Selling our life away

Gramps' custom made villa

It's strange. Pulling out everything we worked so hard to put together, only to stick a price tag right back on it.  Well, we're at that point, and we always knew in the back of our minds we'd get here. We've purchased our plane tickets away from dear ol' Hobe Sound, and will depart on August 18. Until then we will be housesitting for a sweet couple I befriended during my college years as I cleaned their home. It's amazing how the Holy Spirit goes before us to prepare the way we will walk in the future.

Grandma and Grandpa at our Wedding.
Such a beautiful couple!

We get to make a pit-stop in Arizona to visit my grandparents before we actually get to Hawaii. We're both really excited to see the gorgeous home they've just finished building there in Tonto Basin, not mentioned the authentic home cooked German food my lovely Grandmama can dish up! Indeed, this has been a much anticipated visit.

God has really given me, Jennifer, the ability to enjoy the little moments of life; especially since we found out we were moving away from Florida. Sure there are moments of melancholy when I realize that all this is surely coming to an end, but more than that each day should seem sweeter because I know brevity of our time here. It  is my goal that not a moment of grief be wasted in the moments here I should cherish, and in the face of all wonderful things that await us in our next step of faith.

Sunday Picnic in the Park

Support Letter

Photo credit: EricaJPhotographyblog.com

Dear Loved Ones,

We sincerely hope that this letter finds you well. We are so excited to share with you what God has been doing in our lives, and how He has been stretching and growing our faith. We believe that everything in life happens for a reason, and that reason according to Romans 8:28-29 is that we may become more like Jesus Christ. This is our heartfelt desire and goal in life, that we may better reflect our Lord and Risen Savior.

Since graduating, we have felt that God would move us into ministry of one kind or another and have been seeking His will for the next chapter of our lives. In short, we have felt a definite call from God to join Youth with a Mission, and allow God to change our lives forever through this experience.Youth with a Mission (YWAM) is an organization that specializes in sending young people out into the world to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in accordance with Mark 16:15, to know Jesus and make Him known. They have a heart for the poor and needy, and we are excited for how God is going to use us with this dynamic group of believers.

We have submitted our application to YWAM’s University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii, where we will be enrolled in their Discipleship Training School (DTS) for three months and then spend three months in a foreign country in outreach.

Just as Jesus commanded the rich young ruler, we are selling our earthly goods and going to preach the name of Jesus, but this is where our faith in God comes in. We are leaving our jobs here in Florida and going into full time ministry with YWAM. You, our loved ones, are immensely important in this step in our lives. We need all the prayer support we can get, because this ministry is nothing without the prayers of God’s people. Even Paul the apostle understood this when at the end of his first letter to the Thessalonians he asked them to pray for him. Secondly, we humbly ask that you would pray about contributing financially. We need to raise $11,000 before we leave on outreach in December. We know that “the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it (I Thess. 5:24),” therefore God will provide the means for us to answer the call He has placed on our lives, and you can be a part of it! Many times because of responsibilities that God has already given you, it isn’t possible for you to leave your home and join with other Christians proclaiming the name of Jesus around the world. But you can get involved by supporting us, knowing that because of your gift we were able to go! We are walking completely and only by faith, trusting that God will bring in what we need to be successful in our outreach.

So THANK YOU! Thank you for your prayers, for your love, and for the faith you have that God will work out His perfect will in our lives to GLORIFY Him above all!

Much Love,

Jonathan and Jennifer

The Beginning

It has begun! In fact, it began long ago. When God created the Heavens and the earth, He looked out and saw a girl and a boy come into the world. He watched as their mothers and fathers loved and cared for them. He saw the joys and sorrows that came and shaped them. Then one day He brought them to the same place on earth so they could meet. Gain a friendship. Fall in love. Become one. Through Christ's power and love serve Him. He brought them together so they might live out The Great Adventure.