Missions

I think it gets in your blood!!! Well, there is just an excitement to hear about the next mission team that the A&M church of Christ is supporting during their training year. Joy for Daniel and I that we are in Abilene now that the mission teams train with the Halbert Institute located at ACU.

The Concepcion Team (Deanna Meredith, Wesley and Ellen Shutt, Sara and Chad Lukkason) came over last night minus one of the couples (Reid and Meredith Overall). We talked from 6:30pm-10:00pm at least. We love hearing their thoughts and know from having Alison and Justin's experiences that they will learn so much about themselves and about God through this journey.

They will train until January 2011 and Lord willing will fly to their new homes in Chile. They are each looking for support so as you pray remember them. This is a faith-building experience as you contact congregations and talk with people about supporting your financial needs. If any of you out there have a missions committee looking for missionaries to support, contact this group.

We are doing well. I enjoyed a few days in Tulsa with Hannah. She will really miss Tulsa when she moves. She has made a home for herself there in the two years she has attended University of Tulsa. On Monday, Mar 1, she begins her last seven weeks of interning in a rehab center. She is thinking this is the direction she will begin to look for a job in DC. She has been with a school district since January. Can't wait -- I know she will be a beautiful bride, God has blessed her in so many ways!!

Abilene Snow

Isn't this what everyone in Abilene is doing? Downloading their snow pictures and posting them!! We were in Lima when the last snow came to Abilene so today was fun for us.

Daniel got to come home around noon and we have totally enjoyed a day of relaxation. We are ready for this everyday!! Having Daniel home everyday not the snow...



Cele enjoyed the snow!! We also had a special visit from Phil Grassie, Jason's dad. Phil and Patti live in New Mexico so it was quite a treat to be able to sit and visit. They were missionaries in Brazil and so we were able to listen to some missionary stories!! Great fun!! We love getting to know the parents of the young man who will be Hannah's life partner. God is just so good!!



Looking out our front door!!

Bible Warriors

Grant Parker, Maddie Parker, Rebecca Lopez, Allie Lopez and Samantha Istre

Daniel and I teach the Hope Bible Warriors (3-6th graders). There are about six students that come every Wed. night. This spring we are going through some OT stories. Since our bldg does not have an oven we decided to have the kids come to our house for Bible class last Wednesday. We wanted to make unleavened banana bread. We had been talking about the Passover and the escape from Egypt that the Israelites made. We enjoyed singing and playing and reading and cooking. It really opened up a new opportunity to enjoy them on another level. Enjoy the pictures!!

Pondering With the Lord

The weather was just too wonderful to not get out today, well, this afternoon. I got into my walking clothes and headed out to restart my way back to running. I began speaking out loud to God immediately, almost like it was going to burst out. I confessed a mistake that I should have figured out at least nine years ago. Peace came immediately and I know that I am forgiven. I'm such a slow learner, but I am determined that I have learned it this time!! My walk was short as my plan has it that way. 15 min. brisk walk is my next step!!

As I came in, Daniel had the radio on and Focus on the Family was interviewing Robert and Bobbie Wolgemuth and their two adult daughters. (scroll down on the page to listen) The interview was about the parenting of their two daughters and about Robert's book, She calls me Daddy. I decided I wanted to just sit and listen to the 20 min. interview. I found myself tearing up - so many memories as I listened. Daniel and I had so many of the same feelings that were projected in this interview. What a joy to be parents, determined not to hand off the job of parenting to anyone else, a mix of love and discipline, listening to music and singing in the car...we definitely enjoyed the ride. It was also very hard and there were many prayers and mistakes we made. I'm overwhelmed by the love God gives in my heart for my girls. I know there are many parents out there that have experienced the same. How can we understand the deep love of the Father? We understand just a bit by being parents!!





One of the activities the woman of Hope (our church community) does is tell the feeling of our hearts at our weekly gatherings. My friend, Chelsa, uses the word SASHET, and each letter stands for a feeling(sad, angry, sacred, happy, excited, and tender). That is a beginning point, but we can use any word to describe where our heart is at that point. It has been very helpful for us to gain insight as to where we each are. Earlier in the week I told her my heart was feeling very dependent on God and today, as we gathered for our Friday lunch at the building, I felt relaxed in the Lord (even though my circumstances aren't all at peace). That is what I told God as I walked today, even though I made a mistake, I will confess and move on. My heart is still going to be relaxed!! Try this with some of your friends, it has been quite helpful and fun!!