THAT Post....

Please forgive me for not updating this page more often!
(The best way to keep up is to Sign Up for our monthly Newsletter)

The good news in that is that I'm not sitting here bored trying to think "What could I possibly do next??", but rather "Ahhh! I need to update the blog!" as I go running by ;-)

God has been working in so many ways! We will finally have the house on the market within the week, the kids are off to their Nana's and then camp not long after, I've been cleaning, talking with people, and writing letters. Dare I say, this is starting to feel real!

One thing I think I need to clarify to people is the financial situation. It's a bit confusing if you've never experienced this kind of missional support and can be completely overwhelming. Below are some of the things we'd like for people to understand about this process:

• We have to be 100% supported before we can go to Ireland. That is, that all of our monthly support has been promised and is coming in: Almost $8700 monthly (If you're concerned about the amount, EMAIL me. It really does make sense when you break it down), and all of our launching fund must be in: Around $74,000.
• We need people to start supporting us now. This is basically due to the launching fund which all monthly support will go into for now. It's our moving expenses, training for several weeks before we leave, and purchasing a car once we are over there. It also includes other training once we are there and travel for family wellness.
• You don't have to give hundreds of dollars every month for years in order to be able to help. One thing I learned while helping with WAY-FM's pledge drives is that every dollar really does help. If some can do $100 or $200 a month, bless you! But if you can do $15 or $20 a month for one year, that adds up with others just as well! Our goal is not to have "X" number of people giving at a certain amount. Our goal is to reach our monthly goal- however many people it takes. In fact, the more people who support us, the more we know are praying!
• We want you to feel this. In other words, no, we don't want you to feel you have to break your budget to support missions in Ireland, but we also don't want you not to feel it at all. We are challenging people to try an amount that doesn't stress them too much, but is still a bit of a sacrifice to the Lord for them. That may mean cutting going out to eat once a month, toning down the cable package, or cutting back on a "Venti Mocha Java Happy" once a month. Whatever it is, we want this to be a personal experience between you and God in partnering with us :)
• We can't work over there. I've had several people ask us why we aren't getting jobs in Ireland. Well, we are in the sense we will be meeting and discipling people all the time, but as for Irish employment, we can't. The economy is too bad and we can't get the visas for typical jobs. Should have been a brain surgeon instead of a nurse for One for the soul.... ;-) Though we would love to get an official job over there, it's just not what God is allowing for now.

Though I know this post is a bit long, I pray it has cleared up a few concerns about our finances. Please continue to pray this all goes in God's timing. Though personally we would like to take it easy, we feel God wants it to be quicker and even that is taking a huge step of faith because of how slow it seems to be going still. We are at less than 10% of our monthly needs still.
So......... here's our support link!!
Our account is #19860

Third Culture Hearts

We've been working so hard the last few weeks with getting the house ready to sell, getting our stuff ready to move, cultivating partnerships, and taking a course to develop an education plan for our kids. One of the books I've had to read for that was Third Culture Kids. It's brought up many great points about the moving process not only for the kids, but for us as well.

Today as we were driving to Lowe's again, we had the windows down enjoying the coolness of the day. All my thoughts though were of Ireland and the move. Will I miss this drive? Though this seems cool to me now, will it seem like a heat wave once we've been in Ireland for a while? I wonder if the bugs sound the same in the trees?


I realized, our hearts are moving cultures as well. Everywhere we look we see the mixture of TN, the USA, and Ireland. What things will be the same? What little things will we miss?


This is both an exciting and scary time. We are happy and sad. Spending time with friends becomes all that much more precious because we know it won't last that much longer.

We are so excited to have this journey to share with you :-)

A Word

I'm having one of those days.

As I sat by the fire pit this morning burning an un-salvageable dresser while Ruel ran to Lowe's yet again for another expense in order to sell the house, I cried out to the Lord, "I don't want to do this any more. I'm tired and I miss just time with You not asking for something." With one eye on the billowing flames, one hand cradling my cup of tea, and no heart left, I rested my head on my Bible.
I needed a Word.

