Hurricane Dean

Only a week after I return from Jamaica and a hurricane is rushing toward the small island. I've spent the last few days asking the Lord for His protection on the people we stayed with in Montego Bay, and also on Michelle and the children at Robin's Nest.

Everytime I heard "hurricane Dean" I thought of Dean, and how I wanted to hold him because he didn't have a mom to hold him when he was scared.

Throughout the weekend, I have received several update emails from the leader of our missions team. The only damage done to the Nest was a tree falling on the fence. Everyone is so grateful for God's protection during this storm!

My Babies in Jamaica

This is Dean. He's five years old. I spent a lot of time playing with him. Dean is so full of joy and loves to sing and dance.

This is Shammoy, he is 9 months old. He is a very content baby.

Enoch is 1 1/2 years old. He loves attention, and, of course, I didn't mind giving it to him.

This is Ian. He is also five years old. Ian is eating a Guava in this picture. His twin sister and 3 year old sister are also at the nest. Ian has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the terrible things his young eyes have witnessed.

These are just four of the sweet, beautiful Jamaican children at the nest.

A few of my highlights were:

1) Meeting precious Tamara whom I have been praying for since February.

2) Listening to 8 year old Gabriel sing. I have never heard a more pure and beautiful voice!

3) Rocking 3 babies to sleep on Thursday morning.

4) Seeing the love these children have for each other.

5) Experiencing the joy all of the children have, demonstrated by dancing and singing to Jesus.

6) Walking into the room, and seeing Ion (who has CP) light up with the most beautiful and contagious smile.

7) Playing spoons with the team.

8) Riding the bus up to the nest, at the very top of a Jamaican mountain, everyday.

9) Swimming at Glistening Waters.

A few of the harder things on the trip were:

1) Getting used to the heat and humidity

2) Having to do concrete work most of Tuesday and Wednesday.

3) Being completely worn out by 1:00, and then working your tail off until 7:00.

4) By far the hardest part of the trip was leaving the kids on Thursday afternoon, and knowing that I was going back to America, and that some of them would never know a real family.

A huge blessing on this trip was that everyone got along perfectly. There were no conflicts, whatsoever.

After leaving the nest on Thursday afternoon, our bus driver, Chris, gave us a tour of the "real" Jamaica. While riding through the slums, Courtney commented that all of this injustice will one day be made right. That tour is one of the things I will remember most vividly about Jamaica.

Jamaica Missions Trip

Hey everyone! On August 4th, I will be leaving for Montego Bay, Jamaica, where I will be working in an orphanage called Robin's Nest.

I am very excited for this trip, and, by the Lord's grace, not at all nervous.

Would you please pray that the Lord would bless the ministry of my team as we encourage the people of Jamaica.

More when I return...

If you would like to know more about The Robin's Nest, visit: http://www.robinsnestchildrenshome.org/

Ice Cream

Today is National Ice Cream Day! Everybody celebrate! I am very happy because 1) ice cream is one of my favorite foods, 2) we have cookie dough and carmel fudge brownie ice cream in our freezer, 3) this being national ice cream day, large helpings are practically imperative.

The Glory of the Lamb

I love this song by Sovereign Grace:


A day is coming, coming soon
When we shall see your face
And how our hearts are yearning for
That outpouring of grace
When You take all the galaxies
And roll them up like a scroll
When You make heaven and earth anew
And eternity unfolds

Then the glory of the lamb will be
All the we have longed to see
And we'll praise Your splendor
Majesty and might
There will be no darkness, be no night
We won't need the sun or moon to shine
For the glory of the Lamb will be our light

Although we see but dimly now
Our hearts are filled with love
For we have tasted and have seen
How good Your are, O God
We know that our redeemer lives
And someday You'll return
And we shall see you with our eyes
O how our hearts do burn

Then the glory of the lamb will be
All the we have longed to see
And we'll praise Your splendor
Majesty and might
There will be no darkness, be no night
We won't need the sun or moon to shine
For the glory of the Lamb will be our light

The Cabin

My 3 year old cousin, Kate.

While watching fireworks, Kate said that the people shooting them off were trying to kill the sun. She also waited patiently 'til, near the end, she finally saw a yellow one.


My 5 year old cousin, Carson

One of Carson's favorite things to do at the cabin is the mini golf course, which he calls the kid golf. Every hole, he would go before me and show me how to get the ball in "the special hole".

These pictures were taken on our vacation at the cabin over the 4th of July.


Many other exciting aspects of being at he cabin included the day on the pontoon (mild sunburn), driving golf carts, and late night bonfires.

The Creed of a Bold Jesus Follower

We were given this creed at a summer retreat a few weeks ago. I was really challenged and encouraged by it, I hope you will be, too.

(writen by a young African who was martyred for his faith)

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made -- I'm a disciple of Christ!

I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure!

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talk, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

My face is set, my course is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyong knows, work till He stops me and when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.

With this knid of resolve we will, with God's help, have strength to survive against our cultural stream, or perhaps even reverse it. Of course, we are a minority, but armed with the promises of God we can have spiritual impact that is greater than our numbers might suggest.

It may come down to this question: Are you willing to pay the price?"