Mechanics

Some may wonder why is the mechanic's license is require?  Which is a fair question.  Well some might think it is so I can fix things in the jungle when the plane breaks.  Which is somewhat true but it is rare for this to happen as aircraft used in mission type work like we will be involved with tend to be maintained at a higher level than other general aviation (GA) aircraft.  And for good reason, as we are operating these aircraft in harsher environment than the typical GA aircraft of North America.  So if fixing the airplane on a remote jungle strip is not the main purpose of getting this training what is it?  There are a few reasons and yes one of them is the above situation it's just not the main reason as I have come to understand.  Most mission aviation bases have limited resources and for efficiency proposes by allowing programs to run with fewer maintenance specialists on staff.  If the pilots are able and qualified to pitch in with the basic routine maintenance tasks not only in the physical aspect of doing the work itself but also being able to do the paperwork as well.  This frees the maintenance specialist to focus on the larger projects and the more serious repair work.  This skill also increases our skills as a pilot in the way that we have a more intimate working knowledge of our aircraft making us more proficient in it's operation and dealing with emergencies.

In a nut shell this training will allow me to be apart of a more efficient team on the field as well as a better rounded pilot as to what I would be if I was heading to the field with just a pilot's license in toe.

Snow Day?

I'm not in Canada anymore!  It's 37 F (3 C) outsides with some fog and mist which calls for school closures?  I braved the trip into school, well not really I was already there before I was informed of the closure.  Isaac however did get the day off and was prompt in rubbing it in as he sent me a couple emails throughout the day telling me what he was doing on his day off. This affords me some extra time this morning to share some of the things that God is working on in my life I guess.

Since acquiring the title of missionary, reading has become a little more important in my life, not that it wasn't important before.  Anyway I have just recently finished reading Don't Waste your Life by John Piper.  And yes I have been working through this small book for the almost a year now (I'm a slow reader unlike my wife).  I'd also would highly recommend others to read this as well.  One of the main points that I pickup on was where are my priorities or treasures?  Questions like where am I spending my time, money, gifts & talents?  Really these questions should be asked where am I spending God's time, money, gifts & talents that have been in-trusted into my care?  As I work through questions like these I'm realizing that there are some real lifestyle implications.  Thankfully the Lord is gracious as we seek Him more as we work through these lifestyle changes to bring more glory to our Awesome Creator.

Finishing off one book I have now moved on to a new one.  One in fact that was an assignment of sorts that I was given by the CBP Officer that processed our paperwork when crossing into the US last summer.  The book is titled Like a Mighty Wind by Mel Tari with Cliff Dudley.  I've only made it to chapter 3 and already really enjoying the book.  So far the book has been an account of Mel experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in very real and physical way.  An experience similar to the one you can find in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost.  I'm looking forward to the rest of the book, it is also written more in a reading level that I can handle with my limited reading skills.  So hopefully I can finish this one a little sooner than my last read :).

Looking Forward To A New Year

For me I think one of my favorite days of the year is New Year's day.  I love looking back over the past year and remembering everything that God has done for me and for my family.  Sometimes when I am in the middle of a busy week I get so wrapped up with daily life that I forget all of the blessings that God has been sending to me.  So I love spending a day thinking about what God did for me over the past year.  And I will admit that I am amazed every year at how faithful and loving our God really is.  Then after spending sometime reflecting on the past there is this excitement that starts building inside of me as I start to wonder about what God has planned for myself and for our family in this up and coming year.  I wanted to share with you some of my most favorite moments of last year and what our family looks forward to in this new year.

Blessing of 2011

*  I would have to say that the biggest blessing and learning time for me this year was really learning to understand the word faithfulness and how our God is a FAITHFUL God. There have been so many moments that God has asked/pulled/or nudged me about a matter and I would just have to let go and rely on His strength and faithfulness that I have lost count. And through it all there has not been one time that God left me alone and go back on ANY of His promises.

*  Our wonderful family/friends/supporters are totally AMAZING and  a true BLESSING to us.  There is not a  single day that we could be doing what we are doing without YOU and your amazing support.  Thank you for sending us encouraging emails or facebook notes and amazing cards.  We have also been wonderfully taken care of, whenever a need has arisen someone has been there to help meet that need.  I feel truly blessed to have gotten to know you all and spend time in your homes, or reading your letters, and sharing in your Churches.  Thank you for all your support and being apart of showing us God's faithfulness.

