Missions Trip Update :)

Nicaragua Missions Trip 2013

Matt has been WONDERFUL about SKYPing  every night.

The WiFi is not always wonderful -- 

The video is not great -- He's using his the SKYPE app. on his i-phone.

So, when he calls he holds it close to the mouth so I can hear him better 

BUT 

that gives me an AWESOME up-close of his

NOSE!!!

All that aside --- I don't care because I at least get to talk to him.

Day #1 Thursday -- Travel day -- 

All went well.

Great flights -- everyone did well.

It was crazy with all of the luggage at the airport.  I can't wait to see the pictures of the small bus for 20 people carrying 23 people AND all the luggage MOST ON TOP!!!  

Matt said it was a sight :)

1 suitcase missing -- with an VERY important piece of equipment.

STILL trying to locate!!!

PLEASE PRAY!

Day #2 Friday -- Fun Day --

They got up VERY early -- 5:30 am

to

Travel to a volcano.

They went zip-lining --

AND -- YES, my husband is a total dare devil!!!

P. Nate IS NOT!!!

Hiking UP on the volcano

They went up to 3600 feet.

Matt didn't know any other way to describe it except

AWESOME!!!

They also went to a coffee plantation.

They got to see the process of growing, harvesting, drying and finally sampling the different coffees.

YES,

He bought some to bring home :)

They did go into the capital city for dinner later on and a little bit of shopping.

After this day -- all of them are EXHAUSTED!!!

Most of the group.  A few did not go zip-lining

Day #3 Saturday -- Work Day #1 at HOH --

Matt and 2 others got up at 5:30 to travel EARLY to House of Hope for specific directions and scope everything out BEFORE all hands arrived.

I got the impression from Matt this was a bit overwhelming as there is LOTS to do!!

Some things were not exactly what they were prepared to do BUT flexibility is what it's all about :)  So, many spent the day shoveling dirt so that they can lay cement on Monday.

Audrey -- Matt's sister AND others moving dirt.

There is LOTS of welding to do.

Picnic tables -- 10, roof lines, beds, etc. 

Actually, Matt does not know how he can get it all done :)

Some spent time staining or working on the office as well.

There are MANY jobs to do.

Part way through the day they did also hire some locals to help!

They left there at 5:30 pm.

AND

They did get permission to arrive earlier next week.

Most of the men are going to arrive around 6:00 am instead of 7:30 am.

YES, my husband was exhausted!!!

As well as the rest of the group.

It was 92 degrees all day long.

Matt does not mind this -- 

he said it is not humid -- he actually likes the weather.

He did make it sound like everyone is doing well.

Bill, Matt's brother-in-law has a cold -- PRAY this goes away!

Everyone is eating ok and drinking LOTS of water!

Where they are staying is nice --

Some got to have contact with the locals -- playing ball -- or kids hanging around them.

Day #4 -- Sunday -- Church and Ocean 

TOMORROW -- DAY #5 -- Work day #2 -- HOH

PLEASE PRAY -- the missing luggage with the chop saw is located

purposeful work -- everyone knows their job and can get it done

they are putting up the frame for the roof -- 

Matt said it will be interesting get this up

PRAY for safety!!

Continue to pray for endurance, safety and health

AND
opportunities to show the locals God's love.

Happy Valentine's Day

Our Valentine's Day

Yes, this one was a tad different as Matt was gone 

BUT

He did GREAT at making me 

AND
the kids feel special!!!

The boys woke up to this:

with very special notes from dad!

The girls woke up to this:

They too, had special notes from daddy!

AND yes, he did this on his own!!!

Me -- 

A mushy card and my Starbucks fix :) that keeps giving!!!

with my favorite special chocolates!

BUT

about an hour after school started I got a special delivery!

BOY, was I surprised -- as this meant he PLANNED AHEAD!!!

The girls had so much fun at their parties --

VERY thankful to a wonderful sister-in-law, who teaches at the school where the girls go.

She stopped by their rooms and snapped pictures and texted them to Matt and I!!!

Thrilled she got to be at her party!

REALLY excited girlies!!

LOVE!!

MD had his girl -- friend over after-school so she could join us for dinner.

They played games and had some fun -- with all of the kids.

Sorry V. -- I didn't realize the flowers were that much in the way :)

I made a YUMMY dinner for the kids.

A different Valentine's Day 

BUT 

It was GREAT!!!

I LOVE YOU MATT -- forever and always!!!!

Thank-you for going out of your way to make the day special even though you were gone!!!!

You're the BEST!

