He PASSED!

A few weeks ago Pete left Cade and I to fend for ourselves in Salatiga while he took a quick trip to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.  We had a great time of mother-son bonding while Pete was away, but missed him as well. 

The purpose of his trip?  To take mandatory flight and maintenance tests required by the Indonesian government so that he can do just that - fly and maintain aircraft once we are done with language school.  A week after his return home we learned that he had passed both flight exams and his maintenance exam!  What a relief to be one step closer to the work we've been preparing for all this time!  It's amazing to see God's hand on each step and to know He is going before us and preparing our way.  

In a matter of weeks we will pack up our belongings and move to our new city here in Indonesia where Pete will pilot medical evacuation flights and help teach high-schoolers basic maintenance knowledge.  

Hari Jum'at

Hari Jum'at (Friday) was a big day in Salatiga!  After years of preparation, long flights around the world, a pit-stop in Jakarta, and a long drive from Semarang, two new families joined our team in Salatiga.  We've been anticipating their arrival for quite some time and had preparations ourselves to do to make their Salatiga homes a soft landing.  It was so good to see faces in person and hug necks with are new families!

We are so excited to have these families with us here and look forward to welcoming a couple more families in the months to come!

Cade playing outside while we were setting up the house one afternoon!

The House Nextdoor

Driving up that night, in the rain, coming into a new environment, taking in the sights and sounds of our new community, walking into our first Indonesian house, trying to calm a restless and exhausted child, I didn't even realize there was a house next door.
My memory of that day of travel and first night in Salatiga is a bit foggy, clouded by sleeplessness and jet lag, a cranky toddler, the long travel day and the buckets of rain pouring down on us as we were driven from Semarang to Salatiga - a one and a half hour drive that turned into three hours that day due to traffic and weather.  As we drove up to our house I remember thinking that it was dark (due to rain) and very... jungle-y.  Well yes, we do live in the jungle.  But one thing I remember not recognizing - the house next door.
The house next door has become many things to us and I hate to admit that those first few days, especially that first afternoon moving into our home, I had no clue it even existed.  It's a place of play for our child - multiple times a day he is over playing with our neighbors.  It's a place of answers as our neighbors slowly and with simple terms we can understand explain culture and life in Indonesia.  It's a place of family, as Cade has become one of theirs and we have too - they have taken us under their wing, invited us into their family and opened their hearts to us.  It's a place for our goat, Cade's first Indonesian pet and a way to help our neighbor pursue his dream.  It's a place of laughter, love, learning, and yummy food.
Looking back now, I can't believe there was ever even a moment that didn't notice the house next door.  One thing is for certain, I will never forget the house next door nor the people who make it a home, and make this place our home.

Becoming Tourists

From the time we arrived in Indonesia we have been avoiding one main thing - being tourists.  In fact, during one of our first weeks of language school we learned an important phrase, "Saya bukan turis."  Translated, "I am not a tourist."  It's important to make sure those we encounter understand that we are not tourists, that we are here to learn and that we desire relationships with those around us, and to understand the culture and language (which, let's just be honest, many tourists do not.)  So it's been vital in our culture and language acquisition to not be tourists, but to truly dive in and make sure that those around us know our intentions are for community.

After our first month of language school, Pete and I celebrated with a trip to a pool here in town where we could relax and enjoy the warmth of the sun with the cool of the water.  It was a nice afternoon followed by an extended weekend of playing with Cade, enjoying our little town better, and feeling somewhat accomplished.

A week ago, we completed Unit 2 (our second month) of language school.  It, too, was followed by a trip to the pool, but this time we had a whole week off, with no homework, questions to ask neighbors, texts to translate, or crazy amounts of new words to juggle in our brains.  What a precious and restful time it has been!  Not only did we enjoy a bit of brain rest, but we also dared to try a few "local experiences" (insert tourist-y outings).

On Monday, Pete and I rode our motorbike out to some sawah (rice fields) here in town and followed it up with a coffee date at a western coffee shop and restaurant here in town.  It was fun to see petani (farmers) working on the sawah and to greet locals in their own language.

