SOLD!

Yes, our house is sold!

We accepted an offer on the house this morning.  The buyers do not have a house to sell, so this is a flat out, ready to move offer.  We will close on July 29.  God gets all the credit and the praise for this offer working out.  To Him goes ALL glory and praise.

I know the next question is "where are you going?"  Well, the answer is we have no idea!  One step at a time.  Perhaps in the coming days I'll have more details, but for today I will sit in the joy and happiness in knowing that God answered our prayers!

Hannah's Interview

Hannah was interviewed by a fellow blogger and her interview was today's featured post.  Visit A Sista's Journey to read her interview.  I am a proud mama.

Arrived

We made it safely to Washington - it only took an extra hour due to traffic, but otherwise uneventful.  Along the way we got a call that our house was being shown this evening to a family who had already seen it once.  Keep praying. We would love for this to be the one!

Washington, DC

We leave this afternoon for Washington, DC so that we can be at the embassy first thing in the morning.  We have more paperwork than they have asked for but we are praying we have all the right paperwork. 

The embassy in DC does not make appointments (unlike the Chicago one where you can even go online to schedule an appointment) so we will be there first thing tomorrow morning.  We are praying for a short wait (as we'll all be nervous) and for the person we work with to be gentle with us.

And for those of you asking "when does this mean you will leave?" the answer is still "we do not know."  According to our paperwork we should have our VISAs within 3 months - but that is a very "fluid" number.  We are planning for a September move - but that will still be dependent on the sale of our house, being 100% supported, and the VISAs in hand.  Keep praying - it is a God size request.

Dancing and Singing

When was the last time that you were so overwhelmed with God that you could not sit still or be quiet about it?  For me it was today.  I have been busting all morning to have time to sit down at the computer and blog cause I just wanted everyone else to be as blown away by God as I have been today.

And before you keep reading, no we have not sold the house, but I am still dancing with praise.

Morning started out great!  Had errands to do here in town and then was going to clean house until translator called (and was just praying she would actually call).  Headed out for errands and here is how the day continued to evolve...

• Stopped at bank to get money orders for our VISA applications.  Was thrilled to find out they were free because of the type of account we had - praise God!  When I tell the teller who to make the money orders payable to she says "were you the one that came in here awhile back and was planning a move to Spain?"  I told her yes and gave her a prayer card.  She then pulled out her wallet and gave us $20 - said it was just a little something for coffee and muffins or lunch out - just a little blessing from God.  Oh my goodness!  Who does that?  And at a bank with a long line behind us?  Can only be the nudging of the Holy Spirit!
• Left the bank to go to Wal-mart.  Before we pull in the parking lot my cell phone rings and it is the translator (this was 10:00 - documents weren't to be ready before 2:00) and said our documents were ready and could I come in and go over with them.  Oh my goodness!  I was praying and praising and Hannah was just looking at me.  If you need a translator - I highly recommend  Language Resources in Greensboro.  http://www.languageresources.com/.
• We flew through our errands in Wal-mart so I could get home and grab paperwork and drop Hannah off so I could go to the translators.  Before we even get home my cell phone rings again.  It is a gentleman we had shared the details of partnership with nearly a month ago and he was calling with some logistical questions and to let us know he and his wife have decided to partner.  Woo Hoo!

Now don't get me wrong - I am not just praising God for the things He did - I am praising God for the character of God that I saw displayed this morning.  He is compassionate.  He cares for our every need.  He equips and He provides.  He delights in His followers.  He is perfectly on time.  He is bigger than anything my mind can imagine.  He is truly God!

It's been a rough emotional week and I would rather stay on the mountain top a little longer, but what lesson did I learn today?  If it had been smooth sailing all week I would have missed the joy and excitement of today.  Made it all worth it.  Now back to singing and dancing His praises!

Last Day

Today is Alex's last day of public school in the states.  Gulp!

As I was laying in bed last night waiting to fall asleep that thought hit me.  We are targeting a departure date for Spain in September.  Schools here in North Carolina do not begin until August 25 so we will not enroll him in school in the fall.  We will "homeschool" him until we depart.

Add to the fact that last night I made all our reservations for our trip to Washington, DC to apply for our VISAs on Monday and reality has peeked it's little head back into my life.  We are truly going to Spain.

And a few other updates...

• We still need approximately 35% of our monthly support.  If you have been praying about becoming a financial partner, would you pray about making that commitment now.  We would like to be at 75% early July and we need to be at 100% by end of August. 
• We have some serious lookers for our house, but no offer.  We greatly desire to have this piece of the puzzle taken off the table as soon as possible.
• We are going to Washington on Monday to apply for our VISAs.  The translator has the final paperwork and it is supposed to be ready today by 2 (pray for her today - her name is Kathleen).  Pray we have read all the rules accurately and that we have it all in order. 

Sheep or Wolves

It was a horrible day!  Wait - it was only a horrible morning!  I woke up discouraged, battling the world, and just carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.  I had a headache - one of those really bad ones - and life looked as gray as possible.

Why?  The morning began with one more check of the FedEx tracking website to see that no, our paperwork was not on its way.  It looked impossible to go apply for our VISAs on Monday.  Top that off, I couldn't talk to anyone to find out if it would really be coming or not.  Then shortly after that our friend in Washington emailed me to tell me that since he didn't have notarized permission he could not process Scott's birth certificate.  I knew I was behind at work and the laundry I started last night still sat on the floor of the living room.

I laid it all out before the Lord and just cried.  I told God I was quitting.  I was not going to Spain and I was sorry for mishearing His call.  I was sure I was walking the wrong journey.  No way did He want me in Spain.  As I continued to pray my pleads with the Lord changed to asking Him to just be present - be the comforter and the one in charge.

I left for work with the cell phone attached to my ear.  I called the US State Department and kept getting a different operator who gave me the same story - I'll connect you to the authentications department.  They'd connect me to a recording that didn't let you talk to a person.  Finally, right before arriving at work one operator, who I know I had talked to 3 or 4 times already this morning, connected me to a supervisor over the entire division.  He didn't answer, but I got to leave a message - and a desperate one I left that probably included tears!

