Our Journey Off The Map.

Ephesians 2:1-10
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by naturechildren of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy,because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

One look around Port Au Prince, Haiti and you feel the 
, the weight that our sin has put on God's creation. 
Poverty on a level that we as Americans have never experienced. 
Pain that we have never felt.
And from a distance what looks like a lack of God's presence.        

After one crazy bus ride over a few BIG mountains we arrived to Jacmel, Haiti. All but 1 of our team members had never been to Haiti and most of us had never been on an international mission trip. We had all gathered an idea of what it would be like in our heads. I think it is safe to say that we were all in a little shock over the brokenness we had seen at first glimpse. We had prepared to bring Jesus to Haiti and to teach Jesus to 30 orphan girls. Little did we know that God had a very different plan for this particular mission trip. 

Sunday morning we attended a baptist Haitian church service where I naively partook in communion among the local believers. (They don't use Welch's juice in Haiti, just a heads up!) We arrived late to church. Most of the church body had arrived at 6:00and service ended around......11:30. We simply took in the experience as we didn't understand the culture or the language. I did however, using the small amount of creole that I did know, pick up on part of the pastor's prayer.        
"Mesí Jesu .......    Mesí Jesu ......      Mesí Jesu...... Mesí Jesu.....  Mesí Jesu....."
Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus.   
It was a blessing to pick up on a few hymns and sing along with them even if in a different language. It is powerful to hear a community of people who live in such conditions sing about the "wonder working power in the precious blood of the lamb."

We took our first trip to the orphanage that afternoon and met some girls that God was going to use over the next few days to teach us a few things.
Ages 4-14 these girls have seen and been through things we will most likely never experience our whole lives. Some have been beaten, abused, abandoned, or even sold. But God has BIG plans for such little girls.
In God's sovereignty these girls were laid on another little girl's heart  years before they were even born.    
Lorphine, the founder of FGIM, grew up in a heart wrenching fashion very similar to many of these girls. And after years of pain and suffering she was given the opportunity for a Visa to the USA and even in her fresh wounds of poverty and pain she prayed "Lord if I get to America and in my comfort forget about Haiti and how you have saved me, then do not let me go."

......

Wow!

That is exactly what we have. 
Comfort. 
We've never fully felt the weight of our sinfulness or seen the affects of the sins of the world on God's creation.    

Lorphine lived in America for 10 years, married a pastor and now her and her family toil endlessly in Jacmel, Haiti investing in the orphanage, in a young men's soccer team and with a church plant so that others may know the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

God has placed these precious girls in this orphanage for a much greater purpose than simply rescuing them from worldly circumstances.
God did not send us to simply teach these babies bible stories and give out of our abundance of comfort.  
All week long these girls showed us 
beauty,
joy, 
patience, 
faith,
and hope.         
God used them to remind us of the simplicity in our purpose, which is to simply glorify, praise, and rest in God.
Haiti doesn't need America.
Haiti doesn't need mission teams to bring God to them. 
There is nowhere that God isnt.
We saw him in the smiles and laughter of these girls.         
We saw him in the willingness of the St.Louis family. 

We saw him in the beauty of Lorphine's journey.
Every minute of our trip was a reminder of what is most important.
We may not be called to live in Haiti.
And we shouldn't feel guilty in the blessings God has given us.
                                              
But God expects us to take what he has shown us and pray for the wisdom and strength to apply it to the life he has blessed us with here.
Let us not forget what God taught us in Haiti. Let us not sink into our American culture and think that our efforts please God. Let us rest in Jesus' grace, mercy and strength.
Let us not become comfortable and forget.

Rewind........

Meet Adam Reid! Currently 2 months old!

Now let's rewind....

Adam Reid Siskey

August 29th 2014

6 lb 14 oz

19 inches 

What a blessing he is! Already sleeping through the night and spoiled rotten.

Anna is a good helper but doesn't kiss "boys"!

Ansley is the perfect mommy replacement. She helps even without being asked.

-"It's ok Reid. I'm here, Don't cry. You want your paci? Mommy! I think he as a tummy ache."

