are you contagious?

Who is close enough to you to catch your passion?  I love this picture of Josh reading the Christmas story to our boys on Christmas morning- such a picture of how we're trying to pass on our faith and values to the next generation. 

As Christians we are called to discipleship.  Period.  And as we accept that challenge we are obeying the Great Commission:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20 

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or friend- whether you teach Sunday School or help with Youth Group- regardless of your location- you are called to raise up the next generation of Christians!  And not only are you called to raise them up, you're called to teach them how to raise others up! 

Mission Frontiers' current issue is online!   And every article is great!

I love God's math.  This fact gripped me: 

"In 1902 Andrew Murray widely publicized the observation that one discipler, winning one person to Christ each year and building them up to do the same in successive generations, would win the whole world in just 32 years." (emphasis added)

Who are you discipling?  Who knows about your passion for missions?  Who are you coaching in global awareness??

Fresh air...

i sit a little straighter.  open up my rib cage.  tip my head back.  my lungs expand and i breathe deep.  i think we're coming out of the depths.  the air is fresher here.  and it is good.  because He is good.

#2861.  a quiet spot to breathe
#2862.  a little corner sanctuary
#2863.  of beauty and peace
#2864.  a meeting place- where i can introduce my boys to Jesus, a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

#2865.  little hands being a big help
#2866.  a new chore chart from Simple Mom
#2867.  the privilege of growing good men

 #2868.  clean windows. by the one who makes them dirty :)

#2869.  beauty growing in the dark of winter
#2870.  little boy embracing beauty
#2871.  crimson petals stained with color
#2872.  reminder of the crimson stain that purchased my pardon

#2873.  two girlfriend dates in one week
#2874.  the beautiful work He is doing in each of their lives
#2875.  easy conversation
#2876.  lots of laughter

#2877.  this moment. with You.
#2878.  the shadow of the cross
#2879.  the letters written in red- straight from the mouth of God
#2880.  with You all things are possible
#2882.  new pledges- almost 70% funded!

Pure gift.

Ann Voskamp's book releases today.  And this video.  Stunning.  I may need to watch it every. day.

Counting this one gift a thousand times.   She is the one who started it all.  And I am grateful.

What's a TCK???

"Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves!  Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.  The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost... so they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.  My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them..." -Ezekiel 34:2-6

Growing up far from "home".  No one to talk to about the struggles of living overseas.  Not knowing what's normal.  Just wanting to belong.  Experiencing loss that most of us can't relate to.  These are some of the struggles of Third Culture Kids (TCKs).  Like sheep without a shepherd.  This is what drives us to Uganda. 

Dr. David Pollock and Dr. Ruth Van Reken, authors of the seminal book on the subject, Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds define TCK's as the following:

 

“A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background.”

And these kids are COOL.  There is such diversity.  Such beauty.  But no one was seeking or searching for them... Sure, Heritage International School exists to serve these kids, and the faculty and staff love them, and believe in them.  But there is no one there right now solely for the purpose of discipling these world changers for the Kingdom.  We can't wait to get to Uganda!

This is the heart of the kids we're going to serve-

Let everything that has breath...

...Praise the Lord!  These have been long, snowy, sick days.  But while I have breath, I will give thanks and sing praise!  I am so grateful for the word He has given me for 2011-  breathe.

Seth has struggled to breathe. Josh took him to the ER with croup Thursday morning.  And I am given fresh insight into my word for 2011.  He knows!  oh, He knows just what I need.  and I am grateful.

Counting, as natural as breathing these days... if I don't count, I might just suffocate...

#2735.  morning kisses.
#2736.  "mommy, you're beautiful."

 

#2737.  sunlight streaming in- illuminating our days

#2738.  brothers enjoying Christmas toys

#2739.  peace and joy

  

#2740.  glittery, snowflake centerpiece.

#2741.  beauty in the middle of it all.

#2742.  candles flickering

#2743.  snowflakes stitched and starched by hands now gone. a piece of history.

 

#2744.  waking to the winter white falling silently from the sky

#2745.  piles of snow

#2746.  heaps of waffles

#2747.  freshly ground coffee brewing

#2748.  lazy saturday with family
#2749.  card game while boys napped
#2750.  hot chocolate on a snowy day

#2751.  date night- a much needed break
#2752.  shower. blow dryer. make-up.
#2753.  feeling beautiful
#2754.  wearing clothes without snot or stains :)
#2755.  being in this together
#2756.  wood-grilled shrimp bruscetta- fresh and delicious

#2757.  Your Word- a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
#2758.  always spoken in love
#2759.  ever true
#2760.  life-giving

cozy snowy sick day

this is the pace of the day.  Seth is down with the croup- coughing, runny nose, fever.  He is pumped full of steroids.  But the fever has slowed him considerably.  The snow makes this cozy day beautiful.  His grace makes this day bearable.  We are utterly dependent on Him and grateful for how He slows us down in order to wait on Him.  choosing to see the glory in these days.  thanks for praying.

Breathe on Me, Breath of God

the song in my heart this morning: 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 

fill me with life anew, 

that I may love what thou dost love, 

and do what thou wouldst do. 
 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 

until my heart is pure, 

until with thee I will one will, 

to do and to endure. 
 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 

till I am wholly thine, 

till all this earthly part of me 

glows with thy fire divine. 
 

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

so shall I never die, 

but live with thee the perfect life 

of thine eternity.