tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15838206242119700142024-03-05T22:48:22.618-08:00Pratter ChatterAmy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-90640510371037648182014-12-10T07:55:00.000-08:002014-12-10T07:55:16.762-08:0010 Years Ago<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">10 years ago, at this moment...I was anxiously and somewhat fearfully preparing myself, gathering the bags, checking the house, and yes I was straightening my hair and giggling with my BFF, Amy Gill. After a sleepless night of reminiscing and nervously discussing what we were walking into on December 10, 2004, the time had arrived.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">We arrived at the hospital, I began having contractions. I was trembling from the clash of so many emotions! I couldn't wait to hold my baby! I waited with intense anticipation as they gave me the epidural and I remember the mild anxiety I couldn't shake over the thought of the scalpel and the operating room. They gave me some meds to help me relax and they said it was time. I looked at Brian Pratt and he squeezed my hand promising not to leave my side. They wheeled the oversized bed out the door and I rolled past my mom and dad, and all 4 Grandparents. My Grandmother was smiling and giddy with excitement and my heart was full knowing that they were all here, waiting with excited anticipation!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I remember the ice cold against my skin in the operating room and the bright fluorescent lights giving the tiled room a crisp, sterile feeI. I spotted the baby "station" and the nurses walking back and forth checking to make sure everything was prepared and ready to get started.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The meds were helping me relax and I felt foggy and light. I heard the music playing softly in the background and the doctors walk in and talk to Brian. Then they started! They started the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">process that is not the natural way to bring a baby into the world but by c-section.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was so so young, 22 years old, I had no idea how drastically life was about to change! As I stared at the ceiling, I felt a tear run down my face. This was it...the biggest, most incredible gift God had given me in my life. I prayed. I prayed hard and thanked Him! I held Brian's hand and a few more tears rolled across my skin.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">The doctor warned me that I would feel a lot of pressure but then Mason would be here! I held my breath and felt the strangest sensation of extreme pressure, not pain, but heavy pressure! I heard tons of commotion and they were calling for the pediatrician, nurses were running back and forth. I head the words from the doctor's mouth, "Amy, everything is going to be okay. Just hang in there. Mason is going to be okay." My eyes darted around the room, I felt like I was going to hyperventilate. Brian wasn't there anymore, I could see his back as he was standing over by where they had taken my baby! I was in a daze, asking what was going on. The doctor came by my head and said the words that I never expected to hear, "Amy, Mason has a cleft lip and palate. He is going to be okay. You are going to be okay." </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">My mind went blank, my world was spinning. I knew what this was, but I couldn't wrap my head around what this meant. How bad was it? How do they fix it? How was this happening? I didn't know anything. I cried, I was scared, and I was confused. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Brian turned, they brought Mason over to me and put his head by mine. I couldn't see him because of the tears, I could smell him and I could feel his precious, soft skin against my lips as I delicately kissed my sweet boy for the very first time. Then he was gone. They rushed him out of the room and Brian looked into my eyes, fear written across his face. I told him to go and to not leave Mason's side. I closed my eyes, and prayed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">They took me to recovery and I was alone. I asked for updates, but the nurses just told me they would let me know as soon as they could. It felt like an eternity. The door opened and I could hear foot steps approaching the curtain and my mom appeared. I still felt so groggy but the sight of her was such a relief. She simply gave me a comforting grin and placed her hand on mine. She quietly whispered that everything was going to be okay. She said that they were cleaning Mason up and that Brian was not going to leave his side. My mom softly attempted to explain to me what Mason looked like and what I could expect when I saw him. I couldn't picture him in my head.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">After an hour or two they wheeled me out to my room. I was surrounded by family and friends. I still hadn't held my baby but everyone was telling me how beautiful he was and that he was going to be okay! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Then, the nurse came in and said that they were going to bring Mason to me. Brian and the nurse walked in with the rolling bassinet from the hospital nursery, family and friends were standing all around my bed, in the room, and the hall. The nurse lifted Mason out and gently placed him in my aching arms. The first moment I saw him, I was speechless, I couldn't breathe...he was absolutely the most beautiful, precious baby I had ever seen in my entire life. I wept and held him. They weren't tears of sadness or pain, they were tears of gratitude and I was in awe of the little human being, my son. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">In a split second, my life was changed. God was blessing ME with the responsibility for this child. This was absolutely the best day of my entire life. Yes, there were tears, there was fear, but there was also incredible joy, excitement, gratitude, love, support, and family. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">My friend, Amy and her mom, Denise got us the number for the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas and I was on the phone with them that day. We had an appointment set up in a week and they assured me that everything was going to be okay!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">We learned a ton over the next few days. We educated ourselves and embraced this wonderful journey that God laid out for us. We grew up over night. At 22 and 23 years old, Brian and I thought we knew everything we needed for life! We had no idea what we were doing...but God provided and we stood in faith, wrapped our arms around our little family of 3 and marched forward! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Today, December 10, 2014, my angel baby is 10 years old. I have learned an incredible amount from this amazing kid. His strength, resilience, his love of life inspires us. He is a leader, loves sports, loves school and excels at anything he sets his mind to. I look at Mason in awe and there are no words to describe how sincerely grateful we are for him and we so very proud of him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Mason's cleft lip and palate do not define him but the journey that he has been through and will go through have definitely impacted who he is and the passion that our family has for certain things in life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Happy Birthday to our sweet boy, Mason Lee Pratt. We love you with all of our hearts and we thank God every single day for you. He made you perfect in his eyes and in ours. He has BIG plans for you and we cannot wait to see the amazing things you will accomplish in this life!</span></span></div>
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Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-88677488405651040392013-01-27T15:37:00.003-08:002013-01-27T15:37:31.683-08:00Going for the 6th Time!When God calls you to do something that you feel so passionate about, you would think that HANDS DOWN it would be easy all the way! This is not always the case! Many times I am surprised by the things that he calls us to do and I am beyond shocked that he would choose ME...US, our family to do these things. Coming into the year 2013, Brian and I both knew that GOD had some extremely BIG things planned for us and our family. We felt the overwhelming sensation of love and passion building in our hearts!<br />
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So far, what we know for sure is that I will be going to Honduras in JUNE for a longer stay than normal. This trip will be 2 1/2 - 3 weeks long and I am looking to take a very small group. I have just begun the extremely humbling process of trying to raise support for this trip. I have only had 1 trip that has been fully funded by supporters and fundraising. That was our very first trip in March of 2010. Here we are 3 years later and I am looking for people who want to partner with me in this mission. People who have a heart for orphans and for spreading the word of Christ but that simply cannot go at this point . I am looking for people who are willing to pray for this trip, this small team, the extremely large goals we have set to accomplish during our time there. <br />
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<b>Here is exactly what I posted on my fundraising page...a more detailed description of my experience in going to Honduras! <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">In March of 2010, I had the privilege and opportunity to serve on a short term mission team in Puerto Lempira, Honduras alongside the Waits family. On that trip, we fell in love with the people of Honduras. I made friends with some extremely special people and our time there changed our hearts and lives forever.</span></b><br />
