Look What I Found!!!!

    I know Christ Followers can freak people out sometimes with our enthusiasm...haha....so I argued with myself before I decided to go ahead and write this post.  The reason I struggled was because I didn't want anybody to think I was specifically speaking at them....because I'm not.  I placed God on the back burner for so long in my life before I realized He has to be the front and center.  I just so badly want everyone to "get it" so I'm sharing what my journey has been.  So if you read this and feel anything but encouragement maybe you need to pray about why. 
 
     When we first started out fundraising.....silly me...I truly thought, "No problem!  We have so many friends....this will be a breeze!"  Well.....what I quickly learned was this is SOOOOO not about us and all about God!  If I had put our first request out for monthly supporters and BOOM....300 people stepped up I would've been like...."See!  Aren't we popular!"  Okay....I may not have said exactly that ....but I would've so been giving myself the glory for being recognized as a good person that wants to go do good things and people trust ME!  Don't get me wrong....I want you all to trust me and KNOW that I will be doing the BEST that I can do glorify God's kingdom!   But God wanted to grow me.....He wanted me to see this whole journey is about HIM and what HE will bless me with.  He wants me to give HIM all the control.  He wants to be the one that steps into your heart and make you trust HIM with the gifts that He has given you. 
 
     Brian and I have not chosen the easy roads through out our marriage.  In the beginning we did not put God first in our lives and because we didn't we made some pretty crappy choices.  We lived wayyyy past our means and struggled like so many people do.  Luckily when we went through the struggles we didn't just blame the world and get mad and feel sorry for ourselves.  We took accountability and we turned to Jesus to help us get on the right track with all of our priorities.  We sold our huge house with the huge payment and bought our adorable little country home with a 1/4 of the payment.  It took a while to catch up on the mess we had gotten ourselves into BUT we listened to God.  We tithed, we supported 2 missionaries we continued to support Rubelsi, our little boy with Compassion International that we have supported for about 10 years now.  We had foster children, we prayed, we listened, we went on mission trips.  We never, ever, EVER...not even ONCE regretted any of those decisions.  We never said, "Oh man....I really wish I had that $200 (or whatever amount) back that I gave to other's so I could have a new outfit or toy or whatever we thought we be cool to have.
    
     The totally awesome part is....because we listened to God....we are so much happier, less anxiety, less stress, happier marriage.  Our kids know WHAT to VALUE now. 

    So this IS NOT another post on why you should become a monthly partner with us.  That truly is between you and God.  This is my post about that I truly hope and pray that if you are living the way that I used to......seek God.  Trust God.  Ask Him....what plans do you have for my life?  I guarantee His plans are WAY better than the one's you are trying to achieve without His approval. 

     What prompted me writing this post was when my friend MarLo wrote these words on her facebook status.  It was my message from God through her.  Brian and I had just sat down and looked at our sponsors.  We have 4 weeks and a longggggg way to go.  I keep saying God will do it in a way that we know it was ALL HIM!  But those little waves of nausea creep in when you look at the actual numbers and time frame.....So these words brought me the PEACE I needed right when I needed it.  I pray they will bring you as much peace too! 

"Never be overcharged with anxiety. I am your burden-bearer. Never be anxious for the morrow, for on the morrow I will be your sure supply. Praise Me now, and let your confidence in Me be manifest. So will the faith of others be encouraged, for your life is a witness to many." (Come Away My Beloved)
     

Hope vs No hope

  

"Where do I start?"  I find myself asking myself this question almost daily.  Sell everything, learn about home schooling, fundraising.....it's completely overwhelming to get ready to change everything about your life and move out of the country.

  The closer we get to moving the more the question has changed it's meaning...."Where do I start when I get there?"  God has placed on my heart the desire to go and serve....but what difference can I truly make?  I'm not a Bible scholar!  I'm actually still a work in progress!  How can I help?  But then I remember all the people in my life that truly made an impact....they were the people that "just showed up".  They listened, empathized, showed me grace and unconditional love.....hmmmm.....sounds a lot like Jesus.  

  In church today we heard about what our role is in this life as Christ followers.  Spread the good news.  So I consider my role in the Dominican one that all I have to do is be willing and God will equip me with what I need. 

