Monday, November 17, 2008

Getting ready to go......

I am getting ready for my mission trip.....as excited as I am to go and do work for GOD...I know everything happens the way it is supposed to happen and that God will protect me and if something does happen to me it is because it is supposed to happen to me..that being said I am a bit nervous... because I have not been away from the kids for this amount of time..and even if I have been away for a weekend or something I am able to call and check on them--I will be in a rain forrest with no phones, running water or electricity.....this is going to be such a challenge for me...until 2 summers ago I didn't even go camping--and now I am going on the "ultimate" camping trip.
I have been keeping track of my progress during this journey and we got our journals for the trip--is tells us to write down what we want or expect to get out of our mission trip.....Already just with all of our conferences, cross -cultiral training and fund-raising events I have gained so much..new friends, even new family members (I have been adopted)and a much more enriched faith in God. It is amazing to me that things will change for me even more...When I think about all that I want out of this experience...I really just want to be thankful....thankful for everything I have, everything I am able to accomplish, everything I get to see and experience on a daily basis....it is aprapoe that I am going to miss thanks giving with my family --to go on a trip to learn how to be more thankful for everything in my life.
I know that amazing things are going to happen to me and I am really looking forward to this experience..I will have to totally rely on God to help me every step of the way..just as in life..but you are more aware of that when you are going on a new adventure.
I have planned out menus for my husband for all of the days I am gone, I wrote letters to all my children to have while I am gone--reassuring them that I will be thinking of them quite often and that they will need to pray for me because I will be praying for them....My husband is so great to handle all 6 children ALONE while I am gone...hehe...people ask me all of the time ..What are you going to do with all of your children? it makes me chuckle...Why would their Dad not take care of them? I guess alot of men just wouldn't be alone with 6 children..but my husband loves it..otherwise we wouldn't have 6 children! So thank you so much honey--for supporting me on this venture!
As far as my loved ones rading this blog-----I will miss you all and will share the pictures of my trip when I get back! I will be re-building school that was destroyed in a hurricane..and working with children in the village! I wish I could bring one home with me....that would be AWESOME!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Is this the day of the dead? Where is the celebration?

I had to summarize 2 articles that I found about the history behind the day of the dead...I actually found one that I thought was beautiful in a way and made me want to celebrate this wonderful holiday as well.. I would remember my grandparents that have left me and some other dear friends.
We found a new counselor to help with our kid situation..to also help with our kids that have special needs and to help Rob and I brush up on some much needed parenting skills since we have also never parented teenagers. I feel like we are on the right path and that we will see some improvements soon.
We have had a minor set back with a member of our family because of some of the temporary changes that we have had to make, so please remember us in your prayers.
I am glad Halloween is over ..each year get harder and harder for me to enjoy, as my kids get older they want to dress-up as things I won't approve of and it becomes a fight every year. I think next year I will pay them to buy candy and just forget about the holiday so we won't have to fight about it. The Horton boys celbrated with Landon so of course they could be whatever they chose and I took Jeri, Carl and Clarissa to a church party and then they Trick-or Treated at some neighbor hood houses. JEri was Dorothy from The Widard of Oz, Carl was a skeleton, which was hilarious because that suited him perfectly since he is so tall and skinny anyway, and Clarissa was a Barbie cheer leader. I made all of the kids these fancy halloween bags and they recieved lots of compliments..I should go into business!
Well, that is the most recent update..I hope you all have a great holiday.