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Our second son, Franklin, tends to surprise us with his tender heart.  Of all the boys, he's the one who loves the outdoors.  Fishing and baseball are his LOVE language!  He's the drummer in the band with hands that can beat out the fastest rhythms.  In school, he applies himself to do well but if a "shortcut" presents itself then Franklin will jump on it.  In groups, Franklin tends to make friends very quickly making others feel welcome.  He's competitive to the core, so if you want a true challenge then Franklin's your guy.  He loves to cook as well.  He's created some of the most unusual combinations in the kitchen and, surprisingly, they all taste great.    However, with all these amazing qualities, there are more.  Recently, I've taken notice.  Without Reid here, I've depended more on the boys, and certain things about each of them has caused me to be thank God again for each of our sons.  This post is about Franklin,...

This is my friend P. You may remember him from an earlier post Robin wrote about Braden and a special gift he made for P. When I arrived at P's home yesterday, he met me and said, "I want to Skype with Braden!" I immediately called Robin, who was on her way to drop the oldest three off at school and then head to Thursday Connection (the co-op where she teaches). We couldn't get the connection to work well enough so we reconnected by phone and Braden and P chatted for about 20 minutes! Phone call: $3.60. Camera: $200. Smile: priceless! 

The day after my arrival in Ghana, I (Reid) was introduced to a young man name Wahab. Wahab was recently hired by the NGO, Meaningful Life International, I will be working for in Ghana and the two of us will be working closely together. Like so many Ghanaians - with a quick smile and hardy laugh - he enjoys and makes the most of a sometimes difficult life. Wahab grew up in a Muslim family, in a Muslim village in Ghana. His parents didn't want to send him to the local school because of the Christian influence he would receive there. Wahab would not be denied learning and was a diligent student. He was eager to teach what he learned and began instructing younger children in the Koran at the age of 10. As Wahab developed in his middle and late teens he began to study the Bible, not because he was curious  but in order  to "use the Bible against Christians."  He thought the Bible was something he could use, not realizing it is sharper that a two-edged...

Over Spring Break, Reid was in Ghana and Mason was with a friend in Virginia.  With their absence, the rest of us were looking for something fun to do.   We were also looking for something FREE! Thankfully, my sister, Wendy, is always on top of planning fun excursions.  She invited us on a cousin day to The World's Largest Treehouse .  It's 97 feet tall supported by a live 80 foot oak tree. This unique, but impressive structure was built by a landscape architect who says God told him to build a treehouse.  I love the fact that Horace Burgess was 57 years old when he started the project. Our kids had a blast exploring.  Eventually a game of hide-n-seek ensued. Yes, this photo is a lawn chair swing.  It's tied to the top of the treehouse and Godwin loved it! God blessed me with an amazing sister.  I love her! It wouldn't be complete without a crazy cousin picture!  Silliness! The most impressive part of the day was this view looking down... Tha...

Will you partner with our family in ministry? Will you be a Percent Partner ?  What is a  Percent Partner ? An individual, family, small group or other committed teammates that give $58 per month, which is 1% of our monthly ministry and living expenses. We need approximately 20  Percent Partners to reach the goal. Partners can begin participating by sending checks to: World Outreach Ministries PO Box B Marietta, GA 30061 (memo: "Fund Code 130) Or recurring monthly gifts can be initiated online here . Will you be a Day Of The Month Partner ? Day Of The Month Partners choose a day of the month and pledge the corresponding  amount for that day. For example, if you choose the 20th of the month, you are partnering with us at $20 per month.  Once the calendar is filled, you will have provided an additional 8% of our monthly need, which is almost half of the remaining support needed to reach 100% of our goal. Choose one of the available days by clicking on the cale...

 Last fall, I spent a weekend with some precious people.  I attended a retreat about teaching science  because my dear friend, Kim, invited me to attend.  We spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performing science experiments and dissecting sheep uteri.  (I did not prefer the dissection - at all!)  Throughout the weekend, I became increasingly motivated to "teach science" but the Lord also used my time there for His purposes to teach and grow me. At night, Kim shared with me from a book I still have yet to read, "One Thousand Gifts."  The writing on the pages were simple reminders of God's perfect gifts he bestows on us everyday.  During our down time between sessions, I spent a lot of time with a young lady named Reilynn.  We met for the first time on this retreat, yet our hearts seemed to beat for the same things.  She and her husband served as missionaries overseas.  Now, they are living in Columbia, SC while he attends seminary. ...

When Reid and I married, we lived the dream.  I registered for china dishes, everyday dishes, and even Christmas dishes.  I wanted to be able to set the table with the dishes that suited the occasion.  We were blessed with many wedding gifts filling our china cabinet with 10 place settings of our china.  Each place setting cost over $100!  As I said, we were blessed.  Our china pattern, Tiffany Weave, was beautiful.  Crisp, white, elegant. On into married life, one son, two sons, three sons, four sons later... I noticed that I rarely used my China. It sparkled in the cabinet, but didn't sit on the table often.  There were a few special occasions when we would enjoy eating on the white plates.  Anniversaries, special "just because" nights, etc...  It was memorable for our family to dawn the china for a special meal every now and then.  However, these special meals did not happen often.  Actually, they were very rare.   Our ...

The children lead us, don't they? Last summer, Kristie O'Leary of Feeding the Orphans asked Mason to write a song about the plight of the orphans.  At this time, God was leading our hearts toward mission work with the orphans, but we were uncertain of the timing.  The Lord began speaking to Mason's heart as well as ours.  Mason was 14. Late one evening, Mason came into our room after the rest of the family had gone to bed.  He sat down with Reid and me stating, "Mom and Dad, I've been praying and I know what God wants me to do with my life." "That's wonderful Honey.  We've been praying for you too.  So, where do you believe God is leading you?" Mason replied, "God wants me to be a missionary." Reid and I were ecstatic.  In our minds, this seemed to be a high calling.  In our excitement, we responded, "Oh, that's great Mason.  When you finish school, you can go anywhere you want and become a missionary." Mason's bl...

Mason is now 15.  This is now my view when riding in the van. I'm often in the back seat. Sometimes in the passenger seat, but I am never in the driver's seat anymore.   Mason is now the  "Official Chauffeur" for the family. Recently, I've realized my new seat in the car reflects my position in life as well.  I am no longer in the driver's seat.  Actually, I have never been in the driver's seat of my life, but it has appeared that way to me.  Now I understand God has always been the one driving, but I can see Him in the pilot's seat now.  God is the one leading us to our destination.  He's steering and applying the gas!   Thankfully, with God, I can fully trust He will not run off the road, take curves too fast, or make me panic...not that Mason has done these things, of course.   With God, it is an easy release of control - as long as my heart is fully trusting.  When I become a backseat driver giving directions or suggestions, t...