GOOD AND WORN OUT

Today was one of those days that wear you out but only in the best day. Over 300 homeschoolers hit Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center for our annual field day.

We hung out with friends, swam, came across interesting critters, played on the swings, slid, canoed, rafted, rested in the hammocks, splashed, hiked, ran, laughed, climbed, fought battles, watched, ate huckleberries, and took lots and lots of photos. This is just one of the dozens but it will have to suffice as this very blessed mama needs to get in bed. Tomorrow might not be as physically active as today, but I'm sure it will be just as full.

 

HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS

Today's blog post was written a few days ago by Maegan Mitchell, one of the We Will Go missionaries that we serve alongside. When I read it, once again, I was humbled and also honored that God would make me a mother and give me children that He is using in amazing and powerful ways, even the youngest, my seven year old Merry. 

There is hope for the hopeless. No, I'm not just talking about the homeless or someone that does not know Jesus. Actually, I am talking about myself.

Last night, I cried out to the Lord for vision and hope - not because I never had them. I cried out to God because I'd grown weary of carrying the dreams and visions He'd given me against the current of my circumstances. I have yet to see all the Lord has said come to pass.

But, God has been so gracious and kind to keep reminding me to hold fast to what He has given me. I walked into our We Will Go team prayer desperately longing to hear from my heavenly Father.

I had just gone through a legalistic list of why I wasn't seeing what He has shown me come to pass. I thought, "Am I not praying enough, am I not fasting enough? I did eat after sundown yesterday." To be honest, I'm probably not doing enough. I could never do enough.

But, the Lord said to me, "Maegan, you've done everything I've asked you. I asked you to trust me and you are." How is it possible that the God of the whole universe is pleased with me? I realize, even now, He sees me covered in the blood of Jesus. He is faithful and I follow - sometimes maimed, limping along, and several steps behind where I feel I need to be. He gives me the strength through his Holy Spirit to follow.

By the time I arrived at team prayer, I didn't want more prayer. I didn't want another meeting or more worship music. I wanted and needed Jesus, face to face. The Holy Spirit directed me to sit by one of our youngest missionaries, Merry. She asked to borrow my phone to use my bible app. She immediately went to Galatians 6:7: Do not be misled- you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

I asked her, "Did you write that verse, and place it on my family's home on Houston Ave?"

Merry replied, "Yes, but I didn't finish it." The part she didn't write on the card then, was meant to encourage me at that moment." YOU WILL ALWAYS HARVEST WHAT YOU PLANT. God used Merry in an amazing way. This was exactly what I needed. This was Jesus speaking, face to face.

Merry continued, "That is my favorite scripture verse. Actually, God attracted me to that verse when you were teaching." And here I was, harvesting those verses that had been planted, when I needed to hear from Him so desperately. I had gathered those scriptures and words of prayer from the ground after it had rained. I told Merry I had framed it.

She smiled and the Lord reminded me yet again of Matthew 18:2-5: Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me."

Why should I grow weary with such an amazing, relentlessly loving partner and friend as Jesus? Holy Spirit help me!

Lord Jesus, forgive me for being deceived. Help me to believe and have faith like a child. Restore my innocence and help me believe. Help me to grow more expectant every day and not more jaded with the passing time. I will reap from years of prayer, and worship, and reading your word. I will reap from the overflow of your presence. I believe everything you've said, Lord Jesus, will come to pass. Thank you for always providing what I need, when I need it. Thank you for such beautiful encouragement from Merry. Help me to partner with your work in Jackson and in your kingdom.

I love you Jesus. Amen.

GRADUATION, PART 2

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the Betsie's high school graduation, her first, that is. Today, we celebrated the second one. See, that's what happens when you're a teensy bit of an over achiever and your family is involved with not just one, but two homeschool groups.

So back in April, Betsie marched in a more intimate ceremony as part of the Florence-Richland Homeschool Group's Class of 2013 and today she marched in one at First Baptist Jackson as part of the Class of 2013 from the Christian Home Educators Connection. There were over forty in this group and even the governor of Mississippi was in attendance. Yes, it was pretty posh with hundreds in attendance.

