SPLISH...SPLASH....

As Gino has been keeping busy practicing with Jon and going to meetings and preparing for their trip to France, the kids and I have been busy settling in, meeting new neighbor friends, taking walks to the OM office to drop off our thank you cards and chatting with people on the way.

There has been a few more eventful happenings since my last post….you know, my pajama horror story.  I’ve been meaning to blog a bit about what’s been going on but there a few things that have slowed me down.  But today the Pastor at the church we’ve been attending used Proverbs 2 as part of his sermon and I wanted to share it with you.

Proverbs 2: 7-9

“He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.  Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.”

So today started off pretty normal. We got up, had breakfast, bathed the kids, got ready for church and headed out the door. We got to church then headed out to lunch with Jon and Suzie and the kids. Got home, kids took a nap, hey even mama watched a movie and got a nap. If you are a mom, you will know this day was going really really well.  I even woke up to my sweet husband making dinner. We had dinner and then decided to go to the lake that is near us and take Sean fishing.

We got to the lake and the boys (Gino and Sean) started casting their poles. There was a group of teens out there and they kindly let our noisy family fish there too. One guy even brought a fish he caught over and let Sean pet it. Sean was excited but didn’t look to thrilled when he felt that it was slimy. The guy gave us some fishing tips and then re-joined his group. I parked Hugh and Kayleigh’s stoller and took pictures of Sean and Daddy fishing like any good mama would. Hugh began to fuss to I unlocked the stroller and took Kayleigh and Hugh for a stroll looking for turtles. (They have turtles in the lake but the pollen pretty much covered the edges so we couldn’t see much.) I parked Hugh’s stroller so we could look around and he started to fuss again so we strolled back. I noticed some bubbles coming closer to the end I was at so I told the boys. Gino sent Sean down to me and I decided I would help Sean cast.  So I parked Hugh and told Kayleigh to stand next to her brother.  Gino started to walk towards us and kindly schooled me on how to cast which is good because I was about to just cast without pressing a button that would have released the lure. That would have shown those southern kids that we were definitely not from here. Gino and I tend to not like making scenes so I’m glad he showed me. Silly scene averted.  I cast once and Sean reeled it back up. Nothing. So I went to cast it again and didn’t really cast it far so I reeled it back only to get the hook caught on the edge so as I walk towards the edge I tell the kids to stay back and all of a sudden to my left I see a stroller headed right by me and yes into the water with my little son it. I didn’t really think much except to drop the pole and jump into that water as it went face down and I knew I needed to pick it up. So God gave me superwoman strength and I somehow managed to grab the 35 lb stroller with my 26 lb son that was soaked with water,  quickly and get back to shore. All the while my eldest thinks it’s hilarious that mama just got all wet.  Usually I am the one frozen in panic when things like this happen. Gino said it was like it happened in slow motion (I agree) and for some reason God gave me the the strength to act quick and act fast. So Hugh and I were soaked – Hugh more than me. I quickly noted that I need to double check if I lock the breaks EVERY SINGLE TIME. Also my poor daughter was saying sorry over and over so God gave me the wisdom to tell her it was ok. God protected us and she didn’t mean to push Hugh; the stroller wasn’t locked. If anything, that was my fault. Sean went on to ask what my consequence would be since it was my fault. I quickly replied, “hmm, I think mama got her consequence since she’s soaking wet and her shoes have rocks in them and I can’t get them out without stepping on more rocks. “ Sean continued to chuckle.

So as you can see by my title, we made a huge splash today and we definitely showed those southern boys we are not from here. Oh well.  If you see a crazy woman jumping in a lake grabbing a stroller on YouTube, well that's just me. We all walked home and Hugh and I had a bath. It was also a blessing to see that Hugh was not afraid of the water. He splashed and had fun. I know God had us do that quickly so he could see he was safe. He was blowing bubbles and laughing.

I wanted to share this to maybe get you to smile and laugh at our silly family but also get you to see that God really is our shield and our protector. Instead of freaking out He gave me the right course of action. And wisely showed me that the next time we go, I will be bringing a towel.

