A stone of rememberance

When the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River God had each of the 12 tribes take a large stone out of the middle of the river. Then Joshua helped guide them to place their 12 stones together on the land they crossed over to. Why? To remember. To remember what miraculous thing God had done on this day. To allow their children to hear the story again one day, and so that other unbelieving people could see what this amazing God can do.

I got back a few hours ago from spending a week in Los Angeles on a mission trip with a team of amazing high school students and my co-leader Drew Rosiles. I am bringing back a large stone and I want to share with you what I saw Christ do on the trip. I want to remember.

I want to remember that within a 10x10 block radius in the heart of downtown LA that there is an estimated 20,000 homeless people. I want to remember the precious children at Wyvernwood apartments (one of the many projects in LA) and the joy on their faces. I want to remember feeling scared the first couple of nights back at the church we stayed at. Our cinder block and barbed-wire fence butted right up to the projects in Watts. I want to remember seeing the courage of Christ break through the students to reach out and hold the hands of homeless men and women on the streets while they prayed for them.

I want to remember Jacob's compassion for Michael, a homeless man with obvious mental issues. I want to remember Maggie praying for people to come across his path and physically hug him the way she had. I want to remember the sharpness of Brian, another homeless man. His entire family is encarcerated except him. I want to remember the workers at St. Francis Center and how they worked hard to meet the needs of those on the street every single day.

I want to remember the moms and children who entered Midnight Mission, and how I had to fight with everything in me not to cry as I scooped creamed corn onto their plate, and the way that Madeline P. couldn't help but let the tears fall. I want to remember how desperate I would feel if I had to have my precious girls sleep on a cardboard box alongside me out in the middle of a scary city. I want to remember the way the woman who led the tour at Midnight Mission referred to the homeless as "friends," a term of love and value.

I want to remember the way Taylor looked as he backtracked and ran to give a homeless man in a wheelchair an extra pair of socks he had brought. I want to remember the way that Michael loved and played with the children at Wyvernwood and came back for a second time because God has given him a love for them. I want to remember the way Chad valued a student on our team who needed an extra-measure of friendship, and how he had the boldness to pray for another homeless friend we encountered. I want to remember how Jake swung the precious Hispanic children around and around at the projects, and the way Charlotte laid in the grass playing "dead lion" with the little ones.

I want to remember our host, Billy, and the way he poured into our team. I want to remember the conversation with him where I said "If it wasn't for the Lord putting a call on someones life to be here (like his very own) I don't know why someone would want to live here." And the words he responded with..."It's the people of LA that make this city beautiful." I want to remember Luke commenting about the invisible line between the rich and poor in LA and the way so many people choose not to see how desperate many of the people live. I want to remember not to close my own eyes to the desparateness of people around me.

I want to remember how Rachel served our team one day at lunch getting an extra napkin for all of us sitting at her table, including the gentleman who was going through the addiction recovery program at Midnight Mission and the way she courageously introduced herself, asked his name and shook Byron's hand. I want to remember how the LA Food Bank got started. A chef in the area years and years ago realized he was throwing a lot of food out at the end of each night. He decided to save it and give it to the poor and homeless and invite others to do the same. He started it out of his garage. I want to remember that he chose to give what he had and that what started in his garage is now the second largest foodbank in the nation being housed in 96,000 sq. ft., and giving food to nearly 1/3 of the people in LA. I want to remember to use what God has given me to bless others around me. I want to remember that God can accomplish huge things through what little we have.

I want to remember Madeline M. dancing with girls and boys during worship at VBS and the way Lydia would color with them. I want to remember how most of the children had at least 1 or 2 silver teeth. One because of improper nutrition and also because they can't afford white ones that wouldn't be as noticeable. I want to remember talking to Tanya, one of the high school girls there and hearing about how one of her closest friends had been shot because of gang violence and was in prison at only 18 years old. I want to remember the fact that there wasn't a grocery store within 15 minutes of our housing site or the place we did VBS. Many of the people are highly overweight because the only close place to get food is a fast food restaurant. Billy says the city has banned fast food places building in certain areas over the next 10 years to hopefully provide some healthier options.

