The Devil is all around us......

First, I would like to say that I am sorry that it has been awhile since we have sent a new blog update. Things here have been extremely crazy. The devil has been nipping at our heels for the past week now. As we prepare to depart from Tampa we had a lot of things that we really needed to take care of before we move to Costa Rica. One of the big things was to have Josiah checked out to see if he needed surgery before we move due to his chronic ear and sinus infections. Sure enough, he needed to have his tonsils and adenoids removed along with a new set of tubes put in. So, we scheduled the surgery for Monday the 15th. Mark and I traveled out of town the week before his surgery for a pre-anniversary trip. Boy, the devil did all that he could to keep us from returning. We were not able to make our flight and then to top it off there were no hotels available and we could not find a rental car. However, we were not giving up yet. So with the help of Mark's sister she was able to find a car for us to rent and we went to pick it up. Now, it was time for a 4 hour drive back to Tampa. We made it back in on Sunday morning at about 5:40 or so. We were so tired and excited to see our children.

Well, we awoke to find the kids coming home to grab their clothes for church. Taylor advised us that Josiah had been sick with a 24 hour stomach bug on Thursday. Fun!! We spent time hugging and loving on each one of them and we all managed to get up and ready for church. After a wonderful church service we returned the car that we rented and took the kids out to Steak and Shake. We all went back home for a nap. After church Sunday night Taylor came home not feeling well. YOU GUESSED IT!!! She has come down with the stomach bug herself. UGH! Bless her heart she was up throwing up all night and into the morning. Keep in mind that Josiah has surgery that day.

 Mark debated whether or not to stay home with her or to go with me to the hospital. By the time we were ready to leave Taylor was doing much better and had not had anymore episodes of throwing up. So, we decided to leave her Mark's phone and we would head to the hospital. Just as we are walking out the door....yep...the devil throws another kink in the line. It was the doctor's office calling to say that we had to pay $881.00 up front before we had the surgery. I explained nicely to the lady that his surgery was scheduled for today and no-one had told me this before and well there was simply no way that it was going to happen. So, I talked with her about a payment plan....she advised me that they do not do payment plans.....as you can probably imagine....I am quit frazzled at this point. I did not want to take any chances that he might not have surgery so we headed to the hospital anyway. We pull into the hospital and the nurse from the doctor’s office calls to tell me that we have to reschedule because they did not get approval from the insurance company....UGH!!!!.....We talked back and forth and they said that they had been faxing the wrong doctor all week and did not even know it. WHEW!!! So, I get on the phone and call my doctor and they have no idea that Josiah is having surgery. At this point we have checked into the hospital and Mark is sitting with Josiah at the check in station. The nurse is informing him that everything is a go and that they have authorization from the insurance company. Now if you are like me...you are wondering "WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?" So, my doctor's office gets on the phone with the lady at the check in station and they check all billing codes and well everything is good to go. WOW! What a day so far. We go back to pre-op and now wait. Poor Josiah doesn't have surgery until 12 noon and well he has not had anything to eat since 11:00 the night before. If you can only imagine how irritated he was that he could not eat or drink. He was going crazy. Mark and I prayed with him to give him comfort and the doctor’s wisdom, he was praying for us while we were praying it was so cute. He finally fell asleep in my arms and then it was time for his surgery and they took him away asleep. We sat outside waiting to be called it was only about 40 minutes or so and the doctor came and said he did great and was going to recovery. We now had to wait until he was moved to recovery II. It was not to long after that we get the call to go back. We get to see our little man and he was just snuggling in the arms of the nurse. We were told that he needed to drink before we went home or eat popsicles or he would have to stay the night in the hospital. So, to our surprise he ate 2 whole popsicles and was drinking. YEAH!! We got the ok to go home. The remaining part of the day he was great eating and drinking. He even started playing and was what seemed to be the little man that he was prior to surgery. The next day he awoke to a sore throat which was to be expected and he even ate a few popsicles and some crackers, at one point I found him in his room playing with his toys...it was so cute. That night however, he took a turn for the worst. He had starting running a fever and it had gotten to 102.6 we called the doctor and he advised that if we could not get the fever down and get him to drink we would need to go to the ER. So, with that said we did everything that we could to get the fever down. Mark gave him a luke warm bath, we were pushing popsicles and drinks and then just when we thought we were doing ok, he threw up all over me. So, I clean up and we head to the hospital. We call a few people to keep a check on the kids (because they were already asleep) and we woke Taylor to tell her where we were going and again left the phone with her.