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<b style="background-color: white;">The Waits family serves with the non-profit organization, Reach Out Honduras which works to meet the needs of 3 different orphanages in Puerto Lempira. I have had the privilege of traveling with a team over Thanksgiving in 2010, Spring Break 2011 and during Thanksgiving 2011, and June of 2012 and I feel that God is calling me to go serve Him in Puerto Lempira, again!</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">It is very difficult to express the deep passion and love the God has placed on my heart for the people in La Moskitia. On this trip, my focus will be to conduct assessments on various children to determine the most appropriate level of curriculum that needs to be purchased for the 7th grade at the new school that Reach Out Honduras is opening in February of 2014. To see more about the school go to <a href="http://www.reachouthonduras.org/" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.reachouthonduras.org</a>.</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">I am humbly asking our friends and family to help me get to Honduras this summer by generously partnering with me prayerfully and financially. Please consider how you can get involved by praying, donating one of the much needed items, or giving at one of several financial levels. All financial donations are 100% tax-deductible. There are no administrative or other types of fees taken out.</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">For more information about our trip, the work we will be doing in Puerto Lempira, or Reach Out Honduras, or email me at <a href="mailto:prattbox5@gmail.com" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">prattbox5@gmail.com</a>.</b></div>
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PLEASE, be praying for this trip and for my family as we are opening ourselves up to be vulnerable in this time and trust in our Lord and Savior to provide for His will. You can visit <a href="http://www.razoo.com/story/Mission-Trip-To-Honduras-In-November-2011-For-Amy?referral_code=share" target="_blank">HERE</a> to contribute financially or to see more pictures and a video from some of my trips to Honduras!</div>
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<a href="http://www.razoo.com/story/Mission-Trip-To-Honduras-In-November-2011-For-Amy?referral_code=share" target="_blank">RAZOO fundraising page</a>! </div>
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Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-90538454206737349792013-01-23T17:35:00.000-08:002013-01-23T18:06:19.333-08:00Coincidences? I think not!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">No one is where he is by accident, and chance plays no part in God’s plan. </span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">A Course in Miracles </b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">When you pray for something: clarity, guidance, understanding, etc. you are looking for answers and a response, right? I think so! I hope so! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Growing up, I remember my mother constantly saying, "There is no such thing as a coincidence!" At the time, I never questioned, doubted, or even wondered what she meant by this. Now, as an adult I have decided that no, there is in fact no such thing as a coincidence! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">God knows. He has a plan. He understands and has paved the way for us and will guide us where He wants us to be, no matter what. All we have to do is be willing to wait, listen, be patient, and continue to pray! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">This year, we have been praying about something very specific for our family. The past week or so, it seems that the longer I look, the closer I pay attention, the more open I am to hearing God's answer and not mine...the more I see, the more I hear, and the more I realize! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I know that this is a vague explanation of my realization that there are in fact no coincidences in life. I have my reasons for being vague, but here is one example of what I am talking about and I would love to hear what you think!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">3 times I have gotten in the car and a certain song was playing on the radio...one that means so very much to my husband and I. This one song, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7qi2KlUffs" target="_blank">"Until the Whole Word Hears" by Casting Crowns</a> has played a huge role in our walk through missions and has touched our hearts since our very first trip to Honduras. No, not a coincidence...but a memory being brought back to the forefront of my mind! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Here is the video we made back in 2010!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The past 24 days of 2013 have been extremely eye-opening and we are super-excited to see what God has in store for the rest of the year and years to come!</span></span>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-90956087159959595202013-01-05T17:07:00.000-08:002013-01-05T17:09:17.225-08:00OMGoodness...It has been a while!I cannot even wrap my head around the time that it has been since my last blog! I am ready to get back at it and I have made it a personal goal to put my thoughts out there in the "Blogger" world on a more consistent basis! <br />
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It seems that I tend to get extremely excited about blogging and about processing my thoughts through blogging when there are major things going on in my head and in our lives! Crazy how that happens...and no I am not saying that my life has been "boring" for the last year and a half! Busy...YES! Are you kidding me, I have 3 boys ages 8, 5, and 3! Our lives are ANYTHING but boring! <br />
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As this new year gets underway, there are so many things weighing our hearts and we feel the comfort of God's calling getting louder and clearer as each day passes. I am asking a favor of the world right now...please be praying for our family! Be praying for the excitement that is brewing! Here are some specific requests:<br />
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1. That we continue each day to grow closer to our Lord and Savior! <br />
2. That we grow together and that we are ready and listening as God leads the way and answers prayers daily.<br />
3. That we stay focused on what the end goal is and that each decision and step we make is to glorify Him and to get us where we know He wants us to be.<br />
4. For our boys and that we can guide them and prepare them for the life that God has planned for them!Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-35614343155699246032011-04-03T19:33:00.001-07:002011-04-03T19:41:23.283-07:00Deep BreathsAs I sit here...reflecting on the day, the week behind me, the week ahead of me, and where I am at RIGHT NOW...I realize that sometimes I just need to take a deep breath. I allow myself to get so extremely busy, so busy that I forget to stop and breathe. The days start running together, the months go by so so fast and the years are getting shorter. So I ask myself, where has life gone? My baby is already 6 1/2 and almost finished with Kindergarten. My middle son is about to start Pre-K and my baby baby is already almost 2. Again, DEEP BREATH...it gets me emotional when I force myself to stop what I am doing and to take a look around only to realize that I have done it once again... "IT" being that I have been flying through life without stopping to take in every moment, every cute laugh, every innocent question or joke! So with this blog...I am once again REMINDING myself to slow down, to take a DEEP BREATH and to soak up every single moment like a sponge thirsting for water! Because, someday when I am living a slower life and every breath I take is a deep breath...I want to be sure to remember all the crazy moments that I had along the way. Thank GOD for all of the blessings and the amazing family he has given me. Thanking Him for the craziness and for all the busy things we have going one...thanking Him for every single minute of every single day! Thanking Him...because He chose me and loves me and is ALWAYS there for me...Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-65027491521637474112011-03-23T16:20:00.000-07:002011-03-24T03:27:24.449-07:00Lessons Learned - Current Dealings - Things Accepted<div>IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:<br /><br />1. I was not raised around boys...and had no idea what my life would look like with three sons. 1 word - CRAZY!!! Why? Because boys are 100% a foreign creature to me!<br /><br />2. Why boys are foreign: they are messy, they wrestle, they go outside and play really hard and then stink... bad (even at three years old - they smell, who would have ever thought!) They like video games and movies about turtles who fight and kids who are really good at karate. They start screaming at the top of their lungs the whole way home from daycare because they want a BALL - credit for this one goes to my 18 month old! They make sounds with their arm pits and then they laugh about how they can create a sound that is so similar to other bodily sounds that they also enjoy making in order to gross out their mommy. Goodness, there is so MUCH more! BUT...though boys are a creature that I may never COMPLETELY understand...one thing I do know is that they are absolutely positively precious, sweet, they can be gentle and they LOVE their mommy!<br /><br />3. God blesses us with periods of waiting - for example, Just like in 1 Samuel 8:1-22 - wait for God's answer to your prayers...that way you are going down the path the He would have for you rather than making descisions based on your own desires.<br /><br />4. BE PATIENT - In order to be able to WAIT, you must have patience. As I read in my daily devotional by Beth Moore, she says, "Often when God does not readily give us what we want, it is because He knows what our desire would cost us. FAITH sometimes means forgoing our desires because we trust Christ to have a better plan for our lives." - WOW...<br /><br />5. Politics - Are dumb and frustrating<br /><br />6. Security - a very valuable asset to have which may change at any point without warning - ex: Texas budget crisis = many changes and stress on our schools, jobs, students, teachers, lives, and FUTURE<br /><br />7. If you don't actually speak up and voice your opinion - you can't complain when things don't go your way.<br /><br />8. Sometimes people do things in life that upset you...you cannot control others and the choices they make...pray about it and turn it over to God! He will carry that burden for you...<br /><br />9. Growing Up is hard to do... Raising Kids is hard to do... Why don't they have a manual for these things?<br /><br />10. In the past year I have traveled out of the country 3 times to Honduras - a place that God has placed heavily on my heart - each time was a completely different experience and was blessed in totally different ways<br /><br />11. That through all of these things...I know I am loved and wanted by my Lord and Savior<br /><br />12. The priorities in life MUST go in this order - GOD, then Family, the career and life<br /><br />13. Friends are very valuable and special...and the older I get the more I appreciate my true friends!