TODAY

Sometimes there are days when I feel like I am stuck in a funny movie. The only bad part about a funny movie is that there has to be the character that gets laughed at. Today was one of those days and I found myself that character.  While there is not much I can offer today that is full of meaning, I thought I'd at least share a glimpse into the life of a homemaker.  You know, us mom's who the world likes portray as sitting in our jammies watching soaps and eating bon bons. Well here is how my day went.  My kiddos went to bed with what seemed a bad allergy cough as we had walked a lot outside and pollen is everywhere right now. Alas, the cough didn't disappear and Sean and Kayleigh woke up to their coughs and of course they both have a fever and Sean needs a breathing treatment right away. It's raining today so I declare it jammy day. (So maybe I fit into that "label" today).  Anyhoo, Kayleigh is coughing as well and I discover can't catch her breath either so she gets an inhaler. We have breakfast and then the kids watch a movie so I can get housework done and continue getting us out of boxes and organized. Well the movie keeps there attention for a mere few minutes and they of course decide to run around. That would be ok except for today. Because today running sends my kids into coughing fits. So I quickly finish folding blankets out of one laundry basket (yes there are more calling my name).  I read a few books to them to get them settled down and give Sean another treatment. I bribe them to take the menthol cough drops which ends up being a battle I choose to surrender as my daughter insists on taking it out of her mouth and gets the sticky slimy thing all over her, my couch, and me. Oh well, it's jammy day, good thing I didn't get dressed up.  After updating accounts and changing our address on a couple things while the kids snack on goldfish and orange juice, I quickly fold some more clothes. I get a quarter of the basket done when Hugh decides he's done and shows me by splashing his orange juice around and Kayleigh knocks her full cup of orange juice on the table. So after cleaning the floor, the table, the chair Hugh was in, it was lunch time. After lunch round #2 of cleaning the floor, the table and chair and 3 kids, we go in their room for quiet play time. Nap time finally arrives. Yeah! My husband calls me to check in and instructs me to rest. (I love my husband) So upon his suggestion I take a break. I watch a quick show and then excitedly settle in for a nap. (The kids by the way decide to stay awake but this is my sanity time so they talk and cough till I open that door.) 10 minutes later I hear the door ring twice and a knock. I get up thinking it's Gino and answer the door (again in my jammies and my bedhead) and find the two handymen coming to count the doors so we can get the door stoppers put in and to measure our bathroom walls so they can look into getting us extra storage.  All the while I am trying to naturally zip up my sweatshirt, sneak back into my room while they measure to put on socks and nonchalantly try to smooth down my hair. They leave, I hop back into bed to hear a door knock 10 minutes later. I open the door to this wonderful woman and in my mind horror sets in as I realize I had booked an appointment for Gino and I to get health insurance today. So I welcome her in just as Gino pulls up and we start talking about health insurance. I talked seriously over high deductibles and co-pays and explained my background in insurance all the while dying inside that I didn't put some freakin jeans on today. To top it off our kids got tired of being in their room (surprise surprise) so I had to be nice and let them out. I put on Nemo and had them hop in my bedroom as a treat. BAD IDEA!  Hugh screamed for freedom from his high chair. The kids jumped on our bed and went through drawers and off course fought and then laughed and then screamed throughout the whole time we were deciding what co-pays and plans looked good. And then once we chose my husband had to work, so as I signed paperwork, Gino left and my kiddos ran around me and the super nice insurance lady. (The insurance lady was sweet and patient and worked as fast as she could - I would have if I was her too but mine would have been to escape).  To top that off Sean and Kayleigh decided they needed me and clung closely. All the while coughing their little heads off. Then, Sean went into a coughing fit as the insurance lady was explaining the payments and as I was holding him, yup, he threw up all over me. So I quickly pulled my sweatshirt off. (Thank God I had a t-shirt on) and as I'm trying to calm Sean down and listen to this wonderful lady at the same time, my son continues to gag on and throw up all over my kitchen floor that Gino had just mopped the night before. All the way down. He sort of just made a huge long line, like he was trying to decorate for me. He then so sweetly pulled 1/2 a sheet of paper towel to try to clean it and almost stepped in it all the while. I quickly grabbed a towel from the hall closet while this lady is still talking as we are almost done and she has to legally do her do diligence. I make it back into the kitchen before Hugh decides to step in it. Kayleigh wants up and so does Hugh, and if you know my kids they aren't quiet when they want something. I get everything cleaned, send Sean to the bathroom to finish and the sweet woman hands me papers and says goodbye. So we are now signed up for health insurance, throw up, coughs, bedhead, jammies, and all. And I am now sitting here enjoying the Venti Carmel Machiato my husband so sweetly picked up for me, before he know about the end of my day. So if anything spiritual can be said....today I will count my blessings. Thank God for laughter because as soon as Sean threw up on me, I just wanted to burst out laughing. Don't get me wrong I wanted to cry to, but my urge to laugh drove that away. Thank God for my husband who somehow knew that his wife needed a HUGE cup of coffee at the end of this day. Thank God for God - who knew that He needed to show me I could buy insurance with jammies, bed head, and throw up, and sick kids all at once.  Good night and I hope this makes you smile. Because I know it made me. And yes, I'm still in those same darn jammies. 