 

Now, we are off to St. Joe's Children's Hospital. We check in and it is not but about five minutes or so before they move us to a room in the ER. The doctor comes in and checks him out and of coarse they start an IV and do blood work. We get the word back around 2 that we are staying the night....but there are no rooms in the big hospital. So, the nurse brings in another bed and we all three lay down for a nights sleep. I wish that was the end of the devil making us miserable but.....not so lucky. I awoke to feeling really sick at 4:15. Yep, I had caught the bug! So, I had to wake Mark and tell him to move closer to Josiah....since he had been all snuggled with me for the last 4 hours. I prayed that he would not get it because that was the last thing that he needed. Around 5 the nurse came in to tell us that we had a new room upstairs and we moved on up to the children's ward. Me, well I am still sick as a dog...having hot and cold flashes and of coarse my baby is calling out my name and I can not do a thing. (Talk about feeling bad). The devil hit me right in the heart! Thank the Lord that Mark was there and he was able to care for him. We try to sleep just hoping that we will get to go home in the morning. We also get a call from a girl that works here in the home telling us that Taylor has been up all night with the bug again and it is her birthday.....poor girl!!!! Now we have two sick kiddos. The doctor comes in and says: guess what guys, we want you to stay another night....oh no! We were to start a mission’s conference at Grace Temple Baptist tonight. The devil thinks that he has us. So, I stay in the hospital and Mark and Hunter head to present our ministry with-out the rest of us. We felt so bad for not being there but we were praying for the meeting. I told Mark that I was feeling a little better and got a mask from the nurse and at least I could hold him without breathing on him. So, Mark stayed home with Hunter and Taylor for the night and he came to see us first thing Thursday morning. Around 5 or so that morning the nurses came in to draw blood to see if all the fluids had helped. First nurse, gave a stick and his vein rolled, could not find the vein. Second nurse, next stick the vein just disappeared...no luck.....now I have a very sore and upset baby. Third nurse, thank the Lord was able to get a stick and draw blood. We were hanging out and the nurse finally came in to put a block on the IV, so at least he could run around with out the cords. Mark was reading his Bible and I was working on answering emails and Josiah ran into the bathroom. Mark thought well I can see him so all is good and then......the little stinker pulled the call nurse string and a herd of nurses came running to his aid.....he was just a grinning.....that’s my boy. He was finally back to himself, some what anyway. It was not long after that we got word from the doctor that we could go home. I know that it was because of friends and family from all over who were praying not only for him but for our entire family. We are so thankful to know that when we have a need you all are willing to come to our aid by lifting us up in prayer to our Heavenly Father. Thank you all for helping us defeat the devil. I truly believe that he is trying to see if we will break and not make this journey. He does not want us to go and share the Gospel and the love of the Lord with children of Honduras. Well guess what he is not going to win this one. Thanks again....we love you all.

EVEN NOW...............

While on a three hour bus ride to a church in Naples Florida Sunday morning we received a text that said…. “Her water has broken and they are on the way to the hospital.” The bus was full of excited children and adults who were all eager to meet the newest addition to the Higgins family. Matt is the son of Pastor Mike and Mrs. Chris who are directors of the home here in Tampa. Matt and his wife Mandy like all parents have been waiting for this day to come. However, it was not until later that day that they welcomed “Micah Nathan” into the world.



Babies are always exciting and such a blessing from the Lord. I can remember the birth of Taylor, Hunter and especially Josiah. When I was pregnant with Josiah I was like a Supreme Pizza of emotions. :) I was happy, scared, anxious, tired, and impatiently ready all at the same time. I was happy because the Lord had given me another chance to have a baby. Scared, due to the fact that I had already lost three; just a short time before that. I was anxious to see the little boy who was indeed a blessing and a miracle. Tired, well if you had seen how big I was……… well you would understand…..lol…..Impatiently ready, labor was induced as well as 15 hours long and drugs had worn off about three hours before delivery. It was indeed a long, teary, painful time for me and Mark. However, Mark kept whispering in my ear the words “EVEN NOW”. You see we had heard a sermon from Brother David Crow who preached out of John 11:22. It was a very moving and touching sermon. The verse goes like this: “But I know, that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” Mark kept me going with those words and it was just moments later that I gave birth to Josiah Ayden 9lbs 14oz and 22 inches long. He had a broken collar bone and a bruised face due to a traumatic delivery. But I was so relived and full of joy to be looking into the eyes of the prayer that God had answered for me. I took him in my arms and thanked the Lord for giving me my little baby. I think that like a new mother reaching out to touch her baby the Lord reaches down HIS Hand to touch his children; whether it is in times of sorrow, pain or rejoicing happiness. I think that we as parents are like God in the sense that we both yearn to reach out and touch what was made in our image. Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt the Lord’s hand reach down and touch you? If so, share it in a comment below.

Please PRAY......

Last night was a sad time in the lives of the members of Team Honduras. We all have friends and family that we witness to and even sometimes do so on a daily basis. This event proves that no man knows the day he will be departing from this world to spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. Nico was a dear friend and neighbor of Robbie and Christine Ellis. After being invited to church on several occasions and having heard a clear gospel presentation he and his family decide to go to church. Then, life took an unexpected turn. I have linked you below to Christine's blog page so that you can read the "rest of the story". Please pray for this family, and all of the team members of TEAM HONDURAS. I know that they will covet your prayers. Also, please keep in mind when you pray, the dangers that they face for living in a foreign country. Safety will also be a large request for our family and the kids in the home. However, I know that through the sincere prayers of prayer warriors, God can and will put a hedge around "HIS SERVANTS". I also know that like Job, the Lord only lets the devil get so close to his people. Thank you all again for your prayers at this time.

