Weeks 8 & 9: Relationships & Lordship

You guys! We’re leaving for outreach in 2 weeks! GULP. It’s getting real, y’all. Last week we had an outreach veteran come and share her packing tips with us. I think her presentation can be summed up in 3 words: Less is More. And therein lies the challenge! If you think of it, please pray for us in these next couple of weeks as we begin the packing process… We need to be focused, think clearly, and prioritize well.

Also, we’ve found out a little more about our travel details — basically, we’ll be travelling for about 24 hours (flight leaves at 6 am on 9/20), this includes 2 planes and one 6-hour bus ride. Please pray for PEACE! There are 12 adults and 24 kids in our group. We were reminded today that God cares for details — and I’m holding onto that, as there are an overwhelming number of details in transporting this many people, this far.

Now, on to what we’ve been learning….

Relationship highlights:

• Good relationships are possible because God IS relationship (order, unity, diversity).
• Good relationships are possible because Jesus came to RESTORE relationship.
• We are to relate to others in ways that reflect how God relates to us (parents, think about your relationships with your kids).
• Every, EVERY, every human has value because they are made in God’s image & should be treated with respect & kindness.
• Sin affects relationships — it’s important to evaluate areas of our life that may not be in line with who God is — we need to be honest about those areas, make things right & seek forgiveness to restore healthy relationships.

Lordship highlights:

• Slow the heck down! Think about what your thinking!!!
• What in our life are we holding back from the Lord, for the sake of convenience or comfort?
• Lordship is giving up MY right to _______________________ (fill in the blank) to the Lord and what HE wants to do in our life.
• The American Dream: A Mere “I Can” Dream (When it takes first place in our lives)– that needs to go!

To all of our friends and family starting school — we love you! We miss being there with y’all! We hope this school year is AWESOME! On our school front, the kids are loving school of a different kind this year. They are busy doing math and reading, and learning typing and Porteguese, the youngers are doing spelling & handwriting. Also, we just found out the kids have spent over 300 hours in their FamilySync classroom! In there they’ve been learning about God, and hearing from God; they’ve had weekly workshops learning everything from magic tricks, art, photography, dance, miming & drama; each week they have “Heart for the Nations”, when someone from another country comes to share about their culture & country (Germany, Brazil, Canada, South Sudan, India, South Korea, Ireland). We’ve spent hours in interecession together. They’ve also participated in outreaches to nursing homes — where they sang & entertained & prayed for residents, they cleaned up a local park, and prayer-walked our YWAM base. They have daily Quiet Time with the Lord (something I’d always wanted to be part of their day, but had a hard time executing). They are truly getting an education of a different kind, and loving it!

To my MOPS/M2M people: I love you! I love you! I love you! I miss you so much! I am praying for all of you — I not-so-secretly stalk the MOPS Steering team through GroupMe & I am so excited for your upcoming year. The leadership team is strong and gifted and talented, and loves y’all so much…. I actually have felt a bit lost, in a way, being outside of these ministries… I know this is right where we’re supposed to be, but man, I wish I could be there too… I can’t wait for recap emails and hearing about the good things God is going to do in your lives this year! I’m going to try to work out a visit in December — I would love to pop in for some coffee & breakfast & fellowship with MY PEOPLE!