can shame. You can judge, you can pull out your bible and shove scripture down throats. But what are you teaching? What are you gaining? Rather, who are you pushing away? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">LOVE!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some practical ways to sharing your faith:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. Build authentic relationships with non-Chrisitians</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2.Trust the Holy Spirit to do the work of changing hearts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3.Don't just invite people to church...invest in them</span><br />
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Love never fails!</span>elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-52498756476738377892014-09-02T02:18:00.001-05:002014-09-02T02:18:25.600-05:00Cheers and TearsToday has been a long awaited day! Today, after being primarily a stay at home mom for almost TEN years, I am free! Marley started Kindergarden today. I thought I would drop her off and run away cheering. But instead, I held back my alligator tears until I was alone. I can't believe my baby girl is growing up! <br />
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Here is her and me on our first days of kindergarden!<br />
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elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-57961991620501246172014-08-25T01:08:00.004-05:002014-08-25T01:08:55.027-05:00Do Something! Visiting Orphans Uganda June 2014 Trip VideoThis past team to Uganda was AMAZING! God brought us all together and ROCKED our worlds. We were broken! We served and we loved! As a leader, I love watching the transformation that happens in my team's lives. Many are seeing need like they have never seen before. They are changed as God begins to work in them. THIS, my friends, is only the beginning!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/104251348" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/104251348">Visiting Orphans June 2014 Uganda Team</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user7598010">elisa hyman</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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On this team, we served at <a href="http://www.returnministriesuganda.org/">Return Ministries</a>, <a href="http://www.abidefamilycenter.org/">Abide Ministries</a>, <a href="http://www.myfathershouseintl.org/">My Father's House</a>, <a href="http://www.healingfaithuganda.org/">Healing Fatith</a>, <a href="http://www.voices4thevoiceless.org/sangaalo-babies-cottage/">Sangaalo Baby Home</a> and <a href="http://www.solehope.org/">Sole Hope</a>. <br />
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If God is stirring something in you to Do Something, then I urge you…Do Something! We ARE the change He wants to see in the world. He uses US! <br />
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<a href="http://www.visitingorphans.org/">www.Visitingorphans.org</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-24206041503135451692014-08-19T08:34:00.002-05:002014-08-19T08:48:27.973-05:00Miles & Marley on a Mission<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Miles & Marley on a Mission</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of my most memorable moments this summer in Uganda, were the times I got to share my love of missions with my children. Miles and Marley spent almost two months in Africa with me! First, we met up with Daddy in Ethiopia. Miles was NOT impressed. He was disgusted by the animal feces in the road and was freaked out by the abundance of flys. Oh did he have an awakening ahead! Marley didn't miss a beat! She loved everyone one! The staff of the guest home loved on her, the drivers loved on her, other missionaries loved on her and...her birthmother loved on her! YES, we were able to make it happen! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our next stop was Uganda. We spent about a week doing missions and hanging with our missionary friends the Segner's with <a href="http://www.healingfaithuganda.org/">Healing Faith</a>, as a family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And of course, I broke three bones in my foot the first day, so I was kickin' it with my fancy home made walking boot! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Brandon also got to meet our oldest Uganda daughter, Sharon and the baby I named after him!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We explored Jinja one Boda, motorcycle taxi, at a time. The kids enjoyed finding Americanized food and Ugandan treats like sugar cane and mendozi, a type of Ugandan donut. We went swimming, visited Sangaalo Baby Cottage, Arise and Shine Children's Home, Redeemer Children's Home and spent days with <a href="http://www.healingfaithuganda.org/">Healing Faith</a> and <a href="http://www.solehope.org/">Sole Hope</a> in the village. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids got much more comfortable around babies! It's so awesome to see how involved Miles wanted to be. He WANTED to hold the babies and feed them. They always sought baby Brandon out! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The children's homes we visited has many special needs children and both Miles and Marley enjoyed playing with the children and the animals! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The village days with <a href="http://www.healingfaithuganda.org/">Healing Faith</a> was full of excited children. Both kids were comfortable roaming around the village picking up ducklings, baby goats, puppies, bunnies, whatever! The village people just laugh at the crazy kids that are intrigued that people live with farm animals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Miles, the one who wasn't as trilled as I to be going to Uganda, didn't want to leave and keeps asking when we are going back. Even though he had not quite adjusted to not having the plethora of food choices at his disposal. He got used to beans and rice and stew. He made a good friend in Carson, Kari's oldest son. They loved to roam around and catch lizards and the watch dogs. They played with the rabbits and turtle. They loved playing Legos and making loom band bracelets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Marley did well. She loved the freedom of roaming, and she loved the animals. Even after getting bucked by a cow! One night she got her head stuck in between some bars on the porch. Oh. My. Word! The screams that came from her! After taking out some braids, rubbing her head down with cooking oil and prying the bars with a branch, she was freed only to need Mama's lovin' all night long. She loved taking basin baths! The dogs and babies at Kari's were her favorite!