Steve and Jenny Valentine

All along this journey of raising support, we have thought a lot about leaving. Leaving our family. Leaving our friends. Leaving our church. Leaving where we have called home for the past (almost) 6 years. Just leaving. It’s hard to even begin to imagine what life will be like without all of the above. In all of this time processing our own thoughts and feelings, a mix of sadness, excitement and sorrow; I am very aware of those we leave behind. I can’t articulate what “they” (those who stay here while we leave) are thinking and feeling because, well, I am not them. But what I do know, is for those who stay, they deal with a sense of loss, sadness, excitement and sorrow as well. In their own way. Different than how we feel it, but none the less, they feel it. As we have talked about this, we want to be sensitive to those around us that are walking alongside us, helping us move toward Poland, a move that will take us far away from them. We want to stay connected....

Welcome to the chaos of our life in transition! As I sit in a quiet small apartment right now, a few things are going through my mind: 1. I'm thankful for a "permanent" place to stay after a few long months of travel with three small children. Lord Willing, the next move we make will be to Poland! 2. When am I going to finish unpacking all the mess? I mean, you saw the picture above right?! (Sigh) 3. Thank you Lord for a few quiet moments while children nap! 4. A song. None But Jesus to be more specific. If you're not familiar with this song, here are the lyrics (really, I recommend that you Google it and listen): In the quiet, in the stillness I know that you are God In the secret of your presence I know there I am restored When you call I won't refuse Each new day, again I'll choose There is no one else for me None but Jesus Crucified to set me free Now I live to bring Him praise In the chaos, in confusion I know you're sovereign...

“We’re going on a bear hunt.  We’re going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day. We’re not scared!”   As Isaac and I sat on the couch together chanting these words from one of his favorite books, I was struck with a great truth that was found in this classic children’s story. As the story goes the family encounters obstacle after obstacle on their bear hunting journey. Each time they come to a new obstacle they chant: “we can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. We’ve got to go through it!”   As we read these words together Isaac likes to scream the last line and point forward with his hand as though he were the captain of a ship. Every time he does I pray that God will make this the disposition of his heart. As we journey in this life of faith that he would with bold confidence set his face toward the trials ahead and be willing to go through them. That as he grows as a man that he would lead his future family in this way, trusting that as...

Who ever said “stop and take time to smell the roses” has never been shoved in a minivan with almost all their belongings, 3 small children and told to drive over 1,500 miles through 16 different states in an effort to raise financial support for the ministry you feel called to do. Who even cares about stinkin “roses” when you have 400 miles left in your drive but cannot manage to be on the road for more than 30 minutes before someone has to use the bathroom yet again? This has been my heart condition of late. A heart that is more concerned with arriving at our final destination than the journey we are on. But what if the saying was “ stop and take time to become more like Jesus ” or even “ stop and take time to deeply treasure Jesu s”. Oh how this changes the long days in the car on this sanctification journey called a family road trip. Lord forgive me when I have been more concerned with “getting there” then who we are when we arrive. -Steve More  about our move to...

Where is my house? Where is my room? Why are we visiting so many people? What do you think it's like in Florida without us? I miss my friends. These are just a few of the questions and comments we have heard from the littlest Valentines this week. It seems that for some reason, this week they have become so much more aware of the many changes that have been taking place in our lives. All of the above questions and comments, make me tear up and force me to press into the One who can help guide me in beginning to answer them. We knew beginning this journey would not be "easy" and most definitely would not be "normal" (whatever normal is!). We knew that being a Missionary Kid (MK) would involve much transition and change. What I did not expect, was just how much my own heart would ache to have to not only walk through my own emotions in all this but to help my children navigate their emotions in this as well. This is hard. But we consider it a much greate...

We are on the road traveling. We signed paperwork yesterday to sell our home. Today, after Karis got out of school and Steve off work, we left Orlando and began what we plan to be a two month long trip.  The purpose of this trip: meet with potential financial and prayer partners that will enable us to serve as missionaries in Poland and visit with family and friends all along the way.  As Steve drops down hours (and pay) at work, we have a goal to reach 50 percent of our monthly financial budget by the end of October.  We hope to be departing to Poland in July of 2015.  Day one: we arrived at our first place of rest (Pensacola, FL) in just under 9 hours...pretty good with three littles to tend to along the way. Overall, it was a good travel day, despite three major rain storms! We thank the Lord for safe travels and for many who are praying for our family during this trip. Now...to get two of the sleeping children into the hotel for a good nights rest...

This was a video put together by our church, Celebration Community Church, and that was shown last week in the service. We are thankful for a sending church that is so supportive as we continue on the journey to Poland.  Check out this video... https://vimeo.com/105152986   For more, check it out here: http://www.convergeworldwide.org/give/188087