Bring the Dress or Wear Your Running Shoes

During this whole month we have been traveling around our lovely state preaching to gain supports for the orphanage and our funds.  Traveling with a 2 year old with food allergies is interesting to say the least.  Especially a two year old that will throw up at the drop of a hat.

A few weeks ago, as we pulled in to a church, she decided to bless us by throwing up all over the nice dress she was wearing.   I wised up, put the ratty thing on and dress her in the parking lot before entering the church.  Great plan if you don't forget her nice clothes.  

Last night we were preaching in a town a little over an hour from here.  As we pull in the parking lot of the church, I asked one of the kids to hand me Kamryn's clothes.  I was met with blank stares.  Oh, dear Lord, we had left her clothes at home and the spaghetti strap, sun dress was not going to work.  

I told Toby to take everybody but Kaitlyn and Kamryn with him, and I would find Walmart.  I have been to this town several times and I thought I knew where it was.  Walmart was not where it was supposed to be.  Turns out they had built a new one, but after a quick call back to the church we were back on track.

I am sure the people in Walmart wondered about us, because we were like sprinters.  Rushed in, found an outfit, and got back to church only 35 minutes late.  Hey, I think that was pretty good time.  

Moral of the story:  If you are going to forget the dress, wear running shoes.

Enjoying the Process

Have you ever been caught in the trap of always looking and planning for the future?  The kind of planning that says "Yes, I may be doing this today, but in a few years...."  A place of never being quite content with where you are in God's plan for your life because of rushing toward the future.

ME...ME...hand high in the air waving it all around!

I am guilty!

Through every adoption I have been guilty of saying, "After this baby comes home, then....."

Every phase of life has always been a rush to get to the next level, take the next step, plan the next big thing.

My kids had even gotten in a habit of playing the how old will I be in 10 years?  20 years?  How old will mom be in 5 years?  That wasn't the part of the game that I liked.

I know planning is good and needed, because without it we would never accomplish anything.  I do wonder, many times, if I am so busy waiting, wanting, and planning that I forget to enjoy the process.  Living each moment, savoring it, and never giving it back kind of enjoyment.

When we began this new adventure in our lives, I found myself saying when this is done, then......

This morning I felt the Lord gently speaking into my spirit, "Enjoy today, enjoy this season, enjoy this process.....step back and let me plan for a little while."

Could there be JOY in the day to day, while we wait for the future to unfold?

Several months ago I was faced with a very scary health situation.  It looked like we might not get to do any of the things that God has for us to do.  Broken hearted I went to Him in prayer and He reminded me that He orders our steps, He is in control, and to enjoy the process.

After prayer and going to Houston, TX, for a second opinion, I was told all was well.  Just some old scars left saying I used to have a muscle disease that I was healed from. (That is another post for another time.)

I think it was His way of telling me He has us in the palm of His hand.  Each moment in this journey is meant to be examined, held, and savored, because we will never be here at this point in our adventure again.  I can sit back and let Him say what is next.  I want to enjoy this process.

21 DAYS UNTIL.......

Each day is a blur.  My mind races.  There is so much to do to move this family of 7.

The house is packed except for the furniture.  We are having to rent two storage units to house all this stuff.  I did not have this much when I moved in here.  Thankfully, we sold the living room furniture and a few other pieces to a friend.

We had a small hiccup on Monday.  Our Suburban started acting up and had to be put in the shop.  It was still under warranty and they will have it ready Thursday.

Last night we traveled down to Lafayette to visit with family before we leave.  I think of all the things we are experiencing right now, leaving family is the hard part.  We helped celebrate a 15th birthday while we were there and enjoyed an awesome time of wonderful food and great conversation.

I am trying to keep school limping along as long as possible.  Have dropped all but the core subjects for the time being.  We may have to do some major review once we get settled in and start school back up in Guatemala.  The kids are so excited that it is hard to concentrate at times.

Praying daily for wisdom in what to take with us.

Kensli had to have two teeth pulled yesterday.  She has had so much trouble with her teeth breaking and decaying even with proper care.  When he was trying to pull them they broke into small pieces.  The dentist checked her jaw because he was a little concerned due to her teeth being so brittle.  All was well!  Praying that her adult teeth are super strong and healthy.

