Gamaliel...

I am sure no one is trying to be discouraging, but they are!

Well, let me clarify to fully explain! We are (as if you don't know by NOW) leaving to begin deputation. We are very excited, and like anyone who is experiencing a radical change in their life, are going through some emotional and mental breakdowns followed by moments of hysteria and paranoia fluctuations. (Please... that is a joke! We are really doing well!)

But the point still remains, sometimes we don't want to hear about everyone's perspective related to deputation, fund raising, and the current state of our country and it's lack of... shall we say "fiscal solvency". Yes, that sounds good. We are fully aware that now is not an easy time. We know we are prepared to (by choice) walk away from our really well paying jobs with full medical and dental insurance - as soon as the Lord makes it clear that IS what we should do. We also know not everyone has two extra nickels to rub together, let alone twenty or so bucks to throw to some missionary who feels called of God to go somewhere.

All that being said, we press on.

We know the moving of the Spirit on and in our life and hearts. We realize some of the choices we have already made look a little nuts to some, and absolutely irresponsible to others. We (I am sure not fully yet but...) know the road ahead of us is filled with trial and testing, if not a few tears and times of doubt (please LORD direct our path and sight to YOU).

But we also know the God we serve! He is faithful, and He alone knows what we need. He is who is holding our hands, and even if we were to close our eyes entirely- as long as we hold on to Him- we will get where we need to go. (That may be a very good idea, yes???)

In my quiet time today, the Lord must have really known I need a little shot in the arm. (ya think??! :o} ) As I read in Acts, these verses ministered to me in a way unlike any other time.

Acts 5:38-39

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Wow! I was so thrilled to hear what Gamaliel proclaimed to all the people, himself being a Pharisee! He went through a bunch of examples of people who came and went, stating if the apostles were not of God, they too will go by the wayside. BUT if they were, and the message they brought forth was of God, it will not only stand but gave a warning... don't fight it! Whew!

We truly believe and have examples to share that confirm we are called of God. Our message is the same as Peter's and the other men! Repent and be Saved!!! Oh that we pursue in the face of adversity like those men! If and when we are "beaten and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus", that we leave "Rejoicing that" WE "were counted worthy to suffer for his name"!!! Oh the faith and examples we have to follow! Oh the Great God that we serve!!!

May we press on in full conviction! May we Never doubt or fear what man can do (or say!) but fear God who is able to both reward and condemn!

Mission Monday... it's been a while!

Scattered throughout I will include some pictures to be looking for in the future on our web page and prayer card etc.

Long ago I wanted to put updates on our "Mission in Progress" every Monday, and while I was consistently doing something to progress our mission, I didn't think "I have prayed that the Lord would continue to guide and direct as we continue to travel this path etc." was something that needed to be said. Every week!
That being said...

For four long years my husband has been diligently working a full time job and attending full time institute...( I know you know that...!...) and my type A personality was just doing nothing waiting for the moment he was done. Nothing of course consisted of parenting, home schooling, working, blah-blah-blah. All the normal life things a mother does. It felt like nothing towards the ultimate goal. I wanted to get the "green light" so I could plunge full speed head long into all of the things that needed to be finished in order to start deputation... let alone actually get to the field!

Well the day has come, and we are starting deputation. Soon. We are in the process of having a web page designed. (thank you Mr Lunch Time Thoughts!) We are also getting reference letters, content materials, hard copy, etc. needed to give pastors a little view of who we are and what our vision/mission is. We also need to get our video completed. No small task!

We were advised to start this piece years ago. Let me tell you, we still do not know exactly how to present our mission! We want to be informative, but not too detailed. We want to be reaching the brain, but not devoid of emotional pull. We want to have it just long enough to make you wanting to know more instead of "will this ever end"! Exactly how should we do that?!

So we have full courses of about three dinners on our plate! And while we could slap it all together, that is not my hubbys M.O. He is methodical in his proceedings. (Read that as he does things WaY DiFfErEnT than I do!) (... and that is Such a Good Thing!) We will take this at his pace, and at times it will drive me (my flesh!) nuts. I am understanding more every day why the Lord gave us twenty years of marriage before He called us to this! {ahem}"Discussions" like the ones we have had in the past few weeks would have done great harm in the early years of our marriage. We didn't know each other well enough, nor did I care if he had a differing approach. I would find a way to make it agree with my way, end of discussion. (read that as I was a manipulative wife. Go ahead. I give you full permission.)

The front of our prayer card

But God is Good, and I have changed (well I have been changed!) and my husband is a great man of God and leads this home spiritually like no other I know. We have three teen age children. And two others not far behind! That alone should give you a picture of some of the struggles he faces. That they are still going to church with us with a good attitude is the least of the reasons for our thanksgiving. I am so grateful we are not traveling with tiny children and I have to worry about nurseries and ear infections and croup. Now I have other worries, great big ones in their own right, but I am still thankful for the timing of the Lord for us. His ways are perfect, and every day I see the Great Conductor making beautiful music around us.

Back of our prayer card

Don't try the web page yet... work in progress! :)
Dan's email is good though!

My prayers recently- allow me to follow my husband with a single heart, as unto the Lord. I pray we are worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, and I pray this path is a journey to be enjoyed as opposed to a labor to be endured! I have been on a journey within a journey, and I keep singing the little ditty

He's still working on me,
to make me what I'm supposed to be,
it took him just a week to make the moon and stars,
the Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars...
how loving and patient he must be,
cuz he's still working on me!

Cute, but so true! He is a gentle, patient, and giving God!

I will leave you with that thought!

Mission Monday...

These are just some thoughts -well pre-thoughts really- I have regarding deputation. Now mind you, we are still a year+ away from actually starting this part on the road to the field, but it is still something I think about!
As a relatively large family fairly mainstreamed in the American culture, we are busy. There have been times at the table that we all, including Savannah, have made comments about how we seldom all sit down to a meal together. Some have even suggested we mark the calendar at such times as it is so rare! Very.Sad.

Regularly we will have two cars at the same event. Not because we don't all fit in one car! We seldom are at the same place to begin the journey! Whether going to church, or a ball game, or to dinner, or to a friends for a visit, we often will "meet up" at the decided location. I am sure on more than one occasion observers have wondered about the state of our wedded bliss. "Man, they can't even stand a car ride together...!" Ha!

It seems a regular thing to compete for time with my family. Between work, school, teen activities, ball games, birthday parties, dentist appointments, babysitting, ... need I continue this inexhaustive list? ... there seems no time to have real quality family time! I know the "experts" -whoever they are- say quality is better than quantity... but I am of the opinion they have never really been in a functioning family! Time- of any kind- requires one fundamental ingredient... TIME!

So now that I have explained a few situations our family finds itself in, you can better understand one thought in particular I have regarding deputation. I am looking forward to forced, concentrated, uninterrupted, days and days on end, uncompeted for, uncontested and exhausting time with my family. I realize I may have a very different take on it while in the midst of it all, but for now, I plan to enjoy the anticipation!


It would be nice to see a lot of these signs along the road, too! Would this be a POI on a GPS? :)

*****

Three minutes of your time...

This is a video we made to present at a home Bible study. We hope to make a 10 minute video to present at churches while on deputation... let this be a little teaser preview! Comments welcome, as well as suggestions!