Tuesday brought about another trip to the pool, this time a fun family day (along with some friends who live here in Salatiga) of splashing and swimming and eating and cuddling in towels on the lounge chairs.  Cade loves the pool and beams every time we announce that it is pool day!

Another motorbike ride was set up for Wednesday and we ventured to the top of a local mountain, Telemoyo.  The ride provided great views of the landscape of Salatiga and many photo ops!  While rough at times, we enjoyed it and were all proud to arrive at the top and then back down at the base again.

During our ride up Telemoyo.

On Thursday, we bummed around this cute little jungle/farm town of ours and took a leisurely, yet very productive trip to downtown for some shopping.

Then, Friday happened.  We woke up early, got dressed and packed our cameras for our biggest touristic venture since arriving here in Salatiga.  At 8am, we set out for Candi Borobudur - The Buddhist Temple, Borobudur.  After a brief stop for some coffee and donuts on the way, we arrived at Borobudur and opted for a tour guide so we could truly make the most of our time at the temple.  Our guide explained the history of the temple, its restorations, and the reason behind some of the design and architecture of the temple.  It was fascinating, heartbreaking, and beautiful.  I left more grateful for Jesus.

Our view from Candi Borobudur.

Pete and Ash in front of Candi Borobudur.

There are many carvings such as this around the temple that depict important aspects of Buddhism.

On Monday we will be back in class and will continue to learn more about grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, culture, etc.  There will be homework, questions for the neighbors, text drills, and more.  I am glad that we had this little break to focus on becoming tourists and to learn a little bit more about the beautiful land where we reside.  And while this week has been wonderful, I am grateful that "Saya bukan turis."

His and Hers Helmets

By the end of the month, we will have a new addition in our family: a motorbike.  So, in an effort to stay safe on our bike, we purchased these bad boys!

Perkenalan - Introductions

Nama saya Ashley.
Saya berasal dari Amerika Serikat.
Saya sudah menikah.
Nama suami saya Pete.
Kami sudah punya satu anak, laki-laki.
Nama anak kami Cade.


My name is Ashley.
I am from the United States.
I am already married.
My husband's name is Pete.
We have one child, a male/son.
His name is Cade.

Our brains are full... FULL!  We attend class for four hours each morning and come home to a delicious home-cooked meal and a boy who is eager to see his mommy and daddy!  Life is good, days are both long and short, and we are already enjoying the company of our local neighbors and expat friends.

It's amazing how much we picked up during the couple of weeks we were here prior to beginning language school, but I know we have A TON to learn.  Each day at language school, I am reminded even more that there is much to be learned.  About the culture, about our neighbors, about our pembantus, about the language, and mostly about our Lord.

We are grateful for this season of intense learning.  We are blessed to have neighbors who are more than willing to let us blunder our way through conversations, awkward interactions, and attempts at communication.  We are more blessed by a loving and merciful God who equips and directs us daily, while lavishing His love upon us.

Life in Salatiga is good and we are figuring it out pelan-pelan (slowly).

Did I mention we live IN the jungle?

Warm Welcomes

We arrived safely in Jakarta, after 36 hours of flying/layovers with an almost two year old who HATES seat belts, and much to our surprise saw a friendly, familiar face upon leaving customs.  I beamed when Wally appeared at the end of the long hallway and welcomed us to Indonesia.  His is a face that offers kindness and a sense of warmth and familiarity.  And with his knowledge of Indonesia and the process we were (and still are) going through to transition here, he was a sight for sore eyes.

From the moment we got off the plane, during which 5 Egyptian Imams helped with our bags/Cade - another story for another day, we have been welcomed with open arms and incredible hospitality.  The MAF crew currently in Salatiga for language school has been more than willing to help in many ways.  Between meals, tours of the town, and a precious little Christmas tree set up in our home, we have truly been blessed by each family and are excited about being a part of the warm welcomes for future arrivals!  

Since we arrived, it's been a whirlwind of excitement.  Meeting our landlord and community leader, buying fruit from the pasar (open fruit and veggie market), hiring two pembantus (house and child care workers), enjoying meals with friends new and old, and celebrating Christmas have been just the tip of the iceberg of activities and fun.  And while we missed celebrating with family, we enjoyed this special Christmas God gave us - our first in Indonesia!

