Mission Trip to Tuxtla

Returning home last Sunday, my feet hit the ground of  Bush Intercontinental Airport with gratefulness, but my heart was left behind in Tuxtla-Gutierrez. We served as a medical/dental clinic the first three days in the home-church of Pastor Carlos, his wife Nellie, and their three beautiful children. Their home was a cinder block, cement floor building no larger than the three car garage we put our two cars in. I admit I was shocked by the living conditions so primitive to our way of life, until I saw the rest of the neighborhood and realized their home was a palace and a safe haven.

My dental hygiene equipment consisted of one scaler and a disposable mirror, a cup of water for rinsing their mouth, a bucket for them to spit in, ( when the bucket got half-way full, we poured it outside) and a flashlight I had my translator hold.

The community was waiting for us when we arrived and by the end of day, we were turning people away. These people never had their teeth cleaned before in their lives. You can’t begin to imagine what I saw, yet they were so gracious and thankful for my service.

Two days were spent in the orphanage. Each child there had a heartbreaking story of their own. The doctor working with us on this trip, Saul,  shared with the children that they were not a mistake. That God is their Father and He loves them and has a plan for each of them. This made a huge impact in their lives because Saul was once an orphan himself and he rose above it to share the hope he had found through Jesus Christ.

It took faith for me to go, it took the hope found in Jesus Christ to encourage those around me, but the best part of all, was the overwhelming love I received, giving back to me a thousand times more than what I gave.

There are three things that will endure; faith, hope, and love.... and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

I'm Leavin' On A Jet Plane

I’m leaving today on a medical mission trip to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. I can think of a thousand reasons to talk myself out of this trip; I hate to fly, I do not know anyone else going, will they have International Delight French Vanilla coffee cream for my coffee?

But there is one compelling reason I can not shake: God is offering me an opportunity to do this for Him. He is calling me to trust Him.  He is taking me out of my comfort zone and into total reliance on Him.

Being out of our comfort zone isn’t ....... comfortable, is it?  But that is where His refining fire can polish us to reflect His image. We mature most in our faith journey when we are not in control, when we totally depend on God to take us to the next step. 

So, I am asking for God’s refining fire to make me shine, faith to take that step onto the plane, courage to speak my southern-twangy broken Spanish.

You can pray for me also, to be His hands while I treat patients, to be His feet when I walk into that orphanage.

When I return, I promise to give a full report and encourage you to take the step out of your comfort zone and do something AMAZING for God!!!

For everyone will be tested with fire. Mark 9:49

Developing Personal Quiet Time With God

Where do I find the time for bible study?The kids are up at the crack of dawn, I send them to school, rush to do the work I do, then there is the grocery store, prepare dinner, help the kids with homework, get them ready for bed. I’m exhausted by the end of the day!

As women we live a fast pace life running from one thing to another. We almost feel guilty if we sit and take time for ourselves. Ladies-- personal quiet time with God, will be the  most well spent time in our day. If we prioritize our day by putting God first, he will give us the time to complete what needs to be done for that day. After all, the Creator designed how many hours should be in one day. I know God is not saying “Girl, you are way too busy for studying my Word. Don’t worry about it, take care of all that other stuff first!”  

How important is daily quiet time?

It’s time away. Away from the busyness of life. The children, phone, laundry, work, errand running, the list goes on and on. It’s just you and the One longing to be your best friend. It is intimate time worshipping Him.

 Find a place and a time that is free of distraction. All you need is a pen, paper and your Bible.

The habit  of putting Christ first every day will change your mood, relationships, and affect all those within your care.

The Word

by Sara Groves

I've done every devotional
Been every place emotional
Trying to hear a new word from God
And I think it's very odd
That while I attempt to help myself
My Bible sits upon my shelf
With every promise I could ever need

And the Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be

Someone Is Watching You

Trying on clothes in a department store, I begin  looking at myself in one of those three-way full-length mirrors. Staring at a side of me I do not normally see, I say to myself, “Is this what I really look like?” 

I often wonder what others see when they look at me. Do they see me living out the life of who I say I am, or is there another side of me I do not notice that others do? I think of Job. He feared God and stayed away from evil, a blameless man of complete integrity. (Job 1:1) I want to be like that.

