Faith Journey Update

It's official....We have our tickets for 10 to Kona, Hawaii to attend Discipleship Training as a family with YWAM!! We depart September 22nd!!!

For those of you that haven't heard. We prayed about the right Training for a family and God led us to YWAM. Read about that HERE. It provides training for every family member from our 6yr old to 16yr + Mom & Dad. It will be a wonderful way to help prepare us for living cross-culturally. Our Discipleship Training (DTS) will include lectures on Hearing God´s Voice, Nature and Character of God, Father Heart of God, Revival and Reformation, Christian Biblical Worldview, Evangelism, Intimacy with God, Spiritual Warfare, and Lifestyle of an Intercessor, among others. In addition to the normal DTS curriculum, we will participate in the Niko (a wilderness leadership program), Principles of Apologetic, and cross-cultural behavior and research. This 12 week lecture phase ends mid-December & we will head out for 8 weeks of Outreach overseas (location TBA) with YWAM.

We are excited to head out on this new journey. God is in control & we are allowing Him to direct our steps. Because of the continue unrest in South Sudan we will not be moving into South Sudan at this time. We are however looking at possible ministry in Arua, Uganda near the South Sudan border where there are many refugees, in Jinja, Uganda with a special needs ministry or in Chennai, India where we would be involved in starting a much needed special needs ministry. Please continue to pray for us as we walk & pray through these possibilities. Pray that God would lead us to the ministry where we can bring Him the most glory, that He will show us which ministry is a God thing & not just a good thing for our family. Our hearts are to love God & love others & we know that God knows the exact location for our family of 10. We know we are to GO, we know our passions and desires and we know that God has given us those desires. We are just taking the next right step!

The mind of man plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9

“I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say yes.”~Bob Goff

“When it's a matter of the heart, the place doesn't matter.”

~Bob Goff

“We get to decide each time whether we will lean 

in toward what is unfolding and 

say yes or back away.”~Bob Goff

 We are grateful to all of you that have been walking with us, praying with us & encouraging us. We couldn't do this with out your prayers & financial support and we are thrilled for you to be a part of our journey. 

To Make Him Known,
Sid, Wendy + Tribe

“God wants you to get where God wants you to go 

more than you want to get where God wants you to go.” 

~Mark Batterson

Lacey's South Africa Adventure

This beautiful girl heads to Cape Town, South Africa in 22 days for a 5 month internship. 

Cape Town, South Africa

She'll be there from July 12th - November 30th. She will be joining a team of volunteers that support numerous community development initiatives in the local township community of Masiphumelele in Cape Town, South Africa. Masiphumelele is a township of approximately 38,000 people near Cape Town. Most residents are economic migrants from the rural lands of the Eastern Cape. They settle here seeking work, better education and other facilities. Social and health deprivation coupled with poverty and poor living conditions make life tough for residents – only 30% have any regular work and life expectancy is age 50. 

She will be a part of several Community Development programs in the local township community including:

• School Support Program
• School Tutoring and Mentoring Program
• Edu-care Support Program
• Women’s Club Program
• Life Exchange Program
• HIV Prevention Program
• Performing Arts Program
• Sports Coaching Program

We are so excited & proud of her for her heart & her willingness to experience a new culture, meet new people & serve others. Please join us in praying for her as she prepares to go & serve.

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. ~ Hebrews 6:10

Currently... Summer's in Full Swing

Things are moving fast as we are 96 days from heading to Discipleship Training. We aren't letting anything keep us from time in the sun, camps, swimming, road-trips, vacations, family and summer fun! 

SGY CAMP

Mid-cities camp

Jojo SGY Camp #orangeteam

Cousins ~ Going away party

Kenlie @ Granma & Grandad Camp

Levi ~ His 100th jump

Brady, Tx ~ Uncle & Aunts New house/New Pool

Daddy & Charlie ~ San Saba River

Currently...

appreciating ~ people who love & encourage us

watching ~ the backs of my eyelids whenever possible

reading ~ In A Pit With A Lion on A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

laughing ~ at myself often

eating ~ ice cream, popsicles & anything cold

attempting ~ to follow a summer schedule (Ha!)

dreaming ~ of toolboxes full of iPhone & iPad chargers (seriously! that was my dream last night) Finding chargers is a serious prob here

planning ~ a mini family trip to Six Flags, Ranger's Game & to deliver Lacey to airport for her South Africa Internship

wondering ~ how to squeeze it all in

brainstorming ~ places for Lacey to check out in London during her layover

wearing ~ shorts & choco's

preparing ~ to live in hot weather with no change of seasons

making ~ to do lists of course

remembering ~ it'll will all get done eventually 

getting ~ ready for our Harper beach vacation

loving ~ the freedom that comes with simplifying 

wishing ~ I could read books with craziness around me. Not. Gonna. Happen.

listening ~ to Matt Maher "All The People Said Amen" Album

enjoying ~ my kids home with me

hoping ~ nothing else breaks, needs to be replaced, or repaired

missing ~ my father-in-law a lot

praying ~ Ephesians 2:10 over my family

knowing ~ God is directing our YES

It's Official! ~ Gully Adoption Update

Remember this precious family? Remember how an entire community came together to help these 6 beautiful girls become "officially" part of a family?

