Moody's on a Mission

That's right, we're on a mission to get our whole family to Uganda if you haven't heard. I know it sounds like a big task, but we're up for the challenge that God has put our way! (Maybe we won't pull all our hair out) All jokes aside our kids are excited and I think they'll really do great.

 We knew when we started planning this trip that it was going to take quite a bit of funds for all 5 littles and Mom and Dad to go. We also know that God is wanting us to take our whole family, so we have Faith that he'll provide.  We have come up with some fundraising ideas, and some of those dates are coming up. We want to show our kids that God can do more than we can even imagine. Our plane tickets alone are costing $12,100....I know crazy! But we have a BIG God! This is where you all come in.

YARD SALE FRIDAY OCT 12th 8-1 & SAT 7-12!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes, you got it.....one of my famous yard sales. Well, ok maybe it's not famous but I've had a ton of them, and I got to say I can sell some junk! The kids love them and are going to be selling something...maybe lemonade or muffins on Sat. Come on out and see what we have!!!


Mark this next date on your calendars:  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3!!!

Come tailgate for a mission with us at Upward Park in Gardendale with the whole family, and then watch the ALABAMA/LSU game on a giant inflatable screen. Inflatables for the kids, hotdogs, popcorn, drinks, and more. Even if you don't like Alabama football, you'll have a great time. It's gonna be FUN!!!!  This event is totally free because of the help of incredible people like Fun Source Rentals.  (If you are in the Gardendale area, USE THEM!  Amazing people.)  We will have a donation basket set up, if you feel led to help us out.  Keep a watch out for more details on this event.

We can't wait to be blown away by how God will provide as we set out on this journey.  However, more than any fundraisers or donations, we need your prayers. Come along side of us in prayer as we prepare for how God wants to use our family in this country that has become so dear to our hearts!

Kim

 

Really supreme? Really?

What does the word supreme mean to you?  Websters Dictionary defines it as highest in rank or authority; paramount; sovereign; chief.  That's a pretty good one.  But this word doesn't typically come up in day to day conversation unless you are ordering from Papa Johns.  However, it seems to be popping into my everyday train of thought a lot lately.

We have the incredible privilege of leading an amazing group of young adults in the singles ministry at Gardendale First Baptist Church in Gardendale, AL.  In our Sunday night small group, we are currently walking through the book of Hebrews.  If you've studied the book of Hebrews, you will understand, then, why "supreme" has been in my line of thinking lately.  Pretty much the main theme of the book is about Jesus BEING supreme.  He is supreme over creation.  He is supreme over all other prophets.  He is supreme over the angels.  He's the supreme high priest.  He is the supreme sacrifice.  We could go on and on. 

As we covered chapter 1 last night, we discussed how this letter was written by an unknown author to Jewish Christians, many of whom may have been struggling in their faith in the face of harsh persecution.  This author wants to make sure in the opening chapters of the letter that his audience understands who Jesus is.  I believe the author would've agreed with Websters regarding the definition of Supreme.  He is telling his readers that Jesus is highest in rank or authority.  He's paramount.  He's sovereign.  He's the chief.  The author of Hebrews wanted his readers to believe Jesus was who he said he was.  He was God.  (John 14:7)

Many during that time struggled to believe this.  After all, Jesus wasn't exactly what they had in mind when it came to the Messiah.  I don't believe this is foreign to us today.  What do I mean?  Sure, we SAY Jesus is supreme, and he is God, and he is our King, but do we really believe that?  Because a lot of times our actions do not reflect the supremacy of Christ.  The way we spend our money does not reflect that we believe Jesus has the authority to give us the mandate to care for the poor.  The way we spend our time does not reflect that the glory of His Name is our top priority.  The way we fail to seek out the lost with the Gospel tells a lost world that maybe our "good news" isn't so good after all.  

So do we really grasp what the author of Hebrews was getting at?  Because this Jesus called his followers to radical abandonment.  If he is truly supreme, then he's easily worth following.  It's a no brainer.  If he's truly supreme, all of sudden dying to yourself doesn't seem like that bad an idea.  If he's truly supreme, then some of these "crazy" things he calls us to, don't seem so crazy anymore.  If we believe he's truly supreme over all things then pouring out your life for the sake of His Name is privilege and a joy. 

