Enjoying the Time We Have

One of the most difficult aspects of missionary life is leaving friends and loved ones behind.  Our boys were only 18, 20, & 22 years old when we left for the Philippines in 2002.  Five years later the process is no easier now than it was back then.  It is for this very reason that we cherish every opportunity we have to spend time with you now, knowing that in give or take a few months, we may be back in the Philippines a year from now, and this time for perhaps as long as four years.

Over the Christmas break we had the  pleasure  of spending our first Christmas as a family since our return from the Philippines.  We enjoyed celebrating Christmas with friends at Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque and Christmas Eve with friends from the Laguna-Acoma Baptist Mission in Cubero, NM.  On Chrismas morning we opened Christmas presents and later that day we enjoyed a full family style Christmas dinner complete with ham, turkey and all the trimmings.

The following day Cirena, Sheila Marie and I drove out to California to visit friends at Pacific Coast Church in San Clemente, Rancho Community Church in Temecula, and others.  We had the privilege of staying with a long time friend Rosemond Smith and visiting with her at her home church, South Shores Church in Monarch Beach.  Our stay in California again was short but very encouraging.  We thank God for each of you that took time out to make our visit extra special.

On New Years Eve we left California and arrived back in New Mexico just in time to celebrate the New Year with friends and family again at the Laguna-Acoma Baptist Mission.  A few days later we were back in Missouri getting set to start our second semester of training with NTM. 

We praise God again for the time we had to spend with many of you and for those we missed we hope to see you during our summer break.  Of course you are always welcome to visit us here in Missouri.  Until then, our Lord is well worth the sacrifice and so we serve Him by His grace.