We are now in Eureka CA after spending 4 months in Simi Valley. It was so nice being in the same town as Bethany’s parents. The kids got so much special time with Grandma and Papa. It was also a real blessing to get to connect with their church and make a number of new friends there. The Lord provided a sweet, godly couple who we met with regularly for counseling and encouragement. On our trip north we were able to stop and visit cousins of Josh who we haven’t had a chance to see for many years.
Estonia
I (Bethany) took a brief 6-day trip to Estonia to join a Thrive Retreat. My time away was full of sweet times of rest and reflection. The Thrive retreat is held in several different places in the world each year and is made available for missionary women. This was my first Thrive retreat. The retreat speaker focused her message on making the Word our anchor and encouraged each of us at the retreat to find verses that can become our own to help us through the many storms and trials of life. What I most valued in this trip was time alone with my Father. I ended up with ample time to bring many heavy burdens to His feet. Such precious time! I also made many new friends and it was a blessing to see so many ladies who have fought the good fight of faith and persevered through many intense hardships and trials. I was placed in a small group and us seven ladies grew very close and shared quite intimately in a very short amount of time. Prayer time together was really special.
Below: a missionarie’s face has been erased from the photo for security purposes.
Montana
As overseas missionaries, any time with family is special and to have all of my family in one place was such a huge blessing! This trip was just that! Getting to be with my parents, my two siblings and their families was wonderful! There was gingerbread making, walks with grandma, devotions with papa, pallet forts in yard with cousins, water coloring, evening games and so much more! Family is such a wonderful blessing that we certainly have learned to value!
Praise:
Thank you for praying for us on this furlough. Josh and I have continued to receive such wonderful encouragement and counsel. Going home to ask for help has been the best decision we’ve ever made in our marriage. We have spent a lot of time with godly couples who have journeyed this road before us and have encountered many of the same trials. This is particularly encouraging to us as we seek by the Lord’s enabling, to implement the advise and wisdom that we have gleaned to better prepare us for fruitful lives and ministry. We thank the Lord for the encouragement the Body has offered us and His provision to meet every one of our needs.
Prayer:
-Continued strength in our marriage.
-For wisdom in decision making and trusting the Lord’s leading for our lives.
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