The Doe Family: June 2011

Sunday, June 26, 2011

My promise to you.

Last summer my mother-in-law handed me a book to read when I was visiting the family in Washington. I read the intro and the first half of the first chapter and stopped. I felt sick. The book was called "Renting Lacy" and it was the story of human trafficking. I learned all kinds of new words that I just didn't want to know and heard stories that I just didn't want to think about. They were gross and evil. I shouldn't fill my head with them, right?

Since then, I've heard of Streetlight Safe House in Phoenix. My sister-in-law started working with Shared Hope International, a non-profit that deals with human trafficking. These stories won't go away. And they're making me really uncomfortable.

Jared and I visit a lot of churches right now. We visited a church here in Frisco and they happened to have a guest speaker, Christine Caine. She is from Hillsong and the founder of The A21 Campaign. The video she showed after she spoke was Natalia's story. 1 seems like a much easier number to deal with than 27 million who are enslaved, 1.4 million of whom are sex slaves. I felt a push in my heart, but I told God, "I don't have the stomach for this. I just can't immerse myself in that kind of information. There are other people who can handle it. I can not." I'm pretty sure He just nodded and smiled knowing it was a matter of time.

Last week I started doing some research in the Dallas area to see who was out there helping these victims. I found Traffick911 through google, my sister-in-law, Randee, and a couple of friends on Facebook. I wrote to see about volunteering there and to see what role Frisco Fields could play in partnering with what they're doing.

Then yesterday, I read this.

I'm telling you now, if you read it, you will want to vomit. You will want to punch a wall. It is going to absolutely ruin your day. I'm asking you to read it. As a mother, a father, an aunt, and uncle, a grandparent, a teacher, a pastor, a human. You NEED to read this.

It has me thinking first and foremost about that precious life and the obstacles that already lay ahead of this three year old. The average life expectancy of a person who falls victim to these kinds of things is 7 years.

And it has me thinking about the Church. What are we doing? Jared and I are in the beginning stages of starting up this church in Frisco. When I hear these stories, I don't want to spend the money God has been loaning to us on the latest and greatest in technology. I don't want a screen worthy of a U2 concert (although that screen was awesome). I don't want the "perfect" location that will attract people who want to go to church in a comfortable setting and put in their weekly hour.

I want to help these babies. I want people who want to help these babies to be our allies. I want to partner with organizations that are helping these babies and I want us, the church, to learn from them. And I think... I think... that God just may want the same things.

So here is my promise to you blog readers. When I go to Washington next week, I'm going to pick up that book and I'm going to read it. I'm going to spend time crying. I'm going to spend time in anger, I'm sure. I'm going to spend time holding my own babies and assuring them of our love for them. I'm going to tell them they are precious to me and to their Maker.

Then I'm going to come back to Dallas, complete my volunteer paperwork and just get after it. I can't say I'm even a little bit excited about it, but I've seen it, I've heard about it and I can't ignore it anymore. And if I get complacent again, I'm going to find that article and force myself to read it. No matter how uncomfortable I am.

You can start small too. "Like" one of these non-profits on Facebook. Read the stories they post. Just make yourself aware, share the stories. It's a great start. This little 3 year old's story has changed me.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Happy Birthday to Me, Frisco Fields and Guy!

Friday was my 31st birthday. The morning started with donuts on our red “You Are Special Today” plate (a tradition I grew up with and that I’m so excited to share with my family), flowers and a Twilight card from Jared.

How could the day get any better you ask? Well, let me tell you!

Friday night we had Frisco Fields Church’s very first launch team meeting! Jake and Christy came into town to find their new home. They are moving into the fields July 15th. We had 10 adults and six children in the house. Most of whom we didn’t know just three short months ago. This is the first time we’ve had each of the people with whom we’ve shared the vision for Frisco Fields in the same room at once. We ate some food, got to know each other and then had a little meeting that Jared ran. We talked about the background of the name, logo, vision and mission and we talked about the plan moving forward.