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This trip for them was two fold. One, I wanted them to see what I do when I go to Uganda twice a year. And two, I wanted to see how they would do as MK's, missionary kids. They got to see me in action. As expected, Miles did better than Marley around the large crowds. Marley was more clingy. She didn't like the kids laughing at her and staring. They were just curious about this brown child that called me Mommy. They didn't understand. They wondered if she was Ugandan. I was even asked if she knew how to speak English! Miles did amazing! He adapted to washing dishes in a basin, to eating the same food over and over again, he loved the bodas, he was flexible. One day we would be in the village and the next in the baby home. He roamed around the villages as if it were his own territory. He picked up babies and fed them like a natural! I was so proud of him!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They both picked up some language, they saw what Mommy does and they both want to go back! Mission accomplished!</span></div>
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elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-28891169405723101242014-07-21T09:06:00.002-05:002014-07-21T09:24:09.428-05:00Five Years Ago ...Five years ago, my phone rang. Not just the regular ring, but the carefully selected ring that sounded like a slot machine going off. The ring I chose for our adoption agency. I had been waiting over THREE YEARS for that ring! It confused me when it finally happened. I remember looking at the phone and seeing CHI, our agency, on the caller ID. I was still confused, or maybe in shock.<br />
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I answered with a cautious, "hello?" The voice on the line said, "Brandon, are you on the line?" That was it! I KNEW we were getting our referral for our daughter. Brandon was at work, and as discussed years before, he knew when that call came he would come home and we would open the email containing our daughters picture together. <br />
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It seemed like it took hours for him to get home. We watched this image come on the computer screen and that was it! She was ours! <br />
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<br />elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-46736907112609019092014-07-18T13:24:00.003-05:002014-07-18T13:24:39.841-05:00LegosMiles ended up collecting about 100 lbs. of Legos! We loaded them up and flew them to Uganda with us. After being in Uganda a few weeks, I began learning about a children's home that sounded like a perfect home for the huge box of Legos. <a href="http://www.redeemerhouseorphanage.org/">Redeemer House</a> homes about 17 children over 6 years old. Once we arrived, we unloaded legos on the dinning table and the kids went to town. Miles was a bit shy at first, but soon warmed up. They created all kinds of things and I know these little Legos will loved on! <br />
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This boy was hit by a boda, motorcycle taxi, just the day before. We managed to get him to give us a little smile!<br />
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A BIG thank you to those who donated! </div>
elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-23041246594145133342014-07-08T00:17:00.001-05:002014-07-08T00:17:02.812-05:00Week Three<div>Week three</div><div><br></div><div>June 18</div><div>I joined Brittany's team at Sangaalo. They were out looking at the newly purchased land and I arrived just in time for lunch and bath time. I fed four babies, Brandon, Nicole, Isaac and Taylor their lunch and then proceeded to the baby washing station.</div><div>The aunties have it down to orderly routine. I stood over an empty basin with a clean water bucket next to me. I had a fresh wash clothe for each baby and a bar of soap. One by one, I was handed a naked baby. I washed them, head to toe, and passed them on to the next auntie, who lotions them up with Vaseline and then dressed them. I love getting to spend extra time with the little ones and watching them grow. Many I've known since they were brand new.</div><div><br></div><div>Brittany's team was heading to Kampala and I joined her to head towards the airport to pick up my team. I waited anxiously for those infamous Go. Be. Love shirts to come through he baggage claim doors. It seemed like hours, but finally we were all together! No lost bags! I roomed with Calllie, my new coleader, and we prayed together. </div><div><br></div><div>The next morning, we got on the road to head towards Jinja. We all got to know each other a little bit. We got settled in at Providence Guesthouse, and headed straight to Abide Ministries.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vaawWCKN8R0/U7t-yjfxU3I/AAAAAAAABsY/RqtF54MRPsI/s640/blogger-image--263247566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vaawWCKN8R0/U7t-yjfxU3I/AAAAAAAABsY/RqtF54MRPsI/s640/blogger-image--263247566.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Abide strives to prevent children from becoming orphans. They are referred families by the government or social workers that would have abandoned them due to poverty. They then help those families by teaching them a trade and helping them keep their kids. The moms LOVED us being there. We played with the children, danced and sang worship songs. We prayed for their needs. Such sweet families.</div><div><br></div><div>Our team is building relationships. As a leader, I love watching them come closer to each other and grow in their spirituality.</div><div><br></div><div>June 20</div><div>Last night, I was woken to a high pitched scream, and the words, "there's a bat in my mosquito net!" </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gCTNPkUAraI/U7t-ion2KkI/AAAAAAAABrw/GtkIyO1exaQ/s640/blogger-image--930883899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gCTNPkUAraI/U7t-ion2KkI/AAAAAAAABrw/GtkIyO1exaQ/s640/blogger-image--930883899.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Xy_2b4bI-NI/U7pWYktxvFI/AAAAAAAABqI/SIvcIuGI25I/s640/blogger-image-177712665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Xy_2b4bI-NI/U7pWYktxvFI/AAAAAAAABqI/SIvcIuGI25I/s640/blogger-image-177712665.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Today, we took the team into the village of Wakissi to work with Healing Faith. Healing Faith works to educated, prevent and treat Malaria. We taught the kids the creation story and had a blast singing and dancing together. A parachute had been donated and the kids absolutely loved it! Jason, from Healing Faith, tested and treated a few positive Malaria cases.I have seen him do it many times. It's almost as if I have become desensitized to it. I sometimes forget the severity of it and the impact Malaria has on those deep in the village with limited to no income and treatment. One of the Missionary Kids got really emotional watching a girl about her own age suffer with many if the symptoms. It brought her to tears and then I remembered THIS is why I come. THIS is why I bring people here. To be affected. To see with their own eyes. To be changed.