fun... food... family... friends... It's FAIR TIME!!!

It's that time of the year again in northern Indiana... the time for the Elkhart County 4-H Fair!

Thanks to Grandpa Kirk (my dad), he insisted that our three youngest enjoy another year as 4-Hers, so each has a lamb to show, and Bailey entered one of her drawings.  It's Bailey's 10th year in 4-H so there are extra festivities for her, as well.

Bailey, Spencer & Easton showing their 4-H Dorset lambs last year at the fair

Fair things we'll miss this year:

• Steak Tips... with potatoes & grilled onions
• People watching from "our spot" at the front of the Lamb Barn
• Lamb burgers & Lemon Shake-Ups
• Chatting with friends as we walk around the fairgrounds
• Frozen custard from the Dairy Bar
• Watching the kids show their animals
• Taco Salad
• Round Robin Contest
• Potatoes from the Gyro Stand
• Queen Contest
• Tom Thumb Donuts
• Checking out all the 4-H exhibits and commercial booths
• Hot air balloons
• And so much more...

What do you like at the fair?

There are a few things we won't mind missing... the hot, humid days followed by thunderstorms, mud and puddles... dust, dirt, flies... smelly barns... waiting in long lines of traffic in/out of the fairgrounds.

Here's a look back at a few pictures of our kids showing their sheep in their early 4-H days...

Morgan & Bailey showing in the Sheep Open Show in their early years

 

Spencer showing in the Sheep Open Show one of her first years in 4-H

Easton in the Sheep Open Show before he started 4-H

And, let's not forget our extra friendly, extra tall lamb, fondly called "Horsie".  He acted more like one of our pet puppies than a 4-H show animal...

So, for all our dear friends in or near Elkhart County, Indiana - enjoy the next NINE days at the best county fair in the country!!!

We'll miss you... but, you can still stop by the front of the Lamb Barn and visit any of our kids; they'll be sitting in the same spot we've enjoyed for the past 12 years!
 

 

Happy fair days to you all!

God is good... all the time!

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today... probably because I've been alone for a few days and have had plenty of time to reflect on this past year and God's faithfulness.

One year ago today, we posted the most difficult blog post - it.is.well - about our decision to resign as missionary candidates to Lyon, France with ReachGlobal.  We were heartbroken. depleted. unsure of our future. but trusting!  Many wise people spoke into our lives at that time.  Here is one quote from our post that rings more true today for us -

"He knows how to guide and lead us though his ways can be impenetrable to our finite minds. It is never easy to come to terms with a decision to change course when convictions for a certain direction have been so strong. I have never doubted that conviction in your regard and still have the certainty that the Lord has been calling you to serve him in a special way."

 

God has indeed changed our course over the past year and led us to a very special ministry with college students at California Baptist University and to a young church family in Palm Desert!  Throughout the year, God led us one step at a time, and provided for us each step of the way. 

I like lists... you probably know that already.  So, let me just share with you some amazing ways God has provided:

1. Chris' job came in August 2012 as the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the School of Music
2. Steve was given an adjunct professor position at CBU, teaching piano classes and private piano
3. God is good... all the time
4. In January (just when we needed it), Steve was hired as the Worship Director at Cornerstone Covenant Church in Palm Desert... a total God-provision!
5. Bailey survived her senior year 2000+ miles away from us
6. Morgan worked multiple jobs, "watched" houses, and enjoyed sibling time with Bailey
7. God is good... all the time
8. Spencer & Easton completed a year of virtual high school... a fairly non-social time for them, but they survived!
9. Spencer decided to complete high school a year early... passing the CHSPE test... and enjoying graduation open house WITH Bailey in Indiana!
10. God is good... all the time
11. Steve was chosen to fill a vacancy as a full-time assistant professor in the School of Music at CBU... another blessing from God!
12. Morgan, Bailey AND Spencer were accepted to CBU... they will begin their university experiences together this fall!
13. God is good... all the time

And, to top it off... God has been working in AMAZING ways for dear friends of ours who have also been raising support to serve overseas as missionaries.  He has worked overtime this year... and provided for each of them.  One dear couple moved in January and ALL of the remaining families are heading to their assigned fields of ministry in July!!!  Please be in prayer for them as they adjust to their ministries while learning a new language and culture.  (Check out the map to find where God is placing each of our friends!)

• Tom & Tanya Clyde - in Czech Republic since January with ReachGlobal (E on the map)
• Matt & Kimberly Davis - opening a new city for ReachGlobal in London; arriving with their three kids mid-July (D on the map)
• Greg & Wende Whitus - arriving in Lyon, France with their two daughters in mid-July to work with the ICCL as the lead pastor (C on the map)
• Anastasia Carlson - arriving in Lyon, France mid-July to work in various ministries with the Lyon City Team (C on the map)
• Todd & Nicole Owens - arriving in Kijabe, Kenya with their little tribe of five kiddos in mid-July to serve the kids at Rift Valley Academy (F on the map)

"I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I’ll bless your name into eternity. I’ll bless you every day, and keep it up from now to eternity. God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness."   (Psalm 145, The Message)

God is good... all the time!