Time flies

Time has a way of dragging and flying; this is one of those flying times!

As I look at our calendar this week we have plans for every day and evening. We have been meeting with friends, saying good byes, of course packing. We spent the weekend at Church where we were prayed for and had a table set up to talk with people about what we are doing.

We have had some amazing moments and memories. The generosity and kindness of people has been overwhelming. God has truly showered us with love and blessings through all of you! As we finish up our last few days at our jobs, packing and saying some emotional good byes, we really appreciate your prayers and support. God continues to provide us partners in this journey, serving side by side with us, but we are praying for more.

Thank you does not seem like enough to be said for how grateful we are.

Please continue to pray for:

 ~ Finishing up preparing our house to move
 ~ Roberts travel to Globe this Sunday to work on our house and for his stamina and energy during this time
 ~ Some emotional good byes for all of us with family and friends
 ~ for an extremely hectic and busy first month for us in Arizona

Liz

It's time to GO!

Next Friday the 12th of October is my last day at Knott Avenue Christian Church.
Liz, Shelby (our youngest) and I will be moving to Globe Arizona to work with 3:18 Ministries. We are starting a new season in our lives, ministering to the Apache people.
This got me to thinking about the last 14 years at Knott Ave.
I was setting up the Fellowship Hall for "Young @ Heart", our seniors ministry, when the World Trade centers came down on September, 11 2001.
I remember the weeks when Alan was on vacation and I worked almost 21 straight days, no fun there I can tell you.
I can remember the first week I started working as Mike's assistant. During our Community Assistance, I sat and spoke with a woman who needed a place to stay. She and her infant daughter were going to be on the street. I thought, how can I not help her? When I asked, I was told that we didn't have any money or way to help her. I had to tell her that we couldn't help. But all I heard running around my head was, "You have to sleep in the bushes tonight." I know that isn't what I told her or what I was saying, but that's what I heard in my head. Crying, I told Mike I can't do this. He said next time I wouldn't have to talk to any women with small children. The next week Mike wasn't there so I had to sit and talk to everyone. You guessed it I had to tell another woman we couldn't help her. When we were done talking and I told her how sorry I was she was reassuring me that things would be OK.
I have a ton of stories from the last 14 years and I think they could fill a book. So I want to leave you with one more story. A story that will always make me smile.
I met a man named David "Cowboy" Hervert way back in 2000. He was homeless and living behind a dumpster. As the years went by Mike was able to baptise him. Then he started to get sick. We didn't know what was wrong. A homeless man with no insurance has little chance of getting better. Plus he was pretty stubborn and didn't "need" any ones help. As you can see by the picture to the right he ended up losing both of his legs. And in 2009 he passed away.
You may be saying how on earth does that make you smile? Well...
Liz and I went to the convalescent home he was in right after the third of multiple amputations. Actually I think this picture is from that time. His right leg was cut off above the knee and his left was cut off below the knee. The doctors told him if they couldn't get the infection under control that he would have to amputate more. Dave said, "I hope they cut off the left one up higher, 'Cause this looks stupid!" Right then he lifted his body up with his arms and started to wiggle his legs. Liz, Cowboy and I laughed. That's why I smile.
So on Monday October 22 Liz, Shelby and I will drive a moving truck to Globe, Arizona.
We will have a bunch of new stories to tell.
I hope you will join us on this journey. You are all welcome.
In Him,
Robert

2 weeks!!

2 weeks to go! We will be loading up a truck and heading for AZ 10/22. We can hardly believe it is finally here!

House rental agreement signed - check
26 foot moving truck rented - check
Packed boxes all over the house - check
Empty boxes all over the house - check, check                       

Still to do:
Garage sale Oct 13th
Last days of work
pack like mad people
say good bye to family and friends...

Come by and see us this Saturday and Sunday @ Knott Ave Christian Church.  We will be at all 4 services (Saturday @ 5pm, Sunday @ 8:30, 10, 11:30am). We will be under the pepper tree after each service, we would love to see you!

Here we go!

I was looking over a saved post I was planning on publishing, but much has changed even since I wrote that a few days ago...

Our kids found a place to move they can afford!! They are so excited to take this next step in their lives, as we are excited for them. Our son, daughter in law and daughter will move out October 1.

That gives us a few weeks to finish our packing for our move Oct 22-23. Yes, we found a house as well! It is the one we all liked (though we have never personally seen the inside of it). Those of you who know me know this is very difficult for me.  It was a bit more than we wanted to pay, so we asked if we could do the painting and cleaning if they would drop the rent...they agreed. So we will have to paint, scrub bathrooms, kitchen, clean carpets, put up fencing for our dogs...but we have a house!

This was always the last piece of this huge puzzle in my head. Everything falls into place in perfect timing, God is so good.

The verse I continue clinging to: Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Join us in thanking Him for His provision and perfect timing; for His leading and His grace. We are overwhelmed and joyful and scared; however He leads, we will go.

Liz

Update on our trip

We had a full schedule the 3 days we were in Arizona.  We attended a Community Health Evangelism training class for 2 days set up by a local church with a couple of other organizations working with Native Americans. It was very informative and overwhelming at the same time. The ideas and programs shared were in the hopes of bringing change to the reservations. It was so good for our team to be together and be able to debrief and share our ideas and thoughts on it. We cant wait for the time we are there regularly for times as these, sharing, praying, laughing...etc.
Please pray for us as we process and pray and debrief more on moving forward with God's plan for our ministry.
We did make some new contacts, including a group from the White Mountain Apace and Navajo reservations. They talked to Robert about coming and doing magic for an event they have at the end of October.
While we attempted to find rentals to look at while we were there, we were told that when rentals are available, they go very fast. We did speak with several agents and people who took our number to call when something comes up. We looked at one house that was in our friends neighborhood but wasn't quite right for us.
We were able to drive by and peek in windows of a couple of other places, one we really liked from the outside.  It was large enough to have ministry teams in for meals, which is important in our search. The house was not available yet (the agent had not even seen it yet) so we are hoping to get some pictures soon.  It is on the top end of our budget however, so we are a bit hesitant. Still, we are packing and positive. We know this is where God wants us so He will provide the right place at the right time.

We walked around downtown Globe a bit and stopped by our favorite store in town, Pickle Barrel Trading Post. We always go by when we are in town and talk with the people there, who now recognize us :). (Thanks Darin)

Thank you for your prayers!
Liz