That's when I opened up to the Psalms. I figured if they could comfort David, they could comfort me.

This is what I read:

How lovely is Your dwelling place,
Lord of Hosts. 
 I long and yearn
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.

 Even a sparrow finds a home,
and a swallow, a nest for herself
where she places her young—
near Your altars, Lord of Hosts,
my King and my God.... 

Happy are the people whose strength is in You,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

Psalm 84:1-3,5

Yea... He knew I needed to hear that.
Christ is my comfort, and He's moving with me.
God is my rock, and Ireland is still His dwelling place.
The Spirit is my guide, and He knows what I need here and abroad.

What more could I ask for?
Yes, it's turning out to be one of those day. Praise God!

WWJD? This!

Even though finding partners and raising all our support for Ireland can be intimidating at times, it's so helpful to know we're in Good company!


"Soon afterward He was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her); Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions." 
Luke 8:1-3

Reality Check

Every once in a while reality hits, perspectives shift, and goals are fine tuned. These are good.

Really. 

Though things change, we look at the work through fresh eye and with a scoured heart. Here's where we are right now:

• Happy birthday to our youngest, Elijah! Our baby is turning 9 today. While is such an amazing blessing to see how he is maturing into a young man, it is a reminder of just how fast time can fly.
• It's get the house ready to sell week. Ruel is on vacation starting today and we have a ton of stuff to do. Painting, staining, sanding, sorting....keep us in your prayers!
• Because this is the week to work, my back - of course - has gone out. It seized up really bad last night. I couldn't even lift the toothpaste :( Pray it gets better soon. We have so much to do!
• We have not been praying enough. Ruel and I have been convicted of not spending enough time in prayer for our MPD's (Ministry Partners Development). In other words, we've not relied enough on God's power to raise our monthly support: We've been trying to do it on our own. Our prayer this month is that by the end of May we will be at 20% of our monthly support. Only 15% to go..... (Click here to join us in prayer with a quick daily FB update)

We are trying to be transparent with everyone. There's not much glory to give God if we don't express how much He helps us! Keep us in your prayers as we get through this next month.

The Yard Sale Shuffle

With any dance style, you can't just show up ready for the party if you haven't learned a few basic moves. Sure the waltz, box step, and - now days - shuffling, look easy, but just try them for the first time in full and  you will quickly find your other left foot.

Yard sales are quite the complicated dance I've found. Who knew it would take so much time to go through almost 13 years of married-to-a-pack-rat-stuff! And like any other dance, I'm finding lessons in small doses to be very helpful.

Today's move?? The laundry room shuffle!
Wanna dance?

Providence

Every time I hear the word 'Providence', I use to think of the old Michael W. Smith song from the late 80's. I've always loved me some good ole' Smitty!

In the last few months, God has been replacing that first thought, not with another song, but with faces.

We are where we are meant to be, doing what He has called us to, and relying on faith in Him to meet our needs. I won't claim that it's not a terrifying place to be, but perhaps that's why God knew to make me a bit of an adrenaline junkie ;-)

Yesterday was a prime example of God's providence. We visited Immanuel Baptist Church in Tallahassee, FL, and it was a day of comfort, blessing, and a 5-hour energy drink for our faith. Thanks to a friend of Ruel's from his college days, we were able to talk to their Sunday School class and fell in love with them!  Not only was it a blessing to hear their excitement in what God has called us to do, but the pastor also prepared a special sermon just for us...even though he had no clue we were coming! One guy even came up to us with the word providential on tongue to describe our visit.

After leaving there greatly encouraged, we arrived at our home for the week and were blown away by the generosity of one of our brother and sister's in Christ. What a great opportunity it was to teach our kids about Christian love and generosity- even what they can do. Elijah already has a plan of what he wants to do for them :)

Let me encourage you: God knows what He has planned for you- and it is good. Not easy. Not comfortable. Not typical. But it's for you, you alone, and it's very good.

Ask Him for the faith to help you follow it. He planned it all out, just for you :)