Last night Mia got into our bed at some point during the storm. I woke up to a little heating pad next to me. She puts off the heat! In my walk to carry her back to her room I ran into the furniture, then the wall, then her door....I looked down into her beautiful sleeping face in the glow from the night light...and thought:
"What if we didn't go to China to get her...she would be sleeping in a room with about 30 other little girls right now in an orphanage. She wouldn't have a mommy's bed to crawl into if she got scared. And she wouldn't have a mommy who runs her into the walls when carrying her in the dark either! I smiled and kissed her beautiful little face, and I thanked God for giving us Mia. We are blessed to call her our daughter.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lightning Storm
These pictures were taken by someone in Ft. Smith and loaded to the Channel 5 site.
OH THE JOYS OF AN ITINERATING MISSIONARY!
Last night we were driving home from the Van Buren/Ft. Smith, AR, towards our home in Bentonville, AR (almost to the Missouri/Oklahoma border). I have NEVER seen a lightning storm so severe. Rain was torrential at one point...a massive tornado had hit Joplin, MO, already earlier in the day...rotations were all around us. We actually pulled over inside of the Bobby Hopper Tunnel for 15 minutes and listened to the weather reporter on the radio. Thankfully we made it home safely and our area did not sustain major damage. ONE NOTE: You are NOT supposed to see the Ozark Mountains at Midnight! But it was so lit up we saw the mountains all the way home last night!
Rotation in Rogers right before we headed up the mountain.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
URGENT Prayer Need
My dad found out Monday that during his ablation (procedure on the nerves in the heart) in November some veins were damaged and he has Pulmonary Vein Stenosis now.
He has to go to Cleveland, OH for them to repair this. He has great difficulty breathing. The doctor said that with this condition he can have a stroke. His veins that carry oxygen to his lungs are 75% blocked. Please pray that he will get in soon for the procedure, and for healing.
He pastors the First Assembly of God Church in West Memphis, AR, and his name is Rusty Blann.
He has to go to Cleveland, OH for them to repair this. He has great difficulty breathing. The doctor said that with this condition he can have a stroke. His veins that carry oxygen to his lungs are 75% blocked. Please pray that he will get in soon for the procedure, and for healing.
He pastors the First Assembly of God Church in West Memphis, AR, and his name is Rusty Blann.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
We can make it!
There are some days that I feel the optimism just busting out of me! I think...." we are down to just 41 more monthly pledges needed before June 30th... we can get there!"
But then there are days like yesterday and today where I am physically and mentally exhausted...and I think...."Will we make it? Will we be able to leave for Spain by our deadline?"
The truth is - it is exhausting raising a budget to go onto the mission field! But a BIGGER truth - is that GOD has called us...and it is GOD that will stir pastors, churches, and families to partner with us. It is all in HIS hands.
Each time I get an email that another church or a new family has become a monthly supporter - I feel a surge of encouragement...it really is like each pledge represents a piece of the puzzle. Alone it may not seem like a lot....but joined with others - it completes the puzzle. They are each a part of the masterpiece of God's plan to use the McMath family to reach the lost in over 53 different language groups.
So if you wonder how you can pray for us today.... Pray for encouragement. Pray for favor. Pray for the Spirit of God to rally people to this cause. 4.4 Billion people are waiting to hear a witness.
But then there are days like yesterday and today where I am physically and mentally exhausted...and I think...."Will we make it? Will we be able to leave for Spain by our deadline?"
The truth is - it is exhausting raising a budget to go onto the mission field! But a BIGGER truth - is that GOD has called us...and it is GOD that will stir pastors, churches, and families to partner with us. It is all in HIS hands.
Each time I get an email that another church or a new family has become a monthly supporter - I feel a surge of encouragement...it really is like each pledge represents a piece of the puzzle. Alone it may not seem like a lot....but joined with others - it completes the puzzle. They are each a part of the masterpiece of God's plan to use the McMath family to reach the lost in over 53 different language groups.
