The Beginning

I wrote a couple of weeks ago that things were about to change and most people know now because of conversations or Facebook.  We're embarking on a new journey to become U.S. Missionaries through Chi Alpha campus ministry.  This is a ministry that focuses on the mission field of the college and university campus.  College campuses are ripe for the harvest...not only with American college students, but also international students.  It's an exciting endeavor for us and a totally new and unexpected twist.  We've been praying for months about what our next step would be and had considered Chi Alpha in the past, but never seriously.  This time, it was as if we both woke up one morning and just knew it was what we needed to do.  Things have been a bit of a whirlwind since then.  The application process whizzed by and we head out to our first training in less than two weeks!  It's sort of a boot camp to prepare us for the next step...

The next step is a year long internship at the University of Arkansas.  Did I mention that Nick isn't allowed to work during this time?  So, we have less than two weeks to raise the cash to attend the training and roughly two months to raise monthly support, pack, and move to Arkansas!  Crazy, right?  Maybe so.  But we are confident that the LORD is leading us this way and that He will provide for every need along the way.  He's good like that.

I can't tell you how much I am anticipating seeing the ways He's going to provide.  We're at a point right now that we will truly be able to say that it was all Him and none of us.

Recently, I have begun to walk a track near my house every day.  It's partially for physical health reasons, but mostly it has become a spiritual refuge for me.  I have been circling things in prayer as I circle the track.  Praying for provision, family, a burden for the students on the campus we'll go to...the list goes on. I can honestly say I have a peace about all of this (as long as I remember that He is the one in charge and not trying to handle any of it on my own strength)  It's been amazing already.

We will be talking to friends and family in the coming weeks and asking them to pray about supporting us monthly or with a single gift.  It would be a great honor to us if you would consider supporting us in this way.  If you feel like you would be willing or able to do this, please message, call, comment, text, etc.
We wish we could sit down with everyone we know and share our vision.  Unfortunately, distance prevents that, but thankfully we have other ways to communicate!  :)

Thanks for taking the time to read!  More updates will be coming soon...as well as our summer antics with our little beauties!

Thoughts on 13 years

Today is a special day.  It marks 13 years since I started this journey called marriage.  It certainly hasn't been a bed of roses!  We've been through a lot together in the last 13 years and probably moved just as many times.  Oh what wanderers are we.
I could probably sit here and list all the bad things we've dealt with, and fights we've had, and blah, blah, blah.  But I'm not going to do that.  Instead, I want to take a verse from my favorite book of the Bible (this week) and share from there.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Philippians 4:8

True:  His love is true...and he tells the truth.  Even when it hurts!
Honorable:  He honors me and our family by going to work every day (sometimes to a job he doesn't really like) and taking care of us.
Just:  The dictionary says this means guided by truth.  He seeks every day to be guided by The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
Pure:  He works hard at staying pure in this world that doesn't make it easy!
Lovely:  Ok, guys may not like being referred to as lovely, but this term connotates an inner character trait.  He's got character - moral and spiritual handsomeness (I'll use that word instead of beauty)  :)
Commendable:  Yeah, this guy is commendable just for putting up with me!  Seriously, he is worthy of my trust and respect.  Our girls regard him as if he hung the moon!  I realize he didn't, but it doesn't make me love him any less.
Excellence:  He strives for a spirit of excellence.  If we're going to do something, let's do it right!
Worthy of Praise:  He's a dreamer.  That's what I am praising God for about him today.  Daring to dream that God will answer our stance of faith.

One of my favorite songs is Andrew Peterson's "Dancing in the Mine Fields."  It is such a great reminder of the promises of God and the promises we made to each other all those years ago.  Here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs3fg_WsEg&ob=av3n


So that's what I'm thinking about today.  Has it all been good?  No.  Does it get on my nerves when he does embarrassing things?  Yes.  Do I sometimes want to strangle him to an inch of his life?  I choose not to answer that question.  But I wouldn't trade the last 13 years and our 2 beautiful daughters for anything.  And as we step into the future and the new things God has for us, I am glad we have a great foundation and a great love for each other.

I Love You, Nick!  Happy Anniversary!

Launching Out

So it's been a while since I've posted!  Almost a whole year!  Much has happened since then.  Nick resigned his church position and we moved back to our home and have just been waiting, and waiting, and waiting...and praying, and praying, and praying.  Finally we feel like God has given us some direction and He's taking us down a completely new and scary path.  I'll share more about that in the coming weeks, along with stuff I have been and will be working on.

Suffice it to say, we are about to launch out into unknown waters.  In Luke 5, Jesus tells Simon to "launch out in to the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

So stay tuned...