Unbelievable.

I've posted a million times about how quickly my girls are aging, while I, believe it or not, seem to stay the same age. Yep ... 28 (wink). 

Well ... It's unbelievable to thing that this 28-year-old is today the mother of a 14-year-old.

K Belle, my first baby girl was born 14 years ago today at 12:37 p.m. after approximately twenty hours of labor. She was definitely worth the pain and agony. (La Petite Belle, on the other hand, decided to add two more hours to my laboring skills and let's not even talk about the 2 hours of pushing ... that little stubborn thing. Yeah, yeah ... again ... still worth it, but I'm a little bitter.)

We've been reminiscing over old videos of K Belle and her sister. Beau and I have sighed,  "ooh"ed &"ah"ed, and mentioned how much we miss those little girls. (sigh again)
(Here they are again ... sigh.)

(That's her on the right with her best little friend from Tulsa, KK. She was already rockin' the off-the-shoulder look.) 

It's a big year for K Belle ... new school, high school, & being the big 14. Lots of responsibility.

I can't wait to see all God has planned for this not-so-little girl! 

Happy Birthday, K Belle! We love you and are so proud of the young woman you are becoming!

And ... just for old times sake (and because this is what moms do every year their child gets older, despite their child's pleas not to show such a thing) ... I just want to listen to her sweet little-six-year-old voice.

Love you, baby!!

I pity the boys who try to date my daughters.

Beau decided to record K Belle's voicemail message for her. 

Well, actually, I'm pretty sure they were in cahoots on this. La Petite Belle had me call K Belle's phone over and over again just to hear it as she busted out into laughter each time.

Kinda ridiculous.

Hey ... whatever it takes, right?

Oh ... this is just the beginning. He has many other things planned. All boys beware.

Just when you're feeling pretty good about yourself ...

... there's someone who wants to bring you down.

That's usually how it goes.

My time in El Salvador was powerful as evidenced by the stats I put up yesterday. Who wouldn't be moved by seeing 226 decisions for Christ? Who wouldn't be moved by a people that so long for love and hope? Who wouldn't be moved by children who just want you to hug them or hold them on your lap? We had tremendous times of prayer within our team, not only for the people of El Salvador and the programs we did, but for each other, and even for ourselves.

We really had a great team.

The girls!

The boys!

However, one of the most powerful moments for me happened in the airport on the way home.

The camp we stayed at was about 2 hours from the airport and we had to be at the airport 3 hours before our flight. This resulted in a little less than 2 hours of sleep. Sleep for me is a necessity. I don't do well without enough of it.

We went through customs and all the massive security (I got pulled aside for a pat-down right before entering the plane due to my suspicious athletic shorts, flip-flops, Christian t-shirt, ponytail, and glasses.). Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for massive security when entering into the U.S. They can pat me down anytime if that's gonna make our country a safer place. Pat away!

As we waited for our plane to arrive, the seating area was quite full. Many people were standing. The person who was sitting by me decided to give up his seat to an older gentleman, which was a very nice thing to do. I didn't think anything of it.

Then, the man started to strike up a conversation with me. (A - I'm not a big conversationalist with strangers. It's something I'm working on. But, mostly I read and keep to myself. & B - I had only 2 hours of sleep. I was a bit cranky.)

He asked what we were doing in El Salvador. I was friendly and answered that we were returning home after a mission trip.

He asked what we did on this mission trip. I answered that we basically did children's programs on the streets and in some schools where we loved on the children and told them about Jesus.

He seemed content with that answer and there was silence for a few minutes or so.

Then he asked me if we were affiliated with any denomination.

To which I answered, "Yes. Assemblies of God."

He said, "And, what do the Assemblies of God believe?"

Geez Louise. I didn't have our 16 tenets of faith with me so I couldn't pull them out.

I hesitated and said, " Well ... first of all, like most Christian denominations we believe in Jesus and that He is the only way to God and to heaven. There are many other things that we could go into. What specifically are you wanting to know?"

I started to get an uneasy feeling here.

He said, "Well, do you believe in heaven?"

I said, "Yes."

He said, "Where does it say in the Bible that there is a heaven?"

My mind went blank and all I could recall was John 3:16. Ridiculous. Two hours of sleep kickin' in! I was irritated that I didn't have an arsenal of Scriptures to pull out, but I knew they were there.

