Our Children...Their Response

I'm often asked, "What about the kids?"  We have three terrific kids:  Austin (17), Bailey (15), and Cameron (11).  They truly are 3 of my favorite people to be around.  And God has been preparing them for this move as well...

Our First Lighthouse Retreat

Years ago when our youngest, Cameron, was about 5 years old, we started taking Spring Break trips to Grayton Beach with Lighthouse Family Ministries.  This organization ministers to families that have children with cancer.  During a week long trip to the beach our family serves alongside another family that has a child with cancer.  We strive to make this the best family vacation the family has ever had:  cleaning their rooms, serving their meals, playing with their children, washing their clothing, and giving the parents much needed alone time!  It's also an opportunity for our kids to serve others first and themselves last.  A chance for our children to see a child in desperate need of a friend, and try to do something about it.  It's a great experience all the way around, and our kids have always BEGGED to go back.  Literally!  I've always wanted my kids to enjoy serving the Lord, and this was more than I could ever have imagined!  We served with Lighthouse for three more years - and our children not only flourished with the experience, they loved every minute of it!  What an incredible blessing!

Yet, I still had at the back of my mind that I wanted my children to experience an overseas mission trip when Cameron was old enough.  I had always dreamed of taking them to Africa, but I didn't really think that would become a reality. 

Then, when our son, Austin, was a sophomore in high school we decided to take a family mission trip and as it happens, Heart for Africa was offering trips to Swaziland for our high school students through our church.  That sounded like a great opportunity and we signed up as a family and went in the summer of 2010.  Once again Mark and I watched as our children served the children we met there.  Giving so much of themselves expecting nothing in return.  For the older kids, they could see the joy and fullfillment of being filled with a Godly purpose.

As parents we see God's fingerprints all over the hearts of our children.  They have hearts full of compassion and purpose.  And I believe, their moving to Africa will be an extension of their joy of service.  I know there will be quite a transistion, but I am ever thankful their hearts and attitudes are in the right place.

Bailey will be attending a British international school in Mbabane, the capital city (about 45 minutes from our house).  The school is year-round and she will have to repeat a little of her sophomore year beginning in September then start her junior year in January 2013.  In addition, she will have the pleasure of attending an additional year (13th grade).  She is thrilled!  (Ok, so that was sarcastic!) 

Cameron will be going into 6th grade and will be homeschooled.  Though I hear she'll have a hard teacher she's not too worried.  She has a heart for babies and small children, so she is excited about having more time at the babies' home!

Austin is graduating from Alpharetta High School this year, but we are still waiting to see what the Lord has planned for him.  Right now we are waiting to see if he will do mission work for a year or go straight to college.

So, I almost forgot...  Before we talked with Ian and Janine Maxwell, I wanted to get a feel for what the children thought about moving to Swaziland.  Very casually I asked them what they thought about our moving there.  Interestingly enough they weren't shocked or surprised by the question (which kind of shocked and surprised me!).  They just said that would be great!  And, I could tell that from their reaction, it really would be.