A story to tell

 

I haven't been writing. Well, I guess that's not totally true. I have written a few things but just not for anyone's eyes but my own. Sharing a piece of my heart makes me feel so vulnerable. For whatever reason the things on my heart have felt too personal to share, so I haven't. I haven't been willing to go there and open myself up and let others see the good things...or the hard things.

Recently though, I was convicted about the reason why I haven't wanted to share. Truth be told, I worry too much about what others think of me. fear of displeasing others...it's an old friend I thought I had kicked to the curb. I guess not entirely. I know I need to be considerate in what I write and not be offensive, but I am not referring to offending others. I am talking about the fear of being judged. Why am I so concerned about this? The Lord opened my eyes and showed me that He can be glorified through my sharing our story with others. And so, I have begun to write again with renewed passion. Fear be gone!

Through my life joys and sorrows, I have a story to tell.

And it's coming soon. :)

The path ahead

I have been meaning to finish the rest of what I started writing back in February. Whoa I can't believe It has been 2 months already. It amazes me how time flies. I wanted to sit down and finish my thoughts a few days after I posted the first part here. You might want to go back and refresh yourself with that post if this one doesn't make sense. :)

****************************************************

In order to explain where God is leading us now (for those who don't already know) I need to go back in time just a little bit...

Bill and I lived in Michigan the first 6 months of our marriage while He finished his schooling at New Tribes Bible Institute. After his graduation we moved back here to get involved in the church that he grew up in (the church that we are still currently apart of). Our intention was for this to be our sending church. We worked in the church for about 6 months. We had all our paperwork filled out, and were even penciled in to go to the missions training school (with New Tribes) in August of 2001. All we were waiting on was a recommendation from our Pastors. I still remember clearly the day we met with our Pastors to get what we thought would be their approval to move on. However, we were given the news that they were not going to send us. After much prayer they felt that it wasn't the right time for us to go. They wanted us to get more involved in our church before we went on.

I think we both felt shocked and a little dizzy...we never saw that coming. We both loved and respected our pastors so much and trusted that the Lord, for whatever reason had led them to this decision. Honestly it didn't make much sense to us, but we trusted them and the Lord's leading.

After about a year and half had gone by and we were involved heavily in the church...we came to a crossroads. Our church still had not decided to send us on. Bill was having trouble keeping a job without having any degree (other than a Bible degree). We prayed about it, not knowing if God was ever going to let us go. We came to the decision that Bill needed to go back to school. We were unprepared to have a back up plan, but it appeared that now one was needed.

This was a hard decision for both of us to make. That meant even if the Lord lead us back to overseas missions, it was going to be a very long time before that ever happened. It also meant that quite possibly we would never go. My heart broke. Was the Lord really asking us to lay aside our dreams of how we thought we were to serve Him...and just trust Him? We had peace about Bill going back to school.

To make a long story short after several years Bill finally had a degree. Over the next few years Bill had many ups and downs with jobs. We had some really tough times. It just seemed that he was never going to get anything permanent. Finally a ray of hope came and he was offered what he thought at the time would be his dream job. Well as most of you know that dream shattered and ended on a bad note...for no reason it seemed. Bill was once again without a job. Of course unknowingly to me God was working in the midst of this with a plan that was far bigger then I could have seen.

After loosing job after job, God laid it on Bill's heart that this was not the direction our family was to be going anymore. Bill came to me one evening in November and said that He believed after much prayer that God wanted us to pursue missions once again. It's hard to describe the emotions I felt at that moment. I was surprised, but not so surprised. I was excited and then extremely sad and overwhelmed. But I KNEW the second that Bill told me what God had been impressing on His heart that this was it. I just knew it was right. It just made sense. I had not not seen my husband so full of life and joy as I did at His realization of what God wanted us to do. I knew that God had been preparing my heart for something for months, I just hadn't expected it to be this. I had not not seen my husband so full of life and joy as I did at His realization of what God wanted us to do.

We have prayed about this step as a couple. This is a HUGE life changing decision and not one we took lightly. We sought the counsel of wise men. We went to our Pastors. We talked to the missions committee at our church. We contacted New Tribes Mission. Over the last 5 months God has done some pretty amazing things on our behalf...and He has made it so clear this time that this is what He wants.