*  Through this year it has been a huge blessing to witness my husband and children grow and watch how God has been molding them as we prepare to serve overseas.  I have stood back in awe of Greg as he has not only learned to present the ministry of MAF but has learned to prepare and give sermons, led men's bible studies, live out of suitcases, and return to being a student.  God has truly blessed me with a husband who has a deep passion for following God leading. And I am always amazed how God has allowed are children to keep rolling with the every changing pace of our life.  You guys are a true blessing and I love you!

Looking into 2012


*  I (Julie) am looking forward to becoming more involved in our church here in Michigan with leading a ladies bible study and possibly doing some more work with the children at our Church.

*  One exciting event that we are looking forward to in August is Greg completing is course at SMAT and receiving his mechanic licence.  He has greatly enjoyed his time at school and is making some great friends.

*  Our family will be preparing another move this year as we will be leaving Michigan and heading to MAF's US office in Nampa, Idaho for are last round of training before leaving.  If all the required support is in, shortly after our time in Idaho then we will be heading for language school in Indonesia.

*  As well looking at past years I'm sure that God has numerous special moments ahead for our lives that will bring us hope, encouragement, and push us to seek Him more.

Time With Julie

I now that we have been posting a lot of blogs about what Greg has been doing at school and on the children so this time we wanted to share with you what Julie has being doing through out her days and some special moments since we arrived in Michigan!

What Julie Has Been Doing
Thankfully, my day doesn't start as early as Greg's or I would be in serious trouble because I am NOT a morning person.  So on school days I have to be up around 6:30 a.m. to start the morning ritual of trying to get the children up for school and to the bus on time.  I am happy to say that we have not missed the bus yet however, there has been two different times that the kids have had to run since the bus is waiting for them. Then comes my most favorite time of the day as I get to sit down with Franklin at the kitchen table and do school with him.  I love this one on one time with just him and helping his mind grow and learn new things.  One of our favorite things to do is on Wednesday's when we have the truck Franklin and I head to the library.  This library has two computers that are set up for children to use so of course my computer child makes a bee line for one.  There are also lots of comic books which are great for Franklin as he has a hard time with just reading so if he has lots of pictures to go along with the reading it works great for him. After we are done with his school then comes the fun time of doing normal things like tackling the dishes, picking up the toys that I have been stepping on, finding something for supper, and sneaking in some fun time by doing a little reading myself.  Another fun part of my day is keeping in contact with all of our friends and supporters.  I love answering emails (however depending on the day it may take me a while to answer), writing thank you cards, or setting up meetings with churches or friends to share with about MAF.  Since we are still trying to finish raising our support we try to spend our weekends out meeting new people, sharing at Churches, and catching up with family that we haven't seen in awhile. Then on Thursdays comes a pause from school work as I have joined a ladies bible study that I am greatly enjoying.  We are doing a Beth Moore study that I have already done so I am enjoying seeing how much God has been changing me through these past years.  I remember the first time I did this study and I thought that I couldn't possible do what she was saying but it is really amazing what God can do when you let go and really let Him lead.

Julie's Special Moments and Blessings We Have Received


At the beginning of this month our family was able to attend a Granger Family Christmas party for only the second time in thirteen years.  I was able to visit with my cousins and for a few of them get to meet spouses that I really have not met before.  Then came the fun of trying to figure out which little child belong to which of my cousins as they all ran around playing with each other.  I will admit that I was wrong most of the time on who belonged with who.  It was a great time of sharing as a lot of them had questions about our work with MAF.

A few weeks ago I was able to attend a church basketball game with Isaac and Franklin that my father was playing in.  It was the children's first time cheer for their grandpa and let me tell you those boys know how to cheer loudly.  My dad said later that it was really neat and strange to have his grand kids cheer so loudly for him.  At the game I had a wonderful surprise of running into people who I knew my last year of high school from church.  It was fun to see them and be able to share with them what I have been up to these past thirteen years.

