pray for their week

spring break is here for the university of illinois.  for our church that means a large group of students, volunteers, and staff have left to serve with amor ministries in mexico.

they drove to oklahoma yesterday and woke up this morning to snow and icy roads.  the roadtrips for these spring breaks are notorious for adventures like this.  it has been neat to follow along on twitter and i look forward to hearing the stories in detail when they return.

the initial destination was ciudad juarez, but with the violence in that city it was deemed too dangerous.  it is sad to me that the amazing work this organization does will be on hold there.  i traveled to juarez twice while in college and the people there are so beautiful.  i pray that the conditions will change and amor can resume their ministry.

will you join me in praying for this trip?  pray for the travel.  pray for safety.  pray for transformed lives, deepened friendships, and the opened hearts and eyes of everyone involved.

one year ago. . .

we were in choluteca, honduras.



we held babies.



we visited casa hogar vida.



we colored.



we helped a mother move her children to a safe home.



we smiled. (and we cried.)



we fed children.



we played frisbee.



we met families that we will never forget.




we made forever friends.



we missed our families.


this time last year, we were forever changed.


You feel the grieving of the broken, And You hold them in Your hands
And You listen to their prayers. . .
You hear the crying of the orphan, And You hold them in Your hands
And You listen to their prayers. . .

Wake up, God, move yourself, wicked men crush Your children
We pray...we wait, how long until you say "Never Again"

[never again by enter the worship circle: fourth circle]

i need a moment

this last month has flown by and i am barely catching my breath. after our week long staycation meets (house)workcation in mid july, we have been on a bit of rollercoaster. between illnesses, fibro, and pregnancy, a slew of parenting issues to tackle, hosting a baby shower, a crazy work schedule for jesse and then add on a much anticipated week-long visit from texas. i am a bit of an emotional wreck right now and am willing to admit it (and i won't even blame it all on hormones).

being involved with campus ministry, this is our go time. we kicked off the fall last friday and will be going strong for the next 4-6 weeks. i love this time of year.

what does this mean? i might not be returning e-mails, updating the blog, or getting on facebook much. but then again, i might. just don't expect much right now. i would appreciate prayer to keep my focus on God and His Kingdom. without His Spirit, i won't be getting too far.

specific requests:

• for the students arriving on campus to experience God's love and community - for our involvement in their lives and with illini life. jesse is jumping back into the band this year!
  
• for the pregnancy to be healthy and smooth over the last trimester (yes - i am now less than 12 weeks from meeting this little boy!). that we would be able to prepare emotionally and physically for the actual labor and delivery, since my two previous experiences were so traumatic.
  
• to meet our goal to get the house in order before cashew's birth - freeing us up from any unfinished projects and organizing until next summer
  
• for our times as a family to be refreshing and fun
• that we would be able to deal with the physical limitations and the emotional stress of my fibromyalgia - i am really struggling with this ongoing battle. after 10+ years, it really hasn't become any easier.
  
• that we would make time for other parts of life. i have learned that i need to feed the creative side that God gave me. but striking a balance between my role as wife, mama, servant, and artist is difficult - pray for wisdom in this area.