Gavin would sit and hold him all day if he could.

Adam ... oh Adam, he is the reason "The Reid" is so spoiled.

Life with 4 children is ...... well, let's just say I have not yet adjusted to the new routine. Oh, who am I kidding, I haven't even established a routine yet....2 months in. But I will admit it is getting a little better.

I do have this new thing going on where information or things that I have done simply fall out of my head. I seem to not have any recollection of certain actions or info. Hopefully that will resolve itself.

Inhale.....Exhale....Repeat

"When you feel so mad that you want to ROAR, take a deep breath and count to 4!" -Daniel Tiger

"Be kind!"
"Make good choices!"
"Stop that!"
"Time out!"

Yesterday was one of those days where you just want to try again.

As the kids were all finally in bed and the house was quiet for the first time in about 14 hours, all I could think was
"Whoa! Can I just rewind and try that again?"

I had not gotten more than 3 hours of sleep the night before, and I was REALLY looking forward to a much needed nap time. Now keep in mind the girls almost always have a really good nap [me too on occasion]. This day called for a really good nap.

Didn't happen. Didn't even kind of happen.
Ansley's nap was short and Anna's nap was nigh.

This led to a downward spiral of obedience as the day went on.
Since Adam is gone, several friends/family from The Mill have been so kind as to eat with us and spend time with us, which really helps the time pass.

No nap kids+sleepy mommy+company for dinner=PURE MADNESS

Gracious guest they were! I assured them that with Daddy comes order and my home was not always so crazy. [keyword=not always]

I just embraced the chaos and continued with our night.
However, once our friends had departed, it was time for the crack down.

Gavin-Clean the kitchen!
Anna- Stop climbing furniture!
Ansley- Can you even hear me talking?

Adam and I both knew that the longer he was away the more Ansley would breakdown. She is the a big time "daddy's girl" and I do believe she finally realizes "Oh, no daddy, no order, full speed ahead!"

Long story short, [too late] Ansley almost ended her night in a cold shower.
In the tub [clothed] she went. Before I could turn the water on, she began to break.
"I'm sorry Mommy." [insert tears and hugs]

After some much needed sleep, all around, and the start of a new day. Things are looking up!

Then this happens......

Middle School Social Problems 101:
Objective: take 2 liter soda to class for party
Gavin: "How am I suppose to take this Pepsi to school?"
Me: "When you get to homeroom ask your teacher if you can take it straight to Drama Class, so you won't have to carry it around all day."
Gavin: "No, how am I suppose to carry this Pepsi?"
Me: "With your hands."
Gavin: [large puff of air, rolling of the eyes]
Me: "In a bag"

5 minutes later [heading out the door]
Me: "Where is the Pepsi?"
Gavin: "In my gym bag."

Some battles are not even worth fighting! :)

**Rule of Thumb: Apparently, it is socially unacceptable for a middle school student to carry ANYTHING in a grocery bag for any amount of time. [Even a grocery item]

time to go...... I see a trail of paper plates from one end of the house to the other. And I don't think I am going to find a pot of gold at the other end!

In the words of Scarlett O'Hara  "Tomorrow is another day"

:)
Thanking God for new grace and mercy each day.

BIG NEWS!!!

Well, hello blog world. Long time no post.
I do have a lot of things to catch you up on!

Life with The Siskey's has been quiet eventful lately.

Where should I start?........

Oh yea......Coming Soon!

That's right! Our first Siskey boy is on his way. Due date: Sept. 4th

ADAM REID SISKEY

We are all very excited. Even Ansley, who at least once a week states that she "wants a girl baby"!

Only 16 more weeks to go!

 

What's next...

 

Our Anna Tait refuses to stop growing up. All in one week, she graduated Preschool and turned 5 years old. This moody mommy can't even deal with all this craziness! She is very artsy and creative [not sure who she gets that from] and she wears her heart on her sleeve.

And let's see.....

