The boy whos life was changed...

One year today a young boy who lived in Kampala,Uganda,Africa was the boy who's life was changed because two crazy people along with their crazy family decided to adopt him. Who are these people? you ask. Well they are my Uncle Justin, Aunt Shauna, cousins Ashton, Hunter, Dawson, and Lily. The boy they adopted his name is Isaiah.
Isaiah may have had his life changed because Justin and Shauna decided to take him into his family but Isaiah also changed many other peoples heart. One of those hearts was mine. But more on that later. I am going to give the very brief story on little Isaiah.
Justin had met Isaiah in Kampala, Uganda in May of 2008 on his first mission trip. He felt that the Lord had told him to bring him into his family and call him his own. Justin called home and said to his lovely wife Shauna that he fell in love with Isaiah and that he was going to be their son. After a ton of paper work, a whole bunch of prayer, many tears, and a lot of questioning husband and wife was on their way to AFRICA to bring their son home.
Just to let you know Isaiah was found on the busy streets of Kampala. Heart breaking.
So, during the two weeks that Justin and Shauna were in Africa my family watched their kids. Well in my family there is five kids in theirs four. Plus we had my cousin Brittany living with us and my parents Charlie and Jenay. All together there was 10 "kids" if you will and only two "adults". Because according to my cousin Hunter your not an adult until your married.
You could ONLY imagine the craziness there was. It was a TON of fun though! But on October 30, 2009 we were all set down for breakfast when my mom shared the good news that the Uganda court had come to a conclusion that Justin and Shauna was Isaiah's official parents. God had moved mountains almost just to be able to get that say. That day the house was filled with total joy. Each and every kid had a huge smile on their face!
It was truly amazing seeing what God could do. He showed me that no matter what people say one persons life can be changed just by the boldness of another. God also gave me a HUGE heart for those in need. I am so excited to see what He has in store for my life but right at this very moment I just am always in amazement at the daily miracles He preforms in MY life. A 13 year old girls life. I pray daily that someones life could be turned over to Him. Thank you Isaiah Ryan Vaughan and all the other Vaughans for showing me this. I love you all. Now thank you to the Vaughan family Isaiah NOW knows how it feels to be loved, he NOW knows what its like to have a mom and dad, he NOW knows what its like to just be a child, he NOW knows the Lord Jesus Christ, he NOW knows how TO love.
I am going to leave you all on this note:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come YOUR will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as WE also have forgiven OUR debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the KINGDOM the POWER and the GLORY FOREVER. Amen.
That is found in Matthew 6:10-1

Happy gotchya day Isaiah Ryan Vaughan

3 years of age and the boy whos life was changed and the boy who changes lives. :)

Cleaning a closet for a sister

I am so sorry its been so long since Lashae or I have posted. We both have been CRAZY busy! But I finally had a fun thing to post about. I have had plenty of ideas but I couldn't resist posting this! So as most of you know my family is adopting a little girl from Uganda, Africa. She is 9 years old and the plan is that her and I are going to share a room. Even though we have a while until are process is complete for adoption God works in crazy ways so I decided that since He can move mountains why can't he bring a little girl home from Africa soon? Last night I decided JUST in case the Lord wanted Esther (that's her name) to come home soon then I should kind of have my room ready. My room is cleaned everyday bed made and all that fun stuff but my closet is a complete disaster. So I decided I should have it ready to share. That was an adventure so I had to share with you all about it.

This is ALL of the stuff in my closet piled in the middle of my room. Some where hidden is Reece and my floor.

My pile got a little smaller and awww theres Reece.

Look!!! Its small! Yep Reece is still hanging out with me But at the moment he is re-organizing what I had already done. Hes more entertainment then he is help!

Just to let you know this wasn't done in just a few minutes it took me one hour and thirty minutes. Here is my smallest pile but yet many more minutes lay ahead for me at this point. Look at Reece eye bawling my stuff!

Okay there it is!!! My floor!

Here it is.... My side.


ESTHER SIDE!!!! Yay I am soooo excited!!!

