This is NOT a "Hoarders" Episode

I actually like watching "Hoarders".  I used to watch it on Monday evenings, and then clean a lot on Tuesdays. 
Here is a picture of our living room, which looks like it could be in a "Hoarders" episode.  However, this is the pile of things labeled "Probably", meaning these things have made it through the first round of sorting and we will likely ship them to Jamaica. 
We're in the middle of the LONG process of sorting through every single item and piece of paper in our house, and deciding whether it goes to Goodwill, goes on the garage sale, gets thrown away or given to someone we know, goes in the burn barrel or recycling bin, gets shipped to Jamaica, or makes the final cut and goes into storage.  After a while, my mind goes numb and I can't make any more decisions.  My default activity at that point:  baking.
Somewhere in this "Probably" pile are sewing supplies, math games, milking pails (for the future Robin's Nest dairy goats), a special Nativity set, and my accordion. I mean, really, what says "Jamaica" more than an accordion? 

 
       

Back to the Future, or, My First Trip to Robin's Nest

My great friend Chris Krentz had taken her church youth group to Robin's Nest twice, in 2004 and 2007.  Each time, one of her sons was in the group.  By the time her daughter was old enough, Chris wasn't leading the youth group anymore, but wanted her daughter to have the opportunity to serve at Robin's Nest.  So, she planned a trip, asked me if I wanted to go, and in 2010 we went:  Chris, her daughter Jennifer, Jennifer's best friend Sarah, and I.

2010, at Robin's Nest

2013, at the fundraising dinner Chris planned for us

When I talk about that first trip, I usually use the words "captivating" and "compelling".  The children and staff at Robin's Nest pulled me in and I haven't been the same ever since.  The Lord began calling me to Jamaica, and now, three years later, I'm packing to move.
There's much more to the story, of course, so, to be continued...

It Takes a Village, Part 1

OK, maybe it's an over-used phrase and idea, that many people are needed to 'raise a child'.  But it really fits this process of us getting ready to move to Jamaica.  We'll need the help of a lot of people in order to move to Robin's Nest, live there, and care for the children.

Here's a picture of some of the first people to join us in this adventure:  the Junior Youth Group at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Watertown, MN.  They hosted a Pancake Extravaganza fundraiser for us in April, and later presented us with a giant check.  God is working in the hearts of these kids, moving them to reach out to the children at Robin's Nest.
It's our prayer that we will represent Christ, and this youth group, well as we serve in Jamaica. 

"Why is this called Babs and Labs?"

It goes w-a-y back to our college days, at Concordia College in St. Paul, MN.  Bruce and I met there in choir, and then for a year and a half, we were in a singing group called "Glad Sound".  The group sang in churches in the 5-state area, and did PR for the school.  In future blogs, you'll hear more about Glad Sound, because there's a lot to tell.  For now, here's a picture of the back of our Glad Sound t-shirts.  I've never really gone by "Babs", and our last name isn't pronounced "Labs" (it actually sounds like Lobs) but someone discovered we could make rhyming nicknames, and we're still sticking with them.

Even bigger questions, though, would be, "Why do I still have t-shirts from 35 years ago?" and, "Will I keep these in storage while we're in Jamaica, or will I finally part with them?"  I have no answers!