I'd like to share with you some exciting happenings I have encountered over the past couple of months. The first was when a group of friends and I sat down together and decided to put our dreams down on paper - a visual representation of the direction we saw ourselves to be heading. It's not something I find myself thinking about much, what with busy schedules and hectic deadlines, it leaves little time for reflective thought. So here I was, with a blank sheet of paper in front of me, wondering what on earth I was going to fll it with. But, you know, when you stop and wait and listen, God reveals things that are buried deep down within you. The desires of your heart that you were not even conciously aware of. I started thinking of my passions, what I love to do and how I would love to share them with others, especially those that would not normally have the opportunuty within their grasp. I started cutting images out of magazines and put together this collage of my dreams.
I want to do art. I want to share it with others. I want to enable those that do not have the opportunity to do art - where ever they may be. I want to point them towards their Creator and for them to know that they are creative beings, made in His image and loved beyond any kind of earthly love they could imagine.
And then about a month ago, an amazing thing happened. Another friend of mine, happened to mention to me that she was looking for some more people to join her and others on a missions trip to Fiji where the focus was to take art into the schools there! Well, my heart started beating fast - I knew this was for me. Teaching children from ages 5 right up to 18, who have never even had the opportunity to hold a paint brush before makes my heart skip! After nervously mentioning it to my husband and expecting a 'no' due to all the obstacles that loomed, I was delighted when he said 'ofcourse, and I'll come with you"! And by the way, all those obstacles are slowly disappearing - things are falling into place and we are well on our way to raising the funds to get there. So forgive me if over the next three weeks, I can't contain myself and get carried away with the excitement of this all. We leave on the 8th of October and will be away for 2 weeks.
Oh, and did I mention that my 19yr old son Jordan has just got back from a missions trip of his own. He went to Fiji too but with a group from the university he attends. And my 18yr old daughter Robyn is off to spend 2 weeks helping out in a Bolivian orphanage in November. Do I see a pattern here?
Wow that is really exciting for you!! Great to see God moving. Blessings Niki x
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring blog and family! Nice doggie too, I am partical to BC's! Just reading about you and see that you line in NZ. I have also lived there, such a beautiful country..a cottage by the beach sounds serene. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of inspiration! Have a great and fulfilling trip!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful trip! Can't wait to hear about it. It's wonderful that your kids are involved with their own mission trips - that's awesome.
ReplyDeleteWow, how exciting! And, I think it's so great that you're family is doing what they can to influence and impact lives of people who may be less fortunate. You will have an amazing time, filled with love and compassion. Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Good luck on your journey!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! I can't wait to read all about your experiences from your trip.
ReplyDeleteHow inspirational and moving! Glad you are making your dreams come true by doing something you love!
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting, inspirational, and boy are your kids beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great and exciting post! You have inspired me to get out a blank paper and see what I want to do with my life. I have an idea of my desires and it does involve photography. I love your work :-)
ReplyDeleteYou've got a great, giving family! I hope your trip is everything you've dreamed it to be.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational post! You have such a giving family! Here's to a wonderful trip and NO obstacles!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing family you have and an inspirational journey to embark on. Looking forward to hearing about your trip!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Be safe!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational story. Isn't it amazing how things will start to fall into place when it's meant to be. It must be a genetic thing since your children have the calling as well. I hope you have a great time on your trip, bringing art to those who have no conception of such a beautiful part of life.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like things that happen around here only I am not the one that goes. It is my Mom, Mother-in-law and two of our children. Missions are such a blessing both to the people you go to visit and to you the ministering one.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear all about it and see tons of pictures.
ReplyDelete♥♥♥
Sue
awesome news!
ReplyDeleteWow. Such an inspiring story and how wonderful that your famiy is so involved in missions. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWOW love that first pic of the DREAM book! cool idea! As for your kids WOW - so impressive I can tell you are very very proud :)
ReplyDeleteYou are really becoming a mission oriented family. God had lots of interesting things in store for you.
ReplyDeleteVery exciting! How great to see that your family share the same Godly interests.
ReplyDeleteIt's so exciting to see what God is doing in your life and the life of your family. I'm so happy for you! Enjoy that time in Fiji. Thanks for reminding us that we need to be still and wait for God and He will do amazing things in our lives.
ReplyDeleteWow! What great missions trips! And what a great thing to pass on to your kids!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your dream and I can't wait to hear about it when you get back.
ReplyDeleteWow lucky you, so exciting!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful opporutnity!! Will be praying for you....and many to come to Christ!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing. It is wonderful that your whole family is missions minded like that! Prayers for your trip.
ReplyDeletethat is all so awesome! a family on a mission!
ReplyDeleteI love that everything fell together like this. I remember when you mentioned you wanted to go and that there were obstacles. Our God is bigger than any obstacles. So glad to see that you're getting to do this!!
ReplyDeleteGreat story and what a blessing to have such a wonderful and giving family! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy this is all coming together for you!
ReplyDeleteThat's so wonderful, I can feel you're so happy!! Isn't life amazing, giving you the chance to make a wish and making it come true right away?
ReplyDeletevery exciting to have our lives powered by the creator of the universe. He's always on the move and filled with LIFE........
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting journey you are about to embark upon! God bless!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your dream! I like the idea of putting it on paper and I am going to do the same! How wonderful that your husband not only supported you, but joined you! May God continue to bless you. Rhonda
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all that you have! Fellow etsian now following you!
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