Family Update #21 – A bit shorter :)

The garage is done! It’s been twelve years since mom has been able to use our garage…she was shocked! I got home from Orlando on Monday morning and by 8PM Monday night, we were finished…I was amazed. Ozzie, JudyAnn, Shane and Shane, Dave, Reggie…thank you. I had no idea that we would be able to knock out as much as we did. I’m waiting on final numbers for the cost of a new garage door and opener, but we hope to have that purchased and installed by the end of July. I wish you could have seen mom’s face when she came home from the airport and saw the clean garage. I’m sure there was, and possibly still is, a fear as to what I threw away without her knowing…but hey, it’s gone! (How’s that for sensitivity?

I just wanted to let you know that this week has been a pretty exciting week for mom and me to be able to see the fruit of our work and another image of what we believe the Lord is doing in our family – cleaning out the old and allowing the new to blossom. Our time in Orlando was very fun, and a great weekend to reconnect with family that we haven’t seen for a number of years. Aunt Kay was celebrated and honored for her work as a teacher in the Orlando area – 35 years. Congratulations Aunt Kay. Our cousin Laura and her husband, Sean, played host for DR and I…I don’t think they intended for us to eat as much as we did. It was a great time to catch up and spend some time with quality people…

For prayer:

Mom – Mom took DR and me on a trip down memory lane through Orlando. We saw where mom lived while she was working downtown and during the time that she and dad were dating. Then we traveled to the Maitland Art Museum to see where mom and dad were married 31 years ago. It was good to be with mom and just hear stories about the day…a very simple wedding with close friends and family. We took pictures and just allowed mom to take in some of the memories…it was the first time she had been back since they were married.

DR is doing well. He turned 25 last week and, for his birthday, we pitched in to help pay for his head shots. I am praying that he would take some steps of faith in his dreams to act…he has so much talent! We didn’t get a whole lot of time to catch up; we did spend about an hour talking after Aunt Kay’s retirement party…just the two of us, and it was great to hear about his life and some of the details going on. Just too short, and I think he would agree. At least this round of phone tag is over!

Me – I am leaving on Tuesday and will start this crazy month of traveling. I wanted to send a short note before taking off for the weekend and remind you of how powerful your prayers have been for us. The Lord responds to a broken people, and we are seeing His faithful response of provision. Thank you!

New Zealand – I had a fantastic meeting with Tom Harriger and his wife last Friday night. It’s pretty clear that there is a lot of work to be done in the establishment of this mission, but we know our next steps. Tom is going to try for a phone conversation with Roger Osbaldiston, the director of Campus Crusade in New Zealand. I am going to continue my conversations with a couple of contacts in New Zealand and try to find out what, if any, connections we have with high school ministry in the country. We have some work to do, but I’m so excited, and Tom is just as excited. It will be fun to work with him and his team. There is a chance that Roger and Tom might be able to meet in Colorado this summer the Crusade staff training in Fort Collins. If that happens, I might fly out to meet with them. Please continue to pray that we would be sensitive to the Lord’s direction (Proverbs 16:9)

Tuesday, May 29th, is mom’s 31st wedding anniversary. The year of firsts continues…I can’t imagine how difficult it will be, but mom knows it’s coming. I am asking the Lord to draw mom intimately close during this time of grieving. Please pray with me along those lines.

I am leaving on Tuesday and will start this crazy month of traveling. I wanted to send a short note before taking off for the weekend and remind you of how powerful your prayers have been for us. The Lord responds to a broken people, and we are seeing His faithful response of provision. Thank you!

Also, because of the unexpected speed at cleaning out the garage, we will not need any help on Monday. So, thank you for your willingness and availability to serve…we are finished!