Dream

I wanted to post another photo of the Collierville, TN team who just left here Friday early evening. Two of the team members have left wonderful comments on the blog about how this trip changed their lives! I know they don't realize just how those comments change our lives! Teams come and go and we sometimes wonder what their thoughts and feelings have been about their trip. I want you two girls to know just how much those comments mean to Monty and I and how thankful we are to you for writing them! We look forward to having y'all back whenever you can make it! You are all team leaders now, you have experienced the blessings first hand and YOU are the ones who made a difference and will continue to make a difference in the lives of the people on the Gulf Coast! THANK YOU!

Once again Pastor Rick's sermon this morning was just for me! (wonder how he does that?) Undoubtedly a God-thing! He spoke on a chapter in Deuteronomy and when he did God told me that those verses were our verses, our mission, for going into New Orleans in a few weeks.

"You have stayed on this mountain long enough ... See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore he would give to your fathers ... See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go, take possession of it as the Lord, the God of our Fathers told you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."

When Monty and I started out on this mission we really had no idea what was ahead of us. The calling I received just said "go and help the people". Nothing else. But it was a calling, no doubt about it. It was also a dream I had continued to have since I was a young woman. When I graduated from high school I dreamed of joining the Peace Corps and helping "someone" "somewhere". It didn't happen then. As I grew and became a mother I would listen intently as pastors in our church would talk of upcoming mission trips to all over the place. I had young children and it didn't happen then. After my children were grown there was another mission trip to an Indian reservation planned. It didn't happen then either, I was a single mom then and had to work. But I held on to that dream. It never left my heart. God kept it there -- for HIS timing, for HIS purpose. And NOW is his timing and his purpose!

Pastor Rick told us how we should keep our dreams in front of us, to protect them and to go after them! He also told us that the people who tell us it can't be done are the once who tried -- and failed! Monty and I had people who doubted we could do this, doubted we would last, doubted everything about this mission. God knew better. There were (and are) times where we are still told "it can't be done" ... Mike and Faye's house build was one of them. BUT I held on to my dream, protected it and kept it in front of me! THIS TIME is was THE time! It was God appointed time!

A challenge for ALL of us is to change our mindsets to focus on the positive, the "why I can do it" instead of the negative and all the reasons why "I can't do it".

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." NEVER forget that, NEVER doubt it!

God will never call you to do something that he hasn't already equipped you to do!

Like I said, another sermon just for me. Another word directly from God to me. Listen for his word for you. Then grab onto it, protect it and do whatever it takes to make it happen. You will NEVER be sorry, you will NEVER regret it! Living the dream God plans for you is priceless, there is nothing like it and when you live it you won't trade it for the world!

Until tomorrow ... dream those dreams ... Susan and Monty