Flashback... (Spring~ 2004). My son was going into his senior year of high school and my daughter was finishing her first year of college. I had always wanted to take them on a snorkeling trip to one of my very favorite places on earth... the Island of St. John. This place is paradise! I asked them if they could take a week off of work in the Summer??
THEN, God began to nudge me... I mean, grab me! I had been thinking about going on a mission trip with our Church to West Virginia... Long story short... I talked the kids into going on this trip! Actually, if I remember correctly, I told them we were going to do this, just this once! They were not happy! (I know, in a perfect world my children would want to do this.) We went to a couple of the meetings and at the final picnic before we left my kids each said one thing... 1). My mission is to not say ONE thing all week long to these people! 2). These people are weird!
Fast forward to our ride home from the trip... My kids both told me this was the best trip of their lives! (And they've been on a lot of trips!) They thanked me for making them go! I mean seriously... they had a great time thinking about others and appreciating what a great life they have! They worked very hard for a week solid! They tore down a roof and replaced it with a new one for a very needy family! It was awesome! Meanwhile I was at another house painting! My husband was at another site.
My son went with us again the following year. In fact, it was his idea! He was going with or without us! My daughter would have gone had she not already planned a study abroad to England!
Once again... God has a way of working things out perfectly, in His timing! We were blessed and changed forever!
There's always a song to go along with a memory...
Offering
Magnificent Holy Father
I stand in awe of all I see
Of all the things You have created
But still You choose to think of me
Who am I that You should suffer
Your very life to set me free
The only thing that I can give You
Is the life You gave to me
(Chorus)
This is my offering, dear Lord
This is my offering to You, God
And I will give You my life
For it's all I have to give
Because You gave Your life for me
I stand before You at this alter
So many have given You more
I may not have much I can offer
Yet what I have is truly Yours
(Chorus)
This is my offering...
by Third Day
5 comments:
That is awesome...really. My husband and I have been talking about sending our son on a trip next summer with the youth group at our church. They are probably going to take a trip to Mexico. The other thought was possibly doing a Workcamp. I really think it is important for my kids to see just how incredibly blessed they really are. Sometimes it is hard to show them this unless they get the opportunity to see how other people in different circumstances live. So, you post came at a really good time! Thanks for sharing!
Angie
What a wonderful thing to do as a family! I loved seeing the photo. A very handsome group! I've never done this type of mission work, but it certainly is something I know I would enjoy. Bless you and your sweet family.
Hugs!
Kat
Ang,
I can't wait until my boys are old enough to take on a mission trip! It is one of those things that I have always wanted to do.
I love that your son was going with or without you!!
Love ya,
Kim
That is just awesome!
Love this story, Ang! So how did you plan this trip? Via your church or some other outlet? I'd love to know the details!
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