Reece isn't in this picture because he found a whistle in one of my piles and ran away with it. You could ONLY imagine how we were all woken up this morning! :D

It was a really long process but I am glad I got to have the pleasure of doing it! As you can see we already have a few things in there for her and we will just keep adding! :D

Prayers

Reece is sick today...he had to go to the hospital last night...God healed him enough to come home but he is still havin a hard time breathing. He has viral pneumonia. Please pray for him. It's hard to watch...I know he will be fine but it's still no fun being sick. Thanks

--Lashae

My African story

So two people I know have "African songs" as we call it but I have and African story. Only one of the three stories is real. The other two are made up. I have never been to Africa so I could only imagine what it's like there. So obviously I am Charsie, not Lashae, writing this.

In the beginning of every morning the beautiful little girl would wake up to the memories of her loving mother and hatred uncle. But what she remembered most was the tragedy that took them both. The tragedy that happened only three months prior to that day. The tragedy that left her alone and scared in this big world. The tragedy that brought her to the orphanage. But most importantly, the tragedy that brought her to know and love Jesus Christ, her savior.

The "daddy" of the orphanage was once again awaken by the screams of their newest member. He had become used to the screams but knew it was his duty to check on the little, scared boy in the next room over. He came in and the little boy said, "I just had another nightmare about what my mom used to do to me when I didn't bring back food". The scars still showed on his back. But the "daddy" said "Its okay. For God is and always will be here for you as I am now. But his power and love for you is something I could never match." That night the scared little boy became brothers with the man standing in his room. Though they did not come out of the same woman, God united them.

The man was brought to tears as the little girl that stood in front of him, clutching a piece of paper, told her testimony. The words that she spoke were just horrifying. This little girls mother was so past the point of starvation that while the little girl slept she would bite and try to eat this young girl that lay next to her. In the mothers mind she thought that if her daughter got to eat out of the garbage that day then why not just eat her? It got to the point of infection. The girl was rescued, brought to an orphanage, and also brought to God. To this very day she still has scars. But she is no longer a daughter of a mad woman. But a daughter of Christ.

Thank you,

Charsie.

All Done...

yup, that be right. Ima dun with me high skooll ed-u-ma-cayshon. I dun real good. Now i be smart.

Just Kidding...but really...I am done! Today was my last crazy day of high school.

It started last night, when we tried to do a "senior prank" but just ended up camping at the baseball fields. So fun. I did not sleep one bit.

We left the fields at about 5am, headed to Syd's to shower and finish my WR 122 paper.

Once cleaned, fed and ready to go we left Syd's at about 730am.

Walking into the school I realized we were entering the school for the last time as actual students - it is still weird to think about. But it is great!

Right of the bat, I had to participate in a skit in Spanish (yo hablo espanol), followed by a two-hour math final (I love math! for real!) Next I went to the burrito place in town and brought back some tacos for my friends (mostly I was avoiding my incomplete chem labs).

After lunch I went to WR 122 where people read their papers to the class - however I could barely keep my eyes open, let alone listen to what they were saying (I was starting to wear down).

I ended the school day in Chemistry trying to finish up some lab write ups. Eventually, I found the power to focus and just get them done. I handed them in and said, "peace out".

And now I am all done! - with high school anyway. I can't wait to see what God has in store now. :)

*This was part of my small adventure today, I just thought I would share.*

the little things

Well...where do I start? How do I even begin to describe this place and all the things that we have done and seen and heard and smelled and touched? It's literally impossible. However, I can attempt to rehash some of the most precious moments from today...(to be honest though, they are all AMAZING!)

This morning started out a little before 7am...I woke up and ran downstairs to see the sunrise. But, of course, I missed it again! Elicia and I were up before almost everyone and even got to go pound on the door to wake up the "freaks" (chuck and Justin). Breakfast started later today and Emma (a boy - our driver) was on time (that never happens) despite the rain and thunder.

