What now?

Well, I gave in and got a MySpace account! Now I have to keep up this and the myspace. Where do I think I'll find all that time? It's okay though, I'm having fun with it. I can now keep my eye on some of our kids from youth! Plus it's a great way for me to keep in touch with some of the friends I have left behind.

What a week!

Well, if you were wondering where I've been, I was in Colorado all last week! It was great! The weather was awesome, it only got above the 80's once, and it rained or showered at least once everyday. I miss Colorado weather! I was glad to get home to my babies though. I missed them so much, I broke down on Thursday, and couldn't wait to leave on Friday. Not that I didn't want to spend time saying goodbyes, I just was ready to get home to my girls.
The mission trip was great, too! On Thursday we went to a house and painted a stucco fence. The lady's name was Grace, and her 6 month old granddaughter was there too. Of course, I spent my time with the baby! She was so adorable. I got pics, and I'm going to try and post them, but it may take me a while to figure out how.
Wednesday night was the most amazing though. What started as another unfocused and uncontrolled night, turned into a time of praising and seeking God! All of the kids either came to Christ for the time, or made a recommittment to follow Him! I could definately see a change in their lives, but what I really want to happen is a life long change. Not just something that happens one night or one week and stops there. And I know it's not easy, but I pray that they begin to seek God more, and grow closer to Him.
So that's all I have for now!

5 More Days!

Okay, I took one day off. But here I am again. Honestly I don't have much to say really. This is why I never really kept a diary. You know what I've done today?
Woke up, fed the baby. Worked online for an hour, and then got Caeli out of bed and fed her. Got back online for another hour to work, then fed the baby again. She went back to sleep, so I did the dishes, jumped on the trampoline with Caeli, and fixed lunch. I sat for about an hour and watched some cartoons with the kids, and then started doing laundry. I've doing laundry now for about 2 hours. Why am I doing laundry? well we are leaving for Colorado in about 5 days, I would like to have some clean clothes to take with me! Wow! What an exciting day...
I have to say, I love my brother, but sometimes he is such a baby. He's been pampered too much by my dad! It's like he's two years behind kids his age when it comes to maturity. Poor kid, how will he be able to make it when he gets into high school? He definately needs to get out more.

WEEKEND!

Day 3! Not much going on today. My dad and brother are supposed to be coming here. I am a little concerned that they got lost, because it has been 6 hours since they left, and it should only take 4 at the most! My dad is not the best when it comes to being street savvy. He got lost in Oklahoma twice both times for more than 4 hours. So things are not looking too good right now.

I've been sulking lately because we keep having kids drop out of going on this mission trip. At first I was taking it all very personally, but then this morning God quietly reminded me that Stacy asked specifically in prayer that we would only take the people who were supposed to go. So, there you have it.


And now I must say goodbye!

It Comes to Us All

Wow, I'm actually doing this 2 days in a row! I actually some things I wanted to just get off my chest. We found out last night that a very close friend of ours passed away last night. At first, I just did the usual..."Oh, really? That's so sad." Without really feeling any of it. This morning, I woke up to the realization that I have to tell Caeli. This friend was one of Caeli's first babysitters. She was almost like a grandmother to Caeli, and Caeli loved her very much. And it hit me. I wasn't much older than Caeli when my grandparents passed. I remembered how much it hurt, and even then I was learning how to suppress those feelings. I didn't cry at my grandmothers funeral. But I could never let go either. I don't want to start Caeli on this path. I know that death is a part of life, but it can also make a person hard and bitter, unemotional and full of apathy. How do I help her to know that it is okay to be sad, to hurt, and even be upset. But also help her to let go, and know that it will pass in time. She's only 4! I can't tell her. I can't put her through it. It's not fair, death is not fair, life is not fair! God, what am I to do?

Well, I can't leave it on such a depressing note! There is always life, when you are in Christ! One day we will all be together again.

Day 1

How do you start these things? I feel like I'm trying to write a story. Once upon a time....Long, long ago...THE END! And that's my day. So far anyways. You'd think I would have lots to say, at least about my kids, right? Not really. Alyvia is asleep, and Caeli is watching cartoons. I guess I will talk about the mission trip. I did the lesson last night at youth. I've been wanting to do one for a while now, but just couldn't get up the nerve. So, I talked about how to be prepared (spiritually) for the mission trip. I think the kids got most of it, I hope so anyways. I really want to see them strengthen their relationships with God. I can see the potential that they have, and I want to see that potential being used! I know they are nervous about this trip, I mean, I'm nervous, so I'm sure they are 10x's more nervous. Is it going to be hot, cold, rainy, dry? What exactly are we going to be doing, and am I, as a leader, prepared? If I'm not prepared, how can I expect the kids to be?

Lord, watch over us as we travel. Give us courage to do Your work, and as the youth minister to others, I pray that they are ministered to. And when it is time to leave and come back to the life we know, that it won't be the same as it was before, but that everyone will have an experience that changes lives and brings us closer to You! Amen!

Okay, well that is all I have to say for now.