in His hands
the best part about all the uncertainty in our lives right now is that we have learned so much about God. He hasn't worked in the ways we expected, but He has certainly worked, and when does God ever do things the way we expect Him to? So we've learned to put everything in His hands every day (it's tempting to take things back into our hands and worry about them... that's why we've got to put them back in His hands sometimes several times a day). What we have discovered is that no matter how great the uncertainty is, His peace is more than enough to cover it when we trust Him. We depend on Him for everything anyway. Life is just a lot more fun when we recognize that.
Labels: our support
quotable
since we've been learning a lot lately about trusting God and resting in Him, I thought I'd share a quote with you that has been helpful:
"Go in simplicity; do not be anxious to win a quiet mind, and it will be all the quieter. Do not examine so closely into the progress of your soul. Do not crave so much to be perfect, but let your spiritual life be formed by your duties and by the actions which are called forth by circumstances. Do not take overmuch thought for tomorrow. God, who has led you safely on so far, will lead you on to the end. Be altogether at rest in the loving holy confidence which you ought to have in His heavenly providence."
- St. Francis de Sales
Labels: miscellaneous
first steps
Daniel took his first few steps yesterday!!! He was with Mom and Dad at the park and took one step. We were not sure whether to count it or not, but later he took two steps and then another... so we did.
Labels: family
encouragement
Last night we had a great time sharing with Fincastle Baptist Church, right down the road from where we live here in VA. This visit topped off an amazing week support-wise: God has brought in 15% of our total monthly support need in a week's time! Wow! We're still praying for another 15% by our June 1st deadline (which would bring us to 80%), but whatever God decides to do, we are very encouraged by His gracious provision this week!
Labels: our support
a minute montage of mirror baby madness
Labels: family
overdue
For our birthdays (in March) we decided what we'd really like to do is go to Washington DC for a day and look around. Well, we finally got around to going on Friday. We got there late, stayed the night with some good friends in the area and hit the town on Saturday.
Daniel didn't really understand the zoo. But he liked watching the digger.
It was a beautiful day and we had a great time together!
Labels: family, travel
The Landowner
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 20 about a landowner who hired workers at the beginning of the day. Then he went and found more workers in the middle of the day. When the day was almost over, he went and hired a few more folks who had been standing around all day waiting for work.
When it was time to pay them, he paid them each the same: a whole day's wages. Obviously, they reacted. Some were thankful, some resentful (you can guess who). The landowner had done something unfair: he had given to everyone according to their need, not according to their work.
Isn't that the way God treats us?
Labels: miscellaneous
Mom's Day Weekend
On Saturday Jess and Seth were both in the wedding party for our good friends, Adam and Kourtney. The day turned out to be wonderful and the wedding was practically perfect!
We had a good time on Jessica's first Mother's Day as a mom, too. Grandma Smelser certainly enjoys Mr. Daniel!
Labels: family
4 years of matrimonial bliss (mostly)
It's actually a bit hard to remember that there was a different life before we were married. For us, matrimony has only gotten better with time. We know that isn't the case for everyone, so we are all the more thankful to the Lord for blessing us with a great marriage (and now a family!)!
And we are good for each other. Jessica makes sure that Seth eats regular meals, and Seth helps Jessica develop spontaneity. Case in point: the other day Jessica came home right when Seth was supposed to leave. Seth had forgotten to pack his lunch. Jessica spontaneously produced a tasty lunch. Ain't marriage a wonder?
Labels: family
expelled
We're not regulars at the movie theater, but last week we went to watch the new documentary "Expelled" and really enjoyed it. If you haven't heard, the film is about how the intelligent design movement is being censored in the scientific community. "Expelled" didn't try to disprove the theory of evolution or prove intelligent design (although it gave just enough evidence to show that both may be possible). Instead, the main point was that science should not be defined in a way that excludes legitimate theories. If there is strong evidence pointing to an intelligent designer, shouldn't the scientific community at least be willing to talk about it? We think Ben Stein did a great job presenting his case and we think you should watch the movie, too.
Labels: miscellaneous
new look
So we've got our new website up. Seth has been working on it for a couple of months in his spare time (whatever that is). What do you think? Are there things that would help the site be more clear or informative? Are there problems with the web browser you are using? Let us know how you think we can improve it!
Labels: miscellaneous
halfway there...
We've learned a lot in the process of raising support.
First and foremost: God does it His way. We had plenty of ideas and expectations going in, but things have been completely different than we expected! That's not bad - we've just had to learn to trust Him only and be patient as He reveals His way.
2: support development is not about us. Sure, we need the money to live on, but the goal is joining God in what He's doing in Ireland.....
and here!
We've been amazed and humbled at the opportunities to serve the Lord and join what He is doing here in the States. We've seen over and over again how He has brought us to the right churches and individuals at the right times to accomplish His purpose for us and for them... it's a constant adventure, and we're loving it!
Finally, it's great to be part of a team. And we have a really great team!
Labels: our ministry, our support
