What A Summer!

I can't believe how quickly this summer has flown by. August 3rd marked four month living New Orleans! We've had such an amazing time. Orin and Micaiah have fallen in love with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I don't know how we're going to be able to leave. We got a glimpse of what it would be like to live near family all of the time. How nice it would be to have that constant support - the ready-made relationships. But the time is coming to an end. It's sad and exciting at the same time. We're finally going to be taking our first assignment as missionaries. August 9th marked two years since we were accepted as Wycliffe members. Two years! Boy, I can't believe that we've been "preparing" for so long. When we first were called into full-time missions we of course wanted to start right away. But after two years of training and raising prayer partners and financial supporters we fully understand why God allowed us to go through everything we have the past 24 months. We are even more committed to the ministry we will be doing and realize to a deeper extent what it means to trust God. There were definitely a few times where I wondered (and worried) if we were ever going to have the full support we needed to begin working. Luckily I have a husband who kept me grounded in those times and reminded me that God is faithful and that it will work out in His time and in His way. We don't know what God has in store for us during the next few years - we know what we feel that he has given us a heart for and what we "hope" will happen - but it's comforting to know that whatever it is, it's the plan God has for us. I'm just excited to live it! Right now we are back in Virginia to be commissioned by our church tomorrow. Most missionaries are "commissioned" which is comparable to a minister who is "ordained." Our church will commit to praying for us and supporting us in many ways. We are so incredibly blessed to have our sending church be a part of our lives and ministry. After commissioning we'll pack up the rest of our belongings and drive back to New Orleans (with a short stop in North Carolina to visit my brother) to pick up the few things we have here and on to Dallas hopefully by September 8th. Our monthly support is at about 97% so that combined with the one time gifts over the past year averaged to 100%. I'm definitely using every bit of "faith" I have to not worry about what will happen if people decide they can't continue their financial support. God will take care of us. In about an hour we'll leave for the Saturday night service at the church. We have to attend all three services this weekend so it will be interesting to hear the same sermon that many times. I'm sort of curious how it will change each time he preaches. We have a busy week this week. Three shepherd groups to attend, meeting with our old couples Bible Study, a play date, commissioning, going through all of our "stuff" trying to get rid of as much as possible and of course, packing and moving. Luckily we have Aunt Christina who will be coming up to help! We haven't started off very well as Micaiah and Orin both have fevers and Micaiah woke up at 4am throwing up everywhere. Luckily after about an hour it subsided and it seems to be done.