Time Flies!

 Look who turned 14!  Jana has been such a gift to us, and we can't believe that 14 years ago the nurse handed me this 9 pound 9 ounce baby and allowed us young ding-dongs to take her home!  The Lord was with us every step of the way!  Our first morning home from the hospital, we were worried about her breathing.  In all of our extensive reading and childbirth/child raising preparation, NO ONE told us how LOUD newborns are!!!  We phoned the hospital in the wee hours of the morning, fearing that she was having trouble breathing...they talked us down from the 'ledge' and hung up the phone telling us it was normal.  Still feeling unequipped, we did what affluent young Americans do.  Aaron drove 30 minutes to the nearest store and purchased over $100.00 worth of pharmacy items that we thought would surely save our child's life...humidifier, nasal drops, suction thingies, and on, and on!!  Thankfully my mom came over once the sun came up, and gave insight and calm to our panic!!! We loved our tiny, helpless, precious baby girl and thought that 'stuff' would help us to parent her well!
... as if Osco drug store could sell parenthood preparedness for a hundred bucks!

Family birthday party before we left for the conference

Afternoon at the farm~ a beautiful place to celebrate her birthday!

50's diner for her birthday dinner, they sang and made it special for us all!

Oh, how we love our little girl.  We're so thankful that God has allowed us to be a part of her life and share in what He is doing with this young lady!  She has taught us so much and we continue to learn and persevere together...First born children don't have it easy!!

What a blessing it was!

 We so enjoyed our time at ECHO this week.  We learned about things that we didn't even know that we didn't know!  We learned that sitting for long periods of time is much better if there are consistent snack times of fruit and pastries at 10:30 am and cookies and brownies at 7:00 pm!   Folks will sit and listen for exceptional lengths of time when snack time is on the horizon! 

 On the second-to-the-last day we met a family who also had children there!  The kids enjoyed some time of fellowship and fun!  It was so nice to see their smiles increase and to hear the laughter and giggles flow.

Got Gator??

On our first trip to Florida, we had to try gator...

The waitress said it tastes like chicken, but chewier. 

She was exactly right!!! I'll stick with chicken, thank you very much! 

We're at the Conference!

Starfruit Tree!

Banana Tree!

We are enjoying our mornings in conference halls, and the afternoon on the global farm.  The farm is doing research and development on farming/agricultural techniques for the benefit of global missions workers.  They do trials on different plants and animals and provide training for people in all phases of ministry training.  We are definitely 'green' in comparison to the majority of the other attendees, but we are meeting many wonderful people, hearing of many ways that God is using people to minister all around the world, and we are being encouraged in a huge way!

We "wanna-be's"  are learning about sustainable agricultural techniques, applied technologies, (using tools/equipment that are available and usable by people in developing countries) and lots of other interesting lectures and hands-on lessons on tree grafting, seed sprouting, and first hand accounts of how the gospel is being lived out and people are being fed spiritually and physically around the world. 

More Preparation!

We laughingly call any obstacle, challenge or trial, "preparation for what is to come". 
I have a dear friend who asked one of the kids, "If your mother refers to one more thing as "Preparation" don't you think you'll just puke?" The child slowly smiled and stayed silent...smart girl!
I realize that it's getting annoying to everyone around me, but I am so thankful that I am able to see these situations that feel difficult, with proper perspective.  Hebrews 2:13 tells of when Jesus said, "I will put my trust in Him, and again, behold, I and the children whom God has given me."  If Christ can make such a statement, I know that I, as one of those children He was referring to, can too!

Never more than now have I been thankful be living in Atlanta and not Montana.
Our heater has stopped working in this cute little house (which is in great need of an overhaul), so we have been without heat for 2 days!  Brrrrr!

We are so rarely truly hungry for food.  We are almost never truly thirsty for clean water.  We are not very often so uncomfortable that we have to cry out to the Lord for physical comfort. SO~ much to Holly's chagrin, I will say that waking up in a 52 degree house is certainly preparing us for something...

