Does it make a difference?

The other night as Neal and I lay in bed talking about my trip, he asked me if I thought these short term trips really make a difference. I told him some of the stories I'd heard of people coming to know the Lord through the outreaches there. I told him about all the work that the mission does, and how we, as volunteers, help by doing the everyday jobs that need to be done. It may not sound like much to pull weeds in a garden, dice tomatoes, clean bathrooms, roast macadamia nuts, or clean a trailer, but those are all jobs that need to be done. If the short term volunteers are not there to do them, then the full time staff and volunteers would have to take time away from their jobs to get them done.

Then you may wonder how much good does it do to go to a migrant camp and blow bubbles, hand out candy, stickers and toys, and maybe some food? But when you are there, and you see the faces of these children and parents light up just because you took an hour or two of your time to spend with them...you know it's worth it! It's a short amount of time where they are distracted from their surroundings. They get to experience the love of Jesus through groups of people who take time to go and smile at them...even if they can't speak the same language! But you know what? I got to experience Jesus through them! I am blessed to live in a nice home, have food on the table three times a day, have healthcare, have a car to drive, and I have clothes to wear. I don't have to depend on someone coming to my neighborhood to tell me about Jesus. I can pick up my Bible anytime I want, I can go to my church several days a week, or I can turn on the radio or tv and hear about Him 24/7. I don't have to depend on someone coming to my neighborhood to bring me food or clothes. I live 5 minutes from Wal-mart, and have a car to take me there and money to purchase the things I need. Yet I am still not satisfied most of the time. I looked at some of the people in the camps who know the Lord as Savior, and although I'm sure they'd love to live in a better environment, they had real joy on their faces. They really made me re-examine my life and if I could I would tell them "Thank You!"

A verse I read in my quiet time yesterday reminded me of these wonderful people:

2 Corinthians 6:10 (New Living Translation) "Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything."



I'll close with a story that our Youth With A Mission group leader, Barry, sent in an email today:

“MAKING A DIFFERENCE”

One sultry and wind swept day after a battering storm, a small boy walked out on an empty stretch of beach. On the sand, just beyond the reach of the receding tide the boy noticed something. There lay thousands of starfish stranded in the glaring sun. The sun beat down on the quiet and lonely beach. The air was hot and droplets of perspiration stood out on the boy’s brow. As he took in the sight a feeling of urgency and determination over took the lad, and despite the heat, he began to fervently work.

He stooped down, picked up a starfish and threw it as far as he could into the surf. The youth paused for only a fraction of a second to smile, and then picked up and threw the next one and the next one and the next one.

As he continued to do this, an old man watched him as he drew closer to the boy. Closing the distance between them, he noticed just what it was exactly, that the boy was doing. And in his worldly wisdom began to chuckle to himself at the futility of what the foolish child was doing.

The boy barely gave the old man a glance. He continued his pace, undeterred by the smirk on the elders face. Finally the man could hold his tongue no longer.

Laughing out loud, he called out to the youngster. “Why are you wasting your time young man? There are thousands of starfish on this beach. You can’t possibly make a difference!” With out skipping a beat, the little warrior picked up another starfish and hurled it into the sea. “It makes a difference to that one!” he replied. Then he stooped to offer life to another of God’s precious creatures, as a smile spread across His face.



"Lord, help me to make a difference every day!"

Mission in Mexico II

Here are some more pictures from our trip:

Back from Mexico

These are the first pictures I'm posting on my blog. I'll have more later.

Our trip was incredible! God taught me so much in this trip...especially about how spoiled and selfish I am! Sounds like a great time, huh? LOL Actually it was. It was a needed lesson. I pray I don't forget it, and will move forward on this journey of life remembering it. I really don't know how to express my thoughts clearly yet. Maybe I never will. I sit hear thinking about it and tears just spring into my eyes.

"Why me, Lord? Why am I allowed to live so lavishly when a family of 11 in Mexico live in a house smaller than my son's bedroom?" I just pray that I do not fail Him, and that I give however I can, whenever I can!

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15

Mexico

I'm sorry I haven't written much lately. I've been trying to focus on other areas of my life that needed attention, and have put my blog on the backburner. Hopefully I can get back in the swing of things soon!

I just wanted to let you all know that Beth and I leave tomorrow morning for Mexico. We are going on a mission's trip to an orphanage there, and will also be visiting migrant camps and taking them food and clothing.

We are looking forward to this experience and would appreciate any prayers you are willing to send up for us. :o)

BTW...if anyone reads this that lives on the West Coast (Amy?...Theresa?), we are going to In and Out Burger tomorrow in San Diego. What is your favorite thing to eat there? Do they take credit cards or will I need cash? I'm hoping to save my cash for Mexico.

I'll be back in a little over a week. God Bless!

A New Year

2009! Wow!

Last night our pastor's sermon was entitled "Spiritual Tools for Success in 2009." I have many areas I want to work on this year, and his sermon last night was very motivating for me.

Two of the areas I want to work on this year are physical and spiritual wellness. I need to be more consistent in my daily time with God...both in prayer and in Bible reading. I've been doing much better in these areas, but there is definite room for improvement. I also need to lose weight, but beyond that I need to get healthy! I've been working out on the Wii Fit for almost two weeks now and I can already feel the difference in my body. I've only lost two pounds, but I have improved my strength and I can see improvement in my knee pain.

The following verse really spoke to me last night:

Job 23:12 "I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread."

If I'm honest with myself and with God, I know that I do not put His Bread (the Bible) before my bread (my food). Food is like an idol to me in the sense that I eat too much and put too much emphasis on our meals and eating. With food my focus needs to be on feeding my family healthy, well-balanced meals. period. That doesn't mean they can't taste good, but it means they need to nourish my family, not just fill them up.

