The Big Prayer Request now?

That the Lord would allow MTW (our sending agency) to officially confirm all our pledges so by Friday or Monday so that we can buy our plane tickets.

Oh, also, a second request: that the Lord would give the kids success in taking their entrance exam for their school once we get to Lima and get into the appropriate grade. Especially pray for Caroline since she wrestles more than the others with reading. She's smart, but has a hard time with some things. She is a sweet, young girl; she needs God's sweet grace.

My hope was to post pics of Eli on his big 6th birthday, but, alas, I have dropped the ball on that one. Suffice it to say: Eli turned 6 years old on Friday. :)

We spent time at America's Incredible Pizza Company for dinner and fun with Eli and a few friends. It was a blast for those guys ( a little nerve wracking for us parent types...but still fun overall).

Also, as most know, the Lord has brought in over $1,000/month in pledges for us to reach our needed budget goal to be able to go to Lima. Now, we have to work out many, many details before we can be cleared to buy the actual tickets to go. But, hey - if the Lord can get us this far, He can take us the rest of the way!

This morning Sara and I found ourselves singing, worshiping, reading and praying in the presence of God.

It was freeing and good for both of us to be there. And it was necessary. It's so easy for both of us to quickly turn from faith-filled children to feeling doubt and frustration and a lot of other things. Ah...how quickly our sinful natures attempt to take over.

But, I'm thankful this afternoon that in either case our good and loving and powerful Father in Heaven is more than able to keep us, protect us and even deliver us from ourselves. No matter what.

Please Pray!

To Our Dear Friends and Family of Supporters,

I realize that I just sent an update to you several days ago, but I felt that in light of the latest development I needed to ask for your prayers even more.

This morning I spoke with the school where our children will be attending in Lima. In a nutshell, one, and possibly two, of our children won't be able to attend school there this year unless we are able to be in Lima before February 26th - the cutoff date for the enrollment process.

Currently there are three churches that are seriously considering support for us. Plus, there are around 4 or 5 others that are in a dialogue with us about it.

I am urgently asking for all of you to plead with our Father in heaven to work all of this out.

THANK YOU...sincerely,
Jim for Sara and the kids

Jesus' Submission and Obedience

I was just reading the Bible in Hebrews chapter 5, verses 7 and 8.

It just struck me how God says that Jesus, in referring to his prayers while alive on the earth, "was heard because of his reverent submission." I have been thinking, reading, studying a lot about prayer recently and have wreslted with this idea of "has God heard me." And God clearly says that He hears our prayers offered in the name of Jesus.

But, here - this idea of 'reverent submission' is so important. Quite frankly, the main motivation in most of my praying about getting 100% of our support so that we can go to Lima is because I'm impatient. I'm done waiting. I'm tired and worn out and want this chapter to close so that we can move on.

;( Sad, isn't it? What I've just described isn't even close to 'reverent submission' is it? I'm just so unwilling to submit with great respect to God Almighty's plan for us when it comes to fundraising and when we get 100% and when we go, etc., etc., etc. I'm so sorry, Father.

I'm thankful that He treats me, us, with a richness of grace and forgiveness and love! I would be so "dead in the water" if He didn't. I'm thankful that I know He is committed to us (just as He's committed to you) to mold and shape our inner being, so that we are continually changing to be more and more just like Jesus. (See Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18.)

Wow.

Just in the simple act of writing this post God's encouraged my heart. When I started writing I was so heavy hearted and down. But, getting to the part about His grace and love and forgiveness just reminded me of those things and lifted my heart! God is so good. What a great Father!

Time Flies...Progress Doesn't

It seems as thought time if flying by me and yet we're not any closer to getting to Lima. I know that I can be impatient and ungrateful...so, Lord, I'm sorry.

These last few days have been tough. I'm not sure how to make my way forward. I guess it's just do what I have to do and what I have been doing and expect that our Father and our Lord will make it plain to me each day.

Florida!

So, tomorrow (Thursday) we're leaving for Florida. A supporting church in the Daytona area is having a missions conference and we're participating in it!

We're also speaking Sunday morning at a church in the Melbourne area.

While we're there we are hoping to meet up with other folks and/or churches to ask for support. Pray for us. Pray for those potential partners. Pray that God will move in all of our hearts to do as He asks of us.

January is Here

Well, we've arrived in January: our goal to leave for Peru. However, God has us waiting on Him and not ready to leave yet. We remain at 71% and so unless something miraculous happens. We will not be leaving this month.

Yes, it makes us sad. But, as I've mentioned to folks, God has clearly shown us kindness in many, many ways to remind us that He has us and is working a plan that includes us and it is good - no, it's the best....only because He allows us to know Him and walk with Him through life's adventures.

If God is able to bring in 71% of what we need to go to Lima. He can bring in the remaining 29% too!

So. Let's wait together on the Lord and see how He's going to do this. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Welcome to 2008, my dear family and friends!

Isn't it good that God always gives us new beginnings throughout our lives...like a new year every 365 days?

It's refreshing amidst the day to day routine of our lives.

Enjoy!