Are you and I who we say we are: children of the living God? Not just when we think people are watching, but also in those times where we are being observed inconspicuously, such as in our homes with the ones we say we love the most. As children get older, they watch for authenticity in their parents. They watch how we act in church versus at home. My children watch how I handle adversity. Do I go to the phone and complain to my friends, or the throne and seek guidance from my heavenly Father? We never get too old to be setting good examples. I know a handful of amazing women in their eighties who have seen it all and yet shine Christ’s light through their well-worn eyes. I want to be like that.

Someone is watching you. What are they seeing?

Lord, let me be genuine in my walk. Help me to glorify you with every heartbeat, and to always remember that someone is watching me.

Junk in the Trunk

  I received a message through my e-mail that someone I used to know from school wants to be my “friend” on Facebook. The only recollection I have of this girl was that she called me a bad name on the playground in fourth grade. That is the only thing I can remember about her! Did we ever talk to one another in junior high or high school? I may forget what happened yesterday, but I can tell you down to the last detail what happened on that playground over 35 years ago!

 Do you ever have trouble letting go of something from your past? A grudge perhaps, maybe it’s past sins (either yours or someone else’s) that you think you just can’t let go of. Holding on to the  baggage of yesterday will never help you move forward in your life. It’s a waste of time to keep going back there!

 Your yesterdays may be filled with baggage that is much more serious than a Facebook stalker. Its memory may wake you up at night. It could be why you are taking medication, seeing a therapist, or even refusing to leave your home. It can keep you in bondage that can be suffocating.

The Apostle Paul explains it so well when he says, “Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead. “  You can never look forward in your life if you are constantly looking back! It doesn’t make you stronger and it won’t heal you. Don’t buy into the lie from the Enemy that forgiving yourself or others makes you weak. On the contrary, only those who can fall into Christ’s grace and mercy can be strong enough to forgive! When you allow the One who forgave you of all your sins, to work and move in your heart to let go of the past, it will be the most freeing experience you can ever imagine.

There is true beauty in a woman who can love enough to forgive.  

 What are you holding on to today that you just need to give to God?

Give your ‘junk in the trunk’ to Him, He knows what to do with it!

Does Jesus Have A Southern Accent?

The old dinner table had all the fixings: fried chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, green beans, and the sweetest tea you have ever sipped. Prayer was said, and we would commence to eating. My grandmother would hover over the table watching everyone, making sure we all had our fill.

This was a weekly occurrence in my childhood following the eleven o’clock service at Calder Baptist Church on Sunday mornings. The South is known for strong family ties, Baptist revivals, and sweet tea on a hot summer day.

Time and age have given me a great pride for my southern roots. There seems a love for Jesus here that connects us together. It’s not uncommon to share your faith in everyday circumstances; while shopping at the grocery store, I passed a friend with a cart full. She stopped long enough to tell me of a friend of hers whose father passed away suddenly and she was cooking a meal for that grieving family. I thanked her for telling me and said I would be praying. And I did just that.

On the rare occasion I have left the South, upon my return, I always feel like Jesus is welcoming me home. Yes, he lives in the South with me. He sits on the front porch with me, loves old gospel music and does not make fun of my twang. 

Jesus may be everywhere it’s true, but in my heart, he has a southern accent too.


I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto Me and rest; 
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast."
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say by John B. Dykes

Before Summer Ends

I was reading an article by Kim Talbert, where she reminded me that my thoughts and actions determine the quality of my life more than physical circumstances. I want to savor each day that God gives me with a healthy perspective. So, it seems fitting that before summer ends, I have just a few more things on my list I want to do. The list below reflects some of Kim Talbert's suggestions as well as my own.


Catch a fire fly * Make home made ice cream * Gaze at a starry night * Thank God every morning he gives  you * Pray for others * Go to church * Read a good book * Nap in a hammock * Tell your family you love them every day  * Think positive even when you don't feel like it * Remember life is not all about you * Forgive * Wear sunscreen * Say your prayers * Turn off the television and sit outside * Love deeply * Behave as if God is watching (He is) * Smile at strangers * Cut fresh flowers * Keep faith in hard times * Relax * Take a walk * Live everyday as if it were your last.