Introducing Liam

Here's some photos of one of the cutest kids we know. He's captured my heart!!!

WAY TOO CUTE!


Sitting up all by myself!


Yummy Carrots!












Is that ice cream???

Beauty from Within

I was watching America's Top Model tonight and thought the best lesson was taught. It was down to the final 3. Each girl wanted to win.

The one girl that didn't make the top 2 had a great story. She was a bit of a "nerd" with glasses, never very popular, unsure of herself and not all that pretty. Throughout the process of the season, the judges and photographers always had amazing things to say about her. They commented on her looks and her poses and how lovely she was. You could totally see the transformation of this girl from being awkward, mild and unsure of herself to almost becoming the next top model. By this episode, she was so much more sure of herself, more beautiful and a better person all around.

I think the lesson is, when we are uncertain of who we are or how we look, then stand in the presence of encouragement for some time, it transforms us.

It is like the Shulamite in Song of Solomon. She was dark and not lovely. She spend some time in the presence of the king with encouragement that would make any girl blush. And the result? She was envied among women and all spoke of her beauty.

Next time you are unsure of yourself, spend some time in the presence of The King and receive His encouragement for you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, He formed you in the womb, He rejoices over you with love. It will change your very being.

Lucas home from Uganda

Lucas is finally back from Uganda. Liam was so excited to see his daddy. He slept on the way home from the airport, but when they got home, Liam opened one eye and saw Lucas, he then proceeded to open both eyes very wide and smile the biggest cutest smile ever. He then reached out his hands for Lucas. Now mind you - Liam is still a bit small to be doing that and hasn't done it yet or since. He must have really missed his dad. We all did!

To find out more about his trip - check out http://lucasparry.com/blog/. Lucas is going to be writing down his days in Uganda over the next 2 weeks. You won't want to miss any of the action! : )

Lucas in Uganda

Hi All -

Here is a recent email from Lucas while he's been in Uganda! : ) Enjoy!

Hey everyone!!

We'll we've been having an amazing time here in Uganda. The team has been awesome and have gelled together so well. We have been joined by another small international team from the UK and some other Americans who have been here for 6 months. They have helped put together the concerts and all the schools visits and such.

Its HOT here...... being on the equator is stifling indeed :) Kampala is the most western African city I have ever been too. People now carry cell phones around everywhere.... how things have changed in the past 7 years!!! The people are very friendly here and everyone speaks English.

The team is split up in various houses. I'm staying with the Leader from ICY in the UK , Colin..... We are staying in the most basic of all 3 houses. We have only cold water and a bathroom which only sometimes works :) And Colin snores like a madman. I could of sworn there was a herd of Elephants in my room last night being attacked by lions!!! One of the Americans living here generously donated me a pair of earplugs :) So the last 2 nights I have slept like a baby under my mozzie net :)

The roads are ever so crazy. Its always a leap of faith entering a taxi! Or Mutato as they call it here....... The roads are so congested and there are literally NO road rules :) Ahhh,,,,, this is why I love africa! lol.

The food has been great, lots of frest bananas, pineapple, plenty of chicken (real live chicken), potatoes and rice..... Actually they also have lots of Chapati here (its indian). For brekky we'll have toast and peanut butter with bananas. Lunch is usually a sandwich then dinner varies but usuallly meat and rice/potatoes. We have a cook at the ICY mission house who cooks for us.

We went to a cultural show the other day,. It was awesome, lots of singing/dancing and other crazy Ugandan stuff.

So far we have been Very busy. We've visited 4 schools already and each of them have been packed wall to wall with kids hanging ot the windows. Tonight we visit the prison for teens and play songs do dramas and share testimonies. We have another church service tonight also. Last sunday we performed at 3 church services from 7:30 - 2pm It was LONNNNNG! The big concerts begin on Friday, we are expecting a massive turnout. Its funny all around the city there are posters of me.... Ha! I laugh each time I see one. God has been very gracious and given this trip So much favor. I have done live TV interviews on two different programs, and 4 radio interviews. Plus a big press conference with every newspaper in town..... its been awesome to see the response to my music here :) I really don't know why?? but it is neat to see :)

On Sunday we play at a church that has over 15000 members.... I play at 4 services.

Half my band is from the US, Justin and Forrest. But the others are Ugandan! We have been in rehearsals each morning, and they've been great! I am so excited to get these concerts underway :) The Ugandan band were so organized and prepared, they knew all my songs and it made practice SO easy!!

Tomorrow we visit Watoto orphanage then on Saturday I visit my compassion Child here in Kampala - I cant wait for that!!

Ive been taking lots of pictures and video.....I will share when I get home.

My time is running out here at the Internet cafe so I must run. Next week we'll go on Safari then head home.

Thanks for your prayers, we have much to do before we leave for home, and we're praying that the concerts will be huge and many people will come to know Jesus!

Love you all!

Lucas

Psalm 102:1-2 (The Message)
God, listen! Listen to my prayer, listen to the pain in my cries.
Don't turn your back on me just when I need you so desperately.
Pay attention! This is a cry for help! And hurry—this can't wait!

This is how I felt the other night. The Message captured my emotion so well!

Lucas is currently in Uganda, Africa leading a missions trip for 2 weeks. On Monday night, I felt an overwhelming and unswerving desire to pray hard for Lucas especially and the team. I started crying out to God not knowing what to pray for and then a bit in the Spirit. I felt like I was fighting but not sure what I was waring against.

And Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:18 NIV

Then suddenly without warning, the war stopped, and I felt God say, stop praying. I thought, that's weird. Why do I need to stop? I'm not even sure why I started? Why did it end suddenly? What was going on?

I didn't hear from Lucas the next day, and I started getting worried. I began letting my thoughts drift off to a place I don't like to go. What if something happened to Lucas?! I would be a single parent having to assure Liam of his daddy's love. And oh how daddy loves that boy!!! I began thinking of fun times and how much I love him and how I couldn't bare losing him. I began to pray again, but this time for my own benefit and not with the prior urgent need. This reflection also taught me to embrace the moments and to love until it hurts. Take advantage of times I do have with Lucas and Liam and those around me that I love.

I did hear from Lucas this morning - PRAISE YOU, JESUS! He said he was woken up and under attack in the spiritual realm. He thanked me for my prayers because he said it was pretty intense. If you think about it, pray for Lucas and team around 7pm CST while he is gone for protection, safety and God's grace.

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. Isaiah 58:9 NRSV

"I know not by what methods rare, but this I know: God answers prayer." ~unknown