Monday, June 18, 2012

Decision Day


Last August we were told of a day that would come faster than we expected, that would take forever to get to, and that would be used to determine our timeline to Indonesia.  It was a day that seemed a lifetime away in that moment.  June 18th.  Decision Day.  The day that we must be at 80% of our outgoing and ongoing support amounts in order to be invited to MAF Standardization (a training for pilots and mechanics) and Orientation (for pre-field staff families to learn more about MAF operations and safety).  

You see, Standardization and Orientation are required next steps before we can finalize our move to Indonesia.  And to be completely honest, we have been excited to get back to Nampa, ID ever since we left.  It feels like another home.  A place of peace and of true friendship with like-minded individuals, who, over the course of mere weeks, become like family.  

In case you haven't checked your calendar all day, today is June 18.  Today is Decision Day.  And over the course of the last 10 months, we have been praying for this day, among many others.  Going in to today, we had 79.1% of our monthly support (along with 92.7% of our one-time, outgoing amount.)  But at 12:30 Eastern time, Pete ate lunch with a friend/mentor/pastor of a church that has become our church home here in Georgia.  At lunch, he was told that this church wanted to partner with us financially.  Their monthly support gift put us over the mark.

WOW!  

Time and again we look back and see the Lord's hand in all of this.  Pete's technical skill and passion for aviation.  Ashley's call to serve in full-time overseas mission before we became a couple.  Job opportunities.  Financial provision (on MULTIPLE occasions).  A well-behaved little traveler, Cade.  Amazing prayer warriors.  Supportive friends and family.  The list goes on and on!

So on this much anticipated Decision Day, we praise God from whom all good gifts are given and rejoice in His faithfulness and provision!  

Monday, June 11, 2012

Goodbye's & Canasta



One of the very first words that Cade learned was "Bye-Bye".  Pete and I were so proud of our little guy for starting to use words along with his energetic wave and cheesy grin.  When Cade says, "Bye-Bye," he does so with joy and excitement.  It is as though he doesn't fully realize that some of these goodbyes are for a LONG time.

This weekend, Cade and I joined the Fountain Family Reunion - an annual family reunion of my mom's mom's side of the family, the Fountain's.  I grew up going to these reunions, enjoying fun with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents (everyone in the Fountain Family line is a close relative, no matter how distant).  In the past, we have gone so far as to make shirts for the occasion - thank you puff pant of the 80's and early 90's, put together a band - back in the day when I played the clarinet (yikes!), arranged water games for all the kids, etc.  But always, always, always, we play Hand and Foot Canasta.

Canasta is the official game of our family.  We learn as young children how to play, the costly value of a red 3 stuck in your foot (-300 points), and the fun conversations that surround this strategic, lengthy, and fun game of cards.  I can remember when I first learned how to play Canasta - I would walk around my mom, dad, Mema, and Papa as they played, picking out what everyone's next play should be, what to discard, and asking questions to help learn the game and get my particular Canasta strategy down.

Playing Canasta with our family is something I will miss when we move.  One of those many little things that I will gladly sacrifice, but miss oh so dearly, to serve our Lord and Savior.  This weekend we created another wonderful memory of spending time with our Fountain Family and playing Canasta that we will hold close to our hearts as we say goodbye and move to Indonesia.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Reactions

Earlier today, Pete and I were at Home Depot getting some tubs to begin packing up our entire life of "things" into a couple of wooden crates.  As I was walking through the front door a very kind lady stopped me to ask if I would be interested in signing up for a free patio screen drawing.  I responded the way I do most times these days when asked if I want/need something that can only be used Stateside, "No thank you, I'm moving to Indonesia."

Photo courtesy of lonelyplanet.com.

It never fails, EVERY time, I feel compelled to share that last little part of the response, "I'm moving to Indonesia."

And EVERY time, I get some sort of reaction.  Some are humorous, some are encouraging, and some are ridiculous.

"Wow!  That sounds exciting."

"Are you sure, it sounds dangerous."

"I could NEVER do that."

"Really, why?" - I personally LOVE this one, what a great way to share Jesus' love!!!


Pete and I have received many reactions from friends and family, as well.   The reactions have blown us away.   The support, prayers, and generosity of our friends and family is more than we could have ever imagined.

I must admit I like the different reactions.  Perhaps it is because of the shock value, or hearing some of these awesome responses, but it does my heart good to claim the promise of the Lord in the moment.  That I am moving to Indonesia because HE is making it possible.