We headed out to Ssenge first thing today, for the last time. Chuck and Maswaa went to working on the roof right away and powered through all day...whether the trusses fit or not didn't seem to matter to Maswaa. He just wants it "tip it straight" and for Chuck to look at him. But they got them up. (Chuck was praisin' the Lord!)

While the roof was being worked on everyone else reformed a human chain and we tossed the rest of the brick pile on down the line...brick-by-brick. The boys were a great help. They are such hard workers. We also had a few extra hands, some of the guys from the Kampala house came and helped. And we finished the pile before snack time.

After snack/break time there wasn't a whole lot to do...other than finish putting up the trusses on the roof, but only a few guys at a time can do that. So some of the boys went for a drive with Lutiya (the guy who started African Hearts). They love driving around!! Elicia wasn't feeling too hot so she spent the afternoon trying to get some rest and watching the action from the front "patio" and talking to boys as they bustled about.

I had the awesome opportunity of learning how to cook chapate (similar to tortillas, but better!) with Moreen (an absolute saint and the most amazing woman ever). She is a great teacher and is incredibly patient. I am not a good cook, but it was fun to spend time with her and learn something new and Ugandan :)

At one point, once I was done cooking, I went outside and played soccer with some of the boys - they made goals with the safety net from the trampoline (they are so creative and don't waste anything). Of course they are all much better than me and go easy, but I still suck. During our game though, two of the little neighbor girls from the end of the driveway came over and stood by the net. I went and said "hi" to them and they instantly clung to me and wanted me to hold them. I happily lifted one into each arm and walked towards their mother who was at the "house" (it is more like a small storage room made with brick and has a tin roof and plywood door).

She was all smiles and giggles when we arrived. The girls were also grinning from ear-to-ear. Neither the girls or the mom spoke hardly any english, so it was extremely difficult to communicate with them. Fortunately, I did learn the kids names (but I cant pronounce them or even really remember them) and was able to just hang out with them while the mom cooked lunch (jack fruit) in her "kitchen"/3-sided shed. I decided to run back to the house and grab some candy and jewelry for the family. Before I left though the mom graciously gave me one of her jack fruits, I tried to decline but she insisted.

When I returned I gave each kid (there were four - a set of twins 4 yrs old, a 3 yr old and 9 yr old girl) and the mom a necklace or bracelet along with some starburst and other candy "sweets". They LOVED it!! One of the necklaces was a cross that said "Jesus Loves Me" and I told them that. Later I heard the mom tell another girl that the necklace said Jesus. It blessed my heart as she said it with a huge grin (missing a front tooth) and excitement beaming out of her.

This part of the day was by far my favorite. The boys even came and played for awhile, along with several other children from the village. It was blast. I didn't understand them and they didn't understand me but we enjoyed each others company.

Before I left I was playing with the girls and spinning them around, they were cracking up!! It was hilarious. I even set one down and she started spinning herself around. She was laughing, falling and having a bawl. Her mom couldn't stop laughing! It was brillant!

I departed with many hugs and smiles and "thank yous". I walked away with 3 avocados and a filled heart! Moments like these are what I am here for. Trying to show who Jesus is by simply loving those around me. I don't even have to speak the same language because, through Christ, I can speak with my heart and my actions. God can, will and does use anything we give Him. Even candy and pictures (they love having their picture taken!!).

There were several other moments that were gifts from God today but I won't blab on about them too. However, they did include: taking pictures with and of the cooks (making funny faces), jumping on the trampoline with the boys, eating sugar cane and talking about life, running out of gas on the way home and saying some very bittersweet goodbye's. These people hold such a special place in my heart and I am going to miss them terribly. Especially sweet sweet Moreen.

I wish I could better capture the Glory of God shining down on this trip and even through this place. Yes, there are some dark and sad scenes EVERYWHERE and yet I find a great sense of joy here and through the people. The simplest gestures can light up their whole world. It's unimaginable and unexplainable. But I love every moment.

I am thankful, blessed, undeserving and blown-away that I get to serve God in this way. He is doing a big work in me, on my heart and through my team.