http://www.realmissionsreallife.blogspot.com/

Honduras Building Update

We are excited about the progress of the new church building in Honduras. It is so amazing to see just how far it has come. What is even more of a blessing is that this building once finished will be completely debt free. PRAISE THE LORD for that. Things can be built with less funds and cheaper labor.....however the sacrifice for giving is just as great for them. Sometimes, I think that we don't give because we are afraid of what we will be giving up worldly....while these people give because it is truly in their hearts to give and they want to serve the Lord. I remember when we were there for our trip and to see the offering plates full of coins and lempiras. It was such a blessing to see how eager and excited they were to give. Most of the people did not in our eyes have a dime to spare but they chose to give to the Lord. I fully believe that because of their faithfulness both to Him through giving and outreach they are a better people. They have a church that has out grown its current building and has almost 200 in attendance.  So here are a few pictures to show you just what is going on and where we will be serving the Lord at soon.

"Let Your Light So Shine.......through WORLD OUTREACH!"

While attending our home church of Hilltop in North Carolina the Lord brought Robbie and Christine Ellis to share their burden and their vision for the country of Honduras. That night while listening to Bro. Robbie's service and what he wanted to see take place in Honduras.......really sparked a fire in the heart of myself and in Mark. Neither of us knew how each other felt but the Lord was preparing us both at the same time. "The LORD planted the seed" that night. Mark and I both felt that we needed to do more for our missionaries and that meant praying more and giving more to missions. Even though that was the first time I had ever seen or heard of the Ellis'....I felt that I had known Christine my whole life.  It was as if I knew that she would become one of my best friends. I was teaching K5 at our school and we always adopted a missionary each year. Every year my missionaries were always the Ellis'. We built a long distance friendship. In 2007 the Lord opened the door and paved the way for us to end up in the country of Honduras as chaperones for a group of college kids. That would be a trip that would change the rest of our lives.

We would pass out over 6,000 tracks in the week our group was there and to see the people hungry for the GOSPEL was truly breath taking. We would walk the streets and have people following us as if we were handing out a million dollars. It was hard to leave that week knowing when God made it clear that some how we belonged there. We came home however, and after a few months we got back into our daily lives and that "NEW" feeling seem to have worn off. Then, the mail came one day with a Honduras Update.......it was funny because I read it through my email and Mark read it by himself and we both read the words...WHO WILL GO?.......it is so amazing at how the Lord works. With that we prayed about the chance that it could be us that would go. We called Brother Robbie and Ms. Christine and set up a meeting and it was not long after that they along with Hope Children's Home offered us the opportunity to be the fourth team members of Team Honduras.

Now as we prepare to leave for language school on April 26th we are grateful to know that the work of outreach still continues in Honduras. The Lord is still moving and they are seeing many new people join their congregation. A church that is about five years old has already out grown its current property.  Their first building project is almost complete as they are averaging 198 on Sundays and 197 on Wednesday nights....yes that is correct...197! How many"U.S." Pastors would love to only be one short for a Wednesday night service instead of about 50% of of its people. We are excited that while we still have a year before we are on the ground of Honduras the work is growing and the need is great. I pray that while we have not hit the field that we have been called to yet we will still labor for "HIS CAUSE", in all the places that our feet will trod. Here in Tampa our missions conference theme was "From the Cross, Through the Church, To the WORLD"......Are we all doing our part to let our light shine and share the Love of Jesus to all we meet!

"Let you light so shine before men, that they may see you good works, and glorify you Father which is in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

LORD, make my life a window for YOUR light to shine through and a mirror to reflect YOUR love to all I meet. AMEN!

God Still Answers Prayers

Wow it is so amazing at how God works through prayer. As a christian this should be our main communication with our "Heavenly Father". However, most of us cry out to HIM only when we are in seroius need or in a deep valley. I am thankful that I can say that I can praise HIM for his answers to my prayers.

Many of you know that before having Josiah I lost three babies which now rest in the loving arms of my Savior. I must confess that losing the first one was no walk in the park. I often questioned WHY LORD?...(as many of us do if we are honest with ourselves!) But you know he allowed me to get pregnant two other times before I realized that it just was not HIS WILL or maybe not HIS Timing. So, with that said we ventured to the country of Honduras May 24, 2007. Oh, what the Lord had in store was way more than Mark and I could have ever expected. The way he used that trip to change our hearts and lives from that point forward was amazing. That brings us to today. As you all know we are on our journey to the country of Honduras to start and run Hope of Honduras Children's Home. We sold everything we had and put our house on the market,packed our van with clothes and the kids and drove 13 hours to Tampa, Florida.

The Lord has been there with us every step of the way. We have had a few trials that the Devil himself threw in our path for no other reason but to discourage us and cause us to question. But through prayer and people like you who just read our stories and pray for us helped us climb that mountain. We have only been on deputation now for about 6 months and are at about 95% committed support....PRAISE THE LORD!! The Lord has also provided for us in ways that you could never imagine. From sitting in a restaurant and the manager coming up to tell us that our meal was on the house. (Which We had no complaints but they felt they were behind on our service...) Thank the Lord for providing... and that same day the Lord answered yet another prayer request that we had heavy on our hearts and the hearts of our friends and supporters....the selling of our home in North Carolina. After receiving the news from the manager that our meal was free we received a call that we had a good offer on our home and that the buyers were very excited about the house. PRAISE The LORD! We stopped right there to thank the Lord for what he has done for us and how his timing is always RIGHT! God still answers prayers so don't give up just pray that much harder for your time may not be HIS TIME!