On September 20th these girls became Gully's FOREVER!!!

Thank you to every person that came alongside this amazing family & loved on them through prayer & finances. Such an amazing blessing for such an amazing family. Thank you Gully family for placing your trust in God.

We Love you!

Congratulations!!

And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” ~Hebrews 2:13

#styleforjustice ~ VOTE! ~~ UPDATE!

This morning I'm sitting at #95 in the #styleforjustice trip contest!!! Today & Tomorrow are the final days to get your VOTES in. CLICK HERE to VOTE & then SHARE the link with friends. I'm not giving up 'til Wednesday at midnight. Thank you to all of you that have been voting! Ya'll are awesome!

Almost Over 300 amazing women have signed up for chance to win the remaining spot on the #styleforjustice Story Team with these great women. Noonday Collection & International Justice Mission have come together seeking to protect the vulnerable from injustice and violence and providing economic opportunities so that our global sisters can break the cycle of poverty for good. These women are changing the conversations of their generation through their blogs, leadership, social advocacy, and unique voices. Each of them will use their art to share their hearts with you as they discover the power of pursuing economic empowerment and justice. Help me be a part of advocating & telling the stories of the amazing Rwandan people, where their motto is Umbumwe, Umurimo, Gukunda Igihugu "Unity, Work, Patriotism." Rwanda has a piece of my heart and I would love to share their sweet stories of overcoming, rebuilding & unifying their country with you!

CLICK HERE

to read my "Why You" Story

&

VOTE for me!

This Could Be Me!!! LOL!

From now until May 28th you can help me get there by VOTING, EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!! Only the "7" people with the most votes move on to the next round. Set an alarm & VOTE. VOTE. VOTE!

I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. ~Ezekiel 34:15-16

Spring 2014 in Pictures

 A few pieces of our Spring for my memory sake.
  

We started Spring off by celebrating these two...

 Everyone wore crazy Socks to celebrate Down Syndrome

  Ready for the 1st game of the season!

 This Boy, LOVES Baseball...

And then we soaked in a little of this with some sweet friends. If you've adopted, are adopting, or are thinking of adopting check this out. We love Boss Your Heart Orphan Ministries!

Blessed by this family. We kinda sorta love them!

And then for 36 minutes, I held my breath while this child jumped out of airplane.

Then we celebrated this silly boy. He's kinda a BIG deal!

And I'm so super proud of this girl. Graduating RN school & becoming a mom. Love you Prissy!

Easter 2014

These 3 off to a Youth Event. Is this boy really headed in to 7th grade?

My man. Devil's River. 3 days. 23miles. Fishing. Camping. Relaxing. Well deserved Babe!

A Little of This. A Little of That ~ YES!

God continues to amaze me daily! I've been digging into God's word the past few weeks & spending snippets of time reading rhinestone Jesus. God has been so strategic in placing encouraging people, encouraging scripture & wisdom in my path. So thankful for a God who is always in small details, who loves me when I'm unlovable, who reminds me there is no easy button and who stretches me to grow me closer to Him.

(thank you for posting this Janice Henry)

Currently...

appreciating ~ all that teachers/tutors do for my children

watching ~ no TV

reading ~ rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch

laughing ~ at my little's "to do" lists for the summer

eating ~ food off the grill... thanks hubby

selling ~ it all

dreaming ~ about a weekend get-away with my man

planning ~ a family fun night fundraiser

wondering ~ if I'll make it through these last few weeks of school

brainstorming ~ ministry ideas (please share yours)

wearing ~ my favorite Noonday bracelet

preparing ~ to purge ALL winter clothing, coats from our house

making ~ BIG decisions for a BIG God

remembering ~ summers in Tennessee

getting ~ passports & immunizations completed! Woohoo!

loving ~ the warm hot weather

wishing ~ my house would clean itself

listening ~ to Bethel's "You Make Me Brave(Live)" Album

enjoying ~ African tea

loving ~ how charlie's service dog is changing his life

hoping ~ i can be creative with packing for 10 to move across the world

missing ~ my my mission field partner in crime... Megan Elkins

praying ~ to be vigilant, 1 Peter 5:8

knowing ~ God is on our side!

We have found over the past few months that the enemy does not like what we are doing. God has been faithful to help us recognize what is not of Him. Please join us in praying against the enemy. There is no room for him here & he needs to hit the road!

Because this WILL happen...

And This...

And This...

And the enemy can not stop us!

He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty….I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust….surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the devil, and from the wicked and perverse plagues….He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you shall trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler….you shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day….nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday….a thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you….only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked….because you have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation….there shall no evil come near you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling….for He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways….they shall hold up in their hands, lest you stumble your foot against a stone….you shall tread upon the lion and the twisted: the young lion and the serpent you shall trample under foot….because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known My Name….he shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him….with long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation. ~Psalm 91:1-16