It's What You Make Of It That Counts

 
   Last night was the opening night to our kids club events that go throughout the school year.  We've been involved in the previous years in many different ways and our kids have all grown to love Kid's Club at our home church.  Jacob and Max have since graduated to the youth group but love it just as much.  We feel so blessed to have a church that has so much for the kids to do and so many adults pouring their lives into helping teach these young ones to know the ways of the Lord.  We are truly blessed.

  School always goes a little smoother on Wednesdays.  When someone is found "goofing off" or daydreaming it only takes a little reminding of their plans for the evening and they usually get right back to work.  While I am so thankful for all of this I am also reminded of how much more it's going to hurt when we leave.  It's hard for me sometimes to not weigh the pros and cons of getting involved in such great things, great family, great friends...just to say goodbye.  Yet I must remind myself that this isn't Mars we're going to and it's only goodbye for a season. (Not literally, just an illustration. :) )
  
   So it was one of those hard nights for me; seems I'm struggling more lately as we get closer and especially with how our kids will be effected.  Seeing all the kids come with such enthusiasm to be there; kids who are so hungry to learn about Jesus, is hard for me now because I want to be involved in it all.  Watching our kids in the midst of them all, playing and having such fun, reciting their memory verse together, eating snack, playing games, singing songs, stirs within me a bit of sadness.  It's hard not to dwell on the fact that we only have two weeks left with Bryant Wesleyan kids club when it has only just begun.  Yet, we can look at this two different ways.  We can be thankful for the blessings of  many years of amazing opportunities for our kids to see Jesus in our church and and I can trust that God will still provide those opportunities for them through other means or I can sit and mope about all that we are leaving and all that we will miss.  In doing so we would probably miss all the rest of the blessings and opportunities He has for them because we cannot see through our weeping and moping.  And the old saying proves very true that your kids pick up so much more of what they see than what they are told.  Our attitudes are very contagious.  We found that out the hard way. I'm holding tight to Jeremiah 29:11, not just for the kids in the project or for those waiting to be rescued, but for our kids too!  For He knows the plans He has for them, plans to prosper them and not to harm them, plans to give them a future and a hope! 
  
   The Lord has been good and the summer months added more confirmation for us as we continue on in this journey.  The one time start up fund needed has been supplied and we are at 50% on the monthly commitments needed!  We feel that God is leading us to begin traveling to continue sharing and spreading awareness for Project Manuelito.  It is our hope that through this time God will also lead us to the people who already share our vision for the "least of these" and who are important pieces to this team.  This team is growing everyday yet is still in need of prayer warriors, monthly supporters and many other needs within the project.  Thank you for all that you have done and are doing.