April 29, 2011 - An Historic Day...

...NOT because of a royal wedding.
It's NATHAN'S 17th BIRTHDAY!!!

Nathan, I love your adventurous spirit!

I love your devotion to family. 

I notice -- in case you wondered -- that you take time to shoot hoops with Ben 

and play princess games with Ellie. You're an incredible big brother.

I enjoyed our Samford trip and appreciate that 

you want our advice on your college search.

I'm so thankful that you want to find a good church, too.

I pray you'll always trust in God.

I wish my grandma could have heard you play piano. You're a gifted musician.

Thank you for practicing without nagging! (Most of the time :D)

I love your sense of individuality!

Sure it's pirates v. ninjas...

You pulled off Gumby pirate like no one else could.

I'm undecided about your love of texting...

At least you text the fam, too.

I love watching you invest in the generation that follows...

priceless!

I'm surprised! You told us you're a great runner.

WOW! I've known you your whole life,

but I didn't know this! 

Happy seventeenth birthday, Nathan (not Nate or Nathaniel)!

I love you, always and forever!

I pray that this year will be filled with joy, 

more understanding of God's plan for you, 

and memories you'll cherish all your life.

Mexico Update -- Please Pray!!!

My dad recently returned from his first international missions trip to Mexico. I'm so proud of him! Praise God for allowing him the opportunity to serve and minister to some of the world's most troubled people.


My dad made it home, safe and sound. He got home a little more than a week ago, flying in on Saturday, the day of the North Carolina tornadoes. When I finally got to talk to him, he excitedly shared the fun details of his flights around the storms. So different from the quiet man I remember growing up. I'm just glad he made it home, safe and in good spirits!

They ministered in two areas. In Los Nogales the church is alive and thriving. He shared the passion the people have and how families attend church services and activities together. He described it as vibrant. Listening to him, I couldn't help get excited for God's work being done in that city.

In stark contrast, he shared that the people of Juarez, Mexico -- just across the border from El Paso, Texas -- are suffering. I researched Juarez online. It's called the murder capital of the world. OF THE WORLD! It's not that far away. Mexico. More dangerous than Iraq. Or Libya. Really?

Many of the men are involved in the drug trade. Moms are raising a generation of children without fathers. He shared that one lady is boldly leading Bible studies in her home while her husband is in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking. Other women are developing Christian programs for the children, hoping to give kids hope and a choice for a better future. These ladies want to offer their children, especially their sons, a choice to live for something worthwhile. They're standing up against the drug trade. I struggle to comprehend all this is going on "next door."

Will you join me today in prayer for this troubled region? Will you keep these brave women who are trusting God to change their families' futures in your prayers. With God, all things are possible.

Thank you.

Rebekah's Mistake

I've been wrestling with this post for a while. 

Once I put thoughts to paper, I can't pretend I don't know.

Genesis 27 tells us the story of Jacob's blessing. His father, Isaac, lie sick on his deathbed, ready to pass on the blessing to his first-born. He called to his older son, Esau, and asked him to prepare a special meal before doing so. Esau went off to hunt.

Rebekah, who is Isaac's wife, overheard the conversation and didn't like it at all. She wanted that blessing to be given to her younger son, Jacob. She called Jacob to her, instructed him to retrieve a goat that she would prepare for Isaac so that Jacob could present it and get his brother's blessing. 

Rebekah was quite the schemer. She even developed a plan to disguise Jacob as his brother, "and put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and neck." (Gen. 27:16) Despite raising several concerns about her plan, Jacob ultimately obeyed his mother and stole his brother's blessing.

What a horrible story to include in the Bible! Lying, deceit, trickery. The story reminds me of a soap opera plot, not the stuff of real life.

And then...

God whispers. He always catches me off guard when I find myself thinking, "Glad that's not me."

I realize this IS me.

When I become a "stage mom," pushing my kids one direction or another, trying to get them to do what I want rather than allowing them to be who they are. Nit-picking at Nathan before he sits at the piano -- what good does that do? Either he knows how to perform or it's too late. Or asking my kids, are you sure that you want to play with him -- what about so-and-so instead? I could go on, but really.... do you need to hear a litany of my mistakes?

Back to Rebekah: Her story ends tragically. Esau overheard Isaac blessing Jacob. He begged Isaac for his own blessing, which Isaac could not do. Esau, understandably angry, threatened Jacob's life. Rebekah overheard that and sent Jacob away. Rebekah died, years later, never to see her beloved Jacob again. (Yep, the soap opera continues.)

She paid such a terrible price, losing the one thing she loved most: Jacob. She pushed him, despite his objections. Out of love, he obeyed. But then, he was gone.

If I push too much, will I pay the same price? I don't know. AND I don't want to know.

Rebekah was imperfect. Her motives weren't always pure. Yet God used her -- and He used Jacob to do great things. That's His love. His mercy. The hope at the end of the story.

I pray that God will help me direct my kids when they need it. I ask that He help me guide and motivate, but please don't let me manipulate. When I do mess up, I know I will, cover my mistakes with Your Grace. Help me learn. Grow. Become the mom you want me to be.