Last weekend I had a blast directing the children's program for our Church.  It was a last minute idea so I will admit that there was a lot of stress involved with it but just so much fun.  This was a great time for me as I was able to get to know the children better and I was able to help in an area that I love working in.

A HUGE blessing that we received as a family came from a Church that we have never even meat before but has been involved with SMAT for a while.  They take all the families in Greg's school and basically adopts them for Christmas every year.  The bought all the children new coats, snow pants, and boots a month and a half ago.  Then they brought presents over for all the children and not just one gift but everyone of them had a least four packages to open.  Talk about some really excited children that night!  However, they didn't stop with that as they carried in bags and bags of food into the house.  It cover every counter in our kitchen and we had to put some on the floor.  And this Church did it for every family that attended school with Greg!  Talk about an amazing outreach!  We are extremely gratefully for them and want to thank them for all that they have done for us!

Trust that your Christmas was filled with the wonderful blessings from our Lord.
Blessings
The Dole family.

Welding, Flying, Airframe Electrical & Fabric Pics

I thought we were due for somemore pictures of what I have been doing these past few weeks at school.  We have just finished up welding, and airframe electrical, and will be finishing fabric at the end of next week.

Learning how to gas weld.

A lake between Ionia & Greenville.

Ionia at dusk.

Back side of our groups electrical project early on.

Front side of our groups electrical project early on.

Project all wired up.

Showing it off to the rest of the class

Aileron before.

Aileron's insides

Making repairs to the ribs.

Ready for fabric.

Ready for the iron to tighten it up.

First coat of Poly-Brush many yet to go.

After a couple coats of Poly-Spray which is for UV protection.

First coat of Poly-Tone for color.

Masking our registration letters Canadian style.

Waiting for the paint to dry.

All finished

US Online Donations

Just a quick update for any US resident that are thinking about joining our ministry partnership team and would like to use the internet to make a donation.  This option is now available on MAF US's new website.  We are not listed among the missionaries but we can be found by going directly to www.maf.org/dole or search for our name or project number on the Donation page under the Giving Search tab.

Thankfulness

        This past week our family celebrated our first American Thanksgiving on American soil!  So staying true to what most women do I spent the first few days this week cleaning my house from top to bottom before my parents arrived for the big event. My parents were able to come on Wednesday night and stay with us until mid-morning on Saturday.  Then my brother arrived like all true college students around 1:30 AM on Thursday morning for a couple days.  Since my brothers bed is on our couch he made a great landing site for three very excited children when they woke up on Thursday morning.  Which I might add that meant that Greg and I got to sleep in because the children where busy with their uncle and grandparents and never noticed that their parents were missing. Then much to the children's great joy my sister and her husband came up for dinner and topped off the meal by bringing two tasty chocolate pies.  As we were about to thank our God for the wonderful food my mother pointed out that this was the first time in thirteen years that all of her children were under one roof for a Thanksgiving meal. As most family dinners go we spent the day eating wonderful food, watching a football game, and laughing at the children as they tried to figure out games that their uncle had brought for them to play.  And of course walking into the kitchen and facing down the mountain of dishes that always appear at the end of a meal!  Then on Friday we braved the crowds and entered a mall and then got even braver and entered my brothers college apartment (shared with two other guys) and decorated it for Christmas. And then we headed over to were my brothers new job (Arby's) and watched him make us all supper for a change! Over all it was a great time for our family as we spent time sharing time with each other and being thankful for everything and everyone that God has brought into our lives.  Since I have never lived close to my family I will cherish these memories and always be thankful to God for allowing this precious time with family before we head overseas. With our minds focusing on thankfulness our family wants to extend a heart felt thank you to all of those that up hold us in prayer and invest in this ministry, as we continue to study and serve here in Michigan. Our family could not do what God has asked us to do without all the wonderful support that you have shown us and our family.  We are so thankful for each and everyone of you that God has brought into our lives and are so blessed by how you have enriched our own lives!  Thank you and God bless!!

Quick before Dad sees us with his computer

Our First Michigan Christmas Tree

Grandma Time

The life of "some" college students

Arby's right hand man

Working hard or hardly working?

Lookout Michigan, now have wings and ready to use them

Preflight complete, ready for departure.

Stop at Plainwell for lunch.