Hi! Loved Ones,
Well after a month of travels I am back home.
What a month it has been.
My month started out by traveling out to Frontier School of the Bible to ride home with Hannah. After a trip through Colorado and several mishaps along the way after I arrived, I was finally able to enjoy meeting several of Hannah's friends parents, going to graduation and traveling back home on Saturday with Hannah in her old trust worthy car! I made great memories during this short time and look forward to the next couple of years that Hannah has at FSB.
We then turned around in less than 24 hours and began our trip to Iowa to see Jon's mom. She is doing well at age 84 and has been leading a Stonecroft Bible Study at her assisted living. While visiting her we had the chance to lead a afternoon hymn sing for the people living there. They so appreciated us giving of our time and we enjoyed getting to know them better. At the end of the week we headed for Missouri to attend a family dinner in honor of my nephew Michael's High School Graduation. We left Hannah there to celebrate with my family and drove to Kansas City to Jon's brother Dave's place to spend the night so we could catch our flight to Portland on Sunday morning.
Our trip to Oregon went smooth. We made all of our connections and were picked up at the airport and driven to Dallas, OR. We had dinner with some of our friends and then went back to the apartment we were staying in to prepare for VM candidate school.
The candidate school went well. I so enjoyed going back through it again. It was a great refresher course after 14 years in ministry. The candidate couples were great. Such sweet spirits amongst them. We also enjoyed working along side of the VM staff as we presented the work of VM to theses dear people. The interviews were done on Friday evening and that was the close of the school. During the week, Jon enjoyed connecting with his former missions instructor who serves as a visitation pastor at a local church and also a retired VM who is a Grace School of the Bible graduate.
Saturday we drove up the Pacific coast highway to Cannon Beach. My grandmother use to attend a Bible Conference every year there, so it was fun to see where those were held. We also ate some fresh seafood and spent time gazing at the ocean and walking on the beach. What a refreshing day after a busy week. Sunday we attended church and then met some dear friends who we hadn't seen in 10 years. It felt like it was just yesterday as we picked up where we left off and enjoyed an afternoon of visiting.
Monday we flew home and Tuesday drove to Red Cloud. Now we are back in the saddle again and trying to adjust to the time zone changes all over!
As I was thinking about all that I have done this past month, I found myself thinking over and over about the peace only Jesus can give us. At every situation He proved himself faithful. Resting in His peace has given me confidence that He has everything under control. So as I enter this next few weeks and the busy schedule it will entail, I know I can turn to Jesus and seek His peace in every situation. What refreshment that brings to my weary soul.
Blessings,
Deb
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A School Year Gone By!
Hi!
I am sitting here at my desk looking at the date on the calendar. May 2nd! Where has this school year gone.
9 months ago we had just graduated Hannah from our Home School and now this week I am making the trek out to LaGrange to drive home with her. WOW I am speechless!
Many people have asked me over and over how I have adjusted to our empty nest. As I have thought back about this last nine months I am thankful how the Lord has been working in my life, and though I miss the kids the Lord has entrusted me to, I know they are His first. They were entrusted to me some for 18 years and some for a short time.
I would have never thought last May as we were getting ready for Steven to arrive that in a few short months the Lord would change some of the direction of our lives.
These are a few things that I have learned and enjoyed.
1. Jon taking on the Assistant District Representative work has given us another focus. We love serving our church here in Red Cloud as they are our family, but we also love the missionaries the Lord entrusted us with as they are family too. A month hasn't gone by where we haven't been on the road, or on the phone visiting with these dear servants of God. What a joy to rejoice in seeing people come to know our Lord and to pray with those with hurting people within their own families and church. Jon and I don't know what the future holds but we will look back at this time of our lives with very fond memories.
2. The Esther Women's Bible Study was such a blessing and growing time for me. The concept that I learned is that the Lord already has my destiny set out before me. I can hinder his work by wanting my way or I can jump on board and go for the ride of my life. What a ride it has been and I anticipate it will be as I was chosen to live for such a time as this.
