Waiting Here For You!

Well it is September and the weather is getting cooler and we are loving the feeling that Fall is on its way. We have had a wonderful HOT summer, but definitely glad to see the changes that Fall will bring. As I sit here and type Bryanna is playing with Play-Doh across the table and Jackson is in his high chair finger painting and we have worship music lightly playing in the background. We are currently living in a missionary house in the Nashville area. We for sure thought we would be in Belgium by now. This journey for us started in May 2009 so who knew it would be over 3 years and we would still be in the States. God knew!! We are at peace with where we are at, at this very moment. God continues to provide financially, provide us a temporary home, provide the support and prayers of family, friends, and our church. He continues on a daily basis to reassure us that we are exactly where he wants us to be for now, but we still feel such a burden in our hearts for Belgium. We have not been released of the ministry he has called us to there. We know we are moving and until he moves us we will be waiting here being as involved as we can be right where he has us planted at this moment. We have hit a couple of speed bumps this summer, but God has confirmed that they were not road blocks they were actually just a way of showing his timing and granting us some extra time with loved ones here in the States. In the meantime our partners in this ministry have continued to stand with us. By them continuing to give and pray for the mission it will have us exactly where we need to be when we are actually sent. Our Church has agreed to us starting the Visa process, now we are drawing ourselves closer to our Father waiting on the green light that only he can give. I am so grateful for the last 3 years of my life and how they have changed me and molded me. They have been FULL of transition, but we are embracing the change and learning to be at peace wherever HE may take us. We have learned to live with little and be content. We have learned what is really important in this life. We are only on Earth for a fleeting moment. We should be focused on his will for our lives and doing our best to live that out everyday. Eternity is what matters. Do you know where you are spending eternity? I am happy to say that the Church plant in Belgium is going well. Our teammates who are already there are doing an amazing job. They are now having weekly services. We are so thrilled to hear of the progress and the way God is working there. Our kids are doing so well! I cannot believe I am Mom to a 3 year old and a 1.5 year old. They continually bring me to my knees. They are both so smart. As God continues to reveal different parts of my life it makes me more thankful everyday that he is in control. Bryanna is now potty trained, she knows all of her colors, shapes, can count to 20, ABCs, and we are beginning to learn how to write her name, and learning to recognize all letters by site, she can do flips, she can skip, and can almost do the splits. Her favorite shows are Strawberry Shortcake, Mickey Mouse, and Barney. We are considering gymnastics for her. Jackson is learning his ABCs, he can count to 3 but we are working on getting to 10, he is learning site words and colors. He can run, hop, and climb up and downstairs. He is so FAST!! His favorite things are trucks, trains, and anything that rolls. He loves Thomas the Train, Mickey Mouse, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Bo on the Go. Bryanna is now in a new class at Church and she gets to take her Bible every Sunday and they have started bringing an offering. She loves that she is a big girl now. They are teaching us so much everyday, but one of the most profound things we have learned by being parents is understanding and realizing the love God has for us as his children.

Here are a few updated family photos. Thank you for continuing to follow our journey. We are no where near perfect, we are not special, we are normal everyday people trying our best to live each day for HIM. We so appreciate all of the love, support, prayers, and compassion shown to our family. "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:9-14 ESV)