Help for Haiti in Jesus’ Name

So many bloggers over the last few weeks have posted about helping and donating toward organizations that can help in Haiti.  To this point, I had not posted anything.  I figured all the “big-name” bloggers were doing enough.  And as a general rule, I believe that to be true.  I don’t know that there is anything that I can say or do differently than any of them that would convince you, my 10 dear readers, to contribute to help this people if you haven’t already.

Instead, I am writing today to ask for your prayer for my dad who is currently on his way to Haiti. 

He has worked for quite a few years, even before they left to go to India on mission for two years, with the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief Team.  He has traveled to places all over the world to respond to those in disaster and crisis situations along with the TBM team to bring help and love in the name of Jesus.  So this is nothing new to us.

Here is our request:  At the very least, please pray for my dad (you can call him CP if you want) and the entire 5 person TBM team that is currently in Haiti.  Please pray for their safety as they travel and as they distribute the water filtration units.  Also pray for discernment as they assess how TBM can best serve the people of Haiti in Jesus’ name. 

Specifically, I ask for prayer for my dad as he is the point person and leader of this trip.  Pray for very specific wisdom and discernment for him in this role.

Now, here is my pitch:  If you have not contributed yet to a relief effort on behalf of the people of Haiti, please consider TBM. You can click here to go directly to their donations page.

Thank you, blog friends.  I always know that I can count on you.

Blessings for this day,

Donna

Oh, and it was also Halloween {Mama Braggin’ Monday}

My mom called last week while I was gone one evening and invited us to come out to see them and their new house this weekend.  But as she and Mike talked about it for a moment, they realized that it was Halloween.  But once we talked about it, we realized that we had absolutely no plans during the entire weekend, so we said sure.  Because, seriously, the kids don’t care where they trick or treat as long as they get the candy, right?

Right.

I called her back and let her know that we did still have soccer games first thing on Saturday morning, but we would plan to leave right after that.  So off we went to Mimi and Papa’s house for Halloween.  This was a first for us.

I love that my kids spent that day doing a lot of this…

… and this …

… and being doted on like this…

Oh and they also dressed up because it was, after all, Halloween. 

We went to a little bity country church’s fall festival.    The kids played games, went on a hayride and ate corny dogs. 

And, of course, got candy and prizes.

So, in my opinion… Halloween just doesn’t get any better than the day we had on Saturday.  I hope yours came close to being as fun as ours.

Guess who comes home today...

If you didn't know, my parents have been on mission in South Asia for nearly two years. This picture was taken just in July of this year when they came back state-side to look for a house.

But today, they arrive back here for good...

Or until the next adventure that the Lord leads them on.

It's good to have y'all home!

Asking for a little prayer

Would y'all please pray for my parents? Specifically my mom, right now.

If you didn't know, they are missionaries in South Asia. They are about half-way through a two year commitment with our denomonation's international mission organization.

My mom has been having some back pain which happens from time to time. Only this time, it was really bad. They admitted her to the hospital on Wednesday morning and put her in traction.

The latest emails from my dad say that she is getting some relief and they have done a little therapy. He said that it's a prolapsed disc.

I don't know much at all about back issues, but my prayer is that she continues to gain relief from the pain, is healed, and that they can get back to the work of what they are called to do. I am praying that she can make it through this without having to have any kind of surgery while out of the country. I am also praying that they meet someone while they are in the hospital that they can minister to.

So, if you think about it, please pray for my mom. (My kids call her Mimi.)

Thanks y'all. You are all the GREATEST!!!

Miracle Monday - Praying for a Miracle

Today’s Miracle Monday post is not so much about a miracle that has happened, but a miracle we are praying for.

If you didn’t know, my parents are missionaries in South Asia. Their names and exact location cannot be published for security reasons.

They are overseas with a 2 year mission program designed for retirees. They are sent over and paid a salary for jobs that they do within our mission organization for our denomination. Along with their job responsibilities, they have involved themselves with several groups and put themselves in the position to minister to people in the country where they are currently living. It all keeps them very busy.

Recently violence and persecution toward believers has increased in the areas outside of their city, and it seems to be getting closer and closer to them. From reports we are hearing pastors have been murdered, homes and churches burned and many families displaced as they flea for their lives.

It is a serious situation. One that would not have come to my attention were it not for my parents’ presence in this area.

Right now we are praying for a miracle. For divine intervention on behalf of these believers as they follow the Father’s leading. For peace as they face horrendous atrocities. Wisdom on when to stand and fight and when to run.

Pray with me, friends. Pray for my parents and their safety. Pray for them as they minister to locals in their area who have been personally affected in these attacks.