Our fully potty trained, cuddle bug Ansley is now 3 years old and tough as nails. She loves to give hugs and kisses and when she grows up, she wants to be a friend! [big time daddy's girl]

And Gavin......oh Gavin.
He is 13 going on 30 for sure. He knows everything there is to know about everything, and he assures you that you can take that to the bank. [insert a good HAHA]
He will be 14 in September, which to him means "I start driving next year"! [prayers appreciated]
Oh and I can't forget his hair. He has to brush his hair a minimum of 5 minutes before leaving the house. [life of a teenage boy]

 

 

Like I said, it has been very eventful since my last post.
Currently, Adam is on a mission trip to Madagascar. Which after much debate with Anna, does not have talking animals. He will be back in a week. This is his first oversees trip AND his first time to fly. Total travel time including layovers and drive time was approximately 39 hours [one way]. He is very ambitious :)
We can't wait for him to come home and fill us in on his adventure.
The kids are patiently waiting on their gifts!
Anna prays for him at every meal and before bed.
example: "God I just ask you to keep my daddy safe, and thank you for all the great things he is gonna do. Bring him back to us and hope he gets us really good presents. Take care of me and mommy and Gavin and Ansley since we are all by ourselves. Amen"

God has truly blessed our family. Our first year at The Mill has come and gone and we are very blessed to serve alongside such a loving church family.

Soli Deo Gloria!

 

 



Gavin likes his "chicken fried" and RC cola!!!!

 

If you loved Gavin's Wagon Wheel Video...

You will REALLY enjoy his take on Chicken Fried!

 

Leave it to a "church kid" to make known that his drink is INDEED not alcoholic!!! Love the enthusiasm!!!!

The Siskey's....Not precious people

Our family is.....

well, we are a lot of things. LOUD being one of them. Let's just say that we are not "precious" people. We are a family full of BIG personalities.

I didn't grow up in your typical family environment, being raised by my dad and Nana [who was 70 when I was born]. She is pretty much my favorite person in the history of people. She is turning the BIG 9-5 this year and will still tell you if she thinks "your clothes are a little more snug than the last time I saw you".
As I look back over my childhood, all I remember is being a quiet, well mannered, best dressed Sunday School superstar! I'm sure I had my share of bad days, but for the most part I stuck by Nana's rules and manners.
With the influence of Nana, I pretty much grew up under a pew. I was raised in a small Southern Baptist Church where we had a jammin' children's choir. I remember one Christmas playing the HAND BELLS while dressed as Jesus' mother, Mary, with a baby doll on my hip in a manger scene. Oh yea, I said it.
Anyway.........I say all that to bring me to this....my family is not precious.
I find myself way too often being envious of those mom's with the pristine house and children that can stand still AND be quiet at the same time.

Anna:

age: 4
favorite activity: singing songs that she has written...which may or may not have real words in them, but always rhyme.
offense: rolling of the eyes



Ansley:
age: 2 1/2
favorite activity: reading books or having ANYONE read her books
offense: luring you in for love with those beautiful eyes so that when you catch her beating someone with a plastic camera toy you can't help but think that something must have provoked her to do it.....LIES


Gavin:
age: will be 13 in a week or so
favorite activity: see video below
offense: talking himself out of a corner with "Ohs" and "my bads" and "I didn't mean tos"

 

So, I have come to learn that some families are just bred to be precious and I love to be around those families. They are the sweetest. I, however, can not hold my family to that standard. We are a family EXTREMLY blessed, loved and healthy.

So I'm still learning to embrace the chaos, go with the flow, and enjoy it while I'm in it.

Bring on the crazy.

Bring on the silly.

Bring on the laughs.

And well, if you want to invite us to dinner....have dinner at our house, not yours because..........well, you know. 

We're loud!

 

 

First Week of School recap!!!

Well, the first week of school was a success. The girls love it!
Here is a little first week recap.
starting top left...Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday!!! [Gavin said the first day picture was enough for him though]
Didn't take one today....I don't want to be THAT mom!
OAN: I think I was a little more sad today than the first day last week, but I will prevail.

Do you hear that?
Listen very closely.......
Of course you don't, because my house is empty and.... wait for it.....quiet!

