Smiles

p.s. to previous picture blog…

kgarrard — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:55:48 +0000

here is an excerpt from www.thetrackingblog.com that i wrote at the end of the trip to south africa…. i paste it here so you can read the heart behind the journey…

WHY WE GO TO SOUTH AFRICA…

… to build new relationships and strengthen old ones.

…to encourage local missionaries like Tim and Maz, Daz and Leesa at the Village of Hope.

… to work along side a man named Saul who is laying his life down right now– moved his family from England to SA on his own dime to serve THEMBALITSHA full time. His amazing passion was contagious. Inspiring guy!

… to serve South Africa because God has given us a passion for this nation.

… because we were each obedient to the call of God on our lives for such a time as this.

…because the Bible says “that what you do unto the least of these, you have done unto Me.”

… because the book of James says that “…true religion is to look after the widows and the orphans.”

… because it’s what Jesus would do.

This trip has been amazing. This team was incredible in their attitudes and service to one another and others.

We have learned so much by being here in SA these past few days. We are forever changed.

All of us are leaving a part of our heart here…

South Africa… my heart.

kgarrard — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:51:19 +0000

We lead a mission team from our church to South Africa from March 5th to the 17th. It was a life changing time. I put a few photos here but had to pick these from over 600 pics!!! Go to www.thetrackingblog.com to see more!

LOVE GOD. LOVE PEOPLE. REACH THE WORLD!

OUR “DUTIES” IN S.A….

PAINTING. PAINTING. AND MORE PAINTING.

SCHOOL OF HOPE STUDENTS HEADED HOME…GRACELAND PRESCHOOL PRECIOUS ONES!

FACES OF SOUTH AFRICA…WHY WE GO!

GORGEOUS LAND…

ridiculous….

kgarrard — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:54:14 +0000

over a month since i blogged last…. that’s sad.

south africa blog and easter blog on the docket…

xxoo.

PORN sunday… 2.22.09…

kgarrard — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 04:07:14 +0000

had to be one of the most powerful days of my life.

i was so proud of my church taking this bold step. we did a series the entire month of feb. called SEX TALK (www.sextalkseries.com) where we focused on the lies the enemy tries to sell us in regards to how we should live our lives. those lies were EXPOSED in the light of the truth of what jesus sees and has planned for us.

it was awesome for me. i learned new things. my heart was challenged. i became fiercely passionate once again about god’s standard of purity for every believer. i am on the soap box, unashamedly i might add, that purity goes beyond just being a virgin for the young and single people…purity is more than actions, but deeper into our thoughts and motives…and that purity is available to all b/c jesus can wash us clean!!

we buttoned the series on the 22nd with a focus on the tangled web of porn in our culture and world. the sermon is worth listening to. porn has touched the lives of many, many people around me. i have seen the damage it can do to a life. it is foul and must be exposed for what it is – a big fat lie. nasty…disgusting…and degrading. addiction to it breeds shame and hopelessness. and infocus church decided to share that there’s HOPE for all who would hear.

and there were some courageous takers! :) (check out their stories on the sextalkseries site under ‘stories’) i know that for each testimony that was bravely written, there are hundreds more!

the mercy and love i felt for this series was tangible…no one was condemned but arms were extended in kindness and repentance was experienced week after week.

souls were won for jesus. lives are forever changed because a brave pastor backed by a brave church took a stand. infocus church will look back on feb. ’09 and say that we are marked b/c of this series. we are a people forever changed.

bravo brent garrard! i am proud of you!

“…christ’s name and renown is the desire of our heart!” - Isaiah

dear god….

kgarrard — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:30:01 +0000

so… of all three of my children, josiah makes me laugh the hardest… i mean ‘crack up laughing’ laugh…

this is his blessing for tonight’s meal. and he was dead serious as he prayed it:

“Dear God,

Help us to have a good supper.

Bless it to our bodies.

Thanks for Dad fixing the food

While Mom was a grump.

In Jesus Name.

Amen.”

and yes, i cracked up laughing right there in the ending of his prayer. i love him so…

promised pics from previous post…

kgarrard — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 03:02:39 +0000

Merry Christmas and…..

Happy New Year!!!

stinkin’ it up…..

kgarrard — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:41:10 +0000

at blogging! so so sorry…. i need to get on a writing binge….. we’ll see! :)

merry christmas WEEK!!

kgarrard — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:58:44 +0000

this has been a fabulous week of family and friends….. lots of love, gift giving, joy, peace, laughter, new beginnings, memories old and new…..

i will post pictures soon! i got a new fancy camera and i love it already!!

i LOVE my family….new pics to prove it! :)

kgarrard — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:07:47 +0000

my good friend, stephen edited these pics…

the wonderful photographers were joanna and eliza!!

thankfulness…..

kgarrard — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:05:35 +0000

one of my favorite movie lines (and it actually comes from a cartoon character, Madam Blueberry) is A THANKFUL HEART IS A HAPPY HEART. :)

i wanted to take some time this thanksgiving to list a few of the things i am thankful for….

jesus, that he found me and pursued me with the most passionate love ever
wonderful parents
the funniest, most kind and selfless sister on the planet
the most gentle, sweet, attentive, patient, heroic, dedicated, precious, inspiring, passionate, loving, carefree, meek, and gorgeous man on earth……my husband!
three children that have captured my heart
FRIENDS, true friends.
health and life
music and art
books to read
nature and it’s beauty
pictures – a way to capture ‘god moments’
airplanes – to fly me across the ocean to the place that has stolen my heart, south africa
airplanes – to fly me across the ocean to see the people that have stolen my heart! :)
appletiser and chocolate…..also, coca cola.
history and memories
my kids laughter
dishwasher
school…. math and science especially!! :)
freedom
journals and all the very fun pens that i love to have surrounding me on my desk!
peanut butter, so i guess i’m ultra thankful for George Washington Carver
mrs. june lamb
contact lenses
a warm bed
sunsets, stars, and the moon
the beach, panama city beach specifically!

etc…etc….etc….etc….etc….etc…..etc…etc….etc…etc….etc….etc….etc….etc…..etc…etc….tc…etc….etc….etc….