Another thing...

is that I have just created my very own MySpace!  Now you have to become a friend in order to view it.  But my site name is www.myspace.com/tandradee. 

Ready...Set...GO!

Ooooo....sorry.

Hello my favorite peeps out there.

Just a forewarning...but I won't be posting on here as much.  I've lost the Xanga flame, but my new love is Facebook.  If you're interested in one, you can get one at www.facebook.com.  It's super fun, lots more options and what not.

I'll still keep my Xanga to occasionally comment on y'alls (yes, I can say that...if you know where I live ).  Have a fantabulous day and spread the love.

Currently Listening Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer see related

Two Weeks of Miracles

Hey everyone! 

Sorry that I didn't clarify to you all about the mission trip, but we went June 10th through the 14th.  It was the most amazing experience that I've ever had!  Now I can see why Travis loves missions so much!  I learned a simple way to describe missions.  It's simply loving people of another culture by adapting to their way of life and finding ways to make the love of God tangible to them.  And love goes beyond anything that we see as a boundary of separation. 

I promise to post more about Mexico in the future.  If I posted everything on my heart to share about the trip, it'd be enormous!  So, I'll share little bits of encouragement at a time.

But more recently, we've had some pretty amazing things happen to us even after the trip! 

The great grandma of one of our teen girls at church had to go into surgery because she had a collapsed valve in her heart.  The doctor told her that if she didn't have surgery within two weeks that she would not live.  So, I went with them Wednesday to the hospital.  To make a long story short, after the surgery, the doctor came in shaking his head in disbelief.  He said,

"I don't understand it.  I'm completely mystified.  When we took pictures of her heart last time, we saw that collapsed valve.  When we took them this time, that valve was completely normal!  I had the techs to check the equipment to make sure that it was working properly and it was.  There had to have been some kind of divine intervention involved in this." 

Amazing!  I had always heard people talk about doctor's amazement stories, but to actually be there and hear one myself, it was incredible!!!!  And the majority of the family and friends who were there aren't saved.  We may see an increased member count in the church soon!!

Okay, miracle #2...

The day before we headed out to Mexico, a lady ran into the back of Travis' truck.  It did loads of damage to her car, but only tagged his bumper and some paint damage.  And he didn't have any physical problems either thank goodness!  I'm thankful for guardian angels! 

Travis went and got some estimates on the damage and we were really surprised on how much it would cost to fix something that seemed so simple.  Get a new bumper and hammer out a small dint on the side...maybe $125 to take care of.  This check ended up being close to $1,200!!  Guess what we did tonight?  Travis finally was able to buy the Canon Rebel XTI digital camera that he's been wanting for almost 5 years!  Now he can start taking classes on photography at the community college and advertise for his photography business!  Isn't God amazing?  Here is one of the first pics that he took tonight.

I've always loved his pictures.

Thank you God for all the mind boggling things that you have done for us!  We'll always be mindful to give You all the praise!

New Opportunities

It's been a very busy last few weeks as we approach the biggest event of the year for Ignite Youth.  Yes, we're going to Mexico!  I'm excited because this is my first mission trip to be a part of!  Our kids (as we call them when we're at home ) start looking forward to the next mission trip the day after they get back.  Sadly, we didn't get to go last year because of numerous reasons, but this year, it's like we've had God's favor in every aspect of the planning.  Finances and schedules have fallen into place.  People in the church have been so generous in their giving.  We've had so much cooperation and support from the church that it's almost mind boggling to think about!  And the vision for it has been planted and the roots are going in deep already in the hearts of eager teens.  We've watched them week after week as we've presented to them plans, and you can see the excitement building as we recite a lesser number of days until the day we leave!! 

We're going to a little cardboard village just past the Mexico border.  We're planning on ministering to about 50-100 kids there.  We're doing little skits, crafts, and simply loving on the kids.  Our Mexico pastor says that every time he goes and comes home, he cries for three days because of the poverty and condition that these kids live in.  I have a feeling that I might do the same thing.  I can't imagine as a kid not having clean water, safe places to play, having to steal electricity from a nearby electrical plant and so on. 

So, we just ask that you all keep us in your prayers as we embark on this life changing journey.  Travis and my prayer for the teens is that not only are the Mexico villagers touched, but that our teens come back with a new perspective of life and a fire in them to spread God's love to others like never before!   

Thank you all again for your prayers, love and support.  I'll be sure to give you a full report when we get back!!