Ecuador and MeKenzei

Ecuador seemed out of reach last summer. MeKenzei had been injured in cross country season and her running career was over. I know that was super heart breaking for her, she loved to run. I have watched her over this past year work very hard in school. Struggling to stay in the top ten percent of her classes. There were so many late nights, much more than Jakob ever had as a 10th grader. She had trouble remembering things, she has trouble staying focused, she has trouble being run down constantly. Her body just doesn't hold together like it used to. I see her frustrated, confused and alone. She tries to hard to not let her pituitary and endocrine glands get the best of her. Sometimes its hard for her to make the best food choices and I know she sees me nagging when I remind her to eat something good, drink more, sleep more. I am so proud of her for working so hard in school, for selling eggs to raise money for her trip. I am thankful to all those that donated the last two years to make it possible. She raised $1900 of the $2300 that was possible.

I know she will face some tough decisions next year with church. It is hard to work in time for youth leadership and band when you have to study twice as hard to get the grades to stay at the top. I have taken an active role in her schooling. Sometimes its like taking the classes with her. I have had to help with reading and notes and sometimes just sitting there to be moral support. I am so thankful for this time together. How lucky of a mom am I to be so active in their lives. It is exhausting at times but I am eternally grateful for the amazing children that they are. For the fact that they continue to fight, grow and love who they are despite their challenges.

I am thankful for this trip and the week that she will be gone with some amazing students. I can't wait to hear all the stories, see the journal she will keep and see the person that will be molded from this situation. It is so easy to get caught up in the troubles of teenage life. The girl drama, the hurt, the lost friendships, the disappointment, the desire to have more and be more. This week she will see real life, the life that is so much less than what we have yet so much more.

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Catching up from Time Away from Blogging

Sometimes you have to step away in order to see more clearly. I had to take some time off from blogging it seemed like we were in the middle of so much chaos and I needed to take something off my schedule. We went from such a busy Senior Year with Jakob to constant doctor appointments and medical situations with Zekaryah. I think the hardest situation is truly not knowing what is going on. I never know what will activate one of his episodes. The neurologists are convinced he is not having seizures, the heart doctor can't find any problems. We decided part way through the year during spring break to pay a crazy amount of money out of pocket to go to a functional medicine doctor/chiropractor. While I was relieved to have a few answers it really isn't something that works with school. They were given supplements that cost a fortune because insurance does not cover them, they also cannot be administered at school because they are not FDA approved. The kids were not even convinced that they really were helping so they decided it was money being wasted. I felt like they did seem to feel better but when they are strong willed teens at some point you give in a little.
We have made major changes with food in the house. I see that has been a hard adjustment but for the most part it isn't too bad. Its probably hardest on my oldest because items like chips, crackers and cookies are not part of our pantry anymore. Its definitely difficult money wise. I can't believe how expensive it is to constantly keep fresh produce on hand.
So the bottom line is that Zekaryah potentially has an endocrine gland issue. It doesn't produce or distribute correctly. His heart stopped at camp this year. I think that has conversation in our house changing. He told me this summer that he is secure in the knowledge that he will go to heaven. I never thought much about that part of life with him.
Mekenzei is having issues with her endocrine system as well, although her main issue is her pituitary gland. I cannot believe how much that does in our bodies. We are using oils and diet at this time to try and help them. They seem to really be listening to their bodies and learning the signs of when they need more rest, food and what oil to use to feel better.
 I can't believe how much they have both grown in the Lord through this experience. MeKenzei wanted with all her heart to go to Ecuador to minister to others. Zekaryah decided he will try to help raise the money for both of them to be able to go next year. I see their involvement in church becoming a constant in our schedule. They participate in band, student ministry and children's ministry. Sometimes I find myself gripping because the church sees them more than I do. I feel bad for those times. I found myself telling them they can't live at the church. I had to step back and evaluate my attitude. I should be thrilled that they want to serve and volunteer. I am interested to see what next year holds. Zekaryah will be back at running for Cross Country again. Mekenzei will be taking 6 AP courses- a very heavy load, her only fun class will be choir- which really still is work. I am super thankful for family and friends who have prayed for us this past year. Prayer is what helped us, especially me, get through some very dark places.


