Still here...

Just way overwhelmed and way too busy!  Believe it or not, I am still kicking.  I have been down for the past week due to a dry socket, but I am on the road to recovery!

I have had many awesome things going on.  Mainly- tons of photo shoots!  You can slide on over to my photography blog and see some that I have completed!  www.qrsphotography.wordpress.com .  That's been my main reason for lack of blogging.

Another reason is Ruthie has been attending swim practice.  This is something I was super excited about!  She started off not really enjoying it too much.  I felt like a bad mom b/c I made her continue going.  She said it was soooo hard.  However, she didn't realize how much work it would be and she wouldn't pace herself.  She was giving it her all and totally wearing herself out!  She starting enjoying it around the third practice, but still would say it was hard.  She didn't want to quit though.  Today is our last practice.  I am a bit sad, but a bit happy b/c I am ready to come straight home after work instead of rushing!
Here she is learning how to float.

Here she is swimming on her back!  I was shocked at how fast she learned!  I don't know how to rotate the video...sorry!


Last weekend I had a very amazing opportunity to work with the Both Hands Project. My dear friend and her family has answered the call to adopt a sweet, precious soul from Honduras.  This little one has brown eyes that will MELT your heart!  With this project, we went in and helped a widow, in return for donations for the adopting family.  All proceeds go to the adopting family.  I pray that they raise some good money to help.  I was shocked to find out how much it cost.  With that being said, a child IS worth it.  They need them.  We worked all day and got quite a bit accomplished.  The family went back and finished what we started.  It was amazing seeing this kind widow, and giving to her something she may have never received   The project goes on the verse James 1:27 where God instructs us to look after widows and orphans. It was an awesome opportunity and I am so blessed to have helped alongside my friend, her family, my husband, my niece, and a great group of teens and adults!

Randall also had the chance to preach Sunday morning and night a sister-church in a nearby town.  I love seeing my man up there delivering God's Word.  He is doing amazing too.  It's awesome to see the Lord work through him.  I am blessed to be his wife!

Everything else is going well around here.  Super busy, but who isn't.  I am ready for the holidays b/c I missed out on some family time last weekend.  I am ready to see all my nieces and nephews.  I pray it doesn't take me this long to get back on, but if it does, I apologize.

I'm Back! {Honduras Trip}

Whew....what an amazing trip I had!  It was such a blessing!  Let's just say there were a few kids who made me truly want to adopt and bring back home!  One brother and sister in particular!  They were well taken care of, but their sweet souls just made my heart ache for them b/c I want them!

