For those of you who have been on mission trips, or even part of any team, when stepping off the plane, after returning from a missions trip what does it feel like?  I asked a few of my friends their perspective! 

•Lauren  My heart aches for the people and I feel so sad at how spoiled and oblivious we are in America. We have no idea. I feel like I want to get rid of everything and live a more simple life surrounded by people I can pour out for! It’s a missions trip high that I never want to drop! I feel refueled and passionate to spread the gospel message and do the works of Christ! Be the hands and feet of Jesus! ☺️🙌🏻I count down the days till the next missions trip opportunity! 

Dulce 

First coming back from a long trip.  We mostly feel tired and sleep deprived so we rest, but people don’t necessarily want to hear about how we are feeling and our new perspective it’s frustrating but we hold on to what God said and did and us. “ God is taking one person at a time to see what He sees” 

Mary 

I remember having a great time and not wanting to come home I remember sitting at a volleyball game hearing people yelling at the refs and thinking why are they making such a big deal out of such a minor thing.

I remember when I returned from Africa I felt peace, fulfillment and energy like no other. 

May I propose to you that these kinds of feelings don’t need to be limited to a once in a life time trip, or just tasted on mission trips....those times in your life that you look back on when you were on a missions trip? 

I am discovering that these experiences of a “Mission trip high” can go beyond being on the soil in a different country then that which we call home. 

The Creator of you and I knew what makes us fulfilled to the highest level of happiness when Jesus prayed “May they be one as you Father and I are one”

I would like to invite you to grab your passport, pack your bags, and travel with me on a missions trip. 

Destination - the place you call HOME 

Team deployed on Mission - Your Family 
—- 2020I wrote this blog about a year and a half ago... but felt I needed to wait on posting for some reason. Well I believe that there is no better time then today when the whole world has been sent home, as we unite together to save lives around the world. 
In 2017 I was so honored and humbled at the opportunity to travel to 3 counties on Mission Trips. Many people would ask, do you feel called to the mission field? And my response would be no, but then it was also yes. 
Because where we live and work each one of us are “On Mission” regardless of our beliefs on pretty much any topic what we do and what we say has a direct impact on one another. 
Even though at the age of 31 my “family” looks nothing like I had planned at this age in my life, and as much as I look forward with expectation and excited for my future family, I can’t deny the value and purpose of family, I long to encourage families around the world to view their home, families, business and neighborhood with a different perspective. 
I think there is no better time to stir up new ideas with each other, on how our homes and families can live on Mission together fulfilling the masterpiece that’s deep in our hearts to bring GOOD into our part of the world! 🌎 
I look forward to sharing ideas and resources with you, and look forward to hearing your ideas too! 🏡 

The Search For a Masterpiece

You are Gods masterpiece created for Good work long ago that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10

God created man in His own image. Gen 1:26

Have you ever met someone who just really did a certain task, job, sport.... well? Like really well!? That you might call them a master!? 

I love Ephesians 2:10 it tells me that every single person is a masterpiece of Gods. 

mas·ter·piece

noun

a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship

Van Goghs masterpiece is well known as his “Café Terrace at Night”

Picassos masterpiece - Guernica

How about music? 

Mozart ....  eine kleine nachtmusik

Beethoven Für Elise is a familiar tune to most ears! 

Each of these people gave the world their masterpiece, a masterpiece that will be known forever. 

God says that each person He creates is His work of Art, His masterpiece, there are no two people the same, even with twins, fingerprints prove Gods works of art on each life. It’s really ... really an amazing thought. Marking individuality, identity, a masterpiece. 

A study done by Washington state twin Registry states “twins share the same genetic makeup (DNA) because they are formed from a single zygote (fertilized egg). However, fingerprints are not an entirely genetic characteristic. They are determined by the interaction of genes in the developmental environment of the womb.”

Over the past few years I have started to take note of this amazing concept, as I have had the privilege of traveling to different places of the world or even when I am home I love looking for masterpieces in people!! 

Whether it’s a person, a culture, or business, who they are as Gods  masterpiece shines bright every time! 

What I love about this concept is it reminds me that each person, culture or business establishment has value, purpose, meaning and shines bright as a piece of who their Creator is. 

The value and worth of humans being a masterpiece breaks any barriers or opposed opinions, politic views, pro this or pro that, it builds a bridge that would otherwise separate people. Because each person is a gift to the world and holds a masterpiece within them that no other person who has ever lived, is living or will live can possess, otherwise it could not be called a masterpiece. 

