When did this baby....
Become this little girl??
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
Happy Birthday baby girl.....mommy and daddy love you more than you will ever know!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
He made a way....
"He" being God, and the "way" He provided was the one to Ethiopia.
I officially leave for Ethiopia on Sept 17....making my mission trip to Ethiopia officially one month and 1 day away.
Since my last post, God provided all that I needed for the trip. We only had to provide about $500 of our own money for the trip. I plan on using birthday, Christmas, and any money made from SweetSamantha (my etsy shop) to replenish the $500 we're spending. God has truly provided for this trip, and I am ever so thankful for my friends and family that helped to pave the way. You have truly been a blessing and I don't think I can ever thank you enough!!!
I am excited beyond words about the adventure before me, and at the same time I am nervous too. Please continue with me in prayer. My number one fear is getting sick. Many of you (especially my fam) know how incredibly sensitive my body can be, and I am praying that I do not even feel nausea while I'm on the trip! I am planning on taking snacks with me such as peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, etc. I am also planning on taking some over the counter meds. So, hopefully that will help in the event that something disagrees with me. Thank you in advance for praying for me, our team, and the people we come in contact with (even those we meet in the airport along the way!!).
I cannot wait to return and share with you exactly how God worked. He's already provided and we know He has great things in store....we just can't wait to see what those things are!!
Next up I'm getting my shots next week, and then just counting the days till the trip!!
I officially leave for Ethiopia on Sept 17....making my mission trip to Ethiopia officially one month and 1 day away.
Since my last post, God provided all that I needed for the trip. We only had to provide about $500 of our own money for the trip. I plan on using birthday, Christmas, and any money made from SweetSamantha (my etsy shop) to replenish the $500 we're spending. God has truly provided for this trip, and I am ever so thankful for my friends and family that helped to pave the way. You have truly been a blessing and I don't think I can ever thank you enough!!!
I am excited beyond words about the adventure before me, and at the same time I am nervous too. Please continue with me in prayer. My number one fear is getting sick. Many of you (especially my fam) know how incredibly sensitive my body can be, and I am praying that I do not even feel nausea while I'm on the trip! I am planning on taking snacks with me such as peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, etc. I am also planning on taking some over the counter meds. So, hopefully that will help in the event that something disagrees with me. Thank you in advance for praying for me, our team, and the people we come in contact with (even those we meet in the airport along the way!!).
I cannot wait to return and share with you exactly how God worked. He's already provided and we know He has great things in store....we just can't wait to see what those things are!!
Next up I'm getting my shots next week, and then just counting the days till the trip!!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The hardest post I've ever had to write
I have a confession....
I have times when I am prideful.
I struggle with pride, and not in a good way. Not in the "I'm proud of my kids" way (although I feel that), but in a "I'm too proud to ask for help" way. Typing that stings....almost literally.
It's not that I hate help. And it's not that I have anything against people helping me.
It's just that.....it's hard for me to say.... I need help.
And especially anything that has to do with asking for monetary help.
Why? I don't know. I just like being able to say "no, it's ok. We can do it ourselves." And in most cases we can. Andy and I are fine financially. We have been working the Dave Ramsey plan, and our finances look better now than they ever have in our marriage. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for that.
But now I am swallowing my pride and asking for your help.
In March of this past year, Andy and I became members at Ewing Road Baptist Church. The first day we were there, an announcement was made about a mission trip the church is taking to Ethiopia. Immediately I felt a tug on my heart, and I knew I was meant to go. I prayed about it, talked to Andy about it, and discussed it with a couple of close friends. I already knew the answer was "go", but my friends and prayers further reiterated "go."
I sent out some support letters, and also noted on my Etsy site that all sales would be going towards the mission trip. So far from donations, Etsy sales, and a little budget tweaking I have raised $965.00. That is a huge accomplishment in such a short time, and I am sooooo thankful for those who have given in support. However, I need more help. The total for the trip is $2300.00 and also I have shots that total $230 (or $330...depending on if I take the malaria medication). To be able to go on the trip I need $1335.00 (does not include my shots) by August 15.
