Josiah's calling

Josiah recently attended the World Vision 30 Hour Famine at our church.  He felt God calling him to be a missionary and this is his story...

During the 30 hour famine I learned how God can use just a little to do a lot, and how very little people in different parts of Africa and other countries have.  Often time in American we get caught up in all our own stuff and never take time to listen to God.  However, when we take time to listen we can hear God and listen to what He's calling us to do and to be obedient to follow.

So, as I was saying, when I did the famine at church I felt God touch my heart and felt him opening up my heart to listen to what He had to say.  I heard Him calling me to be a missionary and to open the Word of God to other countries. 

When I got home and then went to church on Sunday I saw the Guatemala mission trip in the bulletin and I thought, "This must not be a coincidence."  So later I asked my mom if I could go to the meeting.  She told me to ask her later so I did.

On Tuesday I asked and we both went and learned more about the mission trip.  We learned that we needed to raise $1800.  So now I would kindly ask if you would like to donate to help us be able to help those in Guatemala who need spiritual and physical help?  We would be grateful.

Sincerely,

Josiah

The mission trip to Guatemala is one led by The Webers from our church.  We will be going as part of a team.  The focus is medical, building, and going to the Palencia school.  Josiah's focus would be working with the children during the time that the adults are in the medical clinics.  The trip is in June

If you are interested in joining Josiah as a partner in the mission trip, you can write a check to First Presbyterian Church and send it to our home address.

Growing in Thankfulness

Thankfulness is something that takes time and discipline.  After reading the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp I was encouraged to begin my own list of things that I am thankful for. 

However, as a mom, I wanted to cultivate this discipline in my children too...so this year we are writing in our journals to reach 1000 Gifts by the end of 2012.  Three gifts a day...three things to give thanks for and by the end of 2012 we will reach one thousand!  

If you would like to see more check it out at A Snap Shot of Motherhood.  Have a blessed day! 

True Greatness

Did you make a New Year's Resolution?  This year I haven't made a resolution, but I have changed my focus on what I am doing with my children.  As a mom, I want my children to succeed, to be their very best.  However, have I been challenged to think about raising my children for True Greatness and not success alone.  Want to hear more?  You can read more about it on A Snap Shot of Motherhood.  The title is A New Year, A New Perspective

Blessings to you in 2012!

Prayer and a New Commitment

One thing I have posted about recently on A Snap Shot of Motherhood is prayer.  It is one thing that is so important, and yet to me, it is one of my biggest struggles...especially praying intentionally for my children.

I have resolved this year to be intentional, to let God do His work in the lives of my children, rather than thinking a little better parenting will do the trick.  A great book that I am using to consistently pray for my children is While They are Sleeping  I have two blog posts about this book and the way I am using it this year.  Will you join with me in praying faithfully this year? 

Check out the posts A Confession and Kindness and leave a comment if you'd like to commit to prayer this year too! 

Death...A Wake-up Call for the Living

"Rosann went to be with the Lord at 2:50 pm today." The words shocked me as I read them. How I grieved for her family. So young and so unexpected.

As I tucked my kids into bed I lingered a little longer. A plea of "Mommy, please stay in here with me" was quickly answered by me sitting on the floor by my daughter's bed and stroking her hair as her eyes slowly drifted off to sleep.

No one knows how long we have here on the earth. We live as if life will continue forever and are shocked when it does not. "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Some good advice I heard last summer at Pine Cove's family camp from Lynelle Zandstra on mothering...

"Treat your children like they will not be here tomorrow...train them like you won't be"

It is too easy to get caught up with the busyness of life and neglect the things that are important. The lives of my children are important, who they are and who they will become. What can I do, or what do I need to change in order to follow this sage advice? Instead of taking them for granted, treasure them. Instead of looking at their pleas for "one more story" as a delay of bedtime, see it as an opportunity to express love to them through time. Instead of worrying about the messiness of the house, I should be more concerned with the condition of my heart.

Children are a gift and the time with them passes too quickly. What do you do to make your time on earth count for eternity? What are you doing to treasure and to train your children?

Seeking Jesus...By Mistake

I sent this letter out last Christmas and got such an encouraging response I decided to post it on my blog...

Several years ago, when Courtney and Isaiah were both under five years old, our church hosted a Christmas craft night. One craft our family made together was a wooden nativity set. The pieces were made out of blocks of wood, painted, and then covered with fabric to represent Mary & Joseph, the Shepherd, the Wise men, and Baby Jesus. The set was perfect for little hands to recreate the Christmas blessing. The only problem...the pieces kept getting misplaced.

"WHOEVER FINDS BABY JESUS GETS A PIECE OF CANDY!" I said in exasperation. Once again, the nativity set was incomplete and all of my searching was in vain. Candy was a great incentive to the children. They ran all over the house and searched with all their might. In a few short moments Courtney's delighted squeals could be heard, "I found baby Jesus!"

The next morning a very interesting thing occurred. Courtney asked, "Mom, could you hide Jesus again so we can search for Him?" I knew my sugar-loving children were in it for the reward but I began to see how right they were with wanting to search for Jesus.

Christmas is ALL about Jesus. It is the celebration of His birth on the earth. He is God's gift to us...the way the truth and the life...the only way to God.

That Christmas my children taught me a lesson. They taught me that I need to daily seek Jesus with all my heart. They also showed me the JOY that comes in finding God's precious gift. The frustration of lost nativity pieces soon became an incredible blessing for our family as our children searched for Jesus each and every day!

This Christmas it is our prayer for you to find the Joy that comes from knowing Jesus and seeking Him with all your heart!

"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?

We saw his star in the east and have come

to worship him."

Matthew 2:2