Mission trip to NOLA

So this post is going to be about somethings I want to share about my recent trip to New Orleans. First let me tell you a little about the place I stayed at. It's called Global Maritime Ministries and they are a non-profit organization that serves the workers of the cruise ships. There is a sweet couple that run the place. The man drives a bus on a schedule picking the workers up from the port them takes them to Wal-Mart or brings them to the mission from 8am to 2:40 when the last bus leaves to take them all back to port, where they get back on board. Most, if not all, of these men and women have signed contracts that they work for 6 months or more. I can't imagine being away from home for that long of period, but back to my point. At the mission they have computers, phones, refreshments, and a chapel. These workers come in after serving people, most of them who are ungrateful and rude, and they serve with a smile on there face. This is there relaxing time. They can also open mail or packages because the center is kinda like there post office. You can find out more about them here: http://www.portministry.com/#/home

So now that you know a little about this place and the fact that I was in New Orleans, let me tell you somethings that I learned.

First thing: So for the girls that went on this trip our job was to serve others. Easy right.... Wrong. These guys are so use to taking care of themselves and they don't accept help easily. Example: They get mail right so a lot of time I would just ask if I could throw there boxes away. They would stand and say they could do it, and when I insisted they would smile. That smile, it's what hits you straight in the heart. They would say thank you, but in there eyes you can really see the gratitude. It's the same as asking them if they would like a cup of coffee. There face lights up. That's what serving others is all about. Just being there, willing to do something with nothing to gain.
"When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality" -Romans 12: 13

Second thing: When the center closed the girls walked down the French Quarter until it was time to meet the guys for supper. ( I haven't talked about the guys which included my husband, but they were working on some maintenance and changing light bulbs.) We were on a search to find a shirt for my little girl so I didn't come home empty handed. As we were walking there was a man on the side walk. He looked like he hadn't had a bath in days, maybe weeks. My first impression, and sadly probably a very worldly impression, was alcohol or drugs. He held a sign that said veteran. One of the girls in our group got down on his level to talk to him and then she prayed with him. It was literally a punch in my stomach. Who was I to judge this man. It felt like Jesus was standing next to me reminding me of the way I was raised. We as Christians are called to love one another but also help one another. Jesus "hung out" the with  prostitutes, thieves, tax collectors, and sinful people. That's what he asks us to do. We are called to tell others about God, and what better way then to show them.
"God alone who gave the law, is the judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge you neighbor?' -James 4:12

Third thing: On the last day there (Sunday) a pastor came and held service. He said something that probably stick with me for the rest of my life. He told a store about a man that was homeless. He hung out at the bus stop most days and the pastor passed him often. At the time the pastor was very busy, but one day he felt God was pushing him to speak to that man. He put it off, always saying next time. Well one day he found time and was looking for the man. He didn't see him and so tried for the next few weeks. Then one day he was reading the paper and saw the mans name in the obituary section. The pastor had to wonder everyday after that if someone lead that man to Christ or in the pastor failed the man. What I took from this story is, God created us for his purpose. Jesus tells us to go tell the world about him. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere- In Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth." -Acts 1:8  When God asks us to do something, we should do it. We could be an answer to a prayer, the person that leads them to Christ, or just a blessing to them.

That's just a few things I learned on this mission trip. I was also very excited to get to explore New Orleans for the first time. 

 This place was so beautiful!

Chicken and waffles- sounds gross but was amazing!!

Dinner Date!!

Love your Spouse Challenge

So everyone is taking that love your spouse challenge. I keep seeing all these lovey dovey status and for just a few seconds I think, I wish my marriage looked like that.. I read a girls blog and I noticed that we had the same view of this challenge. The challenge only shows the good but not the hard parts. So I got to thinking if I had to do 7 days what would it look like. So here it is:

Day 1: The first picture. This is Austin's favorite picture because the green truck was his favorite... We were dating, but we still didn't like each other and argued a lot! Looking back I feel so bad for my brother because he usually had to listen to us argue!

