Reflections

As I look back over this last year I am amazed at the journey the Lord has led us on.

We began this year living in Missouri, yet preparing for a move to England to work with WEC International. So, now at the end of 2009 we are living in England, yet preparing to leave WEC International and England to move to Zambia possibly in Feb 2010.

We have had a good year in England, of course accompanied with the normal challenges of settling in to a new home and culture. Back in the spring we found a great group of friends for the children through a small group of Christian homeschoolers.

We have also been blessed to find a church that we can call home. We have been amazed at the generous hospitality which the church members have shown us. The homes in England are so much smaller than the ones in the US, yet that has not stopped our large family of 8 from being invited over to their homes for dinner on several occasions.

The work at WEC has been challenging yet rewarding as Gary has helped to oversee the major roof work that commenced here shortly after our arrival. He has also dealt with some major structural issues and is currently rehabbing two apartments that are needed for new workers.

The Lord has also been so generous to us in providing all of our needs. We arrived here with no money left to purchase a vehicle, but God has provided. We have actually been given two vehicles, a VW Polo, which is great when just a few of us need to run around town and also a large 8 seater Toyota van which has been perfect when we needed to go out as a family.

In the beginning of September the Lord also blessed us with the opportunity to go on vacation in Wales with 60 other Christian homeschool families. What a joy that was to allow the kids so much freedom, knowing they were safe in the environment. Then at the end of September Gary’s Mom came to visit. She was able to stay for 2 weeks and we took her to visit several different parts of the country, including Bath, London, a day trip to the beach on the North Sea, a stream train ride through the North Yorkshire Moors and the children’s favorite – Legoland.

We have also had the privilege of spending time with Michelle’s family including meeting her brother’s son for the first time and being here when her sister gave birth to their first child just a few weeks ago.

The kids have done really well with the transition to England. Obviously, like us, they miss their friends in America, but don’t complain often and seem quite happy here.

As I said at the beginning of the post, it has been a good year. Actually, an incredible year, as we have watched and seen the Lord's provision, love and guidance for us.

We are excited, about what the Lord has planned for us during 2010. We know that it will be good, because all His plans are good (not always easy, but good).

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement during this year and we pray the Lord will bless you and your families in the year to come.

Michelle

What are you GIVING this Christmas?

Tag - Christmas Memories

Yesterday I was "tagged" by Adeye. We have never met although we are good friends as we both share the same passion for our Lord and have a heart for the orphan. If you have never checked out her blog I suggest you do. Currently her family are waiting to bring a precious child home from Eastern Europe.

Anyway, the reason she tagged me was to share a Christmas memory so here goes.

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. I love the expectation and anticipation that the season holds, obviously as a child I longed for the presents I would receive and always enjoyed the time spent with family.

Christmas in England was similar to that in the States. It was often cold, yet I don't remember a white Christmas. One of my favorite traditions was carols by candlelight at church.

During the advent season a cross covered with candles would be suspended from the ceiling in the church then, the Sunday before Christmas the church would hold a carol service. The building would always be packed, the candles lit and the lights turned out. After the service there would be a time of fellowship where we would drink tea and eat mince pies.

Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) is also a public holiday in England. On this day we would always travel to my Grandparents house and meet up with my uncles, aunts and cousins.

I think the most special Christmas I had was just 8 years ago. In the summer of 2001 my Dad suffered a major heart attack. We weren't sure if he would survive but thank the Lord that he did. After 9/11 that year the prices in airfares dropped dramatically and Gary decided he would like to take me home to England for Christmas. It was wonderful to be together with my family that year - you never really appreciate what you have until you almost lose it. I thank the Lord that He gave us that opportunity to be together.

I look forward to making memories again this year. Once more the Lord is allowing us to be together with my side of the family. My parents, my sister, my brother and their families are all going to be here with us for Christmas. With us moving to Zambia in February, this may be the last Christmas we celebrate together and I am so thankful to God for giving us this opportunity.

Well, I've shared my memories, now it's time for me to "tag" 5 friends to share theirs. This is how it works. Share a favorite Christmas memory, link to my blog somewhere in your message, tag 5 more bloggy friends, and then link back into my comments section to tell us when you're blog is ready to share!

Summer
Kathy
Dorothy
Shannon
Anita

Rothwell - Lights On

The day after Thanksgiving saw us walking in some very cold weather (well, cold for England!!) to Rothwell Town Center to watch the Christmas lights begin turned on. We thought it would be a quick event, but were wrong as a 45 minute show was presented before the lights were switched on.

The kids had a wonderful time. Listening to the Christmas music.

Hugging with Mom to keep warm (I really enjoyed that too!!)

Playing with the balloons that were handed out.

Watching everything that was going on.

And just hoping their balloons wouldn't float away!! (notice - we tied them around wrists!!)

And for those that complain that I never put a picture of myself on the blog - here it is!! Sorry it's blurry - but that's as good as it gets!!!


Michelle

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas

This post is very late (blogging has taken a back seat over the last couple of weeks) but the tradition in our home is to put up the decorations the day after Thanksgiving.

The kids were excited to get all the decorations out and up. We borrowed a Christmas tree from my parents (as they will be with us for Christmas) and used our ornaments that we had brought from the States.




I love the time when they bring out the ornaments. Most of them are ones the children have made, or special ones that we have given them over the years. I often hear "Oh! Do you remember when ...." or "I forgot I had this one!!"



After the tree went up we made some decorations for the wall and then Nicholas put up his "Mary Christmas" sign!!! :)



Michelle

The Lord Provides

Back in May we found out that we would be getting some money and expected to receive it in July, it never came. August came and went, still no money.

After making enquiries about where it was, we were sure it would arrive in September, but it did not. October and November passed and the money still did not arrive.

Finally, last week we received it. We are grateful to the Lord for withholding this money from us until now. If it had arrived in the summer, we would have spent it on things for the home and to help us through a tough time. But the Lord didn't want us to spend it on that - He has been saving it for us - why? Because now we know we are going to Zambia the money will be used to buy the tickets to get us there.

He is good and He does provide. Thank you Lord

Michelle

Update

Well things are moving quickly here in regards to our move to Livingstone.

The application for the charity is currently being processed in Livingstone and should be approved before Christmas.

We also have a friend that left today for a holiday in Zambia. She will be spending some time in Livingstone and will be able to bring the paperwork back for us if it is approved in time. She is also going to look around the area for us, taking pictures and checking prices. Please keep Margaret in your prayers as she travels with her granddaughter. Prayer for their safety and wisdom as she tries to be our eyes for us.

Once the Charity is approved then we can look into booking our flights. We have to enter the country with regular tourist visas (which we purchase at port of entry) and then apply for volunteer worker visas once we are in the country.

We are amazed at what the Lord continues to do. We have already spoken to a young lady from America who is interested in spending a few weeks of her summer in Livingstone to help with the work there.

Other things are happening too. I cannot write about these yet as these are not confirmed but, as I said before I stand AMAZED!!!

God is good and we feel so honored to be allowed to be part of this incredible journey that he has planned for us.


Michelle

Abnormal....

'It is abnormal for a Christian
not to have an appetite for
the impossible.'

Bill Johnson

Gary