Excitement

I love seeing Weston get excited and passionate about something. He is always excited and passionate about flying but I rarely get to see him excited about something else. We had one of these moments this weekend.

Weston and I support a ministry called iGo Global. iGo is a missions sending organization. Check out their website to learn more about them!

Anyways, this weekend we got to go to the iGo banquet where we had the opportunity to see a little more of the hearts of the staff and students involved with this organization. It was a great time, we got to see great friends, and we got to celebrate with this ministry that we support.

But what was even greater was that on the 2 and a half hour drive home, I got to see a little more of Weston's heart and the direction and ministry of our family. He was really excited to see what our money supports, and even more excited to think about what we could support in the future.

It all goes back to the end of Weston's senior year of high school. He wasn't really interested in going to college. He wanted to be a smoke jumper. I'm not really sure what that is but I think it has something to do with jumping out of helicopters or airplanes and landing in fires. Luckily, for us all, Weston suddenly got the urge to be a missionary pilot. So he applied to LeTourneau, got accepted and made the trek to the Glory Land (Texas!).

Somewhere along the way, beginning when he was in college, it seemed that Weston's mission as a pilot might look a little different than your typical missionary pilot. Weston and I have found that your mission field can be anywhere. It can be in China, or Africa, or Longview, Texas. People need Jesus in all of these places and there are SO many different ways to minister. Weston realized that he could go be one missionary pilot serving in one place, or he could make money and support FIVE missionary pilots serving in lots of different places.

Weston is SO wise and SO smart. The Lord has given him so much knowledge when it comes to business and finance and making money. I really believe that this is a gift from God. (and it's a good thing I'm married to Weston because I am so clueless about those things!) God has really placed the desire on our hearts to be wise in investment and use profit to support people in the work of the Lord. And this makes Weston excited!

Por ejemplo, it usually takes a while for a missionary pilot to actually get on the field because of school loans. (Well, I don't know if this applies to all missionary pilots, but it certainly applies to the majority of those that graduate from LeTourneau) Missions organizations will not send you out on the field with a large amount of debt, therefore pilots must work for a while to pay off those debts before they can get on the field. Let me be the first to tell you that pilots do not make a lot of money, especially starting out, so that can sometimes take a while. How sweet would it be to be able to pay off someone's school loans so they can immediately get on the mission field and not have to wait 10 years?!

So, to clarify, we are by no means rich. We are only starting out and the excess that we are able to give now is small. But the plan is to invest wisely and hopefully in the years to come, be generating some extra income that can be used to give. We want to live in this house for 10 years. We want to drive our cars until they fall apart. We don't want extra luxuries in life, we just want to be able to give!

It seems kind of awkward blogging about money, and giving, and such. But it is one of those things that we know is a desire from the Lord and I just wanted to share! Pray with us that we can see these dreams come to fruition. Who knows, maybe we'll be supporting YOU someday! :)

Lessons from Leeland

Having a baby has taught me so much. I have a feeling that this is the first of MANY "Lessons from Leeland" posts.

When Leeland gets hungry, he is so single minded. He starts sucking on his hands, his arms, his burp rag, my hands, ANYTHING he can get in his mouth, whatever is right in front of him. In fact, he is soooo set on sucking on all these things right in front of his face that it's hard for me to even get the bottle into his mouth. All along, I have the one thing that will satisfy him, but he can't even get it because he is too preoccupied with empty things that will never nourish him. I find myself saying, "Leeland! I have your bottle right here! I promise this is what you need!" Then I have to physically move his hands out of his face and hold them down so I can get the bottle in his mouth.

One night, at about 2 a.m., I had the thought, "This is how I treat God." I am always seeking and searching, my soul is hungry, but so many times I turn to the things that will not satisfy. I only look at what is right in front of me, whatever is easiest. And all along, God is standing there saying, "Meagan! I have what you need right here! LET me give it to you!"

I'm not only robbing God. I am robbing myself.

Leeland, thank you for this little lesson.

God, thank you for using my precious little son to bring my back to You.

Quiet.

Leeland has been sleeping for almost 2 hours. Which might be a bad thing since the day time is when we are supposed to be awake, but I'm ok with it for right now.

I turned the tv off.

I don't have any music on my new laptop yet and I'm too lazy to get up and walk over to the iPod dock.

The weather is so beautiful outside, a little chilly, making it a little cool in the house. Which is nice because the AC doesn't have to run, and I get to cuddle up in a blanket.

None of the lights in the house are on. The only light is the sunlight streaming in the windows.

My new "fall smell" candle is lit on the coffee table.

Oliver is also sleeping.

I could be cleaning the bathrooms like I said I would. I could be finishing Leeland's laundry. I could be making food because I am hungry right now. I could be showering.

But I'm not.

I'm just sitting here, enjoying the quiet.

And it is beautiful.

Thank you Lord.