Christmas Coffee Challenge

As we began this Advent season - preparing for Christ's coming - Pete and I were discussing that some people around the world don't know what to prepare for, and more importantly, don't know Who to prepare for...


We are thrilled to be a part of a missions organization, Mission Aviation Fellowship, that is overcoming barriers to transform lives around the world.  Through meeting peoples' physical needs and providing much needed resources, our pilots, mechanics, disaster response teams and more are making Christ known in some of the most remote places on earth and sharing with them the importance of Jesus' birth and promise to return.  Pete and I can't wait to be among the many serving Him in Indonesia!  But we can't do it alone...  WE NEED YOU! 

CHRISTMAS COFFEE CHALLENGE

While we celebrate this glorious and festive season of love, lights, and the gift of abundant life in Christ Jesus, we ask that you prayerfully consider helping us make Christ known in Indonesia by answering this simple question:  How much money do you spend monthly on specialty coffee drinks?  $25, $50, $75?  


Would you consider spending that amount as a monthly supporter of our ministry with MAF?  


Our goal is to be at 50% of full-funding by January 1, 80% by March, and 100% funding and on our way to Indonesia by Fall of 2012.  This is a lofty goal, but we know that with God's help and His people generously giving, we can reach Indonesia soon!


If you would like to be a part of our Christmas Coffee Challenge there are several ways you can give.

DONATE ONLINE | You can log on to www.maf.org/greenwald, click the DONATE tab and set up a payment arrangement or electronic funds transfer under the "Support a Missionary" link.  If you choose this method, please make sure that donation/giving is allocated to Pete and Ashley Greenwald - Missionary ID: 9090.  

SNAIL MAIL | Another great way to start giving is to mail a check to the MAF Headquarters - P.O. Box 47, Nampa, ID 83653.  With this option, we ask that you make the check payable to Mission Aviation Fellowship and add 9090 to the memo line. 

PHONE A FRIEND | For those of you who like to hear a friendly voice at the other end of the phone to assure you that everything has been handled properly (I am definitely one of these people) you have the option to speak with our Donor Services personnel.  They are a great bunch of MAF staff at our headquarters in Idaho and will make sure that your giving is done with ease.  Simply dial 1.800.359.7623 to phone a friend!

With any of these options, we would love to hear that you have begun giving!  It will give us a great chance to catch up with you and help us keep our records straight.  

For more information or to let us know you have joined our Christmas Coffee Challenge, contact us via email at agreenwald@maf.org (Ashley) or pgreenwald@maf.org (Pete), or give us a call at 678.641.8771.

Yes, I Am Coming Quickly | Rev. 22:20

Yesterday morning Pete, Cade and I attended Johns Creek UMC.  The church building has changed from my wide-eyed days of being a youngster scurrying about trying to get to the delicious foods at the fellowship hall, or searching for my best friend, Anna, or even trying to find my parents between Sunday School, Worship Service, and Discipleship classes.  The small chapel where I was accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and was baptized isn't used for the primary services anymore, the church members and attendants just wouldn't fit.  The old 3 room nursery section is now used for other things and a whole new building (attached) now houses the nursery, preschool, children's Sunday School, and Youth.  The  auditorium we moved into as a precursor to building a brand new sanctuary is getting it's last full uses in the coming months/year as the ground has now been broken for the once dreamed of Sanctuary for Sunday morning worship.

However, although many things have changed at this church I watched grow and develop (both building and people-wise) as a child and teen, it is still home to some of the most amazing smiling faces I know.  Friends of our family who taught me, cared for me, and allowed me to grow and develop in my walk with Christ.  They are people who shared Christ with me in my youth and helped to support me as I worked at the UGA Wesley Foundation in my college years and before Pete and I were married.  They welcomed my new family (Pete and Cade) with open arms and embraced us as if no time had passed at all since I left home and continued on in God's calling for my life.

But yesterday morning offered much more than a time of reconnection, it was a reminder of our place in this world. To live in it, but not be of it. To walk in the fullness of God's calling on our own individual lives.  To be awake, on the alert for the coming of our Lord.  