So what does this all mean? Well, in less then 4 months we will be packing up our family and leaving this place we have called home for the past 8 and a half years, and headed to another state to complete our training with New Tribes mission. We will be there for 1 to 2 years. This whole thing still seems so surreal to me. I feel such a range of emotions. Trying to downsize our belongings and pack up is overwhelming. Thinking of having to leave our church for a time and our friends brings me to tears...every time!! But I do feel excitement deep in my heart. I do feel peace. I have prayed over and over that the Lord would use our family to glorify Him, and I am honored and blown away that this is the capacity that He would see fit to use us.

I know that the path ahead might be scary at times. We have to depend on the Lord to provide for us. I know that the path ahead is going to be full of twists and turns. But I know that wherever He leads us He will be there to guide and protect...and there is much joy to be found in walking a path of obedience...even if it wasn't what I expected.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

If you want to keep up with the ministry in which God is leading us, Bill and I have a blog here. He mostly publishes updates on there, but sometimes I do too. :)

The road traveled

The was sun shining and a cool breeze blowing on my face, I took it all in...Ahh, perfect! Glimpses of newness, of hope, of good things to come. Even though I knew it was only a teaser, I couldn't help but be so thankful for this fleeting time. Spring is still a little ways off in our part of the country. We still have a bit of cold winter left. But being able to soak up a few short days of fresh air was so refreshing.

As enjoyable as the weather has been lately, it also brought with it bittersweet feelings for me. The thought that spring is on the way is very exciting. But as I was driving home yesterday from an appointment I was overcome with a sense that with the change of season, there is going to come a change of life for us. One I totally did not see coming. On one hand it is not surprising because we serve a God who is full of mystery and wonder. But on the other hand I really thought that this change was something of the past. A dream, a "calling" that was long since reconciled. I know that doesn't make sense to some of you. So let me just back up a bit. I think I might just have to go all the way back to the beginning...

I grew up in a Christian home. It was a home that was far from perfect, but my parents did their best I believe. When we were young it seemed that if the church doors were open, our family was walking through them. We were very involved, and I loved it! My parents had a desire to teach us God's Word and expose us to as many godly influences as they could. I remember my parents opening up our home on many many occasion to missionaries that our church or my parents supported. It was through all these influences that I came to know the Lord. I was young when I trusted Christ as my Savior. I remember one afternoon my mom reading me a children's book about the man who had to carry the cross for Jesus. The book covered Jesus death, burial and resurrection. We talked about the reasons why Jesus had to die on the cross. Suddenly my eyes were opened. I knew in that moment that I was a sinner and that there was nothing I could do to save myself from my sin. I needed Jesus blood to cover my sin. My sins had put him on the cross. I placed my faith in His shed blood and trusted His word that I would now be able to spend an eternity with Him.

Even though I was just a small child, I felt this passion, this urge to tell everyone the Good News. I knew that God had called me to spread His Word to a dying world. Not because I was anything special but because I was His and I had been entrusted with this gift. As I grew so did my desire to serve Him. I told the Lord that He could use me. I was willing.

After I graduated High school I decided to go to New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson MI (how I ended up there is a long story in and of itself...I'll save that one for a rainy day :) ). Bible school was the most amazing experience I ever had. I soon realized that I knew hardly anything about God's word. My mind was blown away by the richness of what His Word contained. After my first year in Bible school, I felt led to go on a Short Term missions Trip To Papua New Guinea with New Tribes. While there the Lord worked in my heart in a way I was not expecting...isn't that usually the case?! :) Something I wrote during that time,

Sunday August 9, 1998

I am so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to come to PNG this summer. I have learned so much, I feel like I could fill a book with everything. The funny thing is, I didn't learn what I had expected to. I guess God has a way of doing that! :)

I think when I left for PNG I expected to figure out for SURE one way or the other what God wanted me to do with my life. I wanted God to spell it out in black and white. That was a pretty silly expectation to have because God doesn't always work that way. One thing I learned right away was that I don't need to try and figure out God's will for my life. God's sovereign will is sure, and will be accomplished no matter what. We make plans but it's the Lord's purpose that Prevails (Prov 16:9). The important thing is not figuring out His will, it's my relationship with Him and my obedience to His Word. God's will is not something we need to struggle with.