Thank you all so much for your powerful prayer, excellent encouragement and staggering support. We love you all!

3 days!

I can't believe it! I leave in 3 days. I will be on my way to the biggest adventure of my life thus far. I am SOOOO very stoked! And it's only the beginning. Daily God has moved mountains, parted seas and led the way. I know and pray that He will continue to guide through every SINGLE step we take on this journey (travels included). May each moment be a DIVINE appointment planned by the creator of the universe at the beginning of time. I pray that my team would be like putty in God's hands and we would be bold when we need to be bold. My hope is that we will be compassionate, loving, wise and serve wholeheartedly. May we hold nothing back. Even though we will already be out of our comfort zones I ask that we would each go even further, dive deeper and press harder. Huge growth is gonna happen! I am blessed to be on this team God has put together. My constant cry is that we will be unified in and through the Lord and act as His body. Each one of us using our strengths, weaknesses, passions and knowledge with and for each other to be different parts of the body working together. We must be SOLID in Jesus name. This trip is about bringing glory to His name and Joy to His heart. Might we be healthy, safe and find plenty of rest in Christ. May we draw peace from Him. The enemy DOES NOT want ANY of us to go on this trip. He wants us to worry, stress, feel unprepared and for us to give up and give in. NO!!! We will crush him with the power of the Lord. God is CALLING each one of our names and tugging on our hearts and He is the reason for every moment of everyday. He called and we answered. Now we are on our way to the adventure of a lifetime and the beginning of something HUGE (I don't even know what that means but I BELIEVE it). UGANDA 2010...Here I come! May the glory and honor all go to GOD!! Thank you Jesus for loving a sinner such as me. Amen!

Grand-love!

the picture says it all. a grandpa cant help but love his grandbabies. and a grandbaby cant help but be utterly adorable! Just thought I would share the love. :) this broke my heart in the best way possible.

My trip with dad

Packed and ready to go I was so excited to go to Pocatello, Idaho with my dad. It was 4:30a.m when we left but I can assure you I was not tired! To excited, I get to spend five days just me and dad at a place we both love a rodeo! So after a ten hour drive we made it! We checked in at the hotel, ate dinner, got dressed, and was at the rodeo with in an hour and a half of arrival. At the rodeo I took stats. ( times and scores.)When we got back to the Hotel I was to tired to swim so I crawled into bed, read my book, and fell fast asleep. Great first day.

The next morning, we woke early, ate breakfast, and headed out to the golf course for the cowboy scrambler. We had a team of 4 dad, a friend Edie, Martian, Jerry, and me the golf cart driver. We had fun there golfing, driving the golf carts, and throwing snow balls at a rivaling team. Even though I almost crashed the cart three times not know it was in reverse, or I put the gas on to hard. But we lived and got third place in the tournament. Once we got back to the Hotel I finally got to dive in that pool I have been eyeing since we arrived. But only for a limited time cause it was time to head for the rodeo. Where I ate the best apple and peach cobbler for dinner, and other food to like meat. :)

Another day with its full schedule of meetings, but not for me, the only meeting I have is with the pool. It was as long as four hours. :0 Then a rodeo that night! Got to love it.

The last day and two rodeos today. One in the afternoon and another that night. The night will tell us who is the champion of the events and the winning circuit. We got 5th so not to bad. We had the winner bareback rider so that was good.

Then it was time to head out. This time not tell about 5-5:30ish a.m to get to my mom, sister, brothers, and animals. Even though I had one of the best weeks in my life I was happy to be home. Thankyou for having such a great time with me dad.

Love,

Charsie.

Loving Baby!

Yesterday Reece and I had to go to the doctors office for a check up and a few shots(that's what we thought anyways.) When we get there they were just doing the normal check up stuff the weighing the height and all that good stuff. I was up first so I went on the little bed and she checked my breathing and all when I was done it was Reece's turn. He gets on that table does everything PERFECT! I have never seen him so calm!