In the days ahead we will continue to make this house our home, venture to "town" without tour guides - eek!, and begin language school.  We are excited to see all the Lord has for us in 2013 as we learn about this place He has brought us!

Flying with a Toddler

The wait is almost over!  We have enjoyed this extra time with family and are excited that in a matter of 5 days, we will be cruising the friendly skies and on our way to Indonesia!  It's been a long journey to get to the point and we are eager to see all that God has in store for us as we begin life overseas.

After 36 hours of flying and hanging out in airports, and after loosing 12 hours of Monday or Tuesday (I'm not sure which), we will arrive in Jakarta!

During those 36 hours, we will be traveling with a toddler - our sweet little Cade-man is almost two and  full of life!  He's constantly running, talking and playing.  In the past, flights have been relatively easy.  When Cade was a little baby, traveling was a series of snuggles, feedings, and the occasional diaper change.  As Cade has grown... he's become... well, a boy.  Boy, oh boy, is he ever a BOY!  And I love that about him!  I am grateful he's a fun-loving, rambunctious little boy.  But for our upcoming flight, his on-the-go attitude frightens me a bit.  I envision him squirming in the seat, frustrated as we ask him to sit still, his "need" to be up and walking the aisle, along with a bit of difficulty falling asleep with a ton of people and opportunities for action at his fingertips.

In order to make this airplane adventure a bit less chaotic and in an effort to keep him sitting and happy as long as possible, we have devised a little plan.  A friend of ours told us that when their kiddos were on long plane rides, they would give each one a little toy/present every couple of hours.  They also made sure to pack snacks that would be easy to pull out and eat (which was especially helpful on international flights when the food wasn't as familiar as the kids liked.)  So here's our list of yummy and fun ways to keep Cade's attention on our 36 hours of flying mayhem (I mean... FUN)!

Toys:
1. Foam Elmo Book
2. Silly Putty
3. Cars Coloring Book and Stickers
4. Legos with Book
5. Pastic Airplane with Tools to FULLY Take Apart! (As the son of a pilot/mechanic, it is important that he learns from a young age how to take apart and put together airplanes - plastic or otherwise!)
6. Duck Hand Puppet

Food:
1. Sugar Free Twizzlers (an item referred to us by a friend who recently traveled with their toddler)
2. Trailmix
3. Teddy Grahams
4. Whole Wheat Goldfish Crackers

We've also contemplated making "Journey Bags" for those sitting in the seats around us.  Filled with some gum, ear plugs, and a few snacks, and armed with a note that says, "We're trying to make this an enjoyable flight for all of us."  Because we ALL know that there are (and perhaps we are or have been) that person who groans when he/she sees the family with baby/toddler/kids board the plan and sit near them.  And we want our flight neighbors to know we are trying to make the flight wonderful for ALL of us!

I'm sure we will get a few more "tools" for our "Flying with a Toddler" tool belt, but I'm hoping this will help keep him happy, fed, and seat-bound active for our journey!  If you have any advice or suggestions for traveling with a toddler, please share them with us, we are eager to make this flight AWESOME for Cade and for us!

...waiting...

In the last couple of weeks Pete and I have had an up close and personal relationship with waiting.  Waiting is probably one of the single hardest things to do for both of us, as we like to do, act, move, go.  We fully understand the importance of just being.  Being still, knowing God.  Being found in Him.  Resting in the goodness and faithfulness of a God who is bigger than our circumstances, bigger than our thoughts, and bigger than our plans.  And we know that His plans and His ways are higher than our own.  So as we wait for our visas to come in, we are learning and finding contentment in the knowledge that He is sovereign and He has a plan and purpose for everything.  He doesn't waste an experience.  He doesn't waste a waiting period.  So we learn, we lean, we seek Him first.

As we are waiting, will you please join in praying with us for our visas to be approved and back to us in the Lord's timing.  Until we have the visas, we will stay here in the states in a waiting period, learning from our Lord and spending quality time with family and friends we will miss dearly in the coming years.  And yet our hearts are eager to be in Indonesia, where He has called us.  So please ask the Lord for His timing, His will, His best for us during this time!