I then called the FBI to see if we could get the reports done again and I'd make a quick trip to DC on Thursday/Friday to get the paperwork done again.  Once again, got a lady who would help - only catch had to have a FedEx account number.

So then I called a friend who let me route the paperwork through her office's account number.

I got to work and began to dig through the piles on my desk and to handle the details to make it all happen.  Scott ran over to my office to sign some paperwork and I was making it happen - stressed, head hurt, and tears sitting in the brim of my eyes - but I was going to do it!

Then in the midst of it, one of the secretaries said I had a phone call and did I want to take it.  No - I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off, but I knew I needed to take it.  So I took the phone in the secretary's office while she flipped through paperwork for me.  On the other end was a dear lady who wasn't even on my "partnership radar."

She shared how through circumstances over the past couple days she had asked her husband if they could support us and he had suggested $100/month.  She was calling me to tell me she wanted to partner with us.  I just cried as I talked to her.  God had heard my pleas!

Shortly after hanging up with her the supervisor at the state department was calling and he was going to do all he could do to get our paperwork going.  I agreed to email him some documents and he agreed I should hear from someone by the end of the day.

Five minutes later he had confirmed e-mail receipt and another 5 minutes later someone in the authentications department was calling me and looking for my documents.  Again, tears flowed - not because of stress, but because of getting another glimpse of God.

Later in the afternoon I got the call I have been waiting on - our documents were ready and would be in my hands tomorrow!

I then left work early to surprise Hannah with the presentation of her Girl Scout Gold Award.  I had time alone in the car and instead of the radio or cell phone, I called on God.  I spent time giving Him thanks for what He had done, but more importantly praising Him for who He was.  All that happened throughout the mroning was nothing that I was able to do.  God had done it all!  Then I had such a beautiful picture of God.

I had quit on God this morning.  I wanted to turn my back on it all.  God didn't reach out to me and push me away.  He didn't send me to the wolves.  He didn't punish me for being broken, tired, and discouraged.  Instead He was the Good Shepherd.  He reached out into the thistles and bushes I was snagged in and brought His sheep back to His side.  He cared for me and loved on me and stayed present.  He was God.  What a beautiful picture to a broken, tired heart.

Then tonight, as I continued to reflect on how God has been present throughout my day we received a call from the realtor.  Two families have put our house on the top of their list - it is their favorite.  It's not a sale - but once again God said "don't forget - I have you in the palm of my hands - the hands that were nailed to the cross for you - I didn't let you go when I was on the cross and I won't let you go today."

What about you?  Do you know what it is like to be encouraged directly from God?  Do you know the rest that comes in the midst of every possible trial when you realize that God won't throw you to the wolves, but will instead be the Good Shepherd?  If not, I'd love to share even more with you.  He is trustworthy.  He is loving.  He does care!

VISA Prayer Update

We would like to go next Monday morning (June 13) to apply for our VISAs, but we need a few things to come together.  Please pray for the final details that are needed:

• Scott's birth certificate -  a friend in Washington, DC is handling the Apostille certificate for us for Scott's birth certificate.  Hopefully he will be able to complete this in the morning and I will have it back in hand on Wednesday.
• FBI Background Checks - they were sent to the US State Department 15 business days ago for Apostille certificates.  They should be on their way back to us by now, but so far the FedEx tracking does not show they are coming yet.
• Once the certificates arrive they must be translated.  Language Resources is working with us and being flexible about the documents.  They say they can have it all to me on Friday if they have it all by lunch on Thursday.

House Saga Continues

Are you tired of reading about the house that won't sell?  Well, I am tired of writing about it... but here goes one more post.

Had a showing today and open house tomorrow.  Lowered the price, again! 

Pray for endurance on our part and wisdom in how to proceed.  Pray for a buyer to come soon.  Don't pray for patience - that always gets me in trouble.

Valley of the VISA

Today started out great!  Woke up on time, was ready to head out the door on time and take Alex to school, no lines at the gas station and it even had my favorite Dunkin Donut flavor of doughnuts.  Hit no traffic between home and Raleigh, even traveling at 8:00.  Found my way to the Authentications Office and a parking deck with available spaces was only a block away.

I had gone to Raleigh today to have our medical letters authenticated.  I checked repeatedly that I had all the papers I needed and a check to cover the fee.  I had packed cards to write, book and magazine to read, computer to write a newsletter, and a few other odds and ends.  The perfect plan was to drop off the documents off by 9:30 and pick them back up by 3:30.

I walked in to the authentications office and first discovered that all four letters had been notarized wrong.  Pit in my stomach - but quickly put at ease because was told there was a Wachovia half a block down that could re-notarize the forms.  Walked in to the bank, no wait for notarizing, and back to the authentications office in less than 15 minutes.  Dropped off my papers, paid my $40, and was told to come back at 2:00 to pick them up.  Yeah!  Day was continuing to be good - documents would be ready 1 1/2 hours early.

There is a park beside the Secretary of State (which is beside the Capital), the weather was cool, and there was lots of shade - so I pulled out my book and read for awhile.  I then walked back and got the laptop and walked around downtown, did some window shopping, had a great lunch with free wi-fi, found another shady spot to finish my book, and headed back to pick up my documents at 2:15.  I was going to make it home before 5:00 traffic!  A great day!

When I asked for my documents I was told they were not ready, but would be ready by 3:00.  I had a funny feeling, but couldn't push it because it was just a hunch.  At 3:00 I was told they still weren't ready so I pushed for a time they would be ready.  She then told me the documents were lost - they had no idea where they were.  She suggested I get a new copy and come back (yes, she actually said that).  It had taken me 3 weeks to gather all the documents - no way was that an option.  I asked to speak to a supervisor - which I was told was on vacation today.  So I asked for the supervisor's supervisor.  Finally someone acting as department chair came and explained they had no idea where my documents were and they were doing their best to find them, but he couldn't promise they would.   So I asked for the next supervisor that was in the office.  Apparently that was the Deputy Secretary of State. 