We also want to say that we are so grateful for those who do lift us up in prayer along with our needs.  God answers prayer through people like YOU!

AND ALL THINGS,WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN PRAYER,BELIEVING, YE SHALL RECEIVE. MATTHEW 21:22

Taking a LEAP of FAITH

As you all know we have been in Tampa now since August 2nd 2009. We started deputation in mid September to begin raising the funds needed for language school and of coarse our needs once we head to Honduras. We need about $35,000 for the year of language school plus the money we need for our support which is about $1500 a month.

The Lord sure has been so good to us with helping raise our funds and gain many supporters. The Lord has blessed us with so many individual and family supporters and we are very grateful for the commitments. We know that each of those givers are making a sacrifice to help the children of Honduras.

However, if you have ever planned to do something as time draws closer and closer so does the anticipation and the excitement. Mark and I sat down with Pastor Mike (the director here in Tampa) to talk about our future plans. We still do not have 100% committed support and only lack about $200 a month from being able to go. We weighed the pros and cons and then just decided to go on FAITH. You see, if we prolong going to language school until September then that means that we will not be in Honduras until September 2011. Mark and I both look at it like this.....the longer it takes for us to get to Honduras.....the more children could die without hope of knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, we decided that we are stepping out on faith and the Lord would provide the remaining funds that we need to get there. So, on April 26th we will be flying out to the Spanish Language Institute in Costa Rica. Please help us by praying that we gain our support and our home sells in North Carolina before we go.

What is our PURPOSE??

Many of you may not fully understand what our goals are as we journey to Honduras. While doing my devotion I cam across the verse of Proverbs 17:6 which says: "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers." So, I thought I would share with you why we are going to minister to the children.

I can speak true of this passage because I know that my children are deeply loved by their grandparents. Hunter and Josiah are the the only grandsons that my daddy has. I know that this journey is especially hard on him for he will not be able to see them grow up; but he will be proud of them just the same. I have heard many people say including Pastors; that grandchildren are God's reward to parents for not killing their children.......lol. But regardless of that saying they are a reward to both parents and grandparents.

Our first goal is to help these children by taking them in and giving them a family. We want to give them a new sense of belonging and make them feel safe and secure beyond measure. We want to teach them about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and lay down a Biblical foundation that will last a lifetime. Our ultimate goal is that each boy and girl that we are able to reach will trust Christ and grow up to minister to the people of their country. Our Pastor back home Brother Jeff always says this saying: "our goal is to fulfill the great commission by seeing folks saved, seeing them baptized and teaching them how the Bible says that they ought to live." That is just what we want to do for these children. We want them to grow into Godly adults and put Proverbs 17:6 to light in our eyes for we in return will become most of their parents. Not for us only...but for the Lord our God first so that he will receive the glory and praise of the seeds sown through the children's home.

Please pray as we are closer than ever to being able to leave April 26th for language school so that we can finish school in a timely matter and start our purpose above.

The World moves forward on the feet of little CHILDREN!!

Acting on the Leading of the Holy Spirit

When we first moved down to Tampa, I noticed something that I had really never seen before in North Carolina and that was the number of homeless people on the street. While I was not completely in the dark about the ongoing rise of this situation it was just not something that we saw in our small town of Fuquay Varina. However, on our way to church I began to notice a person.....possibly a lady pushing a shopping cart filled with gray trash bags and tattered clothes and floppy worn out shoes on her feet.

The Lord began to place this lady on my heart and each time we passed to go to church I was searching her out. It took many times of the Lord pressing on my heart to cause me to act on those impressions. I am sure that if we are all honest with ourselves we have been led to do something for someone that we never acted on.

Well, this past Wednesday night the Lord touched my heart again and burdened me about doing something if we saw her. So, driving home on that rather chilly night there she was backed up to a building with her cart in front and with her forehead on the handle trying to fall asleep standing up. I asked Mark, "Honey can we please stop and take her something to eat it is cold out and a hot meal would at least be something that we could do." So, he agreed and stopped at the next fast food place we saw which just happened to be a Burger King. We purchased a double cheeseburger, fries and a drink to carry back to her.

Of coarse, Mark being the kind and protecting husband that he is, said that he would feel better if he went and delivered the goodies in the bag. The women was almost asleep when he approached her. He told her why we had stopped. "He said the Lord has placed a burden on my wife's heart about you and she wanted to do something for you". He began to tell her what we had in the bag, and she said that she was thankful but ......she does not eat meat. He began to ask her about the drink and fries and she told him that she was to cold to drink a soda tonight. Mark proceeded to ask her about her salvation and the Lord Jesus Christ. She told him that she was in fact a Christian and she believed in Jesus. He asked her name and she expressed that is was "Tammy". He then asked if he could give her some money so that she could go and get something that she would like for dinner and she again said no thank you. However, it was awesome when she I will not take your money but I will take the track in your hand.

