Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's funny... 

This year as I see all the amazingly gaudy and green St. Patrick Day's paraphernalia for sale, I've noticed a strange sensation. I'm giddy!  At first I thought is was like when you are excited about Christmas, a birthday, or a special vacation, but that didn't quite capture the feeling. Then I knew! It was like when your engaged and everything that reminds you about your betrothed makes you giggle and tell perfect strangers all about him. I feel just like that! :)

This St. Paddy's Day has me in a pre-"wedding" tizzy. And I'm lovin' it!

Enjoy this adorable version of the story of St. Patrick. It's too cute!

AND...if you've always wanted to be of the Irish culture, but never quite knew how....Might you consider supporting us?!?!? :-)

Bumps, Turns, & Forks

One thing I will never be able to claim, is that living life fully for the Lord is dull...

We've had the most surreal month:
First, Ireland is becoming more and more a reality to us mentally. We can't explain why, but Tennessee is feeling more like a temporary place, and that going to Dublin will be getting home. There have been numerous things in the last few weeks that have created this for the whole family. All I can say is that the Lord is weaning us. :)

Second, I (Tiffany) had gallbladder surgery almost two weeks ago after a month long gallbladder attack. Though I was very grateful to get rid of it, recovery has been much more difficult than I imagined. I knew from previous surgeries that my body doesn't handle anesthesia very well, but this time has been particularly rough. I've been dizzy and nauseous the whole time unless wearing a patch which then gives me double vision. On top of that, I've developed a very bad cold and double ear infection, and the medicine they are giving me to fight it, yes....makes me sick to my stomach. This is one of those times that I can rest assured that  Christ is my victor, because it sure feels like a no win situation!

Finally, Our Ministry Partner Development (MPD), has really suffered this month. (Though I have to say every time I see that well used acronym, I think it means Multiple Personality Disorder....that works well here too! ;-) )We've not been able to meet with many people and share about our calling to Ireland. This is where you can really help:

• Have we had a chance to share with you?? If yes, great!! Pray for God to lay someone you know on your heart that we can connect with. Remember, you are the only link we have with them! 
• Do you not know enough about what we will be doing? Let me know! I'd love to send you a packet of information for you to pray over. We can then meet and see in what areas God would have you partner with us.
• Afraid to ask for more info because you can't give financially?? God already knows who will join with us and in what capacity. We just want to share about what we will be doing in Ireland with you. No pressure :) You really may just be the link to someone else God has planned, or may be one of our most ardent prayer warriors. Let's talk!

Proof and Reality

We've been busy the last three weeks with meetings, Skype calls, and letter writing....but, with little visual result. It's funny, we know God is at work and that we are doing what we are suppose to in sharing with others and seeking partners in this ministry, but we've seen little evidence. I have to admit- it can be pretty frustrating and discouraging.

Yet, the Spirit reminded me this morning of Hebrews 11:1,
"Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen."

My proof that God is working this all out, is my faith.

When logic, doubt, and exhaustion creep in, faith is my proof He is working all these things for our good. Look as this phrase again, "..faith is the reality..." How amazing! Faith is not a vague notion, a rope of desperation, or a form of denial. Faith is proof and reality.

How could we ever be afraid to step out on something as solid as that?

I needed that. And I think you do too. :)

Here, Let Me Explain Ireland....

Did You Know...?

...We need your support!
Yes, I bet you already knew that. :-)

But, did you also know that we need it now? 

I use to think that people only needed the monthly support when they were actually on the mission field. But there is a problem with that. One, we don't really know who is supporting us and at what level so we know how close we are to moving; and two, we need to raise one time gifts as well in order to cover moving and support raising costs.

If , when, you support us now with a monthly donation, it goes straight into our moving expenses account. You'll be helping in so many ways!

In The Year of our Lord 2011.....

This has been the most wonderful and difficult year of our lives: And we expect it to increase in just those ways in the next year!

God has blessed us greatly while trials, illnesses, hurts, and struggles have risen around our family. Unexpected joys and sorrows have surrounded us. But God is with us. Ruel and I were just saying yesterday that with as much trouble as Satan is taking to attack us, God must have great things in store for us to honor His name as holy to the nations. As much pain as these things has caused us, we are getting excited for God to be glorified!

We have been reading and praying through Ephesians 6:10-20 and Psalm 139 for the last two months, and plan on starting the new year this way as well. Join us as we look to God as our source of strength, confidence, protection, joy, and that we continue to allow Him to search our hearts to see what is human desire/stubbornness verses God's will. We pray the same for you as well.

I'll leave you with a Psalm that has comforted me greatly today. May 2012 be the year you let go, and let God.

Psalm 3

1Lord, how my foes increase!
There are many who attack me.
2Many say about me,
"There is no help for him in God." 
Selah
3But You, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
4I cry aloud to the Lord,
and He answers me from His holy mountain. 
Selah
5I lie down and sleep;
I wake again because the Lord sustains me.
6I am not afraid of the thousands of people
who have taken their stand against me on every side.
7Rise up, Lord!
Save me, my God!
You strike all my enemies on the cheek;
You break the teeth of the wicked.
8Salvation belongs to the Lord;
may Your blessing be on Your people. 
Selah

A Step of Faith

There is nothing beneath 

our feet right now 

other than faith.

My natural response would be to fret my way through it, but the Spirit has given us a peace that truly does defy 

all understanding.

With Christmas and all it's joy and madness approaching, we've taken a step back in raising support. We're enjoying the season with all it's meaning, fully for the last time in Tennessee: Our family is relishing every moment.

I pray that you have a blessed celebration of our Savior's birth and look to the new year with awe at what God will do through you in His holy Name. You are here to glorify Him and He cherishes you so much, He desires to do great things through you. You simply need to ask of the Father what you know His heart wants.

May you see God unmistakably in your life today - as always.

For a taste of what we've been learning 

to adapt for Dublin visit T4Tonline.org. 

Contact me if you'd like to discuss some of the ideas behind this CPM!