Missions Trip 2013

SRBC Missions Trip 2013

Nicaragua 

     We are so thankful to be able to worship and grow in a church that has a heart for missions.  Obviously, this is something very close to Matt and my heart.  ESPECIALLY, when it involves children and women.

SO, early this fall when it was announced what and where the ministry trip was we KNEW that at least one of us would be going.  

The trip was to Nicaragua

AND

they would be working through an organization called

W.A.R. ( Women At Risk )

at 

House of Hope

houseofhopenicaragua

The job -- 

Building --

finish a ceramics studio, build a new office and construct safe places for women and children to live.

This involves LOTS of cabinetry, welding, and plumbing.  

Relationship building ---

building strong, mutual relationships with nationals WITH the hope of sharing the love of Christ with those who need it.

THE WOMEN in the group will be working in the afternoon with the women and children doing art and craft activities and just working on relationship building and giving testimonies and sharing Christ's love.

There was a small window of time to sign-up because of flights.

Through much prayer 

AND

because of my job as a teacher

We felt it was wise for Matt to go AND for me to stay home.

I was slightly disappointed for me BUT thrilled that we could work it out for Matt to go.  They really needed him to do the welding for the project.

SO

With only 20 slots for travel --

they were filled within a couple of days!!

12 men and 8 women.

Our church had a offering in November 

with the first $25,000 going to the project in Nicaragua.

This $$ was NOT for the 20 traveling -- each individual pays their own way.

The $$ was for the WORK that would be done.

There has been meetings --

Shots -- many of them :)

Medicine to take -- before, during and after!

Lots of prayers of LOTS of people!

Equipment purchased

Packed!!

AND

Loaded in the trailer!

Clothes and of course personals items packed as well!

WITH one final service at church remaining--

our Wednesday night prayer service.

We did a night of prayer --

It was SOOOO special!!!

We ended the evening with the entire team in the center 

With around 100 more people around

Many, many people prayed for the trip --

safety, health, opportunities, everything to make it through customs, open and changed hearts, listen to God's whispers, endurance to get all of the work done

and so much more!

We came home -- 

finished up a bit of packing and off to bed!!

He was up early

as they were leaving SRBC 

at 6 am.

They had a drive, 2 flights with a layover in between and another drive before arriving at the mission house in Nicaragua.

BUT 

They made it!!

AND

so did their 'stuff!!'

YES, I got a call very late...but still he called!!!

Please join me and our church in praying for this team to do mighty things for God (and with God's help) at House of Hope in Nicaragua.

Pray for these women and children that are rescued from the sex trade 'business.'

We want these precious women and children to feel and KNOW the love of Christ! 

FFA

FFA

Future Farmers of America

This is an organization that MD is actively involved in at school --

He is the sentinel on the Montague FFA board 

It is actually a class -- 

that includes many after-school activities, community service

AND

competition.

The National FFA Organization (formerly Future Farmers of America) envisions a future in wh​ich all agricultural education students will discover their passion in life and build on that insight to chart the course for their educations, career and personal future.

FFA website

FFA MISSION

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

To accomplish its mission, FFA:

• Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership.
• Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.
• Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work.
• Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career.
• Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs.
• Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community.
• Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction.
• Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism.
• Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people.
• Promotes healthy lifestyles.
• Encourages excellence in scholarship

MD is competing on the parli-pro team this year.

Parliamentary Procedure.

They placed 1st at Districts.

1st at Regional's -- EXCITING -- as the topic was a bit unusual.

AND

Now, on to STATE

They will go to MSU March 5-8.

This is very exciting!

They will compete AND be able to watch the other areas of FFA compete as well.

As an extra -- they are able to go to a MSU basketball game -- FUN!!

AND

of course, we are praying for 1st so they can go to Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky.

An UNPLANNED new cast :)

Oh, My 

My Dear BaJabs!!!

Yes, she told me 2 times .......

'Mom, the cast is really loose!'

AND

BOTH times I responded ......

'Honey, it is fine.  The cast will be loose around the top.'

WELL,

She complained again at bedtime.

SO

I sat on her bed to reassure her it would be fine.

I gently pulled on the cast while saying,

'See honey, if I pull on it, it will ......'

AND

Before I could finish the cast came off to the knee!!

YIKES!!!

Oh, no I have to see what is under there.

I know .....

Every time the first sight makes me nervous and a tad uneasy.

BUT

It wasn't so bad.  

Yes, lots of dried blood and the pins.

The pins are only sticking out about 1/8 of an inch -- and they have scabs with dried blood around it.

I gently put it back on 

BUT

she was NOT happy.

LOTS and LOTS of tears.

She did NOT want to wear it anymore.

WHICH

made me ask her,

'Have you been trying to get it off?'