<br /><br />14. My children are growing faster than I could have ever imagine...and I am so fast paced that I have to constantly remind myself to slow down and enjoy each minute, memory, and experience.<br /><br />15. That ACCOUNTABILITY partners are crucial to making it through each week! God never intended on us going through this life alone!<br /><br />Oh, I know this is random...scattered...and ALL OVER the place...BUT, that is what my mind looks like when I wake up at 4:00a.m. and can't go back to sleep!!!</div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sSz0jy8-7w6lr1m-HRyIT7ouNPUuOdXbUdTD01-IRKJ5GE4lNIsqbuMYOnjKkfc12Ak83WdRuHyw-r3IwmYDHkauIVVh-xrkoJd4SdMvsbT5KpRNWaKctShYRh4lGiCo6dBG2pJWpV0/s1600/IMG_1176.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587590711094774210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sSz0jy8-7w6lr1m-HRyIT7ouNPUuOdXbUdTD01-IRKJ5GE4lNIsqbuMYOnjKkfc12Ak83WdRuHyw-r3IwmYDHkauIVVh-xrkoJd4SdMvsbT5KpRNWaKctShYRh4lGiCo6dBG2pJWpV0/s320/IMG_1176.jpg" /></a></p><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-47580590541381814952010-11-12T19:44:00.000-08:002010-11-12T20:22:50.643-08:00OH what a Happiness...I MEAN JOY!As I am reflecting on the bible study that we had this evening with our small group, I decided to reread the first chapter of Philippians. So I began with the "Introduction" that my NIV Life Application Bible offers on the first page of Philippians. <br /><br />It begins by saying that the WORD happiness brings us visions of various things in our minds such as unwrapping gifts on our birthdays or on Chirstmas morning, vacationing with our loved ones, etc. "EVERYONE wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal of a lifelong pursuit: SPENDING MONEY, collecting things, and searching for new experiences." (L.A.B.) - all of this in which I am envisioning in myself and thinking...so? Doesn't God want us to be happy and He blesses us with so much, right!?!<br /><br />Then I read on..."But if happiness depends on our circumstances, what happens when the toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen, the newness wears off and the party's over?" - (UH OH...but don't we all see this in our own lives? In our friends' and families' lives?)<br /><br />"In CONTRAST to happiness is JOY. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God's love and work in our lives - that he will be there no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, but JOY DEPENDS ON CHRIST." (L.A.B.)<br /><br />Okay, so why am I writing a blog about THIS? Because, as I was reading this I had to stop and ask myself how am I living MY life? Am I "CHASING" happiness or am I focusing on the Joy that Christ brings to my life? Hmmm..<br /><br />As a believer in my Lord and Savior I can have profound contentment, serenity, and peace...NO MATTER WHAT "happens". So if I am focusing on chasing my own happiness, I am depending on myself and my own strength in life, which isn't much might I add! If I am focusing on chasing the JOY in life, I am depending on HIS strenth instead of mine! *SIGH*<br /><br />Now, as I am sinking lower on my couch in shame...over our purchase of a silly camera that I "HAD to have" and I was so "HAPPY" when we got it, I chased happiness so fast and so far that it ended up RIGHT on the credit card. WHICH, doesn't God want us to NOT be in debt? UGH, then today I realize that I wouldn't have "needed" that camera had I been focused on the fact that God calls us to find Joy in Him and that in order to have that, I need to not rely on what I have or what happens to me, but on Christ within me!!! In other words, the old camera would have worked just fine if I had stayed focused on finding Joy in Christ...not happiness in a toy from my favorite electronics toy store. <br /><br />Okay, just a personal confession that I am NOT focused on living my life in all areas on my Lord and Savior, and if I were...then THAT is where my contentment would come from! <br /><br />As a side note, I do not think it's bad to be excited and happy over purchases and gifts...as long as that is not where your source of happiness in life comes from. The JOY in your life MUST come from God! Through Him ALL things are possible...even the most unimaginable, most ideal life situations are ONLY possible...through Him!<br /><br />Oh goodness...and I haven't even started with Philippians Chapter 1 yet!!!Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-13069830550431495822010-10-25T17:46:00.001-07:002010-11-08T07:24:17.630-08:00Why do we do what is comfortable?Let me first begin by saying...I HAVE MISSED BLOGGING! My internet has been down for over 2 months, and WOWZERS...one of the precious luxuries of living in a suburban town north of Dallas, blessed with a job and a home, and the wonderful internet!<br /><br /><br /><br />Okay, a sermon that our pastor preached a couple of weeks ago inspired me to do some thinking...some really deep thinking! We were concluding a study on the book of Galations and pastor was sharing with us various "Areas of Love."<br /><br /><br /><br />One of the "Areas of Love" that he mentioned was that we love our COMFORT. This is oh so true...more than what most are willing to admit, I believe. It doesn't matter what it is...we DEMAND comfort. Comfortable clothes, relationships, socially comfortable privateness, furniture, roles in life, hobbies, and the list goes ON and ON. I started thinking about the areas in my life that I demand to be a certain way because it is "COMFORTABLE." Here are some things I realized through my reflection:<br /><br /><br /><br />- my home<br /><br />- I want more and more to increase the level of comfortableness in my home<br /><br />- my car - I had to have the big one so that our family would have plenty of room and we would be comfortable when driving anywhere together (which very rarely happens...even on Sundays to church)<br /><br />- my job - in a super nice building with an amazing team! Yes, I am comfortable there!<br /><br />- in our town, we have settled into the routine and we have built some great friendships and we continue to grow more in those and in new ones...this definetely makes life more comfortable<br /><br />- our schedule - granted not the most "ideal" most weeks, but we have grown used to the routine<br /><br />- THE LIST GOES ON AND ONE...<br /><br /><br /><br />So in this sermon, I hear our pastor say, "If you've given your life to Jesus - forget about comfort, you have a calling...." I know he went on to discuss this and to explain the scripture from this. BUT, I stopped there. I thought about our dear dear friends, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.reachouthonduras.org">the Waits</a>, who picked up everything they knew...all of their comforts and threw them out the window. They moved their entire family (all 6 of them) to Puerto Lempira, Honduras to serve Christ as missionaries.<br /><br /><br /><br />I know I have blogged about, thought about, most importantly :) prayed about...what is my calling? What is God asking of me? I KNOW I am called to mission work, for the time being it seems that is short-term missions. BUT...what are the possibilities? There are a plethora of them!<br /><br /><br /><br />In terms of comfort...in preparation for my November Mission trip to Puerto Lempira, Honduras we having been communicating frequently with <a href="http://www.blogger.com/worldourclassroom.blogspot.com">Laura</a> we found out that there is a HUGE need for lice treatments. Is this a pleasant topic? NO. Is this comfortable? NO. But will I serve in this area? Yes. The thought of administering 50 or so treatments of lice on 50 different kids is not the most glamourous thought, but then Jesus washed and cleaned people's feet...so I will wash people's hair!<br /><br /><br /><br />Later in this same sermon, our pastor asked us something along the lines of ..."Will you serve the outcasts in the world as if you are serving Christ himself?" WOW...that pretty much puts it out there huh?<br /><br /><br /><br />To conclude in my reflection on that for today, let me first say that I pray that God uses me in whatever way He calls! Second, I pray that God PLEASE give me the opportunity to love on and serve the "outcasts"! Oh but to be given that opportunity...what a blessing it is! Third, can you IMAGINE what the world would be like if every Christian put themselves in an "uncomfortable" position in order to do what God calls them to do? What if when God calls us to do something, we do it? What would this world be like? Hmmm....Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-72502808644582183472010-09-06T10:38:00.000-07:002010-09-07T17:34:08.931-07:00Adoption - WHAT, WHAT IS THIS!?! I NEED TO ASK BIG!Brian and I have talked about adoption for a really long time, since we were dating (10 years ago). Then, as I have blogged about in the past, Brian's brother and his wife (famous blogger, Whitney from "<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pratterbox.blogspot.com">Our Hearts are in Ethiopia</a>") adopted our precious nephew last December (2009), this has been something even closer to our hearts. They began their adoption process in January of 2009 and we were fortunate enough to witness their experience first hand! WHAT A BLESSING THAT WAS! On December 19, 2009, I knew for sure that our lives would never be the same! SEE <a href="http://pratterchatter.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-extremely-transparent-ramblings-of.html">PREVIOUS POST</a><br /><br />NOW...<br />Adoption is definetely weighing heavily on the heart. WHY? I know this isn't something we can do realistically right now...it is so expensive, and we do not have the money for something like this...our children are so young and we have so many bills...what about time off, time for bonding, time for travel...BUT...I KNOW this is something that I feel called to, something that is deep in my heart...so what is it that I REALLY KNOW and what am I going to do about it? (If this seems confusing to you...imagine what it's like in MY head!!!) I can tell you ONE thing I KNOW without a DOUBT. GOD AND ONLY GOD KNOWS.<br /><br />So I ask myself..."Who are YOU to be questioning what God has put on your heart? Who are you to doubt the timing of anything that God calls you to?" I am but a mere human who is trying desperately to do things right. No, I'm nowhere near where I am striving to be - "CHRIST-LIKE", but the effort is there...so what am I going to do about these emotions and this love for adoption on the forefront of my heart, my soul, my mind?<br /><br />SO now I ask "WHAT" and "WHY?"