Jet Planes and All That

So, here it is the evening of our last full day in St Pete. Tomorrow, we will be headed out on a plane much like the one Lily drew in the picture. As you can see, the plane is flying us safely to our new home. I am sure that we disembark happy and tired and ready to meet and get to know our new city.

Hey, pray for us tomorrow.

Thanks.

We will miss you!

Always Seven O'Clock

So, it is always seven o'clock at our house, that is if you were to ask Asher. Upon being asked what time is it, he will glance at his watch and proudly announce the time. However, with Asher it is interestingly the same hour as the last time the answer was requested.

Asher likes to imitate his siblings; therefore, with delighted we were able to grant him the opportunity to sport a watch like his older brother and sister. We have been grateful for the accommodations here at D & D missionary homes, from fully furnished houses, a clothing center (location of said watch prior to Asher's arm), periodic food drops from local stores, and other blessings. It allows us not only to have a comfortable space to call home for a few months, but other sweet touches like a cute Timex for our son.

God has granted us much generosity through people too and it has come in many forms from our day to day expenses, our outgoing needs, new glasses and eye exams for the entire family (check out my new lenses in upcoming photos), many meals, time spent with friends, luggage, a day at Disney, wristbands for the Jamboree, and the list goes on. We have so much to be thankful for and are amazed with the goodness of God.

We were reminded today why we do what we do as we met with a Pastor from a local supporting church who lived many years in Africa under great turmoil. He shared with us hard truths about how it is on the field, not as a discouragement but an encouragement and reminder that the reason is because Jesus is Lord and for the glory of God. A good reminder to hold close to our hearts especially now. And so, we are thankful once again for friends and the wisdom granted us by the church body with whom God has gifted us. Our hearts are full and overflowing.

Hey Asher, What time is it? (oh really, still seven!)

Depart

OK, so it has been about one month since I last blogged. I have so many cool sermons to share, great quotes from books perused, interesting stories from people we have visited, pictures to share, things I have been desiring to tell you... Mostly, it is about how good it is to be home. We feel so loved here and we are grateful for that...

especially as we gear up to depart on November 16TH!

We are leaving on faith and with the approval of SAM with excitement in our hearts and our love tanks on full!

Here is a mission related video that I came across today.
I am passing a little love back to you.
Tag!

Sharing Missions

Living Hope Community Church here in St Petersburg, FL held a missionary festival last Saturday evening.

We shared as the "keynote" speakers, but we also listened as many others shared about trips they had been on and how God was molding them and what was being done to further the Kingdom of God all around the globe. Awesome!

It was exciting and uplifting being around this group of people who are also passionate about the world.

Standing in the Need of....

OK, so we were reminded this week at the SAM office that much has been accomplished these last few months. Our crazy life has included an adoption, finishing MMS, testing for A & P certification, tons of travel, required reading, switching missions, packing up an entire house, and now being homeless on our way to Florida.

Phew! It makes me tired just considering it!

Kirk Ogden, our fearless director, asked us how we were doing spiritually. Hmmmmm. We talked about what we usually do to keep our relationship with God from growing cold like spending time daily in the Bible and other quality books, attending regularly a church with day to day type friends who know us, and prayer meetings/Bible studies with others. You know, that type of thing.... the stuff that requires some semblance of a regular schedule. A consistency that is lacking in our current agenda that requires even our kids to remain flexible and carry on with nothing securely in place.

So, we are asking for prayer that God will sustain us, that we will rest in Him, that we will carve out time to be renewed as we carry on for a few more weeks and that we will know how to care for our kids within this framework.

Also, we will soon be updating everyone concerning our financial needs, but in the meantime we ask for prayer that God would do a mighty work to raise what we need in the next 5 - 6 weeks when we are slotted to depart from the Miami airport and begin the new journey that we feel confident is the way we should go.

Around Coshocton

Last Week in Coshocton

Besides the MMS party, we also were able to have dinner with several families, speak at our church youth group and main church, have a Naz. fellowship time, and meet up at the park with whomever could make it on our last night in town.

It was an extremely busy time but also a fun memory of friendship and time together that we will hold in our hearts...

Here is a small representation of our park night. We took photos of all the families that attended. If anyone wants copies let me know.