Refreshed

Thank you all so much for your prayers for us. Our retreat was amazing. The facilities, the natural surroundings and the hosts were wonderful. It was much more than we could've asked or imagined. I find myself saying that a lot about what He provides for us. Almost immediately when we arrived I had an overwhelming feeling that God cares for us so much. It was like I knew right away that God had planned specifically for Whitney and I to be in that place at that time. We had talked about taking a couple of days to go into town and look around, but we didn't get back into our car until the week was over and they were kicking us out.

We got plenty of rest, prayer, reflection, reading-time and food! I can't express to you how beneficial this week was for both of us. I'm so glad that we are learning to "push our pause buttons" this early in our ministry. I'll share a short resource with you guys later. It talks about spiritual retreats: what they are, who should take them, their importance, etc... Anyway, the hosts are an older couple who have devoted their whole lives to providing times like this for full-time ministers to get away at no cost. We scheduled a time with them to talk about what God is doing with us and New Zealand. It was nice to talk to someone who was totally objective and yet so interested and excited for us. They are now also praying for us. God is great!

God's Provision

You know, He really does take care of everything. It's one of those things I take for granted so often. We have a car, jobs, and a place to live now, and I truly believe it is a result of all the prayers we have received. It means so much to us (and to me especially) to have such a supportive group of people. I received Whitney and Amy's cards in the mail the other day (Hamish was a bit jealous that he didn't get one too ;) so I let him read mine.). You guys even called to send us off on our flight! You guys are amazing! So far life in NZ is good. I haven't run into much homesickness as of yet. We've been involved with a Bible study that meets here at Mum and Dad's, and it has been so good to meet people and start to form friendships. We asked the group to pray for you all and you all will be in our prayers as well. Can't wait to see you in October!

unplugged blogger

I know it's been a while since I've posted any of my lovely and lengthly blogs...but I'm gonna be honest...Where has the summer gone?! I don't realize that it's been so long in between not only posts, but checks and for that i was going to apologize untill I logged on and saw that I was not the only inactive blogger. So to my other unplugged friends, I am glad you understand. And to Nate...I think you need more to do at work! And now I am getting on to excuse why we won't be on for a while again! On Wednesday of this week my brothers and sister in law are going to be coming down to our house to stay the night so that we can wake up bright and early on Thursday to head down to the Ozarks to meet my parents and the boat...yeah!! We will be down there untill late Saturday night. Then on Monday we will be leaving for CIY for the week. It should be a great week. We are taking a group of kids and none of them have ever been before! Yikes but awesome! So you won't be hearing from us for a while I presume, but please do be praying for us as we will be doing the same for all of you. Oh and one more thing (I knew a short post from me would be asking too much!) There is a church in our town, well Springfield, that is starting a multi site church. We ran into the guy that was heading it up at the NACC right before our meeting if you recall. Anyway, some of the people that are going to be core members volunteer at my work so we get to talk about it often. And last week the guy heading it up was our speaker at High School camp so we got to talk with him alot. Anyway they just bought their building and they are going to begin meeting every Sunday starting this week for lunch with the core families that are going to be joining it. They also meet every Monday to discuss plans. Well they have invited Joe and I to join them at their core group meetings and their Monday night meetings to observe and to learn whatever we can. We probably won't be able to join them until mid-August but we are going to take advantage of this and hopefully gain a lot of insight from these people. We are excited about their new campus and excited to learn from them and share with you what we learn. Hope everyone is doing well!!

NZ idol

Yes! Check out what's coming soon to NZ TV2:
click: NZ idol

p.s. Whitney and I will be taking a media fast all next week while we're on the retreat, so we won't be able to respond to blogs or emails until Tuesday July 25th. FYI.

retreat! retreat!

I just wanted to let you guys know about something exciting for Whitney and myself. The other day whitney and I decided that we need to get away from everything (i.e. northview, our families) and take some time to process all that we have been through in the past nine months or so. We need time away from distractions to just listen, ya know? We wanted it to be as soon as possible.