So........as you close out the window on this blog post, ask yourself, is Jesus really supreme?  Really?

You're All Going Where? For How Long? And Why?

It's been a while since we've posted on here, but hopefully we'll start to do it a little more regularly.  I, Josh, am going to be hijacking every now and then because quite frankly I'm far too lazy to put the time or effort into making my own blog, and sometimes I have really important stuff to say.....okay, maybe not important, but whatever.  Plus, Kim has revamped this one, we changed the name (moodygirls3 just didn't seem to fit anymore), and we've got a bunch of new pictures, so why waste a good thing?

Anyway, let's cut to the chase.   God has placed on our hearts a passion for the global mission.  He has given us a passion to see His Name made famous to the ends of the earth, and He's given us the privilege of taking part in that.  And for obvious reasons, He has given us a passion for the people of Uganda.  We're not sure what God has in store for our family, but we want to take steps of obedience as He opens doors.  So on May 17, 2013, all seven Moodys (yes, two adults, two 8 year olds, a five year, and 2 three year olds) will step on a Delta Airlines flight in Atlanta at 5:00 p.m. bound for Uganda (via Amsterdam). 

Before the rampant rumors begin, please continue to read.  This trip is not permanent (yet.....we'll let God work out the details on that).  But it will be for a month.  We will return on June 16.  Hopefully, in the next few paragraphs I can, to the best of my ability, explain some things that God has laid on our family's heart.

First of all, why are we going?  This is can be a long answer, but I'll simplfy.  We want the boys to go back and see the amazing place they are from, and the incredible men and women that rescued them, and loved them, and cared for them until God sent their forever family.  We want our daughters to see how the majority of the world lives.  We want them to understand what it means to love and serve "the least of these".   We want them to know that life isn't about the next Apple gadget.  Most of all, we want our family to take part in the advancement of the Name of Jesus to wherever He takes us in Uganda.

What will be doing for a whole month?  Well, we're still eight months out and our schedule is filling up quickly.  Obviously, we will spend most of our time in Jinja with our friends at Sonrise Baby Home.  Through Sonrise Community Church and Pastor Ivan Mukulu, we will be ministering in a local village (or villages) with our family, through Bible study, children's activities, fellowship, serving and loving the locals.  There are tentative plans to do some pastor training through the book of 2 Timothy, similar to what we did in Haiti earlier this year.  The second week we are there, a team from Gardendale First Baptist, our home church, will be coming in for a week, so we will serve with them as much as we can (with five kids in tow).  We have also gotten to know some amazing people from Four Corners Ministries (check them out at www.4cornersministries.org).  They are doing some incredible work in Gulu, which is in Northern Uganda (close to the South Sudan border).  We are trying to work it out to get to Gulu for 4 or 5 days and work alongside Four Corners and learn more about what they are doing.  Then it will be back to Jinja, for the remainder of our stay. 

How much will it cost?  Let's just say a lot.  Airline tickets alone for seven people to UG and back are just a hair above $12k, and that doesn't begin to touch in country expenses.  As of right now, we are at about half of where we need to be.  So that being said, we're about to go into full fundraising mode again!!!  Be on the lookout for family events, pancake breakfasts, fish fries, and of course, the enfamous Kim Moody yard sales!  (We won't turn down a donation either! :) )  We are not even going to begin to worry about the money because God has shown us beyond a shadow of a doubt, that money is no issue for Him.   It will be there.

Last question (and a very valid one). Is this really the best thing for the Moody family?  The kids are little.  They might get sick.  That's a lot of money.  It could be used for something else.  That's a lot of time off work, etc. etc. etc. We've thought about all of these things.....and prayed about them......and thought some more.....and prayed some more.  And we've come up with a resounding YES.  This is what God is calling our family to do at this point in our lives.  Why?  Not 100% sure on that.  Is He going to open doors to full time ministry in Uganda with this trip?  Possibly.  Is He going to form new relationships and friendships that will span eternity?  Probably. Is He going to change our family forever?  Without a doubt.  Is God going to be glorified?  No question.

So that, in kind of a big nutshell, is what is happening with our family.  We ask that you pray for us as we prepare for this trip in May.  We'll try to update the blog more regularly with different things going on.  If you would like to help us out with any fundraising, we certainly will not turn you away!  In the meantime, stay tuned......
Philippians 3:13-14
Josh and Kim