I was into photography for awhile. Still enjoy it, but not a lot of time for it in this season. The more I studied and learned about the art of photography (and photo editing) the more I understood and could grasp an understanding of light and how to work with it. Now, I'm no expert, for sure, but the world of photography is not so much a mystery to me any more.
I tend to be a person who likes to conquer things. I like to have a challenge in front of me, research it, figure it out and move on. There are a lot of things in life we can do this with.
However, God isn't one of them. I'm grateful for that! I've been doing some pretty intense studying that God is using to help me really solidfiy my grounding in Him. I have this burning feeling that I just need to know God more. The interesting thing about knowing God more though is that the more you know, the bigger God seems and the more you realize there is to know about Him. What else in this world is there that the more we know the more we actually don't? Crazy. No wonder people think we're weird! ;-)
We're told by those who "know" that we can expect to only have about a quarter of the space our home currently has here once we move to Japan. That's about 700 sq. feet. Wow. And it will cost much more! Our goal over the next few months is to downsize A LOT! The neat thing is our kids are getting involved. Both the older two have attacked their rooms with their own bulldozers and they are making really good progress on unloading. They are giving a lot away. Our oldest is looking for things to sell so he can save money for a new laptop. We're trying to slowly get portable. Now, don't ask about the younger two... after a good effort Rylan has pooped out, Bryson never got his bulldozer started so the "Mommy-dozer" will be heading in this week to start shoveling out!
God amazed us this week by providing yet another family willing to support us financially... and we're still not even ready for that! Greg ran into a dear young woman who grew up in our church and has since moved away and gotten married. He spoke to her of our plans and right away she gave him her contact information and told him she and her husband would like to support us. Crazy! Our God is more than amazing!
I found this interesting quote to give you some brain food.... it's from AW Tozer... one of my new favorite teachers (well, new for me... he's not new... he died in '63!)
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."
Chew on that one awhile... I am!
Prayer Request: This isn't actually for us, but for our friends who are currently missionaries in Japan. Praise that God has given them the start of a vision for a new ministry for them. They have been looking for direction for some time, waiting patiently for God's leading. Also, they need at least 30-35% more in monthly support (or one time gifts) to continue ministering in Japan. Please join me in prayer that God, who provides for all of our needs would raise up faithful people to support their mission to the Japanese people. Pray for an outpouring of generosity from people they don't even know. That those who know them would see God's glorious provision through the way He provides for His people.
We are looking to God to let us know when is the best time for us to visit Japan. We are thinking this could happen within the next year, but we're not clear as to when. Please pray for clear direction in this matter! There are some things going on in Japan in Nov. that we think would make it a great time to go, but we haven't received a confirmation on that yet.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3