It was encouraging to know that she was willing to take that track which has the plan of salvation on the inside. Mark told her that she would be in our prayers and we drove away.

You know all we have to do is obey what the Lord tells us to do and he will take care of the rest. We don't know what will happen to Tammy but we do know that she know holds in her hands the Romans Road.

Beloved, if our God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at anytime. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected. 1 John 4:11-12

The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11

Hoops at HOPE....

Well, for those who know my husband....you know that he is a true lover of sports. So, for me it was no surprise that he started teaching our children the same love for sports when they could each hold a ball. For the record, it did not have to be just a basketball but football and baseball as well. He is a wonderful daddy who truly loves to get outside and play with his kids. I think that because he loves it so much they all love sports including Josiah whose second word I must admit was "BALL" instead of "mommy". He loves a ball more than any kid I have ever seen next to Hunter.

This brings us to today. Taylor is playing basketball here at HCS and is only in the 8th grade. However, she is a starter and her daddy and I are very proud of her. She has picked up valuable skills over the coarse of her younger years and her daddy's "tall genes" seem to help her on the court.

We have had three games so far this season and so far we are 2 and 1. Taylor has done a great job at coming out of her shell and becoming aggressive with the ball. She has the ability if she would just apply it all the time on the court. We are very proud of how she has improved with each game and tonight was no exception. She had at least 6 points plus many rebounds and assists.

Not only did the girls win but our boys did as well. I love the fact that I can go and watch her play ball and the rest of the kids here at HOPE. I do however, sit and think about what their parents are missing out on and the accomplishments that these teenagers have made and they will never get to see it. You see each day is something new, just like when you learn to ride a bike or you loose your first tooth. You can not ever recreate those memories. What a shame it is that when they grow up they will not have those thoughts and memories of what happened tonight. With that said it brings to my mind a shot that a young man made tonight; imagine standing at 3/4 court and the clock is ticking down so you throw the ball like a football with all you have......the buzzer goes off and the ball swishes the net.......the crowd jumps to their feet in awe and cheered because you just made a "3" and that could never be recreated in a million years. Thankfully he had peers and staff family and other fans to help him remember such a remarkable play.

I want to always try and do my best and making memories with my children and letting them know how much they mean to me and how proud I am of their accomplishments.

Turning the "To Do List"...into the the "To Be List"...

I know that many times in my life I have made a "To Do List". If you all sit and think I am sure that each one of you would agree that sometime in your life you have made one too. When reading in God's Word he wants us to each create a "To Be List".

I know that there have been times in my life where I have written out my schedule and my day and had everything in my own plan and said to the Lord...okay this is all that I have to do today please be with me and help me with it Lord and bless me.

But instead of taking it from the the "To Do" perspective we need to apply the "To Be" one.

From the "To Be" perspective, we should have prayers that consist of things like the following:

Help me Lord to reflect your love today.

Help me Lord to manifest your peace.

Help me Lord to practice your patience.

Help me Lord to exhibit your joy.

Help me Lord to make known YOUR goodness.

Help me Lord to express your kindness.

Help me Lord to display your self-control.

Help me Lord to reveal your faithfulness.

Help me Lord to share your gentleness.

If we express these traits then it reflects the mark of God's presence in our lives. Everyday we should start out our "To Be" List by spending time in Prayer and Meditation in HIS Word.

The best way to express God's kindness is first receiving His Kindness in your own life. When you receive the Lord's kindness in your life it will reflect through everything that you do. You will be more app to spread it unknowingly. It will become a part of who you are and you will display it to those around you. We will then be able to share God's love and kindness through our daily behavior.

When we make our "To Be" list a top priority in our lives the things that we have "To Do" will become less of a burden in our daily routines. We must however, always remember to put HIM first and want to strive to be like Him.....then we can accomplish all that we need to in a much better attitude.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lust. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25

Giving God All I have To Give.....in 2010

This Christmas season has been one that I will never forget. Not only was it one that was spent away from friends and family but it was time for us to reflect as a family on how God has truly blessed us.

God has blessed our family beyond believe. We are so amazed still....at the fact God has called us to such a journey. Now each day that passes only makes our hearts long for the people and the country that he has called us too minister too.

So for 2010 I plan on giving God all that I have to give. Our Pastor here in Tampa preached a sermon from Ecclesiastes 9: 1-10. The title of his sermon was "A Living Dog is better than a Dead Lion". It really made me stop to think about what I was doing for Christ here and now.