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xxmVENVVnn0/U7t-mNPWU6I/AAAAAAAABr4/2PCgfrn-vMs/s640/blogger-image-1891690205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xxmVENVVnn0/U7t-mNPWU6I/AAAAAAAABr4/2PCgfrn-vMs/s640/blogger-image-1891690205.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kHL3h9-2LnI/U7pXPZYH44I/AAAAAAAABrg/6rw5MQOGy7A/s640/blogger-image-2122002178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kHL3h9-2LnI/U7pXPZYH44I/AAAAAAAABrg/6rw5MQOGy7A/s640/blogger-image-2122002178.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-grGpN4hXI7U/U7pWpAaKscI/AAAAAAAABqo/qHIey4VZhoY/s640/blogger-image--1049244280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-grGpN4hXI7U/U7pWpAaKscI/AAAAAAAABqo/qHIey4VZhoY/s640/blogger-image--1049244280.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LZ5UlnvpIbI/U7pWfwxVd8I/AAAAAAAABqY/lgXHziHFS7A/s640/blogger-image-176769561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LZ5UlnvpIbI/U7pWfwxVd8I/AAAAAAAABqY/lgXHziHFS7A/s640/blogger-image-176769561.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div>June 21</div><div><br></div><div>Wow! That's all I can say! Our team spent the day walking thru about 2.5 miles of rural Ugandan village bush. We walked until we found any type of shelter where families may live and sleep. With a translator, we told them why we were there. We explained that we came to educate about Malaria and were sharing the love of Jesus. We found that many families had no idea what caused malaria. They all welcomed us into there homes. They all wanted prayer, they all received nets over all sleeping areas. It was awesome to see the smiling faces, the receptiveness and joy to have visitors.</div><div>As we were traveling, we came across a Jaja (grandmother) that had just lost her son. It is customary for a tarp to be hung and for visitors to come and sit with them. We sat, and grieved with her. Although you would never know she was suffering from a loss, because she was so happy we had come. </div><div>The genuine happiness that comes from such simple acts is admirable.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VTB6Fe_ssQs/U7t-vq5m7wI/AAAAAAAABsQ/jBRZRkpcnAE/s640/blogger-image-234893172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VTB6Fe_ssQs/U7t-vq5m7wI/AAAAAAAABsQ/jBRZRkpcnAE/s640/blogger-image-234893172.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>June 22</div><div><br></div><div>After an amazing church service at Acacia church, we headed to Sangaalo Baby Cottage. We spent the rest of the day loving on little ones. We brought over 100 cloth diapers and about 70 cans of formula. It was awesome changing the kids from their rag diapers into their new cloth diapers. We showed the workers how to use them. No more rags!</div><div>Our Nurse and Nurse Practitioner checked all the babies. Two needed medication and we were able to make a trip to the pharmacy. </div><div>I always love seeing the kids growing up! I've been visiting these babies for three years, it's awesome to watch the changes.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-302LC06tIE0/U7pXBP7aNFI/AAAAAAAABrI/SK3L4VJr38Q/s640/blogger-image--384637834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-302LC06tIE0/U7pXBP7aNFI/AAAAAAAABrI/SK3L4VJr38Q/s640/blogger-image--384637834.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_K0b73MljJ4/U7pWSnEh9RI/AAAAAAAABqA/z4v8uxpqeL0/s640/blogger-image--1424728084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_K0b73MljJ4/U7pWSnEh9RI/AAAAAAAABqA/z4v8uxpqeL0/s640/blogger-image--1424728084.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sAcA3P6emZI/U7pXF9tus5I/AAAAAAAABrQ/VBhiFUbaB48/s640/blogger-image-288759185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sAcA3P6emZI/U7pXF9tus5I/AAAAAAAABrQ/VBhiFUbaB48/s640/blogger-image-288759185.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rz3CR9aelSE/U7pWkriZJRI/AAAAAAAABqg/p540115u2jY/s640/blogger-image--1363799544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rz3CR9aelSE/U7pWkriZJRI/AAAAAAAABqg/p540115u2jY/s640/blogger-image--1363799544.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>June 23</div><div><br></div><div>Today we were the first Visiting Orphans team to get to work with Sole Hope. Sole Hope treats children with jiggers and then fits them with shoes to prevent future outbreaks. We divided up into stations. We have foot scrubbers, chigger removal, shoe fitting and education. As the children were finished, we entertained them until all others had gone thru. Truly a team favorite!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GXChbUntEUU/U7t-pXYibbI/AAAAAAAABsA/kEBPmwjaDVE/s640/blogger-image--1257710936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GXChbUntEUU/U7t-pXYibbI/AAAAAAAABsA/kEBPmwjaDVE/s640/blogger-image--1257710936.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7DhEHWyIjQk/U7pW9MOqZwI/AAAAAAAABrA/CQSOgPX9gWw/s640/blogger-image--471859364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7DhEHWyIjQk/U7pW9MOqZwI/AAAAAAAABrA/CQSOgPX9gWw/s640/blogger-image--471859364.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NUXgOL32QYc/U7pWcQF9gEI/AAAAAAAABqQ/DkvYhT40qyg/s640/blogger-image-671515648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NUXgOL32QYc/U7pWcQF9gEI/AAAAAAAABqQ/DkvYhT40qyg/s640/blogger-image-671515648.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f0oVhC0BhpM/U7pWwvmvPzI/AAAAAAAABqw/h5rgHHexh-Q/s640/blogger-image-1999862969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f0oVhC0BhpM/U7pWwvmvPzI/AAAAAAAABqw/h5rgHHexh-Q/s640/blogger-image-1999862969.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a5OwYCsi1J8/U7pXJ2saiiI/AAAAAAAABrY/SFUltWCanLc/s640/blogger-image-1674296380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a5OwYCsi1J8/U7pXJ2saiiI/AAAAAAAABrY/SFUltWCanLc/s640/blogger-image-1674296380.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>June 24</div><div><br></div><div>The day of rest...and much needed. We took a boat road on the Nile river and FIVE team members wanted to be baptized. What an honor!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BOltBpELlp8/U7t-sVUdS2I/AAAAAAAABsI/Kdxun-HKw8k/s640/blogger-image--1303193504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BOltBpELlp8/U7t-sVUdS2I/AAAAAAAABsI/Kdxun-HKw8k/s640/blogger-image--1303193504.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tTRMtejKh_k/U7pW4VyNPsI/AAAAAAAABq4/Uk08rE5Eozg/s640/blogger-image-943048151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tTRMtejKh_k/U7pW4VyNPsI/AAAAAAAABq4/Uk08rE5Eozg/s640/blogger-image-943048151.