Want or Need?

So here I am again, thinking of how blessed I am! I have a healthy family, a job, 2 vehicles and a house. I am able to put food on our table and snacks in the pantry and we are all fully clothed. ;~) What a blessing!

Usually during this time of year I find myself looking through the Sunday Ads more and thinking about all the things I'd like to have. How I'd love to go the store and buy more decorations for my house. How nice it would be to give my daughters everything they want. And how I wish I had a large family that gathered for all the holidays and showered each other with many gifts.

Where do I get these ideas? Why do I feel I "need" more? Is it the TV Commercials? The Newspaper Ads? Is it just the culture and time we live in?

This year is different and my husband is taking notice. I have very little desire to go out and buy "things". God is working on my heart and taking away a desire for things of this world. (1 John 2:16-17)

Here are some things God has called me to do this year:

• I am grocery shopping only with coupons (It's amazing how much we are saving by being diligent and "Clipping Coupons")
• Talked to my two teenage daughters and they are okay with only ONE present under the tree this year (They acknowledged that our money should go toward Children's Cup)
• The only other gift I will purchase is for my mother (I want to honor her!)
• Jimmy and I aren't exchanging gifts (Not too much of a change - we show our love throughout the year!)
• As of January first Jimmy and I are committing to not spend any money on restaurants (We cannot wait to see God honor this "fast")

Every time I think about showering my family with gifts or buying more decorations or even lavishing more "stuff" on my children, I remember the children around the world that have NOTHING! Children's Cup is hosting Christmas parties this week for thousands of children in Swaziland, Africa. This will be the one time this year that many of these children recieve not only one small gift, but also meat with their meal. Can you imagine?

God is placing a new mercy on my heart and it's for these children! (Matthew 19:14)

Last week we heard that our applications for our Mission Trip were "approved". We are now working through our second packet of information (References, Medical Information, etc). We have already been approached by several people saying God is leading them to give. We appreciate all the prayer and financial support God has planned for us. We will begin raising funds in January.

Do you know the Mercy I am talking about?

Have you ever sought God with all your heart?

Do you feel like it's time to begin anew?

Please let me know if you have any questions about how to have a relationship with the One True God. I'd be honored to help you find Him!

Empty Nest Syndrome or Swaziland?

Which would you choose?

So, I am starting this blog because one of my daughters graduates in June (2010) and the other one graduates the following June. I have seen how husbands and wives can grow apart while they are raising their children and then when the children are grown they no longer have a relationship and possibly seek divorce. I don't want to be that wife - I love my husband and want us to continue our relationship as we seek to do the Lord's will. I want my children to rise up and call me blessed (Proverbs 31:28). Most of all I don't want to just "Go Through the Motions"; I want to live the abundant life (John 10:10) and minister to those around me.

Which brings me to what's going on in our lives right now. My husband, Jimmy, has always had a Missions Heart and I've always prayed that God would either change my heart or his because I could never imagine taking my children overseas and living in a hut. Well, I guess God has been working on my heart and not Jimmy's because I cry at the very thought of a mission our church supports, Children's Cup. These children are living in a country where 43% of it's population is HIV-Positive. Many of these children are being orphaned due to the death of their parents as a result of this disease and lack of medication. Children's Cup goes into villages with "Care Points" which are designed to care for these children by providing Food, Medical Care, Education and above all they need hope. Hope's name is Jesus!

I shocked my husband and myself when I asked him last weekend to begin praying and asking what our part is with Children's Cup. Jimmy asked what was on my heart and I laid out what I believe God has spoken to me. After our youngest, Anastasia, graduates in June, 2011, we sell our house and become missionaries in Swaziland. I am still unsure of what capacity the Lord is asking of us, but I know He will not take us somewhere without a plan, a purpose and resources to do His will.

Children's Cup has a mission trip scheduled for April, 2010 and Jimmy and I are praying to see if this is the right time for us to go and experience this ministry to the fullest. This trip is approximately $3500 pp so we are asking God not only for confirmation but for financial and prayer support.

Please join me in praying for our family as we begin our entrance into a new phase of life.

Because He Lives,
~AngiB