Sadness...

Our adoption agency had a conference call last week to give us an update on what is going on with the approval and it wasn't good.  The Mexican government has decided that they are no longer approved.  They are going to try and appeal the process, but right now it doesn't look good.  If the appeal isn't positive then we will have to make some hard decisions on what to do next.  There aren't many agencies that have approved and active Mexico programs.  We haven't ruled out another country yet, but Mexico has ALWAYS been first and foremost on our minds because of the mission work that we've done there for over a decade.  We're trying not to get discouraged, but if I were to be honest I feel like the enemy is kicking us while we're already down.  Please pray that my God that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ever ask or think would please intervene in this process.

The story that must be told...

The choir and praise team at church were given a new cd to learn our new music several months back. There is a song on there that I LOVE (of course it's Hillsong United so of course I LOVE it) called "Break the Silence" and the words have haunted me since the first time I heard it. We went through it in choir practice the other night and there they were again...

To the far ends of earth we go

Love's story must be told

We can not live in comfort anymore

I hope that bothers you as much as it bothers me...or maybe I don't hope that...I'd rather hope that it's true in life and not hard for you to sing. For me, it's very hard to sing.

I brought this up to our Minister of Worship last week. I don't believe in singing songs/lyrics mindlessly - you can't communicate authentically that way leading in worship. Is it true that I'm willing to give up my comfort to tell others about Christ? Is it true that I'm so compelled by the Gospel of Christ and telling others that are lost and hopeless about Him that I don't want to be comfortable until they've heard? I would love to say a resounding "yes!" to all of that, but if I'm honest with myself (which is usually the hardest person to be honest with...have you noticed?) then my answer is quite the contrary. I clearly have a lot of work to do in my walk with Christ. I like my comfort...I like my home and family the way it is...my routine...my coffee in the morning (EVERY morning)...church on Sundays the way I like it but ONLY on my terms...face it - life is comfortable...maybe TOO comfortable.

Please don't think that I'm saying that to be a true Christian you must live in poverty on the streets or something. If you think that then you're missing what I'm saying. I'm afraid that we've all gotten a little too comfortable with our Christian walk and church especially. Are we willing to sacrifice sleep to hit our knees more for that unsaved loved one...or spend more time in His Word? Are we willing to go the extra mile to serve someone without anyone knowing? Do we desire to support missions so much that we'll give up eating out or Starbucks a few times so that we can send money to someone giving their life to tell others about Christ? I'm speaking to myself more than anyone...I am the chief of sinners. I'm challenged to live better...more like Christ in these aspects...think about what I'm doing or not doing more...I hope you are as well.

May thoughts...

I'm about a week from leaving for Mexico on another mission trip. There are so many things that go through my mind before these trips. It's probably not what you think though. I was talking with some friends the other night who are getting ready to go on a mission trip to Africa in August and they've had some of the same questions that hubby and I get as well. People asked us if we're scared about going...scared of getting sick or for our safety. As we were talking to our friends the other night we all said that none of us had really given that much thought. We truly feel called to go on this trip and when you feel called you know that there isn't a choice anyway and that nothing will happen outside of His will. I'm excited more than scared honestly! We've been so many times but each trip is always very unique. We will be doing back yard Bible VBS clubs in different areas with the kids, medical missions and food drops.

Please pray for us as we're gone for safety, health and for the glory and power of the Lord to be in all of our service. We want people to see Christ in us more than anything. Last prayer request regarding this trip is a little personal. We've been praying for quite some time about adopting a daughter from Mexico. We are going to talk to the orphanage that we will be working with there about doing that directly and what will be involved in that process and if it's even possible. This will be a time of fact finding to help us make an informed decision that is best for our family. We want what God wants in regard to this decision so please join us in prayer for clear direction in this area.

Please also pray for our house to be shown many times while we're gone and that the Lord would send the buyers for our house that week. I think that would be just like the sweetness of the Lord to do that while we're working for Him in another country! We desire so badly to be closer to our church family so that we can serve them as they deserve and get to know them better.

Thank you so much for your prayers in advance. I'll be sure to post about our trip when we return. Sorry that it has been so long since my last post. Time seems to tick away more quickly with each passing day. 24 hours ain't what it used to be! :-)