The illusion

 

Are you creating an illusion to others? Are you real to yourself? Are you a person that is "do as I say not as I do"? 

That is not the way to live, and really isn't want Jesus wants for us.

To live a life on mission, you must do as you say in your words, actions, thoughts....EVERYDAY, with EVERY circumstance.

We are human, and we are sinners, but when you confess Christ as your LORD, people stop and watch. Some even are waiting for us to make that mistake.

Our Honduras team is getting ready to leave in 12 days! I am so excited for them and what they are going to be doing. As it gets a little closer, I am starting to feel sorry that I am not going now. But to be on mission, you have to have your whole heart in it. I love being part of this team, but I found that I was not giving my 100%. I do miss my family there and want to see them, but that is not a reason to go on the mission. That reunion is only part of it. 

As I pray for our team that will be leaving,  a flood of memories come to me over the last trips with them. A lot of changes have taken place, and even one has gotten married and has their second child on the way. Oh, how I miss not getting to meet their son!! So many memories of people brought to Christ through our medical clinics, prayer walks through the neighborhoods and the children ministries. I love every part of each ministry, there is not a favorite. 

If God has placed missions on your heart, continue to pray on how you can go on mission. This may be international trips, or just in your community.  I am looking forward to my next trip in August with Send Relief. You never know what experience you will have or what the effects you will have with those you work alongside with. 

I am definitely going to be praying over the next few months. I pray that God guards my heart and mind. I want to live life for him, and I want the courage to say yes every time. I am not defined by my mistakes and I need to get back up after a fall. Keep going, keep trying. If God has laid this on my heart, then maybe, just maybe, I should consider next year Honduras team. You never know what God has in store for you. You just have to take that brave step and have the courage to say yes to God and GO.

 Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Blessings to all, 

Be Kind

 In a world where you can be anything.....BE KIND

Be Kind...But sometimes I don't feel like it! I will whine this sometimes. Especially when driving. Sometimes it just feels good to just "UGH" or sigh loudly. No matter what your mood is for that day, what someone says, or how they drive or even if you are not a morning person, BE KIND. Your words or actions do affect others, either positively or negatively. 

Here is a perfect example that happened to me. Not sure if you know, but me and my husband are building a house. We had to go out and pick out all the flooring, lights, brick..all the things that goes with a house. Exciting? Kinda, but stressful.  At one of the stores we were at, the saleslady helping us looked so familiar. I couldn't place her. Toward the end of the session with us, she said "I know where I know you from!" (I guess she was thinking the same thing). Turns out, I took care of her mother in the hospital. She thanked me for all the help I gave her and work for setting her up at home on discharge. You just never know how you work in someone's life and help them. But then there will be that one day in a store, or going out to eat and someone will see you and remember how kind you were. (but they will also remember how you were not so kind too.) 

When talking to someone, whether in person, or via text or social media, remember to be kind in your words and actions. The old saying (I am showing my age now!) sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me IS JUST NOT TRUE. They do hurt. A lot. We all can have a difference of option, but still be respectful. Set the example for others in speech, conduct, love and your faith.

We, you and I, are on mission every day. We are setting the example everytime we interact with others. This is verbal and non verbal actions, our words, deeds. Yes we are human, and we do mess up. God knows how many times I mess up and yet He forgives me. It is called grace and we need to spread that out a little more to others. 

So when you are waking up and your coffee maker is broke, or there is a long line of traffic and people just can't drive, remember who you are and whose you are and be that example. Take a breath, and thank God for the breath in your lungs, and the new day you have been given. God chose you and you are never too messed up or broken for him.

1 Corinthians 15:57 states, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

Blessings to all,

pickle time!

 If you know me, you know what time it is right now! And for those that don't know me.....IT'S PICKLE TIME! What this means is that the cucs are planted and starting to grow! This is a project I have been doing for many years to help fund-raise for my mission trips. 

I know you are wondering, "Autumn, why did you start this?" Well, let me tell you the back story!

My pickle recipe is my G.ma recipe. I started making bread and butter pickles for my dad and cousin. Then one day, I had someone ask to try them and they loved them, so I started making some for friends. Then one day, someone came to me and said I should sell them to raise money for my mission trips. She said I should call them Autumn's Mission Pickles. So guess what, that is exactly what I started to do! 

Then after a few years, some special requests came in for dill. I researched and found a recipe that I like. Then some were asking for spicy. So I started that. And this is how my pickles evolved. I have a following of some that want some every year. I enjoy canning them. Don't get me wrong, it is A LOT of work. But it is only for a few months then the pickle season is over!

