{Homemade} Hope for Uganda

I'm so excited to share this with you! My little fingers have been busily preparing goodies to sell in support of our Uganda trip!
I have scarves....

and bracelets...

and earring holders...

and necklaces...

and boot cuffs...

and bow/hair clip holders...

and leg warmers...

and headbands...

and tote bags (made by Emma!)...

and bookmarks (made by Caleb and Paige!)...

Prices range from $1 to $35. All the proceeds go toward our trip that's coming (oh so quickly) in June. Contact me either through the comments or email me. We can ship and do custom orders too!

You can see even more products on my facebook page!

Messy Moments

I quickly hop up as Brad calls to say he's between meetings and is coming home to grab some lunch. I've spent all morning working. Switching back and forth from computer to crafts. The time has gotten away from me.

As I walk through the house I notice it. Legos spilled on the living room floor. A buffet that needs dusting. The dining room that is rarely used for dining, yarn and needles and scissors and laundry and a vacuum that hasn't been used nearly enough.

I look closer at the dining table: One end is covered in the kids' bookmark-craft materials. Pieces of yarn are sprinkled on the floor. The other end of the table is covered in my almost-finished projects. All being prepared in efforts to raise support for our trip.

I keep moving to the kitchen. As I prepare a quick lunch for Brad I think, "Soon, it will be over and we'll return to normal...as if it's ever normal."

Soon. Four months from now the fundraising will be over. The preparations will be nearly done. We'll be packing our bags to fly over the ocean to this country that has a hold on my heart. Uganda.

I take another look at the mess. I find myself smiling and thankful for the purpose and vision that God's given our family. Little fingers, hard at work, participating in His plan to care for orphans. To care for the poorest of the poor.

Is it possible to be thankful for a mess?

We are running these days....sometimes I feel I'm continually 3 steps behind. Our days can be more frustrating and hurried than I'd like.

I realize that I forgot to move the wet clothes to the dryer. The fridge really needs to be cleaned out.
How to prioritize these days? I need 2 more of me to get everything done. Or 3 or 4. Imagine all the things my clones and I could accomplish!

But there's only one. Only one of me. Only one today. Only one of this moment. Will I let Him be in it? Will I breathe and let Him dictate my schedule, my plans, my thoughts?

Later that night, I am scrubbing dishes. It's after carpool and the gym and cheer leading and homework and dinner and reading. It's dark out and I'm craving my bed. The house is dark as Brad is tucking the last sweet whispers into bed. And the familiar, calming, always present Voice, "I see. I know. I'm pleased. I see you."

Tears in my eyes, I am comforted. And encouraged.

I may feel as if I'm always behind, always rushing, always grasping for some kind of order in this chaotic, crazy, fun life we live.

But He is keeping score in an eternal way. And those are the points that matter.

For more information about our Uganda trip and how you can help, click here.

Fun New Place!

Our New Life Worship Missions blog is up and running! We'd love it if you'd stop by and do your thing...leave a comment, become a follower, grab a button...whatever!

http://newlifeworshipmissions.blogspot.com/

What I've Been Busy With!!

I can't believe it's been since Thanksgiving since I've posted. We had a busy Christmas season and then spent a few weeks resting and reflecting on last year and what is ahead of us for this one.

We are cautiously excited...we have some different things in store for this year. I won't go into detail with all of those now. I will just say we are being challenged and stretched, but it is all very good and all for His glory.

I do have one thing I want to share with you now, though. If you've been around here for a while, you may remember that I had an incredible opportunity to go to Uganda, East Africa last summer. You can read the first post here. There are several in a row, so feel free to spend some time in last summer's posts...

I came home from that trip different. I knew that I had to go back. A piece of my heart is in Africa. I think it's always been there, but it is undeniable now. I know that I will spend more time there and, Lord willing, make a lasting impact on some of the people there.

My husband, Brad, is the worship pastor here at our church in Colorado Springs. He has had a desire to take our choir on a trip for several years. That desire, combined with my passion for Africa and contacts in Uganda, has led us to plan a trip for this summer.

We will be leading a team of 20-30 and we are also going to take our 2 oldest children, Caleb and Emma. We are all so excited....it's kind of all we talk about around here right now!

We will be working with Christian Life Ministries and a couple of other churches in Lira, Kampala and Seeta, Uganda. We will be visiting 2 orphanages where we will help build a perimeter fence and spend time with the orphans and orphan moms who work there. We will also visit a Compassion center, the largest slum area in Kampala and a village where over 200 people were killed by Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army several years ago (although I assure you that we won't be going into a current war zone).

