Faith is risking what is for what is yet to be.

It is taking small steps knowing they lead to bigger ones.

Faith is holding on when you want to let go.

It is letting go when you want to hold on.

Faith is hearing God’s yes

when everything else says no.

It is believing all things are possible

in the midst of impossibilities.

Faith is looking beyond what is

for what is yet to be.

It is seeing the Light in darkness,

the presence of God in all.

~ Ellen M. Cuomo

What a crazy couple weeks we have had!

We made it to Mexico and back safely! We had a wonderful time, worked extremely hard and were completely exhausted by the time we got back. But it was worth it.

We finished the house!

What a blessing it was to hand over those keys.

The family was overwhelmed, as were we. Its always humbling to be used by God, such a reminder of His love and grace in our lives.

Heres our lovely team:

The sweet family that we built the house for:

The "house" they lived in before we built them one:

My amazing co-leader!

We had a "fun" day in San Diego before our flight home and I was so happy to see an old friend of mine. We met in Australia, where we were bunk-mates, and then spent 3 months in SE Asia together. It was so refreshing and exciting to see her!

Once we got home, we had 2 short nights in our comfy bed, then we went camping for the weekend with family, which I will talk about later.

OH, and while we were in Mexico?

This dear friend on mine had a baby girl!

Welcome to the world Claire bear, you are so loved already!

On the day she was born (Sunday) I just HAD to mark our work day somehow:

Tomorrow a friend and I are heading down to Portland to welcome Claire properly. It will be a quick trip, but I am so happy to be able to spend a little bit of time with Claire and Michelle.

Tomorrow we are leaving on a jet plane

($20 says you are singing the song in your head!)

Its been a pretty crazy ride so far, so many hours of preparation!

But its here, and Im thankful we have survived so far!

There are 12 of us going to Mexico, and somehow I ended up leading them.

We are going to meet, minister and build a house.

I'm oh-so-excited to see my youth step out of their comfort zone!

God has plans for each of them, and I'm blessed to be a witness to this part of it!

Can you pray for us? We need prayer.

Prayer for travelling mercies, that the border lineup wont take the predicted 6 hours.

Prayer for health. My back is currently not doing well, but Im in faith that God will give me enough grace each day to survive.

But most of all, prayer that God moves and salvation would happen.

Thats what this is all about.

Its about leading people into relationship with Christ.

Its about seeing lives changed and salvation given.

Like I said, Im so blessed to be a part of this team!

And away we go!

See you when we get back!

I have seen this video before, but every time I watch it, I cry.

Its so beautiful and calm.

I love the moms reaction to seeing her baby for the first time, I love watching dad cry behind her, I love when her daughter meets the new baby. What a beautiful way to capture a birth.

Add this to my list of dreams...

Whhhhhaaat?

A house with a secret passageway?!

The 7-year old me in just squealed!

Yes please!

This is in Tom and Laura McNeal's Southern California home, how exciting!

(Photos by laurejoliet.com

via melissabxoxo.blogspot.com)

Today...

I came home last night after a LONG 4 days away for work.

It was challenging and I have never been so glad to so my husband.

(He is so handsome after all!)

How do I sum up my week?

Lets see....

Hot weather and a broken air conditioner.

Time spent with a family where everyone smokes like a chimney, curses like a sailor and just generally yells at each other and hurls insults.

Did I mention that I get major headaches from cigarette smoke?

Good times.

A heavy wheelchair that I got to push, a 6-year olds birthday party, where the parents smoked something OTHER than cigarettes, and a sleazy guy who hit on me constantly even though I told him I was happily married, over and over again!

Yup, that about sums it up!

But it wasn't all bad!

I found an AMAZING little shop full of delightful vintage items!

The owner has collected "treasures" all her life and then realized she has way to many (sound familiar?!) so she opened a shop!

I restrained myself and only bought 4 things (activated will power!)

Wanna see?

A sweet TINY necklace, I think it represents gardening...

A funny dish, Im going to hang it in our kitchen!

(Notice how they are all blonde? Foreshadowing!)

This is for my sister-in-law. She loves white and old country charm. Perfect!

A random pillow with 3 bears embroidered on it! I have no idea where it came from or who made it, but I love it!

See? Self control!

And tonight?

Well tonight we get to see some of our very favourite people!

She is sweet, caring, an amazing cook and very pregnant!

(Pretty too! But no, she's not for sale)

He is smart, funny and likes to pretend he doesn't like me

(don't worry, theres adoration in his voice!)

and the littlest? Well, technically I haven't met her (unless you mean squeezing her womb "meeting"...) She will be along in the next 4 weeks, and I can guarantee that she will be just as sweet as her mom, and as smart as her dad!

Portland here we come!!

I am TH-to-the-RILLED!

(thats thrilled..)

I never wear lipstick. Like, never!

But today, for whatever reason, I have the sudden urge to run out and buy some wildly unnecessary flaming red or orange lipstick and rock it, just like these ladies!