I love working along with my dad. He plants the garden and I make the pickles. It is a family effort.

We even have our guards to keep watch over our little plants!

I know you are enticed to want some and I'm sorry, but I only make them for local delivery. (darn). My production is not that large and I only make enough for my yearly trips. I am praying that I am able to have an increase in my fund-raising so that I can go on a few more extra trips. I am looking at planning my next year and have 3- 4 trips that I would like to take. A couple require plane flights, but 1 I can definitely drive. The other is a little distance and could drive in 12 hrs. 

I am also thinking of returning to Honduras next summer, maybe. We will see what God has in store for me for 2026.  For now, I have one trip left for 2025 in August. 

So now I am focusing on pickles! Pre-orders have been good and I hope to increase sales as I start to make them. I am also working on my spirit and mind and focusing on my daily talks with God. He is preparing my heart and mind for bigger things. I can't wait to see what He is going to do through me!

Question for you to ponder...Are you bearing good fruit? Do you just do things to just get through the day, just to survive or are you living your life? Are you proud of what you do, what you say, or are you just going through the motions? 

Live your life to the fullest! 

Psalm 37:4 states, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." 

Colossians 3:23 states "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Blessings to all, 

Serve like Jesus

Serve like Jesus. That is hard to do. Jesus is the ultimate example of how we are to serve one another. But He calls us to follow his example, wherever we are and with whatever we are doing. Jesus led by example through being a servant to others. He washed the feet of his disciples, he sat at the table with tax collectors and the people that were looked down on. 

We must not look at ourselves as better than other people. But we should be loving others, unconditionally, no matter where they are from or who they are. This is hard because we all get in our comfort zone and some of us struggle with approaching people and talking to strangers. It is hard to find that courage to do this. We all are sinners and fall short, but Jesus has paid that price for us to be forgiven and live eternally with him. Look at others, and yourself, through the eyes of Jesus. He will give you courage and the words to do what is needed. 

I have seen a lot of despair and sorrow throughout my missions. On the medical side, I have seen a lot kids with problems and parents coming through in desperation needing medicines because they just do not have the money. I have also see how happy they are too. The hard times do not define them, but they work through it. My heart goes out to them, and I do what I can for them. It is always a joy to love on the kids and babies, whether it was at the medical clinics or at the kids ministry. Just spending time playing with them makes a difference. And showing you are human, no matter what age, is always fun. As I get older, I find that skipping and jumping is getting a little harder, but I keep doing it, CAREFULLY, and the kids love laughing at my struggles. But that's ok, because it is something that draws us together.

On our prayer walks through the neighborhoods, we ask them what they would like for us to pray for them. Most do not know, they just say health. But as we talk and open up our hearts to them, we both see that we are not different, and have some of the same problems. Life is like that. Sometimes we just get so focused on what is happening that it can be hard to get out of that cycle. We feel that no one will understand, but actually, your struggles can help someone else overcome theirs. 

While I am not in medical missions right now, I am working in communities to show the love of God through acts of kindness. Just small acts of cleaning a house, or reshaping a playground, makes a big difference and plants seeds. 

Ask God to show you how to work in a way that honors Him and helps you to trust Him more. Start planting those seeds. 

John 13:14 states: "If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet."

Blessings to all, 

Preparing for mission, daily

 

Flower at my house

Flower in Tela Honduras

To be on mission, you must prepare daily. Because mission is every day. You don't have to travel somewhere to be on mission. Mission is wherever you are, with whoever you meet. I found it so easy to talk to others and "be on mission" when I was in Honduras. I don't know why, maybe because it was the feeling of being welcomed by the people I spoke with and helping them in the medical clinics. I was in my comfort zone of talking medicine. Putting bandaids on boo boos.  It was just a feeling of comfort because that is what we were going there to do. When you are here at home, it can be intimidating to talk to people in your own community outside of church. It takes courage to speak up and stand up for what you believe in. I know that when I get that small urge/push from God, I am often resistant.  And it is usually out of fear. My mind says to me that they will think I am crazy God person and not listen, or think I am judging them. 

But after my trip in the states to Evansville, I found that it is the same as Honduras. People, no matter where they live, need to hear about Jesus. And some have not ever heard of him, yes even in the states.  Jesus said that whatever you do for someone to you for me. This doesn't have to be something big, but it can look like giving someone food or drink, encouraging them with a kind word or just a simple act of helping them with a need they have. Giving someone hope is showing love of Jesus to others. It shows they are seen and valued. 