Before she came down, the "acting supervisor" told everyone that they could not leave until the documents were found.  In addition, three more people had come in to get their documents and been told they were lost.  The employee who had handled our documents left work at noon and was almost in Charlotte by this time.  She had no recollection of ever handling the documents.  She was told to return to the office since she was the last to handle all of these documents.  Every envelope, folder, trashcan, etc was being gone through.  The Deputy Secretary of State, Haley Haynes, came down and began to oversee the search.

One employee finally made a comment about another task the employee who was driving back had been given to accomplish and wondered if perhaps these documents were mixed up in those papers.  They called the department where that had happened and you could tell immediately they had our documents.

Here's the hitch - it was on the other side of Raleigh.  We'd now have to wait on someone to drive them over in the Friday afternoon traffic and someone would have to wait with us to do the authenticating - because yes, they were lost before the work was even done. 

Finally, at 5:15 - 3 hours after I arrived to pick up  my documents - I was ready to head home.  Two hours later I was home and the day was over.  And good news about our VISA was on this side...

• Our letters of invitation from Spain had arrived!
• A dear friend who lives in Washington, DC had come to our rescue regarding Scott's birth certificate and he had emailed that he had received it and would handle the authentication on Monday morning.  Yeah!

Keep praying - we still have one more set of documents that we are waiting for.  The FBI checks were sent to the US State Department 15 business days ago and should be on their way back to us by Monday.  I sent a pre-paid FedEx envelope with them and it has not shown up in the system yet.  So the paperwork is still in Washington.  We need them in hand by Wednesday to get them translated by Friday so we can leave Sunday the 12th to apply for our VISAs.  Otherwise we will have to wait until the 27th to apply. 

Whew!  Never imagined the VISA process could be so complicated!

Road Trip

Heading to Raleigh today to get our medical letters authenticated for our VISA applications.  It is beginning to feel real!

Over the next couple days we are anxiously waiting some final paperwork to arrive.  Our goal is to travel to Washington, DC on Sunday, June 12 and apply for our VISAs on Monday, June 13.  But - we still need a few things to arrive.

• US State Department has our FBI background checks to be authenticated.  According to the website they should be completed in 15 business days.  That is Monday.  I then sent an overnight envelope with the paperwork so we should have by Tuesday or Wednesday.  The authentications then need to be translated.  There is no way to check the status other than watching for the tracking number of the mailing envelope to become active.
• Scott's birth certificate finally arrived.  It too has to be authenticated.  It was overnighted yesterday to a friend who lives in Washington who will take it Monday to the State Department and wait on it.  If we had known we would be doing this, we could have waited on the FBI letters at the same time.  Oh well.  The translator already has the birth certificate, but the authentication certificate will need translating.
• Medical letters need to be authenticated at the NC State Department.  I am traveling to Raleigh today to have this done.  Drop off by 10 and pick up at 4:30.  And yes, when I get these they also need translating.

Lots of details I have no control over.  Continue to pray that God has paved the way, even with paperwork and I'll keep you posted.

Blast from the Past

Here are some pictures from my "past"

My Elementary School - Lanier Elementary School, Tampa

Park where we rode bikes to - also the park where I knocked all four of my front teeth out

Used to be a 7-11 - We knew we had grown up when we were allowed to ride to the store alone and get an Icee.

The house I grew up in - we have come full circle - our apartment in Spain will be about the size of this house

And the 1988 car that I am now driving - big difference in this car and my 2006 Honda Pilot I sold

Letters of Invitation

We received an email this morning that our Letters of Invitation from the Spanish government were on their way.  Should be here this week.  This is one of the final pieces of paperwork we have been waiting on so that we could go to Washington to apply for our VISAs. 

I expected to be jumping around for joy when we heard they were on their way, instead there was this pit in the bottom of my stomach.  This is for real!  We are one step closer.  Ironically, notice came of this progress on the same day we are selling our car.  Things are moving!

We still need some paperwork to come in from the US State Department before we can go to the embassy and remember everything has a "life span."  Meaning - documents are not good indefinitely. 

Some specific prayer requests:

• Pray that this week we receive our documents back from the State Department so that they can go to the translator. 
• Pray that everything is in place for us to go to Washington the week of June 13.  I am gone to summer camp the week of June 20, creating major complications if we have to wait until that week to go to the embassy.  We think the letter of invitation would have expired by the week of June 27.
• Once we turn in our VISA applications the timeline gets "hairy."  We have no control over the length of response for our VISAs, but when they call we have approximately 60 days to arrive in Spain.  We need to get this house sold and we need to raise the last 1/3 of our support before the VISAs are ready.

Interested in buying a house in Kernersville or joining our financial support team?  Just ask me how.

Here We Go Again

House is showing this afternoon - love the last minute appointments when we have already cleaned the house - all we have to do is put last minute touches on it.  I braved Walmart and Scott took the showing request, so by the time I got home he had the house finished up.  Love it when team work reigns in our house!

Praying this is the one....

Big Day

Lots of activity in my life today -

1)  I am blessed to work in a flexible work environment.  My normal work hours are 9 - 4, but today I came in at 7:30 and will eat lunch at my desk and then leave at 1:30.  Can't do that everyday, but today it is a nice treat.  I work Sunday - Thursday, so I am off tomorrow.

2)  Why work these hours today?  For Mother's Day I asked for a night at Great Wolf Lodge.  http://www.greatwolf.com/concord/waterpark  It is an indoor waterpark.  Because I work in a church we celebrate Sunday holidays at different times in the year.  So today is Mother's Day for me.  Taking no worries or to do lists with me - just family and fun.

3)  We have a house showing tonight.  The people are ready to make a decision.  This is their first showing of our house, but they have already fallen in love with the neighborhood as they have seen other houses in the area.  They asked if we could be out in 30 days if they choose our house.  Oh my!  No idea where I'd go or what I'd do, but if they want it, they can have it in a week!  Pray tonight at 7:00 PM EST.

Same Old

I recently wrote an article about blogging and one thing I stressed was that it was necessary to update it regularly if you wanted to keep people reading it.  Life has been so full of activity over the past couple months that I haven't had  a hard time writing - been harder to decide what not to write about.

