24/7 Orlando

Nick's been super busy all week praying, worshiping, helping out at the week-long prayer meeting here in Orlando. Several ministries and churches in the area got together and planned this week of prayer for the city. They've laid down their business-as-usual and come together day and night, pressing in, believing for God to truly take this city as His own. They're also praying for the United States as well as the nations. Special prayers were spoken over Japan. There are songs being sung and words declared through Jesus Christ RIGHT NOW!

This morning, Nick was there from 6am until 1pm. We had a great family lunch and then he had to take a nap. A NAP? Yes.
He's at the night-watch. He went back at 11 this evening and he'll be there till around 7 or 8 in the morning. I've asked him to bring donuts home for the kids. ;)

Then, we're all going in as a family - that's right ALL 9 of us! - from 6pm to midnight. We're bringing blankets for the little ones to crash. I'm so excited that we are able to do this together. Hopefully, I'll have some fun flip-video footage to share!

Missing Dad...

Well, Nick had to fly to Nebraska on Tuesday to be with family following the sudden death of his stepsister, Janice. We have been praying, not only for his safety, but that he would be a blessing to his family during this difficult time and be a minister of the gospel while he's there. It's been a long week, but God has kept us safe and mostly happy. I think the grace has lifted. Good thing he's coming home tomorrow.
The volume level has risen steadily throughout the week and today Sabina was really acting like a pill at church. "I don't wanna be at OHOP! I don't wanna be at OHOP..."  "Well, where do you want to go?"  "At church." "Sweetie, OHOP is church." Then, she had a meltdown as we left. Proceeded by the adventure her 4-yr-old brother Luca decided to try in her room (shared with her sisters) of opening the window and attempting to climb out onto the roof over the garage WITH his little sister. Then, no one wanted to go to sleep tonight.
I think we're at the end of our "no daddy" rope. We miss you, Nick! Fly home on wings of angels!!!
(Y'all pray too, bring him home quickly and safely, Lord!)

Our House - Long Overdue Video!

Here's the long-awaited 3rd video of work on our house and moving in. We were so grateful for the help we had but truly believe that God was training us up through this process. A lot of things that we thought were lined up fell through, but we had many Christians volunteer their time, skills, and sweat for us as well. Plus, Nick learned that he CAN work with power tools and install a wood-laminate floor! We have learned and lived with a lot over the past few months and have so much left to do! Sabina's 3rd birthday was on moving day, so we shared (store bought!) cupcakes on the porch and got her a special balloon. I have to give a shout-out to the Dykraff family who generously donated carpeting for our bedrooms, as well as Dr. Bob Richardson and family who donated toward the (big project!) flooring. In addition, I have to give a big virtual hug to Rebecca Johnson who brought her homeschooling family over to paint primer- you are an inspiration! I'm just sorry Nick didn't get that on video. We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and prayers.

Securing the Doors to life...

Another hard day of work at the new house! I got up early this morning and began to work on getting more primer up on the walls before rushing over to OHOP for our children's set. I was extremely blessed to have Keith and Leonarda help paint the primer upstairs. Both of them worked so hard in getting almost all of the upstairs finished! We got a LOT accomplished today, but this process is so slow it FEELS like we didn't get a lot done.
I find myself occasionally missing family, but today was a little harder than most. It's not just a matter of having people to help out, but having people who share in your joy. And, know how to comfort you in your disappointments even when you're trying hard not to show it. But when you don't have family close by, it's all the more impacting to know that you have good friends. This evening my friends Matt and Carlos took out the entire front door frame. After lots of drilling, sawing, and other brilliant stuff, we now have a secure front door! (We also have a refrigerator!) YAY!
As I watched my 2 good friends fixing the door, I couldn't help but think of the significance of how our relationships are often doorways to life. The friendships we choose can lead us down amazing paths that we might never know if we didn't take the time to care for them.

The Before Video...

This summer after being blessed with our van, the Lord really put upon our hearts to begin praying for a house. We knew it would take a creative move of God, and so, here it is! I'll share more of the story over the next several days, but on September 18th a construction company will be donating time, money and labor towards the renovation of our new home. We still are raising money to help out in the project but what we really need are as many able bodies who can come out and help.
We're extremely excited about all that's happening, but what's even more important is that this house represents so much more than just a blessing for our family. It's a prophetic picture of what God does in each of our lives and how when a community of believers come together in faith and cooperation through prayer, we can transform lives and neighborhoods.



 

Here is a little before video...enjoy!
- 2 Corinthians 5:7

A Journey of Faith...

As a family of 9 who live as full-time intercessory missionaries we knew it would take an extreme move of God for us to ever be able to own our own home, especially in this current market! However as Christians we don't have to be partakers in the World's Economy but we can stand on the promises of the Kingdom of God! This summer the Lord increased our faith as we listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit and trusted God in providing for us a 12 passenger van.
As with ANYTHING in life it required us to  
A. Give faithfully and sow (we did this by giving our 7 pass. minivan away)
B. Seek the Lord in fervent Prayer Intercession (we prayed about the van every day, several times a day - Mark 11:24-25)  
C. Work diligently toward our goal. (we called several churches, organizations, hotels, spoke to everyone we knew, went to dealership and van rental companies)
D. Trust in our Family of Christ (we had so many people laboring in prayer with us, looking for us, inquiring on our behalf. Do NOT forsake the fellowship of the brethren!)
E. Believe we had already received it (we were stuck in the midwest and delayed in getting airline tickets until about the last possible moment because we KNEW God had our van for us to drive back.)  
F. Give Him all the Glory! (Since driving our van back to Florida we have heard several testimonies of other families who were encouraged by our story of Faith and were able to hang on trusting in Jesus Christ until breakthrough came.

NOW.. the Journey Continues! Beginning tomorrow we will be sharing our next phase of this Journey of Faith as we share with you how the Lord is opening a door for us to own our first home. As with anything in life it won't be easy and requires all of the above steps in order for it to work out ... but isn't that what it's all about? The Journey of Faith.