And you can do this EVERY DAY! Just walking your dog and saying hello to a neighbor is a start! Pray to God that he will open your heart to see others through his eyes and their needs. Pray that He will give you courage to step out in faith to help them. God will provide the words and actions you need to help. All you have to do is be the vessel. And with those small words or acts, you will point others to God. One word at a time. We all have a testimony and telling your testimony of what God has done for you and how your walk in faith has made you a better person is the first step. Because in the long run, we are all the same. We all  have the same problems and concerns, they just present to each of us a little differently. Just as the flowers above, they are from different countries but beautiful just the same. 

Matthew 25:40: "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Blessings to all, 

A new start

 

I am making a new start with serving. I have taken the step to serve in my backyard. What I mean by that is I will be going out and serving on mission within the US. I feel that all the things that I have been doing and he experiences I have while on international trips, I need to do here. I took the leap to go on a trip with Send Relief. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I can tell you, I have signed up for more!

My first experience was just a few weeks ago. One of the projects assigned to me was cleaning and repair of a school playground. This was great and the kids were so excited to see us. It was great to give back to them and show them that people are willing to give back. I worked with my group on the hopscotch and 4 square. I had to measure out the blocks, tape them and paint. And of course, when all was done, I had to test it out. 

You know you have to make sure that it "works"! And it was perfect. 

If you love missions, looking to give back, to help others and serve Christ, this is one way to do it. And they are short, weekend trips. 

I am excited and looking forward to my next trip. It isn't until August, but this gives me time to work on my pickles and fundraise for my future trips. I have already bookmarked 2026 trips too! My next trip is taking me out of my comfort zone. I will be traveling by myself. I have not done that before. I have always gone with a team, and this time I will be joining others I have not met and becoming part of a bigger team. 

God teaches us a lot in just everyday experiences and guides us. I trust that this step out in faith, God will be with me along the way. So until then, I anticipate when this trip comes and pray that I will be able to bless others.

Romans 8:28.  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose"

Bendiciones,

Feeling prickly

 

It has really been a tiring last 2 days.  Yesterday was a long day of travel. I finally got home at 1:30 am! We left Mexico at 5:45 am! It was a long day.  And there for about 5 minutes, I thought I was going to have to stay the night in Atlanta! Here’s the story ( you know I got a story for everything!)

My connection to Atlanta, I only had 45 minutes to get to my connecting flight to Louisville. I landed in A terminal and needed B terminal. If you never been to Atlanta airport, that is not close to each other. I have to take a tram to the different terminals. So I found the tram and started to head to B1 gate. I was thinking, this is great because B1 will be right at the start of the terminal.  Boy was I wrong! It was at the very end and I was at B17! And the plane is to start boarding at 9:55.  It was 9:52! I was hoofing it down that terminal, dodging people, weaving in and out of traffic, going upstream! 

I made it only to find out that my gate was changed to A12! If you remember, I was just in terminal A like 10 minutes ago. And they are boarding now! I ran all the way back to the tram! I was coughing, wheezing.  People staring at me. I must have looked like I was dying! But this 56 yo gal did a run and survived! 

I made it to the gate and they had just started to board.  I made it! I got a good seat and made it back home. 

Today. I slept until 10:30! Then began the daunting task of unpacking! Why is it so hard to unpack? I had a ton of laundry to do too! It’s all done and now things are back to normal. Or is it?

Ask anyone who has gone on mission and they will tell you that it is never back to normal when you return. Every time I go, a piece of me has been worked on, changed. Experiencing a different culture will do this. It’s like I’m the clay and God is constantly molding me and making me into a better person by showing the needs and giving me the courage to follow through with the task he has entrusted in me.

This past week, I helped with the building of Ruth’s shop, which will help her provide for her and her family. I was able to give encouragement to Miriam and lift her up. I was able to play with the kids and give them laughter and smiles. I was able to pray with the women and pray over their children that we gave diapers to. I was able to be part of an amazing team and meet some people that will forever be in my heart. 

Gos can use you. He uses me everyday, despite my flaws, imperfections and failures. But I get up and do it over, everyday. You can’t give up, because you never know who you will  bless. 

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.        Matthew 16:25

Be patient and stand firm because the Lords coming is near! James 5:8

Bendiciones,