But we are back in a routine and life is crazy as usual, so today I write to tell you that the life continues to be the same old thing.  One of our greatest challenges as we prepare for a move to Spain is actually that issue - life is the same old thing.  Our lives are divided - we want to honor God in everything we do here, finish strong, complete the task He has set before us AND we want to have moved into the next season of life in Spain.  We describe it as "doing the splits."  One foot in Spain and one foot in the United States and we keep sliding down further into the split position. 

It's hard a times.  I was never good at doing the literal splits and I'm not too sure at times how I am at the figurative splits.  Here are some specific prayer split prayer requests...

• Scott and I are both in seasons of our jobs where we are planning for future days and events - ones that we pray are after our desired departure date, yet don't know God's timing yet.  Pray that we will keep an attitude that glorifies God in everything.
• We must make partnership development for the future a full time ministry, yet we don't want to miss opportunities with our family and friends to celebrate today.  Pray we'll know when to push forward and when we'll know it's time to pause.
• We are making some financial decisions - house, car, ....  Pray we will know how aggressive to be in these decisions today since we do not know when the "split season" of our lives will be over.
• Pray for Hannah - this "split season" is especially hard on her.

50 Partners Needed!

We have nearly 63% of our on-going support promised.  That is huge!  God has been overwhelming us as He has moved people's hearts for them to join Him in His work in Spain.  We are blessed to be the hands and feet of sharing in Spain, but it is only because of our gracious partners!

This morning I realized we could be as close as 50 partners to arriving at 100% of our support.  That doesn't sound quite as overwhelming, does it.  Would you pray about partnering with us?  There are three ways you can do it....

1. Monthly support - Make a faith promise for a set amount to be given each month.
2. Quarterly support - Make a faith promise for a set amount to be given each quarter.  Perhaps your income varies by the quarter and this works better for you.
3. Annual support - Make a faith promise for a set amount to be given each year.  Perhaps you have a time of the year where bills are lower or income is higher (bonuses, tax returns, seasonal hours, ....) and you could commit to giving once a year.

Below is a map of Spain with each province holding a faith promise amount.  If we have 25 new partners at $100/month ($300/quarter or $1200/year) and 25 new partners at $50/month ($150/quarter or $600/year) we will be at 100%.  Will you take a "province"?

For more information click on one of the tabs above.  Our goal - 100% support by August 31.  Watch the sidebar for our progress!

A Muslim Believer

Recently a friend of mine, referred to as "C" in this story, spent time in the Philippines.  One evening at dinner she met a gentleman who described himself as a muslim believer.  Below is her account of the evening.  Stepped on my toes as I read it... hope it does the same for you.

We divide ourselves. Unconsciously, the Americans sit on one side of the table and we wait for our Filipino hosts to face us along the other side.

The men sit down, we thank God for the food, and begin to put it on our plates. The oldest of the men, sitting down the table from me, begins to speak.  I hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in my heart, “C, listen to this man.”  “Lord, I can’t understand Tagalog!” I protest.  “Listen anyway.”

I stand up and ask my friend beside me to slide down. I sit next to a Tagalog-speaking American, who begins to translate for me. The man, Mr. J*, is sharing his story. I learn that he is staying here in the mountains to hide from the people of his village, who want to kill him. They want to kill his family. He has not seen his wife in a long time. She and their two children are also hiding. He is waiting to see if he can bring them to join him here in this safe place. He asks us to pray for him. I see desperation in his eyes. ”Remember me,” he says.

“Brother, how did you come to know Jesus Christ?” I ask him directly.

Mr. J* answers me in English. “I am a Muslim believer. I read the Koran.” He notices the surprise on my face. “There are seven key points in the Koran which point to Jesus Christ as Savior. I will show any Muslim these points. The answer is clear.”

Another Muslim believer joins in, “Yes, Mr. J* often sits on the bus and God will place two Muslims next to him. By the end of the bus ride, those men will know who Jesus Christ is!”

Muslim believer. This phrase perplexes me.  I think on it for a moment and the Spirit provides a sudden flash of understanding: Muslim describes his culture. Believer, his faith. I, coming from a Christian culture, am a Christian believer. But coming from a Christian culture does not necessarily make me a believer in Jesus Christ.

Mr. J* interrupts my thoughts by looking me straight in the eye. “Do you have a heart for Muslims?”

A bold question. It cuts deep to my heart. “Well, God is working that in me right now.” Honesty is the only way to answer such a question.

He smiles. “God does not only love Christians, you know,” he says to me.

Well of course not, I think. “For God so loved the world.”

But then I realize the depth of that verse: this means Muslims as well as Christians. There is no exception based on culture.

“Do you have a Bible?” Mr. J* asks. “I will show you what God says about my people.”

“Turn to Jude, read verses 22-23,” Mr. J* commands.

I read out loud, “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”

“Now, turn to Ezekiel.” Mr. J* directs me to chapter 3, verses 17-18.

I read the passage, seeing for the first time that God is telling his prophet, You who know the truth are responsible to tell those who are perishing. If you do not, their blood is on your hands.

Mr. J* looks at me once more. “You must tell share the truth with the Muslims.”

My heart is racing. I don’t know what to say. Mr. J*’s rights have been taken from him. But he gives them up willingly, because he knows that there is something far better for him. He knows that this life is not the end.

Here is a man who has lost so much - his community, his home, his comfort. What right do I have to cling to mine? This man speaks with passion, conviction, and peace. What right do I have to passive? This man is running for his life and yet he continues to be bold and share the truth of Jesus Christ to those who are perishing. What right do I have to remain silent?

*Names have been changed to protect the safety of those involved in the meal.

Is that really a paintbrush in my hand?

Yes - believe it or not, I find myself with a paintbrush in my hand again.  At least this time it is outside.  We are having an open house tomorrow afternoon so I am working outside today while Hannah works inside (Scott and Alex are at a soccer tournament).  Yard to mow, weed eating, and yes - painting.  There are about two dozen slats on our fence that had to be replaced last fall that are the target of my paintbrush.  Could this really be the end of my painting?

We are praying over some hard decisions regarding the house, so we ask that you pray with us this weekend.  Could tomorrow be the day?  Do we need to make some hard decisions.  May we do exactly what God asks us to do - in faith.

