Long Overdue for an Update!

Well, I am LONG overdue for posting!  It's been busy... here are the highlights:

1.  Brad and I just celebrated our 17th anniversary!  I love him more now than ever.  He showed me strength I never even knew he had as he carried our family during the trials we faced this last year.  Love this man!

We started out the morning with CHOCOLATE GRAVY!  To which all southerners say - Woooo hoo!  And all others say... "say what?!?!"  :)

2.  Brad had the honor of baptizing Macy this past week at James River Assembly here in Springfield.  Even though we have prayed MANY times over the years for Jesus to come into her heart.... etc...  She recently went forward during a children's service... and walked across that invisible line of making her faith her own... not prompted by mom and dad.  She was so excited about being baptized as the next step!

Mia asked her right after being baptized, "Was it fun, Macy?" To which Macy replied, "No, it was not fun Mia... this is SERIOUS business!"  Too cute!

3.  My health = A Pie Chart  :)  The part of the pie where I feel healthy is growing slowly.  I would like for it to be 100%, but so far that is not the story.  However, I am learning to lean into God during this time, and to rest in Him, wait patiently for what He is teaching me, (not so good at that one), and to try and figure out WHO He desires me to be.  What should my priorities be in life and in ministry?  Where should I pour my time?  Because I tend to be passionate about EVERYTHING and think that all things deserve 100% of me.  However, that is such a reflection of how I have lived my life at an unattainable pace for YEARS now.  And it's not healthy.  So I need help in discerning God's clear voice in my life. When to say yes, when to say no.  And to feel good about it.

4.  Brad has an INCREDIBLE opportunity coming up to join a small team of missionaries in the Netherlands for a few days while they brainstorm the best way to utilize media in the coming years for the advancement of the good news of Jesus and His love!  Please be praying for them to have the wisdom and direction of God in their decisions!  #for such a time as this

The MESSAGE we share of Knowing God never changes... But the methods sure do! #mediaministry #mediathattransforms

5. Macy and Mia have done so well in school this year.  They basically both had to do 3 semesters in this one year just to catch up on the curriculum gaps (once again).  The GREAT news is that they both LOVE school and have grown in their self-esteem this year.  Beautiful smiles on beautiful girls! God has brought them on our amazing family journey - and I know He has plans for good in it all!


Mia was able to participate in the patriotic 1st grade program this year at school.  Boy that girl sang at the top of her lungs around the house for weeks!  "Grand 'ol Flag", "Star Spangled Banner", "Yankee Doodle", etc.  :)  She is now more proud than ever to be an American!

6.  Micah continues to GROW and prosper!  He is a BIG, happy, healthy baby!  Thank you Jesus!  From that scary start in the NICU in Madrid - to what we have before us today - what a beautiful miracle!  He is precious! I thank God for His grace.

7.  We have also had the opportunity to invest some time in a few college students here in Springfield.  We recently hosted a get together and had students over from James River Leadership College, Central Bible College, and Evangel University.  #futureworldchangers

Pebbles

Pebbles.  That is what I feel like in light of some of these GIANTS of missions work.  One speaker this week shared about their life in the Middle East.  After sharing just a smidgen about faith with someone involved with a terro*ist cell - he was told that they would kill him if he tried to change them.  Not long after that - they received a call to not go home b/c the terro*ist group was there.  They had to leave everything and start over. They have children.  I can NOT even imagine.  However, they fell CALLED to be there.

And we have worried about the "huge leap of faith" to move to Spain...  Even though learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, working to create and develop a media witness in the world, and leaving what we know and love seems so HUGE at times.... it is nothing compared to those willing to give their lives in sensitive countries to reach the lost. I'm not even a pebble.  I'm just the dirt under the pebble.

Missions School

It has been so hard for me to get back into a habit of blogging.  Transition.  It seems that our lives are in a constant state of transition...ongoing...for the last 2 years....and for the year to come!

We have been at Missionary Training (traditionally called School of Missions) here in Springfield, MO, for the past 2.5 weeks.  Some of it has been challenging.  Some....not so much.  (mostly the classes on paperwork and how to do paperwork)  :)

The MK (missionary kids) program that the AG has is phenomenal.  Our girls have been in classes every time we are in class - and they have LOVED it.  They are learning about being an 'MK'.  Surviving chaos (games and discussion), eating ministry (eating whatever you are given and saying thank you), and songs/chants that just touch your heart.  The girls were chanting from the back seat last night as we went to dinner....

"We're rough, we're tough, we got the stuff, we're young, we're bold, we're completely sold, I am telling the story that must be told, the task is great, the workers are few, I'M GOING OVER, HOW ABOUT YOU?!!"

GOODNESS.  LUMP IN YOUR THROAT!