In Revelation 22:20, John writes, 

"He who testifies to these things says, 

'Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus."

As this season of Advent begins, I was reminded to be looking for signs of Christ's coming. To rejoice that He will return and be ready for His coming. For we do not know the time or the place.  We do not know the how's and the why's.  We only know that a promise from God is just that - a promise.  He is true to His word and Jesus will return!

After these things, I looked and behold, 

a great multitude which no one could count, 

from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, 

standing before the throne and before the Lamb... 

and they cry out with a loud voice, saying 

"Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

Revelation 7:9-10

Are we staying awake?  Are we on the alert?  Are we seeking out the signs that He will return, remembering His promise?  Are we sharing with others so that they will be part of the great multitude?

Between The Hedges

On Saturday, my family did something we have never done - we went to a UGA game together at Sanford Stadium, Between The Hedges.  Mom, Dad, Pete, Cade and I woke up early and dropped Cade off at his Mimi and Grandpa's house so that we could cheer the Dawgs on to a victory (and consequentially take the SEC East!)  While we have all been to a UGA game together, we have never been to one all together in Athens, GA.  There is something amazing, invigorating, and empowering about being in Athens on game day.  It is a sensation that I remember well from my time in college at UGA and one that I will forever remember and cherish.  The excitement is palpable!  I can not imagine a better place to have spent my college years.


I LOVED my years in Athens. They were filled with fun, late nights, great friends, sweet freedom with little responsibility, and created memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  And though they say that the best 4 years of your life are those spent in college (and my college years were beyond wonderful) the amazing thing is, that every year just keeps getting better.  Every year has even more to love.  Every year provides more memories to cherish.  Every year I fall more in love with my God, my husband, and now my son!  Every year God lavishes His love on me in a new and exciting way.

So while I did thoroughly enjoy my college years, I can't say that they were the best years of my life because I honestly believe that I live the best year every year!

Western New York

To be completely honest, Pete and I both packed and began our trip up north with a bit of hesitation.  We had just spent a month on the road and were reluctant to start another journey so quickly.  We knew that it would be great to see our friends, the Harrell's, and that it would be incredibly worthwhile if we would just surrender it to the Lord and go.  And so we began the drive.  After two days of driving and a great visit with friends, we arrived in Lakewood, NY.  From the moment we got here until now, as I type away from the bedroom in Aunt Nancy and Uncle Brian's house, we have been blown away by outdoor beauty, delightful family, and incredible meetings with partners in ministry.  God has been very sweet to us on this trip!  

A Walk in the Woods at Aunt Nancy and Uncle Brian's

Upon our arrival, we unloaded our bags and quickly went to see some longtime family friends of the Greenwald's - the Norris's. Their hospitality and love for the Lord is palpable and it was a delight to begin our week up north with them.  

We headed to a local church when dinner was over and had the pleasure of speaking to the youth about God calling us all on our own adventures and surrounding us with His love and guidance through it all.  It was a fantastic night of sharing with youth and answering their questions about missions and God's call!

On Thursday we were able to share our ministry with the church's mission committee and are excited to say that we have another partner in ministry to the people in Indonesia!  It was a blessing to be with them and to share how God has led us to this point and where we hope to be in the near future.  

Then came the snow!  When we awoke on Friday morning there was already a beautiful blanket of fresh powdery snow on the ground outside.   It was breathtaking to look out the window as I fed Cade and enjoy the delightful feeling of being inside a snow globe.  Pete's grandma was able to come over and Cade spent the afternoon with his Great Grandma Greenwald.  

Our view from inside the Snow Globe

Cade and Great Grandma Greenwald  

Uncle Brian and Cade "Walking"

Today was our last full day in New York.  We enjoyed meeting with some more of Pete's family friends and sharing some of our own memories at Findley Lake and Camp Findley, where Pete spent his childhood.  Tomorrow after church we will hit the pavement again and be on our way to see my family in Ohio.  Our time here has been better than I could have imagined and I am grateful that the Lord knows just what we need even when we don't!