Recommended for Field Service

Yesterday Pete sat down for his last debrief of MAF Standardization.  After reviewing his flight performance over the past couple weeks, he was officially "recommended for field service"!

Here are some pictures of his flights and the terrain he was recently trained in:

In Case You Haven't Heard

A lot of you who read this little blog also receive our weekly prayer update (if you don't and want to join our prayer team, leave a comment with your email address or email me at agreenwald@maf.org and I will add you to the list) and have heard our amazing news.

But in case you haven't heard, as we were packing our crates and preparing for our big move to Indonesia and our trip to Idaho, we received some great news - we hit 100% of the on-going funding we needed to go overseas!  It was a milestone Pete and I will never forget.  Throughout the past year of focus on developing a partnership of faithful givers and prayer warriors, we have seen God do amazing things and how He completed our team was no exception.  This year is a testament to God's faithfulness, goodness, and promise to work in us until we reach completion (which we are by no means close to).  It is a year that we will look back on as a reminder during tough times that He is for us, not against us, that He loves us, that He has plans and purposes beyond what we see and know.  Beyond what we can comprehend.  Beyond what we can ask or imagine.

A year ago 100% seemed daunting and impossible - but nothing is impossible with God.  NOTHING!

We could not be more thrilled to be at a point where we are fully-funded and doing the last preparations for our move.  We will continue to seek the Lord for new financial partners throughout the length of our ministry, because we are excited about what He is doing in Indonesia and want others to experience the joy of joining in His work, and because giving fluctuates and costs increase.  

Join with us as we praise the Lord for all He has done - for He has done GREAT things! - and pray that our Visas come in soon so that we may purchase our tickets to Indonesia. 

It Takes a Village

An old proverb goes a little something like this, "It takes a village to raise a child."  I must admit I was always one of those women who didn't think she needed the village.  Wouldn't ask for the help.  Couldn't possibly impose on someone else for something that she should be able to do herself.

But being a mom, being a wife, being a "missionary"... I've learned a lot about the village it takes.

The village of supporters.
The village of surrogate families.
The village of helpers for Cade.
The village of friends and encouragers.

All who truly care, desire to help, enjoy rejoicing with us and express their deepest sympathy when we mourn.  The village of people with whom we do life.

Over the past year our village has been in Georgia, with our blood relatives, Pete's parents, my parents, Pete's sister and her family, my best friend and her wonderful husband, the amazing amount of people who have come alongside us in ministry and in life... to help us raise Cade... to help raise us.

Right now our village is in Nampa, at MAF headquarters.  It consists of amazing home staff who love seeing how big Cade has become, who help as we prepare for our big move, who want to form memories we can hold onto and relationships we can return to in four years.  It consists of four wonderful, rowdy, older boys who love to show Cade the ropes, ask him for a fist bump every time he see's them, and teach him new games with the ball.  And it consists of other MAF families preparing for their big moves.  Some going to Indonesia, like us, others to Africa, all of us mourning the distance we are about to put between us and our villages here, yet eager to go to the land God has shown us.

In a matter of months our village will change again.  And we can't wait to see who the Lord allows us to encounter, the village of people He will put us in, the ways He will grow us and raise us in Indonesia, and the people who will come alongside us to help raise our son into the man God desires him to be.

It takes a village to raise a child... to raise a family... to raise missionaries...  It takes a village and we couldn't be more privileged for the village God has provided!

Nesting

Many of you know that on Saturday Pete, Cade and I flew out to Nampa, ID for MAF's Standardization and Orientation.  (When Pete learns how to operate safely and within MAF guidelines both flying and maintaining the planes and when we both learn how to integrate into a new culture.)

Due to a good-sized crew up here for Candidacy (what Pete and I did a year ago - learning about MAF, receiving our assignment, and preparing to raise support), field staff home on furlough, and Technical Evaluations (what Pete and I did 2 years ago - the two week long job interview when the MAF flight and maintenance staff see if you have what it takes to fly for MAF overseas), we were put up at a local hotel.  The hotel was nice, had a pool and hot tub, with a restaurant just out the door.  Cade enjoyed playing in the lobby, finding things in the room that were "no, no's," and walking across the parking lot for lunch.

