BIG Things

"Your picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today
Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door

While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?

Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do"

These lyrics come from a song by Steven Curtis Chapman.  I had never really listened to the words until the other day.  I had been complaining to Brandon about how many times I clean the living room in one day and how long it takes  does not take my kids to destroy it again.  He told me I reminded him of this song.  That got me thinking.  I absolutely LOVE being able to stay at home with my children.  I am so thankful that God has blessed us so that I am able to do that.  That being said, I also realize how easy it is to feel unproductive and insignificant when you spend all day with the "littles".  And then I read the words to this chorus.  I may not be reaching the lost in a way that I hope to be able to do someday, but I am making a difference in the lives of my children and teaching them to love Jesus and others.  We are planning to make a lot of changes in our family over the next year or so.  I know it is so important for me to help them through this transition.  I am so thankful that God considers the "little things" BIG things.

And, you knew it was coming...pics of my littles:

From Bitterness to Forgiveness

This is a recent story shared with us by WT missionaries, David and Katryn Lohness.  The story is true, but the names have been changed.  Its great to hear what God is doing there.  We can't wait to see how God will use our family when we get there!... 


"It was 1986, a wintery November morning in Méru, France. Brigitte was late for work which is why she was driving too fast to get to the train station.  Her car suddenly spun out of control on the ice and hit a tree leaving her crushed and in a coma for the next three months.  A year of hospitalization, surgery and rehab followed as Brigitte’s crushed hips were replaced. Even though she felt lucky to be alive there was always a nagging sense of loneliness that permeated her soul.

Twelve years have passed. It’s now January 7, 1998, another cold winter day in Méru.  Night falls. Suddenly there’s a knock at the door.  A policeman is standing there talking to her husband in hushed tones.  Other family members gather; screams, commotion, chaos break loose as Brigitte learns that, Jean, her 21 year old son, has been murdered.  It was that day her loneliness was replaced with hatred and bitterness towards a God who would permit such an injustice.

11 years pass.

During that time World Team chooses Méru as a new target city and in 2002 sent us there to begin the work of planting a new church.  It happened on September 13, 2009 – our paths crossed.  The Brigitte we met that day was searching desperately to know God!  The anguish had not extinguished her longing for relationship and meaning.  Days later she came to faith in Christ and was radically transformed by the Gospel.  She forgave her son’s murderer understanding that to harbor unforgiveness in her heart is to limit her growth as a new creature in Christ.  Less than a year later, after watching the radical changes in her mother’s life, her daughter, Nathalie, gave her life to Christ and, following her mother’s example, will be baptized at the end of this month. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is still the power of God for the salvation of those who believe!

David & Kathryn Lohnes

World Team

Méru, France"