Thoughts

Yesterday I watched as a thunderstorm rolled in; the sky got dark, the trees leaves shuttered in the wind, thunder clapped overhead and my eyes filled with tears as I thought of how soon we will going to place that was unfamiliar. And yet as I watched the familiar I was reminded it wound't all be unfamiliar in Paraguay, the rain would still fall from the sky, the trees would blow in the wind, the thunder would still remind me of how powerful God is and people, though different are still people!

So while my thoughts and emotions are tender at times I'm glad for these times that the Lord reminds of who he is and how he continues to provide for us! Its also been exciting these last few weeks to see family we've never met and to have the kids meet their cousins. We all got caught up the other day and the kids had a great time!

The cousins playing together

Eating pizza

Pretty Toes But Not For Long

Last night we did the craziest and most expensive thing ever....we bought plane tickets to Paraguay for May 10th!!!!!!!!

Reality is slowly setting in, with 70 days left before we leave, there is much to do!  Excitement and sadness runs strong even as I write this. The thoughts of  family left behind, the sweet wonderful friends straying here and yet the encourgament from all of them through prayer, financial support and words of encouragement has been amazing!
Over the last few months as we have prepared for this day, of finally having a departure date, the following verses have been on my mind.
"I am not telling you this because I need anything. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I am poor and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens, when I have enough to eat and what I go hungry, when I have more than I need and when I do not have enough. I can do all things through Christ because he gives me strength." Phil. 4:11-13

But more than that, Acts 4:12 races around my mind as well, " Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through him." This is why we must go, what a privilege!

Also, yesterday, some sweet friends treated me to my very first pedicure! I was a little unsure at first, not to fond of others touching my feet. For about the first 30 min I was a little freaked out but soon I begain to relax, which was the whole reason for going. Going into those nail shops, always reminds me of what we are going to do, its a whole nother culture in there. It was a little bittersweet, but fun time with friends and now I have pretty toes.

Family Day

Today was a much needed family day and time to catch our breath. It was 72 today so we decided to take the kids to the park and have a picnic lunch, it was just what we all needed! Ministry is important but so is family and sometimes you need a break. 

My beautiful family at the water front park, enjoying our family day

Here is Jade all ready to go with Jamen's hat and sunglasses...she looks up to her big brother more than I know. Teaching Jamen a lot these days about how to show and teach Jade all the things he already knows. He does well with it and he enjoys it. Its really cute to watch them! 

Jamen finally going down the slide, it took him some time but once he figured it out, he loved it!

Jade couldn't get enough of the slide!

All set to go

I know she looks a little horrified but at the bottom it was all smiles!

Cute and Fun Times

Just wanted to share a few fun and cute pictures...

Jade with Jon and "baby"! 

She gets cuter and cuter, more silly and more grown up everyday! 

I did laundry and put some clean underwear on Jade's head, she loved it, now every time she sees Jamen's underwear she thinks it goes on her head. 

Her two top front teeth are finally in, very excited for her to have a set of teeth!  

Jamen wanting his picture taken 

Cute pigtails! 

Where have we been?

The two weeks have been a blur, its been busy with many decisions to make, thinking, praying and some traveling. On the 22nd we traveled to TN to speak at a church out there and visit with some friends. It was a great time for us, very encouraging and refreshing. Also, in the last week after much praying, talking with the field of Paraguay, we've decided to take a step forward and we are officially leaving in May! I can't tell you how great it is to have a date set and paperwork started. We are still praying and looking to the Lord and to many of you has we still need funds to continue on and keep us overseas.We are reminded daily with the urgency of going to the unreached and the Lord keeps providing so that we can get there, its very exciting to see how He works through all of us!

In the mean time, we will be heading to GA next week, to visit and speak at churches. We will keep you updated as we continue on. 

Jamen just being cute

At the playground in the mall 

Playing and having fun 

Jade loves to read...rather us read to her