So if you wonder how you can pray for us today.... Pray for encouragement. Pray for favor. Pray for the Spirit of God to rally people to this cause. 4.4 Billion people are waiting to hear a witness.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Happy Gotcha Day!
It was exactly 4 years ago today that Mia was placed in our arms for the VERY first time. Today we CELEBRATE our family!!!!
Here is the video we watch every year to remember the day that changed all of our lives:
The Journey to Mia
It's not only the video that shows us getting Mia, but Macy is the movie star in China in this video!!!! Our whole family LOVES to watch it and remember!
If you want more of the story....you can go to our blog we kept about our adoption:
www.thejourneytomiagrace.blogspot.com
This morning we went to the Donut Shop for a special Gotcha Day breakfast! Caught a special moment with Macy and Mia!
Here is the video we watch every year to remember the day that changed all of our lives:
The Journey to Mia
It's not only the video that shows us getting Mia, but Macy is the movie star in China in this video!!!! Our whole family LOVES to watch it and remember!
If you want more of the story....you can go to our blog we kept about our adoption:
www.thejourneytomiagrace.blogspot.com
This morning we went to the Donut Shop for a special Gotcha Day breakfast! Caught a special moment with Macy and Mia!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day Message
Today I was thinking back to a Mother's Day message I had the privilege of sharing several years ago when we were pastoring. Tonight - I pulled it up and looked at it on my computer.....
And to end this Mother's Day..... as a treat to all of our friends, family, supporters, and prayer partners....
I will share the slides I started that message out with.
I NEEDED A GOOD LAUGH TONIGHT!!!!! :)
And believe it or not... I went on to share a pretty serious message after this! Ha!
And to end this Mother's Day..... as a treat to all of our friends, family, supporters, and prayer partners....
I will share the slides I started that message out with.
I NEEDED A GOOD LAUGH TONIGHT!!!!! :)
And believe it or not... I went on to share a pretty serious message after this! Ha!
OKAY, and just for clarification, Brad DID NOT let me include the "breast-feeding man" slide in my message....He made me cut this one.... but I thought it was SO funny!
And NOW I'm CRYING from laughing so hard. Whew...I needed that!
I'm so Glad God picked Me
I am always telling Macy and Mia...I am so glad that God picked me to be your mom.
Today, they surprised me with a hand made card that Daddy helped them make.
It had this picture.....
Today, they surprised me with a hand made card that Daddy helped them make.
It had this picture.....
and told me how wonderful I was. Sigh.....
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Killing the Sacred Cow
Just got an email newsletter that talks about vision. Brad is always calling me a catalyst. Ever since I was little I have never been "content" with things being status - quo. I feel like no matter what we do- we should do it to the BEST of our ability!
And sometimes in leadership - that means we have to kill the sacred cow! :)
Kill the Sacred Cow.Few things can derail vision faster than the mentality of doing something simply because “that’s the way it’s always been done.” Change is ok. In fact, it’s vital. That doesn’t mean you change the vision. But you can change the way the vision is carried out.
Regularly look at what your organization does - events, departments, programs and even staff members. If something begins to drag people away from the vision God has given you, don’t be afraid to cut it.
-Ed Young
Just felt like this quote might minister to someone else today too! Hugs!
And sometimes in leadership - that means we have to kill the sacred cow! :)
Kill the Sacred Cow.Few things can derail vision faster than the mentality of doing something simply because “that’s the way it’s always been done.” Change is ok. In fact, it’s vital. That doesn’t mean you change the vision. But you can change the way the vision is carried out.
Regularly look at what your organization does - events, departments, programs and even staff members. If something begins to drag people away from the vision God has given you, don’t be afraid to cut it.
-Ed Young
Just felt like this quote might minister to someone else today too! Hugs!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Devotional Blogger
If you need a great Devotional that you can just click over to on a regular basis.... let me recommend my Dad. He pastors in West Memphis and his blog is devotional style. He regularly takes passages of Scripture and breaks them down into applicational truths.