You see we may be little now and not very important but we can give all that we have to God and he can use it greatly. Or we can see ourselves in a comfort zone and always try to do everything on our terms and in our own time.... when we die it want matter anyway. The prophets of old did a great job at living for Christ while they were alive.....however, they are all past away and can do nothing from the grave. I want to know that while I am alive I am giving all that I can to the Lord. You see, we only have a short time to give, serve and share God with others. No man knows the day that he will take his last breath. So as for me, I want to make sure that I make each day count. I want to keep myself ready for God to use so, that I don't miss out on a blessing that he has for me. I also plan on memorizing at least 52 new passages of scripture. That is one a week. The best way to keep God close is to fill your heart and mind with HIS WORD. It will also help to defeat the devil when he throws those curve balls your way. I challenge you to memorize some scriptures and read Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 and see how God speaks to you in the new year.....

So, Happy New Year to all............and remember.....

"The Holy Spirit Fills Empty Vessels......are you willing to empty Yourself so that God can fill YOU UP?"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I would like to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas, that is full of Christ. For with out the Heavenly Father sending "HIS" One and "ONLY Son, JESUS" to earth that night in Bethlehem we would all be on our way to spending eternity in HELL without hope for our future.

Our family spend the morning with gifts and a big breakfast and taking time to "THANK THE LORD" for what he has done for us this past year. Mark read the Christmas Story from Luke 2 as we celebrated and thanked the Lord for our salvation. We now pray that "Little Man" will grow up and trust Jesus as His personal Savior as he learns about God's love for us all.

Again, we wish all of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Looking for a Miracle this CHRISTMAS!

The Bible says :

"Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou has declared thy strength among the people." PSALMS 77:14

When we moved to Tampa in August we started attending Southside Baptist Church. This was a little scary for me, for I have so many friends and many close relationships with our church family back home in North Carolina. Hilltop is a church that "WELCOMES" you the minute you walk in. I have been in many churches and not yet found that same close feeeling. But the Lord gave me the same great feeling at Southside and to me it is a mini Hilltop. The people are loving and caring and the Pastor is truly a man of God preaching the word with no reservations just like Brother Jeff. It has become our new home.

For the Christmas Cantata Pastor Nance decided to preform a mini play with the choir singing throughout the scenes. The name of the play was "THE GREATEST GIFT". To my surprise the Pastor picked his cast and had Mark and I both in it. I was scared to death!!!! Now I know that I am a bubbly, friendly and out-going person and all......but I have never acted a day in my life......with the exception of teaching K5 and a tiny ladies meeting skit. However, I prayed and learned my lines and just asked God to help me not to stumble and use the words that come from my lips to give HIM GLORY. Praise the Lord the play was wonderful and we had three people walk the aisle. Two of those made a profession of faith.

My devotion tonight reminded me of the meaning behind the play and that God has given us the best gift of all, Himself. The title of my devotion was "FINDING A MIRACLE this SEASON". It made me really think about a dear friend that I have back home.

I have a dear friend by the name of Lanie. Many of you who know me know about Lalania. She has been battling cancer now for sometime. The day that she found out she had cancer, she didn't just found out about it she found out that it was already stage 4. I will never forget that day. My heart was hurting for her along with all her know her. See Lanie is probably the sweetest, kindest, loving, encouraging, and faithful women I know. I am not sure at all what was going through her mind that day but I am sure that her family was heavy on her heart. You see, she has 5 boys that range in age from 14 to 4.

Lanie as long as I have known her has always had an awesome testimony. She has been saved for sometime now, served her country in the Air Force and always been a caring and loving mother and wife. Now she is fighting the battle of her life, yet to see her she strives on and never lets you see her pain or discomfort. She never complains and always gives God the Glory for everything in her life. She jumps in the ring with her "boxing gloves" on and God as her manager. She truly has a wonderful spirit and testimony.

Honestly, I have to examine my own life and how I fail because I let the world creep in and take my eyes off of "HIM". God is perfectly capable of handling every situation. He has never made a mistake with any of us and never will. He has a plan and a purpose for everything in our lives. Why should we think for a moment that he can not stop or start any situation that occurs in our lives in the wink of an eye??

God has a habit of doing some miraculous things and I know that he can still do them today. This Christmas...."I am looking for a miracle." I am actually not just looking for one but for many. I am praying that God will heal my dear friends body and rid it of cancer. Lanie is a fighter and she has not given up and our family and friends will not give up on her either. I am also praying that God will mend my brothers family. This has been a tole on our entire family and without any more details I ask that you join me in prayer for God to give a miracle in these lives. I am not giving up on either of these situations but I am putting them solely in Gods hands. God has a way of sending us just what we need when we need it. I pray this season that you my readers not get caught up in the hussel and bussel of Christmas and don't stand in the way of GOD preforming a "MIRACLE " in your life or the life of someone you love.

"Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer can move God"

E.M. Bounds

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

No Ordinary Zoo Trip...........

On Thursday of this week many of the children were treated to a trip to the Lowry Park Zoo here in Florida. What a treat for all the children this day proved to be. A small business association made it possible for the children in 6th grade and below to attend the zoo. They even took care of the staff that went along to oversee each group.

It was so amazing to see how the Lord provides for "HIS" people. Many of the children.....in fact almost all of the children here have never been to any type of zoo. This was such a treat for them.