How it all began...

We wanted to share a video our friends put together for us as we began our journey in joining Operation Mobilization. They did a wonderful job and we've been able to give out the dvd to potential supporters and it's been such a blessing. We wanted to upload this awhile back and kept forgetting so here it is. Jonathan and Francisco Bonilla and Pastor Marlon Valladares did an amazing job by gifting this to us. We pray it blesses you and encourages you. God has brought us so far since they've made this. We leave March 26th for Atlanta, Georgia. Thank you for all the prayers and support.

Feel free to check them out if you ever need graphics, video, photos, etc. Their website is: http://www.imagovideos.com 

Here it comes....2013

As the new year is approaching I find myself often feeling like a deer caught in the headlights. Our monthly budget is now at 78% in committed support, we've reserved a 3 bedroom house to rent at Operation Mobilization so we can take our time finding a home to buy or rent once we are there, and Gino has given his boss our target date of being in Atlanta Georgia by March 1st at the latest. We are truly in the home stretch. It's been such an emotional roller coaster these last 2 years since we've started support raising. God has stretched us and kept showing us that this is the plan. He's used this time to really prepare us and ground us. We are so thankful to all of our supporters who've been so faithful and generous and prayerful.

This coming year, God willing, is going to be busy. Gino has a trip in May to France which will be about 3 weeks. He then has another trip coming together in June possibly. Then our family has a trip to Holland in August. With all this happening it's clear that the time is coming. We would love your prayers as this is going to be a busy time and a year of changes for our little family. But God keeps reminding me that He gives us strength to do His will. We aren't alone. He is always with us. And we also have all of you who have been praying for us, checking in on us, encouraging us, and being such amazing teammates. Thank you.

We hope and pray God blesses you all in amazing ways this coming year! 

We are still praying and hoping to find new teammates. We have about $1350 to raise in monthly support. This can be accomplished through monthly, quarterly, and yearly commitments. Please pray the remaining 22% comes soon so we can start planning the logistics of moving. Also pray for the team as they prepare for ministering in France. Pray for unity, for safe travels, for the hearts of the people in France, for the pastors and ministries they will be partnering with, and for the equipment to work. We will keep you all posted as we get closer to our departure. We will have a send off at our church and hopefully a get together as well before we go. 

Love always - Laura and Gino 

Let us Count the Cost...

Two weeks ago we heard a message by Pastor Ron Walters describing what God gave up when He chose to come down and be born as a child. He focused on : James 2:5-6 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself,by becoming obedient to the point of death —even death on a cross!

Then this week our pastor spoke about God's love, His everlasting love.  These messages swirled in my mind and in my heart. In fact as I reflected on what God gave and how He "emptied" himself with all of us in mind, it brought me to tears. I just felt such joy and thankfulness. I of course has to write these thoughts down, or rather sing them out.  So I am sharing in hopes that you will be filled with joy and assurance that you are greatly loved by the maker of the heavens and the earth. Love  - Laura 

Let us count the cost – Laura Quinn  / Oh how he loves you and me (Kurt Kaiser)

