REAL.

Okay, let's be real.  Well, you don't have to be, but I'm going to.  Sometimes because Brandon and I are in YWAM, we get labeled.  We get labeled as 'put together'.  Like we have it all figured out.  Maybe people actually have told us that they assume we are, or maybe they've alluded to it... or maybe its just been a feeling that we perceive.  I'm here to break the news to ya... we're not.

Nope, not at all.

If you come to our home randomly... its bound to be messy.  We aren't messy people, but when you live in a 250sq.ft. space, even the most OCD person will appear messy.  There are goldfish crumbs tucked away in hidden places.  Blame it on the baby.  I have a bad habit of not putting away our clothes... they might get folded one day, and then maybe a week or two later I'll get around to putting them in their drawers or hung in the closet.  Brandon's socks end up everywhere.... literally... EVERYWHERE.

We have insecurities.  Tons of them.

We teach and disciple others to be like Christ, but sometimes being Christ-like is hard for us.

We have been known to cry on many occasions because we can't afford the things we see others affording.  YWAM is not glamorous.  Its humbling.  Counting pennies is humbling.  Trusting can be humbling.  Yes we do get to travel to other places around the world... but only because other people have given financially in order for us to go.  And trust me, we don't travel to 5-star resorts.... no air-conditioning, local food, public transportation, hostels, and... oh... don't even think about flushing your toilet paper.  We sacrifice a lot.  But we receive a huge blessing through living this way:  our finances never feel like they belong to us, we steward what we are given, and we trust that God will continue to provide through others.... its actually a beautiful thing.

We fight.  C'mon, we're married.  Some great lessons have come from the times we've fought... learning to love, learning to forgive, learning to choose one another.

We've made bad choices....  and had to reap the consequences of those choices.  But I'd like to think we're getting wiser... hopefully  :)

We are new parents.  You can tell because when Shiloh tests a new limit, sometimes I will have a blank expression on my face... which is me realizing, "I have no idea what to do.".  We have made many mistakes (sorry Shiloh).  I wonder how many children it will take until we get this whole 'parent' thing down?

Those are real statements.  YWAM doesn't make us different.  Truthfully, if you are a believer, then you are in full-time missions... in your family, in your school, in your community... we are all.  I'm no different than you.

{If you're wondering where this is all coming from, our Leadership Team here in YWAM is reading "The Emotionally Healthy Church".  If you want to be convicted... its the book for you!  :)  Its been a wonderful tool as God has been speaking to be about being open, honest, and vulnerable.}