Valentine Letter 2010

Refined-We feel like this has been our season of life-refinement. Like a silversmith refines silver through heat and pressure we also are refined spiritually through different stresses and trials. No this is not an attempt at making a joke about the hot and humid climate in Florida! Over this past year the Lord has called us out of comfort and led us on a journey of great refinement. We are thankful that the Lord has planned this time in our lives because in the process He has brought much dross to the surface to purify us in order to glorify Himself and make us more into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Even though we have been through many challenging circumstances since moving to Florida…like wondering how we were going to pay the bills at times…we have found great joy in celebrating the fact that the Lord has always provided for ALL our needs. We have never gone without the necessities and even some of our desires. Even in writing this letter, the Lord provided a way for Steve’s entire semester to be paid for in full! The Lord has completely amazed us at how good He is and how much He cares for us as His children.

Florida-we moved to Orlando, Florida in what we felt was obedience to our great God. Part of this pursuit was so that Steve could attend Reformed Theological Seminary. When we packed up our moving truck in Dallas on that hot 105 degree day in July, it didn’t seem so bad to arrive a few days later in the humid 95 degrees of Orlando! Jenny really enjoys the heat and is taking advantage of every day we live here in Florida, knowing that one day the Lord could lead us somewhere, and that somewhere could quite possibly be a cold climate!

I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6. We have been very thankful through the many transitions this past year to be able to rest in the promise that the great and wonderful God of creation is the same God who is working in our lives for His wonderful purposes. This truth has given us hope and confidence to move forward by the direction of Holy Spirit.

New jobs-After feeling like we had jumped out of a plane by quitting our jobs in Dallas and arriving in Florida with no prospects of jobs, we prayed that God would be our ever present provider and protector. Not only did we both get jobs very quickly in a “bad economy” but Jenny landed what she would have considered her dream job, helping to mobilize missionaries around the world with Converge Worldwide. Steve is currently working as a security guard for Wycliffe Bible Translators and enjoys a job with great flexibility while he attends school.

Excited- There is much to be excited about! Steven has finished his first semester of school and is well on his way to finishing in under 17 years! Steven has also recently been approached about a new job opportunity that would allow him to use his gifts and talents as well as the knowledge he is gaining at RTS. This opportunity would allow him to help train and care for missionaries. Jenny, being a closet cellist, has also started to share her musical gifts by participating on our church’s worship team. Who would have guessed electric guitar, electric bass and some slamming drums would blend so beautifully with a cello! And lastly, that which has brought us much excitement…

Due Date-we are expecting our first child and the due date is August 23! We are thrilled that the Lord has blessed us in this way and are excited to see what the Lord has in store for our lives in the months ahead as we prepare for our child’s arrival.