Noah's Legacy Guatemala Mission Team 2013

Village of Hope Orphage

Sacatepéquez, Guatemala

Noah's Legacy 2013 Mission Trip to the Village of Hope Sacatepéquez, Guatemala

A Giving Heart...

Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year….gift wrap and bows, shopping and Starbucks (Yeah, you know we all do it!), Christmas trees and wreaths, singing Christmas carols while visions of sugar plums dance in our heads…What could be grander than the Christmas traditions that we all find warming our hearts during the Holiday season? It almost makes me giddy inside like a child on Christmas morning just thinking of it…and its 360 more days until Christmas rolls around again.

So what is it about Christmas that makes us want to be in the “giving” spirit. Nothing feels better than watching the glow in someone’s eyes as they are getting ready to open the gift YOU fought the woman in the red Santa hat over on Black Friday (not to mention the young man you elbowed to get that gaming system that your child just had to have because their old one was a year out dated). There’s no feeling like it. Oh yeah, there are some of “those” people (smiles because she knows how narrow-minded that phrase can be) out there who prefer to buy for themselves, but they’re just odd to begin with…no offense to those relatives of ours who buy, wrap, and label gift cards to themselves. There’s just something about “giving” that makes people feel content, or warm like that $5 Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha makes you feel on the inside.

Why can’t we feel this way ALL YEAR LONG?…but then that would mean I would have to do this “giving” thing all year long…really? I don’t have enough time in the day to “give” my family a healthy, homemade dinner after work every day. How would I ever find the time, or for heaven’s sake---the money, to give myself ALL YEAR LONG? I have ESP because I knew that was what you were thinking. That’s the same thought I had when I passed a scrawny looking man standing on the side of the road today in the freezing rain, holding a sign, and carrying a dirty, ragged old bag with him. I was in a hurry to get back to my warm, cozy bed in my toasty home because I woke up sick this morning and the doctor that I just paid for gave me a shot and a prescription that I was able to pick up in my nice warm vehicle. After rereading the whole thing out loud, I’m hearing just how ridiculous it sounds, too!

I don’t even know why I am writing all this…I guess mainly because an older neighbor/friend/church member passed away three days before Christmas, one of my dearest friends is at the hospital with her daddy-in-law right now who is losing his battle to cancer as we speak, and now this man who I found out today has, despite what “we” all thought when we passed him on the street, been trying to find a job and to no avail. All these senses maximized by the fact that Noah’s flowers came in today and are ready to be placed “there” (and I can’t say where because I have yet to be able to connect those words with his name in a sentence yet without a tear-soaked, drudgery of a meeting with myself and the voices in my head that make me want to SCREAM! No I do not have multiple personalities and yes I do know Jesus is here with me whenever those moments arise…just hard to explain unless you’ve been there).

So, here’s where I am going with all this babble…As I was passing the man for the second time today, I was reminded of Matthew 25:35-45, and I am horrible with scripture quoting so let me paraphrase…when I was out on the street and you saw me standing there hungry, without clothes, or a place to stay, which choice did you make? Did you do something to help me, or shrug your shoulders and say “what can I do? I am one person? They need to work like I do and they may have something? He’s just lazy?” Even the smallest thing that you do, I see, and when you did these things to even those who don’t seem to deserve it, you are doing it to me. In so many words that’s what Jesus said to me today. So, my New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, (of course, isn’t everyone’s?), clean my house (hello!), AND DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SHOW OTHERS THAT I LOVE THEM, but mostly, THAT JESUS LOVES THEM! Even the smallest act is not going to be too small. Because in the end, the reason Christmas is so wonderful and it feels so great to give to others is because God gave the ultimate gift to us. Yeah, yeah, yeah….there’s the connection….Don’t roll your eyes at me! It is the reason that we love to watch other’s smile…the reason we love at all! HE really is!

So I am ending with this verse taken from Philippians that is used in Noah’s Legacy Mission Statement:

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” NLT

Letter to Noah

Dear Noah, 

What is Christmas like in heaven? Does Jesus take you by the hand and share with you the true story of his birth? Do you sing with the angels all the many carols proclaiming the birth of Christ, while looking upon His face? I'm sure you are leading the choir.

It seems like you are forever away, but you seem so close when I think of what you must be doing right now. It's almost like you are on a wonderful vacation and waiting for us to meet you there. I often wonder if you've even had a chance to miss me yet, or look down upon us to see how our life is playing out...but then I realize...it wouldn't be heaven if you could, for then you would see the hurt and sadness that I feel so often. I'm ok with believing that you have been so busy with Jesus and all the wonderful people to meet and things to do there that you haven't had a chance to miss me. I'm ok with that. I'm ok with you not looking over me because this is YOUR TIME TO LIVE, so live! Run, run, run like you've never ran before. Jump, hop, skip like no one can. You are forever free from any abnormalities that you once had to carry. So you enjoy every part!

