We returned home after a month of traveling on June 17.

A week after visiting my family in Iowa, they were hit with major flooding. Thankfully, my family's homes were okay. My dear friend, Rachel, was flooded out at work, and God worked it out for her to be working 10 minutes from James' sister in Long Beach at the same time we were there. What a blessing to see her in Iowa, then in SoCal, and again next week when she comes for a planned visit.

 

Mexicali was a great trip, and we were incredibly blessed to join with three different pastors to work in their community. Isaac was quite tiring (as toddlers can be), but our church's team and the NY team were such a blessing to James and me by loving on Isaac. It was so wonderful to see the Mexican children flock around Isaac and play with him. His smile draws in so many people :) He was quite a trooper!

 

It was such a different experience for me to be on a mission trip than in years past. It had been 5 years since I was involved with anything, and now I was participating as a wife, mother, leader, and more mature adult. I was able to see and understand things on a deeper level than years ago. We experienced spiritual warfare while we were in Mexico, and even when we returned. Satan had been trying to discourage me from going on the trip in the months leading up to it. The most important thing I've learned from these attacks is to not be afraid to ask for prayer and tell people you need a little help.

 

James will be in Uganda from July 5-22 and Belize from July 26-August 8. On his previous trips, I never thought to ask for prayer for spiritual protection while he was gone, but this year, it's different. I know Isaac and I are easy targets for Satan to get to James when he needs to have his heart and mind focused on the Lord. This is the first time James is traveling to countries that don't neighbor the US, and he's going to have so many new experiences as a trip leader.

 

Please pray for James, me, and Isaac while he is gone. Pray against spiritual attacks on the mind and body and for safety and good health for all of us. Please also pray for patience and endurance for James traveling and me at home with Isaac.

 

Thank you all for your faithfulness to the Lord and support of our family!