There Is A Season
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens … Ecclesiastes 3: 1
This has been our time of reuniting with family, preparing to return and recovery. It has been awhile since we have posted and so we’d like to update you. This is a challenging, but good, season for us and for Missio Dei Costa Rica. Here’s a quick summary of what’s been going on in our lives and a glimpse at our next steps:
September 2011 – January 2012: both Les & I battled sickness, while still in school (although we both missed some classes), with several rounds of La Gripe (Flu), Bronchitis and (for Diana) asthma
October 2011: brought a time of grief, with a whirlwind trip back to the states; Les’ Mom passed away after losing a battle with her 4th type of Cancer. She is sorely missed by all of us.
November 2011: we finished up school, said difficult goodbyes to teachers, classmates going to missions around the world and said temporary farewells to our friends in Los Anonos, the mission there and other missionaries we now know who are also serving in Costa Rica
December 2011: a whirlwind month of family visits – here are the highlights:
- We finished our year of language school at Instituto de Lengua Espanola (which we cannot recommend highly enough!).
- We visited each of our children and their families starting on the west coast (our family is spread out all over these days).
- First we went to San Diego, CA to spend time with Jes & Ry – she will be deploying to the Persian Gulf shortly, as the Operations Officer of the USS Milius (DDG 69). Jon & Eri, who are now living in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area of TX joined us there and it was wonderful to see them and spend time together. We had an inspiring tour of Jes’ ship, seeing where she works and what she does. The CIC (this is the low light area where they fight the ship that you always see in movies) was rather impressive. Here’s some info for those who would like to learn more about this. And of course, Ry dutifully helped out my ailing laptop … as always.
- Next, we joined Chris & Kelly and 6 of our 9 grandchildren at Disney World in Orlando, FL, staying with Give Kids the World, where Make a Wish Foundation kids and others with life threatening/debilitating diseases can stay. It’s an incredible place, something like a life size Candy Land, and it’s completely run by about 1500 volunteers (what an awesome way to serve!). Our oldest grandchild, Michaela lives with a rare and difficult to treat form of Epilepsy, known as Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, or LGS. Her youngest sibling, Gabe was able to enjoy it as well. He too as a big health challenge. Her Make A Wish Foundation wish was to visit Disney World. It was also a huge blessing for the whole family, as Kelly has probably spent 4-5 months over the last year or so living at Ronald McDonald house next to Birmingham Children’s Hospital whenever Michaela has had to be admitted. We all had a wonderful time with the family and have special memories with each grandchild. Chris and I were the main Roller Coaster riders and even Les joined us some. What fun! (just too short) (I blame Kelly for getting SOAKONG wet in December LOL)
- Finally, we returned to NH and spent a special time the week before Christmas and Christmas day itself, with Olivia & Jason and 2 of our other grandchildren. They live near us in NH and we miss them all tremendously when we’re in Costa Rica.
- Lastly, we moved into a spare room at Arthur & Braunda’s house. They’ve generously opened their home to us as a place to live during this season, as we get ready to return to Costa Rica. They are dear friends, family to us, and Arthur is Manchester Vineyard’s pastor.
This next season is full of 2 very important things, which we would appreciate everyone praying for.
January 2012:
- Preparing materials to send out for support. Some of you have very generously supported us financially, even sacrificially during our year in school and we are so very grateful. We have also spent our limited retirement funds to do this. We are trusting that God will put us on the hearts of individuals and churches to support in prayer, in finances and in the sending of short-term mission teams. This is the only way we will be able to return to Costa Rica.
- Preparing for and undergoing surgery. January 18, Les is having surgery for Prostate Cancer. It is in early stages, but he is young with a family history chock-full of death by cancer. He is having the prostate removed by Robotic Laproscopic surgery.
- Sharing our story and more importantly the Mission God has called us to. Recovery from surgery will be followed by visiting churches to share our story and ask for support
All of these are part of God’s seasons for us. Throughout all of this, there is one thing that holds true. This is HIS season. Please watch and listen to the following video. It is such a good reminder to all of us, wherever and however we serve HIM, what life is all about.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuVSe1Cz4Es[/youtube]