I enjoy my time here with your dad and Daylee, but I am anxious to be HOME. I can't wait to know what it feels like to not feel sadness or depression, pain or fear. What it feels like to not cry because you miss someone soooo much. What it feels like to look Jesus face to face, hear Him speak, and hold His hand. WOW...those thoughts are mind blowing! 

I miss you more everyday...I try to catch a glimpse of you in Daylee as she sleeps or in what she says. She just doesn't have your people skills...lol. But then again, no one ever will! 

Well, Santa has arrived and Dayday is asleep. Oh and one more thing, I promise you that Dayday will ALWAYS be taught about our Jesus and His birth and the real meaning of Christmas. She asks a million questions about God, Jesus, Heaven, and You...and I tell her the truth about it all. My job is to make sure my children make it Home....and I am 50% good on that promise to God. 

We love you and think of you all the time. I know this letter is for me, but if Jesus should share it with you, then know that I am very proud to say I AM YOUR MOMMY. You and Dayday are my dream come true. And I will continue to make you proud of the legacy you've left behind!!!! See you soon sweetheart!

    

Love,

Mommy

BROKEN AND BEAUTIFUL

Just like Mary Magdalene's alabaster jar, I've been gloriously broken so God can reveal to others how valuable He's made me on the inside! My outward self is continuously fading, but my inner self renews day by day!!! There's beauty in this broken jar...pour me out and use me Lord to glorify you!!! 

Mark 14:3, 2 Cor. 4:16

Ready to be a track star!

I would like to share something that a friend of my husband sent to him this morning. It was "exactly" what I needed, and I'll explain why afterwards:

It’s early morning. The dew has settled and the sun is rising. You put on your shoes for an early morning run. But instead of visiting your local high school track, you run on the great celestial track in heaven. When you arrive, cheers rise from the stands.  As you finish your first lap, someone you have never met steps out from the crowd to run with you.

He looks far older than anyone you have ever seen. He turns to you and says, “Don’t ever forget, you can make a difference in your lifetime. I know this is true, because God used me to save the world by 
building an ark.”

Noah reminds you that one person can make a difference and that you have been called to leave a lasting mark in your lifetime.  As you run around the track, you think about Noah’s life and remember that being obedient to God always positively impacts others.

Next, a woman joins you from the stands.  She is beautiful and is dressed in fine  linen.  As she runs with you she says, “I must tell you something very important: God has a purpose for you and He can greatly use you.”

Esther reminds you that during her lifetime, the Hebrews were exiled when they were taken from their homeland and they suffered hardship. While in exile, King Xerxes chose her to be the Queen even though she was a Jewish girl.  Esther had to stand up for her people by appealing to the king’s sympathies.

Mordecai, her cousin told her, “Esther, you can’t be silent . . . and who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.”  Mordecai’s words convinced Esther that God had a purpose for her.  As she leaves, you are overtaken with confidence when she says, “Courage and initiative come when you understand your purpose in life.”

Next, a man steps out of the crowd and says, “My name is Abraham.”  You immediately remember the story of Abraham and Isaac and that God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son.  Abraham looks at you and with great conviction says, “You can always trust God and live by faith, even when it seems absurd.” Then he says, “Is God asking you to do something right now that requires you to trust Him?  If so, take a step of faith.” He shares a definition you will never forget:  “Faith is taking God at His word and acting on it.”

As Abraham leaves, you are struck by how ordinary he is.  You marvel that someone just like you is encouraging you to live by faith and to trust God with everything.

You finish your last lap and take off your running shoes.  Memories of jogging with the great men and women of faith will forever be etched in your mind.  You specifically remember the words of the three Old Testament individuals who ran with you:

·         You have been called to make a difference in your lifetime. — Noah

·         Courage and initiative come when you understand your purpose in life. — Esther

·         Faith is taking God at his word and acting on it. – Abraham

Have you ever considered that heaven is filled with great men and women who are cheering you on?  Hebrews 12: 1-2a says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

The passage in Hebrews suggests that we indeed are being cheered on from eternity. They are rooting for us to live faithfully, to never give up, and to finish strong by focusing on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Now as I read over this I was amazed at how much The Noah and my Noah resembled in character. I was blown away. But the thoughts crossed my mind of how slow I am. No really...I couldn't outrun a tortoise. And I am running my Christian race the same way! It's time I dig deep into the rules and procedure manual "The Word", strap on my best shoes, and start running this race the way it was meant to be run...with complete concentration. Can't wait to get to the finish line and see who's waiting on me there!!!!!! You coming?

TOTAL SURRENDER...

Is it possible to release all of ourselves and our fears to God? This is a question that has weighed heavily on my mind lately. It seems that every part of me wants to surrender "everything" to Him, but I find myself wanting to take back the control I initially and wholeheartedly wanted to give away. Why is this? Can I truly give away all of my control to Christ? Is is really possible to let Him have every part of me? If so, then why have I not?