Then the nurse left for what we thought was only going to be two shots for Reece and one for me. Well Reece needed four and I needed three. We wanted Reece to go first so he didnt know what was coming. He went up there not even thinking and he got his shots in the legs, two on each side. It was so sad hearing his cry of hurt "mommy ouchy ouchy!" with the loudest screams! So sad. Well it came my turn. I got up and Reece suddenly stopped crying turned around and said "sissy ouch sissy I sorry! "Ooooooo sissy!" It was so sweet of him to put his own pain aside as a little two year old caring for his big sissy even though it didnt hurt me nearly as bad as it did he!

Afterwards I gave him a big hug and a kiss to assure him I was ok. Then he remembered his own pain. But it was so loving to know he doesnt only care for himself in these kind of situations but others as well.

Love you Reece,

Love Chars.

New Blog

Hey anyone and everyone!

My team (for Uganda 2010) has started a blog that we will all be posting on before and

throughout our trip. If you would like to read it and keep up with not just me, but the rest of my

amazing team, check it out www.goseeserve.blogspot.com . . . it is pretty cool to be able to follow

what's going on in the hearts and minds of those I get to go serve with! So please take a minute

and read what's up. Thanks!

Love, lashae

10 things about me

I have been told I need to do this too so here we go.

1. I am the third child of five and I LOVE having so many siblings!!! Lashae is my only sister and I am so glad I have here shes the best! She wouldn't trade me and I couldn't possibly trade her for the world!

2. My favorite color has been and always will be purple. Love it like Lashae loves pink

3. I have never met anyone with the same name as me which I think is fun.

4. I ADORE all kids! I could play with them forever!

5. I LOVE the Lord with all my heart I didn't go to the alter every Sunday but I would ask him into my heart every Wednesday at awanas.

7. Animals are my favorite! Can't get enough of any of them dogs and horses being my favorite but I love them all.

8. I do many sports Cross country, I love to run! Basketball, don't why I love it so much but I do! Rodeo, who wouldn't love it? 4-H, pigs are the best and they have the funniest personalities.

9. I love to bake and cook! Brownies are my all time favorite! But my cousin Ashton makes anything fun to make.

10. Last but not least, writing is my all time favorite subject.

That was fun! Like Lashae said you should do it to even if you don't have a blog you could just write em down or maybe post it on face book.

10 things

10 things you might not know about me (lashae - I'll have Chars do this too) ... my aunt just did this and I thought it would be fun.

1.) Pink has been my favorite color my entire life -- most people don't believe me cuz I don't "seem" like a pink person, but I do in fact love it!

2.) When I was little, I was saved every Sunday (and almost every Wednesday). Whenever the Pastor made an alter call (or whatever it's called to ask Jesus into your heart) my cousins and I would go and be saved. I REALLY wanted to be sure Jesus was in my heart! :)

3.) I am 17 years old and never been kissed -- not that I haven't had the opportunity -- I am just waiting for the right guy. And I don't feel like I am missing out on anything! I am glad I've waited and God has blessed my time of being single.

4.) Ice Cream is by far my favorite food -- YES it IS a food!! Always has been, always will be.

5.) I have a deep passion to serve people. In the past year my desire to serve Christ has EXPLODED upward and I love it!

6.) (goes along with 5) My biggest dreams are to serve/live in Africa and India (at different times of course) and share the love of Jesus in the darkest places and the hardest hearts (everywhere). And in 38 days part of one of those dreams is coming true! Praise the Lord for first steps :)

7.) This summer I am interning at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch and am so absolutely excited, completely blessed and undeserving. God is definitely good. What could be better than kids, horses and Jesus all in one place! It's the best!

8.) My best friend is just that...the BEST. She cracks me up. Cracks herself up. And has grown into a beautiful relationship with Christ right along side of me. It is so great to have someone who just GETS me. Thanks for everything Syd.

9.) I have two "adopted" big sisters (Cassie and Laurie) whom I love more than they will ever know. And one very incredible little sister! I don't know what I would do without her. She is hilarious and so kind to me. It's been awesome to see how she has also grown in the Lord. She is wise beyond her years and is my number one fan! Chars you are a freak and I wouldn't trade you for the world!

