Shadow Land

CS Lewis said, “if I find in myself a desire which no experience can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” (Mere Christianity).

CS Lewis also said in his letters to children: Anyone in our world who devotes his whole life to seeking heaven will be like Reepicheep (in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader). We of small stature find “bigness” in discovering our true home. In the meantime we dwell in the “shadow lands."

With this Digital Scrapbook Page I wanted to get the idea across that the only true joy we can experience in the Shadow Lands is through Jesus Christ. As I look at the pictures of my kiddos having fun out at the park and think of the joy of family time, I smile and hope to one day all be on the other side of the Shadow Lands when we meet or Lord and Savior face to face and truly experience happiness.

I am trying to convey to our children that this world is not our home. I am trying to live my life in a way that my actions back up my words and my beliefs. Please continue to pray for us. The best is yet to come!

Wow! on Missions by John Piper

Baby Macy

Here are some pictures from the newest (and cutest I may add) member in our Sunday School Class. That is if Vanessa hasn't had her baby yet.

special meaning behind this jar of coins

Isn't she precious. Tim doesn't let me be around tiny babies too long.

I heart EvanTell

You will soon find our names on this list.

We are official EvanTell You Can Tell It! Instructors.

Here is a little explanation from their site:

"Did you know EvanTell provides live evangelism training for churches, ministries, prisons and MORE?

Our certified evangelism instructors can come to your church, organization meeting or small group to teach you a clear and simple method for sharing Christ.

Far from mechanical, this seminar will free you up to be a warm, friendly, and gracious witness for Christ as you explain the message of the gospel with anyone, anytime and anywhere.

“Those who have attended the YCTI seminar have begun to use what they have learned and are showing a better ability to witness and to continue to grow spiritually. In the last two weeks we have had several visitors at church who are non-believers. They all were brought by students of the YCTI seminar which indicates a new awareness and concern for the lost.” Hugh Crowder, YCTI Instructor

Course Topics:

• What Do We Tell the Non-Christian?
• How to Present the Gospel
• How to Enhance Your Effectiveness in Evangelism
• Turning a Conversation to Spiritual Things
• How Do You Help a New Christian?
• Reaching Those Who Can Be Hard to Reach (i.e. cultists, relatives, and children)
• How to Make Evangelism a Habit Instead of a Headache
• The First Course Christ Ever Taught in Evangelism "

What is in a Word

I wrote this on our blog for Abundant Marriage Missions. Check out the blog at abundantmissions.wordpress.com. Check out my little image I made myself to go along with the topic.


Have you ever thought of how some words really perk your interest. Say for example, if I am talking about Tim, he may hear the word “Mavericks” or “Cowboys," and his head will turn in the direction of the conversation. He will probably near the conversation as this might be something he needs to hear as to learn something or where his input could really contribute to the conversation.

I (Rebeca) on the other hand would move on and follow the person who said something about “chocolate.” “Chocolate, where?” Chocolate cake. Chocolate candy. You name it, I am all over that. (I think my mouth is starting to salivate as I am writing this. :)

Now, where am I going with this.

You see, I think that is where I want to be in regard to “missions.” “Missions, what? where? who? and how can I be a part.” I want my ear and mind to wake up when I hear the word “missions”, “missionary”, “mission trip”. Missions should be my mission anyway shouldn’t it? As a believer I am one who has been given the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). So I should be all over that. But I am not. If I really look at my life I know I am not.

I am not saying that we all need to go to Africa or China, but hey, how bout we stop right now and say a prayer for missionaries who are there. I am not even saying that you need to sign up for the next mission trip offered at FBC Garland, but wouldn’t it be great to get the names of the participants and pray for them while they are away. Maybe even send them a note before they leave and tell them you will be praying for them. I am not saying that you have to support a missionary with $100 dollars a month, but what if you send him a care package once a year. I could go on and on with simple ways to be more missions minded and missions active.

If we all began making contributions to missions by being missionaries where we are, by praying for missionaries by name, by praying for people groups, by giving, and by participating, wouldn’t this be a better world? yes. yes it would.

Life: Imagine the Potential

Picture doodling

Before

After

I am second

Powerful, powerful website www.iamsecond.com.

Jason Witten and Greg Ellis of the Dallas Cowboys are on here, as well as Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers.

In Obedience Pray (I Timothy 2:1-2)

"Please join me in praying for our new President, Barack Obama. In 2nd Chronicles 7:14, God's Word promises forgiveness of sin and healing of our land if we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. In 1st Timothy 2:1-2, we are promised a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and reverence if we will pray for kings (presidents) and all who are in authority.

While we cannot share the enthusiasm for many of President Obama's policies and positions we can all celebrate the peaceful transition of power of our democracy and the wisdom of our forefathers, led by God, as established in our Constitution. We can also celebrate the inauguration of America's first president of color, a truly historic moment in our Nation's history.

