~~Belize 2014~~ UPDATE

Anxiously, we are very busy getting everything ready to leave tomorrow. I can hardly believe the time has almost arrived. It seems surreal. Seeing the faith strengthened in the youth, before we even leave, I am just so excited about what God has already revealed to some of us and how it is going to continue to unfold through this experience and culture. Please continue to pray for the team, safe travel, and health. Thank you again. Much love.

~~ Belize 2014 ~~ Update

I am so thankful, overjoyed, nervous; just a whole bag of mix emotions, with just over a week before we all leave for Belize! We have had overwhelming support from our friends and family. I want to thank everyone, once again, for supporting us. With you, your generosity, your prayers, God working through you, WE ARE GOING!!! GOD HAS MET THE NEED!!! I love to see the body of Christ at work. I can hardly wait to love on those kids! I wanted to give a huge shout out to my brother for providing our round-trip flights! I love you and truly appreciate you coming through for us. I love that you have invested in your nieces and me, and how this experience will potentially impact our lives and the lives of others. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Please continue to pray for safe travel, the team, and the people of Belize, especially the week of July 12th - July 19th. A few details about what we will be doing: *We will be constructing the roof of the church *We will have VBS for the children in the mornings *We will have services in the evenings *We may have an opportunity to go to the Mayan Ruins *We may have an opportunity to go Snorkeling/Shopping the day before we leave Thank you all again and hope to share an update soon! Love, Michelle

~~ Belize 2014 ~~ Update

We received the girls passports after three weeks and 1 day. We did not pay for expedited services, so that is pretty impressive! Go God! We have mailed out fundraiser support letters to friends and family. We are praying for them to prayerfully consider contributing to our mission trip by means of prayer and financial support. We have already received some benefit from those letters. It is such a blessing and we appreciate it so much. This is a huge leap of faith for us. We simply would not be able to go otherwise. At this time, the question still remains, who in the family will be going. We are proceeding as if we are all going. God will make a way for who needs to go, this I know. The Belize Team has planned a fundraiser for next month. It is going to be a pancake breakfast at Fatz Cafe on Saturday, April 19th, from 8:00 am - 10:00 am. The Fatz Cafe in located on Highway 9, in Boiling Springs. Please mark it on your calendar and come out to support us.

~~ Belize 2014 ~~ Update

Stepping out on faith. We took the girls to the post office today to start the process to get their passports. Their other passports had expired, so they had to get new ones in preparation for the anticipated trip. Much will have to fall into place in order for us to go but if God wants us to go, he will definitely make a way! Outside of that, we have had an amazing week of snow!

~~Belize 2014~~

Friends and family, We want to share with you an incredible, yet challenging ministry opportunity that God has presented to us. In July, we have been offered the chance to go to Belize, which is in Central America, with the youth group from Milestones Church. This missions trip will be reaching out and spreading the gospel to the Belize people, while also learning more about the people there and their culture. God has also provided the funds to Milestones Church to partner with a local church plant there to actually start phase one of constructing a church in San Antonio for the people of Belize! While God has opened up a door for us to develop a greater heart of compassion for His people in Central America, the exciting part is there are several ways that you can share in this as well. First, you can help pray for us and our youth group. We will need prayers that God will prepare us for our visit and bless our efforts as we minister to the people of Belize. We will need prayers that our financial needs will be met. At this time we need to raise $1,200 each to attend this trip, and this is quite a challenge! Another way you can be involved is to help provide that financial support. Would you consider supporting us with a donation? If you feel led to contribute, we are trying to raise our funds by June 1st. If you want tax contribution credit, please make your check payable to Milestones Church and add "The Blackwell's" on the memo line. Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all of your support is greatly appreciated. We are very excited about this life altering opportunity and thank you in advance for your consideration. We look forward to doing God's work in Belize and letting you know all about how God has worked through us when we return in July. Blessings, Michelle, Sara, and Emma Blackwell 104 Graystone Drive Moore, SC 29369

Your Little Church: I'll be there

Little Church is a one-day conference that involves the local church helping the home be a little church.

With Steve Wright.

Date: February 12, 2011
Time: 8:30am-Noon
Location: Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church

Worship, teaching, fellowship, & mission are not only for the local church, but also for the Christian home. It is every parent's privilege to make their home a little church.

Little Church is a one-day conference designed to help parents do that.

Your Little Church: I'll be there: "Register HERE"

Year 2010

It has been awhile! We've had exciting developments in our family this year.

Our third year homeschooling is well underway. Sara was able to take her SATs as a 7th grader at the local highschool because of her Stanford Achievement test scores. It was a little overwhelming for her when she saw there were 250-300 other highschool students there!




We had a baby shower for my niece and our great-nephew was born into the family. Gabriel is precious and of course, a gift from God.







We had the most exciting time at Biltmore this year. It was absolutely breathtaking. It was completely covered with snow before we left. Saluda Grade was a little tricky but we made it home safely.









Sara got her braces! She was very excited about getting them and will now smile without covering up her mouth!










Sara and Emma had another piano recital. I am so excited about the gift God has given them!





Our business has been suffering for a few years now. Chris had to get a non-self-employed job. That has been quite an adjustment for our family after having our business for 18 years. We are still undecided about equipment decisions and such right now. We are working through those issues daily.

We are back at Milestones Church. We NEVER left them angry to begin with, just to clear up any ugly rumors. We felt led to help a church planter in Spartanburg. Our purpose was fulfilled and we came back. We have to admit, we were hurt by some issues with church planting and clashes of personalities but I have no regrets for following where we believe God led us. Sometimes we don't understand why things happen the way they do. I also don't think it's meant for us to always understand. I do know it is always opportunities for God to teach us about life and draw us closer to Him. End of story.


Emma had been asking and praying privately for a baby kitty for her birthday. I looked around for about three weeks prior to her birthday. We checked everywhere: the shelters, pet stores, Craigslist, homeschool loops, and even Facebook. We couldn't find any kittens! Emma even wished on her birthday cake, before blowing out her candles, that she would receive a baby kitten. We felt so bad! Well, about 2:00 am, I was going to bed and heard a cry outside. Can you believe it was a baby kitten outside my window? It was scared and alone. I woke up Emma and had her come outside to help me catch it. We couldn't! It wanted to come to us but it was too scared! I told Emma we had to get to bed. She asked me to pray with her at 3:00 am to help us catch the kitten. I woke up at 7:00 am, hearing her cry again. Emma and our whole family was outside trying to catch the baby. God answered Emma's prayers! AWESOME story!! Her name is Snickers!




Mama and Emma celebrated another big birthday together!






Two of my besties got baptized.

















Sara had a big birthday this year! Don't they look like they are up to something?














We had our annual pumpkin carving with Grampy. Nannie couldn't make it this year.











Sara and Emma's Co-op pictures this year! God blessed us with beautiful girls!












Emma joined the Upstate Singers this year and performed at a nursing home and a Homeschool Christmas Recital.








Sara had a tumor on her eye and had surgery to remove it. Thankfully it was benign.















Sara and Emma got their own mobile phones for Christmas! I believe they were excited!







We are expecting our first grandbaby on August 9, 2011! We are very excited!







Chris turned the big "50" this year. I love that man! We celebrated 24 years of married life this year! Oh my!











I have to give a shout out to my mom. She is beautiful inside and out. She is more self-sacrificing than anyone I know. She has sacrificed much to take care of my 93 year old grandmother, without much appreciation it seems at times. She is very convicted about what she believes the Bible says about taking care of your parents. If she is able, she does whatever she can for ANYONE! I love you beyond measure Mama.