New Opportunities

I just have a little something in my brain that is not allowing me to sleep, so, I thought I would share it here.

Today at church we got to hear from an awesome missionary couple. You may or may not have ever been inspired by one of these folks, but let me just tell you that my husband and I would LOVE to be able to just hang out and listen to them for a good long while. Such passion, determination, and vision. It is refreshing to hear someone speak like them. The man with such open respect for women and encouragement to men to be men, to know what they believe and why and to be able to recite it chapter and verse so that if the time ever were to arise that you need it, you got it. Just awesome!

The missionaries we heard from were with www.IndigenousMinistries.org and www.BeautifulInternational.org


After church, I was speaking with a friend. She mentioned that her family was planning on going to an orphanage in Mexico and needed to get their passports. A family missions trip where the children play with the children, the women cook and feed them, and the men put together bunk beds and the like.

Serving. Missions. Something that I have only heard of in my life in recent years (at least that I have understood it). Mr. Cookie and I are both hopeful to join this trip to serve with our children. I am excited to think of what each of us will learn and draw from the experience. Excited. A real opportunity, a fit for a family like mine, not huge and scary, but exciting and hopeful.

I have thought only a little about things like these in the past, mostly I just volunteer locally as it fit into my schedule or as I heard of the need. The idea of missions has always sounded like something that I myself am not noble enough for, faithful enough for... the list goes on. Right now I feel like God is bringing an opportunity to our family. Another taste of something we didn't know before.

Sometimes I think I get so wrapped up in 'my life' that I forget or don't even notice that there is a whole lot more going on in our world. And that we can make an impact on it if we want to. Perhaps it will help myself and each individual in my family be grateful and thankful. Not just for who we are but to know what it is like to be that person that helps others and acts like 'the hands and feet of Jesus' instead of wondering what that would be like. I have been thinking that we all leave here having made an impact here big or small, good or bad, our own little ripple in time to be remembered by many, like the missionaries I listened to today, or by a few, like me, but that the ripple is important.

I am going back to bed now. I know that my path is altered today from where it was yesterday and that is the real reason I am awake.


Full of thankfulness and praise,
Mrs. Cookie

Umm, Where's October? Part 2

We arrived back in Phoenix on Thursday afternoon. The kids had to be over to my friends house that evening so that I could catch the early am flight to Minnesota to take care of some business there.
I admit it was crazy.
The family that the girls stayed with is absolutely wonderful!

Mini Chip did pretty good on the flight.

He was rewarded with some pretty special time with Daddy :-)

Peanut Butter turned 17 while we were here!
WOW!!
That boy amazes me!
So happy to be able to see him and spend some time with him!

We got the shed moved and the house cleaned out but best of all...

we were able to see some of our favorite people!

We weren't able to see everyone since it was a working trip but we are very grateful to have seen the ones did!

 LOVED the weather!!!

The airport had this little toddler play area that Mini Chip and I were so happy to come across!

The girls had a good time too.
Oreo made this new recipe up with tuna, kalamata olives, northern beans, italian dressing, onions, and stuff, mixed with lettuce... numm-o!

ADORABLE!!

 Melon lovin' boy!

We made homemade oreo cookies for Chocolate Chip's soccer team.

Oreo made Super Nummy Soup!
Can you tell we are really happy to not be eating out?

Homeschool Park Day friends!

AND THEN...

WE WENT TO THE...

TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT!!!

YUP!!
It was pretty great!

Chocolate Chip finished up the soccer season.

With her best buddies!

And Daddy...

 and Uncle Nate made it to the game!

 The boy REALLY loves balls!

Later, Mr. Cookie and I went out for our Happy Anniversary!
And it really is Happy! I love that man!!!

Oreo Cookie is into all things Amish. She decided to make an Amish outfit.

She worked hard and it really turned out well!

Pumpkin carving is so much fun!

 But let's face it...

 We do it for the seeds!
Mmm, Mmm, Numm-o!!!

We had a last minute Fall Celebration at our house...

Umm, Where's October? Part 1

I'm pretty sure every year comes standard with one, but this year it seems to have disappeared!

So, I am going through my pictures to see if I can find it...

Turns out it was a very good month!

It started out fast... Nate's new Corvette...

SWEET!!!

It was fun to drive!

We traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico with some friends...

Played games, acted silly in the mirror...

and went to the Balloon Fiesta and saw the special shapes balloons take shape!

WOW!!!

It was SOOO good to be chilly too!

This balloon owner asked us if we wanted to climb into his basket... ummm, YUP!

You REALLY have to see this in real life...

the pictures do nothing for the massive size of these balloons!

Off to Killeen, Texas... VERY long drive.

 But TOTALLY worth it!

 We really do love traveling, especially when at the end is someone so amazing and wonderful!

 Spending some time with Dad.

One of the greatest things about homeschool...

 It doesn't matter where you are.

 We LOVE homeschool!

This boy LOVES his Daddy's watch!

 It fits him well... well someday! :-)

 Snack time.

 LOVE THE KISSES!!!!

 It is a great adventure God has led us to...

Sweet!

 Aren't they just so awesome!

 Little man so proud in his little boots and overalls.

Such a happy boy! He is just such a joy!

Drove back to Albuquerque, New Mexico...

 Starbucks sword fighting...

 We stayed with friends in Albuquerque. While we were there we were able to visited Old Town... very fun!

 Oreo and her best buddy.
This family is simply wonderful!

We learned that we REALLY love New Mexico food...

Sopapillas with honey and Green Chili...

Mmmm, MMmm, MMMmmm!

Even Miss Chocolate Chip loved the sopapillas with honey!

Back in the car for the trip back to Phoenix we were blessed to see...

 Snow capped mountains!

Breathtakingly beautiful!!

 SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS!!

 We had only heard about them and saw pictures in books.

I think I need to make this a two part finding October post...

See you in Part 2!

Hugs,

Mrs. Cookie