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>June 26</div><div><br></div><div>We arrived in Kampala the night before and headed to market to buy a few things for our feast. We woke up early and started cutting up meat and vegetables. The kids played outside taking turns loving on us. Like many children lacking parental involvement, they craved any touch or affection we could give them. Every time I left the kitchen to check on my team, there was always about 5-10 children waiting for me to scoop them up in my arms. It's overwhelming. They all deserve individual attention. They all deserve my love. I do my best. I make sure to acknowledge them all, and they all get "I love you and you are beautiful" from me. I've mastered saying it in their native tongue of Luganda. The children were served beef soup and fried rabbit! One of the boys who lives at the children's home, David, has been building a rabbit business for over a year. I promised him I would buy from him last November so he was elated when I followed thru. </div><div><br></div><div>After a long day of feeding and loving on kids, we headed up for rest. My team was completely overwhelmed by the huge need for love. I've seen it many times. All I can do is smile. When my team members are broken down in tears, I know that God is breaking their hearts for what breaks His. That is the whole purpose! He wants more for us! He wants US to be the solution! We have to take that pain we feel and use it to change things. To have an impact. To be His hands and feet! I. LOVE. THIS. STUFF!</div><div><br></div><div>June 27</div><div><br></div><div>Today was our last day as a team. We participated in a chapel service with about 400 children in a small church. As always, their worship was over the top! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>This team rocked it! We young and old, single and married with kids, all different denominations and from all over the US and Germany. We all came together to serve and to love. Mission accomplished!</div>elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-29692987212961096592014-06-16T03:23:00.001-05:002014-06-16T03:23:08.313-05:00Week Two<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>June 10</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Today, our family traveled with Healing Faith in their Mobile Malaria Unit, to the village if Wakissi. Healing Faith has been working with this village for over a year educating, preventing and treating Malaria, and ministering to the spiritual needs of the people there.It is still rainy season, so the dirt roads looked more like an obstacle course of mud holes. It was an adventure getting to the village. On our way, we stopped to check on a family that had recently had a new baby, and one that had just lost a baby. This was the kids first real encounter with village life. As we pulled up, goats, chickens and rabbits roamed around. Marley fell in love with all of the bunnies! </b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ETGStBBJHGI/U56pLrLheHI/AAAAAAAABpA/9UmQK5TSy8s/s640/blogger-image-2029428865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ETGStBBJHGI/U56pLrLheHI/AAAAAAAABpA/9UmQK5TSy8s/s640/blogger-image-2029428865.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qu-2mc0cHHc/U56pGQ9g0DI/AAAAAAAABo4/HiFZHqnvIAk/s640/blogger-image-551443016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qu-2mc0cHHc/U56pGQ9g0DI/AAAAAAAABo4/HiFZHqnvIAk/s640/blogger-image-551443016.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n2MQL6pvnpE/U56opEZ0nxI/AAAAAAAABoI/Pw4ZzVj34uc/s640/blogger-image--562056802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n2MQL6pvnpE/U56opEZ0nxI/AAAAAAAABoI/Pw4ZzVj34uc/s640/blogger-image--562056802.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vZ7KSTszzBw/U56oN_GUtXI/AAAAAAAABno/Q5oCSXlveXk/s640/blogger-image-2026231640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vZ7KSTszzBw/U56oN_GUtXI/AAAAAAAABno/Q5oCSXlveXk/s640/blogger-image-2026231640.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_UAcwQcQVTU/U56pVA52LhI/AAAAAAAABpQ/GwekiviAD7E/s640/blogger-image--548909834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_UAcwQcQVTU/U56pVA52LhI/AAAAAAAABpQ/GwekiviAD7E/s640/blogger-image--548909834.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>When we arrived in the village, the kids were in school. They joined us in the field for some games and a bible study. I watched my children interact with the village kids. Both hesitant at first, but eventually, they warmed up. Marley got bucked by a cow, and Miles got whooped in a game of soccer. It was a good day!</b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U8512qCq-sA/U56oSRQq1sI/AAAAAAAABnw/3Tx8a9J6Ga8/s640/blogger-image--1573506936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U8512qCq-sA/U56oSRQq1sI/AAAAAAAABnw/3Tx8a9J6Ga8/s640/blogger-image--1573506936.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hMJ2c7-AMDc/U56o2lVEyFI/AAAAAAAABog/-cGMfprLuiI/s640/blogger-image--1303285717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hMJ2c7-AMDc/U56o2lVEyFI/AAAAAAAABog/-cGMfprLuiI/s640/blogger-image--1303285717.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>June 11</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Sangaalo baby home is where little baby Brandon lives. I had the honor of naming him last summer. He is about a year old now. My Brandon finally got to meet the little baby that wasn't expected to live. We brought the toddler Lego blocks and the kids went crazy! They loved them! Miles was beginning to see how much his efforts were appreciated. </b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxWA5qFakCk/U56otZD3mVI/AAAAAAAABoQ/oZeNJLlszuA/s640/blogger-image-1544750213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxWA5qFakCk/U56otZD3mVI/AAAAAAAABoQ/oZeNJLlszuA/s640/blogger-image-1544750213.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1V-ngl00Mdo/U56SDmMG3oI/AAAAAAAABm0/_6Yl4XzhBbE/s640/blogger-image--313907851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1V-ngl00Mdo/U56SDmMG3oI/AAAAAAAABm0/_6Yl4XzhBbE/s640/blogger-image--313907851.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CgU-AxZF9M8/U56SS4-ctZI/AAAAAAAABm8/O1A92sokVzU/s640/blogger-image--815131553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CgU-AxZF9M8/U56SS4-ctZI/AAAAAAAABm8/O1A92sokVzU/s640/blogger-image--815131553.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zcYRljF7AGQ/U56o7a1t8II/AAAAAAAABoo/G3ZRzecmA58/s640/blogger-image-899762168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zcYRljF7AGQ/U56o7a1t8II/AAAAAAAABoo/G3ZRzecmA58/s640/blogger-image-899762168.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bRIdRC3JLN8/U56odMkl5xI/AAAAAAAABn4/ZCwTCh6PHeE/s640/blogger-image-326908393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bRIdRC3JLN8/U56odMkl5xI/AAAAAAAABn4/ZCwTCh6PHeE/s640/blogger-image-326908393.