But, today was move-in day at the apartments.  And boy did we live it up.  All the bags are unpacked and clothes, toiletries, etc. put away.  Groceries are purchased and ready to become delicious meals.  Toys are out of the closet and in a Cade-friendly place for easy accessibility, without being constantly under-foot.  But the best by far - the playground, outdoor toys, and luscious green grass is just out our front door.  Ahh, we are seriously blessed!

I've always been one to not feel settled until everything was unpacked and all was in its place.  And today was no different.  As soon as all the bags were unpacked and put away, I hunkered down for a good nap - in fact, Pete came home from work (which is just a short walk away) to me snoozing on the couch.  My nesting complete, our home - for now - prepared.

Nesting today reminded me that in a few short months I will be nesting again, setting up home, preparing to begin language school, figuring out the lay of the land, but this time on the other side of the globe, in a country I've only dreamed of!  I look forward to sharing with you how our move goes and what the Lord teaches us as we move around the world for Him!

His Power in My Weakness

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.  ”Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

I haven't stopped thinking about this verse all night long.  Last night we received a message from a family friend letting us know that they wanted to be a part of our ministry team and they were hoping that we would ask them to join the ministry of MAF as we seek to follow Jesus in Indonesia.  Needless to say, we were (and are) thrilled that they would want to join our team.  But all night long, all I could do was think about how it would have been so easy for them not to send us a message, for it to just slide right under the table and not ever have been mentioned, for my lack of faith, my timidity in sharing His call, my weakness to have kept a generous and caring long-time friend from being a part of His Kingdom work in Indonesia.  


And all night long, as I have been thinking through my weaknesses, I have been reminded that He is perfected in my weakness.  That His power can come through in my weakness.  That it's not about me, it's about what He can and will do regardless of my fears and failures.  And for that I am thankful.


Thankful that He is the One who soften hearts.  He is the One who draws people near to Him.  He is the One who tenderly speaks to our heart and desires to be loved, because He first loved us.  It is He who does the work.  Whew!  A relief, and yet we are still called to share, to speak of His truth and love, and to act it out as His body here on earth.  


I am grateful, that despite my weakness, and in fact because of my weakness, He is made GREAT!  He can show His power.  He can dwell in me and strengthen the work that He is doing in my heart.  And He can give me the grace to boast only in Him and have faith in His plans and purposes!  


He is made strong and is glorified in my weakness, as I surrender to Him and let His power move me.

UPDATE: 50/50 Challenge

Yesterday was the official end to our 50/50 Challenge.  We have spent the past 50 days asking the Lord to build our ministry team by 50 financial partners and boy, did He answer our prayers!

Over the last 50 days, the Lord has added 27 new monthly financial partners and 38 new one-time partners.  Along with the increase in ministry partners, He has added over $6000 to our outgoing fund, which is now complete at over 100%! We have also seen an increase in our monthly giving by over $1600 per month!  Join with us as we rejoice in the goodness and faithfulness of our Lord!

We now lack only $760/month in order to be fully-funded and on our way to Indonesia!  That's only 30 people giving $25/month!

In the coming weeks we will be packing all our belongings into crates (or getting rid of them - email me for details on the items we are selling at agreenwald@maf.org).  After we have completed packing, we will head up to MAF Headquarters in Nampa, ID for Pete to complete his Flight and Maintenance Standardization, followed by MAF Orientation before our departure.

If the rest of our funding comes in and our Visas are approved by the Indonesian government, it looks as though we will be heading to Indonesia early November!

Shopping & Packing

A year ago we prayed for (and were assigned to) serve in Indonesia with MAF.  Just one year later we are seeing the Lord complete our financial ministry team - if He is leading you into financial partnership with us, it's not too late - and are beginning the tough job of shopping for and packing our crate.  

With lists from wives living in different Indonesian programs, along with our own personal preferences and items we already own, we have begun the adventure of shopping (the packing will come once our crates arrive and the shopping is completed).