AND

the response in a whisper, 'Yes.'

She really hates wearing it -- she likes the color but says it itches and is heavy.

YES, those are all true BUT it has to stay on so the bone heals STRAIGHT!!!

39 MORE days with a cast!!!

SO,

This morning I went to work for the first time AND Bajabs went back to school for the first time!

AND

I called the doctor.

Thankfully, Matt was able to take her to GR

AND

She got a NEW cast!

A tighter, cleaner, glittery

AND
PURPLE cast!!!

The doctor said it is VERY typical for these casts to fall off.  Her leg is STILL healing fine.  YEAH!!!

She was thrilled with the new one

AND

the spoiling daddy gave her --

McDonald's fries and a shake!!! 

(which is something mommy NEVER does :))

Praying this one stays PUT!!!

AND

If you are wondering about the first day back ---

BaJabs did GREAT -- 

I even got a text from her teacher WITH a picture

saying..... BaJabs is doing great!

BaJab's has a wonderful teacher that texted me this picture showing that she was doing well :)

ME....

Well, the day went fine BUT I was so tired :)

Now,

To get Matt all packed up and ready for his missions trip to Nicaragua.

More coming on this -- yes, he leaves VERY early Thursday morning. 

Prayers would be appreciated during the next 10 days!

Daddy Daughter Date NIGHT

Daddy/Daughter Date NIGHT

Yes, this is HUGE deal in our house!!!

The girls think this is absolutely wonderful!!!!

They LOVE that they get daddy for the night and mommy doesn't.

Yes, I make a BIG deal when I go on a date with daddy 

SO

They know it's special!

No worries -- I get a date night 1 to 2 times a month!!

I made dresses ---

1st dresses I've made in AGES!!! No time, lately!!!

Ok -- I didn't think Bajabs would be able to go

BUT

in the end, she's doing SO great that we decided to let her go.

WHICH
made it that I had to finish 2 dresses today.

Yes, 1 was done yesterday and the 2nd one was started last night 

SO

I finished the 2nd one today

AND
the 3rd one was finished 5 minutes before they left!

Nothing like cutting it close!

They looked adorable!

The night is planned by our church.

Matt said there was around 50 there -- WOW!!!

They ate dinner -- yummy!

I could NOT find a picture where Elizabeth was NOT eating :)

They made bracelets/necklaces.

They did build-a-bear.

ABSOLUTELY love this build-a-bear idea!! They filled their bears with joy, friendship, happiness, etc.  They got to pick!!  AND of course a heart!!

Elizabeth filled hers with ALL JOY!  BUT My Darling filled hers with a little of everything.  

I love that they came home and told me all about it :)

They did some balloon making.

All in all -- a wonderful, fabulous night!!!

Really -- a priceless time for Matt with the girls.

We are blessed with these opportunities!

SNOW DAY!!!!!

SNOW DAY!!!

Yes, for ALL of us!!!

Well, today was suppose to be my first day back to school :)

The forecast did not look good 

BUT

It was a professional development day -- 

TEACHERS ONLY day for our entire district.

There has NEVER been a 'snow day' for just the teachers before.

SO

Late Thursday evening Matt and I headed up to school -- about 15 miles north.

Yes, the weather was TERRIBLE

BUT

I needed my curriculum for the meeting on Friday and if I didn't go Thursday night I would have to leave EXTRA early on Friday morning to stop at my school to get it and then head the 30 miles north to the meeting.

It took us FOREVER!!!

5 miles from home I checked my phone and all meetings were cancelled for TODAY!!!

I was sooooo excited.  Not really about more days off -- although, that was GREAT!

BUT

Because I absolutely HATE driving in this stuff!!  

AND

to make things better

We got a call very early this morning that the kids' had a snow day as well for their school district.

We woke up to about 14 inches of NEW snow -- wet and heavy!

ICK!!!

It is BEAUTIFUL!!  As long as I can just look from my big bay window :)

Although it was amazing that there was so much snow and the roads were so bad early -- the sun came out and it was a BEAUTIFUL afternoon and evening.  It was even warm during the day -- ok, warm to us :)  BUT it did get cold in the evening.

The girls did arts and crafts and watched a movie.  Bajabs loved having the girls to play with during the day -- not just mom:)

The boys made a great BIG snowman.

MD went skiing later in the afternoon! 

(getting stuck at 1:00 am bringing his girlfriend home wasn't fabulous, though!)

I read a book and relaxed with the kids.

A wonderful friend brought dinner in for us -- it was fabulous!

It really was a wonderful LAST day off for me --- especially, since it was unexpected.

Back to work on Monday!