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mssYbasDh_g/U56pQTMBpTI/AAAAAAAABpI/ophV9gy4cnQ/s640/blogger-image-447989087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mssYbasDh_g/U56pQTMBpTI/AAAAAAAABpI/ophV9gy4cnQ/s640/blogger-image-447989087.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xWFCEg2pIQk/U56oyFANj9I/AAAAAAAABoY/KJsY9mz5v4A/s640/blogger-image-380633811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xWFCEg2pIQk/U56oyFANj9I/AAAAAAAABoY/KJsY9mz5v4A/s640/blogger-image-380633811.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sWu5ahieBSk/U56SjI999zI/AAAAAAAABnE/dNyrVjfrf6o/s640/blogger-image-1982678613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sWu5ahieBSk/U56SjI999zI/AAAAAAAABnE/dNyrVjfrf6o/s640/blogger-image-1982678613.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hLzOu3sDGqs/U56Sr6DOW-I/AAAAAAAABnM/lnC6zAa1wXo/s640/blogger-image--744157977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hLzOu3sDGqs/U56Sr6DOW-I/AAAAAAAABnM/lnC6zAa1wXo/s640/blogger-image--744157977.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brandon and I got to spend some time with Jason and Kari, from Healing Faith. I'm so glad God brought them into our lives! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bB6otJX_0a8/U56pZvQ9izI/AAAAAAAABpY/RzdndLPiNqM/s640/blogger-image--1145598483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bB6otJX_0a8/U56pZvQ9izI/AAAAAAAABpY/RzdndLPiNqM/s640/blogger-image--1145598483.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KQwmPxEiW5M/U56olBjDI6I/AAAAAAAABoA/ZxjU-kNl6XE/s640/blogger-image-820080003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KQwmPxEiW5M/U56olBjDI6I/AAAAAAAABoA/ZxjU-kNl6XE/s640/blogger-image-820080003.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>June 13</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Brandon left today. This kids were so distracted playing with the Segner kids that I'm not sure they fully understood that they wouldn't see Daddy for a whole month. Hadlee on the other hand is going to miss her Uncle Boo! Our family really enjoyed spending time with Kari and Jason!</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yJjjtjsljHg/U56pBKAOagI/AAAAAAAABow/Cz-XOS1nJVY/s640/blogger-image--1216097334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yJjjtjsljHg/U56pBKAOagI/AAAAAAAABow/Cz-XOS1nJVY/s640/blogger-image--1216097334.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Today I learned to navigate around with my cane on my own without my husbands strong arm on my side. I think I got this!</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>June 14</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Our morning started with some family worship and a devotional. Miles chose the songs and then read the story of David and Goliath. We talked about what we can learn from that story. Miles blew me away when he said that he knows that God has power over the enemy. Miles, like most American kids, is addicted to video games. He said that he is now going to rely on God to give him the strength to overcome that addiction. Proud Mama here!</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>The kids and I braved traveling on our own today! We stepped outside our compound gates and waved down a Boda driver. All three of us piled onto a motorbike with my cane! Ha....it was a funny sight. The kids loved it! We ate lunch, got some groceries and then headed back home just long enough for a nap. Then Brittany, my coleader from last summers team called. She had just arrived in town. We caught another Boda to eat dinner with her team. On the way back home, around 8:30pm, my Boda driver got lost! For a second I feared the end of our trip would be at some black market mzungu sale! We eventually made it home safely! I learned to always keep the address of the guesthouse with me!</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>The kids are adjusting wonderfully! We have settle into a routine. They wake up to the sounds of roosters, birds and all sorts of animals and insects. I cook them breakfast. I have been getting creative with our menu options of bread, bananas and eggs! Then they venture out onto the compound we are are staying on and play with Boone, the guard dog, or whatever other animals are around! They have been playing with Legos until we are able to take them to some kids. Miles has been journaling and Marley working on her alphabet. They play and I love it! Occasionally I reward them with some electronic time, but that is becoming less and less. They are content running around barefoot and exploring! I am happy they are adjusting! </b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><br></div>elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-16658477485685422992014-06-10T21:46:00.001-05:002014-06-10T21:46:33.907-05:00The First Week<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>June 5</div><div><br></div><div>Although flying from Europe to Ethiopia is only have the time it would be flying from the States, it still took a toll on the kids. They were tired. We arrived at the guest house within only our carryons, because like true missionary travel, our bags went to Uganda without us. So at 8:30 am, I had two very tired, hungry kids. Marley found friends in the guesthouse staff, while Miles complained about being bored. I was beginning to worry about his transition. I woke him from a deep sleep for an opportunity to walk to a pizza place. It was a long walk for tired kids, he grew impatient and starting complaining about the smells, the animal poop in the road, and everything else that I have grown accustom to. Again, I worried about him. In return for a better attitude, I bribed him with a taxi ride back to the guesthouse. Taxi, really isn't what you would call our hired transportation, but it did the job. As I piled both kids in to a motorcycle rigged to be a covered three seat car, also known as the blue devils, I saw Miles to begin to find the adventure in it. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JpkgLPeCU0I/U5fCtVUZvnI/AAAAAAAABjU/_REK4tmoVCk/s640/blogger-image-1986641615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JpkgLPeCU0I/U5fCtVUZvnI/AAAAAAAABjU/_REK4tmoVCk/s640/blogger-image-1986641615.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Later that evening, we joined Brandon's team for dinner at the Traditional Ethiopian Restaurant. The day was beginning to look better. Both kids ate traditional Ethiopian food! And when the dancing began, the kids' faces lit up! They were mesmerized by the tribal dances. I couldn't keep my eyes off of my kids. They were enjoying a culture that is so dear to me. They forgot about video games, and just observed. There is hope! Tomorrow will be another day! </div><div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4JliiezwrMw/U5fCyL2yygI/AAAAAAAABjc/LxVZkgZjFnU/s640/blogger-image--1418707216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4JliiezwrMw/U5fCyL2yygI/AAAAAAAABjc/LxVZkgZjFnU/s640/blogger-image--1418707216.