Another birthday...

Today is Katie's birthday! I've said it many times...Scott thought I wanted another baby...I thought he did...when we finally talked and realized that maybe we would wait a bit longer...well...surprise...we hadn't talked soon enough...never once from the time we found out she was on the way, however, were we either one disappointed or upset...when her brother was born I was going to have something permanently done...but Scott was very upset by that...so I didn't...I was very much ridiculed for that...but girls...guys...let me just say...that is a very important decision that affects BOTH people in your marriage...I can HONESTLY say...I think we would ALL say...one of the best decisions I've ever made...life would just not be complete without our sweet Katie...

I was trying to think how long she and Thomas were married this summer...for the life of me I couldn't remember (this will be news for her...4 years by the way!!!)...I couldn't remember because it feels like just yesterday she was living with us...giggling at night with me...her and Michael doing something crazy...and ALWAYS for a laugh...our answering machine messages are very dull without the two of them around!!! I've thought that about all of our kids a lot this summer...somewhere along the line...I blinked and they are all gone...so full circle...I can say that is true...days are forever long but the years are gone in an instant!

However, she has been gone for 4 years now...they have built an amazing life together...she has graduated college and is now beginning her 2nd year of teaching at her old high school...I've watched her fall in love with teens...through her church youth group...and through her classroom...it has been evident in the way she loves to spend time with them...attempting to pour Christ into them and disciple them in the youth group...or in the way she has set up and is running her classroom...as a true Christ follower there is NO way to conduct our lives...even our professional lives...without Him being the center...without Him...being the purpose for all that we do and how we accomplish it...I see that in our Katie...we began to see that in her...when she would pray over Mikeah in her prayer journal at the ripe old age of 6...or when she started her first Bible club...FROG...(faithful representatives of God) in the 4th grade...or this year...as I heard my sweet girl tell me...mom...I just want them to understand...life is so much bigger than homework...

That's right...life is bigger...there is more...while we need to educate ourselves...we need to do it with the purpose to understand the bigger picture...the eternal picture...I'm thankful our Katie's heart was and is to return to her school and pour into those kids for the next however many years God calls her to do this...I'm thankful for the pre-K, 1st grade and 4th grade teachers (sorry I'm a blessed mom and need you to know it!)...that are doing the same in area schools...and all those others in between that Love Jesus...therefore, they are able to better love their students...while there may be hard things we don't like in public schools...never...every forget the good...

Katie...happy birthday baby!!! I love you so much...I'm so thankful...that you Love Jesus and seems you always have...(not true people...we aren't born believers)...Katie I'm thankful you have your daddy's heart...you love Jesus like him...and you serve well like him...and you have his passion...I'm thankful you are who you are! Heather said it best all those years ago in one of her college papers...6th grade hero...but to me...just Hero...have an amazing day!

Love you
momma

The D.R.

About 3 years ago Scott and I spent the summer hearing a very intentional message from the Lord...do life with people...invest in them...in their lives...we didn't mean to hear that message all summer...however, everywhere we went...every song...message...devotion...that was the direction God took us...we both believe...as most people would...God was speaking...will we obey or not...

...we will spend the rest of our lives learning to flesh this truth out...to do life with the people and the students around us...with our family...with our friends...

...I have been scared all summer long about going to the DR...had I really prayed about it like I should or did I just want to go...was I ready...was I prepared???? Could I do this...I truly am a bit on the shy side...and especially when I'm outside my element...I felt a bit better when Scott decided to join us...but I truly did spend the summer so afraid...we took our students to Kansas City for a mission trip 2 weeks before we left for the D.R...during one of those nights...we where asked to try to imagine what Heaven sounds like...the preacher took us to a door on stage...knocked on it...listened and they played Chris Tomlin's...world version of How Great is Our God...if you haven't heard it you need too...all languages singing this amazing song...all of the sudden I could see faces in my minds eye...faces of other nations that need to hear and deserve to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ...and my fears left...

...our trip was life changing for me...I've heard all my life...in the church anyway...that even the poorest people in America are richer than most of the world...I witnessed it during our time in the D.R...and yet...they were happy people...humble...loving and kind...I fell in love with them...

...before I share this...I felt a bond with each on of my children when they were born...however, when you become a mom for that first time...you experience all those feelings for the very first time...feelings you cannot even begin to imagine...until...it happens...I remember...after Cassie was born...and everyone had gone home to rest...it was just me and her...I opened the blanket up...counted everything...remember thinking this little bold beauty was the most amazing thing! I was absolutely amazed that God would allow me to have this gift...that He would trust me with her...(and I failed...but HE redeemed that too!)...that "first" time amazement happened again in the D.R...I was lying in bed during our time there and became so overwhelmed with those emotions...that God would allow me to be apart of this...to trust me with such opportunity...it was an emotion...that just like I've had with each of my children...and even my grand children...and just like my sweet family...may I NEVER get over it...

