Up to date...

Well it has been almost a month since I last updated my MANY followers (haha) about what God is doing and has been doing in our little family!

About a month ago, Matt and I made a trip to Louisiana to visit a church that had called Matt to join their staff and ministry team. We had prayed a lot, and went willing to do whatever it took to make it work if that is where God was calling us. Matt and I knew about the position for about a month before we were able to go and check it out! I can't say that whole month was just fabulous. There were times of concern and worry, but also peace through it all. As the weekend approached there were many tears, many times of sadness. Not at what the Lord has called our family to, but just the reality of leaving our family and our friends and everything we have ever known. But we knew God had called us to take up our cross and follow Him. We had to cling to, "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:38-39

We loved everything about the church. The location was great. The people were amazing. The job was great. Matt loved the staff and we love the pastor and his wife and family dearly. We spent 3 full days in Benton. Searching for a place to live, scoping out the area, and meeting lots of people. Matt spent a day in the office with the staff. Leading up to the weekend we seriously just knew this is where the lord was leading us.

As we were leaving on Tuesday to head home, there was this sadness and weird feeling that Matt and I neither one could explain. It was as if God clearly said "No, not right now!" There was no explanation. There were things that we simply had to have a yes on that God was just not allowing to happen. Housing was a HUGE deal. There was just NOTHING we could afford. We knew God was up to something but just really shocked and confused as to why this move was not going to happen. We really feel like God was just testing us to see if we were willing to follow Him wherever HE leads.

As we made the drive home, we were talking and thinking..a lot. I kept telling Matt that the only thing that kept coming to my mind was Haiti. We knew regardless of where we lived that Haiti would forever be a part of our lives. We knew God was not calling us to move to Haiti, but it did not clear anything in our minds as to why the Lord was laying Haiti on our hearts sooo incredibly strong. It literally brings chills as I type this, because we had NO idea what God had in store for us. "No human wisdom or understanding 0r plan can stand against the LORD." Proverbs 21:30

A week or so after we returned home Matt received a call about coordinating the efforts state side for Hope Rising Children's Home in Leogane, Haiti. Our church (FBC Lavaca) is sending a family of missionaries that will be on the ground in Haiti running and operating HRCH while Matt runs and coordinates everything in the US. It will require a lot of work, and a lot of time. But we know God has been preparing our hearts for this since the first time we visited Haiti last summer. Matt and I could not be more excited to be a part of something bigger than us. Something that will outlast us. Something that will be handed over to our children, and all the children of those involved.

Anyone can be involved (watch for a post on how you can help) God clearly tells us to: Speak for those who can not speak for themselves. That pure and genuine religion is to take care of the widows and orphans in their time of need. HE also tells us: To much is given, much is required and we all know we are RICH in blessings.

We are excited and we are constantly praying. For the children. For the community that we will be in close contact with, and for the Nation of Haiti. God is much bigger than anything we can imagine. He has called us to take care of these children. To train the children in the ways of the Lord and to disciple them so they can take the testimony of the Lord to their country and to the nations.