Seeking

This past month, the Lord provided the resources and time for Husband and I to travel to Italy with Jacob and Zach, and we had a good time! We have wanted to take them since Jacob's senior year in high-school, 2019-2020, but were prevented during the shut-down. Our initial planning, then, planted a seed for missions and Italy.  For that trip, Husband reached out to a missions organization. One church pastor from Italy responded, and Husband asked: "What is the need?" The answer was long-term, faithful laborers. We began to pray about long-term missions and Italy. Then the Lord moved us to Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church in December 2019. Since then, we have learned a ton about missions and had rich discussions and come alongside several missionaries, lifted countless prayers and gone on short-term trips. While many doors seemed to have been opening for Rome between 2022 and 2024, they were shut distinctly the week of Rick's graduation from Bible Training at the ...

With my Husband's bible training complete, the follow up question we have been getting the most is: so what's next, followed up with, will you guys be sent to the mission field now? The short answer is we do not know what is next, only God does  ( James 4:13-16 ).  I will never forget when we visited Cornerstone and spoke with the missions pastor for the first time. He said 'the church will disciple you, but there is no guarantee we will send you. Missionaries do not send themselves - churches do . Root yourselves here, and let us get to know you. We want to see how you respond when the sheep bite and if He will confirm this desire.' That was sobering, but we were confident in the Lord's leading us.  If you had asked me then, are we ready to be sent? I would have confidently exclaimed, YES!!! But four and a half years later, I am so thankful He did not allow us to go, when we had the opportunity. We were not ready. Are we ready now? That would be a question for our...

Happy February, beloved! This month, I want to take a moment to thank you and ask for your continued prayers for my husband as he is in the final stretch of his 3-year  bible training  program. He graduates in May, and is toiling to finish his 60-page thesis paper by April on 'welcoming one another, as Christ' ( Romans 15:7 ). I also want to take a moment to affirm him and our fellow brothers and praise the Lord for them . I have adapted  Proverbs 31:10-31, NKJV , to put this to words.  Who can find an excellent husband?  For his worth is far above a pension. The heart of his wife gladly submits to him; So she will have no lack of gain. He does her good and not evil All the days of his life. He seeks employment and training, And willingly works with his hands. He is like the cargo ships, He brings his goods from afar. He also rises while it is yet night, And provides money for his household, And a portion for enjoyment. He considers a venture and pursues it;...