A Few Pictures from Florida Partnership Trip

An Unplanned Appointment

Thursday was the day Hannah and I were beginning our partnership development trip to Florida.  Which meant it was the last day I was at work for more than a week, the last day I was at home for that long, and the last day to handle some "last minute" details.  All this meant was that every minute was precious - and if you know me, well planned out.  No time for delays or interruptions.

But God had different plans.  I needed to take our FBI background checks to the FedEx facility so I could send them off to get a letter of Apostille (letter say they are authentic documents) from the US State Department. The FedEx facility is less than a mile from my work, so perfect schedule says to stop and do it on my way to work.  Hey, I don't have to be at work until 9 so surely it will be open.  Wrong - it too opens at 9.  So I went on to work and had our staff prayer time then headed back to FedEx.

I had a meeting at the office immediately after prayer time so I had promised to be "right back."  There were no customers in the facility so surely this would be quick.  I filled out my forms and got it all prepared and then God proved He had a different plan.

The clerk looked at the address and asked what was this department of the government (the address was a whole lot of abbreviations).  I told her what it was and that we were applying for a resident VISA in Spain.  She then asked if she had heard about Spain in the news previously.    I told her about the earthquakes and then she asks if I thought that was the wrath of God. 

That was the beginning of a 30 minute conversation about a personal relationship with Christ and what repentance really means and can you keep on sinning and still avoid the judgement of God.  Left her with a lot to think about and me to ponder how many opportunities to share I have missed because of how much I try to "cram" into my schedule.

What about you?  Does your schedule allow for "God interruptions?"

We PASSED!

Not that we were really worried, but today we received our FBI Background checks back and we all passed!  That means we are one more step closer to applying for our VISA.  Each step makes it feel a little more real!  As a friend who lives in Spain said  ooooo..oooooo...ye, oooooo.....ye, oooooooo....ye, oooooooo...ye!!! The Spanish battle cry.

Florida Countdown

Tomorrow Hannah and I are leaving for Florida - actually tomorrow we are only going as far as Columbia, SC, but it is in the Florida direction.  We will be visiting with friends and churches to share about our journey to Spain, in addition to making some great mother/daughter memories.  Scott and Alex will be left here holding down the fort. 

I have a ton to do today and tomorrow before we leave - both at work and at home.  Praying that it just all somehow happens and no one is all the more stressed as a result.

If you live somewhere along our route and would like to hear more about Spain - send me a note.  Exciting things are happening!

The Realtors are Coming

Today our real estate agent is hosting a property tour after their sales meeting today.  She has offered a cash incentive to Realtors to come by and so far about 15 have RSVP'd they will be coming by.  We are praying that at least one of these Realtors will walk in the house and know they have the perfect client for our house.  They will be here between 11:30 and 12:00 EST today - so if you could please pray during that time, that would be great.  I'll keep you posted -

My Favorite Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

Spring is coming and it makes me think of eating outside.  Eating outside makes me think of cookouts.  And cookouts makes me think of homemade ice cream.  (Sounds like a Give a Moose A Cookie book)  Tonight we will have our first homemade ice cream of the season.  I have a favorite recipe, its a little pricey because of the ingredients, but worth the expense!

2 cups milk
1 3/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 c half and half
1 tbsp vanilla
4 c whipping cream

Scald milk until bubbles form around edge of pan.  Remove from heat.  Add sugar and salt.  Stir until dissolved.  Stir in half and half, vanilla, and whipping cream.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes - until cold.  Freeze according to your ice cream maker directions. (makes 4 quarts)

Varieties:

Strawberry - add pureed strawberries (1 c./quart of ice cream) to chilled mixture before freezing.
Banana - add mashed bananas (3 c/4 quart, 31/2 c/5 quart, and 4 c/6 quart) to chilled mixture before freezing.
Peach - add pureed peaches (1 c./quart) to chilled mixture before freezing.

VISA and Partnership Update

Partnership Update - Our goal was to be at 60% of our support by today.  We are approximately $30/month away from that goal.  To be in Spain in September we need to increase our partnership by 10% every four weeks.  In the last two months we have increased nearly 30%.  We are giving God all the glory and thanking Him for the people who have chosen to join our team.  We know He has great things ahead and cannot wait to see how He uses this team of "senders and tellers" (see Romans 10:14-15).


If you would like more information about partnership, click on the "contact me" tab above and send me a note. 

VISA Update - We are doing my favorite thing - waiting.  NOT!  Below is a summary of the steps we have to go through and what the status is right now.  Pray for patience as well as expediency.  Do those two things go together?

• Supervisor in Spain request letters of invitation - once they are received we have 30 days to present our completed application to the Spanish consulate in Washington, DC - We are waiting on this letter 
• Be fingerprinted and complete a FBI criminal background check - These are submitted and we are waiting on their return - they will not issue a progress statement until 4 weeks after they are submitted - that is today - so hopefully when I call they will say they are on their way to us. 
• Gather the following paperwork: 
• New copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates for everyone - they must be hand signed and issued within the last 90 days - of course I was born in Florida, Scott in Cairo, and the kids were at least both here in Greensboro - Waiting on Scott's, but everyone else's is here and already has the letter of Apostille.  His is not required, but we have learned from those who have gone before us that more documentation is better than not enough. 
• New passports for the kids because they had less than 12 months left on their passports (thank goodness Scott and I were good) - Yeah!  Finally something to report that is finished.  
• Letters from the doctors that say we have no communicable diseases, addictions, and mental health issues - of course we all have different doctors with different processes for this.  I could write an entire blog post that would have you rolling in the floor laughing over this requirement, but let's just leave it at YES! we have these letters. 
• Letter from SEND saying we have international health insurance In my VISA folders waiting. 
• Send all the official documents off to the Secretary of State in the state they were issued to receive an Apostille Letter (stating they are official and legal documents) - FBI Checks and Scott's birth certificate are still waiting to be done, but everything else is done. 
• Take all the documents to a certified Spanish translator Waiting
• Finish all this within the 30 days of the letter of invitation being received and make an appointment with the Spanish Consulate in Washington DC and all four of us go apply in person Waiting
• Wait.....Pray... Wait... Pray - Perhaps I should have this sprinkled throughout the entire process - but we are doing a lot of this one 
• When the consulate's office calls and says the VISAs are ready we have 30 days to pick them up and 30 days to register an address in Spain - And obviously - not here yet

The WE of Partnership

Today we were blessed with two new partners.  I was sharing this progress with a partner tonight at church.  He was excited to see the progress, but the true picture of partnership was seen when she walked up.  She had heard only the end of the conversation and excited asked "where are WE at?"  When I shared we were about $35 away form our 60% goal she then said "WE are making progress.  WE are going to reach OUR goal."