Now there are TWO ways you can help. If you are feeling led to give, then you can make a tax deductible donation to Ewing Road Baptist Church (You can click on the church name and go to contact for the address). It's important that in order for your gift to be tax deductible that you not write my name on the check...instead simply enclose a sticky note or a piece of paper with my name on it and "Ethiopia mission trip", and it will get to where it needs to go. It's also fine if you want to send it to me, and I will turn it in. That is completely up to you.
Well, that's one way you can help, but what is way number two??
Pray.
I totally and completely understand if you're saying "Michelle, I love you, but I can't give right now!" And I'm ok with that!! I love you too! But something that doesn't cost money that I need even more is prayer. Prayer that I and the other individuals on our team would receive the required funding. Prayer that God would make His will clear. Prayer that we would have a safe trip. Prayer that God's love....His gospel....would be shared, heard, and received. Prayer that people's lives would be changed....ours included. Prayer that God would be glorified by our work.
So whether or not you can give does not matter.....what I need most from you is prayer.
I thank you all so much for your donations and especially for your prayers. I would not be where I am today without the love of Jesus and the support of my friends and family.
One last thing! If you've ever been on a mission trip and there's a specific passage of scripture that you leaned on during that time, please pass it along! Thanks!!!
I have times when I am prideful.
I struggle with pride, and not in a good way. Not in the "I'm proud of my kids" way (although I feel that), but in a "I'm too proud to ask for help" way. Typing that stings....almost literally.
It's not that I hate help. And it's not that I have anything against people helping me.
It's just that.....it's hard for me to say.... I need help.
And especially anything that has to do with asking for monetary help.
Why? I don't know. I just like being able to say "no, it's ok. We can do it ourselves." And in most cases we can. Andy and I are fine financially. We have been working the Dave Ramsey plan, and our finances look better now than they ever have in our marriage. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for that.
But now I am swallowing my pride and asking for your help.
In March of this past year, Andy and I became members at Ewing Road Baptist Church. The first day we were there, an announcement was made about a mission trip the church is taking to Ethiopia. Immediately I felt a tug on my heart, and I knew I was meant to go. I prayed about it, talked to Andy about it, and discussed it with a couple of close friends. I already knew the answer was "go", but my friends and prayers further reiterated "go."
I sent out some support letters, and also noted on my Etsy site that all sales would be going towards the mission trip. So far from donations, Etsy sales, and a little budget tweaking I have raised $965.00. That is a huge accomplishment in such a short time, and I am sooooo thankful for those who have given in support. However, I need more help. The total for the trip is $2300.00 and also I have shots that total $230 (or $330...depending on if I take the malaria medication). To be able to go on the trip I need $1335.00 (does not include my shots) by August 15.
Now there are TWO ways you can help. If you are feeling led to give, then you can make a tax deductible donation to Ewing Road Baptist Church (You can click on the church name and go to contact for the address). It's important that in order for your gift to be tax deductible that you not write my name on the check...instead simply enclose a sticky note or a piece of paper with my name on it and "Ethiopia mission trip", and it will get to where it needs to go. It's also fine if you want to send it to me, and I will turn it in. That is completely up to you.
Well, that's one way you can help, but what is way number two??
Pray.
I totally and completely understand if you're saying "Michelle, I love you, but I can't give right now!" And I'm ok with that!! I love you too! But something that doesn't cost money that I need even more is prayer. Prayer that I and the other individuals on our team would receive the required funding. Prayer that God would make His will clear. Prayer that we would have a safe trip. Prayer that God's love....His gospel....would be shared, heard, and received. Prayer that people's lives would be changed....ours included. Prayer that God would be glorified by our work.
So whether or not you can give does not matter.....what I need most from you is prayer.
I thank you all so much for your donations and especially for your prayers. I would not be where I am today without the love of Jesus and the support of my friends and family.
One last thing! If you've ever been on a mission trip and there's a specific passage of scripture that you leaned on during that time, please pass it along! Thanks!!!