God Bless America,

Kerby Anderson Host, Point of View Radio Talk Show"

March For Life

I just had to borrow this sign for a picture

part of the crowd

It was on the 8th floor of this building where Roe v Wade came to pass

my artsy picture

Lord have mercy on our nation

Yeay for Texans for Life

En Espanol "Abortion kills children"

Some of the DPC gang (my favorite people)

DPC shirts for the March

There were lots of us

View of the DPC from the March

Open House

a sign

You can't start them too young

Worship before the March

singing?

worship time by CFNI

We did it. Our first March For Life. Would I do it again? Definitely! It was amazing to join our brothers and sisters standing together for a cause worth fighting for. Was God in our midst? He was honored and worshiped. I was blessed by the prayers and the songs lifting the name of Jesus. May God have mercy on us and on our children.

A Personal Invitation

I am hoping to fill two tables and will be collecting money later this month.

It's Time to Start Reserving Your Spot

Love of Life Ladies Luncheon

Saturday, February 28, 2009, 11:30 am
The Adolphus Hotel

Mark your calendars, ladies, and invite your mothers, daughters, girlfriends, and co-workers to a wonderful luncheon benefiting the life saving work of the Downtown Pregnancy Center.

For more information or to make a reservation contact Vicki at 214-969-2433 or vgosdin@firstdallas.org.

Cost: $15 a person
Table Cost: $125 for table of 8

The Downtown Pregnancy Center is a Christ-centered ministry empowering women to affirm life by meeting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Special Event at the Love of Life Luncheon Bags for Babies!

Marvelous opportunity to go home with a designer hand bag! Each attendee receives one ticket with their paid reservation. Additional tickets may be purchased. Tickets are $5.00 or 3 for $10.00

To learn more please visit our blog at:
www.loveoflifeluncheon.blogspot.com

Message about Love of Life Luncheon Reservations for this event have begun. Please invite your family and friends and reserve your seat. For more information contact Vicki Gosdin at 214.969.2433 or by e-mail at vgosdin@firstdallas.org. Thanks, Carolyn Cline VIEW INVITATION

Prayer Song for my ninos

Seth, Selah, & Sydney,

In case you ever get around to reading this. I was thinking and praying this for you guys as I was listening to this song:

Find Your Wings by Mark Harris

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

Chorus:
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you Find Your Wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

Chorus:

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

Lesson Three Project

"Up and Running with Photoshop" at JessicaSprague.com is where I am learning to do all this nifty stuff.

More digital scrapbooking

This is my first on my own from scratch page

This one was still mostly from a template

(click on picture to enlarge)

First Digital Scrapbook Page

My first digital scrapbook page from my on-line class I am taking. Too much fun!

A funny by my chiquita banana

So we are in Mexico at the mission house. I am letting our kids play with the donated toys from FBC Garland Preschool Department. They are small toys in a box some are "Happy Meal toys" still in their wrappers. I tell Seth and Selah not to open the toys that are still in their wrappers because the toys are for the ninos in Mexico.

Selah really had her mind set on playing with a puzzle with the Disney princesses. I was watching her trying to open it when I told her again, "Selah those are for the ninos in Mexico. I told you not to open it."

I can tell that the little wheels are turning in her head as she stops for a second to think while staring at the box. She looks up at me as she has figured how to out wit me and says with her usual cute hand expressions "Mami, but we are in Mexico!"

Monterrey After Christmas Mission Trip Photo Gallery

Pictures from our mission trip

Walking down the neighborhood of the mission church inviting kids.

view of the mountains on our way to the mission church.

one of the children who came to our Bible class.

Sydney helping with our project at Christian nursing home.

You can't start them of too young, Selah also at work.

This is my mom helping with a cleaning project at Christian Nursing Home

Task of the day: Move pile of dirt to a new location.

Posing after a hard morning's work

working

Playing and working

An elderly man observing the guys at work

Bro. Ramon reading God's Word at the chapel (He was there for hours).

taking pictures outside mission church.

the "ninos" at the church

My cousin Flor at the church

Pinata stuff

remains from the pinata

baby who came to Bible study at the mission house, he had an equally adorable twin brother

Bible class at the mission house. Some prayed to receive the Lord.

We made gospel bracelets

one of the neighbors at the mission house

one of my favorite meals

Sister Ruth and her Fiancee

Mission group(Left to Right: Jody Mc. Stephen G., Sydney C., Selah C., Rebeca C., Seth C., Tim C., Coy C.)

My cousin's family take us to visit the downtown river walk in Monterrey

the crazy mission group leaders

neighborhood boy outside mission house reading a discipleship book we gave him

my dad Rev. Carlos Escobedo

Sydney and the new year pinata

Selah's turn

Seth's turn

remains of the day

Pastor Carlos Pinata

Our handy GPS leading us back home

Thank you for your prayers and support.

In His Service,

Rebeca Carpenter
rcarpenter@hiddenacres.org
www.hiddenacres.org
www.carpenterfamilylife.blogspot.com