Arrived in Idaho!

Heather and I are at the hotel in Idaho after a long day of travel.  We begin the evaluation process with Mission Aviation Fellowship tomorrow morning!  Today we left Kansas City around nine AM, our plane stopped in Denver, we changed planes in Salt Lake City, then arrived in Boise, ID around 1:30.  A really nice couple that works for MAF picked us up from the airport and had us over for lunch/dinner.   They let us take a nap at their place too (all three of us!) It was very refreshing.

Here's a few pictures.  Last night we had a get together at Ellen and Dave's.  We had lots of family members stop by.  We had a lot of fun when Elise's little cousin Jacoby came over and they were playing on the floor.  Jacoby was putting on a clinic for Elise of how to crawl.  She was watching in amazement!

Well I guess those pictures are later.  But here's Elise trying out her haloween outfit.  (not her costume, we're savin' that one for the big day!)

Elise had a pretty cool hairdo this day

Elise hangin' out with Grandpa Mark.

A group of us at the get together last night

Zack, Amanda and Jacoby

Jacoby leavine Elise in the dust!  He is a little trooper!  Crawling all over the kitchen.

Jacoby tries to give Elise a few pointers on how to do that crawling thing and Elise says "yeah, um, I already know that thanks for the advice though."

And then as soon as he turns around she tries what he told her to do.

A random Elise giggling picture.

Here's something random.  Heather was feeding Elise peaches, and I started singing the peaches song to Elise.  Do you know what song I am talking about?  The song about peaches fron several years ago by the band called the "presidents."  Well the computer was sitting right there and you can listen to any song on i tunes for 30 seconds for free, so we brought it up and played it, and Elise's face lit up and she started bobbing her head to the tune.  We grabbed the camera, which only had enough memory left for six seconds.  Her excitement went down (like usual) when she saw the camera because she focuses in on it.  So here's what we got.

Encouragement--MAF Bound

Today I found special encouragement in Psalm 19, and I will put it below to share.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language 

where their voice is not heard

Their voice goes out into al the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, 

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens 

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

the statutes of the LORD are trustworthy

making the wise simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the LORD are sure

and altogether righteous

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins:

may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19, NIV translation

Many times I wish my memory was so much better.  I read a passage like Psalm 19 and my heart fully agrees with it, and I would just love to memorize it and reflect on it.  But I am so limited!  But I am glad to reflect on it this morning.  I wholeheartedly agree that the words that come from God's mouth give me life and happiness.  And I am a person in desperate need of his words.  Heather and I are flying out to Idaho day after tomorrow to take an evaluation to serve with Mission Aviation Fellowship.  Sometimes I wonder why God would want a person like me to be a missionary.  Someone who so often neglects His words and stumbles down the same sinful paths that he always has.  I am comforted by the last words written by Jim Elliot in his journal published by his wife after his death.  He said he was "throwing himself hourly upon God's for his mercy" wondering why God would use someone as wicked as himself to do His work.  Within a week after that Jim was killed by the tribe that he and his friends were trying to bring the news of Jesus to.  Reading and learning about Jim I know that few people were as passionate or as disciplined in living for the Lord as he was.  And yet he reveals his utterly sinful self. I suppose that none of us are worthy to serve God.  But I am nourished, comforted, directed, and sustained by God's words, and they work powerfully in my life.  They bring me a harvest of peace and joy that can't be faked or made up.

Movin' On

Well it's been a long tiring but good weekend, and now we are no longer Michigan residents. Ellen and Dave came and helped us move our stuff to Missouri. We're living with Ellen and Dave (Heather's mom and step-dad) for now during this phase of our trek to the mission field. This will be "home base" for us as we prepare to serve with Mission Aviation Fellowship. One week from today we get on a plane to go to Boise, Idaho to the MAF headquarters. We are going to spend two weeks there for an evaluation. They are going to evaluate my flying and maintenance skills for two weeks and get to know us as people to see if serving with MAF is a good fit for us. If that goes well, then in January we go back to begin our time as official staff members. After that time, we will begin several months of preparations to go overseas. Those preparations will involve mainly seeking a team of financial and prayer supporters, and going to various specialized training sessions in Boise. Well every blog entry needs to have some pictures right? So let me go dredge some up.

Oh, Here's one that's an instant classic.  My twin sister Kelly dressed up her daughter little Isla in her haloween costume and dressed up her little boston terriers in theirs too.  I almost doubled over in laughter when I saw this, it's too funny!  I got permission from here to put it on here:

Now tell me that's not the cutest little ghost you've ever seen!

Here's Elise chewing on her little rubber toothbrush.

Brushing her teeth is part of her little nightly routine (even though she barely has any).  The bristles are just made out of rubber, and we have a little song we sing to her that goes with it.  She seems to love this time.  Her little face lights up when we bring her into the bathroom and she knows its time.  Lately she really really wants to do the brushing herself.  First it's mommys turn (and sometimes she throws a little fit and turns her head away because she wants to do it herself).  When it's finally her turn, her little face lights up, and she usually turns the toothbrush right around and starts chewing on the handle.

Here's Elise with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Ellen

Some funny clouds on the drive back (only a pilot would notice that kind of thing)


Those last few pictures looked cooler in real life and the pictures left something to be desired.

Pumpkin Patch....Goodbye Rooster!

We took "our little pumpkin" to a pumpkin patch last weekend! Elise seemed more interested in the pumpkins than I imagined she would be.



Today we are saying goodbye to the "rooster."


A very sad day indeed. I know it seems silly to be attached to an inanimate object, but the Rooster and I have been many places together. I learned to drive in the rooste back in 1995. I've driven around the country in him. I've delivered many a pizza in him. And that 40 miles per gallon sure was nice during the height of the gas crisis last year. Another great thing is the rooste has never broken down. I remember when a friend and I got ready to take a road trip around the country about 100,000 miles ago in the rooster, we brought money for airfare home because we thought there was a very good chance the car would not make it home. I should never have doubted him! The rooster is still going strong and showing no signs of slowing down! The rooster will spend his golden years with a self-proclaimed "festiva afficionado" who will use him to deliver newspapers. A perfect retirement for the rooster!