Despite the differences in size and execution, they were both beautiful ceremonies, done with a lot of love, and both meant a great deal to the graduates and their families. I'm very thankful to all those who worked so hard on making these events very special ones for Betsie. And I'm very thankful to God for giving me such an amazing daughter. Betsie truly is, as her middle name indicates, a Joy in our lives.

Congratulations, Betsie! 
Your family couldn't be any more proud of you.
 We are truly going to miss you when you start your
 new adventure at MUW come this fall.

I SAY "YES"

My life is pretty amazing right now. God's got us living in a beautiful intentional community where every day I get to love on precious people and receive amazing ministry from unexpected avenues. My kids are doing great, my husband is hunky, and I have more friends than I ever have time to see.

But some days, I miss Swaziland and those sweet faces almost more than I can stand.

Mornings like the one I'm having right now find me close to tears just thinking about them and seeing other people's online posts and pictures related to Africa.

Because see, a true call to a people or place or cause isn't an escape from a yucky, mundane life. A true call is a supernatural impartation of love and passion straight from the Father's heart for a specific mission. It isn't a "get out of jail" card. It isn't a deliverance from struggling relationships or failures. It isn't an excuse not to deal with personal issues that need to be dealt with.

A call is something bigger than you. It is bigger than your circumstances. It is a love and drive so big for God and what He is calling you to do and be that you are compelled to say "yes" even if saying "yes" means big sacrifices. It is saying "yes" even if what you are already doing is fulfilling and fruitful.

Yes, sometimes the calling does take you from a place of ho-hum to a place of adrenaline and significance. Sometimes the calling does lift us out of a place of pain and struggle. But often the call takes a girl like me, who is perfectly happy with where she's at, and breaks her heart so intensely that all the good stuff of this life --- the growing church, the purpose-driven ministry, the beautiful adult children, the network of fabulous friends, the lovely home --- pale in comparison to what He's calling her, too. Even if that call is going to entail more heartbreak, many third world frustrations, a huge deduction in income, people with more needs than I can ever meet, and missing my American friends and family like crazy.

A call means that doing what God wants me to do for Him and His loved ones becomes the driving factor in my life and is as impossible to ignore as a hurricane ripping through my life.

 Let the winds roar, Lord. I am listening. I am going. I say "yes"!

A COUPLE OF BIG DEALS

Today we had two big deal events happen in our family.

David, along with fellow We Will Go missionary Ellie Hamilton, took and passed his driver's license test yesterday. Obviously, he was more than a bit pleased.

Then in the evening, Merry and Laura had their very first ballet recital. Both girls' classes danced to pieces by Tchaikovsky. Merry was a petite swan and Laura was a maiden. They did beautifully. A nice reception followed afterwards with cake, brownies, punch, and other goodies.

But to honor their big events, we added to the celebration with a trip to Izzo's Illegal Burritos. Along for the food and the fun were two other missionaries, Gabby and Maggy Sims, along with Grandmommy who is visiting this week.

It was a delicious way to end a wonderful day for the MacKids and their very proud parents.

Wordless Wednesday's Striped Sweeties

WORTH REPEATING

I have said it before but it is a truth worth repeating:

We could not do what we do here at We Will Go without the volunteers and others who support us and come alongside us in the ministry. 

 Whether it is the off-campus folks who come every week and lead our WOW Kids children's ministry or the teams of folks who show up on Saturday morning and help in the clothes ministry, work in the garden, clean the guest housing, or pack canned good bags, whether it is the homeschool family that comes and assists with neighbors getting clothes on Tuesday mornings or the local church ladies who come and pray with, whether it is these ways or a host of others, these folks and their efforts multiply our efforts.

Another important part others play is with their donations. We have school groups that do food drives and choirs that collect sleeping bags. We have mamas who clean out their kids' closets and bring us their too-small clothes and furniture stores that donate beds and mattresses.

We as missionaries share what we have, but because of these other generous donors, literally hundreds of people each month are blessed with food, clothing, toiletries, shoes, and so much more.

