Thursday, June 20, 2024

Everyone loves a good combo! Sweet and salty, chocolate and peanut butter, and poolside with a perfect breeze — these are some of my favorites. My kids' current favorites are chicken and waffles, Wendy's fries and a frosty. What combos do you like? 

When my hubby and I were first working in ministry, it was hard to juggle everything. We were youth leaders and desired to spend time with the teenagers, but we also had a young family. Josh learned from a wiser leader that an excellent way to mentor the younger generation was to ask them to come along with you. Even the simplest of errands or the most mundane tasks could be used as an opportunity to connect with others - going to the grocery store, taking the kids to the park, or having dinner. I began to look at the everyday things I did and thought, "Who can I bring along with me? How can I make this a combo?!” 

Fast forward seven years and life certainly doesn't slow down. I feel constant tension to ensure our family is honoring God with our list of activities. Last year, when our staff was asked who would consider leading a mission trip in 2024, I immediately thought of the combo idea! What could be a better way to use our gifts and do it as a family? Perhaps we could even recruit a few other families to join us, and we'd have a group!! 

These last five months of preparing for our first-ever family mission trip have been inspiring and heartwarming. I'm thrilled I can do so many things near and dear to my heart with my kids and others in our church family! In preparation for the June mission trip, we tackled trash pickup with our group. It was only for an hour, but it was an hour of meaningful connection. And, of course, we couldn't end the morning without a good combo – we wrapped up with donuts! 

Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” He set the perfect example for us in how He served, and even when my plate is full, it's possible to follow Him. Being able to serve with my family has been a joy and honor; I’m so glad I made it a combo! 

Shared with permission from the mission team’s blog