I want to remember sitting and having my quiet time in a quiet outside foyer area downtown. Within a couple of minutes I looked up and saw Roberto and made a note to hand him an extra pair of socks and talk with him after I was done reading God's Word. Half-way through he got up and started shuffling away. I put my Bible down and gently put my hand on his shoulder. I asked if he'd like a pair of clean socks. He said yes so I found another student and got a pair for him. When I came back he was sitting on a bench waiting. I passed them over and then started asking him about his life. He shared, with tears streaming down his face, about his wife and 3 children being killed in a car accident. He shared how he hadn't eaten in 2 days because he didn't want to live anymore. I want to remember the brokenness of his heart. I want to remember the way dirt was caked into every wrinkle of his fingers. I am guessing he hadn't showered in weeks. I want to remember the way the Lord allowed me to pray over him and how my heart absolutely loves every ounce of that man. I want to remember the way Drew ran back to the van to get water to give to Roberto. I want to remember that even though I didn't finish my quiet time that day, that I clearly met with Jesus in that moment.

I want to remember that it could be anyone of us living on the streets. I want to remember that it could be me one day. I want to remember to cherish the layers of love and care Jesus has placed around me. I want to remember that there are hurting people everywhere. I want to remember that the poor 10 minutes from me have needs that I can meet, and so do the rich living another 2 minutes from me. I want to remember. I want to tell you. I want to tell my children. I want to remember so that I am moved with the compassion of Christ to do something about it. I want to remember so that I pray for the people I met and even for those I didn't. Will you remember with me?

In Love...

I am in love with:

• Things of summer...flip flops, being at the pool, getting a bit of a tan, & letting the alarm clock have a 2 1/2 mos. break (woo hoo hoo...only 5 more days, but who's counting?)


• Reese's voice, especially when she says "otay" (okay).
  
• How Laney always makes an f sound rather than a t sound on words like try or three...she usually says "fry" or "free" unless corrected...and it's just too adorable to correct her.


• Ashlyn being on her hands more than her feet these days. She is constantly doing cartwheels around the entire house. I have to ask her not to when people are around but it truly reminds me of my own childhood.


• The ministry of Gracious Legacy (http://www.graciouslegacy.org/).


• Being able to take long walks most evenings, sometimes with the fam, and sometimes without. It's wonderful me and God time.


• The new outdoor rug we bought for our patio...yes, I'm old and that's lame, but it brightens my day when I look out the back door.


• Jason S. Mills! I mean really in love with him. Authenticity is one quality I admire the most so let me just say that anyone who has been married over a year realizes that marriages have seasons. Sometimes I have waited with great anticipation for Jason to get home from work and other days...well, a few days apart sounded awesome (and I know he has felt the same). But I have fallen more in love with the boy than I have ever been over the past 3 months. Love him! Love him!


• Reesie taking her big baby everywhere we go. The baby weighs close to her own weight and I mean she takes it everywhere...to school, the grocery store, picking up Ashlyn. But she loves it and it is quite cute.


• My Laney-bear saying out of nowhere "Momma, I love you." Over the past few days she has also started wearing those silly band bracelets. Today she sported about 20 all at the same time.


• The way Ashlyn's little creative brain works. She is always saying, "What if...." and then the follows it with some wonderful and random thought!


• Laney and Reese's new summer haircuts. Both got about 3 inches cut off. I also love that Ashlyn wants to grow hers long for Locks of Love.


• Our Memorial Day weekend. Jase and I got to get away for a night (thanks Matt & Haleigh). We ate at our favorite restaurant too. It was nice to not have to do anything all weekend long. We had LifeGroup, got to see great friends in from Abilene, go to the pool and sleep in late. It was marvelous!

Immeasurably Blessed

I love being their mom more than anything else in the world. Ashlyn, Laney, and Reese...you make my heart sing!

Officially 5...the years of Laney!

Seriously, the girl's smile just lights up an entire room...it always has and I pray it always will! Here she is on her 1st birthday! And here is that same huge grin at 2!
My sweet Laney-bear at 3!

I promise the huge smile would be there even without the birthday money!

My big girl now! Her smile and laugh comes all the way up from her toes!

