Nicaragua!

Dear Friends,

As some of you know, I am traveling to Nicaragua this summer. I have wanted to go since our church went on the first trip two years ago, but pregnancy and then a young baby prevented me. Chris has gone both years (and will be going this year as well) and the growth I have seen in him, the continued coordination with the ministry down there, as well as the stories of the time spent down there all have increased my desire to work down there.

Honestly, I have struggled with the idea of asking for financial assistance in any form. I think all of us have that part of us that does not want to ask for help or depend on other people. However, I know that God has designed us as a body and that we all need support and encouragement from each other. So, in light of this, I first ask each of you to pray for me (and my family) as I prepare to take this step. I would also ask you to consider supporting me financially. With three children and both Chris and I going, we do need some assistance and even small gifts will help! All monetary gifts will go towards our airfare, and housing and food in Nicaragua.

I know God will provide, so please do not feel like you have to give financially, but if you want to, the information you need is at the bottom of the letter.

While in Nicaragua, our church will continue in its partnership with a ministry that is based in the town of Leon. We want to show God’s love in practical, meaningful ways. During each trip we help feed children in many of the small communities in the area. “Carried on Eagle’s Wings” ministry, working with local churches, feeds close to 10,000 children each day! For many of these children, this is the only meal they will receive that day, but it is designed to provide the nutrients they need. I am truly excited about the opportunity to work with some of these children and their families, build shelters for feeding stations (so that they can cook and feed even on rainy days!), as well as (as a group) have deeper interaction with one specific pastor and congregation, whom our church will be mentoring. Other opportunities the teams have had in the past include visiting the Contras and providing food and clothing for them, and going into the hospital’s “NICU” ward to encourage families and even pass out baby blankets.

In addition to food and clothing, we want to give the children things just to make them smile. Small stuffed animals (“beanie baby” size) or toys, hair ties for girls, socks, and crayons have all been big hits in the past. If you have items you would like us to take down there, just let us know and we will get all that information to you!

If you would like to contribute financially, please leave a comment, email, or call me and I will provide you with all the donation info. (I just don't want to post that here for all the world to read!)

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support,

Meghann

Seeing the Savior Face to Face

My legs feel weak,

My heart slows down,

But even with my last few breaths,

I praise the Lord.

For He gave me strength when I had none.

He gave me hope when there was none.

He made music when no harps or lyres could be heard.

He set us free when the strongest chains were on

our arms and feet.

Let us dance for the glory of God.

(Lil Bit, February 2011)

Last night, my husband's grandfather, Ol' Pappy, met God face to face. He was an incredible man who lived 90 years on this earth. His integrity, sense of humor, and devotion to his family were evident throughout his life.

But more than that, his legacy as a servant and child of God, as a faithful ambassador of Jesus Christ, will live on both in the memories we have of him and in the lives that he has touched.

I see this rich heritage lived out in the life of my husband daily.

I see the quiet faithfulness in my mother-in-law each time I talk to her.

I see an authentic faith developing in my daughters.

And I pray that my son, who is Ol Pappy's namesake, will follow this same road.

If you are not a Christ-follower, the idea of truly knowing you will live in heaven may seem arrogant or absurd. But the Bible says that "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) A few pages earlier, we are told everyone sins and that what we get from sin is death--we cannot get to heaven by our own behavior because none of us are good enough--but that what God FREELY gives us through Jesus is eternal life. (Romans 3:23 and 6:23)

I am so thankful to have known this man, to be a part of his family, to share in his legacy. And even though he will be deeply missed, I can rejoice in the fact that he is now home, he is healed, he is whole. And one day I will join him there and I, too, will see not only my loved ones, but my Savior face to face.

What a day that will be!

This Explains a Lot

If anyone was wondering why Drill Bit constantly has bloody lips and the like, this video will explain it:

Boys are weird.

(I did move the stool he was standing on so as to save the 100 year old window and Drill Bit's head.)

All Boy

My Handsome Engineer and I were having a conversation the other day. And as we listened to Lil Bit (2nd grade) chat on the phone with a friend ("If every year gets more exciting, can you imagine how awesome THIRD grade is going to be?!?! We will get to write whole stories in cursive!!" she is a nerd, but we love her to death), we watched Drill Bit push his wagon around the room, slamming it into walls and furniture at every opportunity.

And two universal truths were made evident in our home:

Girls like to talk.

and

Boys like to crash things.

I have also learned that boys like to fall down or jump off of things.

This means that Drill Bit has, in less than a year and a half of existence had more bloody lips than his sisters together have in their combined 12 years.

They don't seem to bother him, much though.

TamiFlu Tastes Nasty

So says Drill Bit.

Luckily, it also seems to be effective. Bitty only had a fever for two days and the rest of us seem to have given Influenza a miss.

We will still torture the kids with Tamiflu for a few more days, though.