“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
When we are grateful to God for everything, then we are in God’s will. It’s really quite simple. We just need to take God at His Word. 🙂
We have so many things to be thankful for. I started a post thanking everyone that we need to thank for helping us in our “going,” but it quickly was becoming way too long, so I thought I’d break it down a bit into several posts. The reality is that missionaries who are going out on faith, based on the support of others, need so much more than just money and prayer.
This first post is about a group of friends (and brothers and sisters in Jesus) who made up our Sunday School class over the course of seven years at UBC in Fayetteville, Arkansas (from 1997-2004). Carrie Husong wanted to bring that class back together for a reunion and a sending party for our family before we left for England. So, she arranged everything. She made invitations, pulled together the menu, planned the party to be at our home in Arkansas, ordered a birthday cake for me (my birthday was March 18th), and arranged a money “flag” for us, as you will see in the pictures below.
Our time with the class, both during those seven years and at this party, was incredible. They have blessed us in every way: prayerfully, with encouragement, with friendship, and financially. We miss them all immensely but know that their hearts are with us in prayer. Please enjoy the photos below. Not everyone was able to attend, but it is amazing to see all the children because when we started back in 1997 most of the adults you will see were newlyweds or not even a part of the class yet because they hadn’t even gotten married!
Seated in the picture from left to right are Rob Husong, Carrie Husong, Brook Brewer and Thomas Brewer. Standing behind the couch from left to right regardless of row are Liberty (our poodle), Tara Riley, Bryan Riley, Mark Cloud, Reba Cloud, Adam Crites, Sara Crites, Forrest Cassell, Susan Cassell, Robby Bader (holding the Hog flag), Katie Bader, Michelle McCollum, Kevin McCollum, Stacey Canady and Michael Canady. Mike and Charla Roberts were also present but had already left before picture taking.
I also had to include this last photo for the class, which is a picture of the flag they gave us to take wherever we go. It is hanging proudly in the only place we could find in our room at the King’s Lodge to hang it. I’m sure we are the only missionaries at the King’s Lodge with a Razorback on our wall. 🙂 Go Hogs Go! Keep winning Coach Van Horn! And may our new basketball coaches for the men, Dana Altman, and women, Tom Collen, take our teams to new heights!
