Magdalena...here we come!

Remember how I posted about praying for orphans? Well, here's the conversation that happened after we had learned a bit more and spent time praying for orphans one day:

Lucas, with $21 dollars in hand (all his spending money that he had been saving up for something big - almost 1 year's worth), "Mom, I want to give this to the ophans." (Yes, he's six and still has issues with his "r's" - it drives this speech path mom nuts, but I digress....)

"Oh sweetheart, that is so wonderful! Grandma Mott has a cousin (Gary Ringger) who works to help orphans and I know he would be happy to give your money to help orphans!"

"No, mom. I want to give the money to the ophans."

"Well, honey, there aren't really orphanages around here, but I know Grandma's cousin could get the money to orphans."

"Mom, can't we just go to anothew state? I want to go to a ophanage and give the money to the ophans myself."

Ever the realist I replied - "Sweetheart, the closest orphanage is probably in Mexico or somewhere and it would cost more than $21 in gas money for us to get there, but I would be happy to take you to Grandma's cousin."

At this point my little man walked away. Looking back on it, I'm so frustrated with myself, but fortunately the conversation did not end there :) .

About 20 minutes later, Lucas reappeared with the $21 still in his hands.

"Mom, I have it all figuwed out. You and me and Daddy awe going to dwive. I'm going to pack my backpack with food so we don't have to stop at westauwants, cause westauwants awe expensive. And then we'll just dwive. When we get tiwed we can stop at a pawking lot o something and sleep, cause hotels awe expensive. Then we'll keep dwiving until we get to Mexico. And mom, you have $21 dollaws, wight?"

"Yes."

"Then you can pay fo gas."

I smiled a HUGE smile, got down next to his little 6 yr old self full of God-sized dreams and said,"I guess you're right. How 'bout if I talk to Daddy when he gets home and we'll figure something out."

He walked away very happy and I started praying, Lord how in the world are we going to swing this? Then God whispered in my ear, "Magdalena."

That afternoon, after the kids went to their rooms for quiet time, I got online and started reading about the orphanage our church supports in Magdalena, Mexico. As soon as Andrew got home, I told him the story and asked, "What would you think about going there?" He immediately jumped on it and said, "Let's e-mail Bill & Joan Schick and ask them what they think!"

It's been a couple weeks now and we've had a few e-mails back and forth. And we're going! Not only did they not think we would just be in the way with our 4 young children, but they truly seem pleased to have us visit. We are going to be there for 3 days next month and I am so excited!

So is Lucas. He's saving up his quarters.