PEAK SEASON

Are you a part?

It's June...it's summer...it's hot! However, it happens to be the beginning of the "PEAK SEASON" for these radiant flowers. Is it even possible to pass by one of these and not smile, or awe in His wonder? Passing a field of sunflowers will no doubt turn your head. There are many flowering plants that will produce multiple blooms. Yet, God chose for these tall beauties to have one bloom, one stem.

Nevertheless...

Sunflowers are made of anywhere between 1000-2000 individual flowers at the base of the bright yellow petals. If we're counting parts, you can add the 2000 seeds that form at the center of the flower. I believe it is safe to say that it is the work of all these parts that enable this bloom to stand tall.

So, why the sunflower?

A few months ago, a special lady shared at Randal's birthday party, the importance of having many seeds in the bloom of a sunflower. She then shared how she felt a part of our Baird Journey; one of the many seeds that are needed and used for His purposes. With "PEAK SEASON" beginning for the sunflowers, it is also "PEAK SEASON" for the Baird Journey. If we are going to depart for Ireland in time for the boys to start school, then we are in "PEAK SEASON". We are believing and declaring for God to move on our behalf during this "PEAK SEASON".

What's needed?

Over the past year, we have added 53 individuals/families/churches to our monthly support team. There has also been numerous individuals/families/churches who have given offerings toward the Baird Journey. This has set us up at 98% of our cash budget raised and almost 45% of our monthly support.

We lack about 50% of our monthly support in order to have clearance for Ireland.

We are grateful for each one who has prayed for, encouraged, financially supported, and loved our family. They are the many seeds that allow the one to stand tall! They are also many seeds sowed into a nation whose waiting to stand tall. Our heart is to reach the people of Ireland, and we also believe it is "PEAK SEASON" for this nation. Will you be a seed? A part that makes the whole? You can become a part by joining our team and sharing our story.

When all of these dots are green, we can go!

Monthly Support

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A PART

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news?" Romans 10:15

The MOST Suited

se·lect

səˈlekt/

verb

1. 1.

   carefully choose as being the best or most suitable.

   "students must select their own program"

   synonyms:

   choose, pick (out), single out, sort out, take;

   
   Have you ever been selected for something? Possibly it was as a child to be part of a team, or on the job for a particular task. How did it feel to know that you were selected, that someone thought you were "the most suited"? Someone thought you would be the BEST pick. Have you ever considered how you are God's "most suited"?
   
   The Lord brought to mind this concept of selection when thinking about His call. It was even more evident when thinking of our Missionary training last summer. It was amazing to hear of all the specific places God called each of our 2014 class. Each individual/family had a story of God leading them to a specific place; their call to the mission field.
   
   

   

   Our family is humbled to think that we were carefully chosen by God as being the best or "most suitable" for the nation of Ireland. What has He called you to? Is it a nation? A particular ministry? Your community? Your school? Without a doubt, we believe He has called you. Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us, "before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart..." For us, to know that God selected us for Ireland isn't the only excitement, but to know that He will enable us to go is even more exciting. For each call, He has a plan and is willing to put it into action with our faith and trust in Him. His promise is to "continue His work until it is finished..."
   
   
   
   
   

How is God Using You?

On a very special night before Katherine was born, even before we knew we were having a girl, I was feeling very low. Randal took the time to pray for me, and as he was praying God used Randal to speak His heart. I don't know if you've ever had anyone prophesy over you, but what I can say is your spirit knows when God is speaking to you. As Randal was praying, God used him in the gift of prophecy. 

Some of Randal's prayer said this, "God is giving you what He has promised you. You are having a girl, and He will begin to give you the things the enemy has stolen from you over the years." As Randal prayed this, I knew in my spirit that God was speaking to me. It was weeks later that we found out we were having a girl. 

Since Katherine has been born, there has never been a day that God hasn't reminded me of that special night. Each night as I put her down for bed and pray for her, God reminds me that He is faithful. He has used her many times over the last 2 years as a reminder that God is speaking and will fulfill His promises.

I often wonder if God can use Katherine at such a young age to impact my life so much everyday, how much more is He willing and able to use me to touch lives? I pray that I too can remind others of His goodness, faithfulness and love each day just by smiling as Katherine does. 

Next time you see Katherine, let it be a reminder that God desires to use you and He will fulfill His promises!