<br /><br />These are the questions of the hour! I've been catching up on reading some blogs and I decided to do some research! I learned that in 2009, only 4 adoptions were completed from Honduras to the United States. In 2008, there were 11 and in 2007 there were 22. Can you believe that??<br /><p>Of course I feel pulled to Honduras, because I have been called there to serve and do missions. I pray that the opportunities to do this never cease! (A whole different topic to be discussed in a future blog, I'm sure!) BUT, as you can see from the numbers...this isn't a common place for international adoptions. So I am left to pray, to listen, and to study...God will show me when He is ready. God will lead me when it is time. I pray that I am strong enough to hear Him and to Follow Him NO MATTER where He leads me.</p><p>Our pastor has been preaching a series titled <a href="http://pinoaks.org/2010/08/new-series-asking-big/">"ASKING BIG"! </a> It is about how we pray to God, and what we should be praying for. Some questions that we have been asked are:</p><p>1. What are you going to spend the rest of your life doing? (your plan?, God's plan?, Are you sure that your plan IS God's plan?)</p><p>2. We have been urged to "GET DEEP with GOD!"</p><p>3. Are you doing what you were created to do?</p><p>4. Are you asking about the BIG things in life?</p><p>Luke 11:9-10 say, "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."</p><p>So....ASK, SEEK, KNOCK, REPEAT!!!!</p><p>I know that there is MUCH rambling taking place here, so in conclusion...I am praying and I am going to be ASKING BIG!!!!!<br /></p>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-52316558721957304932010-09-05T17:29:00.000-07:002010-09-05T17:51:48.258-07:00Oh Blog, Oh Blog, where have thou been!?!WOW, I made a promise to myself that I would catch up on so much blogging this summer, and did it happen....well obviously no! BUT, now that school is back in and I have a bazillion things to do each day, maybe I shall try this again! How odd that I think I will all of a sudden have more time now, BUT I feel a part of myself is clogged when I don't get to release it into a blog or journal or something!! (okay, that may be a little dramatic!)<br /><br />There are so many things, and since my intention is not to write a novel, I will make a list!<br /><br />- Yes, school is back in and life has been back to it's crazy old self! We were terrified that Brady would have a touch time adjusting to daycare again, but he had SUCH a smooth transition! We are thankful for that!<br /><br />- I am coordinating a trip back to Puerto Lempira, Honduras in November and I am thrilled beyond belief to go back! There are 8 of us going in 75 DAYS! 3 of us were on the Spring Break 2010 trip, but that means that there are 5 NEW travelers! I am so excited to get there I can't stand it!<br /><br />- I miss Puerto Lempira, Honduras so much, which is crazy because I haven't spent that much time there, I haven't spoken to anyone there since we've been back, what is this draw that I feel? What is this obsession bordered pull to want to be there? What is God's call for me in missions? There are so many questions with unknown answers, but something I know for sure is that this is a part of my life that will forever be changed! I am not getting any answers to these questions right now, but I will continue to try and respond and answer when God calls!<br /><br />- My dear friend Laura, posted an extremely interesting blog that I encourage you to read if you have time, <a href="http://worldourclassroom.blogspot.com/2010/09/perspectives.html#links">The World is Our Classroom "Perspectives"</a>. Laura's blog is about there journeys and experiences as they have just recently picked up their entire family and move to Honduras in response to God's call on them to serve Him! <br /><br />- My oldest son, Mason has started Kindergarten and is loving school! <br /><br />- My middle son, Canon refuses to be potty trained...he turned three about a month ago and he isn't potty trained. UGH! So I bought a "Potty Basket" full of goodies that he gets to choose from when he goes potty! No, I am not above bribing my 3 year old.<br /><br />- I realize how "out of touch" with the world you can get without a computer in the house. How sad is that!?! My computer broke a couple of weeks ago and I have had to do all my email and facebook on my phone...which YES is awesome and YES is doable, but NO is not ideal and it takes so long! Then I think about the family who lives in the third world country (PICK ONE, there are plenty) who is riding a moped (4 people at the same time) through a crowded dirt street, wearing rags and are covered in dirt, and they are smiling. They are happy with the blessing that they have transportation, that they are all together. (My friend Shana just went on a cruise and was telling me this story about how they saw this scene at one of their stops. It is a typical scene from anywhere in the world, and is a very important topic for a future blog). POINT BEING - I need to get over myself and my frustration of not having a new, reliable computer. I need to be thankful for the blessings that I have been given and for a God who loves me! A God who also loves that precious family who probably has nothing, but they are smiling and they are together.<br /><br />- I am starting my YouVersion plan again, because I didn't complete it the first time...I have decided to read The Gospels in 30 days, I'll keep you updated on that!<br /><br />Okay, well there are plenty of other things to touch on, but I figure I could do a part 2 soon!!! Plus, I have some blog reading to catch up on!<br /><br />Love to all!Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-59645062998526695012010-07-02T17:00:00.000-07:002010-07-02T17:12:29.946-07:00Good News!Today I received a message from a friend that brought tears to my eyes! <br /><br />I've been planning my next trip to Puerto Lempira, Honduras during Thanksgiving break of this year! I mentioned that I wanted to go back to P.L. in November when we were on our way home from our trip this past Spring Break. Brian said that he also wants to go back but that he would have to wait until Spring Break 2011 so I could go in November and March! His only stipulation was that he would rather have a couple of men travel with me. <br /><br />The difference this next trip is that we are planning to fly the whole way instead of taking a bus from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba. I started talking about the planning and sharing the idea with people at church. Several families have expressed interest in joining this trip!<br /><br />I think that the trip should be booked sometime in August to keep the airline prices lower! The farther in advance we book, the lower the prices should be, right!? <br /><br />Well, my dear friend Holly, who was also a member of TEAM TEXAS to Honduras during Spring Break 2010 called me today and said that she and her two daughters would be joining me for this trip! I heard the message and started crying because it makes me so thankful that God is providing a group to travel in November! <br /><br />I am so excited and I can't wait to get the plans finalized! Please be praying with me for this trip and for my very special friends, the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.worldourclassroom.blogspot.com">Waits family </a>as they are packing up to move in 5 more short weeks! They will be moving to La Ceiba on August 6th to attend language school with their 4 children. They will finally arrive in Puerto Lempira in October and then we will bring them some love from "home" in November! <br /><br />At this time, there are 12 possible travelers! YIPEE!!!!<br /><br />If you are interested in joining this trip, let me know! To find out more about the efforts being made in Puerto Lempira, please see <a href="http://www.reachouthonduras.org/">www.reachouthonduras.org</a>.<br /><br />Until next time...<br /><br />AmyAmy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-28474474198231735982010-06-26T16:17:00.000-07:002010-06-26T16:59:12.895-07:00What else?So Thursday morning I was eating...RED HOTS...of all things. UGH! They were delicious and I was quite enjoying myself until...I gasped, I was no longer just chewing red hots, I WAS CHEWING PART OF MY TOOTH. YUCK!<br /><br />I have had plenty of teeth problems in the past and I should have known better. BUT NO, I still do things like, crunch down on chewy red hots on teeth that have already had fillings put in them. So, I went to the dentist and now I need a crown. I was still feeling comfortable with that concept because you know, I am an insurance paying citizen and I am even a smart insurance paying citizen because I have DENTAL INSURANCE!!! But wait, apparently that doesn't mean much because AFTER insurance, my balance (lucky me!) is $600. WHAT? Are you kidding me? So I left the dentist and came home cringing with the thought of having to tell my hubby, but he of course said that we didn't have a choice. That my teeth are an important investment!<br /><br />I am proud to announce that I will have a crown on that back stubborn tooth as of next Friday, July 2nd!<br /><br />THEN...(and please don't think I am complaining, because I AM extremely grateful for so much!!!) THIS MORNING, Brian decides that our dish washer is broken. My response of course was, "Oh, come on! Are you kidding me?" I figured that he must not know what he is doing because he had to of pushed some button that is making it act different than what he is used to. BUT...low and behold after a thorough investigation I have also come to the conclusion that our dish washer is a gonner. SIGH....<br /><br />Even though these are two great expenses that are staring us straight in the face...today is a great day! In about 10 minutes, my precious nephew, Mekele (<a href="http://pratterchatter.blogspot.com/2009/12/aaron-gebre-pratt-changing-lives.html">see prior posts</a>) who was adopted from Ethiopia, is coming over to play! I get to babysit him for the first time tonight and my boys and I are thrilled beyond belief over this! It'll be a fun...definetely boy-filled evening!<br /><br />OH! Our special guest just arrived!Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-2926685757228510112010-06-25T11:50:00.000-07:002010-06-25T16:56:54.177-07:00The Goings On of....There are so many different things going on...why is it that when summer comes and we have the greatest intentions of relaxing, having lots of "doing nothing" days...it turns out to be quite the opposite? <br /><br />Brian took Brady to his 9 month check up - which was actually when he was already 11 months old, ugh! The doctor had mentioned at the 6 month check up that she was concerned about Braydon's head being tilted slightly to the left. At the "9" month check up his head was still slightly titled. In addition to the concern over his head and neck, she felt that one of his organs might have been swollen in his abdomen.