To date, a couple trips to SAMs Club and a lengthy stay in the bedding section of Target have occurred.   With every trip, items on our list get checked off (not crossed, so I can see what we have purchased later on).  And with every trip our move seems more real.  This idea of moving half way around the world is becoming our reality... YIKES and YAY!  

Some friends, knowing the task of purchasing all the items we will need is large, have begun an online Going Away Party/ House Warming Shower.  Here is Valerie's invitation:

It's about time for the Greenwalds to take off to Indonesia.  We sure will miss them and I know you will, too!  I've asked the Greenwalds for a list of items they need in order to set up their home on the other side of the globe.

These items will be much needed and are either difficult or impossible to purchase in Indonesia.  

If you would like to help them, please choose an item(s) from the list on amazon.com or Sign Up Genius and send it to them as soon as possible.  Or, you can send a cash gift if you prefer.

Please postmark your gift by July 20th, so that they can begin packing their crates.

          Pete & Ashley Greenwald

          5650 Preserve Circle

          Johns Creek, GA 30005

Thank you so much for helping Pete & Ashley!  I know this will be a huge encouragement to them.  Please keep them in your prayers during this time of huge transitions.

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/2U006WZIRSNVP/ref=cm_wl_search_1

Sign-Up Genius: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4EAAA62CA02-greenwald

As our move becomes a reality, we are reminded of the amazing friends and family that we will miss so dearly when we are in Indonesia.  Many people have asked us if we are concerned or scared or nervous about our move.  The truth is that we are not.  We are only sad that each of you won't be able to physically join us on this journey, but we are so glad that through technology and your faithful prayers and support, we will remain in one another's lives!

Eternally Grateful and Incredibly Overwhelmed...

The last two weeks of our lives have been an absolute blur - to say the least.  On our drive out to Houston, we had the privilege of meeting the newest member of the Shanahan family, and oh my word is he PRECIOUS!  It's always so much fun for us to see them and we had a blast playing with Andrea and Jackson, and holding little Owen.  Did I mention that although I am a momma, I had COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN how to hold an infant.  Seriously, it looked like I had never been around babies in my life as I stood there in the kitchen holding Owen as Holly made dinner.  Pete thought it was hilarious, but I can honestly say that it made me nervous about ever adding another to our family...

We then completed the journey to Houston and had an amazing time with many Indonesians at the house fellowship, Indonesian Consulate, and IFGF Houston.  We are always overwhelmed by the generosity and hospitality of our Indonesian brothers and sisters in Christ - truly blessed, and overwhelmed (in a good way)!   We had the chance to fellowship, sing praises, and share in the Word of God, not to mention try the infamous Durian fruit.

Our host in Houston was a kind, caring, and incredibly hospitable man who will forever hold a special place in our hearts as just one of the many ways the Lord has shown himself to us along this journey of support raising.  No words can express the depth of our gratitude and the blessing we experienced while being in Houston with Irfan and the IFGF community.

We also had a chance to see some friend in Houston - shout out to the Gibson's, Uncle Tim, and Skinny - before heading to Longview for a much needed face-to-face goodbye with dear friends.

In Longview, we updated a very special small group on our journey and timeline, enjoyed dinner with our dear friends the VanBrocklin's, and had some dessert as we met little Logan Arnold for the very first time!  Our home away from home, the RV in the Ash's back yard, was as comfy and peaceful as we had remembered and we enjoyed being with the Ash family - picking out paint colors, shopping for Indo supplies, sharing meals, and being amongst family who have been where we are going and have helpful advice and tips for our journey!

Upon our return we said a few more goodbyes to Pete's brother's family.  The hugs were a little longer than usual and a few words my sis, Stephanie said will forever ring in my ears, "I can't believe I'm about to have a sister in Indonesia."  For this only child, those words are very special and even as I type this, I find myself tearing up - grateful that the Lord has provided in so many ways, including that childhood prayer of having sisters!  To both of my sisters - I love you and thank God for you (and my awesome brothers, too)!

God is incredibly good to our family and we are eternally grateful and incredibly overwhelmed by His faithfulness and love which is lavished on us.

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!  

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.

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.