It was the beginning of the meeting that was amazing to me. We each shared a bit about who we are, where we come from and how we ended up here. One of our new friends, Bob, pointed out after everyone shared that the common thread that seemed to run though the group was a sense of God’s perfect timing. Many in the group shared that they know “how to do church”. They know what it takes to be involved and to feel part of a community: you serve in the church, you join a small group, you offer your gifts. But they all felt disconnected where they were and wondered what it was they weren’t doing “right”. In hind’s sight, I think everyone saw God’s hand in those times. It seemed as if He was preparing them for a specific role in his Church, but the outlet just didn’t exist yet. He protected their hearts from being too involved with relationships elsewhere, because He had a specific role for them to fill here and now.

The common thread I noticed through the group was the way God loving pursued each of us. Both the Doe and Seaton families are coming from a place of comfort. We were all extremely happy where we were. We were with family and our lifelong friends. But God put a stirring in our hearts and we were able to respond in His perfect time. As far as the rest of the group, God provided relationships through which he connected us, again in His time.

I’m humbled to be a part of this group. They are all servants with the same mission in mind. To do out part to bring the Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven. To love God and to love others. I’m momentarily proud of the obedience in each family and how they’ve chosen to respond to a call, and quickly recognize that we are simply His vessels

and can’t believe we are chosen to do His work here in Frisco.

Saturday we spent the day with the Seatons getting our staff bonding on! We swam in their hotel pool, ate at Le Madeleine’s and we drove our cars around Frisco. We gave them a phone tour while all four kids took naps in their car seats. We looked at possible meeting locations, where we like to hang out and at neighborhoods we love. We walked around our mall and let the kids run. We hung out at Barnes and Noble and read some books. Jared and I talked about how great its going to be to have another family out here doing the same things we’re doing. We knew they would both be so great at this lifestyle. They’re so approachable and sweet. They are great at making people feel comfortable and connected. When we interviewed to come out here, Tim called Jared and I “cute and cuddly”. I’m going to go ahead and say the Seatons have the same quality. ☺ There are so many new people here in the area that are just longing for the community they had “back home”. The more these relationships build the more we all feel

“at home” in Frisco.

Saturday night we were able to go celebrate Guy’s 30th birthday. We share a June 10th birthday and this is the first time in 10 years we’ve all been able to celebrate together. It was so fun. One of our first weeks here I met a lady in the park and through discussion found out she has a 16 yr old girl who loves to babysit. We don’t get out often but really wanted to go out with the crew so we called her up and she agreed to babysit. It was my first time leaving the kids with a “stranger”. I’m not gonna lie… it was nerve wracking. She was absolutely fantastic. I came home to her reading to Sophia (who was sleeping). She had read practically our whole library to her, watched two movies and painted her nails pink. I got to talk to her for a bit after and she’s just precious. Jared and I will defiantly be going on more dates!

LONGEST POST EVER!! But I just can’t help it. I love our life. I love what we’re doing. I love my family. I love our new home. This is not to say we wouldn’t love for some of our AZ buddies to join us someday… you’re not off the hook. But don’t you just wanna join in on the fun?!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Seven

Jared and I celebrated our SEVENTH anniversary the last day we were in AZ. We decided to take advantage of having baby sitters and went on an actual date! Ra Sushi and a movie. We haven't had many opportunities to be on our own in the past few months

so it was a welcomed evening.

Love you babe and I love being right where God wants us,

together in Texas!

The Comptons!

Our family was so blessed to be a part of our friends Phil and Cassie's wedding day. Jared performed the ceremony and Sophia was the precious flower girl. It was a such a fun night and I'm convinced there is no better match out there than these two. I'm just looking through my pics now and can't believe I didn't get ONE pic of Cassie. You'll have to just trust me on this... gorgeous.

Love you Comptons!

Allie's Shower

FINLEY FAITH IS ALMOST HERE!!!!!!

It's such an unexplainable feeling, seeing my baby sister carry her own little girl in her tummy. Seeing her husband take such good care of her. Seeing all of the work they have been doing to prepare for little Finley's arrival. I'm already so proud of her and I know she's going to be such a fantastic mommy.