Taylor Ann

Happy FOURTH birthday to Taylor Ann!

I'm a proud aunt...what can I say?

She is just full of personality!

Taylor quote
("reading" her fortune after breaking open her fortune cookie):
Mine says, "Taylor is beautiful."

How can you NOT love that?!?! ;)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Wish::to have a desire for

When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do...

Does that ring a bell? If you were ever a kid, it should!

Do you ever catch yourself thinking "I wish this..." or "I wish that..."? I've caught myself thinking that phrase quite a few times recently. For example...

I wish my brain would think creatively instead of organizationally. I wish I had an eye for fashion or really great (we're talking epic) photographs. I wish I could see what life would be like right now if I could just change one seemingly small decision. I wish I had my own home! I wish I was better at communicating. I wish I had spent more time with my sisters the last 10 years. I wish I like long-haired dogs so I could get a Siberian Husky (they are really cute!). I wish I felt like exercising every day. I wish I had mad photoshop skills. I wish we could all get one "freebie" in life, you know, something that defies the natural order of things (that is my definition of a freebie anyway.) It would be to be the same weight no matter what I eat. (At least, that is what it would be right now. Selfish I know.) I wish I could translate myself to any part of the world at any given time. That would bring a whole new element to missions! I wish it was 10 degrees cooler outside right now.

Anyway, you get the idea. Some are silly. Some are truth. Some were just the thoughts running through my head at that moment.

Somewhere along the way wishing got a negative connotation. At least it did for me. It was like you were desiring something what would never or could never happen. I've always thought of it as a futile thing...something nothing would ever come of. And I like to be productive! But I think wishing is a positive thing. Wishing helps you dream. Often what we wish for is something that seems out of reach or unattainable. But that is why I love this one little verse in the bible that says "...and nothing is impossible with God." Now, I won't ever get back lost time, missed opportunities or wrong decisions. But, I can learn from them, make the most of every opportunity and moment and not repeat the bad choices.

I need to dream more. I'm such a doer. I don't like to do just one thing at a time. I'm a huge multi-tasker and can hardly ever sit still. (OK, I take that back, I CAN sit still but when I do that is all that is happening, the brain is turned OFF.) But lately it seems like I get so wrapped up in the doing that I'm never dreaming. I think wishing is the first step in dreaming. You wish for something that you have a desire for and a dream is really just thinking up ways to get what you desire, or wish for. I'm so focused on the here and now that I'm not ever dreaming, wishing or thinking of all the things that can be. I don't want to be so busy just being busy that I don't attain, achieve or do something simply because I didn't take the time to wish for it or dream about it. Does that make sense?

I used to have a friend that had enough dreams to keep the entire state of Texas busy for at least a year. A piece of gum could inspire some kind of crazy dream or money making idea. I would see an empty building or warehouse and be overwhelmed, he would get energized and see the most tricked out youth facility ever. (Side note: I've often wondered if that was something that was developed or if he was just born with it. 'Cause I definitely want it!)

Now, I don't want to be so out there that I'm always dreaming and never accomplishing anything. But I think you get the idea. What are some things that you wish for? That you dream about? If you are ever going to accomplish them you have to wish (desire) them first!

That's part of the reason I started this blog. To be able to think out some of my dreams, my wishes, my desires. Things are so much clearer for me when I write them out (or type them in this case). I'm able to process things.

So what are some of your wishes? What do you dream about? We'll tackle the steps we should take to help them become a reality later. For now. Let's just wish...

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
- Walt Disney

One Life

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
- Helen Keller

This may sound odd. But I have come to a realization, one that you probably came to understand a long time ago. I have but one life. The time I spend on this earth is the only time I have to make a difference, to leave a mark, to bring life and change to my surroundings. Just one life. And I want it to count. I don't want to look back and have any regrets or wasted moments.

This summer we took a group of our teenagers on a two-week mission trip to Panama City and the San Blas Islands. I know it is hard to fully grasp what took place by looking at some pictures and reading a few stories or statistics. I know you were not there to hear the laughter or see the tears. I know you did not get to see despondent faces suddenly filled with hope. Or hear the energetic cries of “Si!”, when asked if they wanted to accept Jesus as their Savior. I know you did not get to feel the little hand slip into yours and hold tightly as you walked through an island village. Or see the swollen bellies of the malnourished babies. I know you did not get to see the gratitude on the faces of the Kuna’s, who will have fresh water for the first time in the history of their people.