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>June7</div><div>We arrived in Kampala , Uganda without any problems. Our Driver, Charles, met us with his giant smile! All four of us piled into the van with all 12 bags. The kids were too tired to take in the sights and slept most of the journey. We were warmly greeted by my friends Sarah and Samuel and their three kids. Sarah had recently had anew baby and I was anxious to hold her. As we were walking off the porch onto the grass to go to our room, I fell. I held to baby up, so that she avoided the rocky path near us. She was fine. I handed her off to Sarah and instantly began to fell dizzy. As I scooted up to sit on the porch, my left ankle popped back into socket. The toes on my right foot looked a little slanted. At first, I thought I had dislocated them. Thankfully, I followed Sarah's advice and went to a hospital. Nine of us loaded up into a van and headed to get a professional opinion. Sarah didn't want to miss out on our kids playing, so she brought her three. Our kids played in the van while I sat in a Ugandan hospital. They were quick to help me. After examinations from two doctors, xrays on both feet and $20 later, I was told I had one sprained ankle and three broken bones in the opposite foot. They didn't have the materials to cast it, so I thanked them for their time and left. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--qKwDb-J584/U5fDBZ_hiBI/AAAAAAAABj0/NeC2qRTk7Sc/s640/blogger-image--3696229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--qKwDb-J584/U5fDBZ_hiBI/AAAAAAAABj0/NeC2qRTk7Sc/s640/blogger-image--3696229.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>June 8</div><div>We said our good byes and left for Jinja. Again, my kids could care less about the scenery and slept the four hour trip. When we arrived at our friends home, we were greeted with warm hugs and smiling faces. My kids' faces lit up when they finally got to meet the kids that were close to their age. Even though they complained about bug bites, I could see the tone changing. They were beginning to adapt!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p_Qqo5J6dC8/U5fC8iRMd5I/AAAAAAAABjs/lhu2yyMAXnQ/s640/blogger-image-1072587011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p_Qqo5J6dC8/U5fC8iRMd5I/AAAAAAAABjs/lhu2yyMAXnQ/s640/blogger-image-1072587011.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We attended their home church while about 25-30 kids played outside for over two hours. Miles said it was one of the best days of his life!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M9JFS2Tfh5c/U5fC2jX8S9I/AAAAAAAABjk/92uezPQhS54/s640/blogger-image--872050664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M9JFS2Tfh5c/U5fC2jX8S9I/AAAAAAAABjk/92uezPQhS54/s640/blogger-image--872050664.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>June 9</div><div>We had planned a family outing, but it poured down rain all day long. So we improvised. All 13 missionary kids sat on the floor for over five hours, only breaking for a bowl of rice and beans, playing Legos. I sat with my leg elevated and iced. I began to see my kids transition to life in Africa ease up. They were loving it. Yes, they have bites all over them. Marley has all kinds of scrapes from falls, but they are having fun! </div><div>After having my foot casted, I hobbled over to a window to see Brandon helping the kids harvest fresh mangos. Marley came in beaming with pride over her very hard green mango! She is patiently waiting for it to change colors.</div><div>Today was good, my ankle is healing hand I've upgraded to walking alone with a cane. Tomorrow our whole family will do village ministry together! </div>elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-72466760278212985182014-05-27T07:32:00.001-05:002014-05-27T07:32:21.675-05:00One down…Three to Go!Brandon is off! He is on his way to Ethiopia and on his way to experience his first mission trip! I'm so proud of him! He has supported me in missions for years and now it's his turn! All day I've been watching how cool and calm he was. He never panicked about forgetting something or that we were running late. He just remained cool. How does that happen?! I'm usually a nut case the day I leave! <br />
We parked outside of the train station that will ultimately take him to the Frankfurt airport, where he will fly out tonight. We prayed. He was still calm and collected. We got his bags out and I gave him a hug. He lost it! <br />
I said, "Boo, it's all right! I'll see you in a little over a week." He said, "that's not why I'm crying." "Then what's going on?" I asked. "He is so patient with me! I'm a screw up, and God is STILL patient with me!" <br />
Yes. He. Is! <br />
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elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-29639623029660388312014-05-05T02:58:00.003-05:002014-05-05T02:58:50.328-05:00ProvisionGod provides! It sounds simple as it rolls off of my tongue, but it's so true! I've been watching God come thru financially for years. Watching others learn about God's abundant provision feeds my soul! It makes me burst with joy! <br />
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For my family, our journey in experiencing God's provision started when Brandon and I started being generous and giving. We were a young married couple with one meager income and I was in college. After I graduated, we had about $60,000 of debt in car payments, credit cards and student loans. Eeek! Thru<a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/"> Dave Ramsey's</a> Financial Peace concepts, we paid all of that off in about three years. God came thru! No, He didn't make money rain down into our bank account. He gave us the wisdom to live off of one income while we used the other to pay down that debt fast! <br />
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A few years later, as a stay at home mom, God called us to international adoption. We were faced with scary international adoption fees. While a lot of adoption families turn to loans, we refused to go back into debt. We asked God for wisdom and provision. I took on subbing jobs. We prayed again for God to show us how we afford the fees. God had given Brandon a gift years before. Little did we know that that gift was given to him only to be used later to help fund our adoption! We sold Brandon's 65 Mustang which paid for almost half of our adoption fees! God provided!<br />