<br /><br />Following that check-up we went to get a sonogram to see what was going on in his little tummy. Thank goodness the results showed that everything looked normal. He may have just had poop in there...sorry for being so blunt, but it was an EXPENSIVE poop!!!! But, it is also a blessing that everything checked out!<br /><br />Next stop was to the pediatric opthamologist. The pediatrician thought that maybe he was tilting his head due to an eye development issue so she wanted us to get check out by the specialist. We learned that Brady's head is not tilting due to his eyes! However, he is VERY farsighted and we have to go back in for a check-up on his eyes in December. <br /><br />So, we start physical therapy on July 1st! We are praying that after the P.T. evaluation we will be told that after some excersizes that he will be cured and his head won't tilt anymore!<br /><br />God has a plan, he has a reason, and he already knows how this will turn out. We still pray and we put our faith in Him and we turn our troubles over for Him to hold so that we don't have to. He is our Father in Heaven and he loves us...he does these things for us to help us get through trying and frustrating times. In the end, the only thing that will matter is being with Him, our Lord God almighty! Praise God for all of our blessings, and I pray that He continues to give us the strength and peace to get through this little journey, called life!Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-56066212160955742492010-06-17T04:52:00.000-07:002010-06-17T05:15:28.379-07:00PlanningI am SUCH A PLANNER!!! A lot of times the actual process of planning is just as much fun to me as whatever it is that I am planning to do!!! I know, WIERD! Whether it's planning out my day with a simple "To-Do" list, a family outing, or a trip to another world, I love every minute of it!<br /><br />Right now, I am planning so many different things, I am struggling to keep everything straight in my head. Not struggling in a bad way really, because like I said, I love the planning process!!! On Tuesday, I lost my calendar...which with my phone it shouldn't be that big of a deal, but you would have thought that I lost my wedding ring because of how freaked out I was! I realize this is a bit over the top for a calendar, especially when I pretty much had everything electronically saved in the trusty phone, but I LOVE having the calendar in front of me so that I can see the week and the month spread out before my eyes!<br /><br />The most important and highest priority when planning is to be sure to LEAVE GOD IN CONTROL, even though it's not fun when the plans fall through, the plans as a whole mean nothing without God in the driver's seat! I didn't realize that until about 8 months ago now. December 19th to be exact! I've blogged about the significance of that day before, but that is when I realized that it doesn't matter how badly you want something or how hopeful you are, or how expectant, when it comes down to it...the only PLAN that matters is God's! <br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">One of the things that I am planning right now, that I am overcome with excitement about is....THANKSGIVING MISSION 2010! My friends, Alex and </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.worldourclassroom.blogspot.com"><span style="color:#990000;">Laura</span></a><span style="color:#990000;">, at </span><a href="http://www.reachouthonduras.org/"><span style="color:#990000;">www.reachouthonduras.org</span></a><span style="color:#990000;">, even posted an announcement of this event on their organization's website! There are 3 words that go along with the ReachOutHonduras logo...PRAY, GO, GIVE! Whether you have been on a mission trip before or maybe you've never been anywhere on missions, this experience is ABSOLUTELY SURE to make an impact in YOUR life. </span><br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">If you are at all interested to learn more about this opportunity to serve God by reaching out to the people in Puerto Lempira, Honduras...let me know and I will get you more information! </span><br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Until then, I am praying for people to come forward to join this effort, I pray that each and every one of us recognizes who is really large and in charge! It sure isn't us!!! I pray for continued focus and awareness of the priorities and the things that are important to our Lord, not the things that I want. I pray that He gives me the continued sense of peace when I hand over the keys and get in on the passenger side for this journey we call life, because no other way that we could get to our destination is as effective or fulfilling.</span><br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-40090418118725578622010-06-08T17:02:00.001-07:002010-06-08T18:07:01.350-07:00Spring Break 2010 - The Journey to Puerto Lempira...<div>I realize that when people read blogs, they typically don’t care to read a minute by minute description of someone’s life. Rather, people like to read about the thoughts, points of view, and analysis on life, events, situations, etc. I want to blog about as much of my trip as I can…as a form of documentation for myself because as time goes by we loose so much of our short-term memory and I do NOT ever want to forget each every single special moment that Brian and I (and Team Texas!) spent in La Moskitia (Puerto Lempira, Honduras).<br /><br />My first thoughts that I recorded in my journal after boarding the plane in DFW were these, “The nervousness is gone, I am completely at peace, and the excitement to serve God has completely consumed me. I can say with absolute certainty that this moment, this week is where God has been leading me. I know that THIS is what I am supposed to be doing, I know that THIS is where I am supposed to be.”<br /><br />We did go through El Salvador, but it was a very short lay over and we were quickly back in the air in route to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.<br /><br />The feelings I experienced after we got off the plane in San Pedro Sula were ones that I was unfamiliar with. We were trying very hard not to be the typical “American tourists”. We had to stand in line for a short time at the customs desks. It wasn’t fear…AT ALL, but it was a feeling of being careful, vigilant, and aware of my surroundings, more so than I can ever remember doing in the past. This was my first time ever to be in a foreign country, one that has a COMPLETELY different culture from what I have ever been exposed to. It was very eye-opening.<br /><br />Once we had claimed all of our luggage, Alex found the driver of the shuttle to the hotel we were staying at. Our group gathered in a cluster and followed our driver out the doors, headed to the shuttle which had been parked in the parking lot. As soon at the glass doors opened and we stepped out in the darkness of night, we were swallowed by the thick, humid night air of Honduras! I can still envision the senses I paid such close attention to as I stepped through the threshold and actually took in my first look outside!<br /><br />The smell was one of the first things I noticed, but as I am searching for the right words to describe it, I am at a loss. I suppose the closest description I can paint is that is was a faint burning smell. Not a bad smell, not a fruity pleasant smell, it was just different. And, I loved it! I loved that I was in a whole new world from anything I had been to, and I loved that God had called us to this country.<br /><br />Once we were boarded and settled on the shuttle, I was simply along for the ride! I tried to take in as much as I possibly could of everything I could see in the limited light that shone through the darkness of night. The driving of course was completely different from what I am accustomed to!!! I tried not to acknowledge how fast we were going, and I concentrated on the giddiness I felt fluttering like butterflies in my tummy with the building anticipation of being so much closer to our final destination!<br /><br />After dropping our bags in our rooms, we met in the hotel restaurant and had a great meal and an unwinding and relaxing conversation. Every one of us was completely exhausted from the day!<br /><br />It was here, at the restaurant, that I looked at my husband with the look and thought of, “WHO ARE YOU!?!?” He revealed that he really does know way more Spanish than he led any of us to believe!!! I was so proud of him, and I admire his modesty! We joked that he was hiding his fluent Spanish speaking ability!!! <img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480566773120028818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rCWl7RThAH_hysfF_zqJb0bpG0VRJSBQv3-3Wjg4ml9FVxwLA-DwmKZC9rkH9dao1ZfL21xo2oLtovEeXTSVwNzDeuGoRe7BP1jkLmPaCvKG6Cita7CxHOrQitrP8yjfcIMbzSIi7oo/s320/Honduras+Spring+Break+2010+033.JPG" /><br /><br />After leaving the restaurant, we went to the little convenience store on the hotel grounds to buy bottled water for brushing our teeth and for the next day. I chose 3 huge bottles of water and confidently set them on the counter to pay. I looked straight into the cashier’s eyes and (using my VERY limited Spanish) I asked her, “Quiero dinero?” I actually asked her this same question with these same words a total of THREE times, and the only response I got from her was a look of confusion. I began motioning at the water bottles trying to communicate that I wanted to know how much money I owed her. Brian lightly nudged my arm, stepped beside me and shaking his head, and while trying to hold back his laughter, he explained, “You just told her (the cashier) that you want money!!!” I was mortified! Of course the members of my group, Wendy and Alex who were standing right there got a HUGE kick out of this embarrassment! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdG1rcD0ZTuJF8psObA0rOLL0F59sNzVpIlB6_8hsRMLGwhG4lQc2cUMob4nhRj5wTbZ2yItqvlV8XwcjU0JpGHZf-Xb4qSQkaTY4At7mitnlxHxiE0OCWmfkCa0xA-EeRafByP8hfCI/s1600/Honduras+Spring+Break+2010+039.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480561551018208642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdG1rcD0ZTuJF8psObA0rOLL0F59sNzVpIlB6_8hsRMLGwhG4lQc2cUMob4nhRj5wTbZ2yItqvlV8XwcjU0JpGHZf-Xb4qSQkaTY4At7mitnlxHxiE0OCWmfkCa0xA-EeRafByP8hfCI/s320/Honduras+Spring+Break+2010+039.JPG" /></a>This became something that was brought up numerous times throughout the week and each time we all cracked up laughing! Hey, what can I say…I was making an effort and I failed miserably!