Catching Our Breath

Wow. What a week that was, eh?! We were blessed to be there with all of you. Whitney and I had a good weekend with family. It was a good chance to catch our breath. Did everyone make it home safely?

Whitney and I talked to Keehner (our senior minister) yesterday and told him that we were definitely going to New Zealand. I was so nervous, but once I got the conversation started I felt better. He was super-supportive. He wants to tell the elders and the staff next week and then probably announce it to the congregation in January. That seems a bit soon to us, but the good news is that we can get started with fund-raising and selling our house much earlier than we thought. We told him that we would like to fase Whitney out in February as long as we have some sort of supplemental support by that time. It looks like our last Sunday here will be either May 20th or 27th.

Joe informed me about the Mission Training International program that he and Amy are thinking about attending from May 29th-June 15th in Colorado, which is a directive of SPCF for those going into a new culture. Joe, I read all about it on their website www.mti.org. It looks like a great program. I'm assuming that the SPLICE program is what we would be going through. This is definitely a possibility for Whitney and me. I may have a committment at a wedding in Indy the day after it is over - June 16th, so that might complicate our idea to start our fundraising "tour" with Hamish and Molly out there with some E. Richard contacts. Taylors, I don't think MTI would be a requirment for you guys since you are already living in the culture, but we are definitely open to you joining us. The cost is $1700 per person, though, and it lasts three weeks. I'm kind of excited about it.

I know you are all busy, but try to check in from time to time and let us know how things are going. Thanks for being such great people.