I am frequently asked what is needed in the "free" clothes shop since I am the lead coordinator of donations headed to that ministry. Since we are finally getting out of cold weather and into the warmer weather, I thought I'd share the most important needs we have this season:

• Summer clothes in all sizes but especially the very large and very tall sizes.
• Brand new underwear in all sizes but especially men's boxer shorts
• Gently used bras
• Mosquito repellant spray and wipes
• Casual shoes 
• Sandals and flip-flops
• Baby powder in small bottles
• Wash cloths 
• Toothpaste
• T-shirts, especially in XL, XXL, and XXXL
• White, athletic ankle socks for men and women

All clothing and shoes except the panties, briefs, boxers, and socks can be gently used. Feel free to leave comments if you have any questions or contact me via my email at elysamaclellan "at" gmail "dot" com. Thanks and even if you can't come work or donate, please pray for us. We are on the front lines here and truly can't succeed without the power and provision of the Lord.

MERRY MONDAY

Hope your Monday's been very merry. I know mine has been. How could it not be with this little hobbit running around?

But seriously, it is easy for us to sometimes focus on what we don't have instead of what we do have. Often times, we just need to ask the Father to give us the eyes of a child to see His blessings. Small children get excited about the little things.

A cupcake sticker.
Twirling round and around just because.
Sucking the nectar from honeysuckle.
Splashing in puddles.
Silly emoticons on an iPhone.
Watching a bird build its nest.
Going really high up on their swing.
A new stack of picture books from the library.
"Popsicles" made in the ice tray from apple juice.
Hot cocoa with marshmallows.
Popcorn and a movie on a rainy afternoon.
Tents made out of sheets and chairs.
Honking the car horn while driving under the train track.
Sandwiches cut in triangles.
Jumping through the sprinkler.
Reading in bed with a flashlight.
Pouring ingredients into the cooking pot.
Visiting a new park.
Watching old family videos.
Learning how to make clover chains.
Yummy smelling bubble bath.
Puppy licks.
Gummy vitamins shaped like bears.
Using the hand-held vac.
Getting a super hero band-aid.
Sleeping bag surfing down the stairs.
Feeding grass to a horse through the fence.
Throwing stale bread chunks to ducks.
Piggyback rides.
Licking the frosting off the beaters.
Finding animal shapes in the cloud.
Backyard picnics.
Wearing a costume to the store.
Digging for worms.
Eating blueberries right off the bush.
Discovering four leaf clovers.
Getting mail.
Riding escalators up and down and up again.

May we never get so grown up, so "mature", that we lose the ability to look at the world with eyes of wonder and find amazement at how beautiful God's world is, how full of unexpected blessings, how rich life really is, even amidst the demands of our adult lives.

VERY BLESSED THIS MOTHERS DAY

I feel very blessed, even downright spoiled, this Mothers Day. Jim took me shopping Friday night and bought me a new camera to replace my old, broken one.

Then Sunday morning, the Mothers Day gifting and loving continued.   At breakfast, the kids each gave me a small gift of their making or choosing.  The three youngest gave me hand-drawn cards.  Two of them gave me some coins.  Patrick gave me chocolate.  David gave me a Rachael Ray magazine.  Betsie made me lots of yummy food.

The breakfast consisted of a Pioneer woman quiche, strawberries, and Little Debbie Swiss Rolls.  Lunch was another Pioneer Woman recipe, this time "Fancy Macaroni and Cheese" along with some fabulous jalepeno cornbread muffins.

A highlight of the morning was a FaceTime chat with Anna.  This is the first time she's not been home on Mother's Day.  I'm grateful that technology at least lets us spend some virtual time together as is the new norm for our life now that she's all grown up and living in New Orleans and we'll soon be living in Swaziland.

At church, the younger kids made cute Mothers Day cards. I'm always thankful for Sunday School teachers who make the effort to arrange these sorts of activities. It really does mean a lot to us sentimental types.

After the delicious lunch that Betsie prepared with some help from her siblings, it was on to the pavilion for We Will Go worship. At the end, roses were given out to all the moms, prayers were given for those mamas who needed praying for, phones were made available for neighbors to call their mamas or the other important women in their lives, and leftover roses were sent home with neighbor men for their mothers and other caregivers. When the fellowship was over, we had team time. I was happily surprised to find a cute Mothers Day card, chocolate, and a rose waiting for me from a fellow missionary. Ashley had cards with sweet notes waiting for all the team moms. It was the perfect final garnish on my Mothers Day blessing.

