I'm Ready

Wow, the day has finally gotten here, after a year of preparing. Yep I'm scared. I think I'm supposed to be. We are getting ready to leave for the airport. I will fly out of Springfield, to Chicago, to London (and no I don't get to go sight see in London, bummer) and then to Nairobi, where I will get to see Logan, Julie and Liam! I can't wait!!! Dad is feeling a bit anxious, and mom is crying. So I think we are all doing what we are supposed to be doing at this point :) I prayed this morning for God to take my hand and lead me, I know he is always beside me, but I'm just feeling that I want him a little closer. I know I am in great hands. So tonight before bed please add my family to your prayers. I will let you all know as soon as I can how my flight went. Love you all.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you

Psalm 56:3

Warm Blankets, Warming Hearts

Wow! What a great day. I had a group of moms and daughters over to make tie blankets and salvation bracelets to go to Kenya! Here we are with our finished blankets. We tied them with white ribbon and put our favorite scripture on them. It was neat to hear everyone's favorite verse. I plan to take a picture of the child who receives each of my friends blanket so they can put a face with the child's life they will touch. Of course I am always humbled by my friends and their willingness to help. They all have great hearts. Thanks Emily, Caroline, Lauren, Madi, Hadley, and Emilee.

Strengthening My Heart

Wow, God is really starting to prepare me for my trip. As most of you know my Uncle Logan and Aunt Julie are already in Tenwek. Aunt Julie has been emailing us very often with things to bring, a volleyball they have a net, who would have thought? As well as the boring things such as umbrella, crocs and other things. I must say I don't own a pair of crocs but will be willing to give them a try! Ha. Just when I'm getting all excited about my trip, we get an email on how Uncle Logan is doing in the hospital, and then the reality of what I'm doing sets in. It's not about my volleyball or the crocs, its about the twins that were born, and their mother died in childbirth. They will spend the first two years of their life in the orphanage. My heart started hurting for people I have not even met, I do hope I get to meet these sweet babies on my trip, just to say an extra prayer over them. I just have to remember God is good and knows the plan. I must follow his directions and keep the faith.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Salvation Bracelets

Many of you I'm sure have heard of salvation bracelets. My Grandma Jan suggested that I make some to use as my tool to teach the kids about God. I thought it was a perfect idea that the kids would love. Over Christmas we quickly got busy. Aunt Sarah and Grandma brought all their beads and we ended up with 73! I'm not sure what my goal is, but over the weekend Emily and I made 75 more, so I am up to 148! I know I want to have entirely to many instead of not enough. I want them to have something to remind them of how much God loves and will always be there for them. If you are not familiar with the bracelets here is what the beads represent:

Black: Sin

Red: Jesus' Blood

Blue: Baptism

White: Forgiveness and Cleansing

Green: Growth in the Lord

Yellow: Heaven

Dad is going to make me a little card that we can tie to each bracelet that tells what the colors represent as well as a scripture in the Bible that we can look up when talking about each bead.

Bracelets

Salvation Bracelet

Emily and Me

Aunt Sarah and Me

Preparing My Heart

I could not think of a better day to start my blog. I have had it set up but could not find the words to start. Today, I was baptised! I can not describe the feeling I had when I came out of the water. My heart was truly pounding for the Lord. I have been praying about this day for along time, as I looked out at my family and friends always there to support me and encourage my relationship with God, I really felt blessed.

My Baptism December 27, 2009

Terry and Me

Terry, Me and Dad

Amen!