McAvoy Family Ministries (MFM)

OK - so I decided to go ahead, since Nate is taking too long to do this!

We are preparing for a 3 week, 4300 mi. ministry trip to and through the midwest.  So I thought it might be fun for you to spend a little time imagining.... Just imagine being on the road for 3 weeks with...

Nate, who has to go to the bathroom pretty much every hour - cuz he needs to drink water, soda, cofee, etc. constantly to stay awake driving...is either so crazy, wacky, annoying that you want to throw him out the window (or double over laughing)-or a little cranky at all the "life" going on in back of him!

A 14 year old who is a HUGE help, however...14...boy..."knows everything"....i could go on explaining but I think most people reading this can do the imagining.  Oh - and he's LOUD!!!!

An 11 (almost 12)-year old, who pretty much is happy when everything is going HIS way...thinks he should be on break from school every single day, and somehow wiggles his way out of helping a whole lot.  But - he laughs, giggles and makes us do the same!

A just turned 7 year old...hmmm...where to start.  Basically, he still thinks he is the baby (there are 3 younger than he!!!!) - and, seriously, cries way more than the younger 3.  I mean about everything.  We're working on it....really.  Oh, and FREAKS OUT when he gets a little uncomfortable.  But also passes out hugs to all those around!

A just turned 4 year old - who is about as easy going, cute, funny as can be.  Keeps us all laughing...and loving.  However, is very sensitive when his little brothers (2 and 1) hurt him...or when the 7 year old hurts him, or the 11 year old, or the 14 year old.  Yes, we do love each other...there's just a lot of physical brotherly love going on!

A 2 1/2 year old who is the littlest, scrawniest thing...WITH THE BIGGEST MOUTH YOU CAN IMAGINE!  I mean the kids is so loud.  It actually physically hurts your body when he lets it rip.  And he does that when anyone does anything he doesn't like (including turning the "wrong" way according to him)!  Of course, we're working on that too - ignoring, etc.  But it's kind of hard to give consequences when the poor kid is strapped down in the same position the whole day!

An 18 month old...who pretty much revels in causing grief for his next oldest brother.  And doesn't really like riding more than 30 mintues being confined to the same spot.  His cry, however, is not quite so annoying and loud.  Still...the mixing of all the sounds together does not have a lot of harmony as far as I'm concerned.

Oh yeah - the 30 something year old mother who, well, doesn't have a lot of patience for playing referee the entire day and would like to be one of those in the back who curls up and takes a nap!!! 

Now...are you hanging in there - doesn't it sound like fun?  If you have traveled with us (you know who you are!) you can attest to some pretty hard, crazy, loud, annoying, fun, crazy, silly, scary, crazy, silly times in the van! 

But this is the deal...it's not about our comfort, or ease...it's about the fact that this is undoubtably what God has called this family to do!  Because when we get out of the van, unload the trailer, set up, practice, get ready, etc. (all this while chasing 4 young children around whatever the current venue is)...we stop, we pray, we lead, we see God reaching people, meeting them where they are, loving them, making them feel loved and important...then we are able to tear down, load the trailer, get back in the van and head down the road.  And, you know what, we love it and wouldn't have it any other way. God gives us that strength and ability...it sure doesn't come from within!

The moral of the story is...want to come with us?  We could use all the help in the van we could get!!!!  (J/K...not the REAL moral - don't think I have to spell it out for you!).

JUST DO IT FOR HIM!!!!!

Robin - the Mama