<br /><br />We finally got back to our hotel room at 11:00 and prepared our things for the travels we would do the next day to La Ceiba. We had to be awake, ready, completely packed, and we were meeting the group at the hotel restaurant at 7:45a.m. Needless to say, we fell asleep before our heads actually hit the pillows!!!!<br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I know this is an abrupt place to stop, but there will be more tomorrow!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-29843874622670878432010-06-07T19:50:00.000-07:002010-06-07T20:13:09.252-07:00MIAMissing in Action -<br /><br />When life is going, Going, GOing, GOIng, GOINg, GOING...it seems you can't slow down long enough to even catch your breath, but then God gives you some fresh air and all of a sudden you are able to regain your balance and stand up straight once again. That is where I am right now...standing up on two feet, able to breathe in and out and take in life as it comes with a sense of relaxation. FINALLY, but I am reminded once again how God has given me blessing so amazing and fulfilling that I cannot truly grasp how phenomenal he really is. <br /><br />I title this entry, MIA, because that is what I have been. BUT, for the next 2 months, I pray that I will once again be able to get my priorities in order. Summer is sure to bring an array of possibilities!!! <br /><br />And, yes...I have a list of things I need (desire) to accomplish during this resting period of the year that I am grateful to have as an educator! (For those who know me...the list is a product of my personality...I LOVE LISTS!!!)<br /><br />Summer 2010:<br />1. BLOGGING - I hope to come back to the blogging world once again. I have so many blogger friends that I need to catch up with and I have many many things that I need to blog about for myself. First and foremost...I need to finish my blogs over the Spring Break trip to Honduras. Oh how I pray that I have not lost the emotional and heart felt words I have tried to engrave in my memory of one of the most impacting and life changing weeks of my life.<br /><br />2.Bible Study - I definetely need to catch up on and complete the bible study I participated in over Daniel, by Beth Moore. I LOVED it and even though our women's group has completed our meetings, I want to go back to the daily assignments and finish the individual studies. I am looking forward to our next study, hopefully in the near future!!!<br /><br />3. Organization - As much as I try to keep it all together and fulfill each of the roles I have in life, I just cannot do it all. One of the areas in my life that I need to get back in order is the organization of my home. I pride myself in being able to keep a house, my kids, soccer, church, work, marriage, and my selfish pleasures of reading and writing, but truth be told I can't keep up with it. The things that never fail to get overlooked are my house, my writing, and quality time with each of my boys, including my hubby. <br /><br />4. Friends - This summer brings about many joyful memories to be had, new friendships to be made, newish friendships to be strengthed, and special special and cherished friends to say good bye to. <br /><br />5. Travels - Though I do not want to spend a lot on travels this summer, I want to take the boys away for a weekend at Broken Bow for hiking, swimming, fishing, smores, playing, laughing, learning, and fellowship.<br /><br />6. Saving - SAVING, SAVING, SAVING - I want to get as much money made and saved as possible! I know that money is struggle for many people, but I need to get some control over this area. I am planning TWO (2), yes TWO trips to Honduras in the next 10 months and one the 2nd one Brian and I are planning to take Mason (our 5 year old - then 6 year old) with us. So we need to be thinking passport and shots!!!!<br /><br />In conclusion, this is going to be a BUSY summer, and I pray I can slow down and enjoy every second that God has granted us with over this break. I am no longer MIA, and until next time, I've missed you and I can't wait to get back in touch with the blogging world!!!<br /><br />Love,<br />AmyAmy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-7652989378287637342010-04-04T15:15:00.000-07:002010-04-04T15:16:36.941-07:00Finally...on our way!!!What an awesome event to prepare for! To ready yourself to GO WHERE GOD has CALLED you...there aren't words to express the emotions and strength that take over your body at a time like this! I am so thankful to my Lord for showing me where He wanted me to serve Him, and I am so very thankful that I slowed down enough to listen to what He was telling me!!!<br /><br />Throughout this post and many to follow, one thing will always remain constant...all GLORY is given to GOD and GOD alone!<br /><br />We had so much to do in preparation of leaving the country to head to a 3rd world country! Of course the week before our trip was even crazier than our usual weekly routine. At work, between grades being due, OPEN HOUSE to prepare for, and planning, awards, organizing after TAKS, etc...this consumed most of my time throughout the week!! Friday night was full of saying goodbye to family and friends! Brian and I were up until 2:30a.m. Friday night packing, organizing, cleaning, and checking our lists multiple times!!! It was worth it, all the preparation and overpacking...right???!!!<br /><br />Saturday morning, March 23 was ROUGH!!! We were exhausted! I was up at 6:00 a.m. and rushing around to finish last minute chores!!! Our goal was to get out of there at 9:00 so that we could get everyone dropped off and get to the airport by 12:30.<br /><br />Our entry way, ready to be loaded to the car!!!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451856458901043298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff26GdDI71xGL-CNN-8H23xaGpYA4C330WipNc-mSQavYHxwU8aMdkUx2UEFZHR6oyAei2WN4xZ5wt3Q0kX2j5sSNrSUUArANU6T3ZCvp_MOQiYlqsAQbofpp7wTYUb5Lu4NZgUVDKlU/s320/DSC01195.JPG" /> At 8:30ish, one of my best friends, <a href="http://mindivandagriff.blogspot.com/">Mindi V.</a> called to make sure that we were still home and said that she was on her way over because she wanted to see us before we left. As Brian and I were loading the Expedition with what seemed to be half of our house, she pulled up!<br /><br />She sat and talked to us for a bit, and after the car was loaded and the kids were all out in the driveway, I asked her to take a family picture of us.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EFR2TTDePJG6DWF0cEU4_JjC8hT1xkAsFJ8aOIvE9bHKJiqmKYBnCzWB4MlXBHtdYZpXDt44V8YNSsftncavJRcLmitv-59VqG6WF8v1pOEfV4LYxnCiGzl5oadB0q3xw8Y8M8ZKz-Y/s1600-h/DSC01198.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452021090581409234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EFR2TTDePJG6DWF0cEU4_JjC8hT1xkAsFJ8aOIvE9bHKJiqmKYBnCzWB4MlXBHtdYZpXDt44V8YNSsftncavJRcLmitv-59VqG6WF8v1pOEfV4LYxnCiGzl5oadB0q3xw8Y8M8ZKz-Y/s320/DSC01198.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EFR2TTDePJG6DWF0cEU4_JjC8hT1xkAsFJ8aOIvE9bHKJiqmKYBnCzWB4MlXBHtdYZpXDt44V8YNSsftncavJRcLmitv-59VqG6WF8v1pOEfV4LYxnCiGzl5oadB0q3xw8Y8M8ZKz-Y/s1600-h/DSC01198.JPG"></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EFR2TTDePJG6DWF0cEU4_JjC8hT1xkAsFJ8aOIvE9bHKJiqmKYBnCzWB4MlXBHtdYZpXDt44V8YNSsftncavJRcLmitv-59VqG6WF8v1pOEfV4LYxnCiGzl5oadB0q3xw8Y8M8ZKz-Y/s1600-h/DSC01198.JPG"></a></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EFR2TTDePJG6DWF0cEU4_JjC8hT1xkAsFJ8aOIvE9bHKJiqmKYBnCzWB4MlXBHtdYZpXDt44V8YNSsftncavJRcLmitv-59VqG6WF8v1pOEfV4LYxnCiGzl5oadB0q3xw8Y8M8ZKz-Y/s1600-h/DSC01198.JPG"></a></p><p></p><p>After the family picture was taken, <a href="http://mindivandagriff.blogspot.com/">Mindi</a> told us that she wanted to pray with us. We formed a circle in our driveway, held hands (kids included), bowed our heads and she prayed over us for our safety, for the children and the people in Puerto Lempira, and for our children while we were away. I was extremely touched and moved by this, <a href="http://mindivandagriff.blogspot.com/">Mindi</a> has been 100% supportive and was a true prayer warrior for us throughout the planning, preparation, and duration of this mission trip. After we prayed, Mindi and I gave each other a huge hug and we were both in tears! This level of support is something that I love about our friendship, and knowing that we had this prayer warrior behind the mission trip was a comfort from God!</p><p>We loaded the kids and pulled out of the drive way, our first stop was to take Canon to Aaron and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pratterbox.blogspot.com">Whitney's</a>. He was thrilled to be able to play at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pratterbox.blogspot.com">WHITNEY</a>'s HOUSE!!! He wasn't interested in saying good-bye because there was just so much that he "needed" to do!!! All of which included "PLAYING!!!!!" Of course, saying good-bye was hard, I knew that all the kids would be fine, but I was still torn up about leaving them!!!</p><p>Next stop was my parents' house! They would be keeping Mason and Brady on Saturday night. Mason got to ride me Papa and us to take us to the airport!!! We had to make a quick run to REI to get a few last minute things!! (One of the best items that we took is the BUG BAND!!! I didn't get a single bite!!!)</p><p>My dad dropped us off at the gate and of course we were the last ones there! My nerves were going crazy! I think there were a lot of fears about the unknown and the unexpected! After FINALLY getting checked in and through security, we had about 45 minutes to wait at the gate before they started boarding the plane! </p><p>Alex and Laura explained that somehow we had gotten 5 seats in the "Business Class" and they were giving those to us (Brian, myself, Holly, KT, and Wendy)!!! We had a very comfortable ride from DFW to San Salvador, El Salvador...our first stop! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5kRE3PsJg3jrCAEtTUUV1_qMwSW-0DEaxkOZCslirH4YPsxrEpmaA-cS7F1nvRi_8DEZlyjb3lRDGHPu7RffIAOceADf5EkksiuTkdbzHt3xqSMPuMhvdPUzOkslS960o2ZDJlt78sQ/s1600/DSC01200.