Can I ask that you pray with us and for us? Pray for the people of Uganda and for our team. We know the power of prayer and we believe that it is absolutely crucial as we are embarking on this trip.

Another way that you can help is through financial support. We need to raise $6,600 as a family for the 4 of us to go. That seems like such a large number but every bit adds up, even $10 or $25 will help so much.

There are a few ways you can give. You can click on that "donate" button over there to the right to pay through paypal. Paypal charges me a small fee for every transaction so not all of that goes directly to our trip, but after I pay the fee the rest of it will go directly to our Uganda fund.

Another way is by clicking here. This will take you to the New Life Church website. You can click on the "give" tab and then follow the instructions. All of this money goes directly to our trip and your gift is tax deductible. You will be asked to create an account but you won't be added to any mailing lists. This information is so that you can receive your tax statement next year.

If you'd prefer to send a check through the mail, you can contact me through email and I will give you more information on how to do that.

I can't wait to give you more details as we get closer to our trip! We are all very excited and thankful that we get to be a part of something so amazing!

A Different Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving week.

The kids and Brad had the whole week off!

Paige and I went on a girls-overnight getaway. It was fun to have some one on one time with her. She chose to go to Build a Bear workshop and eat at Rosie's Diner. She was very excited about staying in a hotel (ok, so was I!) and swimming in the pool. She's such a sweet, fun-loving girl.

The next night Caleb had a few friends over for his first ever sleepover (I have been informed that it is never a slumber party with boys) to celebrate his birthday. Which was Oct 5th. Better late than never, right? They had so much fun and weren't near the trouble I thought they might be. I kept them fed and they were happy. Boys are so easy sometimes.

I spent 6 hours at the hair salon. To get this.

I really like it. It's so different for me, so it's taken some getting used to. Brad still thinks it's too dark (it's fading, which it's supposed to do). I tweeted a pic of it yesterday and didn't get much response. Maybe everyone agrees with Brad. Maybe no one cares either way.

We used paper plates for Thanksgiving. It was almost physically painful for me to forgo a pretty tablesetting. I made a pretty centerpiece and decided to go with it. I was so glad I did. I realized that I am the host and the host sets the tone for the day. I was relaxed and so was everyone else. And clean up was a breeze.

We set up our Christmas tree on Friday. The kids seemed more anxious than ever to help. It's a slow process which led to some frustrations. In the end we have a pretty tree and happy kids. We finished the night with our annual watching of "Elf". I love laughing with my family.

Brad's dad came in for the weekend. I always find comfort in having family stay with us. This time was no different.

We went to see the Muppets! So funny. You should go. And go with some friends who remember watching them as a kid. Because your kids won't.

Meh-nah Meh-nah.

I didn't take many pictures (Emma did, so if there are some amazing ones I'll be sure to share. That's if I can ever find my camera) I was in my pjs most of the week, so I thought I would spare you the evidence *wink*. I was also really deliberate about slooooowing down and not stressing out. That meant things weren't always pretty or put together.

And I was just kinda lazy and didn't feel like taking pictures. But I did spend good, quality time with these precious people who are my family and friends.

It was a truly thankful, Thanksgiving.

God gave me...

a husband who is more gracious, patient, talented and funny...

one son who is smarter...

one daughter who is more organized...

one daughter who is more daring...

one daughter who is more affectionate...

one son who is more outgoing...

than me. If I could combine all of their strengths and add them to me, I'd be perfect!

But, I guess that's one of the blessings of a family. I have so much to learn and every day God gives me gentle, loving glimpses of areas I lack.

I am in awe of how He gives each of us different, beautiful pieces of His perfect Self.

At least I never get bored with myself (annoyed, yes. But never bored.)...there's always something to be working on!

I'm even more thankful for these amazing people that I get to call my family.

It's like...

standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon.

The breeze in my face.

Toes dangling off the edge.

There's a large safety net. Invisible, but definitely there.

It's scary and exciting, but there's no real danger.

Only adventure and anticipation of the unknown.

I'm just waiting for the cue to jump. The timing has to be right.

Waiting for direction. A jump in the wrong direction could be disastrous.

It happens through my quiet time with the Lord. These inklings that something is on the horizon. Then through the words of a friend. And another. And another. Then through an acquaintance. This gentle prodding to move.

Sometimes we're walking blind. But the key is to move.

And then to wait when necessary. The way a child waits to cross the street. Wait for a clear path and then move when told to.

I'm so thankful I have a hand to hold, to direct me and guide me.

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