Day 2

I am going for a record number of posts in 2009. Day 2: We are making plans for travel as expected. God has provided for additional luggage allowance and all the bags we need to make this happen. Thank you Jason!

I was convicted after running some errands that I missed opportunities for outreach. The post office was closed so one person after another left in disgust because it seemed odd that no one was working on the second day of the year. Were you off?

I was armed with the knowledge that a closed post office or an unsuccessful trip is the new normal for those of us living abroad. Stories go on for days from folks who have left the post office with nothing but a tale to share of frustration. My attitude stayed positive but I wish I had encouraged others with the gospel. Lesson learned.

My conviction for missed opportunities led me to an outreach that many before me have used. Mammaw may be the best at sending an encouraging word through the post. So, I followed in her footsteps and let my light shine through some notes to friends and acquaintances. Let me know if you were blessed.

The strategy behind sharing our faith needs to be in place before too many more days go by in the new year! Pray that God will be glorified through opportunities taken advantage of.

Happy New Year

Ella is just as excited as I am! Happy New Year!
Chattanooga has been a tremendous blessing thus far. We are staying well in Hixson,TN for the start of the new year. The celebration of our family has continued for a week past Christmas. Great to see our great Uncle Tom and the Great Grandparents here.
Expect the best year of Mountainside-Grace to date. We will be following a number of blogs from other folks worldwide that you can checkout. Thank you for those who have signed up to follow us.
Thanks to the Vine Fellowship and our host for the New Year's Celebration. We rang it in with style.

Memphis Shopping Cart

Bellevue Slideshow

More from Bellevue

From Drop Box

Bellevue Commisioning

I forgot to mention that we were invited to meet with Pastor Steve Gaines while at Bellevue. He was gracious to pray for us along with the service and then pray for our ministry. Thanks to everyone who helped make that happen. Thank you to the nursery workers who kept the girls at church both in the morning and at night. Majesty was a wonderful production. Thank you to the choir and orchestra for the hard work that went into a special time of worship. Finally, thank you to the Earnheart Bible Fellowhip for allowing me to share my heart and express appreciation for the support of Southern Baptists.<

Operation Family Christmas

Thank you that prayed for the outreach. I joined over 750 volunteers with my dad and delivered over two tons of groceries. Cars came through our line after having the gospel message and we loaded up the love. I know prayer was in effect. God overwhelmed us with good weather right up until the last bag was delivered.

Memphis for Christmas

We made the trip successfully overnight. No one was awake here when we arrived but everyone was surprised by our presence. Newsletters should be going out quickly. Don't have one but want one? Write me.

Week 8

I am just completing my exit paper to review the highlights of the training here at FPO. It has been a rich time of fellowship with believers that I will be able to pull from for the next many years. I realize more fully what my family will be missing as we begin to minister cross culturally in an atheistic society.

Our goal was to complete the work here in an excellent way.

Areas for growth and development have been discussed that could have gone unchecked without the penetrating light of Christ's word.

The full return on investment by our employer and supporters has not yet fully been realized. I am looking forward to the time when it will be possible to unload all information that we have acquired while here. 

One key is mobilization. That is the process of keeping our supporters on mission with us. If you have been directed to this site since meeting my family in Atlanta for commissioning service let me know. I hope to find out what is effective and what is not before we leave.

I have our first Bennett newsletter at press currently and will distribute ASAP.

Czech Apartment

I got this picture off the web to shake everyone up. We don't have any pictures from our place but there is an our place that has been found. Rejoice with us that God has provided for our arrival;)