Happy Spring

Spring is here and I am in love, once again.  The beauty in nature and the excitement of life is tangible as squirrels scurry around and little jack rabbits enjoy the shade in the late afternoon sun.  Here are some of the things that are making me feel so springy!

A stroll a day.

White and pink blossoms around every corner.

Spending time outdoors with my two favorite guys.

Smiles and giggles and crawling in the thick green grass.

Pictures of my growing boy.

Bright red flowers that catch my eye from a mile away.

I truly believe a part of me warms up and comes alive every spring.  As sweaters become unnecessary and sandals make their way back onto my feet, I have a sense of joy and delight that comes with the changing of the season and the warmth of life and love.

Happy Spring, my friends.  Happy Spring!

A Growing Heart

Pete and I have always felt a desire, a hope, a peace, and an excitement about going to Indonesia.  Honestly, even before we heard that MAF would like to assign us to Indonesia we wanted to go to the beautiful and remote island nation.  As we prayed and tried to remain open-minded, we still dreamed God would move us to Indonesia.  It was quite an amazing day when our hearts aligned with MAF's needs and God's plan to serve Him in Indonesia.

Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.  

Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Psalm 37:4-5

Over half-way through with our support-raising goal, yet still seeking out new partners in ministry, we have noticed that our hearts are growing daily for the people we are called to serve.  We have done a good amount of reading and even a weekend of cultural training in preparation for our big move.  With every book page and every moment in prayer we become more and more aware of His heart for those He created on the other side of the globe.

I can't begin to describe in words how grateful we are that our Lord continues to lead and direct our path along this journey.  We couldn't do this without Him and without those of you who faithfully serve Him through your financial gifts and constant prayer.

As we prepare, we wanted to share some pictures that have been taken by MAF staff in Indonesia so that you, too, can catch a glimpse of the place and people we are looking forward to doing life with daily.

MAF plane flying over jungle brush in the mountains of Kalimantan

MAF plane taking off on a remote airstrip

Beautiful Indonesia mother and children

Open-air market

Precious Indonesian child

Remote airstrip and village 

If you receive our weekly prayer email, these pictures may look familiar.
If you do not, but would like to learn of specific ways to pray for our family weekly, email me at agreenwald@maf.org.

Make an IMPACT

Every year MAF staff serve around the world in an effort to 

feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, 

and share freedom found in Jesus Christ to those in need!  

Would you like to join our ministry team as we make an IMPACT in INDONESIA?

Go to WWW.MAF.ORG/GREENWALD

Susie Homemaker

Last August, while Pete, Cade and I were in Idaho preparing for this adventure known to many as support-raising, to some as ministry partnership, and to others as partnership development, I told someone I was a homemaker.  When the man looked back at me puzzled, I asked if he knew what that meant.  He said, "Of course, you build homes."  I replied quickly that I did not build homes, but that I took care of the home, I took care of our son, I was a stay-at-home wife/mom.  

Yesterday I did something I have never done before.  I made, for the first time in my life, yeast bread - from scratch!  And, it turned out GOOD!  I was so proud of myself.  My family is also very excited for this accomplishment because it means yummy, home-made bread, OFTEN!  I then proceeded to make italian beef for sandwiches we had for our dinner together and ended the night by making granola.  I was on a roll and I was having fun "home-making".  

I can only begin imagine all the things I will learn to make from scratch in Indonesia - and the fun, new, daunting ingredients I will be using.  But at least I will go overseas with the knowledge of how to make bread.  For some strange reason, this is important as we pack up and prepare for so much new.  I want to be able to know a few things, even if it is only how to make something as simple as bread and granola.  

In the next week we will begin our immunizations and legal documentation required for moving overseas.  Just another small step (or giant leap, depending on how much you like needles) towards the ministry God has called us into!  

I look forward to updating you on the process as we prepare and ask that you would be praying for our ministry team to continue growing and that the Lord would lead us to people who are excited to serve Him through financial partnership with us and MAF! 

Today

Today... Today was a good day!  There are so many moments in this life that I cherish and remember fondly and today held a few very special moments that I intend to treasure always.

As I was holding Cade earlier today, I asked him something I ask him often, "Give mommy kissy faces,"  which is my odd way of asking Cade to give me a kiss.  Now, Cade has serious things to do - play peek-a-boo with EVERYTHING, imitate our every move, and crawl with intentionality as we follow on hands and knees - but today, he looked up at me and gave me MULTIPLE kissy faces!  Oh, the JOY!

Later, while we were eating dinner with my parents, Cade continuously leaned over, stretched out his arms and gave me the SWEETEST little man HUGS.  Each time, he would lay his head on my shoulder and hold onto my hair to keep me snuggled close to him.  Again, what JOY!

As if the earlier moments of my day weren't enough to stop and thank our Lord and Savior - there was more...  When we began to look through the mail, a very important piece of mail drifted to the top.  It is an invitation that I have been awaiting for a very long time.  You see, when we were 5 years old, my best girl friend and I made a pact - we would be one another's Maid of Honor upon finding "Mr. Right."  Almost 5 years ago, I married my "Mr. Right."  And in just a couple of months, she will marry hers!

Tonight, when the day had already been so filled with sweet, God-given moments, I opened our invitation to the blessed event - Anna and David's WEDDING!  And again, such JOY!  I am thrilled to be a part of this special event in which my best girl marries her best guy.  [The greatest fan(s) of your life!]

Today was a great day!

Light

For many months now, Cade has been reaching his chubby little arms out and pointing to things.  He usually accompanies his point with a, "DOH!"  He gets so excited to see things up above - ceiling fans, pictures hanging on the wall, and LIGHT.  He LOVES light!

I must admit, it makes this momma PROUD.  I am thrilled that our son is DRAWN to light.  That he is EXCITED to see light.  That he RECOGNIZES light.

And my PRAYER is, just as he is excited to see light now, he is DRAWN to the ULTIMATE LIGHT, Jesus the Messiah!  And that God would use Pete and I to demonstrate HIS love, HIS grace, HIS mercy, and HIS LIGHT as we continue to raise him.

And my HOPE for our life in INDONESIA is that our NEIGHBORS and FRIENDS and COWORKERS and ALL would be ENCOURAGED TOWARDS JESUS!  That despite our shortcomings, differences, and failures, others would SEE the LIGHT of CHRIST in us and DESIRE HIM.

I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

John 8:12

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

Proverbs 4:18

You are the light of the world...Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

Cupcakes

As I sit here writing this blog I am consuming my second (shhh, please don't tell anyone) celebratory cupcake.  While these cupcakes were originally made for Cade's special 1 year family birthday party, I am now eating them as we celebrate hitting the 50% mark of our ongoing support needs.
That's right, I said 50%!!!

Over the weekend Pete and I were notified of another precious and generous gift that puts us right over the 50% mark.  Praise the LORD!  We are so thrilled to be celebrating such a sweet milestone of His faithfulness and provision and are looking forward to the 100% cupcakes, as well!

For our precious friends, family and generous supporters and partners in ministry - go enjoy a cupcake and give thanks to our loving and caring God who is faithful to equip the called and make straight the path to Him!