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!

Noel trounces our future home...

According to weather radar, tropical storm Noel has officially passed over the DR, but the effects of its torrential rains and high winds remain for our Dominican and Haitian brothers and sisters. The DR's Emergency Operations Center's latest bulletin reports that at least 41 people are dead, 20 are missing and more than 50,000 have been evacuated. We assume that flooded rivers and mudslides have caused the most destruction.

On Monday, Jack and Jenny had to leave Cielo prematurely due to flooding in the streets below. Apparently Cielo residents were marooned for some time as the rising river surrounded our beloved hilltop village. Nick took these amazing, comparative shots of the river valley from Club Bamboo.





Jack, Nick and Jenny flew home yesterday, and although their flights departed as scheduled, heavy rains continued as they took off. According to Jack, many were concerned because the 30+ inches of rain forced the government to increase water flow out of the country's river dams, increasing the risk of more severe flooding downstream. Anyway, we're very grateful that they are home safely.

Lindsay and I made fast friends with a missionary couple back in March. Michael and Kristen Shaul live in San Juan de la Maguana, officially in the DR's "Sur" but actually northwest of Santo Domingo. San Juan, notorious for flooding, lies at the base of a major mountain range called Cordillera Central. We are very concerned for their health, especially since Kristen is eight months pregnant. In addition to praying for our friends in the communities, PLEASE pray for Michael, Kristen and the babe, and their ability to minister in the midst of disaster.

Desserts and Dinners in Orlando!

Rick, Lea, and Darby Steinberger were the hosts of our first dessert in Orlando! Thank you Mark and Pam, Matt and Amy, Dayne and Stephanie, Kelle, and Becky for coming to hear about the call God has placed on our lives. We are very very grateful for your support and encouragement.

Last Friday night we headed over to the Chapin's house for games, dinner, and sharing. First, Brady entertained us with his collection of spaceship and dragon LEGOs. Then we headed outside to play some tackle football (Lucky for me Annalee and Brady were only interested in tackling Elliott). Dinner and dessert were delicious!! Nancy is quite the chef. It was especially special for me to get to share our hearts with the Chapin's because Nancy and Robb have been faithfully praying for me since I was in elementary school. I know that their prayers have been powerful and effective in the past, and I am so grateful that they will be lifting prayers on our behalf in the future!





Thank you so much for your prayers last week while we were in the DR. We had a fruitful trip and trust that the Lord used us for His glory.

Our First Post...

Thank you for checking out our blog! We have had a wonderful first week in Orlando. It has been great to reunite with family and friends. We are off to the DR this afternoon for an unexpected trip. We will be there until Saturday afternoon. Please pray for our safe travel, and that the Lord uses us to administer His grace and healing. We will post again when we get home with pictures and stories from our first week in Orlando!