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456133049361006002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5kRE3PsJg3jrCAEtTUUV1_qMwSW-0DEaxkOZCslirH4YPsxrEpmaA-cS7F1nvRi_8DEZlyjb3lRDGHPu7RffIAOceADf5EkksiuTkdbzHt3xqSMPuMhvdPUzOkslS960o2ZDJlt78sQ/s320/DSC01200.JPG" /></a></p><p><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456133057941430098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC62QNvk2WBPYlZ1qgnEd2YqbqRTkQxbDNZz2a-Qi7AcLmMXqBEED3Gh2-3bbiiwetvSyJqrZ-T5kPsAOhqZqv0AmrKEUVyYFk3Ext7hewdYxYZuGsa5uANE5nRE-d0w7CgbGL5AFtxbw/s320/DSC01207.JPG" /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5kRE3PsJg3jrCAEtTUUV1_qMwSW-0DEaxkOZCslirH4YPsxrEpmaA-cS7F1nvRi_8DEZlyjb3lRDGHPu7RffIAOceADf5EkksiuTkdbzHt3xqSMPuMhvdPUzOkslS960o2ZDJlt78sQ/s1600/DSC01200.JPG"></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj014Q3t-FB84PSbG4JB7ppudOc4P88G_2yEksYhf1At-YRB2bsSbsSw5bwqrXZFG6F0Zv24kVJsL_PjKHdxwUBgUR-OK3uatC4vUR_m6bMqfC8rgatqbqXnlimk2JOQo75am4ZcNwckI/s1600/DSC01209.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456133072487738434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj014Q3t-FB84PSbG4JB7ppudOc4P88G_2yEksYhf1At-YRB2bsSbsSw5bwqrXZFG6F0Zv24kVJsL_PjKHdxwUBgUR-OK3uatC4vUR_m6bMqfC8rgatqbqXnlimk2JOQo75am4ZcNwckI/s320/DSC01209.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL2iwvZNQRV-9ZiIPf2n2j0Yk-IEPadOroxol5XM4r6d23A_xD9N8fcNPLyG8szLSGJ27cITEY5aECD2Ufkv4fiXXAR5VHZILiFD4ioX8vyF8jzAM5qoVIgrzpUZjojrBoXG6GjkeQBw/s1600/DSC01212.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456133059499742178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL2iwvZNQRV-9ZiIPf2n2j0Yk-IEPadOroxol5XM4r6d23A_xD9N8fcNPLyG8szLSGJ27cITEY5aECD2Ufkv4fiXXAR5VHZILiFD4ioX8vyF8jzAM5qoVIgrzpUZjojrBoXG6GjkeQBw/s320/DSC01212.JPG" /></a></p>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-23603086889230286872010-04-03T21:31:00.000-07:002010-04-03T21:36:28.935-07:00Honduras Video....Spring Break 2010<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Ez458-ffC8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Ez458-ffC8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-87674527261449960682010-03-23T09:01:00.000-07:002010-03-23T10:04:49.156-07:00When you can see God working in your life...In December of 2009, I met with a lady from my church whom has turned out to be one of the greatest people I know! <a href="www.worldourclassroom.blogspot.com">Laura</a> had just returned from Honduras in November with her husband, Alex. They had decided to move their family to Puerto Lempira, Honduras in answer to God's call for them to be long-term missionaries. <br /><br /><a href="www.worldourclassroom.blogspot.com">Laura</a> and I started talking at a Christmas party for the kiddos at church and I began asking her a ton of questions about their adoptions of their two youngest sons and of their mission in Honduras. I learned a lot but I was thirsting for more. The following Wednesday we met at Starbucks to chat more about these topics. I originally thought that my interest would be focused primarily on the adoptions, because that has become so near and dear to my heart. However, as we were talking, my passion opened up towards the mission work in Honduras. The more we talked, the more I wanted to know, the more I needed to know! I became completely invested in what was going on in P.L., Honduras. I felt like I NEEDED to go there myself. This is when we discussed getting a team together to go during Spring Break. I was still slightly unsure of how this was going to work, but I felt confident that God was calling me to serve Him in Honduras for Spring Break!<br /><br />While Laura and I were talking at Starbucks that afternoon, Brian walked in...knowing that we would be there. He was feeling a bit "left out" of the meeting so he decided to crash it!!! I loved it, and I'm pretty sure Laura did too! Brian mentioned a number of times that afternoon and the days following, that he would support me 100% in going, but that he didn't see himself going. His reasons were primarily based on the fact that money is not falling from the trees in our backyard, and he was very concerned about leaving the kids while we travel to a 3rd world country. We planned on me going, we didn't know how I was going to get there, who I would travel with (because there was a chance that Alex and Laura would go before I could leave), or how any of the details would work out. We thought this would be a good way to spend part of our income tax return!!! I spent a great deal of time praying and studying God's word in preparation for the trip. <br /><br />It worked out that there was a group of 8 of us who would travel together to Puerto Lempira for Spring Break. Alex, Laura, Aidan, Arlee, Holly, Katie, Wendy, and myself would form the Spring Break Team from Texas! As you can see this team is heavily weighted by the females. Alex (Laura's husband) and Aidan (their son) were the only males going. This was a concern of ours, we wanted more men to join us. There seemed to be a few possibilities, but nothing concrete. <br /><br />One evening at a church meeting for Sunday school teachers, <a href="www.worldourclassroom.blogspot.com">Laura</a> was not feeling well at all. As soon as the meeting was over, she was ready to leave, but on her way out the door, she approached me and said she had a question for me. She asked me if the main reason that Brian wasn't going to go to Honduras with us was because of financial reasons. I explained that yes, I felt that this was primarily what was causing him from not going, along with his concerns for our 3 young children. She responded by saying that someone from our church (<a href="pinoaks.org">Pin Oaks Christian Fellowship</a>) had contacted her and was donating $1000 for BRIAN to go to Honduras with us. I could NOT believe what I had just heard!!! Laura explained that the people who had donated the money wanted to remain anonymous, and if Brian didn't feel that he would be able to go that they said to at that point give it to another man from the church who might be able to go. Laura included that if I knew who it was, that I would be so touched, and she shook her head and smiled a smile of love and gratitude! <br /><br />My jaw dropped, my eyes swelled with tears, and I was speechless. There had been so many prayers devoted to this and my desires for Brian to be there with me for this experience...and here it was, layed out in front of me...<strong>GOD WAS WORKING IN OUR LIFE AND I COULD LITERALLY SEE IT BEFORE MY VERY EYES.</strong><br />I told Laura through the tears that were clouding my eyes and clogging my throat that I would talk to Brian and that I couldn't believe how this came from out of nowhere...this was a gift straight from God and there aren't words that are worthy of expressing my gratitude, appreciation, admiration, and love for my Lord, my Savior. <br /><br />Brian and I talked about it and of course we told <a href="www.reachouthonduras.org">Alex and Laura </a>that he would love to accept the opportunity to go to Honduras to serve in any way that God might use him.<br /><br />Isn't that amazing! As I am reflecting on the entire process I am brought to tears again at the realization that NO MATTER WHAT...if you will just stop and listen, God is talking to you and HE WILL PROVIDE!!Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-24024410398345399442010-02-18T17:21:00.000-08:002010-02-18T17:41:54.286-08:00Our Journey and Growth as we prepare for Honduras - Spring Break 2010WOW, our Lord God is almighty! His undying and unconditional love constantly takes my breath away. I have had the privilege to witness God's love in some extremely powerful situations this past year. Through this witness of how miraculous our Lord truly is, my heart has been opened. God has called me to reach out to the Fatherless and the Widows in this world. James 1:27 tells us that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." I have never felt as pulled towards a cause as I am for this mission. <br /> <br />Once I embraced the fact that God was calling me to serve Him in minstering through missions (even if it is short-term missions, for now...) I knew that I had a lot to do to prepare myself. I decided I needed to study God's word so I could understand more about why he is calling me to Honduras, I had to listen to what He was putting deep into my heart, and I had to be open to the plan that He has for me. <br /><br />I started by studying 1 Corinthians 12, this is an eye-opening chapter over Spiritual Gifts. Every single child of God has been blessed with a gift from our Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 spells it out very clearly to the body of Christ: "27 - Now you are the body of Christ, and with each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers,....those able to help others, those with gifts of administration,....31 - But eagerly desire the greater gifts." Verse 31 has taught me that the greater gifts are those that are more beneficial to the body of Christ. Paul previously made it clear that one gift is not superior to another, but he urges the believers to discover how they can serve Christ's body with the gifts God has given them. Our spiritual gifts are not given to us for our own self-advancement; they were given to us to serve God and to enhance the spiritual growth of the body of believers. <br /> <br />This March 13th-20th, I will be traveling to Puerto Lempira, Honduras on a short-term mission trip. A group of 9+ people including my husband, Brian, and I will go with our friends the <a href="www.worldourclassroom.blogspot.com">Waits family </a>who are moving to Honduras for long-term ministry. During the trip we will visit three children's orphanage homes: Familia Alastero, House of Hope, and Mama Tara's Orphanage. <br /><br />Among the many goals we hope to reach through this mission trip, we aim to devote ourselves to loving on the children there, we commit to sharing Christ's love with the people in Puerto Lempira, to teach the orphans by reading and doing crafts with them, there will be physical labor in the possible construction of bunk beds for the older children whom dwell in these orphanages, we hope to put on a sort of soccer camp for the children in Puerto Lempira (this is an exciting way that Brian will be able to use the amazing talent and passion that God has given him!) and we promise to do all of these things in service to our Lord God Almighty. <br /><br />For more information about the ministry, check out the website <a href="reachouthonduras.org">Reach Out Honduras</a>.