The only thing that's good in me is Jesus

I was just reading this blog online and wanted to share it with you guys! I can tell you I have so been there with this, and haven't we all?

http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/10242011losing-my-patience-when-i-need-it-most/

None of us want to carry on the negative traits we learned from our parents, however, if that is all you saw and knew, it will take re-learning and lots of prayer to change. But it can happen.

Obviously, this is written from a secular position, but I know the ONLY thing that keeps me from turning "into my mother" is Jesus.

I know that I can be the best mother that He would have me to be when I depend on him. If situations would bring to me knees in prayer instead of reactions, I could yield victory! But, I'm human and I'm going to make mistakes.

That's also where Jesus comes in. Grace. Mercy. And another chance. I may not be the perfect mom and I may have some not-so-shining moments....but I know that I am growing and learning and praying and keeping on. The Lord knew that these kids would be perfect for me. He designed me to have these children. Who am I to say that I will screw them up? There are no screw ups in Jesus' family. None.

So take heart on those bad days. Days when you raise your voice, punish too harshly rather than discipline (teach) and lose your patience. It's gonna happen. And the Lord will cover it all. He knows your heart. He knows what will keep you on your knees!

Every perfect gift comes from Him! And He thought you were special enough to receive this gift, He is going to walk with you through every step of the journey.

Help me get to Haiti!

I have stepped out in faith after feeling called to go on a mission trip this December to Haiti. I need your help to get there. The total cost of the trip is $2,000.00. If you feel led, and want to help me get there, you can send me a check to my home address made out to Long Hollow Baptist Church, with my name, plus "Haiti" in the memo line. This makes your check a tax deductible donation. Even if you cannot donate monetarily, I appreciate many prayers as I prepare for this trip and as I go and for the entire team.

Please send your tax deductible donation to my home address:

Susan Mayo
1015 Stirlingshire Drive
Hendersonville, TN 37075

THANK YOU just doesn't seem appropriate enough to say what I am feeling; but it is overflowing in my heart!

I'm Diving In!!!!




That's what I keep telling myself! I have recently committed to taking a mission trip to Haiti in December with my church. I felt the Lord leading me to go on a mission trip, not necessarily Haiti, but I knew I was being led in the direction of going on a mission trip.

After looking at our church sponsored trips, it didn't take long for me to gravitate toward Haiti.



Our church takes a trip just about every other month there. We (our church) has built an orphanage there. My husband went to Haiti shortly after the earthquake in 2010. At our church there are pictures of the orphans that are under our care. Their happy, smiling faces posted on our wall, reminding us how blessed we are and what a blessing these children are to us and especially to God. He loves them, as He loves us. We just happened to have been born in a country that is extremely blessed, as opposed to Haiti, which is poor, desolate, steeped in Voodoo religion.He has not forgotten them. But, he has commanded His church to take care of them. And for too long, the church body, as a whole, was not doing it's job.




The king (God)will answer them, 'I tell you with certainty, since you did it
for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.
Matthew 25:40 ISV



If we were to look at the entire parable spoken above (Matthew 25:31-46) we would see that Jesus was talking about ministering to those who are in need: hungry, thirsty, needing a home, the sick, and visiting and ministering to those who have not.



The funny thing is, I still struggled with making a decision to GO. To commit to going, because I knew once I committed it was done. I don't turn back from something once I have committed to it. So, I had to think it through. Was this God's will....the timing, this trip, etc. I mean, if I wasn't supposed to be there for this particular time, I sure wouldn't want to make people live with me for a week if I were miserable in a third world country. I mean, I already know I'm not going to have a good cup of coffee for a week...it could just go downhill from there! LOL.



All kidding aside, I really don't know what the struggle was, but it was a struggle I needed to go through. The Lord showed me very clearly this was where he was leading me. That I know. However, the feelings of fear and of the unknown are rampant in my mind and I think of that as a good thing. It means I am getting out of my comfort zone. If this trip was comfortable, there would be no reason to GO!



So, I go. Taking a leap of faith. I feel like I am so superficial, so dependant on common comforts, prideful, I could just go on and on. However, this trip really isn't about me. That's the whole point maybe God is making. It's not about me or a good cup of coffee. It's about going to the least of these.



Everyone says I will never be the same after I take this trip. I'm kind of looking forward to that. Cause some days, I just don't like the me I see.



Please pray for me and the team going to Haiti December 10-16th, 2001. I will be adding more information later on how you can donate online to help me get to Haiti. In the meantime, you may donate through snail mail. Make a donation with a check made out to Long Hollow Baptist Church. PLEASE make sure you put MY name in the memo so the funds get allocated to me.



My home address is:



Susan Mayo
1015 Stirlingshire Drive
Hendersonville, TN 37075


Thank you in advance for helping me get there!