Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Eternal and Worthwhile Investments

I've known for a long time that my Hughes side of the family and the Hillman side of our family has long supported and been a part of local and international missions, but I didn't realize how much of a legacy we were passing to the next generation until tonight!

On the Hughes side of our family we have 4 nieces and 1 nephew.  On the Hillman side of the fam we have 4 nephews and 2 nieces.  I first became an aunt at 10 years old when Holly was born (1988), and Knox ends the grandkids so far!!!  I had no idea how much I would learn from all them.

 I'm thinking about this tonight because my second born niece, Morgan, leaves for Zambia in a few days for a mission trip.  Morgan was born when I was in the 9th grade.  This is her second mission trip in a year and the first one she is traveling by herself!  She and her sister, Kaylee, went with their parents on their first mission trip to Haiti last summer!  Kaylee was born my Freshman year at OBU!

Kyle, my oldest nephew, was born when I was in the 7th grade.  He just returned from his first international mission trip in January!  Holly, his oldest sister, was able to take her first mission trip as a Jr. in High School.  She went with her basketball team to Brazil.  Staci, their youngest sister, was born my Sr. year in High School.   By her Sr. year, she will get to go on an all expense paid mission trip sponsored by her school!

Jada, my oldest Hillman niece was born out of a mission!  She was adopted from Lebanon and came here to minister to us!

Sam and Will, my oldest Hillman nephews, haven't been on an international mission trip but at age 5 they had already participated in local missions here in the Arkansas Delta.

Ian, Eli, Gentry, and my two boys haven't had their opportunity yet but I know it's coming!

As for my generation, all of us have participated in local and or international missions and also our parents.

I'm not sure how far back in our family's history Ryan and I can trace the example of serving in missions, whether by financial support or being actively involved, but it's really exciting to see the legacy continuing.  And even more exciting to see how all the kids are learning and growing into adults who serve!  Grandpa Web is our only living grandparent and the only one we can thank right now!  Thanks Grandpa for the example.

Be safe Morgan, and keep your heart, eyes, and ears open to what you're about to experience!  Follow her link Motown to see what all she will doing.

3 Eternal and Worthwhile investments:
Souls of Men
Word of God
Prayer
(Dr. Gray Allison and Donna Gaines)

1 comment:

The Hibbard Family said...

Wow. I love it! My girls have wanted to go on a mission trip for several years now (When Olivia was six told me she was going to be a missionary). I think we need to plan a family-oriented mission trip somewhere that even our little ones can participate in. I'm praying for ideas!