<br /> <br />Did you know that Honduras is the 2nd poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, only slightly behind Haiti? The region that we are going to is called the La Moskitia region. This region is considered poor and remote even by Honduran standards. Medical care is close to nonexistent from the country's government and it is left primarily up to charity and missions to care for the people who reside in this region. (Missionary Air Group – Honduras and <a href="reachouthonduras.org">Reach Out Honduras</a>)<br /> <br />Puerto Lempira is the largest town in the La Moskitia region of eastern Honduras. There are not any paved roads throughout the entire town and there is an overwhelming amount of poverty here. (<a href="reachouthonduras.org">Reach Out Honduras</a>)<br /> <br />I believe that God is calling me to serve Him on this mission because of the gifts He has given me; I have a talent in teaching, speaking, loving, and sharing with others my passion for Christ. I know I can reach out to the people in the La Moskitia region to show them God's grace, love, and compassion. I pray that I am able to make a difference. I hope that God will work through me to make an impact on even one soul.<br /><br />I need your help. I need your help in supporting us in prayer, praying us along these next few weeks in preparing our hearts and readying our minds. <br /><br />There are already SO many ways that we have literally seen God’s work on this journey. Please check back very soon to read more about our testimony in how God has worked in marvelous and phenomenal ways, even to enable us to make this mission trip a reality...in a way that we NEVER imagined would be possible!!! <br /><br />In Him, <br /> <br />AmyAmy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-62764818021388499332010-01-23T18:34:00.000-08:002010-01-23T19:50:17.510-08:00God is AMAZINGYou know, I think to myself how I feel so unworthy of God's love. I am amazed that he wants me as his child. I make so many mistakes, I sin, and I can never thank Him enough for all the blessings and love He has given me. It seems so surreal that He sent His son to die on the cross to save me, and you. <br /><br />I yearn to dive deeper into my relationship with my Lord. It humbles me to see the miraculous things He has done in my life and in so many others' lives. <br /><br />I pray that I may serve Him with the gifts and the talents that He has given me. Through prayer, I've learned that God does listen...and my relationship with Him is continuously growing stronger. By strengthening my relationship with God, all the other areas of my life are more complete. <br /><br />I ask for you to please pray with me. Please pray for a decision that Brian and I are working through together. It's nothing bad, no one is sick, we would just really appreciate some additional prayer to give us guidance and clarity on some things. In addition to that, I am going on my first mission trip EVER in 7 weeks. I am elated that I will get to participate in this to serve the WIDOWS and the ORPHANS! Your prayer for this mission would mean a lot to me and the group going. That we may serve God and help in whatever ways that we can.<br /><br />I also want to share some scripture that I have been studying:<br /><br />"Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17<br /><br />"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, loves the alien, giving him food and clothing" Deuteronomy 10:18<br /><br />"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31<br /><br />"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 <br /><br />Isn't our God almightly, powerful, and absolutely positively AMAZING! Lord, lead me to where you want me to serve YOU.Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-47568206244069779802010-01-18T18:28:00.000-08:002010-01-18T19:28:11.721-08:00Missionaries in HaitiI am devastated by the tragedy in Haiti. I want so badly to hop on a plane a go there. I want to bring all those babies to be given homes, I want people to step up and do something, I WANT TO STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING. There are people who are able, who have taken action. There are organizations that are taking donations, and collecting funds to use to help with aid in Haiti. We are going to do what we can from here.<br /><br />Here is an interesting blog written by <a href="www.benandkatieinhaiti.com">missionaries</a> who are living in Haiti. Their account of the experiences they are having are extremely interesting. Prayers are needed and as Christians we need to reach out.Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-35615698772013887282010-01-16T09:56:00.000-08:002010-01-16T09:57:50.983-08:00Buy a shirt and it automatically donates a pair of shoes to an orphan in Ethiopia!<div style="height: 125px; width: 125px;"><a href="http://mycrazyadoption.org/one-stop-shop/shirts-for-shoes-hopechest-project" target="_blank"><img alt="Be My Valentine" src="http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p334/fsteiger/Valentinebutton30.jpg"/></a></div>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-1146494298354621632010-01-15T20:58:00.000-08:002010-01-16T08:09:05.618-08:001 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual GiftsA few weeks ago at church, the message mentioned "Spiritual Gifts." Our paster, mentioned that if we hadn't read 1 Corinthians 12 that we should. So over the next week I read the chapter several times. As I sit and reread the chapter again, with the goal of really letting that chapter settle in my heart, several things come to mind. In recent posts, I share thoughts and issues that have been weighing heavily on my heart. Primarily missions and adoption. Even though these are two very different callings, I think that for some they go very well together.<br /><br />1 Corinthian 12:4-6 (NIV) 4) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit. 5) There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6) There are different kinds of working , but the same God works all of them in all men.<br /><br />Now, I know that God has called me into "TEACHING," and this has been something I have consumed myself in. I love to teach, I love to instill a passion for learning in children. I am still very new in this field, as this is my 4th year to teach. However, could I be getting called to "TEACH" more, reach out to more children, share my love and knowledge with children who aren't given this opportunity by their society or their environment, their country? I believe that this is where verses 5 and 6 come in. To share this service with others, to work in a world that is foreign to me, but to children who need to hear about God? Children who will never hear the Lord's word unless Christians (like me) step out into their world, an uncomfortable zone, make sacrifices, and serve God in this way?<br /><p>Now, I have been asking God to prepare me and to ready me for my journey to Honduras during Spring Break. I am ecstatic to be able to join Alex and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.worldourclassroom.blogspot.com">Laura</a> on this short-term mission trip. They will be moving there this year to do long-term mission work in the orphanages in Puerto Lempira. I am so extremely blessed that the Lord is guiding me through this time. I am blessed to be able to join this effort even for just a short time. I pray that God can utitilize me to do what I can from here at home. I know that my eyes have been opened, but only to a degree. There is so much that I haven't seen, haven't thought about, haven't realized. </p><p>I pray that God uses me, uses my gifts and talents, and that I can make a difference even if just a tiny one to even one person. I commit myself to using what God has given me, in addition to my gifts, I will use my knowledge of education and of children to do what I can in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are so many countries in this world, with people who are lost, who will never hear about JESUS. </p><p>Could all of this have to do with my calling? Could all of this be leading me to where God has planned for me to be from before my existence? Through prayer, study, and time, I am confident that God will show me and guide me in the right direction.<br /></p>Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583820624211970014.post-17339936492993012172010-01-13T09:09:00.000-08:002010-01-13T09:42:41.545-08:00The SHOULDN'T be any question about priorityYesterday was a rough day for me. Let me explain something about myself...I LOVE my job. I tend to over work myself because I refuse to lower the expectations I have of myself. This is true in all areas of my life, but for some reason I am having a really hard time balancing everything. WHY?<br /><br />Why is it so hard for me to drop work and take a day off? Not just a day off to hang out and lay around the house...I would never do that....a day off for an extremely important reason. When my kids get sick, Brian takes off. LET ME EXPLAIN this, he is an elementary P.E. coach and he also loves his job, but there are THREE full-time coaches in the gym all day long at his school. When he has to take a day off, there are NO sub plans, planning meetings, ARDs, RTI, paperwork, student council meetings, class and staff pictures, etc. that he has to worry about making up. So the reality is that it is much EASIER for Brian to take off when the kids are sick than it is for me. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I AM HAPPY ABOUT THAT.<br /><br />Last week, Brady was sick and had to miss school for 2 days, Brian was off both days. Yesterday, Canon had some kind of stomach bug and he started getting sick on Monday night. Brian took off and stayed with him yesterday. I was an emotional wreck. If anyone were to ask me about which of these two are of the higher priority, it is obviously my kids. The question I have is WHY? Why is it that I am not quicker to volunteer to take off when my babies get sick. I want to be the one to stay with them, to cuddle with them, make them soup, etc. Don't misunderstand my point...I absolutely love that Brian is as involved and loving towards our children as he is. He is a phenomenal daddy. BUT...I am not feeling like such a phenomenal mommy :(<br /><br />Today is a new day, I am HOME! Brady was running fever last night and Canon is still trying to recouperate from the stomach bug that got him down. Today was going to be a CRAZY busy day at work, so many responsibilities to take care of, but I fought the battle in my mind and I won! (Well, with God's help, as he provided a great deal of clarity and strength!) <br /><br />So today I am taking care of babies, catching up on laundry, blogging, praying, reading, studying, cuddling, and playing with 2 of the most precious people to me. It's a beautiful day because the Lord has blessed me today! <br /><br />Praying for:<br />Canon to feel better, he is now complaining of his back hurting...I'm not sure what that is about.<br />Braydon to feel better and sleep...he is crying and crying and he doesn't even know what he wants.<br />Guidance to follow God's will and commandment.<br />Among many many other things!Amy Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15247351131610551115noreply@blogger.com2