Part 6: We’re Going On A Furlough!
Okay guys, last part of the update! If you’ve been following the whole way, THANKS SO MUCH! If you haven’t caught the other parts, you can find them here:
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So, as I mentioned, we’re taking a FURLOUGH!! This will be the first time we’ve left the island or visited the States since we arrived over fourteen months ago (16 by the time we go).
We head to Colorado on February 13th (yay!). There aren’t a ton of details yet for our time there, but we’re planning on spending a week in Wyoming with Branden’s family, a week with my sisters (and new nephew and niece!) in Arizona, and another week out of state for a ministry conference. We’re hoping to be in Colorado for the weekend of March 10th and won’t leave until the 27th. It already feels like the time is too short! And somehow also so long to be away from Cork.
We are hoping to catch up with lots of people, though we know there just won’t be enough time for all the one-on-ones we’re dreaming of! We’re planning at least one event where we can see lots of faces and hug people and hopefully share a bit more of what we’ve gotten to be a part of over the last year+ And of course, we’re hoping to eat at the places we’ve been craving, go to places that don’t exist here, and stock up some stuff we’ve been missing!
The boys were asking the other day if we could just go to Target and walk around, not even shopping, just to visit! They also wanted to somehow transport a slushy from Sonic back to Ireland. So…not everything will be possible haha! But we will definitely make the most of our time while we’re there!
If the Lord brings it to mind, would you please pray for the following needs?
- Our house transition: packing, painting, moving, cleaning, unpacking, etc.
- Preparations for our furlough – for us and the team of servants who will be doing children’s ministry while we’re away
- Branden as he continues to prepare lesson plans and write curriculum
- The boys and I with school, especially through all this transition
- Shawn, and the other kids in the neighborhood – for seeds planted and the work God wants to continue in their hearts and families
- The community we’ll be going to and the work God wants to do there
Also, as you pray, if you feel led to support the ministry in Cork financially, please click here or use the link at the top of this page entitled “Support Us.” You can give a one-time gift or get set up to be a monthly supporter. All donations are tax deductible and go through our nonprofit, Small World Big God, to support our family and the work God is doing here in Ireland.
Also, one small note, if you’re wanting a donation to count towards your 2017 taxes, please be sure to give before midnight Mountain Standard Time on December 31st.
Thank you all so much for reading and for being a part of what God is doing here in Ireland! We are greatly humbled, deeply blessed, and continually encouraged by your faithfulness in prayer and practical support! Following the Lord can sometimes be overwhelming, but I’m reminded that our safety, our peace is assured in fellowship – with the Shepherd Himself, and with the flock. Thank you for being with us.
Here’s to the year ahead and all He has in store! May we follow wherever He leads – the best is yet to come!