While being here I know that my eyes have been opened to the obvious need around me for the Gospel. My heart hurts for the lost, I want them to have the same joy and promise of eternal life that I have. But as I take my step toward the mission field I must remember that a passion for God and obedience to Him must be my driving force, not the need. I want to have that passion for God that I see in the lives of the missionaries here. I know that must be the only thing that keeps them going.

As Paul W. spoke in church today I was again challenged with all these things that God has been showing me these past 6 weeks. One thing I realized was that this whole time I have been living to see my desires accomplished. Every time I struggle with going on the mission field it's because I am afraid to let go of the things that I want. It is impossible to do God's will when we are focused on our own desires. When I think about the fact that Jesus died, He gave up His will, everything for the sake of seeing His Father's will accomplished, I should be willing to say, "After what you did for me, there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for you."

Luke 9:23-24 ..."If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."

Die to self and my desires, and follow Him. Even if it means going on the foreign mission field [alone], I will go.
~Elizabeth at age 19

One thing that I was struggling with (that I didn't spell out in the journal) was my desire to be married and raise a family. I wanted so much to find a godly man and to serve with him. But over the course of time, the Lord revealed to me that He wanted me to give up those desires, to lay them at His feet. And so I did. Those 6 weeks, the Lord whispered to the depths of my soul to follow Him, stop worrying about the future. I had never pictured myself serving overseas while single, but I knew that if that was what God wanted, I would do it.

I just love how God works. After my trip to PNG I went back for my last year at Bible school. This is when I met and fell in love with Bill (who came in as a freshmen that year). We formed a friendship which eventually (2 years later) lead to marriage. As we stood before God and many witnesses to pledge our love and commitment to one another, we proclaimed our desire to go to the ends of the earth to peach the Gospel. Things seemed to finally come full circle for me. I stood amazed at God's goodness. He had blessed me with a husband, and now it seemed that we would be serving the Lord together on the mission field, where both of our hearts were burdened for.

***********************
Well, as most of you know we didn't go, as I sit here typing this in my little house in the big woods...not from the ends of the earth. :) So what happened? And what does this have to do with the change that is coming soon? You are just going to have to stick around for the rest of the story. :)

To be continued...

And you only week 1

The beginning
-----------------------------------

Dreamy eyes sparkle. Smiles never end. Heart beats faster. Everything looks brighter. The room gets smaller and distractions fade away as he walks in the room. I remember as if it were yesterday. Cherished memories together when we were the only people that existed on earth. There is nothing so sweet as falling in love with the one that God has for you.

I remember the day he proposed. He caught me off guard, surprised me. His humble hands shook as he washed my feet and talked of his desire to lead and to serve me. My breath nearly stopped as my hand was drawn to his own. I felt like my heart would burst with happiness. I said yes, and dreamed of our future together.

I remember the way I felt the day I married Bill. Totally head over heals in love. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else. He made me catch my breath every time he looked at me. He made me laugh like no one else could. He was the smartest, most handsome, funniest, most God loving man I knew. I KNEW in my heart that this was THE man that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The man that God had planned for me and that I had dreamed of from the time I was a little girl. In that moment I loved him the most. I loved him as much as I thought possible. I had heard that love grows and deepens over time but did not understand how that could be possible.

The honeymoon came and went. The first year was tough...harder then I thought it would be. I knew it would be an adjustment, and that it was. But they were still sweet times. We had a lot of fun the first year. We learned alot and grew as a couple.

2 weeks before our 1 year anniversary our first baby was born; our daughter Annaliese. She was a sweet blessing, and we were so excited to welcome her to our family. This brought another form of adjustment. We argued some (like most couples I think), but also grew closer as a couple, as "baby makes 3" took on meaning to us.

As time went on life got busy. Another baby, job changes, school, moving, ministries, friendships... In the busyness of life I started to feel a small void. I couldn't put my finger on what could possibly be missing. I still loved Bill with all my heart. I got caught up in serving my family that I hardly noticed that our "once upon a time" love story faded somewhat in the background. I started to become discontent. The things that I once loved about my husband, and that made him so uniquely Bill, had now turned into annoyances. It wasn't as if things were really wrong in our marriage, I just found myself becoming complacent. We had lost some of that "spark".

