Envious

I have to be honest with you this morning. I am envious, if not even jealous (yes, I know it's a sin and and I am working on it.). Let me tell you why and then you will understand. Keegan's brother in law Jim just got back from a medical mission trip to Ghana. He leads a team there every six months and also leads teams to Mexico. Every time he comes back and shares what God did on the trip, I just wish I could have been a part of it. The pictures of the people, well and ill, and the testimonies of what God did makes my nursing heart wish I could have been there and have been used by God in such a way. I am so thrilled for Jim and how God uses him in this endeavor. He gives so sacrificially to serve God in this way using his talents, gifts, time, and money. God is blessing this ministry by providing so many materials for them to take each time and sending more team members on each trip. It is so exciting to see God work, and although I don't get to go, I do get to be a part of the team by praying.

Jim and Pat

The other thing that makes me feel envious this morning, is that Keegan's sister Pat just got back from a trip to Israel. She and a team are putting together a house in Jerusalem for interactive prayer. Pat and the team have become very active in creating interactive rooms for prayer in their church and other sites. They came to the attention of the International Mission Board who asked them to turn this old house that the IMB has had for years into a sanctuary for prayer. Pat and the team have made several trips there to get the house ready to open. This trip finished most of the indoor project and although she has only been home 48 hours, she has gotten reports of people from all walks and faiths entering there to find sanctuary. WOW! My heart just trembles with excitement to think what God will do with such a place in His holy city that is so war torn and so lost. Like Jim, Pat give so sacrificially to be used by God in this endeavor. I wish I had her pictures here to show you so you could see the transformation and the work that has gone into this transformation. Again, I had to remind myself that I was a part of that ministry-I had the privilege to pray for them.

Having both Pat and Jim over last night really raised my "green" level as they shared how God has led them to serve and what He is doing through their ministries. It caused me to go God again this morning, and ask forgiveness for the green, but to also be reminded that He has a plan for my life and my ministry. I am at a point of change and transition and I am waiting for His leading. It's not easy for me to wait and I think that's why my green level rose so high so quickly. Please pray for Pat and Jim and their respective ministries as they will both be returning to Israel and Ghana again. Pray for me as I wait to see what is my Ghana and Israel, and that I would be patient for the Lord.

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going to work and walking around life--place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. "

Romans 12: 1-2 The Message

Family Vacation

Gigi, Alyssa, Pops, and Connor
Eight adults and four children 4 years and under. Twelve bunk beds in one room with the kitchen at one end and two bathrooms at the other. Early to bed and early risers competing with late to bed and late risers.

Alyssa and her look alike Kendra
Introverts and extroverts. Noisy and very loud, and babies trying to sleep. Sandwiches and quick meals, and always the snacks in between.

Erin and Bethany chilling by the river
Schlitterbahn Water Park days and lazy river float days. Some who love the water and some who don't like it at all. Some love the river and some are afraid of snakes and gush muddy river bottoms. Hot sun and heat outside and cool air conditioning inside (too cool for some).

The Girls--Bethany, Terry, Holly, and Erin
Shopping at the outlet malls nearby and shopping at the outlet malls. Runs to Walmart for the forgotten items and for more food. Laughter, talk, laughter, and more talk. Photos, photos, photos.

The Family
That pretty much describes our family's vacation this year to New Braunsfel, Texas. It was wonderful! We are truly blessed because we love to be together and share such times like this vacation.

Just Have to Share These

Holly's friend Teri Cepecia has done it again. Below are pictures she took of Connor and Alyssa and they as soooooooo good that I just have to share them. Teri is not a professional photographer, but a very gifted hobbyist. Usually Holly uses Penney's Photo Studio, but they have never captured the children in the camera lens like Teri has in these photos. Enjoy.

Connor

Isn't this just a great picture? It's taken outdoors in Teri's yard.

Miss Alyssa Grace

Help, We Need Prayer.

Help! I know I don't usually put prayer requests right here front and center on this page, but this time I must. As you know Keegan is working on his doctoral thesis and there is a fast approaching deadline. By September 18th Keegan must have it completed and ready to send in to be accepted in written form. That will not be the end of it, but it is one of the most important deadlines to meet. Chapter One has been sent and returned saying the direction of the paper is acceptable. Chapter Two, the biblical basis, went to the professor today for his reading and Keegan is plowing through Chapter Three currently. It is one of the hardest because is is the literature review of all the books he is using in his paper. Please pray for Keegan that he can find the time and energy to get it all done in time. If not, it will be next spring and a fairly large amount of money spent. Thank you all so much for helping us with this.

Grandchildren are fun!

The Twins celebrated their first birthday while we were in Lubbock this weekend and we had a small at home birthday party for them. Before the party we had a photo op session. Ashlynn is in the turquoise and Kylee is in the green (birthday presents from their Aunt Bethany).




The picture below is an accurate picture of the frequent interaction between the older and the younger siblings. We never got a picture of the foursome better than this one!

This is Connor's first year to play tee-ball. Naturally we think he has a pro career, but his coach may think differently!

We are blessed to have four wonderful grandchildren
and to be able to see them as often as we do.

Passion and Duty

There’s passion ….and there’s duty. There’s enthusiasm…. and there’s determination. Candidate orientation is going on at CAM this week and next, and it’s always a great time getting to know people who want to serve the Lord with CAM International. Two nouns seem to capture some of the spirit of those who are here: passion and enthusiasm. These folks just bubble with passion and enthusiasm as they tell of their journeys to get here and describe their vision for the future. It’s so refreshing and contagious. I feel good about leaving duty and determination in the background for a while and just living the moment. I was there once and now I have matured into the duty and determination stage of life. Nothing’s wrong with maturing, but the reminder of where I started gives freshness and impetus to me today. I am so glad I can be here this week and next and be blessed by Candidate orientation. It will be fun to watch where God leads our appointees and the ministry He will give them.

It's a 100 degrees in Lubbock in June!

Noon is not the best time to be at the park and try to take a family picture.

It's definitely time to find something cooler to do

Swimming lessons for the twins at the Tech pool feels good to 4 of us.

Not everyone got to go to the Tech pool for swimming lessons, but everyone got to cool off.

Smiles reign again.

Old Song New Voice Same Truth

God did not give me a voice that most people can appreciate when I sing, but that's okay. He gifted me in other ways. Here's a new voice to please with a song of truth. Meet David Phelps, he's definitely gifted by God.

Audrey Hepburn gives beauty advice.

Beauty Tips: by Audrey Hepburn:

For attractive lips speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

To my understanding, Ms. Hepburn was not a believer in Jesus Christ, but her beauty tips could have been a rewording of the "one anothers" in the epistles: Eph 4:2 & 32; Eph. 5:21; 1 Thes 5:11; and Heb 10:24-25. Her poem is a good reminder of true beauty.

Shadows of One another

A friend of Holly's took this picture of the twins. It's a great shot of them.