True Missionaries

So many people picture a missionary as one who lives in the middle of the jungle with no water and 2 pairs of clothes and all they do is talk about Jesus....but what about all the "other" missionaries?  Recently we had an opportunity to share with a church about what missionaries are and our daughters (Kierra and Raegan) pointed out that a missionary can be someone who goes to another country and surfs, or is an artist, or farms, or teachers...the common denominator with all of these is that they ALL LOVE JESUS CHRIST and they want to see others come to know this SAVIOR!  The girls shared that it is not only the foreign "pastor" missionary that is a missionary...but it is all of "us" local Christians. 

Recently, we have been OVERWHELMED by God's children and how they are so willing to sacrifice to help US to be prepared to go to Brazil.  It has had me to the point of tears so many times.  I feel so undeserving trying to understand why ANYONE would want to give US any money to go towards plane tickets or other financial needs.  Every single person that has given to us has not given out of abundance but out of sacrifice and that makes it SO MUCH more humbling. 

I have to highlight one sweet family that currently is standing out in my mind.  Keep in mind there have been SO MANY...but their story is what reminds me that ALL of these families are the same in the  "WHY they CAN  give"...because THEY ALL think like this one family.  We had this one dear family tell us that they wanted to donate some money.  It was around the time that THEY personally were going through a tough time financially.  The husband was losing his job and PRAISE GOD another door had opened, but money was still tight.  In the long run, they ended up donating A LARGE chunk of our airline/visa money.  What I was even MORE overwhelmed by was that this sweet family was in passing talking about another dear family who was in need and how they were giving to them just so they wouldn't go without!  I just wanted to fall at their feet and CRY OUT...I am not worthy to even be your friend!  They are always giving...and not just financially, but through friendship, through relationships.  I have simply been overwhelmed by these missionaries RIGHT HERE...that are blessing US before we even leave for Brazil.  Not only are they blessing US...but they are blessing so many here in this small southern community.  I am honored to be their friends. 

Why Write?

So, I have debated to start blogging or not...and as you can see I have decided to start.  Now, I will tell you up front...for me a blog is like a journal...you will NOT find my spelling or my grammar to be correct in these blogs.  Most of the time I will be writing out of excitement, anger, or pure joy...YES, one of my CRAZY emotions...which I know that may not always be the best time to write, but for me it is therapeutic!  I will not be going back checking to make sure I didn't miss a comma here and there or that I didn't miss a word here or there. I am writing because it is what I LOVE to do.  I am writing because I have to share what ALL GOD is doing and WHAT I know He will continue to do.  Now, I know there will be some BAD days...that is life, but stick around because you too will get to see HOW BIG MY GOD is and HOW HE still gets the GLORY no matter my circumstances!  I pray that through this blog you will be encouraged by my family's comings and goings...which by the way...we are in the mist of GOING...GOING to RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL!!!  We are all so excited about going...but you will soon hear a lot more about that.  For now, I just had to get something going...I had to PRAISE GOD for HOW HE is providing for US and for dear precious friendships!  I praise God for my AWESOME husband Jon and my precious daughters ...and our temporary son...LOL!  You will hear about him later.