HeartCry's 5th Annual "Be Love" Weekend

Four years ago, Nathan and I moved from Alabama to Georgia. Dr. Baggett invited us to his church our first weekend in our new home. We were so thrilled that Nathan's new boss was a Christian..."the real deal" as Nathan described him in April before graduation. Our first memory of New Hope was walking into the atrium and seeing a table called "Heart Cry" with people wearing brown "HeartCry" t-shirts promoting their child sponsorships in Haiti. "Heart Cry is one of the neatest ministries in our church," Dr. Baggett told us as he began to introduce us to people. Bridgette Palmer was the first person he introduced us to that morning (I'm sure she doesn't remember this...but I do...vividly). This church has a ministry to orphans...they really have a ministry dedicated to meeting the needs of orphans...that was all I needed to be convinced that New Hope was our new church home. We did visit other churches "to make sure" but New Hope was our church. Months later Dr. Baggett handed Nathan two tickets to the first HeartCry Pasta dinner. We jumped at the opportunity to attend such a great ministry event. That year, Heart Cry raised money to purchase a truck for an orphanage in Thailand. The kid's in Haiti painted a picture for the the kid's in Thailand to help raise money (the very idea that orphans in one country would minister to orphans in another country speaks volumes to me. I don't know all of the details, but the painting was auctioned off that night and the money needed was raised. God provided. Nathan and I were blown away at such an event.

I don't know how to explain this, but I am so drawn to this ministry. I am so blessed to be in a church with an orphan ministry and in a church who cares deeply about missions. Every year, we're drawn to attend the pasta dinner. We know the event will be the first weekend in November and we mark our calendars because we don't want to miss out on witnessing what God will do through His people. Every year God moves through the Be Love Weekend. Every. Year. This year's evening is particularly exciting and personal really...because this year all money raised at the dinner will be used to help build the new orphanage in Ganthier Haiti for the children of Maison d'Enfant par la Foi. Remember...these are the children who ministered four years ago to the Thailand orphans...selflessly. Each one of these children have a special story. God has a plan for each of their lives. We are blessed with the opportunity to be a part of their story and give as they have given....hopefully even more abundantly.

If you're reading this post and you live in the Fayette/Coweta county area, I'm extending an invitation to you. I'm inviting you to be a part of something of eternal significance. We're not just building an orphanage, we're building the Kingdom.

To the members of New Hope: Dr. Baggett is right, HeartCry is one of the neatest ministries in our church. I'm not an eloquent writer, so I'm just going to say this plainly (and let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart as He sees fit)...YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS EVENING.

Here's the information sent out by our missions minister earlier today:


HeartCry's 5th Annual Be Love Weekend is just around the corner.

• The Be Love Dinner will be held Friday, November 2. Tickets are available on line, Sunday at both North and South Campuses at New Hope. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Details are found below.
• When: Friday November 2 at 6:30PM, doors open at 6PM
• Cost: $8 per plate. $100 table sponsorship (you get some VIP treatment and the chance to be sure you sit with all of your friends. Think Sunday School Class!)
• Location: New Hope Baptist Church North Campus Rainbow Room
• Proceeds: All will be used to help build the new orphanage in Ganthier Haiti for the children of Maison d'Enfant par la Foi.
• Tickets: (and they are going fast. We have always sold out these events.) Available THIS SUNDAY at both the north and south campuses of New Hope Baptist church as well as on line at www.newhopebc.org or www.heartcryforchildren.org.
• Auction items include: 5 star Quail Hunt and overnight lodge, NASCAR VIP experience, Helicopter tour and overnight at Chateau Elan, Pandora bracelet, strand of pearls, Georgia Football Tickets, multiple beach vacations, cultural items from around the world, and more.
• Why not make a weekend of it and participate in the Harvest Classic 5K run/walk on Saturday November 3? Registration will be available at the HeartCry table, on line at www.newhopebc.org or www.heartcryforchildren.org and race day.
• The weekend will culminate on Orphan Sunday, November 4. Let's show our resolve for helping orphans by wearing our HearCry t-shirts Orphan Sunday. HeartCry t-shirts are currently on sale for a special price, $8 each or 2 or more $5 each.

Family Pictures

So it's been a long time since I've posted. I have so many things I want to write about, but here's one quick post with lots of pictures. Our good friends, the Smiths, and I have come up with a good way to have family photos. We're going to take them for each other! So here's some of the Smith family photo shoot from Saturday. SO. MUCH. FUN!!!

 

I find out about new "Smith" talents EVERYDAY. I didn't know that Akilah is a dance instructor (Yes, she is amazing! For any mom's out there in the Fayette/Coweta area, I can't think of a better person to have instructing children.)

Auntie Lolly Time

How different the world is from when I was a child! Joshua may not have met his aunt in person (she lives almost half the world away), but he still gets to spend time with her. I marvel at technology. Last time we did this I told Lauren that he likes bright shirts (he likes Steve from Blues Clues videos). She said, "Oh I'll go put on a bright shirt." Then I got to thinking about years to come when Joshua considers Auntie Lolly to be his favorite celebrity. I can't wait until Christmas when I get to see her in person and give her a hug!!! Joshua will be there. Such a great moment. I'm counting down the days!