Thank You

     We had a wonderful time in Oklahoma over Christmas.  Jordan had originally wanted to stay 1 week and I wanted to stay 2 weeks.  So we compromised and settled on a week and a few days.  However, thanks to the big, scary "bomb cyclone" winter storm that hit the northeast our flight was cancelled and we ended up staying for 2 weeks.  Not to make a big deal or anything BUT things went perfectly according to my plans anyway. 😁

     We were able to spend good quality time with both Jordan's family and mine.  I'm so thankful Jordan still has one set of grandparents alive and doing so well so our kids will at least have some memory of their great grandparents.  Maria loved getting to spend time with her cousins.  She talks A LOT about how she misses her family and often it's not just talking but usually involves lots of tears too.  Moses also got to celebrate his 1st birthday surrounded by family and we are so thankful for that!  Our kids have the best grandparents and aunts and uncles who love on them and it was such a blessing that they all got to be there to celebrate him with us.

     One of my favorite things about taking our family back to OK is that my kids get to be around my lifelong friends' kids!  We had some great visits with some friends and their families.  Jordan and I even got some time alone!  Because obviously grandparents have eyes mainly for the grandkids they don't even hardly notice when we are not there.  We also got to eat PLENTY of our favorites like Mazzios, Daylight Donuts, and chicken fried steak.  Oh and Taco Bueno!  I probably shouldn't mention how many times we ate Taco Bueno because it is a bit ridiculous.
                                         

 

     Because of our extended stay in Oklahoma we were able to have 2 Sunday's there.  I personally am so grateful for that and it did my heart good.  We were able to worship at 3 different churches who all play such a pivotal role in what we are doing.  Church planting is lonely and many days are difficult.  So to have 2 Sunday's surrounded by other believers and not only other believers but those who pray for us daily, support us monthly, and give sacrificially because they believe in what God has called us to do was such an encouragement.  Jordan had the opportunity to preach and give an update at our partner church Parkview Baptist on a Sunday night and also had time to connect with a new church, FBC Okarche, who is coming this summer and we are so excited about the possibility of a partnership there!  We were blessed to attend FBC Owasso's Calvary Campus and also FBC Owasso to speak with their high school group who is coming in just a couple of months and we can't wait!  To our partner churches in Oklahoma that we did not make it to, we hate that we missed you guys.  There is just never enough time it seems, even when our trip is extended, to make it everywhere we'd like.  Please know we love you are so thankful for your love, prayers, and financial support.  God is doing a great work here in the Bronx because of you guys and we are just blessed to be a part of it.

     Finally, we just wanted to give a big THANK YOU to all our friends and family and partners in the gospel in Oklahoma and Texas.  By the way we were not able to make it down to Texas this trip and Jordan and I both were just torn about that.  To our Bethesda family please know that we missed you and are so grateful for you.  You guys continue to love us and support us and bless us regularly even from thousands of miles away.  Thank you for being our "sending church".  What we are doing here in the Bronx would not be possible without you and we will make sure to see you all on the next trip.  I am convinced that I cannot adequately convey through my words what a blessing all of our partners are.  From those we did see there were sweet words of encouragement, special gifts given, and even conversations about waking in the middle of the night to pray for us that just blessed my soul.  God has truly given us some of the best prayer warriors and financial supporters!  Many of you gave special one time gifts in December.  We just received that information and please know how humbled and grateful we are.  To know so many people believe in us and believe in this mission, that is what encourages us, pushes us, and keeps us going on the difficult days.  We are so blessed and all glory goes to God.  He is ultimately who saves us and sustains us.  But He does it through His people more often than not.  So thank you once more for being His instrument.  Our family, and Everlasting church, are eternally grateful.