Beach Bums

What were we thinking:) Going to the beach on one of the hottest days of the summer. At least that's what I'm thinking (Greg) I mean everything is going to get sand in it, lots of people, sun burn I mean what fun could it be. Well there was lots of people, sand did get every where (I think I will be cleaning sand out of my right ear for days) and yes we did get burned but we had fun. The Kids had a great time playing in the sand and water they even got dad (me) into the water. It was a wonderful day spent with family and our dear friends who invited us to come along. The children loved having daddy for the whole day and spending time in the water. I really think that our children are part fish some days! Pictures will be posted in the next couple days as we still live in the 35mm days and have to get the pictures developed.

In Trusted with so Much

The Blessing we have all around us.

"14 ¶ "For [the kingdom of heaven is] like a man traveling to a far country, [who] called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 "Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 "And likewise he who [had received] two gained two more also. 18 "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19 "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 "His lord said to him, 'Well [done], good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 22 "He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 23 "His lord said to him, 'Well [done], good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, [there] you have [what is] yours.' 26 "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 'So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 'Therefore take the talent from him, and give [it] to him who has ten talents. 29 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 'And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" (Mt 25:14-30 NKJV)

What kind of servant am I? A question I have been asking myself lately. God has given me so much and I quite often forget who really owns the "cattle on a thousand hills". What talents and blessing have I been in trusted with and how and what have I been investing them in? This is a hard question, but one we should ask ourselves regularly. What 'talent' or 'talents' have I buried lately? Am I burying my health as I sit behind a computer or TV rather than exercising and eating healthy? Have I buried my time as I selfishly use my time for myself rather than building relationships with those around me? Have I been spending my finances well, distributing it where I should, or have I buried that as well - with foolish spending? So many other questions can be asked with other 'talents' we have been in trusted with. And as I look over the questions there is a common problem with all of them. These 'talents' don't belong to me; the questions should really read "how am I being a steward of God's talents that he has in trusted to me?"

As we as a family prepare to go overseas to share God's love through some (hopefully all) of the gifts God has in trusted to us, I have also been struggling with other questions. What do we do with all of our stuff? Why do I want to hold on to these earthly things of no eternal value so much? Things like our house and our truck, things that will only continue to rot as they wait for our return from the field. The root of these questions I'm sure again is a question of ownership. It's easily to say that God owns everything - however it's entirely different to believe it enough to live it out.

I just wanted to share a quick glimpse into my heart with you as our family continues to prepare for service. And in sharing this I am challenging myself and maybe you as well to ask these questions and then to have the Holy Spirit search out our hearts; revealing to us what we need to 'dig up' and start applying to 'eternal investments'.

Blessings

Greg

Summer Time & Five Weeks Left

Summer time has finally arrived and Isaac and Jaclynn are loving having Franklin home everyday. They have spent time in their kids pool and normally the whole neighborhood ends up in there with them. Greg is normally flying from eight in the morning till eight in the evening unless he is doing night ratings. Which night flying normally doesn't start until ten at night so most nights Greg will walk into the house at midnight or later. So please pray for Greg as these last few weeks as a flight instructor will be very long and trying. I have been busy helping Greg with writing letters to Churches, sending out thank you cards, and trying to master homeschooling (finding the right one and then trying to decide how to order). We have around five weeks left before we head out and begin raising support full time and do a lot of travelling. It is such a blessing that are children love driving and living out of the van!!!! Please pray for us over these next weeks as we prepare to hit the road, start homeschooling, and begin full time ministry.

Congratulations Franklin

Congratulations Franklin on finishing Grade Two! Greg and I are so proud of our son and all the hard work that he put into his school work. For those of you are just joining our blog you may not know the struggles that Franklin faces especially with reading. And I am proud to say that he just received his report card and all the subjects except for reading/story writing are at grade level. Please pray for Franklin as we will be homeschooling him next year that he will continue to improve. Well done Franklin and we love You!!!!

Love Mom and Dad