Missions Trip to Mexico

         

Last year for Christmas the Struska family went to Mexico to build a house for a needy family. Phil's brother Ron and his family are a missionaries with YUGO ministries.

YUGO allows people to have an active part in ministry by offering short term missions projects like the one we did, building a house. They offer a hands-on experience where ministry becomes real, the statistics have names, faces and stories.

We spent a week away from our everyday comforts and got to experience God in a whole new way. 


 It took us 5 days to build this house.

 

Project Joy- we handed out ALOT of Christmas presents at local churches.

If you have never experienced a missions trip, check out YUGO Ministries.   They do a great job of taking a week and turning it into an effective, live giving and world changing experience.

Mocha Brownie in a mug--delish!

    

  

Tonight Johannes wanted a chocolate dessert but I didn't want to make something that would be sitting around for me to eat. So we made these brownies in a mug. They were so good and they didn't take very long.

Draw Phil's face on a lunch bag

Lower Body workout video and week challenge

                    

Purse Essentials

What do you keep in your purse?

Christy- Cheerios, crayons, coloring books... I sometimes remember my wallet. 

Anita- I took my mini Gerber & pepper spray out because I am always afraid I will forget they are in there at the airport. Had to give one up before! 

Julie– I kept an extra pair of Jacqueline's underwear in my purse when she was potty-training---for real.

Abi- My purse at the moment doubles as a diaper bag... But I always make sure I have my wallet, phone, and keys.... Everything else belongs to my kids.

Mindy- Have to have my CPR mask and mini first aid kit (must be the nurse in me)! 

Jamie- Most important thing in my purse: mini, pink Swiss Army knife. Used it to remove stitches once!  

Kristin-Always have my wallet, phone, keys. Like to have gum, lip stuff, diapers/wipes, water bottle, some kind of snack (I KNOW you agree :P), hair ties/bobby pins. Weirdest thing I've found.. sippy cup that turned into some kind of yogurt NASTYINESS. Sometimes I change purses in the winter or when it's rainy so no moisture gets inside, or if I need a strap that stays on better when I'm wearing a bulky coat

Melissa- I have one that I use all the time. I do have a few backups but I'm too lazy to switch except for VERY special occasions (read that as - my own wedding). 

Tom- A friend of mine gave a speech at the Republican district convention one time. She started her speech by saying, "In my purse are three things I never leave home without, my Bible, a copy of the Constitution, and my gun." That tells you most everything you need to know about her.

BTW, She won the position she was running for.

 Erica- The other day I wondered why my purse was so heavy and found, among other things, a kitchen spoon and a screwdriver.

Brenda- Buy one good leather purse at a time until it wears out. I always have dog treats for my furry kids!

I am THANKFUL to God for:

 I Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

In what situations does the Bible say we should be thankful?

What do you think keeps people from being grateful?

Will you express gratitude to God and others around you this week, even for the minor things, or will you have the attitude that the world owes you?

 ***Email me for a printable version of the THANKFULNESS calendar. MelindasFitness@gmail.com
***I made the calendar as big as possible so you can read it.

Imagine your 'First Night in Foster Care'

While I'll never know what it's like to be put in foster care, with each placement I keep learning more of what these precious children are feeling.  Here's what I imagine would be a typical first day:
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First Night in Foster Care by Phil Struska

Ripped from my home and all I know, cause they say I was in danger.
I'm going to a nice foster home, but to me they are just strangers.
Pack a bag I'm told, but I'm too numb to decide,
What to bring and what I'll need; I'd much rather just hide.
I grab a couple things, but I've never packed my stuff.
Will I need all my clothes and toys, or are just a few enough?

Buckled in a stranger's car, headed who-knows-where.
Tears run down my cheeks cause I forgot my teddy bear.
Better not ask to go back now, who knows what they'll do to me.
They've already forced me from my home, and my whole family.

I'm so full of questions I don't even know where to start.
Why do I have to leave the ones I love with all my heart?
Can somebody tell me, can someone explain,
Why I am forced into even more pain?
Did I mess up?  Was it something I did?
I thought I was a pretty good kid.
Evidently not, I'm being taken away.
What could I have done to stay?
The lady driving is trying to explain, but I can't hear a word.
My little sister is quietly sobbing, so I try to comfort her.

We shuffle through the front door of an unfamiliar home,
Dragging a plastic bag of what's left of things I called my own.
Two strangers greet and smile at me,
But for me to smile back would require surgery.
I hear a dog bark out in back,
They say they also have a cat.
Guess that's what's causing my allergies.
Prob'ly get yelled at if I sneeze.

They give me milk and cookies, then show me where I'll sleep.
Better not get comfortable 'cause there's nothing here I'll keep.
I forgot my P.J.'s too, guess I'll have to sleep in jeans.
These are so uncomfortable, they tell me, "It's the seams."
They read me a bedtime story, but I can't relax a minute.
Though it kinda makes me chuckle when he puts my name in it.
Maybe we'll be safe here, but doubts keep racing through my head.
I check on my sister one more time, then pass out on my bed.

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Now does your life seem just a little bit easier?  I'll have to write another one describing how things improve with time, and how readily these precious kids respond to a stable, loving home.  It is so awesome to see how resilient they are.