2008

Started off traveling- A wreck in Austin, then to West Albuquerque.  We got news that Uncle John's leukemia was coming back and things did not look great.  College kids came back and we have enjoyed them all year long!  Laura's cooking continues to bless us.  We began they year praying about a new position at Church.  Headed to Mexico to minister with and to Canadians- took Brandon with me; this was a blessing.  Then we settled in to the end of Spring and the winds of change were coming.  Interviewed for the missions position and finished prep for the summer.  Then the college kids took off.  Brandon and Megan to Colorado.  Colton to Montana. Chelsea to Texas (we sent Maddie there too) and Bryn back to School.  Rebecca to Tennessee, Julia to Wales, Rachel to Peru, Briana to East Asia, and Mel to Burundi.  Then We went to Latvia, I came back to Tarrant County Camp, then we hit Pineywoods (the greatest of all time!), and I took off to South Dakota.  From there we headed to Florida to see family then I headed to the office, WHAT?  Yep- In August I took the job as missions pastor at my Church and we began working with some people we have been praying for over the last few years, and some we have just begun to know.  Can you say, "transition"?  September brought the students back and they brought Andrew, Melanie, and Tamera with them.  The fall also brought back news of Uncle John's leukemia that has moved us toward our hope in Christ all the more.  Along with this we had several medical tests for Nate that have all turned out okay and several academic accomplishments for Maddie that we are okay with also!  The overwhelming message of Autumn to me came as a reminder to Abide in Christ, love people, and bear fruit.  It came on a Sunday evening and God has reminded me over and over to walk in this.  October sent me to Tanzania where I was moved tremendously by the beauty and poverty that surrounds Kilimanjaro.  Speaking of mountains, trying to lose weight with Laura's cooking, is like trying to climb a mountain on a down escalator!  Laura'ssupport, steadfastness, and encouraging words and actions have been such a blessing all year long.  As 2008 we look forward to this new year with joy, excitement, grief, expectation, love, wonder, direction.  More than anything, we look to this year and to our future with a strong hope in Jesus, in His character and ability, in His person and work.  Our King is truly glorious and our King is.

Comments

[Mel]

I like this. And I like the tags on it, especially the one on andrew, melanie and tamera. :P

Can't wait to see what the Lord has for this year. :) Y'all are a blessing. Thank y'all for walking with me and challenging and encouraging me to be more like Christ.

[melanie]

ooh, blue man group. makes a world of sense.

i was glad to stumble upon this blog of yours. i have really enjoyed getting to know you and laura, and i am excited about continuing this semester. can't tell you how many times i've walked away from a sunday night at the bowers' with a huge challenge or thought to work through.

love you guys.