New Season ~ of Life

Tonight, as I sit here and see the heavy clouds on the mountains, my heart feels a little bit of the same.  It was our last day of school today - which in and of itself is an awesome thing!  But, today is also our last day of homeschooling.

The girls are off and running next year at the public schools.  I have mixed feelings that they will not be at home.  I have been so blessed to enjoy them and teach them every day for the last eight years.  Some days it was certainly a challenge!   As I look at how excited they are about this new adventure, I can't help but be excited for them too.  A new season of life for me as well.  I will tackle all that this fall and enjoy summer!

Speaking of summer - it's going to be a complete CO summer for us this year.  At this time, there are no trips to MN planned.  Although we would love it if our situation were different, it does afford the opportunity for friends and family to come and enjoy CO with us!!!  HINT HINT to all those who have YET to visit!

Update on the ministry situation here.  Many things to be thankful for:
1. Our church.  We have been thoroughly blessed by Salida First Baptist Church; the community, and the awesome Biblical teaching!  When we left HRCC in December, we really struggled to find our place.  Finding a church home is essential to us, and we felt a little disconnected.  I am so glad to say that we have found a place to belong again!

2.  Young Life.  It has been amazing to me how many people have prayed for Young Life in Salida.  It's really neat to see how God has been  preparing the way - for a long time!
Still doing contact work.  Tomorrow night, YL is helping with a math cram session.  We just need to greet the kids and provide snacks.  They specifically asked us not to help with the math... just kidding.
Tomorrow is also the last donuts morning.  Jim and another guy go and hand out donuts, and granola bars to the kids prior to school.  This has been a valuable experience, and Jim has gotten to chat with some great kids!
Next week we are having the end of the year party.  Salida is getting a new high school,  and the ground breaking is on the last day of school.  We are going to help serve BBQ , and ice cream. 

Great opportunities to connect with teens here, and we enjoy it!  Great support committee as well.  They keep things tight and moving forward.  So grateful...

Please come to CO if you're not already here (George...).  We would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with you, and catch up! 

Spring Alert

New calves are in the fields, green "things" in the grass, wind that, in all likelihood, should blow my house down, and red winged black birds;  all signs of spring.  Finally.
Another spring means we made it through another winter.  Fifteen months today, Steve left to be with the Lord.  I wonder if and when there will be a time that I'm not counting the days. 
Sure love him, and so wish he would be walking thru my front door for a cup of coffee and a chat.  Lots of laughter has transferred from here to heaven.  He always had a lot of joy......  I sure miss him. 

Since the last time I wrote - some things have solidified for us as far as job situations go.
Jim is working full time at Pursell Manufacturing.  He is doing warehouse work as well as office stuff.  Most of you who follow this also know that Jim is pursuing a Young Life chapter in Salida as well. 
He has done a very good job in praying about, organizing, and following through with all the steps needed to get this going.  It is really cool to see who God is bringing to the different "teams". 
It is a good fit for Jim, since he already has relationships with kids in the high school and different youth pastors around town.  He's also been in contact with the high school principal, and is looked upon with favor in the"adult" community.  Jim is easy to like.
You can be praying for the two teams.  We so want to do this right - to be the arm that reaches the unreached kids.  Pray that God would give us the passion and the energy to be out there among them.  Pray as well for the local churches - that they would be able and willing to disciple newcomers who want a deeper relationship with Christ.  And, pray for the families of the kids that are introduced to Christ.
What a great "front line" opportunity this is for us!

I am still home with the kids.  We are actually testing this week.  I'm nauseous.  It really is me who is being tested isn't it???
Pretty sure that next year will look very different for us.  Bekah is excited about going to the middle school.  She was able to shadow a 7th grade friend.  She was ready to go back the next day!  Sarah is contemplating the high school next year.  It takes her longer to decide things, and she doesn't thrive on the constant interaction the way Rebekah does.  I think Sarah will shadow her cousin Ellie who is a freshman this year.  Hopefully that will give her a better idea of what her options are.

Jim and I have had the opportunity to spend lots of time with Donna and whatever kids happen to be around at the time! :)  It's so great to have them so close and to do life with them.  The Gilmore's are doing very well overall.  We have also been able to spend some time with the Pursells - Alan and Dawn.  Such great friends!  Together we are praying for a family in Salida, whose eleven year old daughter is fighting for her life against Ewing Sarcoma cancer.   Emily is a friend to my Bekah, and Sarah - Em's sister is a friend to my Sarah.  We love Bobbi and DJ and little Nicholas and just ache for them all .  You can check out Emilies story on caringbridge.com and visit EmilyWilson.  Please pray for a miracle.  God is certainly able...

It has been hard to see the pain that comes with life.  A very sweet man that goes to First Baptist is facing one year today without his wife.  She died of cancer right after Steve.  I don't know if the pain I see and experience is more prevalent now because I'm getting older, of if it's because I live in a small town, and know a lot of what's happening...  All I know is this life can be really hard. 

I don't wish to imagine life without hope.
I am doing a Bible study with the same great ladies that I have been studying with the last couple years now.  We are doing Jesus, the One and Only by Beth Moore.  I did this study some years ago - Bekah was still in an infant car seat at the time.  It has been wonderful focusing again on the life and ministry of Christ.
He is compassionate, sweet, and able to change us and heal us.  The fact that we can live lives that impress God is remarkable.  I was reminded this week that those who truly love God will pursue an obedient life
(John 14:21) and can persevere in trials (James 1:12).  I want to be that woman. I want that for everyone I know!! Only then we we truly be living!  Our circumstances don't change who God is, and what he will accomplish.  I certainly struggle with situations, but I know that I can struggle with the Lord on those things.  He is sufficient.

My folks come tomorrow for a couple weeks.  Can't wait!  Then - off to MX for spring break!  Thanks Wikenheisers! 
Thanks for your prayers and your interest in our lives.  CO is a wonderful place for us to be.  If you haven't been out for a visit - plan to come this year! Summer is the best!!!!