Four Armor-Bearers

In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan, one of the leaders of Israel's army, decides to do something that doesn't make a lot of sense. His army is completely outnumbered and surrounded. They are hiding in caves. It doesn't look good. He decides to take action and do something about it, though. He decides to go and fight and see if maybe God will fight for them. He asks only one other man to go with him (the Bible only calls him Jonathan's armor-bearer). This armor-bearer could have said, "You're crazy! Two against many. No way." But instead, he was supportive and said, "Go ahead; I'm with you heart and soul." Wow. Long story short, God does fight for them and the rest of the Israelite army joins them and they win the battle. --- Well, I have been blessed with four armor-bearers. Leaving my job and going into ministry is a battle also. And it doesn't make sense on many levels. But we know God will fight for us as we remain in Him. For me, one of the main ways he has confirmed that is by giving me four incredible people to live with who are right beside me saying, "Go ahead; we're with you heart and soul." Wow.

Many Thanks

Yesterday was Trevor's last day as a financial advisor. After 8+ years the day was full of many emotions. Thanks to all who are joining with us in prayer - there has been a sweet peace flooding our hearts and our home the past few days. Surely this is an answer to prayers. Another answer to prayer is Jackson's much improved health. He has been fever free for over a month! Thank you, Lord!

A great birthday gift

Tate and Jay put this together all by themselves. All the moves. It was their mommy's birthday gift. She loved it. Hope you do too.

Stayin' Alive

Yesterday's disco lesson didn't go so well. My limited knowledge of disco is from Sat. Night Fever clips and from my Mom's competitive disco days. Despite this I was trying to demonstrate a few basics to the kids. Tate gave it all he had, Ellie sat watching and trying not to laugh at us, and Jackson wouldn't make a move. I was really confused by his hesitancy since he's usually willing to boogie down.

Later on I asked Jackson why he hadn't danced. Totally seriously he replied, "I don't know. I'm just not that funky..."

Lessons learned in Kiwi land

Driving along the base of this mountain felt like somewhat of a time warp. Rewinding a few thousand years left us standing in the sandals of the ex-Egypt-dwelling Israelites. Does this not make you think of their keeping a safe distance from the majestic mountain where God's presence was dwelling? Moses climbed the mountain to receive God's word/law for the people. Okay, climbing a mountain is no easy task, but consider climbing a mountain empty handed vs. descending a mountain with stone tablets in hand: stone tablets are heavy and there's no way to catch your grip. Perhaps the truth behind this amazing illustration God painted before our eyes is this: Climbing the mountain to have focused and intentional time in God's presence is a challenge (earlier mornings, etc.), but coming down the mountain to share with others what He's revealed to us at the top is a far greater feat. The view is so rewarding after the upward climb - not to mention the privilege of hearing from God. But He does ask us to climb down and share what we've heard; even if it's really hard. Moses did it.

The path less taken? Edward Jones offered a complimentary tour of the city of Queenstown our second day on the south island. Since we rented a car, we opted to branch out on our own and fore go the bus tour. (Besides, I don't think my system could have tolerated any more motion sickness prevention medicine...) After surveying the map we picked our remote destination and headed out. The goal was simple: find where the well-paved road ends and the non-advisable road begins and TAKE IT. We found the end of the rental-car-appropriate road and were readyto head into the mountains when the sign and locked gate informed us that the crazy man's road was closed. After a brief bout of disappointment, we detoured to a small hike that took us back into a mountain surrounded, sun-kissed lake. The path itself was worth the hike. Maybe it's because we were so green-depraved, but the ferns, trees, moss and winding stone path was a joy. I briefly corrected my posture and walked as regally as I could along the path pretending I was in the company of Lord Elrond's elves. That's the kind of path it was. Heading back the Lord spoke. He gently reminded me that had we not varied from the "path" of all the other brokers, we would never have seen this path - the path He had in store for us that day. How similar to life back home and our varying from the EDJ path.

Milford sound!! The "must see" of New Zealand. The drive to Milford Sound began with crossing much of the same landscape we had already conquered, but as we entered the Fiordlands our eyes saw sights that cameras and words cannot capture. Yet, despite the rivers, rainforests, and towering rock cliffs sprinkled with waterfalls we pressed on to get to our destination. We couldn't resist stopping a few times for photos, but didn't engage in any of the possible hikes or adventures along the way. We were so set on "getting there" that we felt rushed and were unable to savor the moment. When we did "get there" we were met by a dense fog and cold enduring rain that almost completely shrouded everything. The "must see" couldn't be seen and we both felt like something had been stolen. Funny though, it wasn't so much the loss of Milford Sound that poked at us, it was the loss of the missed adventures along the way.

In the land of "The Lord of the Rings"

We just returned from New Zealand. What a place! We were very blessed to have been able to spend 4 days on the north island, and 6 days on the south island. Our 4 days in Auckland were spent talking to people who are serving the Lord and spreading the gospel. With all that is happening in our lives, we were really searching to see if God wanted us to join them. So we visited 4 different churches, talked with 3 different pastors, and spent a good amount of time with missionaries from Indiana. So we got to see different ways of doing ministry and the beautiful diversity of the body of Christ.

New Zealand may not be the first place you think of when you think about sending missionaries, but we found out that there actually is a huge need there. At least half of the people there believe in nothing. Turning to God is the last thing on most people's minds, even when their lives fall apart. It was quite sad to realize this.

So, as we drove the countryside on the south island, hardly ever seeing a church building, (if we did it was set up more as a historical building) we dreamed of coming there and creatively starting a church. Using adventure outings to build a church would be a blast, eh? There was also the thought of just joining what God is already doing in Auckland on the north island. As for now though, it is only a good idea, not a God idea.

We did see many locations where different scenes from "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed. It was neat to talk to any of the locals about it. They all were more than welcome to share their LOTR knowledge. We also went horseback riding where they filmed the battle scene of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." We were very blessed.

So the people who know all about the "power of the Ring," need to hear about "His divine power [that] has given us all we need for life and Godliness..." 2 Peter 1:3

We will pray for those there in New Zealand, and we ask for any others to join in praying for them. The country that is so proud of being the location of the movie "The Lord of the Rings" needs our prayers and needs workers.