So, I said, "John 3:16 says that if we believe in Jesus we will have everlasting life. Jesus also spoke of being with Him in heaven when He was on earth. And, Revelation describes heaven in detail."

Then he began to explain, very intellectually I might add, how there was no heaven. He spoke eloquently, quoted multiple Scriptures, and barely took a breath for me to have even a moment to speak up about anything. 

Actually, I couldn't even tell you right now what all he said because I kinda checked out halfway through his explanation. Something about blood and water flowing from Jesus' side and God never saying we would be with Him in heaven and about the new heaven and new earth. Blah. Blah. Blah.

As he was speaking, I was thinking ... I did not come off of this incredible mission trip to get into a theological debate with this guy. I came to share the love of Jesus, not talk to Mr. There-Is-No-Heaven. I honestly just wanted him to stop talking and I would politely try to get myself out of the conversation.

Finally, he breathed and I simply said, "Well, I disagree with you."

He said, in a very ugly manner, "Well, you need to read your Bible."

I smiled, got up and walked away. I was shaken. I felt attacked.

Really? Is this how fellow "Christians" act toward each other when we disagree over an issue. I put quotations because I honestly don't know if he was a Christian. Why he was trying to sway me with his belief boggles my mind. 

Then I realized he was there with other men who were preaching the same thing he was. He was on a mission trip too. 

Simply stated: Just as we are trying to win the lost, so are they ... people with false doctrines. It broke my heart. They are trying just as hard as we are. We must try even harder to reach the lost with the TRUTH.

Jesus is out only hope. Heaven is our promise. I think I'll have to put these to verses to memory.

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

—John 14:1-3

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

—Philippians 3:20-21

The Way It's Been

I haven't felt like writing lately.

I haven't felt like documenting much of anything lately.

And, the crazy thing is that I have had so much to document.

God did amazing things in El Salvador:

1226 people reached with the Gospel

226 salvations

110 needs prayed for

7 miracles

Yes. Amazing!

Here's our team ... Great, great team!

The entire experience was life-changing for all of us. I still firmly believe that every person should go on at least one mission trip in their lifetime.

After the week of intense ministry, I was exhausted. Exhausted in every way.

I arrived home on Saturday evening, frantically washed clothes, and was back on the road again at 8:00 a.m. for a multi-family beach vacation.

I was ready to relax. And, yes, there were moments of relaxation. 

Here's proof of that.

Unfortunately Beau and K Belle burned to a crisp the first day. La Petite Belle ... the third day.

I even got a date night with the hubs.

I had a great time, but continued to feel exhausted. I was on vacation, but exhausted.

We came home and had a full weekend. No break. Right back at it. I was exhausted. Does that even make any sense that I would need some rest after my vacation? I am still exhausted.

I'm not sure why, but honestly I have not one desire to do anything but sleep and sit on the couch. If you know me, this is not me. I'm constantly on the go.

I'm hoping to recuperate this week and get the spring in my step back and my desire to blog or step foot out of the house back. A little Prozac may help. (Relax. Just kidding.)

Until tomorrow ... 

(unless I'm exhausted again).

Buenos Dias!

As you read this, I am training to do ministry on the streets of El Salvador for tomorrow morning and the rest of the week.

I'm at this place.

This is my second time at King's Castle. I fell in love with the incredible ministry Don and Terri Triplett do, not only in the country of El Salvador, but around the world. Only one word can describe it: Awesome!

(Here's Terri & me from last year.)

This year we bring a team of 17 people, which include men, women, and youth.

I posted about my last trip here with lots of pictures.

(Hanging out with the kiddos during a children's program last year.)

(Our all-girl team from last year.)

I would appreciate your prayers as we minister to the people here. I know God will do great things, not only in the lives of the people of El Salvador, but in our own lives. I am expectant! 

My prayer is simply, "God, use me."

(Needless to say, I will not be posting the rest of the week. What will you ever do without me? No worries. I'll be back soon!)

Celebratin' Cajun-Style

I don't know how you do things in your neck of the country, but down here we like to get down.

 When Kool and the Gang asks the question, "Uh, whatcha gonna do? Do you wanna get down?" Cajuns all say a resounding "YES"!