I am alone in my home for the first time in 4 years. What a bittersweet morning. Gavin started 7th Grade today at his new school here in South Carolina and my babies started preschool.
Seriously, time has actually flown.

flown  past participle of fly (Verb)

Verb (of a bird or other winged creature) Move through the air under control: "close the door or the moths will fly in". (of an aircraft or its occupants) Travel through the air: "I fly back to New York this evening".

OK, maybe not the right word. It obviously didn't take flight, but it sure did go by fast.

Gavin will be 13 next month and has miraculously grown taller than me over the summer [maybe miraculously is stretching it]. Gavin.....a teenager. We covet your prayers ;)

Anna is 4 and bossy flossy. She was extremely excited about K-4 and loves her teacher Ms. Mandy when she left this morning. However, you can't measure the success of a "first day" until you see how willing they are on the "second day".
 
Ansley, my K-2 queen, was born ready for all things. She entered Ms. Tiffany's class with no more than, "Bye mommy, Bye daddy" [kiss]

On the way to take the girls to school I asked them a series of questions.
1. What do you want to be when you grow up?
-Anna: a sunday school teacher
-Ansley: BIG

2. What is your favorite color?
-Anna: purple
-Ansley: pink and red

3. What is your favorite food?
-Anna: Soda and Milk
-Ansley: cereal [which not so coincidentally is what she had for b'fast and I am convinced if she had eaten steak for b'fast, that would have been her answer]

4. What is your favorite tv show?
-Anna: Caillou
-Ansley: Dora and Diego

5. What is your favorite thing to do?
-Anna: clean the house and wear heels like you mommy
-Ansley: watch Dora and dance

...and so they all left for school, leaving me alone to sob in private. I'm only kidding. No tears from this momma this morning. I returned home to do what any mom does in private.......eat animal crakers and doritos on the couch.

So closes a chapter of my life. My babies are growing up, becoming independent little humans, and I am so thankful to God for blessing me with this family and pouring constant blessings onto our family.

Thank you to all who have had a part in our lives, shaping us and modeling Godly lives for us. God has used so many of you in ways you may not ever realize. If you are reading this, I'm most likely talking about you.

-Kristy

SnapShots!!!

A few snap shots since our move!

From a bittersweet ending dawns a brand new beginning.

3 years and 4 months ago, I sat in a relatively empty apartment with very bare walls and cried. It did not feel like home and I was anxious and a little scared of the new path God had set our family on. I had never heard of Graceville, Fl and by the looks of the town you would understand why. Being 30 miles from EVERYwhere and having only a Subway, Hardee's, Piggly Wiggly and of course The Baptist College of Florida it wasn't exactly "on the map". It is never easy to see the big picture but God is sovereign in all things.

Last week, 3 years and 4 months later, I sat in that tiny apartment that I had wanted to leave everyday since, staring at the once again bare walls and began to cry. Thinking of the memories and how quickly it suddenly seemed to have passed. Our family had grown here. It is the only home Anna remembers and the only home Ansley has known. God's timing is perfect in every way and I look forward to all He has in store for our ,much larger, family now.

We have really grown up since our time in Graceville. God has truly blessed our family with lasting friendships and sweet memories. About the time we were comfortable enough to call Graceville home, God showed us our next step. Bascom, Fl which believe it or not, is less on the map than Graceville. This is where God chose to use us for His ministry and HOW thankful we are.

To our Bascom family,
We will miss you guys so very much. You have loved our family more than imaginable. It was a wonderful 2 1/2 years full of unforgettable memories. Thank you for loving us, our family, and for past prayers and present prayers. We love you. 
I thank my God when I remember you. Phil 1:3

Now here we are COVERED in God's grace, about to begin a whole new chapter, a whole new beginning in our lives.
New home
New church
New blessings 
New opportunities
Same Faithful Savior
God is so faithful and as I said, His timing is perfect. Adam speaks a lot about transitional moments in one's life that everyone has. Just as our move to Graceville and our ministry in Bascom were, we have truly reached one of those moments. We are very excited to be joining in at Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church [The Mill] in glorifying God.

Here's to growing up and relying on God's grace in our NEW BEGINNING!

