We Celebrate

Because He made a way, we celebrate!

Because He is alive, we celebrate!

Because He is our King, we celebrate!

May each of you know the power of the living Saviour.

HAPPY EASTER!

~ANDREA

A Storm and Some Purses

What began as a typical day changed so quickly.
Tuesday night our community and surrounding area was hit by a line of storms including high winds and a tornado. The result was lots of damage and loss.

Here are a few pics from our local newspaper

The house above belongs to some friends of ours.
The damage was enough that their home was deemed uninhabitable, until repairs are made.


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The ray of sunshine that came from within this line of storms was that despite all the damage, there have been no reported injuries according to area news stations. What a blessing that is!!! Neighbors have been helping neighbors and many have rallied to help clear the debris.
Our community is still in need of prayer, as the efforts continue. More storms are expected here in the next few days.


On another note........
I wanted to share our current fundraiser with you all!

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We have been blessed with the opportunity to have a My Miche Purse Party. All the profits from the party will go towards our adoption. ***That's right, not only will we get money from the party instead of purse credit. The consultant is also donating all of her profits!!!!
What could be better???? Supporting our adoption and getting a great purse!!!!

I know what your thinking..... how can you get one of these great purses and help support our adoption? Well go to this site find the purse, shell, and/or bundle you like then e-mail us
( jabigg_98@hotmail.com ) and we will process your order. Once we e-mail you back payments can be made right here on our blog through Paypal and the purse will ship directly to your address!

~ANDREA

Up and Down and All Around.... Oh the Journey!

So, why the number 6??? Well.................

For SIX MONTHS we have be officially waiting for our new family member!!! We were placed on the waitlist October 18th, 2010.

And the wait, has already felt a little like this

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We have had our very "high" moments when we are thrilled to be waiting and excited for the future. We have had our "low dips" when it feels as all we are doing is waiting for the lowering of a number. We have had many "upside down turns" when it feels as though we are being swept away by the journey and don't know what to expect. But through each new element and ever spot, we have felt the One, who led us on this path, gripping tightly to us.

We have been stretched and have been shown areas of our lives that God still needed to mold. We are learning what letting go truly means. We have been given an even greater passion to share the hope of the Lord.

Oh, what a journey!!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

~ANDREA

Someone Else's Reality

This past weekend the youth at our church got the chance to experience a little bit of what it's like to be hungry. They participated in 30 hour famine for World Vision. From 8am Saturday morning until noon Sunday, they didn't eat a thing. They spent the night at the church listening and learning about others in need and how they can help. They completed some service work and had fun as well.

(Part of the crew! Grace is in the middle. She had 2 friends that took part in the famine as guest. How awesome to have friends that would choose to go hungry with you for the weekend!)

Josh and I were privileged to spend some time Saturday with the youth and to lead one of the devotions.

On Sunday, after the 30 hours were up, the youth and the rest of the church got the chance to taste a World Vision meal. These meals are normally served to those receiving aide. The kids decided that while the food was not their favorite, if it was the only thing available they would enjoy it, regardless of taste. I was hoping to share some pics but left the house that day without the camera. The picture above was taken with my cell. *Cameras are great.... when you remember them!

The weekend was a wonderful experience for the youth. Their small group (only about 5 fundraising) raised over $3,000 for World Vision. That's enough to feed 100 children for an entire month!

I LOVE to see youth get inspired to help others!

Here are some hunger facts from World Vision:

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  Hunger kills a child every 10 seconds.


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  Everyday 8,000 children under 5 die from hunger.


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  More than 1 billion people go hungry everyday.


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  1 in 6 will go hungry tonight.


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  1.4 billion people live on less than $1.25 a day

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~ANDREA

REVISED: Worship

Worship.

What comes to your mind when you hear that word?

For me it draws many images to my mind.

In Romans 6:13 it states, Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

We are to yield our whole selves to God. Our bodies in their entirety. That means my heart, my mind, my hands, my feet, and everything in between and everything that each of these members of my body do. If my heart and my mind are focused on my creator and savior, it is easier for the other members to be in a place of active worship. I believe we can worship in many ways in our lives

One of them is the act of caring for others.

Loving others and helping to meet their needs is truly an act of worship for me.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable about the day when the Son of Man comes and He separates the sheep and the goats. The sheep on his right are able to inherit the kingdom of heaven. He says because what they have done for the least of these, they have done unto Him.

So, if how I treat and care for others is a representation to God of my love for him, then that in itself is an act of worship.

I want to live a life full of worship, I want to present my best to God. I state that and at times I fail miserably, but He knows my heart and my desires. Jesus knows what I allow to guide me.

A quick story of revelation in my life.

Several summers ago I worked in Nashville, TN with our youth group. During that week, one of the most pivotal moments in my walk with Christ occurred. We were working with Isaiah 58 ministries and serving lunch under an overpass. The ministry from what I can remember, was a bus that traveled around to different locations providing meals, clothing, and first aid.

We had set up several tables outside of the bus and served people as they came. We also sat down at the tables and talked and learned more about the individuals we were serving. I sat down at one point next to a man named Ralph. Ralph was a middle-aged gentleman. Very soft spoken with gray hair and a long shaggy gray beard. Ralph began to tell me a little bit about his life and how he had ended up on the streets. As we continued to talk, Ralph asked me why I was there. I told him I wanted to help remind others that Jesus loved them and so did we. Ralph began to get choked up. He said that he had been praying for people to help. He stated that he believed in God and was just down for a while. We talked a little while longer and then it was time to close up the bus and leave. Most of the patrons had left and I had asked our kids to head to the van. They got in the van and I walked around to get in as well. Then from out of nowhere, Ralph appeared again. He came up to the door and started to talk again. We were pushing time and needed to go. Ralph began to beg us to stay, he asked if we would just talk a little while longer. He tried to put his hand in the door to stop me from shutting it. I told him I would shut it and roll down the window and I did. I felt the push to be on schedule and I felt a little sense of fear. At that moment, I realized some of the youth were becoming a little anxious due to his behavior. I began to pray and then I heard a voice say to me "this is me, Andrea this is me. This is who I am" My heart sank. I knew in this instant this man was no different then me. This man was created in the same image of God, that I was. He was given a life and a purpose just as each of us were. Was I going to turn my back and walk away from someone created by my God? I began to feel myself start to crumble. I tried to listen to the best of my ability until he walked away. The tears flooded my face and began to pray again. I will never forget that moment.

What if we all took the time to look at others and ask God what He sees? I am sure He sees his image and their purpose, when sometimes all we see is rags and a hitch in our day. I also see an opportunity to worship our Creator.

I want to offer worship to my God with my whole self, not just parts, but the whole.

~ANDREA