5 Minute Monthly: September

Happy October everyone! Fall has hit the Northwoods and it is a beautiful time of year. I am so thankful to be enjoying the crisp autumn weather with my family here in Wisconsin. It is hard to believe a year ago, we were packing all our belongings to make the trip up north, and months away from the birth of our son. September a year ago was a month of doubts, questioning, resolve and trust. As I sit here a year later, much of the same feelings are running through my mind; but there has been growth in the past year. I feel a sense of peace as my heart leans toward a resolve and trust in God, instead of doubts and questions. September was a big month for us in many ways and it was big in some pretty awesome ways. So here's a look into what God has been doing in our household this month!

Life Happenings

The beginning of September was pretty normal for us as far as family life is concerned. Tyler and I had a much needed date night, and we had a fun family day in Duluth. We enjoyed the unusually warm September weather with many walks and even a run/bike. In the middle of the month, I took a spontaneous and much needed girls trip to Florida with my sister and good friend. We brought our children and our moms and had a blast. Some other highlights of the month include Tyler's sermon at Element on the holiness and mercy of God, an adventure apple picking (a favorite September activity), Tyler's parents coming for a quick visit, and the dedication of Josiah. Speaking of Josiah, the kid is growing like a weed! He is crawling everywhere and getting into mischief along the way. We, as his parents, are growing right along with him as we learn to navigate his new found attitude and we begin to use the word "no". We love being parents though, and are reminded daily that the Lord loves us like little children, even as we learn and grow slowly and make many mistakes along the way.

Ministry Update

Last month, we wrote about how close we were to 70% and how exciting that was. 70% supported marks the beginning of the end: applying for visas, filling out paperwork, getting our lives in order and ready to leave, and so much more. As of today, we are beside ourselves to say that we are at 89% supported! We have been praying that God would supply our needs in his timing and we glorify his providential hand in bringing us so close to the end. Our home church, Element Church, has decided to be our sending church and back us missionally. This is something that we are most excited about, because we have been longing for a church community to be behind us, support us in prayer, and be a place for us to return to when we come home. We are excited that Element sees our calling and supports it, and is sending us to the UK to do the work the Lord has called us to do. We feel so blessed to have such a family with us in heart and spirit!

One of the biggest things that this means is that we are no longer just beginning the end, we are now nearly done with support-raising and will certainly be leaving for the field in January! This is something we are so so excited for. We have been longing for this day since we got married, and now it's in sight. And yet, along with this joy comes a good deal of sadness as well: we have been so blessed by the community in Hayward, and we really love to be doing life where we are and how we are. We have grown close to so many friends, old and new, and we now have to get ready to go. We look forward to the day we will be together again, but I'm also aware that things will be changed. Words simply cannot express how equally excited to go we are and how sad to leave our people we are. But God remains so good, and we are so glad and eager to follow his call, and trust that he will take care of us and provide for us the entire way!

Pray with Us

Thank you for reading our September update! We are so glad that the Lord is providing for us in the way that he is. If you would still like to support us, it's not too late! We thank God for his generosity and kindness towards us, and thank you for being his hands and feet!