Some changes and an update

Okay, I (Natalie) have mostly been posting here, but Ryan and I have decided that we both want to contribute.   So, we are going to start each post with our name, so you will know who is writing.   This is going to be fun.

So, I am going to start by being honest, what's new?   Things are rough!   Yes, I knew this was coming and no, I was still not ready for it.   Ryan and I were fussy with each other and had to regroup today and get on the same page.   It has been several of days that have just been crazy weird and wild.   We had a family lunch with my parents and brother scheduled, but it had to be rescheduled and now they have the flu :(.   We had family coming in for Ryan's ordination service, but got snow instead and everything was rescheduled.   We packed our bags and were quickly overweight...onto plan b.  We sold our vehicles and had nothing to drive, Mari-Madeline had some weird virus.   You see what I mean, just a crazy week.   As, I sit here looking at it all, I can also see God at work.

Blessings during this all, I got to see a friends baby for the first time...what a gift from God.   A friend volunteered to drive us to Atlanta so we can fly out.   We sold our cars, and everything else we needed to sell.   We got to see one last snow.  More of Ryan's family is able to come to his ordination service.  We are learning what is really important when we pack.  We have our health.   This week I have learned to accept help from friends.   I am learning to let God be in control all the time!

So, even though it was a rough week, God was always there.  

We will be leaving Columbia on Tuesday February 15 and heading to Atlanta, we will overnight there and fly out early the next morning.  We have a layover in Florida and will get to Honduras just after lunch.   We will travel the rest of that day and overnight in a city.  On Thursday we finish our travel and get to our new home.

I will try and upload some pictures and update in Honduras.

Encouragement and Prayers

Emotions are a part of moving and making changes, and so far we have had our fare share of them. For the most part we are all excited, but we have our moments when we are weary and tired. We recently started a study on the book of Philippians and to read the encouraging words that Paul sent during his time in prison is just humbling. I mean we are living a life of luxury compared to that of Paul during his imprisonment, yet he was able to send words of encouragement and joy to the church. If he can do that, then we can do anything God calls us to do.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

always offering prayer with joy in

my every prayer for you all...

Philippians 1:3-4

We have several prayer partners that are dealing with illnesses or other things and we just want to encourage you and to let you know that we are praying for you as well. You are a part of our family and we want to lift you up in prayer. We want to encourage you to communicate with us via email or comments or even a phone call if you have something you would like us to pray about. Yes, we are busy moving and yes, we will be far away, but we are never too busy or too far away to pray for those we love.

We still have our moving date set for February. We have a date we would like to leave by, but we are still waiting on paperwork. We are enjoying our last days here in the states as bitter sweet as they may be. We have begun our goodbyes and see you laters. Today we learned that some people we know would like to come do a mission trip where we will be living and that was like a hug for my heart. God truly listens to each and every concern, fear and worry and has taken care of these for us. I have asked for so much comfort and He has provided it all.

We will update you as soon as we know our moving dates. Please continue to pray for our paperwork and travel. Please, join us in praying for our families also. As hard as this is for us it is even harder for our parents and siblings. I know God will be with them, pray they have peace and comfort as they too begin to say their goodbyes to their children and grand children.