Question?

Good Mom Points:
The girls were eating a fruit tray..cantalope, grapes, apples, oranges!
Healthy snacking...big Good Mom Points.

However, I did not note that the grapes were still on the stem.

The stem is edible, right?

Ansley consumed.... a few twigs before I caught this.

Kristy=Mom of the Year :) ????

Potty Training and Preteen Drama [never a dull moment]

Epic Fail.
If I were graded on blog progress ... well let's just get past the large gaps and cut to the chase.

I will attempt to fill in the gap.

Anna: 3 1/2 years    29 lbs     Loud      Smart     Busy     Can talk your ears off! [Her response to talking your ears off]
Mimi: "Anna, you are talking my ears off!"
Anna: "What?!? No I'm not."
Mimi: "Yes you are, and If you talk my ears off then I won't be able to hear you."
Anna: "It is ok Mimi. If you don't have ears I will talk louder!"

Ansley: 2 years    28 lbs    Silly    Potty training     Go,Go,Go!     Likes to talk to herself!
Ansley: "Hey Momma!"
Ansley: "Hey, What you doin'?"
Ansley: "Nuttin'"
Ansley "Oh, ok!"
Ansley "Hey E'rebody! Look!?!"  [ This is a 20 sec. convo in the van with herself ]
An imagination the size of TEXAS.

Gavin: 12 years     As tall as me    Likes to write awkward song lyrics     "preteen drama"
Lives to torture my preschoolers! [seriously, believes this is life's purpose]
I feel this runs through his mind upon waking - "So, It's Saturday, I wonder how many times I can make the girls scream before Kristy slaps me in the back of the head. Today is the day to break my record!" [this can't be far from accurate]

Example of "a day in the life" :
Just two days ago I was looking through our very packed closet for "1" book. [side note: My husband has 4 stacks, 4 ft high of books in our closet] [another side note: our closet is tiny with the sliding doors on a track] I crawl inside and begin to rummage through our "library" and the girls are not far behind me.
I am sitting criss cross applesause in a mound of commentaries, ficition, non-fiction, ministry help, bibles, etc. Anna is sitting on our empty luggage. Ansley is in a laundry basket full of warm weather clothes packed away but not stored [Florida's winter is like more like "on a week, off a week"].
The little bit of light I am working with slowly fades away as the girls close the closet doors. Upon closing the door they manage to get them off track.
"Girls! Open the door please. I need the light."
pull
pull
push
push
bang
BANG!
"Momma, I can't open it!"
Yes, here we are, all inside the closet with jammed doors that will budge no more than 3 inches open on each side.
I can look out 5 feet away at my phone. Clearly out of reach, I long to call my husband even if I have to say " Hi honey! Is there any chance you can run home an help us out of the closet." EMBARASSING much?


Caption: Later that same day!

Well it was really only like 30 minutes and a bruised hand later.
"FREEDOM"
Anna sincerely apologized  " Mommy, Your silly for getting in the closet. Sorry I broke it."


To God be the Glory for my family, my blessings, my life!

Oh Well!

Dear Future Self,

When reminiscing and reading this blog and being disappointed in the very large time gaps, please be kind. Try to remember all the times spent with your toddlers. Maybe not in detail but that you spent time to teach and disciple them amongst the chaos.

Sincerely,
Very Busy Present Self


I mentioned in my first ever blog that I was keeping a blog for my future senile self to remember how I got to where I will be.

Ok. Here goes the CATCH UP!

Anna: Age 3
          Weight: 29 lbs [small fry]
          Favorite Activity: being mommy to her baby dolls and playdoh
Anna has blossomed so. She is  sweetheart with "tude" if there ever was one. Completely potty trained [without a problem] and about to start some K-3 work at home, she is very smart. She LOVES to sing...sing...and dance. She is quite the song writer as well. :)
Love Language: Quality Time

Ansley: Age  1yr 8 months
             Weight: 25 lbs [note the difference with sister]
             Favorite Activity: cooking at her kitchen and playing with her baby dolls
Ansley is growing up wayyyy to fast for my liking. She also loves to sing. Since last I wrote, She is now talking and running and jumping right along side her best friend, Anna. Ansley is a daddy's girl for sure!
Love Language: Physical Touch