Here is the prayer posted at the end of today's post:
Prayer:
"Father, I need You this morning. The battle between my flesh and my Spirit is raging and intensifying. I am at Gethsemane, the crossroads of my faith, and my flesh is so weak.
When my flesh leads me, I say things that aren't uplifting to Your kingdom. When my flesh leads, my attitude is so unlike You. When my flesh leads, I have a tendency to tear down and not build up. When my flesh leads, I find myself disappointed, depressed, despondent and in despair. When my flesh leads, I find that I have made sin my friend and not my enemy. When my flesh leads, I worry and fret over every matter. When my flesh leads, I find myself wallowing in self-pity and making every situation about ME and not YOU.
So today Lord, I once again die to my flesh. I realize this is an all-out match against sin. But it is an important match to win. Because when Your Spirit leads, I am used to build up Your Kingdom. When Your Spirit leads, my attitude is so much better. When Your Spirit leads, I find myself refusing to tear anyone down for any reason. When Your Spirit leads, I find myself hopeful, joyful, peaceful, and walking in love. When Your Spirit leads, I make sin my enemy, and you make that enemy my footstool. When Your Spirit leads, I cast all of my worries and concerns on you and give thanksgiving that it is in Your hands.
When Your Spirit leads, I refuse to have self-pity, and I realize that I am going through this struggle so that I can have opportunities to talk about YOU and how YOU brought me through. So today Lord, I choose to walk in the Spirit. I choose to kick the drug habit. I will not be drugged to sleep by grief, or any other concerns. Like Christ, I come running to You, my loving Father! In Jesus' name, amen!"
You can go check out his blog at: http://pastorrustysblog.blogspot.com/
Amen to that. Lord, work in me today.
Here is the prayer posted at the end of today's post:
Prayer:
"Father, I need You this morning. The battle between my flesh and my Spirit is raging and intensifying. I am at Gethsemane, the crossroads of my faith, and my flesh is so weak.
When my flesh leads me, I say things that aren't uplifting to Your kingdom. When my flesh leads, my attitude is so unlike You. When my flesh leads, I have a tendency to tear down and not build up. When my flesh leads, I find myself disappointed, depressed, despondent and in despair. When my flesh leads, I find that I have made sin my friend and not my enemy. When my flesh leads, I worry and fret over every matter. When my flesh leads, I find myself wallowing in self-pity and making every situation about ME and not YOU.
So today Lord, I once again die to my flesh. I realize this is an all-out match against sin. But it is an important match to win. Because when Your Spirit leads, I am used to build up Your Kingdom. When Your Spirit leads, my attitude is so much better. When Your Spirit leads, I find myself refusing to tear anyone down for any reason. When Your Spirit leads, I find myself hopeful, joyful, peaceful, and walking in love. When Your Spirit leads, I make sin my enemy, and you make that enemy my footstool. When Your Spirit leads, I cast all of my worries and concerns on you and give thanksgiving that it is in Your hands.
When Your Spirit leads, I refuse to have self-pity, and I realize that I am going through this struggle so that I can have opportunities to talk about YOU and how YOU brought me through. So today Lord, I choose to walk in the Spirit. I choose to kick the drug habit. I will not be drugged to sleep by grief, or any other concerns. Like Christ, I come running to You, my loving Father! In Jesus' name, amen!"
You can go check out his blog at: http://pastorrustysblog.blogspot.com/
Amen to that. Lord, work in me today.
15 YEARS!
May 4, 1996, I married Brad McMath. Little did I know how much MORE I would love him 15 years later. He is truly the love of my life. He is compassionate, humble, genuine, and a man after God's heart.
I am so glad that God picked him out for me. I tell him often - that no matter what God calls Him to do - I will follow him anywhere. I am his #1 cheerleader and I believe in Him!