Day 2: This would be our wedding day. What girl doesn't dream of her wedding day. I did when I was younger. Me and my "little sis" Emily (she was "adopted" into the family because she was always at my house) would plan everything; the dress, cake, music, all I needed was the groom. But unfortunately the day I got married I wasn't "In love". I didn't even know what love was. I was 19. We had dated about 4 years and about a month before the wedding I wanted to call it off. It just didn't feel right. But my mom had went through so much trouble (even though I no longer wanted a wedding) I couldn't disappoint her. So we went through with it. Turns out it was the last gift she gave me. She died 2.5 weeks later.

Day 3: So we all know that the first year of marriage is hard. This was my first year in a nutshell.
1/3/2012: mom died, 1/5/12  buried mom, 1/6/12 first day back to school last semester before I graduate with an  associates degree. 2/5/12 grandma (my moms mom)  diagnosed with cancer, that month I took her to treatment everyday while also attending 18 hours of school  so that I would graduate. 5/22/12 graduation for me and my brother, 6/7/12 found out I was pregnant, 12/31/12 my grandma lost her battle with cancer, 1/26/13 a beautiful little girl was born. So my next picture is me and my husband after leaving a very long  counseling session. This period in my life I didn't want to be a wife or mom. I finally  grieved and was trying to learn to live life. I'm still working on that.
Can you tell any of that in this picture... I guess that my point of all of this. Pictures don't tell the whole story.

Day 4: That would be the day Austin and I stood before our church family and my dad and future mom ( we just didn't know it at the time), and said our vows again. And this time we were both all in.  I absolutely hated this picture. I had asked him several times to cut his hair and he never found time. We argued about that before we went to church. It was a normal service. Our Pastor preached normal and at the end surprised everyone with our vow renewal. We made a promise to each other and GOD that we would love each other till death.

Day 4.5: Ok, I know that I'm only suppose to do 7 days 7 pictures but this one goes along with the above picture. This picture I was truly happy and "In Love". We were taking some family pictures for our Christmas card and my future mom snapped this one. Its one of my favorites for sure.

Day 5: In our vows there was sickness and heath, well what about if everyone is sick except dad? His boss was not happy that he had to take off to take us to the doctor, but I knew everyone was leaving with a shot. I have taken both girls to the doctor many times before ( part of the stay at home mom, occasional single mom) but the last time I had to hold KG( who was 9 months old) while holding Faith (3 year old) down for her shots. Lets just say it wasn't pretty. I couldn't imagine doing that again and me getting a shot also. So this is us at the doctor. Faith was the worse, she had strep and was running fever.

Day 6: Every year we have VBS. Well this year I was taking A&P 2 online for school and preparing for VBS. Austin works full time so every day he came straight from work to help with the out side games. I taught 7,8,9 year olds. My class was wonderful but we were both thankful when Friday hit. This is us on Friday. We some how survived. We were both sleep deprived because many nights I stayed up till 1 or 2 am to finish school work and we both are up at 6am for work and kids. The fact that he didn't kill me this summer just shows how much he loves me.

Day 7: My last day would be my happily ever after post. This picture was taken about 2 months after we had KG. My dad was married to a wonderful women ( 3 days before KG was born) and they are very happy. My new sister was pregnant after struggling for a while. God answered our families prayer and now we have Dayson. (I say we but my sister and brother-in-law had Dayson. :) God is Good! AND I'M AN AUNT) He was born 3 months after KG. My brother just graduated paramedic school. My new brother is in PT school (did I mention my mom had two kids of her own). And I'm in school to be a Medical Lab Tech. Lets just pray I make it. My sister is a pharmacist and that completes our medical family. The biggest thing I guess I've learned this far in life is that God really has a plan for our life, we just have to trust him with our life. Was it easy?  Not at all. In a few months Austin and I will celebrate 5 years of marriage followed by 4 years since my mom has been gone. Even though I love my new mom (the one on earth) I still struggled with moving forward. I love my new family that God created, and I can't wait to see what's in store for the future. Is it always going to be sunshine and roses? Not at all. But that's life. :)

I never really share personal things, but I wanted to take part in this challenge. It has also showed me how truly blessed I am.