Thanksgiving in December

With the mixed up feeling of the holidays this just seems to blend right in...

It may be Christmas-time now, but we seem to be reliving Thanksgiving this month. Your outpouring of love & support has knocked us over!!!! We’ve bounced continuously between tearful & speechless over the past week, with God’s faithfulness and provision!

He has provided ALL that we need to cover the rent advance by World Orphans and a nice chunk to start the house repairs with. We also have new supporters and some current ones increasing to help keep us on the field this coming year. In addition, a whirlwind holiday plan has risen up that is completely unexpected, but something that is making us each smile!

Rebecca got a short notice call to fly to CA for a nursing strike over the holidays. It is all expenses paid and lands her in Northern CA for a week of work that gives us an extra boost on the early 2013 monthly lack (if needed), or allows a tiny bit of “savings” for a rainy day, or whatever else God reveals... We find that He ALWAYS has plans for His resources here in Haiti!

While none of us wants to be away from home for long, we have all been needing a brief period of rest & renewal. As you might know, Ana is flying Ted up to Germany for a much needed visit with her & Oliver. (He thinks he will like the “cold” weather – at least he used to!) I have been REALLY missing family in CA & feeling a need to share with family, friends & supporters there, what God has been doing here.  Tynan was just saying how he wished that he could see his college-aged friends in TX, while they are all home on break & Em began starting to pray a month ago over how she might afford a trip to see her cousins in Rhode Island  this spring, for a time of fellowship & encouragement.

Well it very unexpectedly looks like all of that is going to happen! It also (God is so monumentally cool) means that we (the kids & I) won’t have to be here on our own without Ted & in a new place that isn’t up & running smoothly yet. That was a small concern that we can lay aside now. Waldring, or co-worker has even agreed to “house-sit” and care for the animals for a short time while we're away.

So, as of tomorrow, I will head out first for a week of work then up to spend time with my parents, siblings, family & friends…  Ted & the kids will have a quiet Christmas here with Callie, our intern and get our stuff moved over to the new house. Then on Dec 27^th they will fly to FL together. Ted will go on to Germany. Tynan has a friend that will fly down to help him drive our truck back up to TX for inspection & registration (another small concern that will be taken care of!) and longer term storage. Em is confidently waiting to hear back from the “cousins” about a trip north. We will all meet up on January 7^th in FL again ready to fly home with a fresh start & to host Wheaton Academy - our first (& biggest) team of the year!

It may sound a little complicated & crazy, but we are TRULY excited about each getting to spend a little personal time nourishing our souls.

We are feeling washed anew by both the generosity and the joy of renewed fellowship the rest of this month. We hope & pray that your holidays will be a season of deep refreshment & blessing too.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Rebecca (journalling for us all...)