Fun on the Road...

One of our favorite things when we have a few free days on the road is to pull into a State Campground. We can get a lot of school work done out in the woods; well with the insensitive of trails to hike, and fires to start, tennis to play, or a play ground to climb on. A couple

weeks ago we were in TN visiting some Aunts and Uncles and were able to spend a few days at a camp ground and have some fun along with getting work done.

Missions Conference Time

Missions Conference time is always an exciting time as we look to hear from God; look forward to how God is going to provide the money for us to give; and see what God is doing through our giving on the mission fields all over the world! Being missionaries on furlough we are at many mission conferences... but they never grow old! The preaching is always good, along with the singing and fellowship... and the food! We love to go into these different churches and see them excited about missions!

A couple weeks ago we were at the missions conference of Bible Baptist Church in Attalla, Alabama. We have known this church since 2004 when we started out and we have been there for our annual missions board conference each year... along with Revival and Camp meetings. So it was great to be there again and see everyone.

Brother Richburg, missionary with Victory Baptist Press in Florida, was the main preacher of the week and the Lord used him in each of our lives in many ways as he preached God's Word.

We did the special music and so sang a few songs each service... that was a first for us but the Lord helped us and we love singing for our Saviour! At the end we formed a small choir of the Pastor's kids, a few other kids in the church and all of us older kids. That was a lot of fun to practice and sing together. If you know us... you know we love to sing!

The last day, Wednesday, us girls did a 'Kiwi' meal for the missionaries and church before service that night. It was a full day process to make that much food. Started with a big shopping trip and then a full afternoon of cooking. The Pastor's daughters and one other girl from church helped us and we had heaps of fun. We made Mince, Mince and Cheese, Steak and Cheese, and Steak and Mushroom pies and one casserole size Cottage pie. And, of course, chips and a big salad bar. For dessert we made a couple huge pavlovas and a couple banana cakes... two favorite Kiwi desserts.

We had a great week with the people of God there in Attalla and are thankful to them for there hospitality and friendship over the years.

Click below to see a few pictures we got off the phone from that week...

Family Pictures

On the Road Again...

Hello Everyone! :)

Yes, we are on the road again for furlough/more deputation... and of course time for updates lately has been scarce; as it always seems to be. But we stay busy and love it!

The last few weeks in New Zealand were packed with much ministry/wrapping up or handing over ministries... along with packing and yard sales. It all went amazingly smooth but was very hard to leave all the dear people at church... Bible Club kids... Pukekohe North School... Auckland University Students... the people at the Rest Home... and many others. It's been an amazing four years watching God work and use us and we can't wait to get back... but for now we're enjoying our time home in the States! And though we are absent we know the Lord is still working in NZ! Actually, last week we got word that one of the University Students that we'd been witnessing to and praying for was Saved! That was so exciting to hear... there's nothing more thrilling then seeing people come to the Lord!

As for the actual move... It went smooth as well; and that was through God's help! Everything sold so fast... one weekend and it all was gone. The packing took a bit longer! ;) If you've never tried to get 16 suitcases and 11 carry-ons, plus instruments and computer bags to an exact weight and fit everything into them... well, then you've never experienced the fun we had those couple weeks! Hehe It was a crazy time, but we really did have fun working together!

We flew in on March 6^th... customs and all went very smooth and we managed to make the trip through the airports and 11 hours of flight time without loosing anything; or anyone, for that fact! :)

It was quite different getting back here... everything was different at first. Not that we minded.... it just took some getting used to. But we sure are enjoying all kinds of American conveniences and foods and all kinds of things! Pizza, Ice cream, coffee, English muffins, Sausage & Garvey, Grits, Chocolate, Cold Cereals, different fizzy's, Hoho cakes, pecans, hot cocoa, beans, tortillas... and on the list goes. We've been here for four weeks and still have things to try we haven't had in years. It's fun to go through and try it all again! We feel so spoiled in many ways.

We landed in California and since then have been in, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. We were able to visit with some old friends that are evangelist now in California and in Nevada we were at one of our supporting churches and also visited with a few of my Mom's siblings. Then we made the long trip across the USA and we've been in several other supporting churches which welcomed us amazingly.

Two weeks ago the Lord gave us the bus pictured at the beginning of this post. It's 40 feet long with three slide-outs... and those add a lot of space. Praise the Lord for that... he always provides what we need There was countless purchases we needed to make getting settled in here and our Lord has provided everything we've needed and more in so many different ways. It's so neat to see God take care of his children! What a blessing to serve the King of kings!

Forgive me if I'm being a bit wordy... but I know a lot of people said they've been waiting for updates. I'll post soon again, Lord willing!

I know over 1/2 of my readers are in NZ now... we love you all and miss you and pray for you each day! Keep living for Jesus, your Redeemer! :)

Click below to see some random pictures from our first few days here in the US. All I have is a camera phone right now so I don't have many pictures.