Count Down is On.....23 Days

I can't believe we leave Alexandria next week. The last couple of months has flown by and I wish I could have had time and Internet connection enough to post all the things we have done. Guess I will have to do some catch up posts in Guatemala.  

We leave on November 1, for Napels, Florida, to do a leadership training seminar for a pastor friend. The kids should love that! The beach will be visited several times I am sure.  Hopefully, I will get some time to sit, think, and drink in the beauty of the scenery.

November 14, we board the plane out of Miami for Antigua, Guatemala. I honestly can't believe we are this close. The kids keep saying, "I wish we were leaving tomorrow." 

The house has to be completely packed up before we leave. That has been a very large task to live in a house and pack it up, too, while trying to keep it clean for showing.  Ready for this phase to be over.  

I know that we are in the palm of His hand and thank Him daily for allowing us to be called. He gives us strength!

You Can Help

This is the orphanage project that we will be helping with in Guatemala while learning the language.

 Also, we are raising funds to allow us to go and be apart of this work.  If you would like to support us you can email us at tobybrazzel@bellsouth.net

Please be in prayer for this project, for everyone that is working to make this project a reality for the orphans of Guatemala, and for our family.

Thank you

Traveling Tales-- An Active Imagination

I will admit I like nature, but in a controlled environment.  Toby loves it!  I think he could disappear into the woods and only be seen once a month or so for provisions.  The kids are not exactly how they feel.  This next week would prove how much they love being "one with nature."

August 25, 2012

Pigeon Forge, TN  

We arrived at our lovely cabin up on a mountain late in the afternoon after a very winding drive through the Smokey Mountains.  The cabin was perfect... three bedrooms and very rustic with beautiful mountain views and modern conveniences.   The only problem was the three bedrooms were on three different levels.  Not the best set up with kids, but they had no worries and loved their time away from mom and dad.  

That evening while the kids were enjoying their new home for the next several days, I picked up the packet we had been given at check-in.  It contained all the do's and don'ts for staying on their properties.  For example, do not leave trash outside in the garbage can at night and do not panic if you find insects in the cabin.  While I was leafing through all the info. I spotted a sheet of paper with instructions on how to survive a bear encounter.  What?  Survive?  Bear?  I was not real sure this was exactly what I had had in mind.  After telling me that bears roamed freely in the neighborhood they were making sure I understood what to do should I find on on the porch of our cabin.  Really?  I already knew what I would do and thankfully most of it was in the instruction guide.  

That evening I walked in the boy's bathroom and there was a scorpion on the floor.  Thankfully it was dead, but that was enough to keep me checking my shoes, suitcases, and anything else that I picked up for the rest of the week.  

That night I did not sleep well.  I was awakened several times by what sounded like something walking on the porch outside our bedroom.  Once, I woke up to the sound of howling coyotes.  I started praying because I figured that, if they got any closer, we would have had a bed full of kids.  Finally around 6a.m. the next morning I heard the sound of something grunting outside.  My bear had arrived.  I was up in a flash peering out every window making sure I could see it but that it could not see me.  I went upstairs and down looking and checking and there was no bear anywhere to be found.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't have anything to tell.  

After awhile the kids began to get up and I asked how they had slept.  I told them what I had heard during the night and about what I thought I heard that morning.  They listened intently and then Kaitlyn asked, "Mom, what time did you hear the bear?"  I said around 6 this morning and she started laughing.  I asked her what was so funny and she said, "That is when my cell phone ringing on vibrate.  I wondered why you came in my room peering out the window after that."  

Seriously? 

Moral of the Story:   Do NOT read instructions on how to survive a bear encounter before going to bed if you have a very active imagination.

Traveling Tales--Beach Day

August 23, 2012
Panama City Beach, FL 

There is nothing like the ocean!  It only takes me a few minutes sitting, watching the waves, feeling the breeze off the water, and the stress slowly begins to melt away.  

When we left Alexandria our plans were to head to south Florida for a few weeks.  We spent the second night in Panama City Beach.  The check out time the next day was at 1 pm, so we got up early and headed to the beach.  None of us wanted to leave.

While on the beach, Toby and I realized hurricane Isaac was headed straight toward our condo.  After several phone calls, we made the decision to head north first.  

We are on an adventure....expect the unexpected.