3. Quilting has become a passion of mine. I have loved taking some classes and making a few items that I have given away. As always the Lord has provided a creative outlet for me and I have some friends and family who enjoy this pass time too.
4. Life just isn't what I think it should be at times, but God is still faithful. I have been growing through this in a real lived out way this past nine months. Relationships that I would like to be restored are still at loose ends. People I would like to see saved, still don't know my Jesus, People with illnesses and injuries that I am praying for healing still aren't healed... My list could go on and on, but through it all I can see the Lords faithfulness. He has challenged me greatly that He is enough period and that even though I would like things to be different, he has a plan and loves me and those that I love.
5. Being an Empty Nester isn't all that bad! I love "my kids", but I have loved getting to know my dear hubby in our middle years better. Jon is truly a servant and he has showed me his love so much through serving me. After years of serving others, he saw this need in my life and has jumped in to help out wherever I need help! I have loved our time of quietness, after many years of a loud and hectic house and schedule. I just love being with him!
So as I drive out to pick up Hannah for this summer I am thankful what the Lord has put in my life. I am so looking forward to getting to know my daughter as a friend this summer. And I am thankful that my Lord is faithful. He will never change!
Blessings,
Deb
I am sitting here at my desk looking at the date on the calendar. May 2nd! Where has this school year gone.
9 months ago we had just graduated Hannah from our Home School and now this week I am making the trek out to LaGrange to drive home with her. WOW I am speechless!
Many people have asked me over and over how I have adjusted to our empty nest. As I have thought back about this last nine months I am thankful how the Lord has been working in my life, and though I miss the kids the Lord has entrusted me to, I know they are His first. They were entrusted to me some for 18 years and some for a short time.
I would have never thought last May as we were getting ready for Steven to arrive that in a few short months the Lord would change some of the direction of our lives.
These are a few things that I have learned and enjoyed.
1. Jon taking on the Assistant District Representative work has given us another focus. We love serving our church here in Red Cloud as they are our family, but we also love the missionaries the Lord entrusted us with as they are family too. A month hasn't gone by where we haven't been on the road, or on the phone visiting with these dear servants of God. What a joy to rejoice in seeing people come to know our Lord and to pray with those with hurting people within their own families and church. Jon and I don't know what the future holds but we will look back at this time of our lives with very fond memories.
2. The Esther Women's Bible Study was such a blessing and growing time for me. The concept that I learned is that the Lord already has my destiny set out before me. I can hinder his work by wanting my way or I can jump on board and go for the ride of my life. What a ride it has been and I anticipate it will be as I was chosen to live for such a time as this.
3. Quilting has become a passion of mine. I have loved taking some classes and making a few items that I have given away. As always the Lord has provided a creative outlet for me and I have some friends and family who enjoy this pass time too.
4. Life just isn't what I think it should be at times, but God is still faithful. I have been growing through this in a real lived out way this past nine months. Relationships that I would like to be restored are still at loose ends. People I would like to see saved, still don't know my Jesus, People with illnesses and injuries that I am praying for healing still aren't healed... My list could go on and on, but through it all I can see the Lords faithfulness. He has challenged me greatly that He is enough period and that even though I would like things to be different, he has a plan and loves me and those that I love.
5. Being an Empty Nester isn't all that bad! I love "my kids", but I have loved getting to know my dear hubby in our middle years better. Jon is truly a servant and he has showed me his love so much through serving me. After years of serving others, he saw this need in my life and has jumped in to help out wherever I need help! I have loved our time of quietness, after many years of a loud and hectic house and schedule. I just love being with him!
So as I drive out to pick up Hannah for this summer I am thankful what the Lord has put in my life. I am so looking forward to getting to know my daughter as a friend this summer. And I am thankful that my Lord is faithful. He will never change!
Blessings,
Deb
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