I had the honor of sharing my testimony twice during my time there...once was for something that was hard and once for my salvation...after I shared the hard thing in my life...which was about sharing the Gospel with my dad...the pastor in the D.R...prayed for my dad...I was so overwhelmed...I pray my Dad will understand how BIG God is...that He would have someone in another country who speaks no English praying for him...

We had the honor of teaching VBS and I taught the teens with my awesome interpreter...Edrei...I was scared again that first day...but I fixed my eyes on the Lord...stopped using myself as my excuse and my worst enemy and taught...loved every single minute of it...we had a great time...we then went to 3 different, 3 different days to make reading glasses for people../so rewarding to do this for those people...there were services each night...we witnessed 18 people accept Christ during our week there...we participated in a service in the dark because there was no electricity...we survived without air conditioning...and I would do it all again in a heartbeat!

...the country was beautiful...the people were/are beautiful...and the need is great...I know look forward to our people group in India that we've adopted...I cannot wait to see their sweet faces beyond a picture...or to go to Nepal to see the faces of the ladies who make the jewelry I have the honor of purchasing...or to return to the D.R...or the faces of my 4 amazing exchange students I've had the honor of hosting in the past years....or...wherever God would lead us...

...to be a follower of Christ is to stop looking for what a church can do for me...but what can I do for HIM...it's not about me...as much as I wanted it to be...it never has been...He saved me...because He loves me...but more than that He saved me because I was such a mess...that it brings Him Great glory to redeem someone who had NO hope without HIM...it was possible ONLY through Him...isn't that the truth for us all????

Our Summer 2015...

...our summer has been a life changing experience for us both...we started our summer off with hard goodbyes to our sweet girls we shared our home with for 10 months...learning to adjust to an empty quiet home again...we moved quickly into our summer youth ministry opportunities...starting with our weekend youth retreat...while it was an amazing weekend with sweet worship and solid teaching of the Word...Scott and I had a time in our lives that was one of the toughest...it was personal...and all I can really commit on it is that God's grace is sufficient...this weekend by far was the most exhausting time of our summer...

...we had the opportunity to be apart of our local mission week...now called Connection Week again this year...it was a sweet week of ministry...pouring out and being poured into...we started the week off with 4 baptisms...had another mid week and had 2 more salvation's...we had the opportunity to minister to our area children through our day camp...work at some service projects and spent some time with some sweet people in our area nursing homes...we got to bond with some other "youth people" that we absolutely love!!!! We have been floored that God has allowed us the honor and the privilege to STILL work with students at our age...at this point we are asking Him for at least 10 more years...however much time God allows, we will be thankful...and we will continue to serve Him...until we take our last breath...

...moving on we took our high school students to Kansas City to be apart of the Global Encounter "Project"...it is an amazing ministry that we are so thankful to be a part of...we had a new opportunity this summer with them...our team was allow to be apart of a brand new church plant...we was so fun to be at ground zero...helping to engage the community with the new work in their community...again we are humbled by the experiences that God allows us to be apart of...He is so good...He does NOT need us...but He wants us...and allows us to be part of His bigger plans...

...we came home and went straight into VBS...once again...the youth class had the largest amount...let me also say...it is NOT about the numbers...however, every single year it BLOWS my mind that students...are willing to come to VBS...you know they usually think they have outgrown Vacation Bible School...and yet they come...that is a God thing...no other explanation!!!!!

...VBS family night was Thursday not and Scott and I got on a plane to head to the Dominican Republic this next morning...but that is another blog...in and of itself...

...there is so many little things the Lord has taught me this summer...I wise I could find adequate words to share them...He has stretched me this summer...asked me to do things I thought I'd never could or would never have the courage to do...and yet...through Him...His strength...and His conviction...the Lord has done great things...

...I pray you have Him...that you come to understand the purpose for this life...is HIM...it's not about us...me...you...anyone...it's about Him...and through all of this...He gives us live...and gives it to us abundantly...I know this to be true...because I've experienced this abundant life He promises...

Michael Scott....

29 years ago...I was 10 days over due...with baby number 3...hoping it was a boy...I had hoped the baby would come on Father's Day but nope...it came and went...I laughingly teased that it was waiting for Scott's birthday to make an appearance...We went to the hospital on the 22nd (for the 3rd time) and for the 3rd time was told it was false labor...ugh!!!!! BUT...the doctor said since I was overdue by 10 days he would get everything starting the next morning...so we stayed...then...at almost 3 a.m...Michael Scott made a fast and furious appearance...I would tell you all about it but not sure he would appreciate it!!!

