We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did. Two of our sons and family joined us for our candlelight service at NWF. We had 14 for dinner and 18 total family members came to the house Christmas day. It was a different kind of Christmas. We noticed that our grand kids were a little bit down, because this would be the last Christmas we would spend together at our home of 13 years.
Pat and I went right back to packing yesterday morning in order to be ready for the move. This morning at 7:30 AM our 2 sons and I began to haul everything that we did not sell to storage. We still have our clothes at the house, and tomorrow after church, Pat and I will pack clothes that we will store and pack clothes that we will be taking to Turkey.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
From Texas to Turkey
Pat and I have been involved in a "Marriage Intensive" through the Center for Relational Care since Monday. It was sort of a tune up/training preparing us for Turkey. While we were away at the "Intensive" our home was inspected for any problems. Praise the Lord. There wasn't any major problems. So everything looks good for a December 29th close. We will be visiting Fellowship Bible Church this Sunday and will be back at our home church on Christmas Eve, December 28th, and our last Sunday will be Jan 4th. Please pray for us as we make the final push to pack things up and get them in storage.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
From Texas to Turkey
Pat and I joined our Marriage Team this morning for a wrap up of the class that was concluded last month and to plan for the coming year. All 6 of the team couples were able to make the meeting. It was a wonderful time of celebration of what the Lord has done over the last years. The only hard part was to be thinking that this is was our last time to meet with these precious couples as a team for a long season of time. We know that God is going to continue to use this awesome team greatly!
On Friday we had the appraisal on our home, and on Monday the home inspection will take place. Pray for a clean inspection and for the close date of Dec. 29th. We appreciate your prayers.
On Friday we had the appraisal on our home, and on Monday the home inspection will take place. Pray for a clean inspection and for the close date of Dec. 29th. We appreciate your prayers.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
From Texas to Turkey
It is hard to believe that we are now one month away from leaving the United States to serve in Turkey. We depart on Jan 8th.
It has been a real journey. Pat and I went to Turkey for the first time for 19 days in December of 06. We had a sense that God wanted us to serve in Turkey, but we were not sure. We returned to Turkey this summer during the month of May and June for the purpose of seeing if God in fact was calling us to Turkey. By the end of our time in Turkey, we came home knowing without a shadow of doubt that God was calling us there.
Since our return at the end of June and webegan to share what we sensed God was saying to us we have had nothing but "green lights" from everyone we have spoken to. The executive director for the International Turkey network has given us encouragement. Intimate Life Minisries has provided us with resources to use in Turkey, as well as taking care of our flight to Turkey. We have been blessed by our home church Northwest Fellowship, Fellowship Bible Church, Ausin Stone, Church of the Hills, and Hill Country Bible Church for one time gifts or monthly support. At this point we are about $800.00 short of what we estimated for monthly support.
We had our 4th garage sale Saturday as we continue to down size all of "our stuff."
Our home has been on the market since Oct 1st, but there is an offer working even as I write this.
The journey thus far has been amazing for me (Mark) personally. I am one that normally must have all my Ts crossed and Is dotted. I have a high need for securtiy. However, ever since we said yes to God, I have had perfect peace. It so great that both Pat and I are totally together on what God is calling us to do. We see this as one of he greatest adventures in our lives.
Our goal at this point is to be a part of the Bodrum Grace Church and to bring encouragement for those that pastor there. However our primary goal is to be available to the English speaking couples that serve in Turkey for Marriage Enrichment. Pat and I will be moving into a 2 bedroom home in Turgutreis, Turkey. One bed room will be set up exclusively where a couple can stay with us for Marriage Enrichment, a Marriage Intensive, or a respite. If they are not able to come to us, we will do everything in our power to go to them. Also we will be available to do marrige conferences.
I am greatful to Noe Banda from Northwest Fellowship for setting up this blog for me. I hope it will be helpful for keeping everyone interested informed.
It has been a real journey. Pat and I went to Turkey for the first time for 19 days in December of 06. We had a sense that God wanted us to serve in Turkey, but we were not sure. We returned to Turkey this summer during the month of May and June for the purpose of seeing if God in fact was calling us to Turkey. By the end of our time in Turkey, we came home knowing without a shadow of doubt that God was calling us there.
Since our return at the end of June and webegan to share what we sensed God was saying to us we have had nothing but "green lights" from everyone we have spoken to. The executive director for the International Turkey network has given us encouragement. Intimate Life Minisries has provided us with resources to use in Turkey, as well as taking care of our flight to Turkey. We have been blessed by our home church Northwest Fellowship, Fellowship Bible Church, Ausin Stone, Church of the Hills, and Hill Country Bible Church for one time gifts or monthly support. At this point we are about $800.00 short of what we estimated for monthly support.
We had our 4th garage sale Saturday as we continue to down size all of "our stuff."
Our home has been on the market since Oct 1st, but there is an offer working even as I write this.
The journey thus far has been amazing for me (Mark) personally. I am one that normally must have all my Ts crossed and Is dotted. I have a high need for securtiy. However, ever since we said yes to God, I have had perfect peace. It so great that both Pat and I are totally together on what God is calling us to do. We see this as one of he greatest adventures in our lives.
Our goal at this point is to be a part of the Bodrum Grace Church and to bring encouragement for those that pastor there. However our primary goal is to be available to the English speaking couples that serve in Turkey for Marriage Enrichment. Pat and I will be moving into a 2 bedroom home in Turgutreis, Turkey. One bed room will be set up exclusively where a couple can stay with us for Marriage Enrichment, a Marriage Intensive, or a respite. If they are not able to come to us, we will do everything in our power to go to them. Also we will be available to do marrige conferences.
I am greatful to Noe Banda from Northwest Fellowship for setting up this blog for me. I hope it will be helpful for keeping everyone interested informed.
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