It was at this point in my life that God led a sweet lady into my life. I had prayed for years that God would give me a mentor that I could go to for godly wisdom. In His perfect timing he provided the person I needed. A woman named Lucy. Lucy and I tried to meet every week for a time of prayer and study. She encouraged me to really begin praying for my husband and strongly recommended I read "The power of a praying wife". I am embarrassed to admit that one of the reasons this all appealed to me was because I saw some things in Bill that I wanted changed (nothing drastic). Can you imagine my surprise when the author of the book said that the change wasn't to start with my husband but in my own heart. Woah! Conviction hit like a rock!

I knelt before the Lord and wept as I read these words,

Make me a new person, Lord. Give me a fresh perspective, a positive outlook, and
a renewed relationship with the man You've given me. Help me to see him with new
eyes, new appreciation, new love, new compassion, and new acceptance. Give my
husband a new wife, and let it be me. ~Stormie Omartian

"Yes Lord change me" I whispered from the depths of my soul.

The layers of sin and hardness that had built up in my heart unknown to me, began to crumble right there on the floor. I had no idea of the transformation that was about to take place in our marriage...

Our Love Story

This is an article that I wrote for HopeChest magazine about 6 years ago. I thought it would be fun to share Bill and my story today. It is kind of long. Also, if you read to the end things didn't pan out exactly the way Bill and I planned. We did not end up going to the New Tribes Mission Institute...but I'll save that story for another day!

I sat waiting in a room all alone. Nervousness started to set in. I looked at my watch, it would be time to leave soon, and my father would be coming for me. I stood up and looked into the mirror one last time; making sure that every piece of hair was in its place and every flower was arranged snugly in my bouquet. I took a deep breath. I couldn't believe that today was the day that I had dreamed about since the time I was a little girl. Thoughts flashed through my mind. It hardly seemed possible that God had brought us to this point in our lives.

Bill and I met in October 1998, but our story really begins several months before that, in June of 1998. That was the summer I went overseas to Papua New Guinea. I had no idea what God had in store to teach me that summer, but it was definitely not what I was expecting.

Up to that point in my life I had really struggled with being single. I had always desired to be married and have a family; but I wondered and began to doubt that that would ever happen. Instead of accepting that the Lord might have for me to be single I was very anxious about it.

I can't really explain what happened to me that summer, but all I know is that God changed my heart. I learned so much being overseas. We had Bible classes every day, and one of the things I was learning about was God's will. I knew for sure that God was calling me into missions-- to spread His Word to a dying World; but I had never really wanted to go to the field alone…single! As if that was some sort of curse. But…throughout those six weeks God began to speak ever so quietly to my heart.

"What if it's not my will for you to marry? Will you still serve me where I have called you." I wanted to argue and ask Him how I could go "alone". But then He reminded me that I would not really be alone…"aren't I enough for you, why do you need a husband?"

Over time I realized my foolishness. Christ was my sufficiency. I did not need any person to make me complete. I am complete in Christ. Singleness is not something to be held in contempt…it is a gift! J As soon as I could realize this I felt so at peace. It wasn't that my desire to be married was gone it was just that I had learned to accept what God had for me at the moment, and that was to be single.

I went back to school that fall with a whole new perspective. I was so much happier than I had ever been. I was content. And then…I met Bill. When I first met him I didn't really like him(that sounds awful, I didn't totally dislike him, I just never would have imagined us together). He had what I thought were strange ideas about the Bible and was shy and stayed pretty much to himself. The only reason we really talked was because I had my work detail (each student in the school is assigned a job, which helps to keep the school's costs low) across from his dorm room. Sometimes he would pop out and say hi to me, even though he didn't know my name. Finally one day we were properly introduced. We got to know each other a little more. We had some of the same friends so sometimes were involved in the same group activities. I thought Bill was one of the funniest guys I had met. I could tell that he was very sweet and compassionate. I wrote home to my sister and told her about him, saying that there was just something "different" about him. I just had a strange feeling about him. I had no idea what it was though, because I just thought of him like I did every other guy at school…a friend.