I remember thinking what an amazing birthday gift for his father...not only another healthy baby...but a baby boy...named after him to boot!!!!! (although until his most recent adult years...Scott called him Charlie...and when is was little...Charlie Boy!) We quickly found out that Michael could NOT stand Scott...for the first year of his life he wanted nothing to do with his dad...but the next year...he turned one...and all of the sudden his dad became his hero...and he wanted to be with his dad ALL the time...Michael loves to tell the story now of how I would always take the girls to nice restaurants and never ever take him...and he is telling the truth...if we went to town shopping we did go eat...at Red Lobster or Olive Garden...but the WHOLE truth is...if his dad was anywhere near...that is where he wanted to be...I can still see him with his little hat on his head...his ear pushed out just a bit from the hat looking up to his dad...makes this momma's heart still smile!

He went on the truck with his dad...had lots of chips and Gatorade for breakfast...knew Archie well...would make his bicycle a truck and "haul" trailers all over the yard...fixed CB radios on the handlebars....a little boy with a hero he wanted to grow up and be like...

Well the little boy has grown up...and he did NOT become a truck driver...and you know what...that's OK...it's a hard life...and lots of time away from your family (Scott will tell you that!)...but this little boy DID grow up to be like his dad in the ways that matter...He loves Jesus...He loves worship (if you know Scott Griffith you know he OPENLY loves that !!!!)...and when the ONE came along...Michael did what I've always said he would do...he loves her well...he is an amazing husband...he makes things for her...he decorates her house for fall...and Christmas...and beautiful flowers in the spring/summer...he works hard for her...but more than all of these cool things that he does...and does well for Miss Beks...he loves her like Christ loves...(an example set before him by his dad!)...if you know their story...you know he has fulfilled dreams and helped to heal hurts...she loves to say...#2ndtimesacharm...

I'm am beyond grateful for my children...ALL of my children...today is Michael's day...Happy Birthday Michael...I love you so much...I'm so proud of you...and proud to able to say I'm your mom...whatever you do and wherever you go in life I'll be your biggest supporter...(well just behind Beks...she gets the honor of the biggest one now!!!)...

I love you...have an amazing day!!!!

Mom

What is a Hero???

In this day and age...what makes a hero...what is it that we women look for in our mate and who would we pray as a model for our daughters...that answer seems to be getting distorted in modern day America...

My hero looks very different from the hero of the world...he has worked hard all our lives to provide for the needs of our family...He was been our biggest cheerleader...sometimes to the point we wanted to say...shhhhh...but he still cheered!!!...

My hero has set an example of Christ like love to our kids and now our grand kids...he loves people...he loves students...and he loves to be a servant to others...even when that cost him...time...money and energy he doesn't always have...isn't that what Christ has called us to do...to follow Him...even when it is hard...uncomfortable...or costly...I have walked 33 years with my hero has he has lived this out...

I know our kids love him...they have a look of pride most of the time on their faces...when they look at him or talk about him...I'm so thankful it is like that...and it is that way...because of the man he is...and the father he has been and continues to be to them...a place of honor that I think they would all agree with me when I say he earned it...doesn't expect...earned...

But, more than that...he is MY hero...my husband, friend, mentor, lover, life partner...and the thought of us not being together scares me...

He recently fell off the pedestal I had him on...does that make him less my hero...NO...you know why...because he was put in a place that was never fair for him to be in....honestly a place that on Christ should be...hero's...my hero...knows how to point me to the ONE I need to see high and lifted up...

He has taught me what love is...he has taught me grace...he has taught me forgiveness...he has taught me laughter...he has taught me joy...he has lived out a Christ like life before me...and I believe I know Jesus today...because my hero showed me the way...

I'm thankful for him...and I want to wish him a Happy Father's day and a happy birthday...Scott Griffith...you are my favorite... 

Sofia and Sasha

Well...our year has come to an end...the girls have both been home for a week now...we heard from them both that they are safe at home...we have heard from Sofia several times...she is very EXCITED to be eating her food again!!! Her sister graduated Saturday and Sofia looked beautiful in the pictures that she sent us of that day!!!

Their room is clean now and officially our home office now...it is funny and hard at the same time how life moves on...our very first exchange daughter, Amy, is actually here in the states as I type this...however, she will not make it to Missouri this trip...if all works out the way we hope...Scott and I will step foot on her Germany and see her land in 2016...

