Happy Father's Day, Dad:)

Tomorrow we will do something very NON-traditional at LifeNet.  We are going to watch the movie Courageous during our Sunday morning service.  Why?  Because there are dads that will come to church tomorrow and this movie presents an amazing sermon of being a godly father.

We will lavish our love on Lee tomorrow, because he is an amazing, godly father.  The girls have been working on "secret" stuff all week and I will make his favorite dessert.  

what a fun daddy you are:)

always dancing with your girls at weddings:)

and being a nut 24/7...my kids have the best dad!!!

So, now I want to thank my Dad for being who he is in my life now and who he was when I was growing up.  I have the marriage and family life because of the example I grew up with.  I always looked for someone just like my daddy to marry...someone funny, someone secure, someone who was devoted to Jesus, someone who loves his children.

Dad, I have so many great memories of growing up.  Playing in the snow, sledding, going camping, playing games, swimming, so many fun vacations.  I remember you always being very involved in my life, while working hard and supporting our family.  I never knew having to go without because you always were a good provider.  You were at every thing special in my life like awards ceremonies, band concerts, you name it.  You walked me down the aisle on my wedding day and held me strongly on your arm as it was my most nervous day ever.

I know as a little child, I was challenging at times, full of energy, doing crazy stuff.  But you always loved me. You never withheld your love because of my actions.  Thank you.  Thank you for setting an example of unconditional love and patience.

Now, as a papa, you are amazing as well.  My children love to play games with you.  They love to learn from you.  You have so many things you pour into them.  I am sad that we are farther away now, but the time we have together is that much more precious.

I look forward to seeing you and hugging you in a few weeks.

I love you Dad!!!  Happy Father's Day...

you patiently taught Erika Chicken Foot...truly her favorite game now...

everybody always wants to sit with Papa

you have been a good, loving husband to my mama....one of the best gifts you could give me as a daughter...

what a joy to have you and Mom along on our trip to Israel a few years back

and you and Mom were there with me every tear I cried and  every prayer I prayed in the adoption process...I cannot tell you what a support you were and are with this little girl

and there you are, supporting me with a smile in the background, as my dream came true

Wow, that last picture teared me up.  Dad, I pray that on Father's Day this year, that you know what a heritage you leave.  You have 10 amazing grandchildren and one on the way...What a blessing for this new little niece of mine to get a Papa like you...And thank you for the amazing father you have been to me.

145 people in a room made for 75

Wow, today was super crazy and sweaty again!!!  Even though we rent a building with AC...

We had a packed out house today.  Three of the Life School of Ministry team taught the children...37 of them to be exact, while the adults stayed upstairs and listened to Pastor Sam.  It was an amazing morning full of ministry.  I was so blessed as the people I love here were ministered to by the people I love in Katy.

Then we rushed to clean up the building and send the team off to the airport.  It was hard to say goodbye, but I am thankful we will see them all again soon.

Life Advance touched so many people so deeply.  I am going to try to work on a DVD for Life Church to see all the testimonies of what God did.

Here are just a few pictures of the past few days, and I am sure more will pop up on Facebook as the team lands and unloads.  I cannot wait to see them.

Yes, my crazy husband let me baby hold this thing!!

Even with several kids missing Thursday night due to graduation, we still had a full house, and the team broke into small groups and really ministered.

So fun setting up for the Life Advance with the ladies...they all made it so pretty.

Simple, but nice, I thought...and we can save the decorations for next time...

Then we went to check on the rest of the team as they put in new swings.  A testimony from this morning:

This morning a lady who comes to church semi-often came in and said, "I've been away, but I'm back...and wanted to tell you...my girls hate to go to the park and all the swings are broken or missing... We went this weekend and they were like, Mom, LifeNet put swings in and so now we can enjoy the park again." And that is why we do what we do...

Casey, I love the bling:)

LIFE ADVANCE: Dinner

Happy 5th Anniversary to one of the sweetest couples I know...we were at their wedding 5 years ago and it is one that I will never forget.

This is for Sara's mama...look at those precious toes and fingers...