We looked at our calendars and saw that the best option would be July 16-21. It needed to be little or no cost and definitely out of town. With no direction as to where, what, or how, I asked my dad and I think Joe to pray that God would provide a low-cost quiet, refreshing, retreat-type get-away. Well, today our prayer was answered!

Last weekend we had searched online for free retreat-centers for ministers and came up with two websites with many links to such accomodations. You should check them out when you get a chance, click: sabbaticals: christian reformed church -OR- clergy retreat info. The first link we looked into was broomtree ministries. They had only a few weeks where they provide these retreats, but one of the options is close (Niles, MI) AND it includes accomodations for a week with food...free! Supporters make donations so ministers can get away with their wives for spiritual refreshing and renewal. And get this. The first week listed was the exact week we were hoping for: July 16-21. When we called yesterday, they said it was full, but that we would be put on the cancellation list. Today, someone cancelled! God totally provided this for us. We're quite exctied about being in a beautiful place with natural surroundings for the sole purpose of being close to God and each other and spending $0. Click here for pictures of the lodge.

I didn't realize how many opportunities there are out there for ministers like this one. Whitney and I plan on looking into setting up retreats like this out west (they have some in Colorado) as debreifing weeks before we come back home for visits. I think it would be quite beneficial and a great way to push our "pause" buttons as John from SPCF put it last week at the meeting.

Please pray for us during that week. Ask God to calm us down and allow us to listen to Him there. Thanks for your prayers!

From Sea to Shining Sea

Hey Everyone!
Glad to hear that you got 'home' safe Hamish and Molly. Molly we spoke with your mother, she is a dear! She was really sweet. I hope your sermon went well on Sunday. I can pray backwards, but I didn't see the blog untill after! Also that's awesome that you are takling with the elders about stuff.
I have been reading more in CPFTGU and last night Joe and I made a prayer postcard to send out. We will send it to both of you. We are meeting with a friend on Wednesday to help get our letter and facts page together and looking good. But for now we are at my parents house getting ready to celebrate the birthday of our country. I figured I better party - hardy this year and next because America's birthday is prob not on the top Holiday's list in NZ, eh? I love this holiday, there is not much that gets me fired up like a good ol' rendition of God Bless America My Home Sweet Home.
The Good News...We bought a car today!! It was a complete blessing from the Lord! We got a deal on our new (preowned) Volvo. Praise Jesus!
And last, Whitney asked me in an email the other day if the lesson that Nate and I were trying to teach them about Rook had anything to do with miracles...I like the way you are thinking Whitney, but no. Nate I believe that confirms that Joe and Whitney just aren't ready for their lesson yet...we'll keep praying for them.
Great meeting last week. Whitney and I had a great ride home except for the deadly cloud to ground lightning and killer hail that we had to drive through.
We feel so encouraged by our meeting with the board and with all other we were able to speak with. Yeah Happy Independence Day Nate and Whitney, and Hamish and Molly, just plain old Happy Day...I'll sing the anthem an extra time tomorrow for you Molly.

This here neck of the world

Kia Ora,

Greetings from New Zealand! Molly and I arrived safely and quickly (lots of games and movies on the plane!) on Thursday, and we are glad to be home. I really got a sense of that on Sunday morning at church. Surrounded by old friends and new faces, I just had an overwhelming feeling of being home. I didn't realize that I missed it so much! I am glad that God has called me to spend my life here.

I appreciate all the work that you guys have put into sorting out the assessment in October, and the flights there. I will go ahead and contact Wester Hills, and maybe some other places, and see if I can hook up some support for the trip. I understand how stretched SPCF must be, and I don't want to take any unnecessary money from them. I will keep you posted on how that is going.

Side note--I am preaching at Shore on Sunday morning. You can pray for me! It will be a great opportunity to get my face recognizable to people when it comes time to introduce the plant. Also, I have had a couple of quick but coll conversations with some of the leaders at Shore, and they seem to echo some of the sentiments we have been having. I like the way things are shaping up!