The kids were able to do things that otherwise the would have not been able to do. Some of the things that the kids in my group were able to do included feeding a giraffe and stingray. This was so cool. The giraffe at one point had her nose on my camera. It was a treat for me as well. Then we moved on to search out some other neat looking animals and even rode a roller coaster and a sky lift. This was no ordinary trip to the zoo, in fact this may have been a once in a life time event for some of the children here. As they walked they took in every inch of their surroundings and had a wonderful day. The Lord even held off the rain and kept it warm but cool out so that all the animals were active. The group then treated us all to a wonderful catered lunch and then gave every child a stocking filled with goodies.

A BIG THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE THIS DAY POSSIBLE!!!!!!

Offering a Little HOPE.........

You know the world tries to offer us hope, however it is imperfect and always fails us: as does man. You see no matter how much we search for worldly hope we always come up short. It is such a comfort for me to know that MY GOD offers me hope that is never ending, unchanging and even unshakable. If we are "saved" (this means that I put my faith and trust in Christ ALONE) we can have a hope for an eternal future.

It is so awesome to ponder on the thought that God does not keep track of our failures if we ask him to forgive us. As a ______(wife, parent you fill in the blank) we will all face disappointments and failures here in our life. But it is so sweet to know that if we put our hope in "HIM" we are secure and are promised peace,joy and eternal life.

Are we teaching and sharing with others the hope that we have in our lives? Do others see us as different because of who our lives belong too? If a stranger happens to come across our path will they see that we are different.....than the world?

Not long ago we were able to have a few kids in our home for Thanksgiving. The day after turkey day we always put our Christmas tree up and living in Florida was not going to stop that long family tradition. So, with new ornaments and lights myself along with all six children helped put up the tree. Some how putting up a Christmas tree with the twinkling lights and shining ornaments puts hope into a child's heart about the holiday season. This year I challenge you to put a little hope in someone elses life by extending them the "Good News of Salvation". Just like we were able to give the children hope that the best was yet to come, you to can give someone hope that their "BEST is YET TO COME". It will come the day they see Jesus in Heaven.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 31:24

Beginning of a NEW Thanksgiving Trend.........

Well, Thanksgiving was a little different this year for our Family. This was the first year since Mark and I have been married that we have not celebrated the holiday with one of our families. However, it will not be the last one that we do not have our parents at......considering next year we will be in Costa Rica and the following year we will be on the ground in Honduras.

When you think of "Thanksgiving" you think of the season of Fall with beautiful changing leaves that look like they have been painted on the trees. You also think of cool crisp days of kids playing football outside while the turkey is being cooked.

Our Thanksgiving was great even if there were not autumn colored leaves and it was about 70 outside. Mark and the kids played outside while I prepared all the traditional foods that go along with turkey. We had:

1. Baked Mac-n-Cheese

2. Green Bean Casserole

3. Mashed Potatoes and gravy

4. Dressing

5. Butterbeans

6. Carrots

7. Cranberry Sauce

8. Deviled Eggs

9. Sweet Potato Casserole

10. Rolls

11. Blueberry Cobbler w/vanilla ice cream

and of coarse my husband cooked his first of many to come fried TURKEYS.....and let me just say that if you have never had fried turkey it is the BOMB!!!! ((and we will be getting a fryer for Honduras.......))

We had some guests with us for Thanksgiving this year that were not family memebers but kids here in the home. Two of them had no family to go home too and one well her dad is in prison and her mom died when she was little. It was nice to be able to bring them home and give them a family style Thanksgiving Dinner. Before we prayed we went around the room and each of us told what we were 'Thankful" for. One of them said they were thankful for the home, another said "that you brought me to your house for Thanksgiving" it was very heart warming tear jerking to hear those words come out of his mouth. You know all he wanted was to have a family. He has been in the home for 3 years. He is now 5. The sad think is that he will most likely live here until he goes off to college.

This was the start of a new family tradition for us: giving hope to those who have none. Sharing something as small as a plate of turkey dinner and hugs and laughs to someone that longs for love and acceptance. I challenge each one of you to start a new family tradition that would include doing something for someone in need.

We are all so very fortunate to have the family lives that we do and sometimes it is hard to even believe that there could be one without a family. If you want to see or read more about the work here at Hope Childrens Home please visit the link below.

www.hopechildrenshome.org

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg To ALL!!!!!!!

"O Give Thanks Unto the Lord; for He is Good:For His Mercy Endureth For Ever.

Psalm 118:29

On the Road to Victory.......

Upon arrival here at HOPE in August we found the kids already in school and practicing for an exciting year of both girls and boys volleyball. Taylor was able to jump right in and be on the girls team and Mark was asked to be the assistant coach for the boys team.

This year was the first time they had ever had a boys volleyball team here at the school. With that said, no one would have guessed that our boys would have played so well at a sport which they have never really played before.

This weekend (Friday and Saturday) we had the championship games for our division. The girls were ranked 3rd overall and if they one on Friday night then they would play again on Saturday morning. The boys had gone 9-0 in the conference so they did not have to play until the Championship Game at 12:30 today. The girls won their first game today and they were headed to the Championship game against a team that they had struggled with all season.

