Decisions... Decisions...

This is Joshua checking in.  It's been awhile, and apparently I am no longer an official "writer" for the blog.  I think user error is to blame as I inadvertantly deleted myself and can not figure out how to be added in.  Ah well, on to the important stuff.  I'll sort it some time.

I spent this weekend in a wilderness survival lecture.  It was great to spend some time in some other things that are of interest to me.  I got a great overview of many topics that I look forward to trying in the safety and confines of our next camping trip.  Now I'm gathering my thoughts to share on what's been going on with us.  It's long overdue.  About 2 years over due.  There has been so much going on in our world lately, it's hard to know where to start, or even which parts to share.  Even those of you around us in person, are only getting snippits of it all!  We've been making a lot of decisions in the last several months.  Big ones, small ones, and yes even changing our minds on things we thought were set.  This is all in an effort to align ourselves with the Lord's will for our family's future and calling.  Lately, just when I think we have something settled, He closes the door, and sometimes quite evidently.  We are becoming familiar with the characteristics of "closed doors" and at a lesser rate, the characteristics of "open doors."  There is forward progression, and I would say with all the closings, the Lord is funneling us into something specific.  It is exciting!

We thought we were going to join YWAM Tyler this year in June, or at the latest January of 2014.  Our lives revolved around getting us there, including house preparations, prayer, and planning what should happen each month that gets us more ready for June physically, spiritually, mentally and so on.  It's definitely a process.  You do not just go into full time missions "next week."  A lot of preparation is involved and much of that is preparation of the heart.  We are talking about leaving the American dream and lifestyle, all we have known and doing something completely different in everyway.  It is diving into where God is and what He is doing worldwide.  It means FULLY relying on Him, and ridding those little inklings of "well I have this savings account or that medical insurance" and so on.  This dramatic of a change is still our vision and hope for the future.  Our route there seems to be changing a bit. 

We are no longer considering YWAM Tyler for June or even January at this point.  It has nothing to do with YWAM the organization; I hope we will join them in the future according to the Lord's will.  It is a fantastic ministry!  Veronica and I came to realize that missions on your own is one thing, missions as a married couple is another, and missions as a family with children is yet another.  One size does not fit all here, and each person is in a different place readiness wise.  For now, we are slowing down our jump into full time missions.  While Veronica and I feel completely ready to leap, the Lord says there's a few things to work on.  We've only had 2 weeks abroad on missions, and that was without our boys.  We realize we could benefit from more experience with longer durations on the field that also include them.  We are considering such a thing with the ministry we've previously worked with in Haiti, except now we would be on the leading side of it as we host other American churches on their short term trip there for 1-2 weeks.  Our total time there could be up to 10 weeks, serving multiple teams from the US over the course of this summer.  It's a neat opportunity that will grow us immensely and our missions experience while continuing to help the Haitian Church flourish and reach their own, as well as get the word out to American Christians the necessity for short and long term missions not only in Haiti, but all over the world.  God is on the move, and is inviting His people to join Him!

We will keep you posted on this opportunity as it develops.  For now, the plans remain to work toward full time missions.  Our house still needs work, including interior painting which we hope to check off the list with a painting party in late February.  We also have a bunch of stuff that needs new homes and we will have garage sales.  Fundraising is still needed for the future mission, as well as a possible 10 week trip (that is 10 weeks of no income although life continues back home afterwards).  And of course, the heart preparation continues.  That is to be part of the Christian life anyway! 

We are seeking the Lord on this new opportunity and hope that after this experience, our next step will be clearer including open doors.  Everything is in His timing, not ours, and we're excited to see Him move.  Again, this post seems only to describe a glimpse of all the Lord is doing in our family, but it is at least the gist of it!  Please continue to pray for all this, but more importantly for the hearts of those we will reach at different times and places.  God is to be known in all lands, and glorified by all peoples!  This is why we go. 

Love to all family and friends!

Joshua