Honduras part dos

Ok--so I said I'd share what I personally learned from my trip. So here it is.

I've been on many mission trips over the years, but this trip to Honduras was my first medical trip. In that aspect it wasn't your "typical" mission trip. Here we were serving Christ by "merely" serving the people. There was no preaching, tracts, etc., yet it was awesome to just give to people as Christ did--expecting nothing in return. It was the true example of St. Francis of Assisi --"Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words." Of course we did pray for many patients, but the true power was in loving and giving to people unconditionally. This was truly the lesson I learned--starting on the actual trip to Honduras.

We flew from Baton Rouge to Houston and then to Honduras. In Houston, there was a problem with the "navigation" system of our plane. They held us on the plane for 2 hours until they replaced this system. During this delay, I sat on the plane (quite restless if you know me) pondering a few things. First -- I thought--"There is nothing wrong with the plane-- it would still fly if taken off. BUT--the question is--Where would it end up?" Over the course of the trip, I realized more and more how this concept applies to my life. I will "fly" but where will I end up? Does my navigation system need to be changed? What truly guides, rules, directs my life, my attitudes, my direction?

navi·ga·tion (noun) the science of locating the position

and plotting the course of ships and aircraft

In Honduras (or on any mission trip)--we serve joyfully not expecting anything in return. We sacrifice to pay for the trip, sacrifice 3rd world country conditions, sacrifice other comforts, etc. BUT -- when we come back home--what is "plotting our course"? Is it the mind (navigational system) of Christ--or is it our selfish ways? The plane would have flown even if they didn't change this system. The engine was working fine. The only aspect that would have been affected--was the direction in which it would go.

We are no different. We will live, work, surround ourselves with people--but is it purposeful? I want to live purposefully, but so often I find myself guided/ruled by circumstances rather than having my course "plotted" out purposefully.Philippians 2 is an awesome passage. It is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, and I believe it perfectly "locates" where Christ is and perfectly "plots the course" where we should be.

Be of the same mind, same love, united in purpose (with Christ)

Do nothing from selfishness

with humility regard others as more important than yourself

look out for the interests of others --not just your own

humble yourself

do all things without complaining

Since I have returned--I have made efforts to love the people in my home, my family, and at work as I loved and served the Honduran people. I'm working at changing my perspective--to live as though every day is a mission trip!

Honduras

I know it's been a while since I've returned from Honduras, but I wanted to show you a few of my favorite photos. I had a blast taking pictures there!

I went to Honduras with Healing Hands Ministry--a ministry of our church that reaches out to several communities in and around Baton Rouge offering free medical care and medications. The outreaches occur during the 1st 3 Saturdays of each month.

In Honduras we stayed/worked with Dr. Martin and his wife Wendy and their family. We held "Brigados" -- medical Brigades at his home clinic as well in surrounding communities. Several testimonies are included on the Healing Hands website if you are interested. http://drcheri.blogspot.com/

I will share more of my personal testimony about Honduras in my next blog entry.

the Little things

I awoke this morning to ants! Yes, ants all over the bathroom. Of course at 0600 that is not what I want to deal with especially when I needed to leave for work at 0630.

They weren't little "sugar" ants -- the kind your moma told you not to worry about, and they weren't big tree ants. They were what I call "yard" ants--the kinds from the ant piles.

Immediately (while killing them and moaning while half asleep) I thought -- I "should have" dealt with this ant pile/trail leading up the side of the house that I noticed weeks (maybe months) ago. I dismissed the trail of ants leading to the attic and never pursued the issue. I merely washed the ants off the side of the house--and there--I dealt with it.

Later I couldn't help but put the connection to so many aspects of our lives. How many times do we see a potential "issue" that needs to be dealt with in our lives--and yet we "deal" with it by merely washing away the evidence of it without dealing with the true source of the problem.

The "little" talk we should have, that "little" apology we need to make, that "little" credit card bill we hide, the "little" secret we keep, the "little" white lie. . .

--whatever it may be--can quickly--and usually-- develop into something greater--more than we expected. Those ants seemed minor on the outside of the house--but then they invaded the inside--and I was directly affected.

Don't overlook the "small" things. Song of Solomon refers to the "little foxes" that spoil the vines. We can't risk avoiding them.

Happy Anniversary. . .

. . .to me!! Can you believe--today is our 3rd anniversary . . .And it is true as most say--that it has only gotten better (and much easier!) Now--Brett understands my emotions and I understand his jokes--at least for the most part :) I can truly say that I have been blessed with a wonderful husband. What we think we want and what we need in life is often different. But when the Lord choose Brett -- He gave me both!

I just thought I'd include a couple of wedding photos for those of you who weren't there.

Taking Time

Wow--almost 2 months have gone by since I last wrote. I'm amazed at how often I think of things that I want to write or pictures I want to post--but it just doesn't get done.

Why? Simply because I just don't take the time. We all have 24 hours in a day, but how we use our time differs. Now I have been busy (I just returned from Honduras on a medical missions trip--I'll give an update soon--this is a picture of a suspended bridge that we crossed), but we make time for what we want to make time for.

Being in Honduras was actually quite relaxing. We worked during the days, but my mind and every minute was not filled with "all of the things" "I need to do." You know those thoughts. It really made me think about what I have on my plate and should it all be there.

Now, I don't know if my plate will change, but I do want to make a commitment to do the things I feel impressed to do and to call people when their names come to mind (or e-mailing, texting, etc.) instead of waiting for that "perfect" moment. As we know--perfectionism is often the causing factor for procrastination. We often wait for the "perfect" time--which we also know--never comes. I think I have missed many blessings in addition to blessing others because of this.

Scripture often refers to "today." "This is the day. . . " "Today is the day. . ." "Don't worry about tomorrow. . ." So my challenge is to not delay those things that will cause more grief if put off another day and to avoid putting off contacts that may end up having eternal consequences and rewards.

Now, I have many things I "need" to be doing--but I have a friend on my mind, and instead of waiting for the perfect moment . . .I'm off to call her. . . I hope you do the same.

Fun for Two

This past week I told Brett that I wanted to go ride bikes around the LSU lakes. I just finished the semester (1 more to go!), but he is still studying, so time is limited.

I was so excited when I saw him taking out the bikes. I love being outside, especially riding with him. We rode for an hour around the LSU lakes--and it definitely wasn't just just a joy ride as Brett kept going faster and I kept panting louder.

(Brett running down the street--not sure what he was doing! :) and loading the bikes in the truck)

But all in all--it was great exercise and a great day! I can't wait for another one like it. Maybe next time we'll hit them Louisiana "mountain" trails!

An Heirloom

I've been sewing a lot lately, and I'm often distracted mentally because I'm thinking up some new design or idea for a little girl's dress. It's amazing how God uses everything--even that which distracts us--to speak to us.

Tonight, I had a simple revelation of how the Lord intricately hand stitches our lives --each stitch carefully sewn with precision and utmost control. What I love about hand sewing is that you do have control over each stitch. When I sew something predominately by hand, I choose the best fabrics and laces--because the time invested and the resulting heirloom is worth the best materials. We are no different. We were not put together on an assembly line, but we have been carefuly crafted "woven in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13) by the hand of the Lord.

We are an heirloom, precious in His sight.

This was a newborn gown I made for my a friend's miracle son. The tatting, pleats, and embroidery were all sewn by hand (I didn't make the tatting--just sewed it on!) Below is a bonnet that I also made for a friend.