Pray, believing.


You can find further information at the go2southasia.org website and specifics are located here.

To find other Miracle Monday posts, visit A Mom's Life.

Foodie Friday - The truth about German Chocolate Cake

The truth about German Chocolate Cake is that I think it's gross. I'm not a nut kind of gal (no, I'm not allergic - I just don't like them in my food thankyouverymuch) and German Chocolate Cake has tons of several different kinds of nuts in it. I'm just not a fan.

However my dad is. A big fan, in fact. Of course my family is very dessert oriented, so there are many others desserts he likes as well (like pecan pie, Blue Bell Ice Cream, cheesecake, oatmeal raisin cookies, etc.)

And since today is his birthday and since I'm not close-by to give him a hug and a kiss, or even make him a birthday cake, I am using this blog to make him a virtual birthday cake. A German Chocolate Cake. Much the same way I remember making these cakes for him when I was younger. That's how he knew the cake was especially for him, because he knew I wasn't going anywhere within 10 feet of it once I was done making it.

Blech.

Now, first a bit of history for you.

Did you know that German Chocolate Cake did not originate in Germany? It's not German. At all. Well, I guess that one of the people involved in its development could have had German roots, but the cake itself... not German.

The following is paraphrased from Snopes.com:

In 1852, a man named Sam German developed a sweet baking bar for Baker's Chocolate Co. who named the bar for him by using his last name: "Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate." (Side note: other sources say that Mr. German founded Baker's Chocolate... so I'm not sure which is correct.) Fast forward about 100 years and a recipe ran in the Dallas newspaper, submitted by a local homemaker, which caused a frenzy and noticeable increase in sales of these chocolate bars. The company began distributing the recipe and it took the country by storm.

In my looking about, I found several recipes that I'll share with you along with the disclaimer that I have not and will not personally try any of these recipes:

This one is accredited to Cook's Illustrated (pictured above) and I pretty well trust ANYTHING they come up with. It's bound to be good if you like German Chocolate Cake.

This one is from David Lebovitz who seems to know a thing or two about the subject of sweets.

Or for a different and interesting twist, try this one which hails from the Bridge Street Bakery in Waitsfield, VT.

So there you have it. As far as my friend the Internet can tell me, that's the truth about German Chocolate Cake.

And Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you.

Update on Mom and Dad for Miracle Monday

I was really touched by the story my dad told about his recent ministry experience and felt that it was a good story to post as a true miracle this fine Monday.

For the sake of those who read here who do not know my whole story, I'll give just a little back-ground. My parents left in January of this year to minister in South Asia for 2 years as part of a program for retirees through our denomination's international missions organization. My dad has, for many years, ministered in prisons and has done a bit of globe trotting doing disaster relief work. In other words, when I really stop and think aobut it, it is not surprising that the Lord would call them to this task.

Side Note: Forgive me if any of this is confusing. I am omitting all names of people and places as I cannot give specifics of their location or anything for their safety.

My dad recently posted a story on their own website that really touched me and confirmed for me why they are where they are.

As I said, my dad has ministered in prisons for years here in the states. First through a large para-church prison ministry organization. And most recently just in a prison located locally near where they lived. So, it made sense to him that the Lord would want him to continue that ministry no matter where in the world he was and he believed that Holy Spirit had put such a desire in his heart.

He began to explore possibilities and found that Hindus and Muslims were effectively ministering in prisons where he is. But no doors were opened to him.

Then, he got word from the states that a Christian brother had been imprisoned near him and he was asked to make a "pastoral visit" if possible. He did so and I'm certain that he was a huge comfort and encouragement to this man who could only sit there and wonder, "Why has this happened?"

On one of these visits he took with him a local pastor who he thought might be able to aid in the man's release. This did not work out, but in the course of the prison visit, the local pastor found that he was long time friends with the Assistant Superindendent of the prison, who is also a Chrisitian. They had a nice reunion and they were told that they could come any time to lead in Christian worship and pass out literature.

The man my dad had originally visited in the prison has been released and is back in the U.S., but we have seen the answer to his "Why". My dad and his pastor friend recently led worship in that prison, freely preached the gospel and passed out Bibles and tracts. They also have opportunities openning up to them in other prisons nearby, including what he has heard to be the largest prison in their country.

God truly works miracles. And when difficult times come for us, we never can tell what may happen as a result or how others may be blessed because of our faith.

Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good fo those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

If you think about them, please pray for them and pray specifically for this area of ministry for my dad.

Also as a side note, there have been some localized bombs being detinated in their area over the weekend. Please be in prayer for their safety as well.

For other Miracle Monday stories or to share your own, visit Beth at A Mom's Life.