That is what partnership is really about.  WE are raising our support so that WE can be used by God to share the Good News of Christ with the people of Spain.  Yes, Scott and I and the kids get to move to Spain and be the hands, feet, and voice of this partnership - but every person who joins the partnership - through prayer, finances, and going are all part of the journey.

Tonight was a picture of the verses on our prayer card...

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"  Romans 10:14 - 15


This partnership development is a lot of work - but it is fun!

Update

Just wanted to let you know that I am alive and kicking and over my panic attack of Friday.  Deep breaths and deep prayers are the key to surviving this journey.  God has been faithful and continues to be faithful.  Lots of new decisions to made in the next day or two, but I will choose to hold on - "for I know whom I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

A Deadline and Some Honesty

When I started this blog my hope was that through some honest sharing someone else may believe that they can be used by God on the mission field - whether at home or on the other side of the ocean.  I had always believed that missionaries were "super Christians" and I knew I wasn't, yet I also knew that God was calling. 

Today is one of those days where I share that there is no "super Christian" on this side of the blog.  I have my moments (and sometimes days) of panic and feel the fear creeping in.  There are days where I struggle to find my way to my knees because the task seems overwhelming and I find myself frozen.  There are days where the tears flow much more freely than the laughter.  There are days I fail to look to Him.  There are days I am just plain scared!

This week has been sprinkled with those moments and this morning those feelings just moved right in to my desk (where I was working) and sat there.  As I have shared before this process has many steps and lots of timing to be coordinated.  I knew about the VISA and partnership timing and I knew about our desire for Hannah to start the school year in Spain, but today that desire was changed to a deadline.  High School students must begin by September 15 of the fall semester.  Even as I type those words the tears fall - not sad tears, but ones of fear.  The "what ifs" fill my mind.  The panic feeling begins to creep up (or maybe flood in would be a better description).

Now we are facing a deadline - not a hope or a wish, but a deadline.  So what does that mean...

• We must be at 100% in August - we are at a little more than 56%.
• We must get VISAs in time to arrive by September 15.
• We must sell this house.

But even as I type this and whisper a prayer a song creeps into my mind:

I know Whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I've committed

Unto Him against that day

I do know who I believe in, I am persuaded, and I will cling to that.  But you know, sometimes that grip is just a little harder.

Passports Arrived

The kid's passports arrived today.  Gulp!  That means the VISA process really begins.  All of the paperwork on our side has been requested and we are in a waiting stage.  Now the Spanish paperwork can begin as well.  Beginning to feel a little more real!

Interesting

I don't often just post a link to an article, but this article is challenging.  Makes you think.  Would love to hear your response after you read it.

Different Perspective on a Missionary Call

Stripes Update

Last week I wrote about the kid's bathroom  (if you missed the before pictures click here)and its need for change.  I promised an after picture so here they are.  I think it turned out pretty good.  Of course I brought home a total of 10 different shower curtains before I found one I liked and several sets of bathroom rugs.  But I am here to say, ALL home improvement projects are finished!

Divorce

No, I am not getting a divorce.  One of our assignments before we can leave for Spain is to read 400 pages relating to the culture of Spain.  Needing to check something off my list and Scott knowing that he has a seminary class to go, we decided to tackle the reading.  I was dreading it, but instead am overwhelmed by what has happened in my lifetime that I totally missed. 

Divorce was not legal in Spain until 1981.  Franco and Catholicism insured that.  It was one of the by-products of their sort of democracy.  Interestingly enough, however, that by 2007 Spain had the highest divorce rate of all of  the other European Union countries. 

As I was reading this history book (I know for many of you that is a surprise in itself) I really saw how God had once again been preparing me for Spain.  Scott and I are happily married today, but there were days when I thought we too would be a statistic.  I'm sure most of us can say that.  The difference for us is a commitment to our Lord and to our vows.  We believed in forgiveness.  We knew a love that was greater than any of our faults.  We had something to hold on other than the faults of the other. 

I pray today that God will continue to send His Holy Spirit to protect our marriage.  I pray that our eyes will remain on Him.  I pray that our dependence on Him will shine through as we prepare to meet couples in Spain who may have walked the exact same steps we have walked yet believe the freedom to walk away is greater than the faith to stay.  Just one more reason the light of Christ is needed to be shown in Spain.

There Will Be No More!

I am finished.  There are no walls left to paint, no doors left to paint, no trim left needing attention... the house is painted!  Hannah and I just finished her room.  That means since January I have touched up or repainted everything in the house except for my bedroom.  I am finished!  No more painting for me!  Hope anyone who comes to see the house will appreciate all the painting, for I am done.  (By the way, it is all painted a beautiful color called "Cream in my Coffee.")

And just in case anyone wants to know, I hated painting before I started this marathon and I hate it even more now.  As for our next home in Spain - I do not care the color or the condition of the walls - there will be no painting!

Dancing the VISA Dance

50% was our first goal and we made it and started the VISA process.  It seemed all so simple - gather a few pieces of paper, turn them in to the embassy, and get the VISA back - then when we reach 100% get on an airplane.  Sounded easy.... but our coach at SEND called it a dance and I didn't really know what she meant -until last week.

There are two parts to dancing - 1)  knowing the steps and 2) timing.  I can figure out the steps and keep them in order, but I have no control over the timing.  Of course, this process is another lesson in faith!