I know it is difficult to comprehend the difference you have made when you weren’t actually there. You may not have seen, felt, heard or actually experienced any of those things, but, for those of you who prayed for us and helped send us, you played a huge part in them coming to pass.

I believe in the Great Commission with all my heart, I believe it is something that every single person who believes in Jesus Christ has been commissioned to fulfill. Whether they are 15 or 75, whether they are a single mom or the father of four growing children. We are all called to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. I know it is more feasible for some of us to actually step foot on foreign soil than others, but I also know we shouldn’t use our responsibilities, careers or families as excuses.

I read a book (The Challenge of Missions) my senior year of high school that changed my life, one of the quotes I will forever remember is, “Either go or send a substitute” (Oswald J Smith). It is my responsibility to make disciples of all nations, to make sure that this message of hope, love and forgiveness gets to every part of the world. This is why I go. This is why I help send others, by giving to them financially. This is why I pray to the Lord of the harvest, that He would send laborers into His harvest. This is why I say, Here I am Lord, send Me!

You have one life, what are you doing with it?

Beautiful faces

As promised...some of the beautiful people we ministered to in Panama City and on the San Blas Islands. Amazing, over a month later and still processing the trip. I do not believe we are done there quite yet. We shall see.

Beautiful girls.

Boys are the same everywhere...goofy :)

Precious babies.

Chilling on the island.

Cuties in Panama City!

Who could resist those smiles?

We.Must.Tell.

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?
And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?
And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?

Romans 10:14

Beautiful Places

Finally returned to the blogging world after a two week trip to Panama City, the San Blas Islands and El Salvador (yeah that last one was a surprise for all of us). It was an incredible trip and I'm still processing the majority of it. Had many moments where I stopped, looked around and thought, "I will remember this forever."

Have you ever had a moment where you stopped and thought...I'm changing right now? Something in me is changing...and I will never be the same. Had quite a few of those as well.

I'm going to share the trip bit by bit, thought I would start with some of my favorite in-country shots. Street and countryside shots are some of my favorites to get when I go to another country. Seeing and experiencing the way other people live has got to be one of my all-time favorite things...

Here are a few shots from Panama City:

Some pictures of the San Blas Islands...the most amazing place I have been thus far:

Pictures of the beautiful people next...

Project Panama

In just a few days I head to Panama and the San Blas Islands for a 12 day mission trip. It's been almost a year since I've been out of the country, that's way too long between trips. The past five years or so I've been on four or more a year, so this has been an adjustment.

This is also the first trip I've taken in a LONG while that I haven't put together from start to finish, that's been different too. I've been so focused on raising funds and making sure our teens have everything together, I haven't really taken the time to think about the trip and what it will mean for me personally. Thought I would dump my brain out here for a minute or two.

* My heart is missions--from the first moment I picked up The Challenge of Missions by Oswald J. Smith. I remember sitting in my room, my senior year of high school, reading it, tears streaming down my face, knowing that I would go and send as many people as possible.

* I'm a little nervous about what God is going to do in me on this trip. I have a feeling it's going to be pretty intense. But I welcome it, I need it, I'm ready for it.

* Having said that, I'm also really excited about everything that is going to take place, not only in the people we are going to minister to, but in our teenagers and in myself.

* WOW again, I can't believe it's been almost a year since my last trip. I'm ready to have this part of me stirred back up.

* We're going to spend three days on the San Blas Islands. I am STOKED! I have ALWAYS wanted to go to a group of islands. Always. Not for the beach factor (although that will be amazing), just always had a thing for indigenous people groups. People that have never been reached. This is as close as I've gotten so far. Beyond thrilled.

* Couple quotes that have stuck with me over the years from the book I mentioned:

"You must go or send a substitute." Oswald J Smith
"Sympathy is no substitute for action."
"Christ alone can save the world , but Christ cannot save the world alone."
"Why should anyone here the Gospel twice before everyone has heard it once?" Oswald J Smith
And my favorite:
"Why, then, build on another's foundation?
Go to those who have never heard.
Blaze new trails. Be a pioneer."

* I can't even being to imagine where I would be without my relationship with God. Without the understanding and the revelation of His love for me. Nothing can separate me from His love, it's unconditional. How could I not share that?

* Missionary bios are incredible: Mother Teresa, David Livingstone, John G Lake

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Mark 9:36-38

If you've never been on a trip - GO! It will change your life! Not sure how to start? Check out any of these organizations, I've had the privelege of "going" with each of them (or about to "go"), all incredible!

Decision Ministries
Go International
John Smithwick Ministries International

Can't wait to share pictures and experiences when I get back!