• I will show grace,,,, the way He shows me grace. 

• I will hurt for those hurting... just as He does. 

• I will tell other's He forgives them.... like He does me. 

• I will share with them how much He loves them. 

• I will give them hope by knowing that Jesus walked on this Earth and suffered and died so that we can be forgiven because He could fully understand what it was like to live in our flesh.... with Him we don't have to suffer but will live the most beautiful life in eternity.

     When you dedicate your life to helping others....to fight "Satan's ideal world" of people suffering, starving, spiritually lost, and living with no hope, you will most likely find yourself under a spiritual attack.  Proof of this was just yesterday after church when my children went to Walmart while their father and I attended a meeting at church.  My 18 year old daughter Raegan, was wearing a long skirt that went to the floor, my 13 year old daughter Maddie, noticed a man standing behind them.  Soon out of the corner of her eye she saw him lean down and set his cellphone between Raegan's feet.  Maddie quickly realize the camera was on.  She kicked the phone, kneed the man in the chest which knocked him down.  She began yelling, "Don't do that!  Get out of here!  I'm going to call the cops!"  He scrambled to get his phone and took off running. 

   Now knowing we are going to the Dominican Republic to take a stand against Human Exploitation....doesn't it just figure that a spiritual attack like this would happen?  BUT look what happened because God lives in my babies heart!  Maddie did what she had to with no fear.  That my friends is how we all should live!  If we didn't stand for what is right .....then we would live in a world with no hope.

   I'm sure you have heard the term being Jesus hands and feet, but do you truly think about what that means?  Adam and Eve's actions caused us to live in an imperfect world.   But it is our privilege as Christ followers to do everything possible to help, teach, and serve those who don't know Him.

   So when you question yourself like I do.  Remind yourself that all it takes is the first step.  Trust God to equip you....grow you.....and push you to speak of a life of hope to whomever you come across.  Don't miss out on the opportunities because "your life" got in the way.  Because you will miss out on the biggest blessings you will ever witness.
   

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV)

23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.   

 

Give Away!!!!

Go MAD with the Bland's Give Away! From now until June 18th if you sign up to monthly partner with us, we will put your name in a drawing to win this BEAUTIFUL Family Rules sign! As missionaries we have to raise 100% of our funds. Please share this status to help us get closer to our goal. Go to www.gomadministries.org. Click on Make a Donation. At 'Program Designation' click arrow and choose Brian and Jenny Bland.

Shhhhhh......don't tell....but I don't believe in Magic!

     If you asked any student at my Elementary School where I worked the last 5 years, "What did Nurse Jenny always give you to feel better?"  The majority would say, "Magic Crackers"!    (I will reveal what the secret ingredient that made them "magic" was here in a minute.)  What I learned very quickly when I first became school nurse was that each and every child needed someone to listen and take them seriously.   So my goal for each of my little patients was to give them validation.  I listened, I assess, I ask questions then I would give them my prescription.....which could be anywhere from a hug, band aid, ice pack, Tylenol or a Magic Cracker!  Sometimes the complaint would be legitimate....sometimes it would be a reason to get out of class.  Either way....there was a reason behind it.  They sometimes didn't get enough sleep, got in a fight with a friend, had a rough morning getting out the door (like we do at my home on many days) or forgot to do their homework..... so I treated them with respect.  Because after all...no matter what our age....isn't that what we want?  Someone to listen to us.  Someone to understand.  Someone to care.  Someone to make us feel safe.  Someone to make us feel loved. 

     So after 5 years of having the tremendous pleasure of loving and helping the students at my school I have stepped down so I can go serve in the same way to the families in the Dominican Republic.  I will have a whole new kind of challenges to help with but I plan on using the same prescriptions on them.....I will validate their complaints....assess how I can help....I will listen....I will understand....I will care and help to make them feel safe.  I will definitely make them feel loved. 

     Now to reveal for the first time in public my "secret ingredient" I added to my "Magic Crackers" ..............was PRAYER.  I would pray that they would fill the students with God's love....God's mercy.....God's healing. 

     One of my favorite quotes I had taped next to my desk was... "Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God will come to know God because they know you." 