Though I know that everyone's Mothers Day looks differently, I hope that if you're a mom, you knew that you are loved and valued. You might not get all the credit and reward in the hear and now that you deserve, but the Lord sees and loves and values you. After all, Father God trusted His only son, Jesus, to a mother.

And God doesn't just want to use "pefect" mamas in big ways.  After all, look at the women listed in the geneology of Jesus.  All the ones listed had major flaws.  Adultery, prostitution, and idol worship are just some of the not-so-perfect aspects of his maternal roots, but yet they were used in amazing ways for God's purposes.  If God can use Bathsheba and Tamar and Ruth, then God can use even me and even you.

KIDS DAY OUTREACH

Saturday was the second Kids Day Outreach we've held here at We Will Go this year and the first we've held this summer. We'll be holding them on a monthly basis if you, your family, or your group would like to be a part of reaching the children of the Farish District and Midtown with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. 

ONE STEP CLOSER

Or should that be one step farther?

Thursday night, Betsie's CHEC Class of 2013 had their senior banquet. Nearly two weeks ago, she participated in the Florence-Richland Homeschool Group's graduation ceremony. Next Saturday, she'll be walking in the Christian Home Educators Connection graduation. So while last night it was one step closer to finally being completely graduated, it is also one step on the journey that is taking her farther away from us.

One a time of mixed-emotions this season is life is for us all. We're all excited about what God is doing in her beautiful life but because her life is so beautiful, we're going to miss her terribly. Betsie set as a goal for her last year at home that she'd be such a good daughter, such a loving sister, that when she left, she'd leave a big gaping hole and we'd all feel her absence intensely. She is definitely meeting that goal.

I love you, Betsie Girl, but that love means this mama heart sure is going to have some pretty hard missing-Betsie days in the years to come.

SHARING IN THE FUN

Here at We Will Go, our community shares a lot.  One of the things we share is a love of celebrating!  You know, that's fancy for having a good time party!  In honor of several of us who are leaving this month for ministry trips, a costume party was held.  The theme was "old movies and tv shows".  It was one of the most fun evenings I've had in my life and since Fun is my middle name, that's saying a heck of a lot.

Here are some of the highlights from the festivities activities which included eating (of course), laughing, dancing, laughing, praying, card playing, and even more laughing.

Who were we?  Patrick was Clark Kent, Jim was the Crocodile Hunter, Merry was Scout from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, I was Mama Walton, Travis was Alfalfa, Laura was Sarah Phillips from LIBERTY KIDS, David was Thor, and Betsie was the 1960's edition of Cat Woman.

Laura Sims was me because she said my life should be a movie!  I think she just wanted an excuse to wear cheetah print, big hair, and red liptstick.

The Ades Family blew us away with their costume genius!

Granny and Jed Clampett visit the 'hood.

A beautiful and elegant Holly Golightly.

Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle, and more.

Like the Holy Hands dance.

And Wakawaka because IT'S TIME FOR AFRICA!!!

Serious fun with Spoons.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY PRAYER TIMES

Every Tuesday night, the We Will Go team meets for prayer. Sometimes we stay on Base 1 and might even have a special guest to come and share with us before our time of prayer. Other weeks, we leave Base 1 and take the prayer time to other places and other people. Once a month, we try to take that prayer time to the streets. We walk through the neighborhood checking on friends and meeting new ones. We play with kids and hug the necks of grannies. We read scripture over the city and sometimes sing songs of praise and worship. The weekly excursions look different each time but the thing they all have in common is that we pray to our Father on behalf of our neighbors and this city.

This week, we had some visitors with us. A team from Belmont University is here at We Will Go serving alongside us. While here, they will sort clothes, assist with canned goods on Thursday, help neighbors get clothes during Hands and Feet ministry, and participate in times of worship, and pray. Tonight, they walked the streets of Farish District and Midtown praying with us for those in need and loving on all those they could.

Whether it was a local neighborhood girl, a lonely woman sitting on her porch, or an active We Will Go missionary boy, they were blessed by these sweet students and their willingness to be used by our Father.

And that's really what its all about. You don't have to be an expert. You don't have to know all the answers. You don't have to be the wisest or most mature Christian around. You've just got to be willing to be used. And He will use you. In beautiful and powerful ways.