In the midst of our time in the states

Greetings to everyone.

Well, we have been here in Wisconsin for just over a month.  What a time we are having.  Oh we ARE resting and recouping, but also getting to visit and share with our family and friends.  This really was a needed time to regroup and set our minds in  order.  We have spent some quality time with our kids, and grandkids and GREAT grandkids.   I'll include a few pictures so you will see at least two of the greats.

And we do keep in touch with Vero in Haiti and get the updates she shares.  The phone rang, I saw it was Vero's number and was glad we'd get to talk to her.  Then when I said hello, what I got was, "I went poop on the potty, now you can come and get me."  I said hello Savanah.  She repeated that several times.  I think she thought the reason we left was because she was refusing potty training.  Hard to explain to a 3 1/2 year old that, that was NOT the reason we were gone.  But I do ask for prayers for Vero as she not only takes care of Savanah, but continues to do the tremendous amount of work she does on a daily basis, plus keeping up with our place and the things there.  She is still having problems with her feet and legs.  And it's pretty bad when she has a plane day.  She needs prayers for healing and for strength.

When we first came out, we stayed a week in Florida.  We were blessed beyond measure when we were offered a home to stay in there.  The couple had gone to Hawaii for 3 months to work with a mission there.  They opened their home for visiting missionaries and pastors.  We had a wonderful week of relaxation and rest.

I thought I'd share a few of our photos from here.  This first one is our daughter, Christine with our son Todd's granddaughter, Faith, and Christine's son, Donny.  Faith is our only great grand daughter.  The other 6 "greats" are boys.

 

 This is our son Dale and Christine's son Donny.  Every other Saturday Dale takes Donny for the morning and they do special things together.  Donny has Cerebral Palsy and he treasures his time with Uncle Dale.  They went to an open house at the fire station and Donny was able to hold the fire hose. 

 Here is Donny, Faith and Faith's grandma, Debbie.  That little girl is a real sweetheart and steels everyone's heart.

 This is our oldest granddaughter, Theresa and her son Dalton.  He's a cute little stinker, too.  It was so good to get to see at least some of our Greats and Grands....

 

And here is Great Grandma and Grandpa with Faith.  She is just over a year and is a real go getter.

   A good friend, Bernie, held an open house for us a little over a week ago, for our church family and anyone who wanted to come and see pictures of Haiti and hear about our ministry.  There was such a wonderful turnout and we were able to see many who we probably wouldn't get to see otherwise.  We are so thankful for Bernie's thoughtfulness!!  We know the Lord will bless her for her openness in helping not only us, but many other missionaries and missions around the world.  She is also one of our faithful prayer warriors and we treasure that!!  

The week after this, we will be very busy.  Donny, our grandson, will be having both of his legs operated on.  He has had so many surgeries on his legs.  This time he will end up in full leg casts on both legs for 8 weeks, then go in for 3 weeks of intensive therapy. We won't be here for that hard part but will really be praying for both of them.  Please keep both Donny and Christine in prayer as they go through this trial.

With all things going on here and in Haiti, the Lord impressed on me something I had read not long ago.  I'll copy it here for you:

Jeremiah 29: 11 ~ 13

“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm  you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Many times things go on in our lives that we don’t understand.  Things that at first seem to hurt us.  But God… Remember those words:  BUT GOD.  He is always there, through every hurt, every mistake, every wrong turn, every situation.  He’ll work all things out for our good if we let Him.

Someone once said that claiming this verse is taking it out of context.  My thought on that?  EVERY promise God put in the Bible is for us, today, in every situation we face.  God shared it with us, for us to learn from, that HE IS THERE, no matter what we are facing. (The red is my input.)

This is something I think we all need to hear, many times.  The Lord DOES know what we are facing and He is THERE for us, through it all.  We only need to reach out to Him and hold on!!

Well, I'd better close out and get some things done here.  We were blessed when someone gave us  325 buckets for our bucket ministry in Haiti.  Now we need to work out the logistics of getting them TO Haiti.  

Just a reminder... keep your eyes on Jesus and let Him be the guide in ALL you do and ALL you say.  And keep a tight grasp on His Hand!    Blessings!!!!