Remember that baby shower in January?  Well, this is precious Eden...I love her:)

We had FOUR nursing babies at the Life Advance...this is the baby table, where we guard that they didnt fall off, but could stretch out a little...

Yes, and I love these babies...

This is our family after church before the team left, yes, Im probably a little teared up...it was a sweet time for us...

Julia...thank you for loving me daughter like you did...you are very special.

Yes, every picture of Erika...Lisa is holding her...major bonding this week for sure...

Rianie took this...HALF of our room this morning...we were packed!!!

Watch out:  Jesus has big plans for this girl...Freshly graduated and open to the Lord...she is a blessing in our lives...

Love these pictures...Bobby came all the way to be a big brother to Tori...such a precious young man...

Too cool guys, for sure

And we will end on this note...another cute pic of Eden...

Life Church on TV news here in Belize

Belize News | Plus TV Belize

First Belize Life Advance

I sit here, sweaty, exhausted, and my heart overflowing with Joy.

Our first Life Advance was preceded with weeks of attack from the enemy...but he did not win...

God transformed homes, families, people, this weekend.

The Holy Spirit showed up in a  powerful way.

I can't wait to see the long term effect on LifeNet.

This week has been exciting, emotional, a reunion of sorts.  Those we have pastored in the past now ministering to those we pastor now.  Wow, two families blending into one.

I want to thank Bobby and Lisa for being the most amazing couple pouring into my Erika all weekend...

I came home to a very happy girl and a very clean house.  They allowed me to be able to be a part of the ministry going on all weekend.  And ministered to me by loving on my girl.

Friday morning, members of the team got to be on Rise and Shine, a national TV show here in Belize.  Then, later, on the news, Pastor Sam got to share about what the team is doing here this week, and it showed the team replacing missing swings at the parks.  

Its been a cool week and the Lord has done so much....so much.  One of our members' birthday is today.  She said the Life Advance was the best gift.

Life Church...thank you for coming here to minister to LifeNet and beyond.

Oh, and when I recover a little...I will post more pics.

Pray that all the Lord did...continues to bear fruit.

Refreshing

For almost 10 years, we called Life Church home.  I think the longest I ever lived anywhere in my life...was Katy, Texas.  Part of my  heart will always be there.

This week, 18 people are here from Life Church's School of Ministry.  And it is so refreshing.  It is like family visiting.  There is so much to catch up on, but more than that, just ministering alongside those I love...is so natural.

Today, we relaxed at Jaguar Paw, while half of the team went tubing.  I didn't realize I was in the sun and never put sunscreen on...I am bearing a sunburn now.  I am exhausted tonight, but had such a great day.

The next four days will be a whirlwind of activity and intense ministry.  Then we will hopefully rest Sunday night and Monday.  But I am so excited to take LifeNet, our new family here in Belize, through the Life Advance, this weekend.  It wont be quite the same as we did it in the states.   We wont have an air conditioned building, fancy decor or over the top refreshments.   But the ministry time will still be powerful.  I have a million things to do to prepare...but am so excited.  So excited for what God is going to do here, in the people I love in Belize.

It is really cute because Erika has not seen many of these people in 18 months-2 years (because we travelled around the last 9 months in the states)...but she is loving them all.  She cant remember all their names, but remembers their faces and that they love her.  She asked Lisa, "Do you remember me?"  and was shocked when Lisa said, "I knew you ever since you were a baby..."  This is the church, the family, that stood by and supported Lee and I through so much during the foster to adopt process.  And this is the family that is still standing beside us as we serve here in Belize.  We are so blessed.

We have been busy and I have been horrible about taking photos...but here are a few...

Pastor Sam, Susanna, my girls, Lee and I, Bobby, Mike, John and Teresa all stayed behind while the others floated down the river.  Then we all enjoyed a yummy lunch by Maria:)

Bobby and John

Erika Posing

Beautiful Susanna

Erika had so much fun with Ms. Susanna

Lunch: We were hungry and it was good:)

Lisa's shadow

playing football with Bobby and Lisa:)

One set of newlyweds...