I will start from the beginning!
On the way to the airport, it was POURING down rain.  We have prayed for rain all summer.  It finally hit so hard that we almost missed our flight.  Let's just say nothing was going to stop us.  Our flight was delayed a bit.  We were supposed to have fifty minutes in between our flights.  That quickly changed to twenty minutes.  We were running through the Houston airport.  I thought for sure we wouldn't make it.  We did thank goodness!  When we arrived in San Pedro Sula, a man accidently took off with my back pack which held my Kindle (way of communicating while down there) and many other things.  I take off running again and try to explain to him with hand motions that he had my back pack.  We get it figured out, but I was scared b/c here I was running through an airport with sawed off shotguns and I don't even speak their language!  Thank GOODNESS I got my bag back b/c as it turns out, only 3 people received their luggage.  Guess who did not? That's right- ME. I was so grateful to have some extra clothes in my carry on.
After we arrive we meet up with our AMAZING helpers, Manuel & Maira and the best Honduran driver- Louise!  They are absolutely the most helpful, loving people you will ever meet.  They take us out to eat at the Power Chicken.  YUMMO!  It was deliciouso!  Once we got to the hotel (about a 2.5 hour drive) we settled down in time for dinner.  Let's just say we were WIPED OUT!  The next three days we visisted two schools in the morning, ate lunch, and then we visited two schools in the afternoon.  Some even stuck around after school was over just to see us and hear God's Word!  I love the fact that we are allowed to share God's Word IN SCHOOL in Honduras.  If only that could happen again here.....  I think it's such an opportunity for me, b/c I work at a school.   I have to travel in order to bring God's Word to the public schools.....
All the schools had amazing children.  The boy I fell in love with was at the gate when we arrived.  He just smiled at me the whole time.  I kept my eyes out for him while we were there.  After we handed out the Shepherd Bags, we were able to enjoy some play time with them.  I played with him for a while and his sweet, gorgeous sister came up to me and I asked her if she was his sister.  She said yes, and I just wanted to scoop them up and go home!  They were so precious.  He hugged me many times and told me thank you.  He even kissed my cheek as we were leaving.  Needless to say, I left in tears.  I am so grateful for the little Spanish I know!
We were able to eat at a wonderful resturant and the other was so polite to us.  She did anything we needed her to.  She was one gorgeous woman too.  The mayor of Santa Barbara (where we went) even came along the first day and sent assistants the next few days.  She even paid for our spectacular hotel!
Before we hand out Shepherd Bags, our preacher preaches some and Manuel translates.  After, Manuel preaches some more.  Asks them to bow their heads, say a prayer, and then raise their hand if they meant it.  Seeing those precious glowing hands raised....there are no words.  Many souls more going to Heaven and when I get there, I can't wait to see their little faces!
The first time I went, I was a bit uneasy b/c all around me it felt evil.  I didn't feel safe where we went the first time in 2010.  This time, it was a whole different story.  We were accepted everywhere.  These people haven't had to experience the devil.  I am so happy God's seed was planted before the devil came.   Last time, I went to learn to put God first in my life.  I had put my family first and I knew that was wrong.  Leaving your children and trusting that God is protecting you all is a hard thing to do and I was so blessed.  I have God first in my life and I was able to relax and truly enjoy the country and their people!
We had some amazing people go with us.  Two special youth girls went.  What an experience!  They kept us on our toes and had us laughing until tears were running down our legs!  HAHA!  They are such precious souls and I think it is VERY important for younger generations to see poverty in true form and see what they have compared to others.
I am one blessed woman.  Now, to share some photos.......

Me and some kiddos on the first day, first school.  The one in the middle LOVED the camera!

 

Here is my boy....yes, I wish he was here with me now....

 

And here we are with his sister.  Isn't she breathtaking!?

 

Precious little saved souls I will one day see in Heaven!

 

Checking out what they received in their bags!

Lots going on around here...

As you might have noticed from my Wordless Wednesday post here, we have been remodeling a room upstairs.  I wish I would have taken a photo before we started demolition!  Let's just say my husband is good at demo!  We have come a little bit further, but I need to take a photo!

Last night we met with Ruthie's teacher and a few of her classmates.  I think it is going to be a great year!  She seems super easy going, fun, and energetic, but also very laid back.  I think Ruthie will truly enjoy 1st grade.  Now, if you remember reading all my blog posts about kindergarten, you might remember my worries.  Let's just say they aren't any better.  She went from being with ALL kindergarten to being with 1st-3rd grade.  I am worried sick.  I was in tears walking in last night.  May sound silly to you, but I just don't do well with this whole growing up thing!

I haven't mentioned it here, but I am going on another mission trip to Honduras.  I honestly don't know if I posted about it the first time.  I don't think I ever shared photos either.  I am a bit upset b/c I believe I lost all of them by deleting them on accident..... the whole folder.  :(   Bummer.  I am super excited that I get the chance to go again.  I think I am more prepared and I have to say even more excited this time.  We get to hand out Shepherd Bags to four schools a day I believe and handing them out is so exciting.  I love seeing their little faces light up.  If don't mind, please be praying for me.  I will be leaving behind Randall and the kids, but I am excited for this adventure.  Nervous too, but extremely excited.

School will be starting soon and I am not ready.  Of course, you already know that though.  It's just a very difficult thing for all of us.  We all have to get into a whole new routine.  Please be praying for our family as well.

