buy a bunny. bless a child. build a family.

traditions seem to fade as the Gospel becomes more clear.

It used to be that Easter meant ... a new dress. As a child I remember always getting a Easter basket and always having a new cute dress. As I grew up, the Easter basket faded but the "New Dress" tradition kept. But as time has passed, and ever since Nov 2010 (when I went on my first international mission trip) a new Easter dress has faded away. 

You see these traditions that I grew up with and that American culture has held on to... the Gospel seemed to make them diminish and just completely fade away. In all honesty, I'm not so sure that in Africa or Haiti or even anyone in our very own backyard that is struggling to put food on the table really cares about our cute dress (or new matching tie, men). 

It's time we consider what these traditions are and what impact do they have on the rest of the world? Instead of holding onto these traditions to satisfy yourself ... consider the impact you could make worldwide. 

Here's what I mean... You don't have to completely give up on purchasing something new for Easter, but ...

• Consider purchasing a piece of jewelry from ApParent Project to go along with a dress you already have. 
  
• Consider purchasing a stuffed bunny for your child's Easter basket, that won't just end up under the bed or in a closet, but will make it's way to a Ugandan Hospital at Christmas. 

• And if you're just not interested in searching the internet for something worth purchasing, consider giving $1 to save 1 child at Give1Save1

Make smart purchases! Make a difference! Make your traditions mean something more!

“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?” -John 11:25-26 (The Message)

letting Him plan our lives

Stepping out in faith, facing giants, and trusting Him sounds easy, until you have to actually do it!

It was June of 2011, I had been on 2 foreign mission trips, 1 home disaster relief trip and it was pretty clear to me that I shouldn't be sitting behind a desk for the rest of my life, paying bills & cutting peoples utilities at the City of Wauchula. There were a few us in the process of brain storming for SendMeMissions (an organization that didn't exactly exist at the time). And so I began my search for "What God's will was for my life." I began to ask God to reveal his plan, his desire, his will for my life... and I searched. For the next year, I prayed and begged God to show me exactly where he wanted me. I promised Him, I'd leave my job immediately and follow Him if He'd show me where He wanted me.

It was now July 2012 and although I had no direction from God on changing my career (or at least that's what I thought), He had laid it on our hearts to adopt from Uganda. We placed the call to our agency in Sarasota and were told that we'd have to wait 6 months. SendMeMissions was now a non-profit organization, had completed it's first foreign mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Orphan's Heart and volunteers were increasing and getting more involved. But I was still desperate to leave my job and fulfill God's plan in my life, which was still unknown to me.

In September of 2012, I began to fast. Not from food, but from human opinions. I only sought God's guidance in my life, only His opinion mattered, His word spoke clearly during this month and it was crystal clear... I was to leave my job. But where was I going? What was I to do? Why hadn't God revealed to me the next step? And so in October, I shared this with my husband (that was interesting), family and by mid-month my employer. We agreed that since I didn't know where I was going, but that I needed to be obedient, I'd continue to work for a few more months and help the new person hired for my job with their transition.

I thought this transition was going to take place in April 2013, but to my surprise, in January 2013 we received an email from our adoption agency expressing their readiness to proceed forward with our adoption. Shortly after we received this news, my job was posted... It was really about to happen. I was going to be leaving my job in order to go and adopt. God knew these things would happen and that he needed me to be in a place ready for this child. What I didn't know is that he wasn't finished revealing His plan in my life. Just a few days later after my job had been posted, a job became open at our local help center.

It was huge news, but now I was confused... what did God want me to focus on? My baby or my career? Helping 1 child or helping our community?  How was this going to work? There was no way for me to apply for a full time position as an Executive Director, pour my heart & soul into another organization AND adopt, raise a child and pour my heart & soul into this child.

This idea came to me of what could be... what might work... and so I approached someone and asked her to join me in this adventure. Several weeks went by, meetings & negotiations took place, lots of prayer and then it all happened.

We (Lidenia Servin & I) accepted the position, the evening of Thursday, February 28th. I was excited, terrified, nervous, anxious and deep down wondering why God hadn't allowed me to know all this in advance and more importantly, how was all this going to work?

The very next day my morning devotion was on Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

He knew I was anxious. He knew I doubted. He knew I was worried. He knew I was scared. He knew I couldn't do this on my own even though I was excited. He knew that I would adopt & take on a new job in the same year, yet He knew He could handle it all if I'd just have faith & trust Him.

Mark Hall, of Casting Crowns, said at the concert I was at this past Friday night... "God doesn't expect us to plan out our lives... He'll take care of that. We're required to be in relationship with Christ and point others to Him." That's it... it's not my job to figure out God's plan... it's my job to be obedient, faithful and trust Him for the strength.

Sure, it's going to be a challenging year. And I know there are people out there that will doubt or question why I took this job at the same time as adopting internationally. But my God is Mighty! He is strong! And He will provide! And when this all works out in the end, you won't see my strength... you'll see His!

p.s. As we take on this new position at the Hardee Help Center, we will need your prayers, your help, your support. It can't be done alone. But we will shine like a City on a Hill... come and take this journey with us!