     So now unlike doing this quietly and to myself in a public school system.....I can tell the families in the DR how much God loves them.  I can help HEAL them by the power of HIS REDEMPTION, MERCY and GRACE. 

     And for both my kiddos here at my school and for my future families I will continue to PRAY that they will know that they ALWAYS have someone that listens, understands, loves and wants them to feel safe.......  that is their HEAVENLY FATHER waiting for them to TRUST IN HIM for all their needs. 

Celebrating Tyler and Raegan!

    Why is it we always want events in our life to hurry up and get here?  We can't wait until our babies are potty-trained, able to walk,  can clean up their rooms themselves, and are able to drive themselves to all their activities.  Then all of a sudden we ask, "Where did the time go?"  My babies are all grown up! 

     Right now I want to make time stand still yet I'm excited to move on to the next adventure in our life!  Why can't I have it both??? 

     What God is telling me right now is to embrace, trust, cherish and love.   He is telling me to enjoy every moment, listen to every word, learn from every mistake and laugh at every opportunity. 

     I have two daughters graduating this weekend.  Tyler from Dental Hygiene Program and Raegan from High School.

     I want to tell you what I love about both of these girls. 

     Tyler is one of the hardest working young ladies I have ever met.  She worked constantly while she put herself through college.  She knows how to manage her time and money and takes NOTHING for granted.  She has the most infectious laugh on this planet!  She loves her siblings with her whole heart and is the best role model for them.  She is seeking out what God has in store for her life.  She is the bravest, most compassionate, loving person.  I made her promise me when she was 1 day old that she would be my best friend and she has never failed me.  I know that "distance" is going to be a new factor in our relationship but I know that "closeness" will NEVER be an issue.  My prayer for Tyler is that God puts all the right people in her life, that she stays true to herself and God and that she uses her amazing personality to shine God's light on everyone she meets.

 

 

 

    Raegan is absolutely the most artistic minded person I think I know.  She sees this world differently than most.  I see things simply and she sees the detail and beauty in it.  Raegan has always been the quietest child I have but believe me....she hasn't missed out on anything!  She sits back and enjoys each moment of watching this families chaotic dinner conversations!  She is the calming force in crazy times.  She's MY rock in stressful times.  She's our teacher for all music and crafts.  She is our sweet beautiful light!  My prayer for Raegan is that she embraces ministering to the women and children in the DR before she heads out into the world to pursue her career in art.  I pray that she grows in her relationship with God and that she looks to Him before making all life decisions.

Affirmation with Bigfoot.......Who's crazy now?

     Yep....I was told I was a little bit crazy again today!  (Man I wish I had a sponsor for every time I heard that!  haha.....sorry....had to throw in a little missionary humor there!)  I totally take it as a compliment though.  Anything you do in life that requires faith, usually looks a little unusual to people ....so Praise the Lord for crazy people!

     One of the big things that people think I'm crazy about is taking my kids to serve.....I just have to say.....Are ya SERIOUS??????  I'm thinking this is about the greatest gift I could give them.  Have you hung around many kids these days????   Do you watch TV?    Now....I work at the school and I have to say....I love all those children so much!  SERIOUSLY!  They are sweet, kind, considerate, they have HUGE hearts and they TRULY want to do nice things.  And they usually do!!!  So please don't think I'm slamming any body's children.    But if we had the chance to show them that the world is not revolving around them, their looks, their talents, their popularity.....DO IT.  Looks fade, talents only go so far and being popular is fun...but if we can show our kids how to make a huge impact in this world by feeding the hungry and loving the broken....THAT is something that they can truly feel good about.

     What sparked this randomness of thoughts was my son.... Mario.  Now....I'm not trying to pick on him....I could find a similar story with all of my kids like this.  He's tough and can take it though.  Ok....so he lost a library book probably in the beginning of the school year.  I found out in December and confronted him.  He was pretty much like, "Oh well....I looked and can't find it."  So I told him he had to pay for it.  He asked the librarian how much the book would be.  He came home proudly and said with a smirk, "It's only 3.25."  So when I confirmed that price with Mrs. Swigart she said it was only that much because they stopped publishing it in 1974!  So...it was basically irreplaceable.  And in case you were wondering it was "Track of Bigfoot" haha...of course it was...he's an 8th grade boy.  So Mrs. Swigart and I came up with a plan....quite a genius one I may add.... since we can't buy a new one then Mario should just rewrite it!!!  And only in Mrs. Swigart fashion....she thought if he could get a few snap shots that would awesome too!!!! 
So here we are.....it's May. He lost the book in the Fall!  He was told to write the book in December.  He began writing it and with his good fortune, I forgot about it for awhile.  But....as us good Mommas usually do....I finally remembered to ask if he finished it and turned it in.....to which he replied...."no"  (head hung).   So the last few weeks I have been hounding the boy just a little to get it done before the end of school.  He finished today!  