I also forgot to post that I lost 1 inch off my waist last week.  No pounds, and I was a bit bummed, but I am still going strong!  :)

And b/c I can't post without a photo.....  apparently I am obsessed with sleeping photos.  Yes, he is asleep with his eyes 1/2 open!

Matthew 28:19

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

That's our mission.  That's our job in this world.  We are to GO.  Here is a video of a song that Ruthie learned on our last mission trip:

With that being said (or sung!) I wanna talk about the mission trip that Ruthie and I took at the first of March, and the one Randall is on right now.  

The first weekend of March, Ruthie and I went to Oklahoma City and attended a Lay Witness Mission (LWM).  We had an amazing time.  The church was huge, but it was struggling b/c it had 2000 members, but only 200 in the pew Sunday morning.  They had everything, but something was missing, hence the reason for the LWM.  Randall and I work with the youth, along with two of our youth that join us.  This time, Randall wasn't able to join us.  It was hard, but with his job, it's tough to get his vacation to where he can do everything.  This time, my brother-in-law went with us!  He was awesome to have along!  I can't say that we did an awesome job with the youth, mainly b/c they didn't talk, but I sure pray that we got those gears turning in their heads!  The adults, man oh man, you could see the Spirit moving with them!  It was amazing.

This church was directly across the street from where the OKC bombing took place.  One story I just HAVE to share.  Three churches in the area suffered damage from the bombing. The amazing thing- out of the three, their stain-glass window was in a million pieces, EXCEPT for the head of Christ!  AWESOME huh?  We had the opportunity to go through the memorial and the museum.  It was tough.  I wasn't very old when it happened, but I can still remember the footage from that day.  The memorial was even more touching at night.  I have to share this photo I took:

Today, Randall left on a ten day mission to the Philippines.  Needless to say, it's been a rough day.  Randy keeps asking where Daddy is and Ruthie's shed tears many times throughout the day.  Me too.  It's tough, but I can say that I am beyond blessed to have a husband who loves God more than us.  That's what God calls us to do.  That's exactly what he is doing.  Randall HATES to fly, yet he went.  He knows we miss him and he misses us, yet he went.  It's dangerous, yet he went.  That's our job- TO GO!  Please be in prayer for him and the other five that joined him on this trip.  I am missing him like crazy.  It's gonna be tough tonight when I head to bed, but I just have to pray that he is safe.  I love the fact that he's out there sharing God's word to the people of the Philippines!  Not only do they get to share His Word, they get to hand out Shepard Bags and help put on a roof!

Here is a link to the group that we go on our over-seas mission trips with- http://www.eimworldwide.org/

Crazy busy...

but.....it's for God, so it's worth it!

Two weekends ago, Randall, Ruthie, Kristen, Corey, and I headed to Wynne, AR for a Lay Witness Mission (LWM). This was our second mission like this. Last summer, a man from our church approached Randall and asked him if we would like to be the youth coordinators for some of the missons. The first trip, we had no idea what to expect and were BLOWN AWAY by the youth. We enjoyed it so much. Words can't even describe it. This time, we had another amazing trip. I didn't get any photos, but my friend Kristen did.

Last weekend, we had a southern gospel quartet convention in Plumerville, AR. We took our youth and our youth did a drama for them. I am a huge fan of southern gospel. I was blown away by quite a few quartets! The youth were amazing and so well behaved. I wish I could share some photos of the youth, but I don't feel as though I have permission from parents to share on here. Although, I will say I finally got Facebook, and I have truly enjoyed chatting with my family, church family, mission family, and friends. I did post the photos over there, but you have to be a friend to view them.

This upcoming weekend, we have a revival coming up. Randall will be taking Randy to the Beast Feast Thursday night. Friday night- revival, Saturday day- Youth Explosion, Saturday night- revival, and Sunday day- revival! SOOOO EXCITED! Please say a prayer for our church that the Lord works in amazing ways!

So, that's what I have been up to lately. Time is going by so fast. The weather is warming up, so I am hoping to get some photos taken this week for my P52.

I will share this photo of my niece (who I am soooo proud of!) joining the drama. She's holding a sign that says "HEALED."


Here's my two handsome men!