Let's catch up! Our last blog post had us headed to First
Baptist Church of Grove City, MN. Since then we have spoken at 3 more churches.
October 18th - Denver
Baptist Church (Iowa)
October 25th - New Journey Church (northern MN)
November 15th - Grace Baptist Church (Iowa)
While it was nice to have a two week break between churches,
it by no means meant less travel time. I (Holly) ended up driving to Missouri
by myself on October 31st with our 10 month old in tow. It was a pretty sudden
trip. I got a call at 9:30 that morning and by 11:15 I was packed and on the
road.
Here's a little of what that trip entailed:
- alternator died 2.5 hours from my parents' house
- a Good Samaritan made sure Ellery and I were taken care of
until my parents came to pick us up
- unexpected extra time with my parents
- visiting my best friend (Amy) from high school in ICU at a
hospital 1.5 hours away
- watching that friend's baby to give her mom a break from
taking care of the grandkids for two weeks straight
- visiting another friend (Merry) who had recently had a
baby
- visiting my other best friend (Sarah) and her mom (Mary)
who had just had a heart attack and bypass surgery
- spending more time with my best friend (Amy) from high
school once she was released to go home
- my dad was able to fix the car
Fast forward to Sunday, November 15th. While driving home
from Iowa having just spoken at a church, my best friend (Sarah) called with
news that her mom (Mary) had passed away. We got what rest we could that night,
spent Monday unpacking and repacking, and were on the road back to Missouri on
Tuesday morning (Dan with us this time).
The memorial service was Thursday night and one thing that
kept being highlighted was God's goodness. God orchestrated so many events that
allowed for some really special times with Mary these last three weeks of her
life. My friend had just gotten engaged while her mom was in the hospital and
the time spent taking care of her mom allowed her fiancé to spend almost every day
getting to know his future mother-in-law much better. Mary got to spend time
with another of her daughters, a daughter-in-law, and her best friend while she
was in the hospital. She got to see Ellery and enjoy her antics. People from
the church showed love by bringing meals, praying, and more. During this time,
my other best friend (Amy) was back in the hospital and out again.
God is good to us. Honestly, Dan and I have struggled with
how long support-raising seems to be taking and being content with God's timing
and plan for us. This past month has shown us once again that His ways are
higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. His
goodness shines through all He allows in our lives. If we had already left for
the Philippines, we would never have gotten this time with our friends and
family while so much is going on in their lives. We wouldn't be here next month
to see my best friend get married. We get to enjoy some holidays with family
before we are separated for years at a time. We've had opportunities to bless
others. We are spurred on to redeem the time we have been given here.
This weekend we are on the road again to speak at First
Baptist Church in Muscatine, Iowa. Then we'll come back to Missouri to spend
Thanksgiving with family. Our next blog post will be more of a picture update
of the last few months.
Please pray with us in these things:
- that we would be faithful to redeem the time given to us
and use it for His glory
- wisdom in upcoming decisions regarding different trips we
need to make
- energy to keep up with our 'mover and shaker' of a
daughter and that we would continue to look to the Lord in regards to
everything involved in raising her
- our marriage; we desire to keep learning and growing
together
- God's continued provision to increase our level of support
and more people standing with us in prayer
- comfort for Sarah while she grieves her mom and continued
healing for Amy
