Late September and Early October we completed a four week training program at Mission Training International in Palmer Lake, Colorado. They train missionaries from many different organizations going all over the world to many different places. We learned so much and made so many new friends. The kids had their own training program as well, and also made many new friends. I was amazed at how many young families God is calling into missions.
(Mission Training International)
(Our missionary family from MTI)
After the Colorado training it was nice to be home, helping my father out with harvest one last time. It was a bittersweet time for me, as I will dearly miss helping my Dad out on the farm. It will be a hard adjustment for him, too, as we have worked closely together for many years. Harvest has always been my favorite time of the year in Iowa. One way to be praying for us is to pray that God will provide help and strength for not only our family, but for the family that we are leaving behind as well.
It was great to spend the month of December back at our home church, celebrating the Christmas season with those closest to us. The kids participated in our annual Christmas program, and we also visited Steph's family in Kansas City for a few days. It was nice to enjoy these Christmas traditions with our families, as next year will look very different!
Since the new year has begun, we have begun traveling and sharing again with churches and small groups pretty much every weekend. We made a quick trip to Texas to visit some family/supporters we don't get to see very often, and were able to share with a small group from their church. We loved Texas in January and even got to sneak in a trip to the Dallas zoo! After that we shared at a couple of local churches, and we now find ourselves out in the Michigan and Indiana area visiting family and gearing up for a week of orientation training at our headquarters in Marion, Indiana.
Until we leave for Kenya, our schedule has and will continue to be very busy. When we get back from our eastern trip, we have to start packing, getting immunizations, and saying more goodbyes as we prepare to leave. With all of this busyness though, we don't want to lose sight of what God has in store for us and what He lays on our hearts while we are still in the States. Busyness of any kind, whether it is good or bad, can still keep us from maintaining our relationship with Christ. Sometimes we just have to stop, "be still", and listen to what He wants to tell us. It reminds me of how He spoke to Elijah, not through all of the things he thought, but through the silence. Also whenever Jesus became overburdened by the crowds and busyness of his ministry, what did he do? He withdrew to lonely quiet places, and that was where he could talk directly to His father and hear His voice. I hope we can make time for the stillness that we need, amidst all the busyness that has to take place. I want to make this a challenge and priority for myself, and our family. I hope you will try it as well!
(The kids got their passports!)
After the Colorado training it was nice to be home, helping my father out with harvest one last time. It was a bittersweet time for me, as I will dearly miss helping my Dad out on the farm. It will be a hard adjustment for him, too, as we have worked closely together for many years. Harvest has always been my favorite time of the year in Iowa. One way to be praying for us is to pray that God will provide help and strength for not only our family, but for the family that we are leaving behind as well.
(Harvest on the farm)
Since the new year has begun, we have begun traveling and sharing again with churches and small groups pretty much every weekend. We made a quick trip to Texas to visit some family/supporters we don't get to see very often, and were able to share with a small group from their church. We loved Texas in January and even got to sneak in a trip to the Dallas zoo! After that we shared at a couple of local churches, and we now find ourselves out in the Michigan and Indiana area visiting family and gearing up for a week of orientation training at our headquarters in Marion, Indiana.
Until we leave for Kenya, our schedule has and will continue to be very busy. When we get back from our eastern trip, we have to start packing, getting immunizations, and saying more goodbyes as we prepare to leave. With all of this busyness though, we don't want to lose sight of what God has in store for us and what He lays on our hearts while we are still in the States. Busyness of any kind, whether it is good or bad, can still keep us from maintaining our relationship with Christ. Sometimes we just have to stop, "be still", and listen to what He wants to tell us. It reminds me of how He spoke to Elijah, not through all of the things he thought, but through the silence. Also whenever Jesus became overburdened by the crowds and busyness of his ministry, what did he do? He withdrew to lonely quiet places, and that was where he could talk directly to His father and hear His voice. I hope we can make time for the stillness that we need, amidst all the busyness that has to take place. I want to make this a challenge and priority for myself, and our family. I hope you will try it as well!
