UPDATE!

Howdy. Just as a way of updating everyone, I thought I would blog about our status in support raising as well as what January will look like for us. 

We are daily reminded of God's faithfulness to us, especially in ways that we never would expect. This Sunday at church, Ted spoke from Proverbs 3 reminding us to, "Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him." Wow. I have my own way of looking at things, and even my own way of assuming what God is doing or is going to do. That will fail me, unless of course I am walking in the Spirit. I am continually reminded that God has a day for us to move- a specific day- and we are not to move there a day before, nor a day after. As most of you know, we are currently raising our financial support to work in full time ministry in Denver, CO with Latino college students- something God has called us, and given us the obedience to follow Him in. As we daily trust Him to complete our goal, I cannot lean on the schedule I THINK we should be on in getting to Denver, nor should I lean on the people that I THINK will catch the vision for our ministry. God has brought along side us so far over 120 families and individuals who care about Denver hearing the gospel of Christ- WAHOOO! I am so thankful for the way HE THINKS about it, as I am learning so much of His faithfulness and Sovereignty. 

We are so encouraged! We are currently at about 75/76% of our monthly financial goal, and trusting God for the rest.

We are heading to the Destino National Conference in San Antonio in about a week, and are super excited to finally be introduced to the specific ministry we have been entrusted with. We are anticipating meeting many Latino college students from around the nation, and simply learning from them and getting to know them. We have such high hopes that God will do great things there in their lives. We also hope to really catch a feel for the way they do ministry, and get to know the staff that do Destino on a daily basis. We have so much to learn. I have a feeling we will be humbled in a major way.

After we go to San Antonio for the weekend, we will be in Fort Worth (prayerfully) on the way back- meeting with some great people along the way. Pray that God will open doors for us there, not only for the gospel, but also for opportunities to meet with people who could potentially partner with us.

We have had a HECTIC couple of weeks, but life has slowed down for us (at least for the last 2 days) after a week of a funeral and moving. We took a few hours to get away and really enjoy each other. Here are a few pictures from our "hike" aka a walk in the woods compared to our future home in Denver.

Peace and Love, friends.

Uprooted

I have this great desire to be a consistent blogger, but I have to remind myself that nothing seems to be consistent in my life right now- I am thankful to remember to shower 2 days in a row. Although the past month has been a whirlwind, our life is beautiful. We can see God's hand over us more and more clearly as it looks less and less like what we planned. 

Over a year ago, I would have expected to be married at this point, but that is about it. Austin and I are now moved back in with my parents (wonderful ones they are to take us back in on such short notice) after finding out that we would need to be out by the end of the month (december). We figured out, Austin has moved 8 times in the past year and a half. And I have moved at least 3 times. Wow! We are certainly getting good at this thing! It is exhausting, as most everyone knows, but we really are enjoying the process of being uprooted. The more we move, the less material things we hold onto, and the less we look into acquiring in planning for future moves. God really is sinking deep within us that this is not our true home. We belong with Him. We are learning to be comfortable wherever we are. Today, we plopped down on my parent's upstairs couch- all of our things left behind in a storage unit- but we were content! We finally have internet, for goodness sake! This is a good day. The Lord is faithful, and we are thrilled. Tired, but thrilled. 

Our home, once again, packed up into boxes. Humbling to remember not to hold too tightly to things that can fit in a box.

As I said, we plopped ;) 

More to come soon on the adventures of the past month...

Our First Holiday

   Today is a sobering day. I woke up this morning aware of the day's pending festivities...wondering how I could ever express my thankfulness to the God who created me, gave me new Life and a new family. As a new earthly family, Austin and I want our legacy to be more than just traditions of over-eating and sleeping in, though the break is a much welcomed one. The first words out of my mouth this morning were, "Austin, what will we do as a family...knowing that the Indians were mal-treated and yet God has provided us this land, but should we, ya know, like study Indians and pray for them...or what should we do?!" Austin is learning that I wake up with my mind going a mile a minute, but no filter to make sense of it all.

   We know life didn't "begin" when we got married less than 3 weeks ago, but sometimes it feels like it when learning how to do all the normal things of life with another person. We are in Nashville, Tennessee for Thanksgiving, celebrating our first big holiday as a new family. We are so excited to be spending time with both of our families this week and into the weekend, but what will we do as we now form our own traditions? Will we focus our gaze on Christ in the midst of a chaotic holiday season? These are the questions before me as I sit in the silence before the storm of family gatherings later today.

    This is really the first time Austin and I have been able to sit down and decompress since returning from the wedding and honeymoon. We have had a great couple of weeks merging our lives into one home, and getting back into the swing of work and preparing for upcoming ministry in Denver. What a joy it has been to spend my days and nights with this wonderful man that God has given me. He teaches me daily of the Lord's grace and leadership. I am honored to fall under his leadership. I just looked over to Austin and asked, "What is one thing you have learned so far in being married?" He breathes a heavy sigh, as I can see his wheels turning. He brings his hands together, eyebrows go up...his "message" face is on. He has something profound to say. "The one thing I have learned is how unprepared I am to be a good husband. Every decision I made before we got married was for me. Now I consider you in everything. Everything I do effects you. I am learning that my call is to shepherd and guide you as my wife." I love this man. He has a way of bringing things back to the root, or should I say the Vine. He has a great way of communicating our place as the branches, as Christ is the Vine. I have learned that as we stay connected to the Vine, my call to serve, love, and submit to my husband really comes easier than I thought. It is a joy to be done the way God designed it. I am not exactly sure how to express these things yet, but in due time the Spirit will show it. More to come.

   Back to Thanksgiving. I pray that God would direct our hearts to the things that He delights in today. Holiday or not, this is our prayer each day. How merciful of our God to not give us what we deserve today, but instead gives us Life in His family. This alone gives me thankfulness in my heart- and I know Austin agrees, and may we have the chance to express this to our families today.