There are sometimes those days, who am I kidding, there are always those days when I desperately seek to flood Him with my drudgeries. My daily struggles seem to drown me in my focus...His plan. So how do I overcome this? How do I relieve myself so that I can focus on His plan? I find in His word:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”    Psalm 32:8

I know that God's plan for me is to prosper in His Glory and share His Grace with the world.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all." Mark 16:15

So, if I believe that God's word is without blemish, and He is faithful in all He says, then where is my faith? Where is my focus?


God, I know that You have planned every moment of my life from the beginning to end. There's nothing inside me that questions that You are sovereign. Give me an unparalleled faith so that I can surrender not just tidbits of my life, but a "total surrender"; a surrender that declares that I trust You with every part of my life, from the smallest detail to the greatest portion. Let me never question Your love me or Your power in taking care of my struggles. I know You are here; I know it is possible to give You all control. I pray You give me the desire to release to You...a TOTAL SURRENDER. Amen.

Incomprehensible...

Something I wanted to share that I posted on noahslegacy.com a year ago...and it's still true today:

Not understanding why something happens has always been a huge confusion for me. Before my husband was my husband, he was also my college math tutor. Such a genius at anything involving numbers…my husband that is, definitely not me. He would tell me the steps to take in a formula to get the answer, and my response was always “WHY?”. He would say, “it doesn’t matter why, that’s just the way you do it.” That was so not good enough for my brain! I needed an explanation. There had to be reason why you would use certain steps to get the answer, but according to Mr. Mathwiz that wasn’t always so in math. Math sometimes just is…and there’s no explanation for it. Relating this to life, or even more specific, to my life, and I see that math and life have something very much in common…sometimes ‘It just is.’ However, the difference in math and life is that with math there’s not a reason…in life there is, you just may not know the reason  immediately or ever in this lifetime. This has been such a huge struggle for me lately.
After Noah’s accident in September, I felt I needed a reason why this was happening to us. We did the best we could do. We took very good care of our children. We taught them about Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that gave us eternal life. Really, God? You have chosen to take the little boy that was apart of this type of family…the one who did more for you than any other person I know. I mean, God, Noah shared your love with people that most of us wouldn’t lower ourselves to speak to and there he was rubbing shoulders with these people, hugging them, and telling him “I love you”.  I don’t think anger ever stirred inside me…there were times that I felt it could have if I had let it, but I refused to be angry with God. But, to be honest, I definitely spent hours questioning God’s purpose and what He was doing in this situation.
I now know that I may never know God’s reason for this tragedy. This may be something that I have to wait on the answer for…but unlike with math, I am determined to be satisfied with just knowing that God has control of my life, Noah is being taken care of more than I ever could, and most of all, God NEVER allows us to go through this kind of pain without just cause. God is a just God and sometimes….there is not an answer to the ‘why’ questions in this life…but one day I will know it all.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

Me? Really God?

David, a man whom God loved....after failing God so many times God still wanted to use him...God still loved him. Really? Why God? Why would You, the One who created the Universe, created man, life, still want to even acknowledge someone who turned their back on Your commandments? Someone who deliberately went against everything You stand for...wait, are we still talking about David...or me?  Who am I?...the same as David just in different ways. And you say You still love me and want ME to help lead your people to you? You see, God is more than a creator, He is a loving God who wants to keep His promise to us, even when we forsake our promise to Him. I thank you everyday, my Father, for the forgiveness that you bless me with daily, even though I have never deserved it.

Exciting News...

March 10, 2013

Hey everyone!!! It’s been so long since I blogged. However, we have had some problems with the website…so now I can communicate with everyone again…YAY!! I love to talk, especially if I have someone who will listen…and there’s no greater topic that the Love of my Father.

So much has happened over the past few months. We have begun planning our first mission trip to Village of Hope in Guatemala in June.  Noah’s Legacy is so excited to be going where God has been leading us to go. We began in November with three people going on the trip, but as soon as others got word of the wonderful things that were taking place at Village of Hope and Noah’s Legacy, we ended that week with 20 people!!! That’s 17 more people who will be spreading God’s love to special needs orphans and caring for those that need to know God loves them.  God is good! We know that this is only the beginning for the relationship between Noah’s Legacy and Village of Hope. Can’t wait to go and share everything that God has done for us here.

Each day that goes by I miss Noah even more…it never gets easy. However, each day that goes by God seems to enlighten us a little more regarding His plan for our family. We know His plan is so much more than ours could ever dream of being. I pray that God’s love lathers you all as thick and sweet as honey, and that you allow Him to work in your lives applying His plan and not your own…

MUCH LOVE AND MANY BLESSINGS…..