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Just about a year after Marley join our family, I came to Brandon with this crazy idea of going on a short term mission trip thru <a href="http://visitingorphans.org/">Visiting Orphans</a>! Brandon is the rational one in our relationship. I'm the crazy spontaneous one! He grounds me when I get out of control. He watched God provide for my mission trip!<br />
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<b>For almost four years now, I travel to Africa on mission trips. God ALWAYS provides! I've noticed a pattern in God's provision! </b><br />
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<b>1. You have to be obedient! Whatever God is calling you to, be obedient! Just trust him and do it!</b><br />
<b>2. Put forth your effort! Really! Get creative, work your butt off, take on extra jobs.</b><br />
<b>3. Have the faith, real crazy faith without worry that God will provide.</b><br />
<b>4. Completely give it to him. COMPLETELY! Don't let worry set in!</b><br />
<b>Then BOOM, God comes thru! </b><br />
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I've watch so many people experience this thru fundraising for missions. Signing up for a trip is their way of being obedient. They do bake sales, they sell T-shirts, they write letters to friends and family. They trust that God will come thru for them. Then the worry sets in. The deadlines come in and they have $1,000 still to raise. They pray, then they surrender. They ask God to bless their efforts. Then…He does!!!! You don't get it until you've experience it yourself. I tell so many, but until they have seen it for themselves, they just don't get it! But when they do, they are changed! <br />
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This past month, our family has watched this happen yet again! Deciding to fund TWO mission trips and bring our kids wasn't easy. Okay, so it was an easy decision for me! But Brandon, the grounded one, kept telling me to quit telling people that all of us were going. He was worried that we wouldn't be able to raise enough money. FOUR $1,000 airline tickets! TWO mission trip fees! Accommodations, drivers, food, insurance! ONE income! God provided! <br />
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We are fully funded! WE ARE FULLY FUNDED! God provides! I have no doubt that we are on the right path! His provision is confirmation for us! <br />
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There are still opportunities to give! We always have opportunities on the ground for blessing ministries with food and supplies! If you can't go on a trip, send someone who can! You both will be changed for it! What is God asking you to do? Be obedient! He will sustain you!<br />
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I LOVE THIS STUFF! GOD IS GOOD AND HE PROVIDES!<br />
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<br />elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-79533681488699531632014-04-24T13:59:00.000-05:002014-04-24T13:59:17.812-05:00Miles, Legos and Uganda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I'm so proud of the creative little giver that my son is becoming! While talking about going to Uganda as a family this summer, he was a little anxious. He was nervous about the living conditions and lack of familiarity. We talked thru it and he came up with a plan! Bring legos and set up a lego building center for the kids. Please help Miles fill his suitcase with legos and help by spreading the word!</span></div>
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<br />elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-74505499402573405322014-04-15T03:08:00.002-05:002014-04-15T03:08:23.945-05:00Surrender<br />
Surrender: to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed<br />
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Surrendering your own plans has to be one of the toughest things to do. We all have an idea of how we want things to go in our lives. Whether it's family planning, careers, financial goals or whatever. <br />
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As a Christian, we are called to surrender to God. We are weak, but His Spirit is strong. We will always fail, but God never does! So what does surrendering look like? It is different for everyone. I think it begins when we deny ourselves and give our lives as Christians. Simply proclaiming that Jesus is the son of God and that he died for our sins and rose again to prove that He indeed was the Messiah is surrendering. As we mature as Christ followers, we have opportunity after opportunity to surrender again and again. But do we?<br />
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Do we 'agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed?' I know I'd like to think that I am in complete surrender, but I'm not. Sure, I surrender the comforts of materialism so that our family can afford to participate in missions. But for me, that's easy. I. LOVE. MISSIONS! But what if God called me to give it up?! Would I fight it. Would I hide from it? Uh......yeah I would! And He may one day. As for now, at this stage in my journey, He is calling me to lead teams to experience Him in a whole new way, to serve and love more than they ever have. <br />
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So what is God asking you to surrender? Is it pride? Is it authority? Is it money, retirement, vacation time? Whatever it is, I beg you to listen to it! I believe that when we surrender...completely surrender, He takes that and fills us with peace for being obedient. I can only speak from personal experience. I have seen Him in action time and time again in my own life provide and give me peace when I have been obedient! He is our Father! Just think about it. If your own kids surrender to your authority and are completely obedient, aren't you more likely to want to meet their needs and desires?<br />
Surrender!<br />
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elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-69353412596092004842014-04-09T14:16:00.000-05:002014-04-09T14:16:31.103-05:00Our Family is on a Mission!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is finally official! The tickets are booked! All four of us will be serving in Ethiopia and Uganda this summer! </span></div>
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I have spent the last three years of my life serving with short term mission teams in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya. Every time I come home, I share stories and photos of my experiences, dreaming of the time that my own family can see it all first hand. Many obstacles have prevented this from happening until now. <br />
