Oh For Grace to Trust Him More

            So here we are.  It’s September already.  Sorry about not updating you all yet since our return to Hungary.  It has been a busy year so far.  Since our last update in February much has passed.  The school trip to Israel in March was life changing and I’m still looking at passages in the Bible and remembering what the wind felt like, the massiveness of the dessert, the sweetness of En-Gedi, and beauty of Jerusalem.  We packed much into just over a week and it was amazing.

Here we are on Mount Carmel looking over the valley of Megiddo

On a boat on the Sea of Galilee

Our trip to Spain to visit Nathan and Laura was just a few weeks later and it was a joyful and fun filled time with family.  They are now settled back in California.

Here we are by the palace in Madrid

Ice cream with the family in Spain

We were also able to visit friends in Greece in May, which was also a great blessing.

Our sweet friends Travis and Kristen, after an intense game of jungle speed, who are missionaries in Athens, Greece.

Now here we are already in the throws of the fall semester.  Many students are here for the first time seeking to know God more, and to where He would have them serve.  We are so excited to be involved in this process in each of their lives.

My brother Luke is now here at the school for the semester.  That has been a great source of comfort for me.  Having someone to play crazy games with and understand my movie quotes is quite diverting as well as the comfort that comes with having family close by when possible.

As of yesterday we have been married for eight months now.  It’s been a steep learning curve, but God is always faithful in it all.  There have been so many changes I often feel like I’ve failed in so many areas.  I find I often have to remind myself that what the devil intends for us to see as weaknesses the LORD can use for the sake of the gospel.  We are continually dependent on Jesus and the grace that He always has for us; a grace that is not based on us, or anything we do or deserve, but only based on His goodness.  Through our marriage I am learning to see more and more of how deeply and compassionately God loves us.  We continue to try and live by all of the scripture, but this verse in particular.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5&6

Every year I feel I learn more of what it is to trust in the LORD, but not because I’m growing in leaps and bounds in my spiritual understanding, but because as I encounter each new and intimidating situation I find God challenging me with the question of “You say you trust Me, but do you trust me in this?”

Thank you so much to all of you who are praying for us and showing us your love in so many ways.  God is really changing hearts here in Hungary and to the uttermost parts.

Please pray for:

1.     The coffee shop as we are training a whole new group of students.

2.     For family health issues as both of our families are experiencing some health challenges right now.

3.     Luke to settle into student life here and for direction in his life.

4.     For both of us as we disciple students.

New Beginings

New Beginnings

So it’s been a few months since my last update and so much has happened.

I finished my one-year in the School of Missions at the end of August and flew back to California to work at the hospital for a time and do some wedding planning.  Time passed quickly, but I did miss Jared as he stayed in Hungary for ministry during the fall semester.  It was such a blessing to reconnect with family and friends.  All of you have blessed Jared and I so much.  I’m so thankful for all of those who were so instrumentally involved in the planning and preparation for the wedding.

Jared arrived in the states in December and we soon after left for a few weeks visit to his family in Oregon.  What a blessing to be able to spend time with Jared’s family.  Being there was wonderful and I’m looking forward to future visits.

Wedding week brought a bombardment of siblings, merriment, contact sports, niece and nephew hugs included.  We missed those who couldn’t be there, but joyfully celebrated with those who could.  Who knows where we will all be the next we’re able to gather.  We are also thankful for those who traveled from Oregon, Texas, Colorado, and Hungary to be there.

We were also blessed by our CCBCE (Calvary Chapel Bible College, Europe) here at the school with a small celebration last week.  It was such a sweet surprise and some much needed relaxation and fellowship.  As Jared and I are from different states, have family all over the continental United States, and serve here in Hungary there were many loved ones who could not be physically at our wedding.  We are so glad to be serving alongside all of you here in Hungary.

The first week of school has come and gone and it has brought with it my new duties on staff here at the school.  Jared will continue with his IT duties, which entails pretty much being the go to guy with any problems these days.  In addition Jared and I will be taking over the management of the coffee shop here on campus, which will be where I spend most of my time.  I will also be stepping in as the school nurse.

Please be praying for:

1. The staff here at the school and there are always spiritual attacks directed toward those who would lift up the name of Jesus.
2. For our marriage.  That we would develop healthy habits now rather than later.
3. For the new responsibilities we are taking on.  Especially Jared in learning to balance more things.
4. For the Israel class trip coming up in March.
5. For our trip to Spain to visit my brother Nathan and his family at the end of March.