From Michigan to Missouri

Our little family spent most of this summer in our apartment on the second floor at New Tribes Bible Institute. Stephen worked over the summer and I tried to keep the kids busy. At the end of July my mom came to help us pack up our apartment. She packed up most of the kitchen and helped with the kids. I’m sure we couldn’t have done it without her.

We walked the halls a few last times, and said goodbye to some good friends.

Next the kids and I went to stay with my Mom at her house. Stephen stayed in Jackson so he could continue to work that week. We had to do it this way because we needed to be out of our apartment in Jackson a week before we could arrive in Missouri. It worked out fine. While the kids and I were with my mom we got to do fun things like visit the children’s museum, play at lots of parks and mow the lawn with Uncle Joel.

 

During this week that Stephen and I were apart our car quit running. The story of how it all worked out is rather long, but suffice it to say that through much prayer and clear provision from God we were able to sell our car and get a mini-van all in a few days. God worked it out so that the car died BEFORE we left (it would have been pretty rough to have it quit on our way out to Missouri) and Stephen’s Uncle found us a wonderful deal on a great van before he even knew why he was interested in the van. Uncle Ken was even able to drive up to Michigan (from IL where he lives) to rescue us! The finances were generously provided to buy the van. So many answered prayers here! Thank you Lord!

 

Last Sunday we said goodbye to MI and began our trip to MO. We broke the trip up into two days, spending one night in IL, with Uncle Ken and Aunt Patty. Stephen’s mom flew our from CO to help us on the trip and with getting settled in our new home. Her help was invaluable. While the kids don’t love long car rides, having someone to sit in the back with them and have the extra space that the van provided was really helpful.

Verna, Stephen’s mom stayed the week with us and slowly but surely all the boxes were emptied and it started to look like home here. I didn’t take any pictures of the unpacking process. Guess I didn’t want to remember!  The campus here is beautiful, with rolling hills covered in trees and a pretty lake. We live in a town home on top of the hill. It’s the nicest place we’ve ever lived and we’re really enjoying it already.

We started our orientation yesterday and will continue tomorrow morning. We are super excited to dive into the missions training here.

Please pray for our kids as they adjust to their new home and new schedule. Tomorrow they will start childcare, where they will be each morning while Stephen and I are in classes. Please pray that Stephen and I would have wisdom in parenting them through these changes.

Please pray for Stephen and I that our hearts would always be soft towards God and his Word and that we would continue to grow in Him even in this busy season of our lives.

Please pray that we would use our time wisely and make the most of the training we are here to receive. Pray that we would continue to learn how to invest in others while we are being invested in.

We thank God daily for all of you who are standing by us in prayer and loving us even from far away! We miss you all!