Priorities

The average cost of a Starbucks drink is $4. Most people spend an average of $21.32 a week on COFFEE. Now I get it, can't live without our coffee!

Ask yourself. Is making a difference in the life of a child worth it to you? If it were your child. Would it be worth it? We aren't asking much. 

Filling ONE heart is about half of what you would be willing to spend on coffee in a month. 

If it's not coffee.. is it eating out? A new pair of shoes? A purse? A new appliance? Furniture? or something small like cookies but often? A bigger better newer? The list could go on and on. We spend money on what we prioritize. If we looked at our checkbooks and purchases and the way we spend our time, could we say James 1:27 is priority? Our family sponsors a little girl. Grace is just as much of a priority to our family as going to Zambia is; as feeding OUR children is. Will we stop sponsoring her when we get on the field? NO. Making sure she has an education, gets fed her one meal a day (probably the only meal she will get all day) and her needs are met IS our priority. I'm not saying this because we are anything special. ANYONE can sponsor a child. We aren't. We are just willing. Will you take tonight. Pray about it. Ask the Lord what part he's asking you to play? If you go to bed and wake up in the morning and the answer is nothing. Then okay. BUT if it's more will you be willing to be his hands and feet with us? Also to be willing to give as he asks?

88 more hearts to fill; some are financially capable of doing more than one.

Our whole family is ready to serve and we can not serve alone. We need YOU to serve with us. KAI is working to combat the devastation by caring for those most at risk- the children-with loving, holistic care and an introduction to the Gospel. Through childrens homes, care centers, medical care, schools and programs to keep kids with their families.

* 1.2 millions are orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic

* Only 57% have the privilege of going to primary school

* 115 new children have Hiv/Aids infections every day

Once we went to Zambia these statistics became a reality in our life. They became NOT numbers but FACES. They are children with beautiful hearts and dreams. Who have dreams for their futures and their country. Going there and meeting some of these amazing people I call friends; changed my life for the better! Kids Alive is already there caring for orphans. They need our hands and feet. Will you make orphan care a priority? A command to care for orphans and widows and not just in your "want" category. James 1:27 is pretty clear. Or support those who are (it's the same). If you have mentioned wanting to partner with us will you not wait and start today? Will you not only share but also start partnering with us today. 

88 people giving $35 a month
62 people giving $50 a month
31 people giving $100 a month or a combo of each and we can leave!!!! Will you?

I know this isn't a popular subject.  Most people don't want to hear.  What I want to do is... tell you the difference you CAN make.  INSPIRE you to be a part of changing the world.  WE cannot change the world ourselves. We can't.  Together though, together, we can make a change.  We can help the ONE.  We can fill a need that is set before us.  What an OPPORTUNITY and privilege it is that we are ABLE to help!!!! Will you!?!? 

It's simple to start: www.kidsalive.org/fuller (select monthly)
1 heart= $35 monthly commitment
(That is only $420 a YEAR) (average people spend $1108 on coffee a year)

www.fullheartsandgrowing.blogpspot.com - to follow our journey
Join our fb group to follow our journey-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/637211529743710/

Suitcases.... and MORE.

Here we are nearing the middle of January. The Lord has provided ALL of the suitcases we need to pack and leave for Zambia. So many mixed emotions in this. EXCSTATIC..because he has provided these pieces and we can start packing!!!!!! A little sad knowing that means leaving our family. AT rest... knowing that it is ALL in his timing. This month we are "preparing for rain" and starting to pack little by little as well as ordering the last of home school curriculum that we will need while in Zambia. Thank you to everyone who has donated suitcases. What a huge blessing this is to our family. 

 The Lord has been so faithful. Even in the waiting. The long. Sometimes hard. What seems like at times endless waiting. We know He is using it for good to prepare our hearts. Even so sometimes that isn't easy. We have spent a lot of time on our knees the last month and a half. We have spent a lot of time as a family. Our family unit the Lord has strengthened and prepared. We have had some really awesome times of fellowship and time with family as well as moments of encouraging others and inviting them to be a part of something so much bigger than any of us. As we wait and still wonder how He is going to do this. The what seems impossible in providing the rest of what we need in able to leave.. We know he is working behind the scenes. These kids in Zambia. These precious lives. They are HIS. Our hearts longs to be there. Our kids are getting restless as especially the older two are feeling really ready to go. As we wait we worship, pray and allow him to use us in the present.

As I skyped with a friend this weekend she said something to me that was simple yet profound. She is on her own journey yet our journeys are so very similar. My friend mentioned that sometimes when she isn't seeing the results she wants. When she is feeling discouraged. She tells herself, "step aside." This is such a great reminder. SO over the last few days I have been telling myself that. As I've reached out to people and I feel discouraged. I've reminded myself to, "step aside." This is the Lords work. It is up to him to provide. We are only to be obedient. When we are inviting people to partner with us, when the answer is discouraging... I only have to answer to him for being obedient with asking and inviting others to be a part of the work HE is doing and then to trust him with the result. Sometimes we need to just, "step aside" and allow Him to show up and show off.

We are at the point in our journey where we are needing to be connected with people you may know who have a heart for orphan care and missions! Would you consider hosting a dinner or fundraising event on behalf of our family? We are open to just about anything at this point. Feel free to message us with ideas or how you would like to help. We are also needing individuals to talk and advocate for our family. We are continuing ourselves to meet with people and build our monthly partnership team. Do you know of a small business that you know would partner with our family?

We also have been working on tweaking our budget to lower it as much as we can. We personally other than living on savings have invested from our own savings to cover a portion of our start up costs. Please know that other than going we are JUST as invested as the work the Lord is calling us all together to do, as our monthly partners are invested. We are currently at 85% for our start up costs. Praise the Lord for HIS provision. Will you pray about joining our monthly partnership team? We need to be at 90% before we can purchase tickets. We look forward to having a leave date.

We are also thankful to those the Lord is impressing to be a part of the big picture. Investing in the lives of orphans. Of kids that need the hope of Jesus. That need to be spoken truth to. To hear they are beloved, chosen and they are HIS. Praising the Lord that HE is close to these kids. He is already there working and praising the Lord that He has called all of us together to be a part of their lives. Loving on these kids and investing in their future.


Brandon is also getting really antsy and excited to be on Zambian soil. For all of you who know Brandon you know that he loves mechanics. It's part of his passion. It will be so awesome to see how God is going to use him as the Vocational Mechanics Teacher to teach these kids a skill that they can use as they graduate and start their own lives in society. There is no doubt that the Lord has given him this talent. There is nothing more rewarding as a wife then seeing your husband doing everything the Lord has called him to do.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or you would like to meet. We would love to encourage you in this season that you are in. Thank you all for serving right along side of us. We are excited to see what the coming months ahead hold.

Serving Him Together,

Brandy ( and Family)

P.S. Brandon wrote a really good update for January if you didn't receive that via email please message me your email and I'll send it to you. :)


www.kidsalive.org/fuller




****disclaimer**** I am not a very good writer. I pretty much suck at it. Please bear with me as I try my best to convey what is on my heart.