Say what, God?

Well as we approach the new year, boxes are scattered across our den once more, as we prepare to move again. Of course, this move shouldn't be that stressful (so we thought) because, luckily, we're only moving up one level in the apartment complex (or so we thought). Have you guessed what has happened yet? Well let me tell you!

The craziest thing happened last night. Are you sitting down? You should. I know I should have when dad told me!
Last night dad pulled me out to the porch to tell me some news. The people who we are supposed to rent from starting the first (tomorrow) have all of the sudden decided not to rent to us. Oh, well that's fine, we'll just stay in the same apartment and all will be well right? Nooooo, this apartment is already rented until Febuary 15th.
Do you understand what this means dear friends? As of this minute, the Evans family is currently in a country they have only lived in for two months with eight boxes and eight suitcases and no idea where they are going to sleep tomorrow night.

And the even crazier thing? I am totally at peace with it! Laughing actually! Of course maybe at sometime today I'm going to realize that I don't know where I'm sleeping tomorrow night and freakout but right now I am perfectly happy.

I play this game friends that I don't know why I'm at peace though, when truly I do. You see,  I can look back through the years and see all the times that I have been upset, confused, hurt, and angry, and see clearly how God was there.

SO. I don't know where you are in life, what you are facing tommorow, or what challenges or joys the new year is bringing you, but I hope that you have the peace that I have found in the Fathers hands there with you.

Here's to a new year!!

The Broken and Abused

Break my heart for what breaks yours... we've all heard these words sung in the beautiful song 'Hosanna' by Hillsong, and tonight I come to you truly broken.
Tonight in talking to my parents about the children over in the Middle East who are treated so appallingly, it brings tears to my eyes, I vowed that tonight I would begin to advocate for these children who can not speak for themselves. Have you heard of their story? Have you seen how unfairly- no, down right shamefully- treated? Have you heard the cries from their cribs? Or their silence rather, as they have been drugged to the point that they cannot utter a word? These are the ones whom God called us to reach out to in James 1:27. These are the ones who break the loving Fathers heart. Yet, these dear children are the very ones we ignore day in and day out. Even I ignore them at times.
I encourage you dear friends to read the blog No Greater Joy Mom, or Dear Little Girl of Mine. The later is more on down syndrome, a terrible problem in the Middle East and all across the world really. Oh how I wish I knew more on these subjects so that I can have a more factual argument to bring you. But I can promise you that I will soon! New ideas are forming in my head as I type.

All I can ask you right now is to pray for these precious children right now! Pray for the families who are on their way to adopt these orphans. Pray for the children who have been put out on the street because they are to old. Pray for the ones who have been put in an asylum, which is more a death sentence.

Please pray brothers and sisters in Christ.
And this Christmas, think of the ones who are forced to stay in cribs, even into their teens and have never known the joy of opening a present or having hot coco.
Lastly, please pray for me as I begin on this journey to find what God wants me to do for these children.

Merry Christmas to all! And a happy New Year!!

Love,
Grayson

Life in the Dominican Republic

 Today I want to share a little more about my family and my life. As you can tell by the posts' title, I live in the Dominican Republic. Was I born here? No, I grew up in North Georgia amongst the pine trees and have loved fried anything since birth. However, when I was about 13, my parents felt God's call on their life to be missionaries and to spread His love amongst the nations. What does it mean to be called by God you ask? Well, in truth, God has called us all since the very beginning of time. But some people have a very specific thing they can feel God leading them to. Such as pastoring, evangelizing, loving on children, writing, singing... there are so many ways to share the love of God.

Back to the story though. :) My parents felt that God was leading them to Latin America to love on people. And so we sold all we had, packed our little bags, and moved to Guatemala. We spent three of the most challenging, growing, amazing years there in Guatemala before God moved us on to a new country. Enter the Dominican Republic. We have only been in this bright country for about two months and can already tell that even though it is tough, it's going to be another grand adventure. The people here are kind hearted, caring, and (seemingly) honest. I say seemingly because so far I have not been in a situation where they could lie... at least I don't think so :p haha

So here are some pictures of our life here!

Feeding sweet Naomi

Pinning... a LOT haha :)

Doing a little painting

Coffee dates with just the girls

RE-organizing the shelf

Sewing

Reading Skippy John Jones

It may not seem like we are doing very much hands on ministry, and to be honest we're not right now. We are working through many changes with our new addition (Naomi) and fervently seeking the Lord on where He wants us to live and how he wants our ministry to play out there. We are taking every day one step at a time and expecting God to move in big ways in the future before us! 

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas!!

Love,

Grayson

Welcome!

Hey there!

Welcome to my blog! I hope you enjoy your time here and that the thoughts I share with you encourage you! First off, I'll share a little about who I am.

Hi! This is me (Grayson) :)

And these are the wonderful, Jesus loving, easy going parents who raised me!

And these are  my brothers (sigh) 

Yep. That's them.
haha

This is the oldest's beautiful wife, Erin (to the left)

And this is Naomi Rose, more on that later :)

And this is Sarah. Silly Sarah :)

And THIS is Rodrigo. The sweetest fluffiest cat ever.

And this is my family.

Love,

Grayson