GO EXCHANGE - You Can Make a Difference!

Isabelle and I shared an amazing weekend with the GO Exchange.  Please click the link below to visit her blog to read  more!

You Can Make a Difference!

A Call to Anguish

There is a stirring in my soul - one that has been there for the last 9-12 months that I just can't shake.  At times, it's been very hard to put words to it.  At other times, tears just flow and I'm not sure why or where they are coming from.

Recently, I heard "A Call to Anguish", it most closely sums up the stirring I've been experiencing.

I challenge you to listen below to the words of an amazing pastor David Wilkerson, also an evangelist and author who knew true anguish brings the greatest JOY!  (7 minutes that will change your life!)

A Call to Anguish

Now what?  What is your next step?  I would love for you to share with me your thoughts on this message.

Out of My Comfort Zone

The kids started their 4th & 6th grade years yesterday!  I honestly can't believe I just typed that.  When I look at their faces, I see my little 4 & 5 year olds.  I used to think "other people" had kids old enough to be in the "tween" years and that I was "that mom with the toddlers"!  I'm not sure what that says about me - either I'm in denial about my kids growing up or maybe it's that I still see myself as a twenty something still trying to figure life out!  These kiddos are amazing!  I'm grateful that God allowed me to parent them!  

John Michael (Johnny) - 9 1/2 yrs old, 4th grade;  Isabelle Jane (Izzy) - almost 12, 6th grade

Several people in my life have told me that I need to get back to writing on my blog.  I'm not sure what those well meaning people mean by their suggestions:  is it because I talk to much and they are tired of listening; is it because I have too many thoughts floating in my head and it all comes out a jumbled mess; or is it, as my husband tells me - that I have been given a gift with written word and I need to share it?

Whatever their reasons may be, I do feel the Lord directing me to write more.  I hope that as this new school year unfolds I have the moments to do just that!  

Could these two be any cuter?  JM looks more and more like his daddy everyday! 

This has been a very hard year for me thus far.  The Lord has been intensely working on my heart and my faith. - the Refiner's fire is not the place you choose to place yourself, but it is the most beautiful place that the Lord can allow me to be in His divine love and sovereignty over my life.  I hope to share some of what He's been teaching me and encourage you wherever you may be in the coming months.

My girl!  Growing into a beautiful woman of God!

As the kids started back to school, we've been talking as a family about Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone. We each shared what that might look like in our lives...  

Isabelle - praying at the lunch table before I eat

John Michael - telling a friend at school how much Jesus loves them

Kelly - saying "no" to things I'd like to do and saying "yes" at a moment's notice to what God asks of me

Kevin - sharing about God's love at my job, learning to let go and follow Him 

Our list continued to grow as we realized that any time we deny ourselves, we are getting out of our comfort zone.  

During family devotions each morning before school we are talking about Blackaby's Experiencing God series.  We are learning that spending time with Jesus has to be the first appointment on our calendars - the first thing we do after waking up, otherwise we can't align our hearts with Him!  Then we are applying Blackaby's challenge - "watch to see where God is moving and then join Him!"  

Where is God moving in your life - your work, your school, your family, your thoughts, your prayers?  Where is He clearly saying "I need you to join me.  I have gifted you with certain things that I need to use right now in this situation?"  

Maybe you are thinking - "I have no idea what He's doing.  I have no idea where He'd want to use me."

Answer a few questions:

1. Is God your first appointment of the day? (If not, you'll miss what He has for you!)
2. Are you too busy to even know what's going on around you to even be able to stop and ask "what is God doing?"  If so, how can you slow your pace?  Where do you need to create margin in your life so that it isn't passing you by without purpose?  We have a friend who is intentionally taking a block of time one day a week to look at the week just completed and the week ahead asking "God where do I see you moving?" so that he doesn't miss being a part of God's bigger picture for his life.  
3. Do I know that I am an unconditionally loved, rescued from sin Child of the ONLY, ONE TRUE GOD?  (If not, please ask someone to share about Him with you - or call me, I'd love to tell you about Him.  If you do - then let that soak deeply in and LIVE LIKE IT!) 
4. What would stepping out of your comfort zone mean to you?  