 

Lions, Tigers, and Bears! OH MY!

A few weeks ago, we sat down as a family to watch "The Wizard of Oz". Since then, the boys have watched it a few times, and are now quoting lines. Samuel decided each member of our family played a role in the movie. 

Without further due, we now present "The Wizard of Oz" starring...
the BAIRD FAMILY, as given by Sam Baird.

A Clover Tale

Did you know that St. Patrick was kidnapped? This is how he came about to be in Ireland. He was a man who faced many trials, but along the way encountered the one who would change his heart and life. He found Christ!

St. Patrick shared the love of God with the land that kidnapped him from his homeland. He ministered for over 29 years in Ireland and brought thousands to know Christ by using the image of the clover. He would tell others the story of Christ and the Trinity by using the 3-leaf clover. He also planted 300 churches throughout the nation despite the anger he might have had toward the people who took him from his family.

GREENTEAM

From his life, I think of the verse, "obedience is better than sacrifice." I also think how God took a man's willingness to share his testimony to reach thousands. Our prayer is that we too can share our testimony with the lost in Ireland as St. Patrick did. We are believing to be a part of yet another harvest He has planned in Ireland.

We are grateful for each one who has come along side our "greenteam" and is enabling this God-dream to be fulfilled. You too can be a part! To join our team, click here. We are currently at 35% and believing to be at 70% by the end of April.

The "LEMON LADS" are coming May 3-4! Get ready!

students for christ

What is students for christ?

More significant choices such as vocation, lifestyle, and relationships are made during the ages of 18-25. One of these major choices is spiritual. SFC exists to give opportunity to reach the college campuses for Jesus. One of their primary goals is to encourage the Christian student. Statistics have shown that 90% of students who have grown up in the church may never return to the church after college. The college campus is a mission field! 

   
 Our family has the great privilege to partner with SFC in Limerick, Ireland. We are excited about the opportunity to be a family for a young life while they are away from their family, and to help them navigate through life's many tough questions. We will be meeting with college students in small groups, formal meetings, and spending one-on-one time with many individuals. We will also be helping Christian students learn to reach out to their peers who may not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

GREENTEAM

SFC is one area of ministry that are family will be involved in while we are in Ireland. By reaching the college campus, families the workplace, and nations are touched. Ireland has less than 1.5% of believers in Jesus Christ, and where we will be working is even less. Help us reach the college campus and be a part of SFC by going Green! Click here to join the greenteam.

Fruition - Taking Hold

As 2014 moves on, our family has taken time to pause and reflect on the years passed and His goodness. Over the last few years, God has given our family some concrete words of focus for the coming year. In 2012, the Lord encouraged us in "Moving Forward". As we looked back, this word was evident throughout 2012 that the Lord was indeed moving us to something. 

When making a commitment to surrender your life to Christ, it isn't long before you learn that His plans will become your plans. In 2013, the path He had us on took a new name as we "Forged Ahead". He continues to set our pace and steps that we are to take. In looking at what He has called us to, our first thought is gratitude. We are thankful for His promises and the hope He has given us through Christ. We are thankful for the plans He has called our family in bringing others this Hope. We are reminded of Abraham's promise and encouraged by his faith in Romans 4:20-22 (Amplified).

"No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)."

In 2014, the words that the Lord has given our family are "Fruition-taking hold". Fruition by definition means:

1. Realization of something desired or worked for; accomplishment:  2. Enjoyment derived from use or possession. 3. The condition of bearing fruit.

Our family continues to wait on the Lord as He unfolds His plans. We look to Him for understanding and direction. Like Abraham, we give thanks and glory to God for His promises. Our assurance remains in Him and know that He is able and mighty to do what He has promised. We begin each day by taking the next step that He calls us to. We believe that as we live each day more in faith, we move closer toward His promises. We are anticipating "taking hold" of what He will give us in 2014. We are anticipating souls saved, deeper relationship with Him, being His hands and feet along the way, and watching Him move in and through us for His purposes.

greenteam

One promise we are believing to "take hold" of is the call to minister in Ireland. We are believing that we will be departing this summer. We have made great strides, but still have much to gain. Our current budget raised is 70% of cash and 26% monthly commitments. We are praying for others to become a part of this call and join the "greenteam". You can join by filling out the form at s1.ag.org/bairdform.  We are humbled by all those who have invested in our family and in Ireland.