The more time I spent with Bill around my other friends, I realized that my first impressions of him were wrong. The more I got to know him the more I began to like him. My feelings began to deepen. I suddenly realized that I no longer viewed him as I did anyone else. I was so angry! I was angry at God. How could He do this to me? I didn't want this in my life. I didn't want to like a guy. I had that happen in the past and it only lead to nothing other than a broken heart. I poured out my concern to the Lord and asked Him to take away my feelings. It wasn't as if I had spent much if any time alone with Bill…why was I feeling this way. God whispered back to my cries, "Trust me." But I just couldn't do that. I had planned my future. I was going to graduate from New Tribes, and go on with the mission. I wasn't going to get involved with a man. (Sounds absurd…I know!) NOTHING could get in the way of "my" plans. The lord persisted to whisper, "Trust me." Even though I wold not listen.
Through my studies in school, God brought several passages to my mind. That began to bring me to my knee: Prov. 16:9 "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." The one that hit me the hardest though was, James 4:14,15 "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."

It was such a struggle to surrender but finally I said, "Whatever you want Lord." I saw the error in my way in how I was trying to do my own thing and not considering what the Lord wanted. I didn't really understand how Bill fit into any of this, but I knew that somehow he did. I also didn't totally understand my feelings for him but for the moment I accepted it. God laid it on my heart to pray for him. So I did.

Through the next couple of months, Bill and I became much better friends. Although we had nothing in common, except for our love for Christ, we found things to talk about. We did a lot of group things. On weekends I always arranged activities. Sometimes we would go to one of the parks in Jackson and play games or simply just sit around and discuss the Bible.

May rolled around and soon it was almost graduation day. Bill told me that he had decided that he wasn't going to stick around for my grad. He really wanted to get home. I was so disappointed. My friends tried to convince him to stay…after all we were friends; didn't he want to see me graduate? But, nothing could persuade him to stay. Although I was hurt I knew that it would be alright.

That last week of school Bill spent a lot of time talking to me. We didn't usually spend one on one time, but this week we did. I didn't know it at the time, but God had begun to work in Bill's heart about me. I already liked him as more than a friend, but was continually having to look to the Lord to make me content with just being Bill's friend. I didn't have any hope that it would ever be anything more.
Bill left for Wisconsin the day before graduation. We exchanged addresses and e-mail, promising to keep in touch. And then he was gone. I didn't know if I would ever see him again. I cried…and prayed. It was in God's hands now. I knew that it was too impossible for anything to happen now.

I moved back home to PA with my family. I didn't know what God wanted to do. I lived there for about a month, praying about what God would have me to do. Then the door opened up for me to go and work at a camp in Donnelly ID. Of all places! I accepted the job and flew out there to live for the summer.
I felt like I was all the way on the other side of the world. I was terribly lonely. I missed my friends in school, I missed my family…and I missed Bill. Bill and I kept in touch over e-mail just about daily at this point. I looked forward everyday to receiving his letters. Occasionally he would even call me and we would chat. Our friendship was growing. But, even though we had a lot of contact with each other, I didn't think that we would actually ever get to see each other again. But…sometimes God has a way of changing things.

On Wednesday July 21, 1999 I received this e-mail from Bill. I knew something was wrong when I started to read,
"Hey, Sorry I didn't write at all yesterday. I had a busy day… Anyway, this is not your basic everyday e-mail that I am writing. Of course, the thing that I am writing about is not your everyday event either. This is more of an informational letter than anything. And no I'm not sarcastic in any of this J I never wanted to write a letter like this, and I never thought I would be. But it hit pretty hard when I had to think about telling people.

This is extremely tough for me to talk about and I have been going through a lot the past couple of days. This may shock you (well actually I think it will. It shocked me J) I'm not going to beat around the bush or anything so here goes. I have cancer …I have to have surgery on Friday. Chemo therapy is not an option. This is the only sure method. Believe me, if there was an alternate way, I would do it. But I got 2 doctors opinions, each in separate buildings and separate cities and both said that same thing. They are good doctors too. Boy, when I heard that today I went into shock. Well actually when the Doctor was explaining that I had cancer I started going into shock. Then when he asked if I wanted him to call someone for me, that’s when it hit me. Total shock. I couldn't think at all. I just sat there for like 10 seconds just blank. I told him 'yeah, yeah I can call my mom. Hey is it alright that I call her?' I never did. He didn't either. I didn't want her to worry at work I guess. Anyway, I guess I'm in denial right now. But I'll tell you what, after the surgery it will be quite real to me.