You gave up your perfection to become sin

You gave up your possessions when you owned everything

You gave up your authority and became subject just like me

You gave up your glory that brought men to their knees

Let us count the cost

Of what you gave

When you left your throne above and came down to save us

Let us never forget

The price you paid

Born as helpless child, you’d only grow to see the cross

Let us always remember

This is my prayer

That we take the time to ponder what you did that night

What a sacrifice

You love us with a love that we will never understand

For it has no beginning and it will never have an end

And this truth just fills my heart and moves me to sing

Oh how he loves you and me, Oh how he loves you and me

He gave His all what more could He give

Oh how he loves you, Oh how he loves me, Oh how he loves you and me

A new place with old roots

Since Gino returned home from Central Asia, it's been a whirlwind. I think last week was the first week I felt like I could take a breathe and could reflect on all that God has been doing these past couple of months. For the past two years we have been praying for a miracle; that God would sell our house in a way that He would be glorified.  For those who don't know about it, we are happy to share one on one the details. But there's a couple of praises I want to thank God for. First our house sold for what we needed, not what we wanted, but for what we needed. In our eyes that was a miracle as the house down the street that was fixed up and had a family room sold for a little less than ours. Praise God. Secondly, the couple that bought our house is an amazing Christian couple who have become friends and an encouragement to us. Thirdly we are finding ourselves blessed and enjoying being at my parents home. The kids absolutely love it of course and my parents have been so amazing. God is so good. I have been praying that this would be a time of good memories and sweet moments. While I realize it's only been a couple weeks, He is answering my prayers and I'm so thankful to all of you who have been praying this very same thing alongside me. To know that the time of going is drawing nearer, is bittersweet. The pendulum swings and I find myself swinging towards the side of sheer excitement over what God has for us and then swinging swiftly to the reality that my family won't be a stones throw away. And yet through all of this God keeps showing me that we will be ok. While we were in the midst of moving and trying to box things up and clean, God blessed us with such an awesome church family. I tear up still thinking about all the love, prayers and physical support we received. My parents were on vacation while we were getting ready to move and they were getting their own house ready while we were moving (which they've been a blessing from the start), but there were key people from our church family, Ana, David, Linda, Karen, Moriah, Jennifer and Scott and Jinelle to name a few who really helped us by watching our kids while we packed, helped bubble wrap things, and move stuff. That is what we needed most, babysitters. It is amazing how much can get accomplished when you don't have to worry about the babies. We were also humbled by all the prayers, all the offers to help and all the help we did get from so many friends. Thank you so much. You made this hectic and emotional season so much easier and I will forever be grateful.

So our house is sold. We said goodbye. There were tears (by me) and some anxiety and trying moments. But in the end I must say God is faithful. Because this whole time made me super dependent on Him and on His word. He gave us what we needed and He continues to do so. He is teaching my little family that home is not some structure we own. While we are here, it is us all together living and loving one another. Hebrews 13:14-15 reminds me clearly of that: "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name." So my prayer is that I will praise God whatever stage of life we are at. Living comfortably or uncomfortably, owning, renting,  in want, or in plenty, whatever season we are in.   I pray through all of this others are encouraged and become closer to Him.

We have 64% of our monthly support raised. In one week we went from 54% to 64%. He alone will get us to where He wants us to go.  We are praying for more opportunities to share and for more teammates to join.  Thank you to those who have been praying for us. Please continue to do so.

May you see God's love this week and may you remember He is always there to meet your needs.

Love - Laura

My Grace is Sufficient

It's been awhile since we've written anything and so you will probably be seeing a couple of posts. Gino just recently came back from a missions trip to Central Asia. I will let Gino share about the trip in the next post but I wanted to share God's faithfulness to me as Gino was away. About a week before Gino left, his cousin's wife sent me the most encouraging e-mail along with a verse that she believed God was urging her to share with me. Here is the verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 


"My grace is sufficient for you."  This verse was definitely for me. It stayed with me everyday. I prayed it non-stop sometimes. And when my patience was running low or I was tired, I would keep saying this verse over and over and God would always give me enough strentgh for the day. He is so good. The song "Your grace is enough" by Chris Tomlin also played constantly in my head. And it really was enough.

At the time I was reading Jeremiah and yet God cared enough about me to use a wonderful friend, who was willing to take a chance and share a verse, to remind that His grace would see me through those two and half weeks. He is so faithful.

Not only did He give me guidance through His word but He used so many loving people around me to help me with the kids. To love on my kids when they were missing their dad. There were a few guys who loved on Sean especially and I knew he needed that because he was drawn to the guys rather than us girls. It made me see the importance of having mentors and godly families around us. God was showing me that I am not called to be a hermit when Gino goes away. I am called to accept help when help is offerred, to let other godly people come and love on my kids. To let amazing girlfriends come and keep me company and laugh with me at night when my kids are sleeping. He has called us to not be alone. He calls us to have fellowship with others for times like these. So when you are needing help - help is there. When you are needing godly men to influence your children because their dad is gone - they are there. When you need girlfriends to come watch a romantic comedy on your 10 year anniversary and just laugh with you because you are missing your best friend  - they are there. That is how God calls us to love each other. And I am so thankful for each one of you who loved on me and my kids while Gino was away. God is teaching me that that when we move - these types of relationships are vital, not only for me but for my kids. So thank you to all of you who loved on us. I pray you know that each of you are so special to us. And thank you to everyone who prayed for us. We felt those prayers - God answered those prayers. May He be given glory and honor for that!

I pray that my family loves on all of you the way that we have been loved by each of you. God Bless!