Camp Findley

The Harrell's

Five months ago Pete and I met some of the most wonderful people who have become dear friends.  We went to Idaho feeling very different than anyone else we knew.  We were giving up jobs, leaving our friends, moving in with my parents, and figuring out every way possible to save money so we could go into full-time missions.  When we arrived in Idaho, we quickly introduced ourselves to the people in the apartments around us who would be going through these classes and preparing for full-time missions as well.  It was awesome to hear their stories, similar to ours, but unique in the ways that God calls people in such amazing ways and creates us with such individual and special talents, cares, thoughts, and paths.  All of the sudden, we didn't feel so alone.  All of the sudden, we weren't the crazy couple who just packed their bags and moved in with their parents.  All of the sudden the years of preparation weren't "wowed" at, but were met with like stories and similar God-sized dreams and ambitions.  All of the sudden, we had an MAF family of people who "understood" us.  

On Tuesday of this week, as we traveled up to speak to a missions committee in western New York, we paused for a brief moment (a few hours really) to see one of these kindred families.  The Harrell's, with their precious family of 4 boys, welcomed us with open arms.  It was refreshing, encouraging, and enriching to spend these few precious hours with our dear friends.  We laughed, we shared, we ate, and we reminded one another that we are not alone, that we are not crazy (well, at least not too crazy), and that we will someday - hopefully soon - be overseas!  

As Pete and I pulled out of their neighborhood, we already missed our friends and the joy that they bring into our lives.  

God is so good to encourage us with sweet friends along this journey that remind us that we are not alone.

A Most Wonderful Weekend

Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!  Our last weekend of travel began with a Friday afternoon trip to the OKC Zoo with Kalli, Tori, and Aunt Stephie.  Cade's 1st trip to the zoo turned out to be a great success.  We enjoyed a detailed description of the animals by our dear nieces and had a great time seeing the baby elephant, Malei, grizzly bears, Bison, and of course the bats (Kalli's favorite).

Saturday afternoon held another fun new adventure for our little munchkin.  It was time to see pumpkins and play in the hay!  We made our way to WINGS pumpkin patch and took some great pictures of Cade amongst the gourds.  He was a trooper and loved the pumpkins, indian corn, and crawling around in the grass.

Later that evening, Pete and Phil headed out to the OU v. Texas Tech game and had a blast cheering from their sweet suite while the rest of the crowd enjoyed a nice shower.

Meanwhile, back East, my best friend's man was getting down on one knee and popping "the question"! She said, 'YES!"  We couldn't be more excited for them as they begin preparing for a life together.

What a wonderful weekend!

Oklahoma City

I had my first encounter with Oklahoma City when Pete and I were engaged and we came out to visit his brother and boy oh boy, was it beautiful!  I remember walking around downtown, over at the memorial, and strolling through the Bricktown area.  I was impressed by it's pedestrian friendly streets, quaint restaurants, and fun things to do.  Throughout our married life thus far, Pete and I would tell you that if we had to live in the States, OKC is one place we would consider.  This is a huge step for me coming from the Southeast and loving the great state of GEORGIA!  But honestly, Oklahoma City is really that beautiful and it has an essence of home, warmth, and friendliness (even if it's not technically in the south).

While living in Longview, TX, Pete and I would occasionally make the 6 hour drive up to OKC to visit his brother, Phil, sis-in-love Steph, and their adorable girls, Kalli and Tori.  We enjoyed spending our Easter holidays and other random weekend getaways here in OKC.

Tonight, we spent the evening in Bricktown.  Just as beautiful as it was the last time and so family friendly!  After dining on some great burgers, chicken fingers, sandwiches, and mac'n'cheese for the little ones, my oldest niece and I went on a mini-walk.  It was a bit too cold for everyone to walk around and was starting to get late, so while the rest of the family packed into the car and got it started, Kalli and I took a mini-walk down the street, past the baseball stadium and statues to the splatter-painted buffalo at the end of the road.  It was a short walk, but it was so fun to skip, sing, and chat with sweet Kalli-Joy!

While we do love OKC for all the great attributes of the city and the great things to do day and night, the absolute best part about this city is our family here!  We look forward to showing them around our new home in Indo and to fun times returning to OKC and visiting them on our furloughs.

Kalli standing beside the buffalo!