The boys absolutely love to travel with daddy when we can. We have had so much sickness lately, all taking turns with different weeks! Thankfully, we were able to go with daddy to Bro. Horne and Mrs. Laurie's church in Chocowinity! (I was really excited to spend some time with my bff's parents! I love them!!)
Most of the time, when we travel to churches, they do not have classes for the older boys. By the way, when I say older, I'm referring to 3 and 4. Evan would do completely fine, but Evan plus Pierson (and plus baby Cohen, too!) in church just isn't happening yet. When we move to Arizona in June, it looks like I'll be at the piano and Myron in the pulpit. I hope the vision I have in my head of my boys misbehaving and cutting up won't really come true! We've got some work to do, but I'm positive that these sweet boys can handle it! (pray for me)
Once we get to a church, I usually scope things out always looking for a hideout room for these two lil men. It would be easy to get discouraged. I've traveled pretty far. I've gotten 3 boys ready really early, normally when others are still in their Sunday nap. (so that means these boys have skipped naps) I've arrived to a church to find myself shut in a room with my 3 boys while the service is going on. Its not easy. BUT, right now in this season of my life, it is my job, and I'm learning to be ok with that. There will be times when they won't need me as much, so I'm going to enjoy this training time while I can. I am thankful that the Lord is teaching us so much a long the way, and that He has chosen us for this adventure!
While the boys were doing puzzles, I looked up on the wall in the preschool classroom and saw the most encouraging sight. These preschool children had our card on their wall promising to pray for us weekly. I was once reminded that we are not going alone. We have children and adults in so many churches around the world who are going with us through prayer.
Usually, right around invitation, I gather up the boys and give them "the talk." I go over how to respond to adults and how to shake hands. I take them to the back doors of the church, anxiously awaiting for the service to end. Then it happens. The doors fly open and the boys come to life. Oh my. Some things they say and do are quite the embarrassment, but the adults seem to smile and love it. Sometimes things seem to run pretty smoothly......
And then it happens. One of the boys will say something that makes me want to die. Literally. Pierson, my middle man who hardly says a word to a stranger, just happened to have a few words he just had to tell this lady that was talking to me. He kept tugging at her purse and she finally looked down and he said, "Did you know that my Daddy kisses my Mommy...EWWW!" He then runs off to catch his brother who is by now probably hiding under a pew. I wish that this was the only embarrassing remark, however, Evan added to it and did a pretty good job. That remark, however, can NOT enter blogland. (Myron threatened me!;)
After church, we headed to the fellowship for some great food! I loved talking to Mrs. Laurie and getting great advice from an awesome pastor's wife. She said something to me that I will always remember. She explained that going through cancer and quitting her job which she loved so much made her really think about her legacy. What kind of legacy did she want to leave? A good career? No. A lot of money in the bank? Not close. She wanted her legacy to be all about people- loving Jesus more, loving her family more, her grandchildren more, her church people more. All about People not a Job. What an example Mrs. Laurie is to me....of strength, courage, and Godliness. I'm thankful that even though I may not actually be "in" the service when we travel, that the Lord can still give me encouragement through His people.
Deputation is hard, but the end is in sight. I know that God will work all of these things out for us and even give us encouragement along the way!
Prayer requests
1. We need monthly support. If you can help us, please click
here. We trust that God will help us reach our goal!
2. We need co-laborers. We are praying that God would lay it on someone's heart to come with us. Of course, we would love if someone would join us indefinitely, but we are just praying for a family to come even for 2 years. Please pray about it.
3. We are praying that the Lord would somehow provide our church with a music man.
4. We are praying for our house to sell.
Thank you for teaming up with us through your prayer and support!