So, these are two of my goals for 2009. These are not my only goals, but they're the ones I want to share now with you.

I pray that 2009 is a good year for all who are reading this! God bless you!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's the last day of 2008! Where has the year gone? There are so many things I'm thankful for this year:

1. First of all, I'm thankful for salvation through Jesus Christ and my personal relationship with Him! My life would mean nothing if not for my hope I have in Jesus!

2. I'm thankful for good health...both for me and my family.

3. I'm thankful for modern medicine! Neal is a walking miracle right now!

4. I'm thankful for friends. I am blessed with many friends...some old, some new.

5. I'm thankful for my brothers! Even though we live far away, we're just a phone call away or a thought away. Even though they are much older than me (LOL) we always have lots to talk about! I always thought I wanted a sister, but I wouldn't trade my two brothers for anything in the world!

6. I'm thankful for my church! We are so blessed to be involved in a good church. Our church family was so instrumental in ministering to us during Neal's surgery and aftermath. What a blessing it is to be involved in a good church!

7. I'm thankful for my on-line friends. I've met many people "online" and a few of those are now "in real life" friends. Thank you for your friendship!

There are so many things I'm thankful for this year, and those are just a few.

This morning I went to breakfast with my best friend, Tammy. She and I have been best friends since 1982! We went to high school together in Ohio and then moved here together to go to college. We met local boys and got married, and now live about 3 miles apart. What a blessing!

Last night we got together with our good friends Bill and Colleen (and their girls). We've known Bill and Colleen for over 20 years. Our friendship has been very sweet through the years. We both have two children, and we were both pregnant at the same time -- twice! Thank God for old friends!

Tonight we are gathering with our friends the Gordons. We met the Gordons a little over four years ago. We quickly became friends and camping buddies! We have homeschooling in common and lots of other things. Even though we've only known each other for a relatively short time, we feel very close to them and are deeply thankful for their friendship! Thank God for new friends!

I pray that all who read this will be blessed with a happy and healthy 2009! Happiness does not always have the same face...sometimes it's obvious and sometimes we have to dig deeper to find it. True happiness can only be found through a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that if you do not know Him personally, that 2009 will be the year that you make that decision! If you want to know more about how to receive Christ as your Savior, click here.

Happy New Year!

Teresa

The Weekend Before Christmas...

and all through the house, lots of creatures are stirring...except for the mouse.

Okay, I don't know where that came from, but I'm going to leave it. ;o)

On Thursday I went and got my haircut. I love my new hairdresser. My friend Tammy recommended her and she is awesome! She likes to take chances and do different things...and she's inexpensive! She doesn't wash my hair (which is fine with me), but she spritzes it with water and then cuts it, and then she styles it. She's quick too. I'm usually out in under 30 minutes. She only charges $12.00! I think that is quite a deal. So the pictures in my earlier post are of my new haircut. I've fixed it myself now, and although it doesn't look as good, I still like it.

Thursday night I went to Neal's work Christmas dinner. I had a yummy steak dinner, baked potato and marinated mushrooms. Neal and I split Tiramisu for dessert.

Last night we went to see lights at a nearby Elks Home. They have over 60,000 lights on display with lots of different things like the nativity, santa and his sleigh, etc. I made homemade pizza rolls and we had a picnic supper! It was lots of fun.

Today my friend Tammy and I went shopping and out to dinner. I finished up my Christmas shopping and just have to work on a project I'm doing. Hopefully I'll get it done by Christmas!

Well, that's what's going on around here! Now we're going to watch Wall-E (is that how you spell it?).

Have a good night!

Photo Shoot

Neal and I had a Christmas dinner to go to last night, so Beth took a bunch of pictures of her Daddy and I before we left. We had fun, and she did a great job!

More Shadow People

For those of you who have been reading my blog the last few months, you've seen our shadow people make appearances at Myrtle Beach, an amusement park and various other places. This time they followed us to Colonial Williamsburg!

We were done shopping, but the shadow people were lagging behind.

I think they spent some money, too!

Here they are standing at the stocks.

Oh no! Her head is stuck!


Mom found these people on the side of a house.

Okay, I know I'm weird...but we have lots of fun taking pictures of our shadows! It's the little things...ya know?

Colonial Williamsburg

Two weeks ago today, my Mom and I went to Williamsburg, VA. We did this last year and had so much fun that we decided to do it again! We left Friday morning and arrived in Colonial Williamsburg three hours later. All of these pictures were taken there. I took a ton of pictures, but these were the ones I thought I'd share.

This was one of our first stops. It was a little garden and a place where the workers made wreaths, table toppers, etc. This cute little fireplace was by the entrance and we warmed up before we headed on down the street.

This is a view of one side of the street. I love these houses and how they decorate at Christmastime.

Here's a shop where a couple of the "Colonial people" were outside. You can see the firewood stacked up...now just imagine the smell of wood smoke and you'll know what we were smelling.

Here are some of the decorations.

A Colonial Woman staying warm.

There were several horse and buggies traveling along the streets.

Another "Colonial Woman" walking across a lawn.

Do you see the apple in the wall? There were recessed areas about every 1 1/2 feet on this house. They alternated red and green apples along the front of the house.


The Governor's Mansion

I love this candle holder. Maybe I should try this with one of Neal's Granny Smith apples!

Another decorated door.

Mom and I had lots of fun looking at the decorations and going in the shops. After we finished here, we went shopping and out to dinner. We ate at a nice steak house, which was unfortunately too expensive! We didn't want to walk out, so we ordered the cheapest thing on the menu. My meal ended up being better than Mom's, but we wished we had chosen a different restaurant! Live and learn!

On Saturday we spent the day at the outlet stores. That was lots of fun! I did a bit of Christmas shopping and Mom bought me a new purse from Aigner for Christmas.