Junk Mail and Tornados

I got the best junk mail of all time today - it was a membership request for me to sign up for AARP! My dad and I always used to joke about AARP and he is now a member. I just turned 30 so I thought I was getting old - but not that old! HA!

In other news, there were tornado warnings tonight in Middle TN. I really don't like tornados. They really kinda freak me out actually. Last year, I got caught driving in hail and couldn't see 2 feet in front of me. I was driving so slow thinking wow - a tornado could be right in front of me and I would have no clue because I can't see a thing! I was in my first tri-mester at the time and thought - this could be it. My car still has dents in it as proof to the severity of the storm. When I got home, it looked like it had snowed when actually, there were hail balls the size of the big high bounce balls scattered all over my lawn. I put some in a jar and put them in the freezer just incase anyone didn't believe me. Then, the next hail storm experience last year took place at an air show. We were all chilling on the air field when they postponed the show due to thunder. Next thing you know, the air temperature drops like 10 or so degrees and then it starts raining hard. Lucky I had an umbrella because it was really hot that day and I was still pregnant - this time entering my 3rd trimester. The rain quickly turned to hail as I crouched under the umbrella with a good friend of mine. We decided we needed to find shelter so we ran towards the port-a-lues. Lucky we didn't hide in the port-a-lues because when it was all done, there were 3 of them that blew over! How gross would that have been!!! We instead hid behind a big truck. It helped keep some of the hail off of us, but not all. It was super scary! And then tonight, Lucas was out delivering pizzas when the wind really kicked up. The news just said it was about 40 miles per hour! That's almost 65 km per hour for you Aussies!! Anyways - as Lucas was driving home from his last run, there was a HUGE branch in the road. So big that he couldn't pass it with the car. He had to stop the car, push the door open with all his might and then make his way to the branch to remove it from the road. He said he had to remove his hat because of the wind. Yeah - I'm not too fond of tornado weather! Pretty freaky stuff.

I did, however, learn a little tip when it comes to tornadoes. You should open your windows a crack and leave them open during the storm. This helps so there is not that much negative pressure in the house which if severe can cause the roof to collapse in. So tip for the day - in tornado type weather, always keep your windows open a crack and then make sure you have a safe place in the house to go. It should be the middle most room and should not have any windows. If it's a bathroom, get in the tub and put a mattress over top of you. You can keep some bottled water in there with you with a flashlight and a radio operated on batteries. This way - you can listen to the radio for weather updates.

The Body

Today, Lucas and I went for a walk. Going for a walk in our development is not very productive... There are always neighbors out that you stop and say g-day to.

On our 4th stop of saying hi to neighbors, we stopped for a while and really chatted.

They are actually our dear friends. They are having to make some big decisions in life at the moment and are really seeking God for His perfect path.

A prophetic word is probably what they are really looking for - someone to say Thus Sayith God and they would know what direction to go.

My friend was joking and said - do you guys have a prophetic word? We told them we could make one up if they wished - but didn't think that would help.

Anyways - here is where I'm going with this... I think we all have a very important part in the body of Christ. I also think that one day we might be one part of the body and another day we could be something different. In other words, somedays - I could be the mouth and use my prophetic giftings when the next day, I need to be the hands and serve someone in need. Another day, I can be the heart caring for another with sincerity. Even though I have a prophetic gifting, I don't necessarily always have to be a mouth.

In my friends situation, I felt like I was supposed to be the ears tonight. Maybe tomorrow I'll be the mouth or the eyes, but I still don't think I can fully say - Thus Sayith God do this or that at this point. I think for now, God has me as one who will listen and give insight when I feel led.

Listen to the Spirit when He's telling you what part of the body you should be for that very moment!

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