Costa Rica Here She Comes (alternate title: Make a Mistake, Have a Party!)

I feel like every story has lots of back stories (and there are quite  a few long stories coming soon to a blog near you)...the short version of this particular story with a long back story is that Emma is going on a mission trip to Costa Rica this summer!  Nick is leading a team from Christ Community July 21-28 and, after talking and praying about it, Emma decided that she'd like to go.

The team will be partnering with The Faircloth Family (who just happens to be one of our favorite families on the planet.  Seriously, if you don't know Will and Ella, you're missing out!!)  The trip will consist of:

• ministry to children in local neighborhoods and churches
• light-duty construction work at the Methodist Children's Home
• encouraging the Faircloth family and supporting their ongoing work in Costa Rica
• possibly the delivery of a few jars of pickled okra to the lovely and amazing Ella :) 

Emma has diligently been working on fundraising letters to send to people to let them know that she's going on this trip and to ask for their financial and prayer support.  So far she has raised a little over half of what she needs for the trip through selling brownies and loom band bracelets (and there have been some generous donations scattered in with the brownie sales!)

If you'd like to support Emma as she finishes raising the funds for the trip, here's how:

• Send a check to Christ Community Church 4078 Milgen Road Columbus, GA 31907, write CR-Emma Cash in the memo space.  
• Give online -- ccc giving page -- in "select a fund" choose "missions designated" and in "memo" put "CR-Emma Cash"  

Now that the housekeeping bits are out of the way, I can share the story that I really wanted to share in this blog post. 

In the midst of the envelope addressing, I came upon this scene (picture below)...the conversation went something like this:

Me:  "Emma, what are doing? Why are there ripped up envelopes on the floor?"
Emma:  "Well....I've messed up on a few of the addresses...and when I mess up I decided that I would just have a little party and rip it up and throw the envelope around."

I want to do that.  When I make a mistake, just make it into a party (if possible!).  No need to get all upset and frustrated.  No need to beat myself up.  No need to take it out on anyone else.  Just have a party.  Laugh. Give myself grace.

I hope this slow motion video works...it's fun to hear the sound of the paper ripping!

She took the party a step further and decorated her hair.  I love this girl.

Around the Cash Family we've often said "make a mistake, make it great" - look for ways to turn the mistake into something beautiful.  Now maybe the quote will be "make a mistake, have a party."

Please join us in praying for Emma, Nick and the rest of the team  - God's really put together an incredible team!  I can't wait to hear what The One Who Loves the World does in them, through them and around them as the team seeks to love and serve in Costa Rica!!!

Also please pray that Emma will indeed be able to raise all the funds that are needed for this trip.   It's been such a joy to get to walk with her as she experiences the faithfulness and provision of God.  At the start of this journey she would often get discouraged and say "There's no way I can raise that much money."  Everytime a gift comes in, we talk about God's provision and goodness...what a wonderful Truth for this precious girl to have planted deeply in her heart.

Surely there will be more to come!