Charleston

WOW! It's been an amazing week! I was placed in a Children's Ministry track group which allowed us to spend every day (Tues-Fri) in a park at a low-income trailer park in a suburb of Charleston. It's been fun to serve, yet the kids in the neighborhood were few. I cleaned the community bathrooms one day, which gave me an opportunity to chat with a young teenage girl about service (she just couldn't figure out why I would clean the bathrooms!). Today we had an awesome conversation about growing as a Christian (she placed her faith in Christ earlier in the summer) and how you know right from wrong. My prayer on Thursday night was that we could exchange addresses in order to further communicate about her new faith. That prayer was answered when she initiated the exchange on the last day ... I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

To be honest, I haven't missed the boys as much as I thought. I've enjoyed the time away and am certain that they are wonderful with Em and Aunt Joy. They've kept us going from 7am-11pm with minimal free time, so there's not much energy left at the end of the day. It has been a very nice change to be someone other than a mom for the week ... and I'm thankful that I haven't lost myself in the midst of motherhood ... yet. But, I won't deny it ... I'm looking forward to lots of cuddle time on Monday.

The best part of the trip .... God has been softening my heart towards the poor, the oppressed, the "down and out" in our world. This week was my opportunity to put that new part of my heart into action without any of the excuses of my normal life. It was beautiful. As we ministered in Charleston, it was so evident that much of what we were doing there was much bigger in our own hometown. God took us out of our own sphere in order for us to gain new perspective on what's right in front of us that we often overlook. I'm anxious to find ways to minister to the needy in our city as we seek out opportunities as a family.

P.S. The pic is from Church Group Spirit Night ... WE WON! (And, yes, many actually created a mohawk/fauxhawk as their new hairstyle, Doug included). 504, baby! Who dat? We couldn't help but be proud of our small group that displayed lots of unity and pride in our hometown (504 is our area code). But, honestly, I was more excited by their authenticity, honest questions about their faith and how to move forward during these crucial years of their life as young adults. These are incredible kids.