Saying goodbye to the City Beautiful

It is hard to believe, but this is our last week in Orlando. We leave on Saturday to begin our ministry training period in Melbourne, Fl with Terry and Betty Morris. While we are sad to leave friends and family in Orlando, we are very excited that we finally get to go do what we have been talking about for the last 3 months.

This time of support raising has been trying at times, but overall God has used it to bring people around us to hear our story and encourage us. We have received so much love from the body of Christ during this time. People have welcomed us into their homes and offices, taken us to dinner, and come to desserts to hear what God has called us to do in the DR. We hope that God has used us to open peoples hearts to what He is doing around the world, and how He wants them to be a part of it. We serve a BIG God!!

In August God showed us that we were not to go off and be lone rangers for Him in the DR, but that He wanted to raise up a body of believers to "send us out." We are confident that God has built that body, and that while we are the ones physically going there are many many many others going with us in prayer and in spirit.

Here are some pics from our time in Orlando!






Please pray for Elliott this week as he prepares the 4 part sermon series on God's faithfulness that he will preach during our time in Melbourne. Pray for wisdom and discernment as he prepares to communicate what God has placed on his heart.

My FINAL final, finally!!!

Today I took my final final! Due to my health struggle last August, my graduation plans took a little detour. My nice little plan of graduating early in December '06 suddenly had to take a back seat to my health and our new marriage. So, for the last year I have had the joy of embarking on a "non-traditional" college plan. In January, I started the daunting task of taking 2 of the hardest classes ever to be created....Swimming and Aerobics, along with a Public Speaking class. And, in August I began my last class online through Baylor. It is quite a struggle to be self-motivated to study for the class that you avoided registering for 7 semesters in a row, but I made it. And now I am waiting until December 15th when I will officially be a college graduate!

Thanks to all my awesome friends who called today to congratulate me. Y'all are the BEST!

Elliott surprised me with a celebration picnic in Mead Gardens. Mom, Dad, Hap and I walked up to the sight of balloons, and a brightly colored bouquet of flowers decorating a picnic table. El brought take out from my favorite Mediterranean restaurant, and we finished lunch off with a big piece of Key Lime Pie! After lunch we played a game of bocce ball and walked through the gardens.






I was reminded today that I have the best husband in the world, the best family in the world, and the best friends in the world. I praise God for these incredible gifts!