10.) In the 8th grade I cut 15 inches of my hair off for locks-of-love. Boy was it short but I am so glad I did it.

Well that was fun!! Now I want others to share!

39 days!

Boy how time flies!! We are now in the 30's of days before we leave. I can't believe it. God is good. I am overjoyed and beyond thankful for this AMAZING opportunity. I can't wait to see what God unfolds in the next 39 days and on the trip. I am excited about my team and just everything!

Quick story I would like to share:

Chuck (my dad) and I went to the doctor yesterday to get our shots for the trip. Before we left, I took all the cash I had saved in my room and my mom gave Chuck all the cash they had saved. We weren't really sure how much we had total and we also didn't know how much our overall cost for the shots, visit, admin etc was gonna cost...we just knew we had to do it.

Once we were at the doctors office, the dr. came in and wanted to know what shots we needed and all that jazz. We told him what we knew we needed for sure and asked him to check on a few. He searched his records and found that neither of us had shot records. Finally, after much looking, waiting and discussing, he found what we needed. It turned out I needed one more shot than I had planned and so did Chuck. (we still had no idea how much the final cost of this was going to be)

As we were trying to figure everything out the dr asked where we were going and what we were going to be doing and all that. So we told him and somehow it came up that I was paying with my own money and he said "well then don't worry about paying for the office visit (normally $99)" I was in shock, it took me a second to remember to say "thank you" and I had to hold back the tears.

Eventually, we both were given the immunizations we needed and I left my money with my dad and headed out for softball.

Later my mom texted me and said something to the effect that "God is amazing! He provided exactly what we needed. Dad left the office with $1.50 in his pocket!"

I was blown away and so blessed. Again it was confirmation that we are being called to Go and that God WILL provide, when we need it. Not before! :)

(sorry if this is scattered and not a great read, but I needed to post it before I forgot)

Must read....

So I know I'm not the first one to do this...but I am making a link to a blog post that I absolutely love and think that everyone should read...so click on the link and my your heart be open.

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-dont-want-my-children-to-be-happy.html

Uganda 2010!

Tickets have been purchased.
Bags are being packed.
VBS is being planned (along with many other plans!)
Books, blogs and Scriptures are being read.

And I have never been more excited in my entire life! (not kidding)

In about 45 days (May 1st) me and a team of 7 other wonderful people, will be on our way to Uganda.

God is changing hearts, moving mountains and calling us all by name. I am so undeserving, yet incredibly blessed.

I am a sinner but I have been forgiven, by grace alone.

I am willing and ready.

My dreams are coming true.

The Holy Spirit is BURSTING inside of me!!!

My heart grows approximately 1000 sizes per minute.

I am motivated, passionate and praying.

The Lord has me in the palm of His hands.

I am overflowing with Joy, peace, excitement, love, hope, faith and wonder.

Because of Christ, I am fearless.

May I NEVER lose sight of God and His plans. May I never doubt Him. I pray that even when I can't see what He is doing, I will walk confidently in Faith down the path He leads me. May God remain the absolute center of my universe and the reason for everything we do during our trip.

I am blessed and totally stoked!

GO! SEE! SERVE!

Uganda 2010
(my first journal entry about my journey)

Needing an answer

Hey there,

I have lots of exciting things to post about and share with the "bloggy world" but before I do that I have a question that I am not sure if there really is a good answer but I do need some input.

Lately I have had many different conversations with several different people with different backgrounds, beliefs etc. But my discussions with them have all come back to one thing....

They are all hung up on the question, (and I'm sure you've heard it too) "if God truly loves EVERYONE, then why are so many people suffering? Whether it be from AIDS, poverty, heartache, disease, being orphaned, abandoned, alone, whatever." Nearly every 'non-christian' and even many - let's say baby Christians, and to be honest "mature" ones too - that I know or have talked to lately, ask me that question. And I feel like I lose all credibility when I can't come up with an answer.