Here is the process ahead of us -

• Supervisor in Spain request letters of invitation - once they are received we have 30 days to present our completed application to the Spanish consulate in Washington, DC
• Be fingerprinted and complete a FBI criminal background check
• Gather the following paperwork:
• New copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates for everyone - they must be hand signed and issued within the last 90 days - of course I was born in Florida, Scott in Cairo, and the kids were at least both here in Greensboro
• New passports for the kids because they had less than 12 months left on their passports (thank goodness Scott and I were good)
• Letters from the doctors that say we have no communicable diseases, addictions, and mental health issues - of course we all have different doctors with different processes for this
• Letter from SEND saying we have international health insurance
• Send all the official documents off to the Secretary of State in the state they were issued to receive an Apostille Letter (stating they are official and legal documents)
• Take all the documents to a certified Spanish translator
• Finish all this within the 30 days of the letter of invitation being received and make an appointment with the Spanish Consulate in Washington DC and all four of us go apply in person
• Wait.....Pray... Wait... Pray
• When the consulate's office calls and says the VISAs are ready we have 30 days to pick them up and 30 days to register an address in Spain

So we know the steps of this dance, but have to trust God for the timing.  We cannot leave for Spain until we are at 100% of our monthly support and have sold the house and etc.  This is where the dance gets fun and could involve you.  If you are praying about joining our financial team, now is the time.  We have no control over the timing with the embassy - they could be fast or they could be slow.  All our paperwork has been requested and we hope to start sending things off to the Secretary of States this coming week.  Our fingerprints are sent off.  Now we just wait and "dance."

I've never been a good dancer - I have no rhythm - so this will definitely be a dance controlled by God!

Home Improvement Project

The kid's bathroom just needed refreshing.  It needed a deep cleaning.  It needed to feel different.  So in a casual conversation with my dad on Friday I asked how big of a mess would it be if I took their shower doors down.  He assured me it would be easy and not too bad.  After he left I grabbed a screwdriver and figured, what could it hurt?  I'd loosen one side and see what it looked like.  One side looked like it would be ok - so down came the doors.  In the process of taking them down they kind of fell apart so I started to pray it would really be ok.   Sure enough - it looks so much  better!  Of course I waited to tell Scott until I was finished.  Boy was I glad it turned out ok!  Next project - sand the stripes and paint the walls!  Check back in a week for the finished project!  When someone finally buys this house they are going to have a completely freshly painted house - sure hope it works!

Easter Pageant

If you live anywhere near Greensboro you are invited to Cornerstone's (5736 Inman Road, Greensboro) Easter Pageant.  A dramatic presentation of the life of Christ - from birth to resurrection.  Includes drama and music.  Free childcare is provided for children ages newborn through Kindergarten and includes snacks, games, crafts, and more.  No tickets are required.

Friday, April 15 - 7:00 (doors open at 6:30)

Saturday, April 16 - 7:00 (doors open at 6:30)

Sunday, April 17 - 4:00 (doors open at 3:30)

It's Been a While

Someone asked the other day why I wasn't blogging - well, because life is incredibly busy!  All with good things and answers to prayes, but busy.

Quick recap -

• We hit 53% of our monthly support yesterday.... God is moving in people's hearts and we are getting closer to the land where God has placed our heart.  In the last 6 weeks we have added partners to our Spain Family in all sizes - from $20/month to $500/month.  Some look like monthly gifts while others look like annual gifts.  No two are alike, except in the fact that they are all gifts to God and His work and we pray that they will be used for eternal changes. 
• We started the VISA process last week.  It is exciting to be doing something concrete on this side of the 50% that is part of the controller of our departure date.  I'll write a whole different post on this process, just suffice for me to quote our supervisor "it builds character and faith."
• We re-listed the house on Friday and are praying for lots of showings and offers.  The realtor is still finishing up details of the website and publicity, but you can take a peek at it at by clicking on the word house.  If you know of anyone looking for a house in our area, send them our way. 
• Scott is in the Easter Pageant at church and I am in charge of childcare so our days are filled with practices and details.  Mark your calendar and join us the 15th and 16th at 7:00 and the 17th at 4:00.
• Scott is experiencing changes at work that keep reminding us that our days in this area of the world are numbered.
• Hannah has finished the required part of her Girl Scout Gold Award and is diligently workings towards finishing up her paperwork.  She is continuing the project out of a passion for the students which makes me very proud.  She hopes to be able to have her Gold Award presented to her at McIver Education Center - a school for autistic students where she has been working.  That means she needs to be approved before the end of the school year.  One of the aspects of her project is to have people "following" her project - so check out her blog and click follow or leave a comment.
• Alex's days are filled with school projects and soccer practice.  Guess what that means my days are filled with?

Are you tired yet?  The days are full and yet my heart is at peace and excited to see what God has planned for each day.  I am not bored to say the least!  Check back in a couple days and I'll fill in the details.

Spanish Lesson

A few weeks ago through a string of God planned appointments Scott and I were introduced to Donald and Olga.  Donald is from Georgia (the state) and Olga is from Spain.  We emailed a few times and then invited them to dinner at our house last week.  It was a great night!  We exchanged stories and sat around the table for a couple hours just developing a friendship.

Over dessert we discovered that she was from Vicalvaro, a town near Madrid that we visited when we were there in Spain.  We shared pictures and even connected her with our co-worker that lives there for her return visit next month.  The world became so much smaller in those moments.

We then arranged for Olga to meet me at church yesterday for a tour of our preschool for their little boy and then we'd go to lunch.  Over lunch I had my first Spanish lesson.  Oh my!

After an hour I could tell you that I had eaten a hamburger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion and that I had two sons and one daughter (and their ages).  We discovered I cannot roll my "r"s and that my memory is very poor.  We laughed a lot.  In exchange for her teaching me Spanish I am helping Olga with her English.  She struggled with the word squirrel and we laughed over her plan to just call it a big rat instead.

We are going to meet every Wednesday over my lunch hour.  Does she really know what she is in for?

I realized that learning Spanish may be my biggest challenge I have ever faced.  I am learning a lot about faith as we try to sell our house and raise our support, but I think my biggest step in faith will be believing that God will enable me to master a new language.

Pray for Olga to have patience with my poor language skills.  Pray for me as I live out my faith in this relationship.  Pray for lots of laughter - otherwise there will be lots of tears!