Life does move on...but with each days interactions...we are changed...our hearts are changed...and so...as Scott and I move on to an "empty nest" again...our hearts are changed...we now have 2 more girls...daughters...that will forever be in our hearts...we think of them as we are getting ready for church on Sunday mornings...or when we sit down for a meal...or when we start to play a game...(can't do that just yet...still feels funny without them!)...I think t-bow still looks for them...my daycare kids are saying them miss them...the grand-kids are missing them...

Sofia and Sasha...our prayer for you is that you have left here knowing you are loved...knowing you are forever a part of this crazy American family...and to know that there is a God in heaven who loves you more than Finnish...Chinese or American families could even begin too!!! We also pray that you left here knowing that you have left your mark on us...on our hearts...on our church...and on the friends of MAC County...you both will forever be a part of Pierced Student Ministries...forever a MUSTANG...and...forever...and always...a Griffith...

Missing you much today! Love you both...

Scott and Lori...
A.K.A. American Dad and Mom

Where would I be???

Scott was teaching Sunday morning and just in passing he said this simple but profound statement..."I often find myself wondering...where would I be without Christ?"...I immediately began to ask myself that question...the answer scared/scares me to death! You see I understand completely that I am only standing by the grace, love and forgiveness of my Lord and my Savior! I KNOW I would be a failure at everything in life without Christ...He is were I get my hope...my strength...I desire for life...

I have struggled the past few months with discouragement...feeling tired and weary...in my flesh...thinking maybe I'd like to just sit down and take a break...not from the Lord...but from serving...I mean...that's what the American church does isn't it? We are tired...what is the first thing we take a break from? Not work...and NOT play...so Church...and in many cases...God...We are weary and discouraged...what do we do...assume God needs to change something or someone so we complain...or quit...but God has shown me very clearly that usually if not ALL the time...it is ME who needs to look in the mirror...the mirror of HIS word and see what needs to go...or change inside myself...and when I look in the mirror of HIS word...then I see the reflection God has been trying to talk to my heart about...I can assure you that it is usually not a pretty view!

As I began making notes for this post Sunday morning...Pastor Saeed Abedini came to my mind...I mean truthfully...lets talk about someone who has the right to say he is tired...weary and discouraged...and yet he can't and hasn't quit...I understand it's not like he has the freedom to walk away from the prison he has been held in for far to long...but he DOES have the freedom to deny Christ...in order to gain his freedom...and he has remained faithful to the Lord...he surely asks the question...why...and yet he follows hard and fast after Jesus...he must miss his family and wonder when or even if he will see them again...and yet...he continues to stand on the Truth of Jesus Christ...he is a living testimony of Philippians 1:20-21... I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

Pastor Saeed is in a battle...a physical battle for his very life...and yet he remains faithful to the One who gave it all for Pastor Saeed. However, we too...are in a battle...and while we may not be in a physical  prison...we are still in this battle...a spiritual battle (please understand Pastor Saeed's is also very much a spiritual battle!)...this spiritual battle is just as intense as other's physical battle...my fear, however, is we don't see nor do we understand how intense this battle is...for some of us we are just playing church...not truly understanding an intimate walk with Christ...for others we are so fearful of the things going on around us here in the states...that we focus on the what ifs and the what will we do when...and we forget who, ultimately, is in control...and focusing on HIM and not the thems or the whens around us! We find service hard and time consuming and we forget to look at the individuals...be that an adult of a child...that God places in our path...we forget as believers we are still here walking this earth...because they need someone to tell them...  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Romans 10:14-15...that is why we are here...

We get wrapped up in our own lives...and the activities of our jobs, free time or our kids and we forget none of that will matter at the end of life...none of it...if they got a scholarship...if we got a huge promotion...if we had an important position in the church...none of that matters...only what matters is what we did with Christ...He demands and deserves the number 1 spot in our lives...we can't walk in fear of what if...we aren't promised tomorrow anyway...we can't walk in a hunger for success...we aren't promised tomorrow anyway...we can't live our lives sold out to the desires of our children...ultimately we will INDIVIDUALLY stand before the Lord...I will stand...my husband will stand (and it won't be together)...and our children will stand before Him...pouring into one another's spiritual life is more important than the busy activities we can so easily get wrapped up in...

Our pastor said last Sunday...humility is understanding who we are in light of who God is...and low self esteem...when I walk in that (those of you who know me, understand why I'm sharing this...) am I giving God praise and honor for what I KNOW He has done in and through me...never thought of it like that before...eye opening...because even though I have and will continue to mess up...I KNOW Christ has done a miracle in my life...

So I close with this thought...maybe it is time I get over myself...but may I NEVER get over HIM...

 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. Eph. 4:1-3...the Message

same verses...different version...

 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love