We attend a conference in Florida next week where we will be able to learn about the current events in global agricultural missions, and hear from people who are working in this arena from all around the world.  We are praying for divine appointments and open minds as we take in new information and fellowship with new friends!
The Christmas tree is up, the Christmas music is playing, and the Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer is being poured!!  Merry Christmas.

my Strength and my Shield

This week I saw the words of Deuteronomy 1:30-33 in a brighter light.  I was reminded that the God of the Israelites, the one true Living God- our God- is the most fierce protector a girl could have! How do I forget that?

"The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.  But for all this, you did not trust the Lord your God, who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go."

When hard times come and my heart is hurting, I seem to react in my flesh, quickly forgetting that God is my comfort, my refuge and my strength.  I forget His Sovereignty.

The word shadow was used in Hebrew as a metaphor for protection against oppression- Kings in Old Testament times were referred to as shade for those who depended upon them for protection.  I know the scripture that speaks to resting in the 'shadow of His wings' or the 'shadow of the Almighty', but I think that I have underestimated the enormity of this Provision.
I can completely rest in His shadow.  Not just take a moment to catch my breath and then get back to fighting in my own strength. Complete rest.  Trusting in my King.
The protection that we receive from God, who loved us enough to sacrifice His only son is complete protection.  He doesn't protect us until He tires, or provide for us until He decides we've received enough- He is faithful, and He is with us when we stumble.  Psalm 37:23-24 says:

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

Our family has been experiencing trials and challenges.  At first confrontation, I have reacted with a hurt heart and many tears.  Then I was led back to scripture to correct my misunderstanding and unbelief.  It is so clear.  God's word tells us that the Father's Love, Provision, Protection and continuing Guidance are available to us at every moment, and at every turn.  But when the going gets tough- I am weak and I forget. 

As I learn this lesson-albeit, a little late, I wanted to share what God has shown us.  We should walk through our lives knowing that we have a Heavenly Father who carries us;  like a father carries his son.  We have a Heavenly Father who holds our hand when we are about to fall. 
Throughout the Old Testament, the word REMEMBER is used a kajillion times...'cuz we need to be reminded to REMEMBER!  ...and still, I keep forgetting to REMEMBER.

I want to allow God to carry me through.
I want to allow Him to order my steps.
I want to rest in His shadow.
I want to believe His word is true.
I want to remember that He and His angels are mighty to perform His word (Psalm 103:20)

Only by the power of the Holy Spirit will I be able to do these things that I say I want to do.  Thankfully I have a Helper. (John 14:16)  The Holy Spirit abiding in us will bring us to the truth of God, and help us when we call on Him.  What a gift we receive when Christ's people, put our faith in God.  I am so glad that He is lighting my path, holding my hand and carrying me through.

TEFL Certified!

I completed my course!  TEFL is Teaching English as a Foreign Language.  It is geared toward English teachers who are teaching in non-English speaking countries.  I also was certified for Teaching Business English, and Teaching Young Learners. Our hope is that this will be an asset to our ministry.  I have volunteered in English classes in the past, and there are plenty of opportunities in Atlanta to gain experience as well.

Aaron was able to attend a Gospel Coaching workshop as well, to be trained in discipling men into deeper relationship with Christ.  We are looking forward to further training as well- Aaron is enrolling in a Tropical Agriculture class for January, and I'll be taking a Medical Missionary Intensive training sometime in the spring.  We are continuing to pray that the Lord will utilize every moment that we are here, to better equip us for His service one day soon!

We Praise God for His provision and blessing on our lives here in Atlanta.  We have been blessed by our church family here, and our church family in Montana.  We are grateful that when our days don't go smoothly and according to our plans, we can trust that they are indeed going according to His plans- and nothing could be better than that!!  Enjoy a blessed Sunday...