Thursday, April 10, 2008

Shout to the Lord!

Okay, how cool was it that two nights in a row Shout to the Lord was sung on American Idol. Again, it's like the most watched show ever on television and this is two weeks running that Jesus was really shining through (read my other post about Jesus on American Idol). I don't know who is behind this, but Jesus is definitely in someone's heart that has something big to do with the show. Anyways, just wanted to put this in the record books. I am very excited. 


You know, I just really love people. I don't care who they are or where they come from or what they do. God has called us to love our neighbor as ourself. Do we want other people hating us because of the beliefs we have? No. So let's love other people, no matter what beliefs they have. 

Sorry, I know this is a little bit off the subject of American Idol, but I am so thankful to be writing what is on my heart tonight. I am just thinking these things I guess because I am about to move to a country where I am truly the minority. Less than 1% of the people in Thailand are Christian; 95% of them or Buddhist and 4% are Hindu. That means that there are going to be many many many people who will believe very different things than me.

Man, I truly want to love these people no matter what! I want to love with no limits! I want to understand the people better. I am sort of at a block and can't seem to get out exactly what is in my heart. It's just that in the last few years I have realized that it's my actions and kindness towards others that makes them want what I have.

The Words of Jesus are no doubt extremely powerful, but I am the one who is actually on this earth presenting Jesus to them. What can I DO? What will I DO?

When I get to Thailand, I plan on smiling at the people there so big that my cheeks are sore. I want to bless people all the time. Hmmm...... Thanks for listening!

Love, Dawn

P.S. By the way, I've decide that I am going to learn how to sing. I may not be an amazing singer, but I want to sing pretty good (prophecying!). Please don't laugh, even though I know that i funny.  But I heard that Jason Castro from American Idol just started singing like in the last year or two, and before he didn't sing at all. Hello -- Now he's on American Idol, WOW!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Skype


We are just trying to promote Skype (not that we really need to, bc Oprah does a great job of that already). But we want everyone who can to get on Skype so you will be able to call us and chat with us free when we are in Thailand. And you can even video chat with us if you have a camera on your computer. Gabe's parents have been in Asia for going on three months and it's been so nice to still be able to call them and see them for free through Skype. We love it!
So sign up. It's free and easy and we need you to! And when you have gotten Skype, look us up. Our Skype names are: garbagio and dawnagio
P.S. I think with Skype we are even going to have a local 985 phone number that will ring through to our computer all the way in Thailand. AMAZING!

WE'RE (almost) DEBT FREE!!!


We have been working on paying off our debt for almost a year now. We started off with a little over $15,000 in debt which included medical bills, a credit card, and student loans. Now, we only have (drumroll please!) ...

$3805.85

...left to pay. What is left to pay is our student loan balance. Our goal is to have this completely paid off by the end of May. We are sharing this information with everyone because we want you, our closest loved ones, to believe with us that we can do this. That's quite a bit of money to pay off in two months, but we have faith. And we believe that we are doing what is right, so that is precious in the eyes of the Lord. Thank You Father that this can be done!


Also, like we wrote on our other blog, we don't want this debt to follow us onto the mission field. The people who are going to be supporting us need to know that their investment is going in the right direction, forward to what we will do, not backward to pay off what we have done.



Thank you everyone for your encouragement and support! When we pay off that last bit of debt next month, we will be calling everyone to tell you when to tune into the Dave Ramsey Show to hear us tell our story and to hear us scream "WE'RE DEBT FREE".




Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Our Favorites from The Clark Brothers



Just promoting our boys some more.
Here are links to Gabe's and my favorite Clark Brothers originals...

Gabe's favorite, the song actually starts at about 1:30 (minutes:seconds) on the video, but the stuff before it is just clips from their whole season on American Band:

You Are Still The Same God


And Here's my favorite, song starts at 1:30 also. The first song on there is just a cover they did of a Bob Dylan song, but my favorite is the second song.

Billy the Kid

JESUS on American Idol!

WOW! Jesus was so glorified on American Idol tonight. I couldn't pull my eyes away from watching. The most watched television show of all times gave most of the night to Jesus. Hallelujah! 


Okay, for starters, I am not completely into American Idol this season. Last season I got way to carried away about one person, so I decided this season I was just going to cheer for a bunch of people. And I have to say that there are like six people that I actually really like -- and maybe I would buy their cds (maybe?). But I knew this wonderful Dolly Parton week was coming and I loved it.

Now, about the results show tonight, WOW, wow, WOW! 
First of all, Gabe and I love The Clark Brothers and we don't care who knows it (John Hughes). They truly, amazingly love God and aren't at all afraid to shout it from the roof tops. I don't think I have ever been this excited about a band's album coming out. Man, those boys sing with the greatest conviction and boldness. I have heard  them sing the song they sang tonight like 3 times already, but every time it seems to be as fresh as the first time. 

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine ...
I won't let satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine ...
Jesus on the main line, I'm gonna let Him shine ...
Jesus on the main line, tell Him what you want ...
And if you need a healing, tell Him what you want ...
Let Him shine, let Him shine, let Him shine, shine, shine, shine, shine, wooo!

Go Clark Brothers!

And how Awesome was Dolly Parton tonight!!! I have always been a Dolly fan, yes, it's true. I had one of her greatest hits cds when I was about 8 and I remember listening to Coat of Many Colors over and over again. I would cry to my mommy about that song and she would so sweetly comfort me. I also loved her song PMS Blues - hilarious. But, I have to say that the song she sang tonight (from her new album Backwoods Barbie) is definitely my new favorite Dolly Parton song of all times, JESUS & GRAVITY... I am about to go buy it on itunes (and maybe you can too). I never realized what an incredible song writer she is. The lyrics were totally country, but totally good gospel -- The best of both worlds for me, my two favorite types of music. 

JESUS on the main line NOW!

Thanks for listening. Love, Dawn