Pickle season is over!

 As you know, I make pickles every year to help fundraise for my mission trips. I have been doing this for the last 10 years. WOW, I can't believe it has been that long! While I don't make a huge amount of money, I am able to raise enough to help with expenses for my trips. This year, drumroll......I made 235 jars!!! I can't believe my little garden was able to make enough cucumbers for that many jars! I only had 7 plants and was able to get enough for that many jars! 

Thank you all for the support you have given me and for those that have had the opportunity to experience my pickles, I hope you are enjoying them because it will be another year before there will be any more!!! They are definitely a seasonal item, kinda like the pumpkin spice lattes! 

As I get rested from the the last 6 weeks of cooking pickles, I am preparing my heart and mind for my next trip. I can't believe it is in 2 weeks!!! I will be going to Columbia South Carolina with the Send Relief Tour. The task assigned to me for the weekend will be the job of refreshing a middle school teacher workroom and care closet. I am excited to be helping out this community and giving back to the kids and teachers there. When you don't have the space or resources, it is hard to work and do your job to teach the kids. My prayer is our work there will inspire them and excite them. For them to see the love of God through us. 

Last May, I worked with a team at a middle school playground. To see the kids faces and excited of knowing what we were doing, made a huge difference in the work we did. I can still see the face of the kids through the fence asking what we were going to do. When we told them about the playground and basketball courts, they squealed with excitement and happiness. When you give your time and energy to others to help, you will get the reward as well. You know you helped someone, even if it was indirectly. 

Our team consist of many different people, from different states, different backgrounds. I am excited to have my daughter join me on this trip. We have done missions together in the past and I love working alongside her. She loves the Lord and is an inspiration to me and to others around her. 

I encourage you today, that if you are thinking about missions, you do not have to travel far. Look in your community, your city, your state. There is always someone in need. Who will go, if not you? Pray about it, ask for courage to take that step of faith.

John 20:21 reads, "Again Jesus said to them, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'"

Blessings to you,

spread happiness

 

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too." Anne Frank

Have you been spreading happiness and joy to others? What? You say you are trying to find your happiness and joy. Well let me give you some of mine. Here is a smile and good vibes coming your way!

That's all it takes, put a smile on your face, even when you don't feel like it. It will change you whole demeanor and did you know that when you smile when you talk, you even sound positive! Try it. 

Well team one came home yesterday from Honduras. I hope they had an uneventful trip home. I have not talked to anyone yet. And team 2 arrived to Honduras yesterday. Last week, the pictures of the construction team was awesome. They worked so hard and got so much done on the church in Tela. Congratulations guys! I have to admit, some of the pictures were a little scary seeing you all hanging around and sitting on the rafters on the roof. All I can say is that I was holding my breath! And it is good to know that no one fell off the rafters or ladders way up high on the roof!

This week, team 2 will be concentrating on medical clinics for well check ups and prenatal checks w/ultrasounds. It is amazing to see the team work on the OB pts and give them a look and picture of their little one before they are born. We take these things for granted here because they are readily available for us. Not so much available in other parts of the world. 

In addition to the medical clinics, construction work, the team also conducts children ministries and prayer walks around the neighborhoods. It is a lot to put into one week, but somehow it always seems to get done...every year. The team touches so many hearts and lives through it all. Please join me in praying for them this week for safety, health and for them to touch the people they are helping. 

I have to say it again, I miss going with the team. I am really praying hard and it seems like God is directing me back. I thought I was moving on from going to Honduras, but I have been so much that it has become part of my life. Missions will do that. Even if you go to different places, you just can't stop working for God and doing his mission work. 

So who knows, I may be returning to Honduras next year. And I feel that tug to get back into medical missions again. I don't want to lead it like I did before, but I would love to be part of the team, seeing people and providing that healing touch.

Whatever trial you are going through, take time to work through it then get back out there. I had to take a break because of some personal things going on with me a few times, but God always leads me back. He will find a way.

Mark 16:15 reads: "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'

John 20:21 states, "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'

Blessings to all,

Honduras team made it!

 

They made it! The team made it to Tela yesterday. I am so happy the travels were uneventful. You just never know when you go out of the US with getting through customs and the flight itself. I know they are going to have an amazing time in Tela and touch so many women and kids through those ministries, but also the men will be working alongside the locals on construction projects. This gives them the opportunities to create new friendships but also build up the ones already created over the years.

And this may take time and a lot of prayer for God to touch someone's heart and for them to listen and accept it and then follow that voice. A few years ago, in Tela, we were going on our prayer walks through a neighborhood. It was me and 3 others on our team. One of them was one of the men that had been on construction projects in the past. This lady invited us into her home and we always ask what we can pray for and she was telling us about her family. Her husband was in the states working and sending back money for her because he couldn't find work there. One of her children was gone and she had not heard from him in months and she was so worried that something had happened to them. We prayed for her and hugged and gave her some encouragement with the word of God. She was a believer and went to church, but as you know, when hard times come, it can be hard to trust God. Our group spoke with the local pastor we were working with about our experience and he said he would follow up with her.

Later that week, her husband came home and she told him about her experience with us and that we were praying for them. The local pastor went out to visit with them and he accepted Christ and started to go to church with her!! AND.........This man we were praying for is one of the local workers that was helping us on our past construction projects! WE KNEW HIM and was already praying for him!!! You see, you never know how God is going to use you and work through you. You have to trust and have faith that HE knows what he is doing. Oh, her son did call her back before we left for home and he was safe. 

This is why I love missions....to be a part of something bigger. You just never know what God will do!

Romans 8:28 (NIV): "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

Blessings to all,

Are you resilient?

 

Resiliency. The capacity to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events. Do you have resiliency? Have you experienced it? Are you capable of bending but not breaking? 

There have been many times in my life that I have seen things or experienced trauma and felt like I just wanted to give up, but I pushed through, I kept going. I have been discouraged from experiences in my life, but that is the bending. The key is not to allow it to break you. 

Courage doesn't wait. Where has God put you? Because God has placed you right where he needs you to be. He has placed those thoughts of missions, helping others, volunteering in your mind. You just need to step out with courage. I remember when the thought of missions came into my mind. It took me almost 10 years before I ever took my first trip. But I prepared myself through volunteering at church. Just that small thing helped me build courage to talk to other people, develop my testimony to share with others without fear. 

Sometimes, on mission, I have gotten discouraged. I have felt helpless to help others. You may not know what to say to help encourage someone. It's hard. I know, I have been there. In the medical clinics, I have been at a loss for words, but God planted them right on my lips. I have had moms tell me they had to choose food or medicine for their kids because they didn't have the money. I have had young girls, like age 16, tell me they were married and expecting their first child and didn't know what to do. What to do you say in these circumstances? Only God can give you the words to help encourage them, to help them know they can do this thing called life and push through.

But it take people with courage to go on mission, to be the hands and feet but also the voice of God. They will not know the love of God unless someone shows them and tells them about it. This may be in your own back yard or community or you may be called to leave your home and travel to another country. Whichever the case, it takes courage that only God can give  you. 

How do I stay resilient? Treasure the small experiences. I remember holding those tiny babies in the clinics and how their smiles brighten even the darkest of times, even if I did get peed on! I remember the children ministries and out playing games with them and trying not to fall when skipping. Just hearing their laughter is enough to fill your heart (yes they were laughing at me, but that's ok!).  On our prayer walks through the neighborhoods, so many people welcomed us into their home. They were so excited to talk with us and learn more about what God has for them. 

Those are just a few of many, many times I have in my memories. And I plan on making more of those memories. 

Matthew 5: 13-16 states;  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Blessings to all, 

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,