This is what it looks like for our kiddos....

I pray God speaks loudly to you and that you seek Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  

Haiti Trip 2013

Redford Friends and Family Trip

Port au Prince, Haiti

May 30 - June 3, 2013

"External religious worship that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this:

to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, 

and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world."  James 1:27 (AMP)

 Our team of 20 landed safely in Haiti for 4 full days of catching a vision of God's heart for Haiti, for orphans and widows in Haiti and around the world, and the HOPE that Haiti is embracing.  

Isabelle, Micherlyn, and Kelly

There were so many special moments on our trip!  Two of the most meaningful were visiting Mission of Hope (above - where we visited 4 years ago) and visiting with Pastor Moise at Source de la Grace West orphanage (below).  Isabelle's first orphan home was at Mission of Hope.  We were blessed to spend lots of time with Micherlyn - we met her 4 years ago, she selflessly made Isabelle & Kelly necklaces before making her own.  Isabelle's photo of her (below) became an image that represented caring more about others than yourself.  Isabelle was so moved by her generosity, it became one of the cards she drew and sold to raise funds for more orphan homes.

Micherlyn & Isabelle 2

Her friends Cara & Neva helped her raise money to build an orphanage at Source de la Grace West after the earthquake.  Where we are standing (below) is ground zero of the earthquake.  There was nothing left standing where there is now an orphanage and a school.  

These are photos of Source de la Grace, Jumecourt orphanage.  This orphanage is right next door to where we stayed at the Jumecourt Inn.  We were blessed to visit these children 3 different times!

 Kelly's dad (left) and Kevin's dad (right) joined us on this trip - it was a very special, unique time to share with our dads all that God has done from a dream He gave our sweet girl! 

John Michael and the boys NEVER stopped playing soccer.  They had so much fun and gave everything they had to enjoy every moment with the children!!

Our hearts were torn between brokenness and hope!  We saw and experienced so much poverty as God revealed to us His heart and eyes for the nation of Haiti.  However, we saw so much hope!!  We visited Paula Coles Boutique where she is creating products from 100% recycled materials to fully fund education for children in Haiti who are in the worst conditions of Haiti.  We also visited GO Projects first Chicken Farm.  This is just the beginning of helping Haitians provide for themselves, but also to provide Chickens for the children in our orphanages - so they can have more protein!!  Both of these visits were amazing!!  

THERE IS MUCH HOPE FOR HAITI....these 2 places were just a glimpse of all that GOD has in store as HE is the REAL HOPE FOR HAITI!!!

 

 The future is SO bright for this young man!!

 Thank you God for uniting our hearts with our Haitian brothers and sisters! 

Haiti here we come!!

This crazy bunch is headed to Haiti in 6 days with our amazing team of 20!!  We are SO excited - we will be visiting the 3 villages where Isabelle has raised funds to build homes.  

Remember these pics from 4 years ago....Our hope is to visit Mission of Hope on Saturday June 1st.  This is Isabelle's 1st home and where we spent several days in 2009.  

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She has grown up so much since then, but can't wait to get there and play with some of her "old friends".  We know that most of the children are still there, so it will be very exciting to see them all again and compare pictures!!!  

Please be in prayer for God to move mightily in every person on our trip.  Pray that He would transform each person from the inside out.  Pray that each person would be surrendered and humbled to God's work in their life and that nothing would hold them back from making life transformations!!  We have 10 children on this trip - pray for God to grab hold of their hearts deeply and for their faith to grow deep in Him!

Please also pray for smooth travel - making flight connections, and on time planes.

Pray for health & safety - no reactions to malaria meds, no malaria, no stomach reactions, etc.  

Pray for JOY to abound and for quick connections with the children!

Our family is still in need of support for our trip - about $950.00.  If you'd like to help us you can make a one-time donation at  https://goproject.org/go-project/give/single-donation/  There is a box that says

"If you would like to specify how this donation should be used, please do so here:  "

in that box, please write Donation for Redford family Haiti trip May 30-June 3rd #1313

We appreciate your prayers and support!  We can't wait to see all that God will do!  Please check back after June 4th and we'll update with photos and stories.