We Are Family

We have had a great week! Last Saturday, August 24, Lee's parents, Jim and Nancy Merck, flew in to visit. We had a whole week of showing them around Montana. We went into Yellowstone, spent a night at Chico Hot Springs, showed them around Livingston, and spent plenty of time shopping around Red Lodge and eating at Scoops (The ice cream shop where Caroline works)! The girls took the week off from school, Caroline took a few days off work, and we had a great time.

We sure missed having Maggie around for all the fun.  However, if you are friends with her on Facebook, you know she is having lots of fun there at UM!

We will get back to the grind this week, with starting back to school.  Also, all 3 girls will begin violin lessons this week, and Colleen and Abigail will be playing fall soccer.  Along with all that, we are hoping to have the foundation for the garage/mission apartment poured this week.  Please continue to pray with us that God will provide all we need for this project!

Two weeks ago, the power company came and moved the gas line that was right where the garage will be.  Now we are ready for the concrete!

Thank you for all your prayers as we are still adapting to Maggie's move to Mobile.  God has heard and is answering those prayers.

 

Words I Woud Say

Change is a part of life. Last Tuesday, August 13, our family shared the "last supper" with one another before Maggie's big move to the University of Mobile! It was a rainy afternoon, which Lee said fit our situation. As I served green beans onto Maggie's plate, I couldn't hold back the tears. I told her, "This is the last time I can make you eat your vegetables!" Wednesday morning, we left home around 3AM and headed to the airport. As Maggie hugged each of her sisters and then Lee, I had to turn away. Throughout the day, I continued to try to live in denial. It is a great place to be :) Wednesday night we visited my grandmother Myrtis Mizell, and on Thursday, we visited my grandparents, Russell and Rebecca Cottingham. That was such a blessing! We shopped for all the things we couldn't take on the airplane that she needed for her dorm. And then, before I knew it, it was Friday morning - move-in day. I wasn't prepared for the emotions I felt that day. It was hard not having Lee there with us. As I left the campus, I had mixed emotions. I knew in my head that this was the right thing; that this was right. But in my heart, I didn't know how I could leave her. My 6 pound, 11 ounce, 17 inches long baby was now a beautiful young woman, ready to take on the world. When did this happen? When did she grow up? Where have I been? A weekend trip to the beach for relaxing and letting the tears flow into the ocean was ruined with torrential rains. My feet never touched the sand. How appropriate! The shrimp from LuLu's and the Shrimp Basket helped, but not enough. Sunday found us at church, then visiting family. Before I knew it, Tuesday had come. I had bought her everything I could think of that she needed, and several things that she might possibly need one day. As I got in the car and she walked away, only the grace of God kept me from totally loosing it. I made it to the airport, endured 3 flights, and the hour ride home. So glad to be back home with the rest of my family. Still, when we sit down to eat supper, that empty chair brings the lump back to my throat. Psalm 127:3-5 "Sons (Daughters) are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate." Words of wisdom from a mother - Be strong in the Lord and never give up hope You're gonna do great things, I already know God's got his hand on you so, don't live life in fear Forgive and forget, but don't forget why you're here Take some time and pray These are the words I would say

Home, Home on the Range

Also with RCBC Team were Mike and Debbie Havard, dear friends of our family.  He is a master carpenter and she is his lovely assistant!  Together, with a little help from me and the girls, they built shelving for four closets in our home.  This allowed us more space to be able to hang clothes, unpack boxes, and settle in to our home a little bit more.  It was a blessing to be able to spend time with Mike and Debbie!  I sent him home with a few more projects for the house to mull over.  We look forward to seeing them in Montana again real soon.

One of the best things about any mission trip is the fellowship and bond you develop with the other team members.  This group was no exception!  We had a great time getting to know them better, sharing meals together, and praying together.  It was so encouraging to have the support of the community as the group painted.  People would drive by and blow the horn, applaud as they walked down the street, or stop by and talk.  We know God will use us, if we will just allow Him to!  See you around the corner :)  

Painting the Town Red

On Tuesday, July 23, the Community Care Team from Rocky Creek Baptist Church, Lucedale, MS arrived in Billings.  Early Wednesday morning, they went to work.  Their main task was painting the old Red Lodge Baptist Church.  It has been white with blue trim for years, and we thought it needed a facelift.  Isn't it amazing how God equips us for the task at hand?  The pastor of RCBC, Bro. Greg Barker, is a professional painter!  He had a wonderful team with him that came ready to work.  In 3 days they had scraped/pressure-washed the building, replaced rotten boards, painted the entire building, built steps for one of the doors, repaired the wheelchair ramp, trimmed shrubs and cut the grass, and hung the "Legacy Lodge" sign!

 

 

 

 

 

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

When the Clarke Baptist Team left, Bro. Chris, Kim, Andrew, and Samuel stayed. We had a great week with the Bakers, just resting, hiking, shopping, and anything else we wanted to do!

Two weeks after we moved to Red Lodge, there was a job posted in the newspaper for a Med Tech at the local hospital - about 1 mile from our house. So I applied. On Friday, July 12, I had an interview. I was hired on the spot! We had been praying for job opportunities, and once again, God provided. The job is perfect for our family situation - I will be taking call one weekend a month and will work 2-3 days a month. I am so thankful. This same week, Caroline applied for and got a job at a local ice cream shop. On Thursday night late, July 11, the Community Care Team from Thomasville Baptist Church, Thomasville, AL arrived in Billings. They spent the night in Billings, then spent the next two days sightseeing. On Saturday night they arrived in Red Lodge. We went to the Rock Church Sunday morning in Laurel. Then Sunday afternoon, we had a time of orientation with the team.

After orientation, we went up on the west bench to look over and pray for the town of Red Lodge. We also went to the football field where we would be having the sports camp and prayed there. Monday - Thursday mornings, we met at the field and prepared for the children. The camp ran from 9-12 each morning. We registered 17 children. The team enjoyed playing with them - soccer, flag football, wiffle ball, basketball, and relays. Each day we had snacks and a devotion. On Thursday, Lee and Kevin Kaiserman from Laurel, put an awesome obstacle course together for us. We loved it!

On Monday night, we had the honor of sharing a meal with Set Free Ministries. They are from Great Falls, MT and have a wonderful ministry to troubled men. One aspect of their ministry is helping with the Beartooth Rally and Iron Horse Rodeo here in Red Lodge this weekend. It was great to meet them and pray with them. The pictures also show the team prayer walking. Thursday night was our pizza blast at The Lodge. We had a great turn out of campers and parents.

Abigail and Zoe Parten from Thomasville really enjoyed the week together. I know they will be pen pals! Also, you can see our new sign for the Legacy Lodge! The most exciting thing that happened this week is that one of the children accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior! Pray for us as we follow-up and reach out to this unchurched family. Also, Zoe accepted Christ on the airplane back to Alabama! God has worked in many ways this week and we are very thankful. And you had a part in it as you have prayed for us, for Red Lodge, and for our sports camp! Well, we have a few days to rest and recuperate. Thankful for busy times and times to rest. Asleep on the corner . . . .