Hard Decisions

Although the last two weeks have been filled with celebrating our partnership progress (today we are at 49%)  they have also been filled with some hard decisions.   One of the biggest decisions we have had to make is regarding the house.  It has been on the market in excess of 18 months and we still own it.  We prayed, we cried, we agonized over this decision.  What wisdom would God give us?  His answer was not easy and both required another step of faith.

First we felt God saying to take it off the market for a couple weeks.  My first response, "but wait, God!  What if the exact person who is supposed to buy the house is only looking during those two weeks?  What if we miss them?"  His first answer - "am I not God?  Am I not all knowing?  Am I not the god who holds the universe in my hands?  and if I am, then why do you fret over such a small thing?"  Unfortunately I had to wrestle through the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and a whole lot more responses before I said "ok - you are God and I trust."

Second we believed God was directing us to start totally over.  Start with a new realtor, a new sign, a new listing, a new outlook, .....  This was harder than the first thing He said.  We love our realtor.  She is a dear friend.  She has done more than any realtor we have ever worked with.  She has helped clean and paint.  She has loaned us personal things to stage the house.  She has worked hard for us and put up with our dragging our feet and complaining about the process.  Yet, in all that we still believed God was giving us direction.  I cried out to God to make it ok and he said "she serves the same God you do - am I not big enough to handle this too or have you found my limits?"  Don't you just hate it when God gives you a big "slap in the face?" 

That conversation with our realtor was one of the hardest conversations I have had to have lately.  I cried and fretted and yet God was present.  She was disappointed and a little hurt, yet her character has shown through.  She has been able to continue to be a friend while our business relationship takes changes.  She has been a beautiful picture of a Christian woman and friend.  I know she was disappointed and even hurt, yet her words and behavior and spirit have well represented the Christ she loves and serves. 

I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone trying to sell or buy a house in the Greensboro area.  She is a hard worker and gives you her all.  She is willing to pull out all the stops to sell your house.  She would be the 1st realtor I would call if we had to do it all over again.  Do you need a realtor?  At least give her a call before you make a decision.

The question now is - where are we now?  The house has been off the market for about 1 1/2 weeks and will go back up on the market tomorrow.  We have interviewed and questioned and researched realtors intensively.  We have prayed over this decision.  When the house finally sells, I'll tell you how God "blew our socks off" during this interview process.  We have chosen a realtor who is in Kernersville and who has an understanding of this bedroom community and loves it.  And once again, we begin the "house is on the market lifestyle." 

Will you pray for a couple things for us?

1. That that the house will sell - quickly!
2. For our original realtor - that God will bless her business - one that she is basing on His principles
3. For our new realtor - that she will know exactly what needs to be done to market our house to the right people

49% ...

We are at 49% - less than $100/month needed in partnerships to be at the 50% mark.  We are so excited!

We were given the go ahead today to begin gathering paperwork for our VISA.  The official process will not begin until we are actually at 50%, but we can begin to get things in order.  Could tomorrow be the official day?

As we celebrate being so close we also know that this is only half of the race.  We must continue at this pace to reach our goal of moving at the beginning of September.  Have you been considering partnership?  It would be great if you would let us know now.  Your partnership can begin in a month or two or even three - but your commitment counts towards our percentage immediately.  Just ask us how!

The Blessing of a Mixer

I "bought" my first appliance today for our new apartment in Spain!  I say "bought" because actually I just put a hold on a mixer that is for sale through a virtual garage sale.  A family that lives in Spain is leaving Spain and selling lots of their furniture and appliances and etc.  Our supervisor's wife knew I really wanted a nice mixer when we arrive and promised to look out for a used one.  Today she emailed me about a red kitchen aid mixer that was for sale as well as some other furniture.  I claimed it and have been giddy with laughter all day.

I know a mixer should not have that kind of impact on a grown woman, but look at this as a lot more than a mixer.  Look at it from this view point:

..... Our supervisor believes we are coming!  Who would offer to buy a mixer and furniture for a family on the other side of the ocean if they didn't believe a day was coming pretty soon where the items would be claimed? 

.....  I have always wanted a Kitchen Aid mixer and there has always been a reason not to get one.  I have thought of all the things I will need to give up and do without and yet God has allowed me to have the mixer I have wanted for years.  I know it sounds crazy to many of you, but to me I see the mixer as a blessing from God.

.....  A mixer and maybe a bed and a kitchen table,  the first steps toward a home.  We aren't going to Spain to a sterile, cold apartment - we are going home and we are already beginning to make it.

Laugh with me and rejoice me - I bought a mixer today!

Headache

So much for catching up on the blog today - it will have to wait another day.  Today is day 3 of a headache.  Although it is better, it is still there.  Not sure if it is all the paint fumes in the house, pollen outside, the crick in my neck, or what... but for today - I'll go to work and do what must be done and then spend the rest of the day doing nothing.  Check back tomorrow - lots to tell!

Rambling

I sat down to write a post this morning and my brain is on overflow!  We had an incredible dinner last night with new friends, she is a Spaniard from the area we will be serving and he lived there for three years.  We have had to make some hard decisions in the last week and I want to share the lessons I have learned from there.  We are celebrating that God is almost daily bringing new partners.  I was asked yesterday were we disappointed we only hit 48% by our goal and I want to share why I cannot be disappointed in God's answer.  I have much to reflect on from the life of a friend who so quickly came to an end last week.  And then there are the daily things that I want to share about- the house, the paintbrush that seems permanently attached to my hand, and etc. 

If I were to write all of this at one time you would quit reading before you finished and it is all still a little jumbled - so for today I write that I am praising God because He is a creative God who answers our prayers in ways that are beyond our imagination.  I'm heading to pick up the paintbrush again and perhaps tonight I will write a little more detail.

Suffering

I attended the funeral of a dear friend yesterday.  Although we only met a year ago, he made a lasting impression on my life.   And as I listened to the things that were said about him and his relationship with Christ from friends who have known him for 25+ years my respect for him grew even greater!  May people say some of the same things of me when my final day here on earth arrives!

One of the pastors said:

"God does not allow suffering, but He never wastes it."

I have pondered that quote all night.  No commentary on my part coming, but I would love to hear your reaction.  

Busy day ahead, but check back tomorrow so I can tell you of my dinner plans for tonight!