Kid-related:
1. Tyler found a couple coins on the floor. He gave them to me and said. "Here mom, this is for Africa!" :) (since we've been praying for money so we can go serve in Africa!)
2. I have been reading this amazing book, "Kisses From Katie," the story of a local 22 year-old that has moved to Uganda, adopted 13 girls, and runs a non-profit to care for the impoverished living all around her! I read some excerpts out loud to the kids and let them look at the pictures, to which Madison responded, "I'm just ready to go and help all those people in Africa!" :)
Spiritual:
God has been trying to teach me some valuable lessons lately:
1. Peace in this moment instead of anxiety regarding the timing of when we go, meeting deadlines, support levels, etc..
2. To seek His will regarding where I need to invest instead of trying to meet every need I see and consequently neglecting the things I KNOW He's called me to... my family, my home, and required preparations for our missionary service.
3. I live to please Him, not to earn the approval of man.
Practical:
1. We are trying to listen to the required online seminary lectures at night but find that when we sit down to listen for an hour at the end of the day, our bodies and minds have trouble staying awake!
2. I just registered for a consignment sale in March to sell most of our toys, wondering what we'll do if we end up not going in July ...have a lot less tidying to do at the end of each day, for one thing! :)
3. We just turned in applications for Noah and Madison to attend the elementary school at Rift Valley Academy! I can't believe we'll have two in school next year!!
Faith-based Support:
1. We praise God with thankful hearts that He has already provided 86% of the $27,312 we need in outgoing funds!
2. We are planning to take part in a missions conference Feb. 24-26 at our former church in Raleigh. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited for our first experience to speak to a church as "missionaries!"
3. Our greatest need right now is for monthly support, as only 43% of our monthly expenses are currently pledged. We would appreciate your prayers as we trust God to bring this support in by June if He wants us to leave in July... and to trust Him in the possibility that He doesn't want us to leave in July!
This has definitely been a very intense season all around, but God is giving us grace to see how He is using it for our good and for His glory. There's no place we'd rather be than right where He wants us!
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Proverbs 16:9
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
