We can officially say we are counting down until our move!!! If all continues to go well, Josh is planning on leaving June 24 and driving out to our new home in Phoneix, Arizona. The Kids and I will fly out on the 26th. This is such an amazing opportunity and we can't wait to see what the future holds. We have had the pleasure to speak at some local churches and have had several people ask how they can partner with us. I know that we have posted a few times different ways on here, but since we have new people that are readiing this for the first time I felt the need to add it in here again. If you have already read this you can skip on down the the Next area if you wish.
If you feel that God is leading you to partner with us, there are 3 main ways to do so. First and foremost, we need Prayer Partners. We ask that you would pray for our family and for the advancement of God's Kingdom in an area with very little to no gospel presence. Second we will have opportunities for Mission Teams to come out and help us do work on the Reservations & in Phoenix. We are hoping to start a planning process shortly after arriving of things we would like to see accomplished and with your help, even for 1 short week, it will be possible! Plus the blessings you will get out of donating your time here will be more than you can imagine. Lastly if you would like to partner with us but not sure you will be able to come out on a mission trip, you can give monitary donations as a one time gift or recurring monthly. Simply go to http://msc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1023666&lis=1&kntae1023666=B7BA250F62EB41D5A629F365F0E91075&supId=376708634 click GIVE NOW, and follow the directions. As MSC missionaries we are 100% self funded and without the help of our partners, both individuals and local churches, we would not be able to do what we are doing. As of right now, we have committed to staying 2 years. At the end of those 2 years we will see where we are and where God wants us to be on whether or not we will remain in Phoenix or somewhere else. We are truly thankful for everything that we have received thus far. We are extremely blessed to have the friends and family that we do. We love each and every one of you and honestly, we can not thank you enough.
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How are you feeling about all of this?
This is one of our top questions asked by almost every person that we encounter. I tried to answer this question in our last post, Top 10, but I don't know if I didn't fully answer it, if the people that are asking this question hasn't had the chance to read read our blog, or possibly they are just wondering if my feelings have changed. So I thought that I would answer the question again. Plus I am human and feelings change about situations different all the time :)
EXCITED--This is an amazing opportunity and not everyone gets an opportunity like this. We can't wait to get to Phoenix, get settled in and start working. We know that God does great things and we are excited to be the hands and feet to do his work here on earth. I like to think of verse that a dear friend shared with us on our 2nd Mission Trip to Arizona when I think about our upcoming journey, Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose"
SAD--We are packing up everything we own and everything we know to move 1600 miles away. Honestly, we don't like the thought of leaving our family & friends behind. We love our family & friends so very much and this alone is the main reason that it has taken me so long to listen to God, to listen to Josh and to follow God's plan. Without our family & friends we would not be who we are today. They have helped us grow closer as a family and closer in our relationship with God, and we are truly appreciative for everything you have given us. Though it is very sad and I get very emotional there are many scriptures that help me through this, one of those being Matthew 19:29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."
SCARED/ANXIOUS--This is a big decision for our family. One of the biggest decisions we have made. As you know, we do have a couple that we are friends already living in Arizona and they tell us a little about what to expect, we have had Dr Cecil tell us a little about what to expect, but ultimately we do not know what to expect. Most of you know me well enough to know that I am a schedule person. Yes I do run late and I am a bit of a procrastinator, but I am a schedule person. I like to know what is going to happen, when it is going to happen, how it is going to happen and why it is going to happen. This is where I start to get anxiety, because I don't know the answers. However with lots of prayer, and knowing that God will take care of us I feel peace with the situation. Plus once again I have scripture to help me out, 2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we live by faith and not by Sight."
BLESSED--We feel this most of all! God has called each and every one of us to be diciples. Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." God has called our family to Southern Arizona to the Native Americans on the Gila River and the Tohono O'odham Reservations, and whoever else we encounter while we are living in Phoenix. How awesome is it that God has called this little family of 4 from Benton, KY to move all the way to Phoenix, AZ. To go from a town of about 5000 people to a major US City of about 1.5 million people. HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!
We ask that you please continue to keep our family in your prayers. Please also pray for the reservations, that God will prepare the hearts of the people before we arrive. Lastly, please pray for First Indian Baptist Church as they are parterning with us and already doing work on the Reservation.
Attached is a video that a friend of ours put together for us if you are interested in seeing it :)
Attached is a video that a friend of ours put together for us if you are interested in seeing it :)