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In just about 6 weeks, Brandon leaves to serve on a team in Ethiopia. I will leave about a week after that with the kids and meet him there. We have several friends and our former Missouri babysitter on his team so we look forward to getting to see some familiar faces. THEN…we all fly to Uganda! The place that has become my home and the place where I am called Mama and Auntie by many! The place that I hope will become our home! After my family leaves, my <a href="http://www.visitingorphans.org/">Visiting Orphans</a> team will join me.<br />
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Our family will have the opportunity to serve together! I am beyond elated! I look forward to the giggles as the kids stare at the Mzungu (white person) and her black husband! I am over the moon to finally share the sweet girls that have called me Mum for the past three years! Seeing my kids run and play with the Ugandan children that have a piece of my heart may just make me burst with joy! Oh Jesus, thank you so much for this opportunity!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can help support the work we will be doing by buying one of our shirts! We are on a mission to LOVE and SERVE! </span></div>
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<br />elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5201134298982369291.post-82160305597963111542014-04-06T13:57:00.002-05:002014-04-06T15:37:36.421-05:00Methods of Evangelism<span style="background-color: white;">Recently, I have been learning about the methods of evangelism. It's crazy how one faith can be so divided about this. This became most evident when I was speaking with a local pastor about the opportunity to support a ministry. This church asked many questions, all about the methods of salvation that were being used in this ministry. They wanted to know how this ministry was going to "save" souls. The answers given were awesome, and real. But, however, they were not how this particular church does things. After our presentation and answering questions, we were told that their church only supports missionaries that plant churches. Initially, I got a little offended. How narrow minded that was! Then it got me thinking.</span><br />
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As Christians, we are all called to share the gospel of Jesus and the way we do it doesn't have to all look the same. Thankfully, I am just accountable to Christ and not my fellow believers. Man they can be brutal and judgmental if I let that in. Jesus called us to be disciples, and He also called us to love. Actually, love is the greatest command that Jesus gave. It is the one thing that Jesus said is the most important and the key to everything! </span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-22-36" id="en-NIV-23909" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">36 </span>“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Matt-22-37" id="en-NIV-23910"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">37 </span>Jesus replied: <span class="woj">“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’<span class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23910a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:36-40#fen-NIV-23910a" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23910A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span></span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-38" id="en-NIV-23911"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">38 </span>This is the first and greatest commandment.</span> <span class="text Matt-22-39" id="en-NIV-23912"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">39 </span>And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’<span class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23912b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:36-40#fen-NIV-23912b" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23912B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-40" id="en-NIV-23913"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">40 </span>All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">What is love? What does loving look like? </span><br />
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<span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NIV-28670" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Love is patient,<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28670A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span></span> love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28670B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-NIV-28671" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> it is not easily angered,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> it keeps no record of wrongs.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-6" id="en-NIV-28672" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>Love does not delight in evil<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28672F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span> but rejoices with the truth.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28672G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-7" id="en-NIV-28673" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)</span></span><br />
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So if Jesus tells us that loving God and that loving your neighbor as yourself are the two most important commandments of the Law, I feel like we, as Christians, need to check ourselves. Are we doing that? Is the method that we are using for reaching others doing so in love? </span><br />
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I do not pretend to have all of the answers. I'm a work in progress. Just because my method of reaching others and sharing the gospel doesn't look like yours, doesn't mean that I'm wrong or that you are. That is the beauty of the way God made us. He made us with different gifts. He positioned us all in different environments and circles of friends and family. We all have different experiences and backgrounds. We all have different callings on our lives. I'm learning that, still! </span><br />
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Without a doubt in my soul, I know that God has called me to lead short term mission trips. He has called me to build relationships within my own community and to love my neighbors. I don't know what He will lead me to next year or in the next ten years. But for right now, I have a deep peace. I am in His will and it feels good! He has not called me to plant churches, to hold revivals, to scream from megaphones about the pits of hell! So if my method of reaching people, sharing the gospel and love of Christ doesn't look like yours, it's okay! Because God gave it to me! And I'm learning to be okay with that!</span>elisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191678982242625667noreply@blogger.com0