The boys were super. They played great as a team and showed awesome Christian character while playing. They won in the first 3 games. We are so proud that the first year of having a boys team they brought home Conference Champs as well as regular season Champs.

The girls played well but came in second in the Championship game. Maybe next year they will bring home the trophy. They played so hard during the first game and showed awesome team work. They just have to play harder and maybe next year will be their year. You know having kids myself our children have always been in sports and we have always been there to support them whenever they have played. However, this weekend I cheered for my other children (the children here in the home) which I have grown to love as my own.

You know these teenagers played in a game this weekend that were against kids the same age as they were.....the one difference was they had their parents on the bleachers there to scream and yell out support to them. Our "HOPE" kids well they have us but no one can truly take the place of a parent. I remember when I was little and I would get awards at school and I would look in the stands to see if my mom or dad were there. When I caught site of them oh, how I would fill up with pride and excitement. These kids have parents who are strung out on drugs or in jail or who just can not take care of them. Some of them just don't want to have any part of them at all. While you look at the video clip and the pictures of these kids just whisper a prayer to the Lord and ask "HIM" to help someone be a blessing and an encouragement to them during their days here.

I also challenge my readers who are parents to take part in your children's lives and not let a day go by where you are not wanting to cheer them on from the sidelines.....in whatever they do.

My Life and the word Gracious.......

The word gracious is an adjective that means something characterized by warm courtesy or kindness. A person that displays this characteristic can be described as a person being graceful. It refers to a compassionate or merciful nature or being condescendingly courteous. Something or someone graceful shows good taste, elegance, beauty and charm. I am currently reading a book to help me be the best wife and mother that I can. In this book it lists words that would be attributes of a women of God.

So I decided to study the word “graciousness”. Have you ever been talking to someone and seen a pretty girl come along that has a bad attitude? I have, and I have told my daughter that the person would be so much prettier if she displayed some graciousness. You know a person that displays this characteristic is so much more appealing. I personally had to reflect upon my own life.

If we are all honest with ourselves we would have to agree that we are not always gracious. I have been married for almost 15 years and I can say that unfortunately I have not always shown my husband graciousness. In fact I must say that I wish I could take back the times that I wasn’t so kind and merciful to him. However, with the Lord’s help I can say that I am changing all of that. We all do things or say things without thinking. We should be quick to hold our tongue. It says in Psalms 34:13 “Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile” This is in everything that we say. We have to remember that if we are saved then we are representing Christ when we speak. Sometimes I think that we as Christians seem to forget that part. This could even trickle right on down into our appearance.

OK, so I guess that I have opened a “can of worms” but I have to say my opinion on this situation. If we are saved and Christ lives and dwells within us…how come we think that it is perfectly exceptable to walk around looking like a bum? I am a very casual person, however, I have tried in the last five years or so to put into perspective how others see and view me. I know that looks are not “suppose” to be what counts. But, we should always be showing the attributes of graciousness because we are always letting others see us when we are out and about. I personally try to think about the fact that I could have the opportunity to speak to someone about Christ. First impressions are everything, and if we are representing Christ, then that lost person that I have a chance to witness to will be able to see the attribute of “grace” through me.

I hope that I have made you think of your own life and that you reflect on the attribute of “graciousness”. I personally want to say that I am displaying it better than I have in the past. So my challenge to you is are you showing others graciousness and are you always thinking that someone is watching you not only in this world but outside of it as well?
We need to also be willing to show ourselves gracious just as God has been gracious to us. He sent “His” one and only son Jesus to die on a cross to pay the debt for our sins. We should give others a second chance just as Christ has given us a second chance, and if honest it is third, fourth, fifth etc.

Jonah said this in Jonah 4:2; And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was it not my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore, I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and a merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of evil.

Would not wanna trade my life for anything.......

Every one wonders what it would be like to be in someone else's shoes. Well, me I like the ones that the Lord has given me to wear.

Each morning, I start my day by reading my Bible and prayer. The Lord has blessed me with a fresh breath of air and I pray that I am a good steward of the day that he has given and I pray that I can be a blessing to someone.

After waking all of my own children and getting them ready for breakfast, Mark and I are off to staff devotions and a quick meeting.

Following our meeting we ourselves grab a quick bite to eat and are ready to start the day. This week has been especially busy for us. We have been preparing for a missions conference that we will be attending in NC this coming week. As well as, I have been helping Ms. Chris (our Executive Directors wife) prepare and clean a new cottage that we use for guest housing. This has been a large project that will house up to 9 persons. The house turned out great.

Along with that project we have been having lunch with the children each day. Everyday is different and unique here at Hope because each day brings new projects or maybe a guest to greet and show around.

It also might encompass giving a hug to a girl that is having a bad day or buying a soda for a student who has been struggling and finally made a good grade on their test/quiz. It also might be giving a high five to a little one for learning to add. Or just whispering "I LOVE YOU" in the ear of one of the kids here. We normally eat dinner in the dorms with the kids so that we can all get together and joke around like a real family.

You see here for the time being is where GOD has planted my shoes as he is preparing me for the mission field. I love my role here and feel very blessed to be a vessel that said "YES" to the Lord and HIS calling.