Here is a compiled findings of masterpieces that I have gathered as I look for masterpieces around me! It’s by no means an exhausted list, and it’s just my personal view of masterpieces I have met along the way, a peek into the character God, who creates everything for good, these people have inspired me to be the best version of myself that I can be! 


Puerto Rico 
Sitting and visiting with the locals on this beautiful island I metpeople  who were hospitable, very welcoming, and easy going. Even at the grocery store when I was slowing down the line fumbling through my money the checkout girl just gave me the sweetest smile, she wasn’t bothered in the least bit, she was letting my know it was okay even when we didn’t speak the same language her kindness translated. 



Benin Africa 
Deep joy even when circumstances beg to differ. Community that watched out for each other. Confident, respectful children who spent the first two or so years of their life tied to there mammas with beautiful African fabric. These people welcomed me in and made me feel as we grew up together as family. 



Brazil 
Family, togetherness, hospitality and amazing food! I could justfeel the deep belonging in the families we got to know. They lived together, work together and played together. 




Thailand 
Honor • My brother Paul traveled to this beautiful part of the world and was so amazed how these people honored one another especially their elders. Regardless of how many people were crammed into a tuk tuk if a older person or lady stepped aboard others would jump of their seat to offer it up. He said these people are hard workers and so friendly, he could even sense the kindness the moment he boarded the Thailand plane. 



Turkey
Even though my time here was short, I was instantly felt commitment. Maybe because it holds one of the oldest cities in the world, But these people were committed to what they believe and it was inspiring. Throughout the city when it was time for prayer you could not miss it by the beautiful sound of united voices. I saw traditions passed down from generations and this is a quality that is so rare it was humbling to witness. 
So instead of picking apart others because they hold a differentview, it has been a joy to searchfor the masterpiece in each person. Each person and culture holds a treasure that no other person has, and we can learn fromone another regardless of how different we may be! 
You are a masterpiece as well, don’t hide from the world the treasure are. The world needs you to make it a better place! ❤️

Family Heritage

I absolutely love the little ones in my life more then life itself. The last couple of years my heart has begun to break as I see what our current generation of children are facing. You know that common pray that is often prayed “Lord break my heart for what breaks yours” well he takes us up on that prayer! He will open our eyes to an area in this world that is hurting and broken, and He will commission us to fight for change.

I have watched as the little ones I love have a reality of an astronomical rise in depression, anxiety, self harm, child sex, suicide, school shootings, divided families by divorce, bullying, rape, drugs and alcohol addictions and the list goes on and on. All of these things are on the rise in our children’s lives.

Click here to read about Recent Studies 

So I asked the Lord what is missing? Where are we going wrong for our little ones? And even though this is not a one fix all kind of answer it’s definitely made sense. I found this article that really resonated in me. Click link below :)

Article from New York Times "Family stories that bind us" 

I personally have learned we have been created with a deep need for belonging and knowing our identity. And without this we are open and vulnerable to

Whatever and whoever will give us a sense of love and belonging whether it’s good for us or not.

So I shared this with my family and we set our to learn more about who we are as McMillans.

Thankfully the research was quite easy because I have aunts and uncles who love history, heritage and have researched and have been handed down so much of our own personal family legacy!

I asked my aunt Deb if we could have a “Family heritage day” and she excitedly agreed!

My brother Paul brought his camera gear and put mikes on our aunts and uncles and the stores began!

My Uncle Robin is an avid family tree researcher and has traces our family line as far back as 200 AD!

We heard stories of the first family that came to America and homesteaded the Crystal Lake area at the corner of Hwy 14 and Dole St where they opened a family run blacksmith shop at their home! One of the daughters wrote in her diary that hwy 14 was an Indian trail, she talked about the academics she learned at school but was it was at home where she was taught her religion faithfully”

Being that the McMillan is a strong Scottish name, I learned that we have a family crest! Which is inscribed the clan motto! The Clan Motto thereon is MISERIS SUCCURRERE DISCO, meaning (in English) "I learn to care for the unfortunate”

Talk about a sense of belonging and feeling that a belong to something bigger then myself!? It has given me such a confidence boost, knowing how our family was identified and what we were known for! “Caring for the unfortunate”

We have right before our eyes a generation of children that are being raised in broken families or even families that are loosing its hand in deep connection because of phones that are present all of the time, each individual child has no idea their worth and value, their identity and how much they are loved and have been born into this world to do great things. I pray this story inspires you to meet with your family and dig out old pictures and tell stories of your family heritage to pass down to your little ones that you love and cherish!

Let’s not be overcome with the evil of this world but overcome evil with good!