The only thing I ever say is that it's because we live in a fallen world. But then I ask myself..."is that really a good enough answer? is that really the explanation behind it? and how are 'unbelievers' supposed to understand that?"

So if any of you who happen to read my blog have a better answer, another question, comment, thought, anything . .. .please let me know. I am at a loss on this one.

Thank you much.

Lashae
*exciting stuff coming soon!!

Only Reece!

Only Reece as a two year old boy would use his onesie as his pocket. When you change his clothes its only a guessing game if you will just get a diaper or a toy of any shape or size.

Today Luke and I came across his Valentine cards in the pantry and we were looking at all the different cards and we had a few of our favorites. There was one with a picture of a cute little kitten that when you moved the card back and forth the cat comes forward and back. Reece LOVED it so much! Any time we picked a new one up he would say "Kitty?" so we just gave it to him and he was THRILLED. So after looking at the different cards we put them away not even thinking of Reece and his little kitty card.

So hours and hours later Reece and I came inside from doing chores and he goes "shirt, shirt, sissy shirt". So I reach my hand not even thinking and I pulled out a valentines card with a little kitten on the front and Reece reaches up and says "kitty". I handed it to him he says "dan do" (Thank you) and walks off.

It just makes me laugh at all the funny and random things babies will do. More then half the time it makes me smile. :) Especially because they don't think anything of it.

Thanks,

Chars

Trusting the Lord!!!!

I am the mom of these AMAZING Brewer Sisters. I wanted to make a post and I don't have a blog, so I thought I would just take over theirs for a day....My Post has to do with trusting the Lord completely. Such a hard one for me, especially when it comes to my kids: Why I think I know better or can help them or love them better than God is beyond me...but based on my actions this is what I think.



Lashae has made no bones about it; she is CALLED to the mission field....not in 4 years after college....not when I get around to thinking it is a good plan or idea, but NOW! Her words: "I don't know what I'm going to do, I don't know how to pay for it, I don't know what all the details are, I just know that I love Jesus more than anything and I want to tell other people about Him too."



Well, I can reason this away and I have 100 different ways...there's people RIGHT here who don't know Jesus... or, why don't you learn to teach or become a nurse so you can help people become educated or give them medical help....and then you can have a job and more likely afford to do a mission. It never sits well with her. She wants to go and do it now and she wants to to NOTHING else. She does not want a backup plan, she does not want to put it off, she wants to go now- she says she does not have all the answers, she just wants to go because the Lord has told her to go and He will provide all the answers.



O.K. this is where it is hard for a mom especially of a 17 year old girl...who will probably be a valedictorian of her class and has amazing brains and potential in whatever SHE wants to do in her young life. I reason, why would God call her when she has so much potential in so many areas. But here is what I've come to realize; when Lashae is standing before the Lord someday and He asks her why she was NOT obedient to Him - she can not say, "Well my mom thought....or Lord I had so many opportunities for college and a wonderful education." She will be accountable for herself and I don't want to get in the way of that. And just to clarify, even if she never went I know the Lord would still love her and I know that she would go to heaven when she dies, because we serve a God that loves us so much and He already paid the price for us to have eternal life with Him in heaven. But, when the Lord calls and when Lashae has asked the Lord continually what He wants her to do with her life, and He answers...she must respond. She WILL stand before Him someday on judgement day and so will I.......and I want God to say to her, "Well done". And the most amazing part to me is SHE wants NOTHING MORE than to obey. That is how the love of God works....once He lives in us, if we walk with Him we WANT to serve Him we WANT to love His people, we want to do what is laid on our hearts to do.



So as a mom my job is to PRAY, PRAY, guide, press in and know the Lord and His voice for myself, ask the Lord for direction for her, and for me, and for the Lord to give me peace and TRUST HIM with my girl. He loves her more than I do and He will take much better care of her then I EVER EVER EVER could. He created her and knows her heart, I just get the privilege of being her mom and learning as much as I can about her.