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.

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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!

Hindsight is 20/20

The original intent of this blog was to be a "cooler mission trip letter" in all seriousness! haha! But one that would be easier to read with fun pictures! Last year God blessed me beyond measure by your generosity in prayer and giving.

People would ask me when I was preparing to travel to Brazil or Africa, "Do you feel called to be on the mission field, in one of these countries?" my answer was always, "No, I know for this season of life God has called me to work the ground in our own soil here in the states, but to go on these short mission trips to learn from other cultures in their pursuit of God, so I could better be the hands and feet of Jesus in my own region, neighborhood and home here in the states." This was the original intent of over sees mission trips.

At the beginning of 2018 I started to get excited to think where else God would have me travel on missions work. But He quickly reminded me of the purpose of these trips, Brazil, Turkey (a short visit with lasting impact) and Africa. I knew at that moment,looking for the next trip was off the radar, but instead reflect on the personal lessons God spoke to me on different soil around the world, and how He wanted me to think differently and serve my community differently.  So I pretty much just fell off the face of social media and worked hard to be present in the wonderful life God has given me, and scout out ways I could start walking in the lessons God spoke to me!

Do you ever feel "stuck" in life? I doubt I am the only one, and as the holiday season started to roll around again, I was beginning to feel just plain old stuck. That's when God sweetly brought to mind the doors He has opened since my trip to Africa, and it amazed me so very much. Thanks to implementing quarterly goal setting this past year personally and with business it made the process very simple to recount the faithfulness of God. This is what I would love to share with you now, my faithful friends and family who have supported me in so many ways on these mission trips and here in the states. My desire is to truly thank each one of you for you partnership with me, making it a possibility for me to go on theses trips, and for you to see what GOD has done through your support.

Lesson #1
This Lesson I unfortunately do not have pictures to go along with the story due to privacy, so you can just use your imagination!

Location: Manaus Brazil Orphanage Spring 2017
I remembering meeting these sweet children, my heart bursting with joy and breaking all in the same moment, feelings of never wanting to leave this home. I remember thinking how I wished there was a place like this back home in the states that I could serve at, to spend time with little ones that do not have a home and family.

Answered Prayer: Fast forward Summer 2018 God made the connection and flew open doors for a small group of friends to start a Bible Study in a local girls home, that I did not even know existed!! Even more amazing, this home is 20 min from my house!! God has given our team so much favor, He has answered many years of prayers by others for a group from our church to have the privilege of serving at this home (that I didn't even know existed) and I get to walk on the paved path of prayers I didn't even know where being prayed! This has been such a humbling realization. We are getting to know amazing young ladies, who are so serious in understanding what it is to have a relationship with God, and are growing each week as they hear how great the Fathers LOVE is for them! If you ever want to hear more, please just ask, I normally cant stop talking about my Tuesday nights with these girls!

Please stay posted for more blogs I will be writing to share the work God has been actively doing since these trips you have supported me on. May I encourage you, if you are feeling a little stuck in life, or the season your in, to think back on prayers you have prayed and just look for that golden thread of the ways God worked out little details. I find it too easy to miss or take things for granite when I am not intentional in rejoicing over answered prayers, before I move on to the next one! Hindsight is really is 20/20, I think that may be one of the reason the Bible is so wonderful to spend time reading ;)but looking back at our own journey it builds our faith to take that next step following those dreams God has put deep in our hearts! Keep day dreaming and praying because the dream of working with children who don't have a home, came true for me :)


    Loving this song right now Day Dream JJ Heller