Friday, May 24

I still need to update you on the ground breaking ceremony, our housing situation, and everything that has happened since then! I'm really going to have to get the hang of this blogging thing and make sure to blog more frequently in order to keep up with all God is doing!

So let's go back to Memorial Day Weekend (I might as well go in order here). As you know, we headed down to Cactus for a quick visit and the ground breaking ceremony. We spent the weekend in Amarillo with my parents (extra bonus!) and visited Cactus on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

On Friday, we planned to drive around Dumas (the closest town to Cactus) and Cactus just to get a feel of the area. Dumas has a few grocery stores, a small medical center, a Wal-Mart, and most importantly . . . SONIC! Cactus is very small. It's right off the highway and is literally one of those "you blink, you miss it" towns. We should be able to get to know the community fairly quickly.

We also visited Cactus Elementary School. This is the school that Olivia and Eli will attend through 4th grade. Then they will be bused into Dumas. We were very impressed with the school. Everyone was very friendly and the school is well kept up. We got a small tour before getting to participate in a fire drill. We were extremely impressed with the way the teachers and children handled the fire drill. We also really look forward to getting involved in the school. One of our goals will be to volunteer at least once a week in the classrooms or office there so as to get to know the kids and teachers.

On Friday, we also got to meet Rick and Julie Calvert . . . they happened to be at the CNMC site when we got there. Rick and Julie pastor the Dalhart Church of the Nazarene and Rick has graciously volunteered to be the project coordinator. They both have already played such huge parts in what has happened in Cactus. We really look forward to getting to know the Calverts better!

On Friday, we also had dinner with many who have served in leadership for CNMC up until this point. I won't pretend to remember who all was there, but I can tell you that it was a very exciting and positive meeting. We are very excited to serve alongside these leaders!

This is looking out onto the CNMC property. So much potential!

Another angle of part of the property. These trees will eventually house a gazebo/picnic tables and a small playground. I envision many community gatherings in this place!

What a great team!

Special Delivery!

Our prayer cards arrived today! Just in time for the Wisconsin District NMI Convention next week at which we'll be sharing about CNMC (our first CNMC speaking gig).

Thanks so much to Kari McGilvra for the design and printing of our cards. We are pleased to call her friend and supporter! (If you ever need ANY printing done -- shirts, banners, flyers, etc. -- be sure to look up Kari at Indiana Imprint, www.indianaimprint.com. By far the very best to work with!)

Be sure to let us know if you'd like one of our prayer cards! Better yet, invite us to speak at your church and your whole congregation can get one!

Our CNMC prayer cards are here!

"And a little child shall lead them . . ." (Isaiah 11:6)

Over Memorial Day weekend, we jumped in the car for a "quick" trip to Texas for the ground breaking ceremony of the Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center. It was an exciting weekend where we confirmed God's call on our family to serve as West Texas District Missionaries and as the Directors of CNMC.

Before (and even during) the trip, Eli expressed his concerns about moving. Wisconsin is his home, it's all he knows. However, after just a few minutes on site, he was excitedly running around and wanting to help in any way possible.

Eli helping to set up the tent for the service--such a big helper!

Olivia has been very supportive of the move from the very beginning. We expected her to put up a fight, especially with having to leave friends. However, she's been quick to inform us that she has skype and texting that she'll be able to use to keep in touch!! After two days in Cactus, we told the kids that we were ready to sign the contract the next day and wanted their thoughts. Olivia told us, without hesitation . . . "We have to do it. We know in our hearts that this is what God wants us to do." Oh what a joy it was to hear her say those words. Such a sensitive girl--our little missionary! Our prayer is that God will continue to work in her and use her willingness to serve Him!

Olivia with her two new friends, Ruthy and Mikayla. They and their parents serve in El Paso, TX with the Border Initiative. We'll be partnering a lot with them and are excited to already have some new friends!