My Tomato plant is a diva
Well, technically only one of my plants is a diva. I have two plants and one is always acting up and the other is perfect! Two plants in the same pots, same soil, same location, but one has experienced blossom end rot and scorched leaves and who knows what next! I have come to terms that while the plant is still fighting to live right now that in the end it may not make it. After talking to my Pop (the tomato plant master), I realized that planting tomatoes does take some trial and error. He said, "Oh yeah, I had that happen years ago."
So, I'm not going to let myself be discouraged....even my Pop has experienced difficulty with his plants and had to learn what to do differently. I'm glad my plants have come this far, and I still have one that's in good condition. After all, I can't expect to be a growing expert right off the bat! Next year I'll know even better what to do! And if next year's plants go awry? Well, there has to be at least one diva in the group, right? :o)
So, I'm not going to let myself be discouraged....even my Pop has experienced difficulty with his plants and had to learn what to do differently. I'm glad my plants have come this far, and I still have one that's in good condition. After all, I can't expect to be a growing expert right off the bat! Next year I'll know even better what to do! And if next year's plants go awry? Well, there has to be at least one diva in the group, right? :o)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Night Owl
Samantha has become a night owl.
I really. honestly don't know how it happened.
She goes to bed normally at around 8:30 - 9:00 with absolutely no problems.
Lays her sweet little head down, goes to sleep, and stays asleep all night. (Aren't they so sweet when they sleep?)
NOT anymore! Suddenly my little sweet sleeper has started a new routine..... Oh, she still goes to bed at her normal time, BUT now she wakes up at around 2 AM (give or take an hour). Not only does she wake up at 2 AM.....she wakes up and declares, "I don't want to sleep! I not tired!"
And then she throws a fit!!! Finally, after the average 2-3 hours of convincing her she is tired, she falls back to sleep. (And YES I said 2-3 HOURS).
What happened to my sweet little sleeper? Where did she go and when will she come back??
Currently it's 12:50 AM. And my little sweetie is sitting at my feet working on a sticker book. I KNOW she should be in bed, but trust me....allowing her to do a sticker book is better than listening to her scream. Yes, I could let her scream (and she will probably be doing just that in another minute) but screaming wakes everyone in the house.....even the dog....who stares at me like "when will this end??" Trust me, Giz.....I'm ready for it to quit too!
I really. honestly don't know how it happened.
She goes to bed normally at around 8:30 - 9:00 with absolutely no problems.
Lays her sweet little head down, goes to sleep, and stays asleep all night. (Aren't they so sweet when they sleep?)
NOT anymore! Suddenly my little sweet sleeper has started a new routine..... Oh, she still goes to bed at her normal time, BUT now she wakes up at around 2 AM (give or take an hour). Not only does she wake up at 2 AM.....she wakes up and declares, "I don't want to sleep! I not tired!"
And then she throws a fit!!! Finally, after the average 2-3 hours of convincing her she is tired, she falls back to sleep. (And YES I said 2-3 HOURS).
What happened to my sweet little sleeper? Where did she go and when will she come back??
Currently it's 12:50 AM. And my little sweetie is sitting at my feet working on a sticker book. I KNOW she should be in bed, but trust me....allowing her to do a sticker book is better than listening to her scream. Yes, I could let her scream (and she will probably be doing just that in another minute) but screaming wakes everyone in the house.....even the dog....who stares at me like "when will this end??" Trust me, Giz.....I'm ready for it to quit too!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
New things
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You have to go check out my blog at Simply Sweet Samantha! I'm trying a new sort of post and I need your input! Thanks so much!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
4th of July
For the 4th of July we went to downtown Powder Springs. We enjoyed local pizza, people watching, walking downtown, eating elephant ears (or funnel cakes), watching fireworks, and just simply being a family.
The kids "sharing" the funnel cake.
Me and my boy
Hanging out
Trying a boiled peanut
Watching fireworks
It was a fun time! I'm glad we decided to head out and enjoy....even if it was a late night, it was worth it!
Here's Samantha coloring with free crayons.
The kids "sharing" the funnel cake.
Me and my boy
Hanging out
Trying a boiled peanut
Watching fireworks
It was a fun time! I'm glad we decided to head out and enjoy....even if it was a late night, it was worth it!
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