August Newsletter '06

Greetings,

What an adventurous summer it has been for us! I have no doubt that the journey of life will always grow and stretch us, but there’s just something about the heat of Texas that can wear you out. Even after the busyness of June and July, August was for us – in the eloquence of rowdy Texan high school football – “Gut Check Time.”

Finishing Strong

We were so blessed this summer to have the extra income from Emily’s job at Chick-fil-a. In fact, by the end of this next month and through her hard work and smart shopping, we’ll have all our credit card debt paid off. Thus, Emily finishes her fulltime employment at Chick-fil-a as she transitions back to teaching those wonderful little kindergarteners.

Amazingly, summer school too has come to an end. There were days when I thought Hebrew would get the best of me, but with excellent professors and unending patience from Emily I made it through. The challenge of the Fall semester begins this week, and will continue on for the next 12 weeks straight! Praise the Lord, I’m more than half-way through my degree and right on track for a 2008 graduation.

The Shed

Without much time to spare this summer, Emily and I never really got a vacation. However, I was blessed to travel back up north for 3 days to help my dad work on the new shed. We got all the walls up and trusses placed in only 2 days, and still had time for a quick fishing trip (I didn’t catch anything though). I just love going home to the country, and though it was a short trip it was just what the doctor ordered after a summer of non-stop studying. Read more and see pics about the trip HERE.

Eleuthera Ministry

I wish I could write more about Eleuthera, but we haven’t heard much from the mission front this month, except a surprise phone call from my good friend Leige Burrows! Leige and I worked together for 3 summers and grew to be very close friends. One day just out of the blue I heard the answering machine pick up with Leige’s familiar voice on the other end. I snatched up the phone and smiling ear to ear proceeded to catch up with my Bahamian friend (really more of an adopted uncle, if you will). He said he was just playing some dominos and got to thinking about us and wanted to give us a call. It was just a little reminder that though we’re far away, our hearts are still close to our friends on the island.

Update
Emily has started her 2nd week of teaching, and really loves her new kids– though she does miss her old class. I’ve got 13 credits this semester, but no languages so it should be “relaxing” semester (don’t worry Professors who may be reading this – I’ll still be practicing my translations!) Work at First Baptist Frisco is also going much smoother now that I’m getting more of a system figured out in the new building; and I’m learning more and more about ministry each day. I’m also working on a new website for our CMA mission board, stay tuned for more news on that front. This month truly was about finishing strong, and we are so thankful for all your thoughts and prayers.

Prayers and Praises
When we look at what our lives could be, we're so humbled to see how the Lord has always blessed and taken care of us. Here are a few of the areas where we continue to need your prayers...

Praise that summer school is finished and that is was a beneficial semester (finished with an A-, not too shabby)
Praise that Emily has transitioned back to kindergarten and seriously helped our financial situation
Praise that we received a scholarship for this year, and another contact for missions prayer support
Daily Praise for safety in Dallas, and good health
Praise that the summer teams in Eleuthera finished strong as well

Continue praying for missionaries Brad and Alicia Fox and their pregnancy
Continue praying for missionaries Dave and Vickie Hawkins as they seek treatment for Vickie’s illness
Pray for all those you know who have been diagnosed with cancer. This month I can count of 5 people I know who have began the weary battle with this illness, and it breaks my heart to watch them struggle in this fallen world
Finally, pray for cold temperatures and the cessation of this 100 degree weather (19 days in a row over 100!!!!!)
Check out our answered prayer requests here: CLICK HERE.

Thank you for keeping up with us and our progress in ministry. We so value your prayers and support, and we would ask you to take a moment and pray for our journey and how you can play a part. To find out more CLICK HERE.