God is SO Good!!

We have made it to Munkacs! All of our luggage made it! Thank you all for your prayers. Our flight to Newark was fine. We enjoyed our 5 hour layover is Newark the best we could. The plane we took to Frankfurt was HUGE! It had a second story above first class. I sat next to a woman named Elizabeth. She was a Christian and a very sweet woman. I shared with her about our mission trip and she asked that I pray for her son who is an unbeliever. The flight seemed very long since we were packed liked sardines. I don't think I slept much at all on that flight. We arrived in Frankfurt a little ahead of schedule and did make it to our connecting flight to Budapest with no delays. Praise God because we were a little worried. Since there wasn't much time between flights and you had to get your passport checked. The last flight I did mange to get some sleep on, but not much. Taking Dramamine did help with the nausea during landing. After arriving in Budapest, we waited for our bags. 13 people, 4 crates, 2 guitars, and 30 bags (including carry-on bags) arrived in Budapest. We had a team of 6 translators waiting for us with 3 vans for us to ride in. After lunch at McDonald's, we had a 5 hour car ride to Munkacs. The ride through Hungary was beautiful when I wasn't looking at the back of my eyelids! I was finally able to get some much need sleep. Te best part about the car ride was the the border checks didn't take real long. I think we made it thru both check points in about 1 hour & 15 minutes. So much better than te several hours last year! We made it to the church and had dinner waiting for us. I have that all I have done is eat and have probably gain several pounds in one day. Dinner was very yummy pizza! After dinner we went to the church service here at New Life. I love listening to the Gypsies sing their worship songs. I was able to sing along to a few that I recognized. After an hour of singing, Archie Jones had our team introduce themselves to the church. This mission trip. Was the first international mission trip for 4 of our team members. Pastor Marty shared some verses. Psalm 96 1-3 Deuteronomy 6:4-9. He shared about teaching our children and neighbors. Pastor Jonas challenged everyone about teaching their children, praying for their children, and for caring for their neighbors. Pastor Jonas also shared how there has been a spiritual renewal among te young people of their church. I am really looking forward to see how God is going to continue to work this week thru our team. I do have some prayer requests: 1. That I will feel well this week and not be too tired. The flight and car ride was a little uncomfortable at times. 2. Ms Candance- she twisted her knee as she was getting to her seat on the airplane and was in some pain today. Please pray that God will heal her quickly. 3. That our communication between us, the translators, and the children will be clear so the message we brought to share will be well received. 4. That everyone stays healthy and hydrated during the hot moments of the day 5. Stacy- she is wearing a boot on her foot due to a stress fracture. Please pray that God will give her the strength for the week and no to cause any more injury to that foot. I hope to blog again tomorrow! God Bless!

Leaving for Ukraine

It's 6:20 am. The plane takes off around 8:48. Just a little over two hours away. I'm so excited to be going back this year. My team has planned some great VBS stories and crafts. I believe that we all are serving in a area that God has strengthened us for. I am working with a great group of ladies (Teresa, Stacy and Ada Faye) in the craft and coloring station. Alicia and Candace will be telling the bible stories. I'm excited that this year we are going to have a puppet team: Marty, Deanna and Lindsey. Archie and Josh are going to be leading the game time with the children and Kyle and Aubrie will be leading music. Please pray for each member of this team that God will use them in a mighty way to teach the Roma children about Him.





This year's theme for VBS is focused on the life of David. God is King! The stories Alicia and Candace will be teaching are: David is anointed as King, David plays music for the King, David's faithful friend Jonathan, David loves his Enemy, and The King of Kings Celebration Day.  Our crafts to coordinate with our stories. We will be helping the children make a sheep craft, a butterfly, a tambourine and decorate a backpack.

Commissioning Service Sunday

My church had a Commissioning Service yesterday during our regular church service. Everyone that is going to Ukraine, Williamsburg, KY and Armenia were asked to step forward. Here is a list of everyone going to Ukraine with me: Archie Jones, Teresa Jones, Alicia Jones, Deanna Smith, Lindsey Brown, Kyle Britt, Aubrie Britt, Candance Gottfried, Ada Faye Bramble, Josh Simpson, Stacy Simpson and Marty Middleton. 13 are going but 12 are returning. Alicia Jones is staying in Ukraine for 2 years to start a kindergarten at New Life Church.

Big News!!

I found out on Saturday, June 9, that I am pregnant. Steven and I are very excited! Trevor and Patrick are excited to be big brothers again. Phillip has no idea what being a big brother means, he just knows that Mommy has a baby in her tummy.

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

Summer is fast approaching! I can feel it. We have had a wonderful school year, with both ups and downs along the way. As we end this school year and I start to plan for next year, I really want to make our summer break memorable. We officially end our school year on June 15. We have really enjoyed having a year round schedule and will continue next year as year round too.

I sat down and thought of some fun things we would like to do this summer. I really tried to come up with a list that would fit into our budget. When I showed the boys they were very excited!

1. Backyard Camping
2. Eat SnowCones
3. Go to the Zoo
4. Bowling










5. Swimming, lots of swimming
6. Bike ride
7. Outdoor Obstacle Course
8. Make campfire cones
9. Go to Pullen Park
10. Day trip to the beach
11. Make marshmallow sculptures
12. Make Slime
13. Melted Crayon Artwork
14. Find new parks to play at
15. Make IceCream
16. Make Pinwheels
17. Go see a Baseball Game
18. Have a water fight
19. Go play mini golf
20. Go on a hike
21. Go fishing
22. Make Sidewalk Paint
23. Make Playdoh
24. Make peanut butter bird feeders
25. Paint with lemon juice
26. Have frozen Hot Chocolate
27. Play Minute to Win It games
28. Make stainglass windows
29. Bonfire Smores
30. Summer Reading Program @ Library

Answer to a Prayer

When you put your total trust in God, anything and everything is possible. I've seen that. My last post I said that I needed to still raise most of the money for my trip. I had asked several people to specifically pray that God will provide the money. I have asked several people to sponsor me and to pray. He has answered those prayers. I still have about 600.00 left to raise and I know that God will provide that.

"Thanks you" if you have prayed for me and my upcoming trip. "Thank you" if you have supported me financially.

Taking a Step of Faith

June 29th is fast approaching. That's the day that I leave with a team from my church to go back to Ukraine. It was a huge blessing to be able to go last year and I am looking forward to returning again this year. But this mission trip costs money. $1850 to be exact. I've written prayer letters, prayed over my letters and have continued to pray that God will provide the funds that I need. The due date for all the money is coming quickly. I still have a lot to raise. 

I've taken a step of faith knowing that God will provide. But its hard not to doubt.  Did I pray about it enough before I committed to going? Is this God's way of telling me I shouldn't go?  I found this as I was browsing Pinterest the other day. It was a reminder that I needed.