Prayer Request...

Travel is stressful, and as we remembered our trips to Spain the Jet lag is hard to overcome.  Yet, we did not realize how hard it would be with kids.  Our girls handled the flight well, and they have had moments of fun, but we always used to see Spiritual attack in our marriage as we spent time in Spain, and our daughter Lily needs your prayers.  She has a hard time processing her emotions in general, but in the past 12 hours it has reached a "fever pitch."  Please pray for God's "peace that surpasses understanding," for Lily.  Then for Mia and I would you please pray for wisdom in how to speak and parent.  Thank you very much.  We love all of you!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's hard to believe we are leaving TODAY!  Our flight leaves at 4:40pm...and there have already been so many answers to prayer!  We found out we can each take two checked bags for free (I was packing with the mentality we'd each get one), AND we get to move right into our apartments when we get there (we were told we couldn't move in until Jan 2nd)!  It is really starting to sink in that we are leaving...and it's been hard to say goodbye.  Yesterday I mentioned to Lily how we are leaving "tomorrow" for South Africa and she cried.  We are going to the unknown for her (and all of us), and that is a little scary.  But God is with us and so are your prayers.  Thank you!  It is so comforting to know our friends and family are praying!  I wanted to give you our schedule for the next few days.  We'll post again as soon as we have internet access.
December 28th at 4:40pm~Fly from Denver to Frankfurt
December 29th~ Arrive in Frankfurt, check in to hotel and sleep/recover
December 30th~Go into Frankfurt and experience Germany, board the plane to South Africa at 1pm MST.
December 31st~ Arrive in Cape Town around 7am MST. 

Please pray that all of our luggage arrives on time and with all it's contents.  Pray also for us to depend on and react out of the power of the Holy Spirit in this time of stress and lack of sleep. :)

We're so thankful for you and will miss you!  Blessings to you in 2012!  Here we go!

The 14 Days til Cape Town

Here we are on the day of our support deadline...and God has provided our FULL support!  We are overwhelmed...I don't even know what to say.  Thank you, Lord!  And thank YOU!  Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and generous and sacrificial giving!  We are so humbled, grateful, overwhelmed and excited!!!   Praise God!

14 Days til Cape Town...and we haven't started packing.  But we have a plan!:) Here's the rundown of our upcoming couple of weeks...
This weekend we'll celebrate Christmas with my family in Goodland. Then we'll pack our suitcases and apartment, move in with Christian's parents in Greeley, celebrate Christian's birthday (the 22nd :)) celebrate Christmas with Christian's family in Greeley and Scottsbluff, NE, make any last minute preparations and say our farewells, and then board the plane (with as many snacks and forms of entertainment we can carry) on December 28th.   We'll be off on our Amazing Race Adventure!  We have a 10 hour flight to Frankfurt, where we'll cart all of our luggage and crash in a hotel for a day and a half.  The night of the 30th we'll fly to Johannesburg (14 hour flight), and then finally catch the last leg of our flight to our home town for the 2012...Cape Town, arriving just in time for the New Year!   We will move into our new apartment on January 2nd.  And then we'll breathe!:)

Please pray...

• That we will be wise and discerning as we pack our bags...that we will bring what we will need and want, and trust we can live without the rest!  We each get one checked bag and one carry on.  How is that going to work you might ask?  I'm wondering the same...but know it will (or we may have to break down and pay to bring more bags).  Pray for a "less is more" mentality!
• For our teammate, Lauren.  She is still in need of 15% of her support in order to come.  Pray for the Lord's complete provision by January!
• For rest and quality time with family and friends before we go. 
• For SMOOTH travel and for the fruit of the Holy Spirit (peace, patience, joy, self control, etc) in the midst of stress and lack of sleep.
• For Lily and Anya as they transition to so many new things.  That they will experience the Lord in a very real and personal way when they are sad and missing "home". 

Thank you, Friend!  We feel so blessed and "sent" by you .  Praise God with us for His provision!  He is so GOOD!