I am so glad that God picked him out for me. I tell him often - that no matter what God calls Him to do - I will follow him anywhere. I am his #1 cheerleader and I believe in Him!
"The Gospel" - on a child's level
Wednesday in The Word for Families
We just celebrated the Easter Season. I bought a couple of really neat books a while back, but have kept them put up until we could spend some time on them during Family Worship.
I LOVE this book!
We spent the entire week using it to learn about salvation. It has really cute pictures and good theology. :)
I wrote up 25 discussion questions for the girls to be sure they were learning the truths communicated in the story. They were able to go back through the book to find the answers if they didn't remember. If you want a copy of my questions - just message me and I will send it to you!
One of the cutest things happened while we were doing this study. We were talking about the page that shows how the Bible teaches us that God is going to give us all a home in Heaven...and that we want to go there and be with Him forever.
...to which Mia clapped her hands and said in a squeaky little voice, "I can't wait to die... so that God can show me my new house in Heaven!"
Not quite what I was going for - but at least she understands that Heaven is wonderful!
You can order the book here:
Christianbook.com
We just celebrated the Easter Season. I bought a couple of really neat books a while back, but have kept them put up until we could spend some time on them during Family Worship.
I LOVE this book!
We spent the entire week using it to learn about salvation. It has really cute pictures and good theology. :)
I wrote up 25 discussion questions for the girls to be sure they were learning the truths communicated in the story. They were able to go back through the book to find the answers if they didn't remember. If you want a copy of my questions - just message me and I will send it to you!
One of the cutest things happened while we were doing this study. We were talking about the page that shows how the Bible teaches us that God is going to give us all a home in Heaven...and that we want to go there and be with Him forever.
...to which Mia clapped her hands and said in a squeaky little voice, "I can't wait to die... so that God can show me my new house in Heaven!"
Not quite what I was going for - but at least she understands that Heaven is wonderful!
You can order the book here:
Christianbook.com
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Blue Letter Bible
Tuesday Technology Tip
Are you ever out somewhere....trying to remember a verse from the Bible....where it is....but all you can remember is a few words of it?
That is why I LOVE Blue Letter Bible! I am sure there are many Bible apps out there that allow you to use a search function, but I use this one!
You can use it two ways.
1. At your computer, type in www.blueletterbible.org Then just type the word or verse you are looking for into the search box, select the version you want to search, and hit search.
2. For your PHONE: Go to the App Store, search for Blue Letter Bible, select it, and download it for FREE! Now be able to find any verse, or even do some Bible reading no matter where you are!
Enjoy the Word!
Are you ever out somewhere....trying to remember a verse from the Bible....where it is....but all you can remember is a few words of it?
That is why I LOVE Blue Letter Bible! I am sure there are many Bible apps out there that allow you to use a search function, but I use this one!
You can use it two ways.
1. At your computer, type in www.blueletterbible.org Then just type the word or verse you are looking for into the search box, select the version you want to search, and hit search.
2. For your PHONE: Go to the App Store, search for Blue Letter Bible, select it, and download it for FREE! Now be able to find any verse, or even do some Bible reading no matter where you are!
Enjoy the Word!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Good time in Heaven
Mondays with Macy and Mia
Recently when we were praying together as a family, Mia said something really cute. We were praying for different people that are sick. She prayed, "Thank you Jesus Lord, for all of our friends that are sick. Help them to have a good time when they get up to Heaven."
Bahhahhaaa!! We weren't praying for them to DIE or anything! It was all I could do to not bust up laughing. Sweet, innocent, sincere Mia. Oh how funny she is!
Recently when we were praying together as a family, Mia said something really cute. We were praying for different people that are sick. She prayed, "Thank you Jesus Lord, for all of our friends that are sick. Help them to have a good time when they get up to Heaven."
Bahhahhaaa!! We weren't praying for them to DIE or anything! It was all I could do to not bust up laughing. Sweet, innocent, sincere Mia. Oh how funny she is!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)