      What does this story have to do with my previous rant about taking my kids to serve others????    I'm glad you asked.....you see when Mario was done writing the book after losing the book and being hounded by his Mother to write the book for 5 months.  He actually asked me to write a "forward" in it like they do for "famous authors"................................. He wanted praise. 
 (Now my head is hung.)

    So as we live in a society of entitlement......where we all think we deserve praise even for correcting our own mistakes.........I'm going to teach my children to give and expect nothing in return except God's unending love. 

   Yep......crazy.

"This will be easy!".......Said nobody ever!

     "Nobody ever said it would be easy!"  Do you know how many times I have heard this? 

     Today we had an amazing outpouring of love and support from our community at our Walking Taco sale.  The generosity of people and kind words carry us through and keep us lifted in this journey.  Nobody will ever understand how much that means because this is such an emotional roller coaster.  You see we honestly feel like this is not a "choice" for us to move and serve.  Because if it was a choice.....we would probably have changed our minds a hundred times by now. 

     Brian and I both have been blessed with amazing families that we are going to miss SO much.  Our daughters Tyler and Sydney are staying in the U.S.  We are leaving jobs that are literally a part of who we are.  We have so many people telling us we are great at what we do and are going to be missed.  Do you know how hard it is to walk away from family and that kind of love, praise, security and appreciation???  

     After we came home today and relaxed for awhile.  My nephew Keegan began to say his goodbyes to me since he is flying to Guatemala tomorrow to spend the summer with is family that is serving there.  He started to walk away and said, "Aunt Jenny....When am I going to see you again?"
I stood dumbfounded.  I've been so busy with all the plans I hadn't even thought that it may be a long long time.  My other nephew (Keegan's brother) Travis is getting married near Seattle, Washington this fall.  I am praying that I can afford to at least have me fly out to attend his wedding. 

                So you are right "Nobody" THIS ISN'T EASY!"

But again.....Brian and I both know this is not a choice for us.  We firmly believe that we were not put on this Earth to live for our own comfort.  We were made to live our lives for Jesus.  Not to acquire more and more but to GIVE more and HELP more. 

If this was a choice ....trust me I would choose to stay right where I am ....close to my adult children that I could see whenever I want, work at the school where I am "Nurse Jenny" and have people boost my ego about how nice I am, we could see our families all the time and especially for holidays and weddings, we could control how much money we make and spend on any given day, we could hang out with our friends.......I could go on and on.

So we choose the HARD path....but the right path for us.  Because easy isn't always right, living for our own comfort isn't what God had planned.  He designed us to be His hands and feet. 

How can I worry about my comfort when there are so many who live like this?  And as a funny side note....I googled,  "Bible verses about living comfortably" You want to know what it said????  No bible verse exists on this subject.  No surprise there....but yep.....confirmation. 

 

James 2:14-17                    

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

So once again.....we still need monthly support.  You see our effort, sacrifices and willingness.  You see our desire to show God's love and bring hope for the hopeless.  We need from you prayers, encouraging words and monthly support.  We have a long way to go.  We literally raise 100% of our living expenses.  We have been blessed with lots of donors but still need monthly commitments so we have that security to rely on while we serve.  We understand that giving $25, $50, $75, etc monthly is a sacrifice.  We will continue to pray for God to give us all the strength. He will take care of us when we take care of all of His treasures.

If you feel you can make this sacrifice to help us further God's kingdom please click on link on upper right hand side of this page under the yellow Go MAD Ministry sign and follow instructions.  Thank you....and God bless you for blessing others.

Philippians 4:19                    

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.