Sweet Laney Hope, You bring our lives so much joy. Your middle name is so significant to me because at the time of your birth that is exactly the gift from God I needed: hope. And you, precious girl, were hope wrapped up in a huge grin. I love the way you laugh. I love how you sing to yourself throughout the day. It's going to take an act of God to get you to kindergarten on time next year, but I even love the way you dilly dally...okay, most of the time. I love how the Lord is growing your little heart for him. I love how you love your sisters. I love what a snuggle bug you are and how when I need an extra bit of love, you are right there to give it to me. In case you haven't noticed, I love everything about you. I pray that as people are attracted to you, that they catch a glimpse of the Savior and become attracted to Him as well, because of you. You are simply marvelous and a perfect piece in our family. We love you, love you, love you, precious girl! Love, Mommy

Let the Birthday Celebrations Begin...

Our Laney-lou turns 5 on Tuesday. I really can't believe it. Saturday was celebration number 1 with all of her friends. Her request was a Fancy Nancy Party. The night before Laney and Daddy had some fun time together and outside he drew a special picture just for her! A cool thing we did this year at our Youth leader's Christmas party was have our gift exchange be something meaninful rather than our normal goofy white elephant. Everyone had to bring a gift of themselves. Some people brought artwork, some offered photo shoots, free meals, etc. One gal offered to throw a free kids birthday party. Guess what I chose? After the girls went to be Friday night the gals came over and decorated. Here are some pics of the girls Saturday morning completely surprised. It was better than Christmas!

At the party everything was fancy. There was nail painting!

Getting hair and make-up done (thanks, Aunt Jen)!

Decorating butterfly placemats. Aren't all the girls so cute! We had 14 of them at our house...all so sweet and polite, and especially fancy!

Of course we ate flower-shaped sandwiches, fruit kabobs, cinnamon twists, had cute cupcakes and ice cream in fancy cups to boot!

Here is one of my all-time favorite pics of my big girl! I love it. She is so beautiful inside and out, but oh, she is no longer a baby and part of that makes my heart a little sad.

May all your dreams come true...

What's a party without some dancing?

Lots of fun friends...

Laney with the best party hostesses around. Thank you, thank you, thank you Carrie, Cozette and Lindsey! It was fabulous!

These girls are like sisters...

The fam all dolled up for our special birthday girl!

Happy birthday, sweet girl! You deserve to be celebrated! Love you! Love you!

I'll be back later in the week to celebrate our Laney Hope a little bit more.

Prettiest Flowergirls in the South

This past weekend we traveled to East Texas for Jason's cousin Lauren's wedding. It was beautiful and had the most beautiful flowergirls I have ever seen in my life. Here are all 4 at the rehearsal. Ashlyn and Reese walked down one aisle together while Laney walked down the other aisle with Lizzie.
Lauren had all of the girls' hair done and the gal did a great job. All of the girls hair was so cute! Notice the toothless grin from our big girl!

Sweet Laney Hope who turns 5 in just a week and a half!

And little britches who has not been in the picture taking mood lately. She wouldn't turn around for me. But this gives you an idea of their hair...she's 2! I wish I had hair like Reesie.

Finally in their dresses!

The beautiful bride...love you Lauren.

The weather was perfect for the outside reception following the wedding. Lauren had a kids table set up with crayons and a paper table cloth.

An old married couple...still very much in love:

Yes, we know...Jason will need to carry a very big stick to keep the boys away!

The girls danced and danced and danced. I finally looked at Jason at 10 and we decided to get them home. Mimi and Reesie doing a jig.

One of my all-time favorite pics:

The bridesmaids were teaching the girls all the right moves. I told Jase that it is so cute right now but if I let my mind flash forward a few years...my throat starts closing in. I have no idea where our 3 got their rhythm, but I'm telling you, they've got moves!

This is about 10 at night. I think once they slowed down the time caught up with them.

Time to call it a night, sweet girl.

Lauren and Colby, we pray your marriage is full of God's blessings big and small, and that your love for the Lord and for each other grows with each passing day. Thank you for letting the girls be a part of your special day!

Easter

So much was lost that day, and yet everything was won!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life!" (John 3:16) I saw this Eater craft in one of my magazines and so the girls and I decided to try it ourselves. Not too shabby for a 2, 4, and 7 year old.

On to Easter egg decorating...

A little Easter egg hunting action...

Our only family photo of the weekend since I received a good dose of either food poisoning or a stomach bug just in time for Easter morning.

Cousins pic: