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A Trip to the Amarillo Landfill

I picked Keirsey up from school day, just like normal. I had no idea that today was FAR from normal. 
We had been home about 10 minutes when Brad announced he needed to run to the dump.
Let me step back in time for second here... *starts music that signals "back in time" segment coming up*

When I was Keirsey's age, we would take regular trips to the dump in Borger, Texas. I LOVED it. We owned horses and had 3 acres of land. Plenty of things would pile up and we would load down the horse trailer and take off. But why did I like going? Well, I felt rich, that's why. The very second our tires hit the dirt of the dump, LOADS of people would clamor onto the trailer and begin digging through our trash to take what they wanted. These people would sift through our TRASH to find things to TAKE  HOME... as a child, this fascinated me. Might be why I like doing garage sales!
*End "back in time" music to return to present day*

I jumped at the chance to go with him. We loaded up and headed out. Huge mountains of dirt, that's all it is in Amarillo. But seeing the massive holes they dig into the ground to fill up with trash, Keirsey and I were both learning something. We had a lively discussion on the way back. 
But then, we came to an intersection and there sat a man with a sign. 
"Anything will help. God Bless You" it read.

All of sudden our lively conversation ended. 
I watched as Keirsey turned her head and looked out the window. 
Brad announces we need a coke and pull into a Loves just around the corner. As we went to get out, Keirsey sat still. 
"Are you coming," I asked.
"No," she replied. I scooted back over across the truck seat to her. 
"Sweetie, I know when your thinking wheels start turning. What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Still looking out the window.
Moms know. They always know. 
Even without the sudden quietness of my child, I knew instinctively that her little heart had gone out to him the second she saw him.
She turned to me, huge tears in her eyes, about to spill over on her cheeks.
"He needs help, Mom."
Brad, who had been completely quiet to this point spoke up.
"He can also go get a job..."
"Brad," I responded. "Her heart is hurting for him. Let her help him."
"I'm ok with that, but I want her to pay for what she wants to give him."
We agreed to this and went in. We saw peanut butter cracker packages 3 for $1. Then we grabbed a bottle of water and Brad added two bananas.

Back in the truck, I told her she had to hand him the things she bought for him.
"I know, I want to," she replied.
Then Brad revealed something that shocked me.
"I want you to know, Keirsey, I was headed to Loves to buy that man some food anyway. When you said you wanted to do it, I had to make sure that you sacrificed something. Not just use our money to get him something to eat. I was going to get some food for him, but I am so proud of you for stepping up to take care of him and offering to pay for it. That's why I said that."
I stared at my husband, speechless. Both my husband and my daughter had felt something I hadn't. 
We had just pulled up to the man and Keirsey opened her door.
"Here you go, sir. We got this for you," she said. He thanked her, told her to buckle up and we left.
I cried as well pulled away. For more than just what Keirsey had done for him.

You see... Keirsey has decided to be baptized in a couple weeks. I will have the greatest honor of being the one to do it. She's been very adamant about for a few months. 
I sent out an email just YESTERDAY to several family members and friends, letting them know and inviting them. In the email I stated:



Keirsey gave her heart to Jesus at 2 years old and she talks often about living her life for Him. She's even mentioned doing missions work! She is always asking how she can help "the men on the street with the signs that need food." She was ready to pack her room to give it away when teh fires were claiming homes.

Those words that I typed to friends and family came back to me as we pulled away. Brad and I, again, told her how PROUD we were of her. She is letting her light shine for Jesus and showing love to "the least of these." 
This  isn't the first time she has felt led to do something for "the men that hold the signs." 
My tears were tears of joy and some of fear. I have a missionary on my hands! She might not go to Africa or leave the United States. But again, Moms know these things. I believe with ALL MY HEART that my daughter is set apart for a purpose that includes helping, giving, healing... something that lines up with what she did today.
 Maybe she will be a nurse in another country. Or a teacher. She's even showed serious interest in being in the military. She loves the thought of fighting for her country.
I told her from now on, when she feels the Holy Spirit leading her, to let me know and we will do something.

All this because of a trip to the dump. Never under estimate what God could have in store.

I could never hinder what the Holy Spirit tells my child to do. Could you?


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