Last night we celebrated my precious friend, Jane's birthday. She's the young one of the bunch. I won't tell you her age, but when I was a senior in high school, she was in elementary. How irritating, huh? Boo.

However, time is only on her side for a short while longer until she meets up with me and the others. It's all downhill from there, sister.

Whatever. We don't even want to go there. Moving on.

We celebrated her birthday Cajun-style. 

Here's the whole gang. (She's the blonde one in the middle.)

We ate a good 'ol Cajun meal, while listening to a live Cajun band.

I hadn't eaten boiled crabs in years, but attempted to last night. They were delicious, but we ate for about 2 hours. That's how long it took for us to peel 6 crabs each. Pitiful. And, I am half-Cajun, people. I grew up here.

Most Cajuns would disapprove of the wearing of gloves and bib, but if you would have seen how much juice squirts out of these things, you would have worn one proudly too.

There's another thing that I am not good at in relation to the Cajun culture. Again ... I was raised here. I, for the life of me, cannot Cajun dance very well. Oh, I did it, but it wasn't pretty. Here's Sonia and Jane showing how it's done.

Being the party animals that we are, we choose to hang out past 10:00 p.m. and get yogurt. I know ... livin' on the edge.

Happy Birthday, my sweet friend! I love you!

Restless.

I tend to get restless.

I wonder if I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I wonder if I'm doing enough. I wonder if I'm good enough. I wonder if I'll ever be good enough. I wonder how I  can be better. And the list goes on and on.

Surely I'm not the only one. 

(Beau would respond ... "I don't know and don't call me Shirley.")

Yes, I hear you. Could it be that you're reaching a certain age?

Could be. I'm definitely not the young, but I am the restless. (Get it? I made a little joke.)

But, maybe it's a good thing to get restless now and then. To question where you are in your life and what you've done for God. I have always wanted to do great things for God. Still do. So much more I want to do for God.

I'd like to nestle my tush somewhere in between content and restless instead of camping out at each side for a while. That would be nice. But, here I sit right next to "restless".

I came to the realization just yesterday that I do a lot of things out of obedience. I know, shocker to both you and me. I thought I tended to lean toward the rebellious end of the spectrum. But, low and behold, God showed me that pretty much everything I do for Him is out of obedience, not out of desire or sometimes not even out of enjoyment. But, I do them. Even frustrated, irritated, tired, I do them.

Sounds bad to only do things out of obedience. I want to do them because I'm totally in love with Jesus.

I want to be obedient. I really do. It's the most important thing in my relationship with God.

But, I'm starting to question whether or not God really wants me doing some of the things I am doing in my life if I'm only doing them out of obedience.

Good question, huh?

Do we just do things for God out of obedience or should we also desire those things? Do we necessarily need to be using all our talents for God all the time? Maybe there's time allotted for sitting out. Bench time. I think I'm gonna have to search that one out in the Bible.

I literally thought I heard God say, "I don't care anymore" when I asked Him about quitting a certain situation. But, now that I think about it, that was probably me.

OK. I'm done. This is just me. Being restless. Being that daughter who's always asking God question after question after question.

Sometimes I wonder if God's just needing a time-out from me and wants to tell me what I have to tell La Petite Belle sometimes, "I'm gonna need you to just stop talking for 5 minutes."

All the Single Ladies

An interesting comment was made on one of our many treks around town yesterday.

The girls and I were discussing an upcoming wedding we're attending this weekend and La Petite Belle asked one of the most important questions in her mind: "Will they be throwing the bouquet?"

K Belle and I assured her that they would. And, that maybe she should sit out and let the older unmarried ladies catch the bouquet, seeing as her record stands at three bouquets caught. I think she sees it as a sport. She's competitive like her daddy (cough, cough).

La Petite Belle reassured us that the bouquet-throwing was just a "myth" anyway.

K Belle mentioned that she would be depressed if La Petite Belle were to get married before her.

To which La Petite Belle responded, "You're probably going to be an old hag widow (not realizing that that means she would have been married) while I'm in my mansion splitting a t-bone with my husband."

Mansion + T-Bone Steak + Husband = Happiness

I'd say she has her priorities pretty straight.

Wish me luck in trying to distract her from the anticipated bouquet-throw!