They say that I caught it early enough that I don't have to worry about it spreading to my lymph nodes (that’s when you have to worry about dying). That’s what will occur if I leave it in there. Also they say that I will be fine as far as fertility and fathering children…

I guess my family is taking it alright. I really hope they aren't worrying too much about me. And you either. I'll be fine. Surgery and then it's done. Sure there is a possibility that it could spread, but highly unlikely. It's in the early stages…
Sorry to send you a letter like this, honestly. But I had to tell you sometime. I hope you don't get all worried and all or discouraged. I just hope I didn't ruin your day.
You're in my prayers,
Bill"

As soon as I read the words cancer my heart stopped and I began to cry. "God, please don't take my best friend away." I whispered. I was hysterical…in shock…I didn't know what to do. I called my dad that night and we prayed. He gave me permission to call Bill the next day.

After I talked to Bill the next day I felt a little better. I told him that I would be praying for him. He was glad to know that. Plans changed a little and Bill ended up going into surgery on Monday morning instead of Friday. I went to the Lord anxiously and prayed. Bill had promised that he would write when he was out of surgery. That evening I got his letter. The surgery had been successful. The Doctors thought that they had removed all of the cancer. I praised God.

While all of this was happening, God was doing a work in Bill's heart…totally unknown to me. A few days after the surgery, he called. He said that he had something he needed to get off his mind. He said that it was way overdue and that he should have said it a long time ago. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I kept listening. Bill went on to explain that he really enjoyed my friendship, but that he wanted to see it become something more than friendship. He wanted a deeper relationship. Basically what he was saying was that he wanted to see if we would be compatible for marriage.

After that things moved pretty fast. Bill talked to his parents and his parents talked to my dad. They decided that it would be alright for me to fly out there and visit with his family for a week. They also felt that it would be helpful in the healing process for Bill. It looked possible for a second surgery. Doctors were concerned that they needed to go in and look at his lymph nodes.

The week I spent with his family was really good. I fell in love with his family. They were so much fun. It was just a really good time of getting to know each other better. I went with Bill and his parents to the Doctor at the end of the week. The Doctor recommended that Bill not have another surgery. He said it didn't seem necessary to him. They just wanted to monitor him every month with blood work, and CAT scans every six months. That was good news. The bad news was that the Doctor didn't think that Bill should return to school that fall. Bill and I were both disappointed about that.

Over the next 3 months Bill and I continued to e-mail everyday and call each other every couple of days. We visited back and forth a few times. In November I flew out to be with his family for Thanksgiving. (I was living in MI at this point). 2 days after I go there, November 20th something unexpected happened.
We were in the living room that evening just talking when Bill excused himself to the restroom. I sat there for a long time. I was a little suspicious at what was taking so long but didn't really think anything of it. I could hear him walking around and then running water and then walking around again. Finally he came in back in the room. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him place something on the floor. He knelt down in front of where I was sitting.

"Can I wash your feet." I pulled of my socks and shoes. Bill quietly washed my feet in a small basin. I sat there in amazement.

"The reason I am washing your feet is to symbolize how Christ washed his disciples feet. In order to be a leader you have to be a servant. I want to be the leader in your life. I want to serve God with you the rest of my life. Elizabeth, I love you so much…so much that I would die for you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" I replied, as he placed a beautiful ring in my hand. I was happy but also in shock. I had no idea it was coming. He had talked to my dad and his parents already. Everyone knew but me! :)

Seven months later on June 3, 2000 we were married. What an exciting day that was. I could see God's hand on our marriage and see how much He had blessed us.
The past couple years of my life have been such a journey. God has brought me through a lot of different things. I loved being single and serving God, and now I love being married and serving God with my husband. In each phase of my life Christ has taught me the need to be content in whatever my situation. I had to learn to be content being single. And now I'm learning what it means to be content in marriage. God is awesome. It's neat to see how He guides our lives step but step. All I have to do is Trust Him.

I have so much to be thankful for. Bill's cancer to this day still remains to be gone. We praise God for that. We have a place to live; we have everything we need. I also have so much to look forward to. Our plans are to finish here at Bible school (This is Bill's last semester, because of the cancer he had to take a semester off.) and Move to WI in December where his family is. In May we are expecting our first child. In August we are praying to go to the Missions Institute in Jersey Shore PA. And then, God willing, we would like to go to Papua New Guinea and serve God there in a tribe. We are excited about what he has for us, knowing that He will be there every step of the way to guide us.

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)

"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Eph 3:20-21)