Missions Trips are Great Learning Experiences

Sam experienced his first ever missions trip. The middle school kids (called Rock Solid) went to somewhere in central Pennsylvania and worked really hard. They were removing big rocks from a pasture so horses could safely graze. Then they went rafting. He had a great time. You'll have to ask him about it next time you see him.

I went to NYC with the high school kids. It was again, serving through work. Each day we worked at one or two different ministries. One day we helped sort some yard at a warehouse run by World Vision. This warehouse is a place for teachers from at risk schools and other ministries to "shop" for free supplies. Another day we led worship at a mission before passing out food and clothes. (Can you picture me singing with the teens in front of the service??? I did it!)

So, both of us did useful, helpful things for others. Sam had a fun time tacked on to the end, the high school kids did not. God used this trip to teach me something that my heart just hadn't grasped before. It is something I would have agreed was true, but I wasn't really living it (which means I didn't really understand/believe/trust). That truth is....


Love comes from God. We fallen humans are so pathetic we cannot long for God, seek and find him without Him giving us that longing...and once we do find him we are incapable of loving him (think agape) without getting that love as a gift from him first. It was an amazing discovery when this truth penetrated to my heart. I am changed. So, all of you who were praying, thanks. God is good and powerful and AWESOME!!!

The rest of our summer is filled with little things. We regretfully cannot travel to TX for my nieces wedding (congratulations Megan!!). We are just keeping busy here at home. Anyone wanna come visit???