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Mission Trip for MeKenzei

Send Me and I Will Go!

Dear Family and Friends,

I am very pleased to tell you about the amazing opportunity that God has

provided for me. After much prayer, my parents and I have decided, I will join

some others from Magnolia Bible Church, in going to Ecuador on a mission trip

to share the Gospel of Christ. We will be leaving July 31 and will return home

August 8.  Some of the activities that we will possibly be leading are; Vacation Bible

school, worship, crafts, and work projects.

This is something that God has placed on my heart and I have absolutely no doubts about going on this trip. There are a couple of ways that you can help me. First, I ask that you would pray for my physical health for this trip.  One year ago, I sustained an injury to my left hip and lower back, and I had to wear a SI brace for support. After attending physical therapy to strengthen my hip and back, my physical health improved greatly; however, I was unable to go and serve in Ecuador last year. I really appreciate the prayers said for my physical health throughout the year, and gratefully I can tell you that the previous injury will no longer affect my ability to go. Also, thank you everyone who has already donated money, and I ask that you will continue to pray for me and for the others on the team.

I ask that you also pray for me emotionally and spiritually as I continue to grow in Christ. The devil uses many ways to deter our relationship with the Lord and we often find ourselves or our families under attack when we try to share and grow in the word of God. For the past year I have been a student leader in the youth group at my church, and I have recently started volunteering in the Children’s Ministry as well. Being a student leader allows me to work with junior high students at Magnolia Bible Church, and it has been such a great honor and privilege to be able to inspire others. One of my favorite things to do is work with children and help them learn, which is why I decided to volunteer in the Children’s Ministry, where I help a Sunday school teacher share the word of God with children starting Pre-K in the fall. Helping others is something I am truly passionate about, and I believe mission trips will help me to grow in my relationship with the Lord and others around me. I am extremely excited to share with others the word of God, and to be able to see how the Lord will use me. I am also praying about whether or not the Lord wants me to be a missionary full time, and I believe that this mission trip will help me prepare for the next step He has planned for me.

We are so incredibly blessed to have this opportunity to go into Ecuador this summer and would like to also ask you to pray about helping monetarily. The cost is $2,300 and includes our airfare, baggage, food, lodging, transportation, translators, Bible lessons, recreation supplies and materials needed to share the Gospel in Ecuador.  I have already raised the money for my deposit by selling eggs, and I have my passport ready to go. If you are interested in donating monetarily you can mail a check to the church with a note that has my name on it and that it is for the Ecuador Trip, at

Magnolia Bible Church

31611 Nichols Sawmill Rd. Magnolia, Texas 77355

Thank you for your prayers and support.

In Christ,

MeKenzei Wells

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Customers Quilt Photos

These are the photos that I love

They are the ones that make me realize the Lords hand in my quilts

Customers who share their hand made creations from my hands with me are the best. I love this sweet lady. She has been amazing through all we have been through. I am thankful for her friendship and prayers.

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More Fun at the Horse Ranch

This girl loves her horses

This was a dream come true

She truly had so much fun

She seemed to be in her own this summer. It was nice to see her come alive again and enjoy simple things. School is tough, long and overwhelming at times

She loves working with animals and younger kids

She got to learn so much about the horses while working there and took pride in her work

There were lots of great moments of play as well

You can see the happiness~~~

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Pinterest Success

Every once in a while we have a pinterest success

I had visions of a chest for our girlys room

My husband helped me bring it to live

It still needs a quilt but it is wonderful!

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Volunteering at a Horse Ranch

Summer full of some volunteering

at a horse ranch

they learned a lot

had tons of fun

road horses which caught cute moments like this one

lots of trail riding

posing of their horses

beautiful mornings

Fun animals

Friendships

Important moments

Flag folding

Crazy times

Creative times

Horse lessons

Breaks

Togetherness

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BlueBerry Picking

One of my favorite things to do every summer

We often try to go as a date 

Sometimes kids come along as well. We went while Zekaryah was at camp

Its always so much fun and its great to freeze them and have them all year

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