Gavin: Age 11
            Weight: 80 lbs
            Favorite Activity: picking on the girls and playing video games with Adam
Meet the newest member of our family. :)

Gavin is our nephew. He is now living with us and we LOVE it. He is a big help with the girls and the dishes. Adam and I couldn't be happier to have him with us. He too likes to sing and dance but it is much more comical than the girls. He is also....wait for it....an Alabama fan, more like a walking billboard for The Roll Tide. Oh my goodness was this hard for my hubby to swallow. We do love him all the same, however, Adam says he will be an Auburn fan by the end of this football season. ;) We will see.

Ok. That kinda covers the gap. I know I can't fill myself in on all the adorable details of the inbetween but  this will do.

Adam and I are about to start going through a book titled "Disciplines of a Godly Family" and we are very excited about this. God has really convicted us of family based ministry and the importance of the home being a main ground of discipleship. The church should not be the only place that your children are taught the Bible and Christian values. If that is the only place they are hearing it then we are not fulfilling the job God gave us as parents. Especailly now that Gavin is with us we feel we need to set a discipleship plan in place. With the girls being so young I just figured bible stories before bed will do for now. NOPE that is not what God called us to do as parents. We really looking forward to the changes God has for our household.

God has blessed us with a wonderful family and we are thankful. This will be Adam's last semester at BCF and he will graduate in May with his degree in Ministry Studies. I am very proud of him. He has worked very hard and made sure that family was a priority through this time in life and I am very grateful for that.

A shout out to our Bascom fam! We have been at FBC Bascom for almost 2 years and love it. They are the sweetest of people and love our family so much. Love you guys! : )

Sorry to run but I ~

 ...get it...             ^  that is a mustache

I will try to update more often.

-Kristy

Busy Busy!

Whhhew.
I haven't blogged in a while. It has been so busy and my schedule is going to stay that way for the rest of the year. Yay! [not] =)
This weekend we have a Youth Rally that Adam has been working very hard to organize and plan. The weekend after that will be our annual fall frolics with our church complete with boiled peanuts, great food, hayrides, volleyball and a bonfire. The week of Thanksgiving we are venturing back to our hometown to see my family and then Adam's dad.
When we come back we will be meeting a "new" member of the family....and no, nobody is having a baby..[this year]! haha
Lucy, well her name is actually Lizzie, but that is a long story, will be moving in with my mother-in-law "Mimi" right before Thanksgiving. Lucy is 25, I think ,and God has opened up the opportunity for Mimi to take her in to be part of our family. Lucy's mother passed away a year ago leaving her with no family. So she will be joining our family on Nov. 18th. We haven't met her yet but are looking forward to it!
And of course December is ALWAYS a busy month. Youth Christmas party, Associational Christmas party, Ansley's 1st birthday party, and of course CHRISTMAS!
Adam approved me putting the Christmas tree up but not until after the 5th. You may think that's early but we didn't have a tree for the first 2 years of our marriage so I put it up early last year and I enjoyed it so I think I will put it up early again.;)

We attended a fall festival last night and Anna had a blast. Bouncy houses, face paint, candy, games, cake walks, candy, time with her cousins, a big slide, and candy!
What was my favorite part?
I'm glad you asked.
Anna with about 6 other super sugar filled children were piled in the bouncy house. As Anna made her way to the side she shouts through the crowd of parents,who are all in hopes that all this bouncing will drain all the extra candy energy from their child so that bedtime might be reasonable,
 "Daddy! You're a princess!"
 He had forgotten he had placed Anna's crown on his hat earlier.
It was a good laugh.

I've been feeling artsy lately so I have taken several pictures and even made some door decor out of a pizza pan. I felt so accomplished and thrifty.

Time to go Anna is jumping like a bean behind me on the couch and Ansley just pulled out the computer cord and thinks it's a good snack.

Anna and Silas at as she calls it the "fall vegetable"

Anna dancing with her daddy <3