Less than Two Weeks

Wow how fast time goes when there is lots to do! Why does it seem to go so slow when there's "nothing to do?" I wish it were the other way around. Further confirmation that 1) we were made for eternity, and 2) there will be "work" to do in the New Creation (aka "heaven").

Last week was an exceptionally busy one. Jenny and I were in New York with AIM doing some orientation work from Sunday night to Wednesday morning. It was a tiring trip but we are glad we were there. We spent a quick day and a half in Omaha before driving back to Minneapolis. I performed Andrew and Kara Feikema's wedding - beautiful - Congratulations you two, and then preached a farewell sermon at Calvary. We had a wonderful afternoon at the church luncheon and then drove home. Sadly we didn't get to see our neighbors Phil, Sara, and Addy even though they had just returned from Ethiopia with their TWO new babies - Molly and Noah. Even though we didn't get to see you all we keep praying for your family. Thanks Matt, Lisa, Eli, and Micah for letting us crash in your lovely guest room for the weekend. We will miss you.

Now we are back in Omaha trying to get final details in order (can you say making a will) as well as Todd trying to prepare for teaching. I'm trying to prepare for three classes I've never taught before in a culture I've never visited before with textbooks I'm unfamiliar with. Talk about feeling unprepared and illequipped.

We do have two exciting news items to share with you all. #1 we are expecting! Our third child is due March 2nd. We will have our next child (Lord willing) in Kenya. While this isn't entirely unexpected, it wasn't entirely planned either. We rejoice that the Lord is growing our natural family even as we continue to work toward growing the Family of God.

#2 God is Awesome! Not that we didn't already know that, but he confirmed it in our lives once again. For the year we need to raise around $40,000 to cover all our expenses. As of Tuesday, we learned that we've raised in actual donations and in pledges around $34,000 already. Hallelujah. This makes everything more concrete as we now can't say - well if the money does not come in we won't go. Thank you to the many of you who have given to support us financially for the coming year. We are blessed, humbled, and overwhelmed by your generosity and love for God and for us.

Wednesday Todd had a special treat flying in his dad's plane down to Lincoln -we toured the new Osborne Center and walked around Haymarket park. Cool to visit the shrine(s) of the Big Red while we are in Nebraska. Today (Thursday) Jenny gets a special treat as she and Todd's mom spend the day at the spa while Todd takes care of the boys.

Here's one of the only photographs with all three pastors from Calvary together before we separate. Cody Statema, Todd, & Jack VanMarion - the "Dream Team."