Preparing our hearts to serve

This pic has nothing to do with Mexico, or serving. Just experimenting with posting pictures.

Welcome to our new blog!  As is the case with most things around here, it has taken our trip to Mexico next week to finally establish a site where our family and friends can keep track of what we are doing throughout the year. 

We will begin to post on our everyday goings on with our homeschool journey when we return, but what a great way to start...
Our first short term mission trip as a family!  We feel blessed beyond belief to have this chance to step outside our comfort zones and work hard. For example, we are told all our meals there will be fast and simple, and that we should wear the same work clothes pretty much all week!  We will be moving constantly, and moved by the people we see and come in contact with.  It is a quick, safe trip, but one we hope will change us immensely.  We want you to know everything we are doing there so that it is as if you are with us, too. Who knows, maybe you'll want to join us next year!

The details  (With links included, because that is so much better than how we can explain it.)

What:  We are going with a fun, multi-generational group of 18 from our church, Laurelwood Baptist, as part of team to serve for one week under an non-denominational organization called Foundation For His Ministry.  There have been several teams sent throughout the years from our church, but we are one of thousands who go there each year from around the world to volunteer. http://www.ffhm.org/get-involved/visit-volunteer/ 

Where:  Vicente Guerrero, Mexico (Baja California Mission)   http://www.ffhm.org/locations/baja-california-mexico/

When: March 31st (Easter!) - April 7th, 2013

How: Actually the four of us, (Tami, Matt, Sawyer, and Piper,) will depart PDX on Friday, March 29th and stay with Matt's cousin near San Diego until the rest of our team arrives Sunday afternoon. From San Diego International Airport, on Easter Sunday, we will all board two large rented vans and drive them across the border into Mexico. Well, Matt will drive one, and Mark will drive another. Matt's also the designated money guy for the entire team and trip, so whenever we stop to eat or fuel up he's the one holding the cash that week. We are told it is a four hour drive to the Vicente Guerrero Mission, and we were specifically instructed not to stop once we pass Ensenada to pee relieve ourselves. But Matt and Mark, our drivers, are laid back and will stop if any of us have to!

Why: We want to serve and be a blessing - and we are praying that we can be forever changed in the process.  "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35  Please join us by praying that we would serve joyfully and bring back stories to tell. More posts and pictures to come!