"When it rains, it pours.."

Hello friends!

I know not everyone is on Facebook that get's my newsletter updates, so I wanted to send out a quick note here. 

We are still on our way to Deaf Missions in Iowa.. However, it's been a doozy of a trip so far. I could give you the play-by-play, but suffice it to say that "if it's not been one thing, it's been another".. We started off the trip with a corroded spark-plug (yes, I know, HOW does THAT happen??) and since then we've been side-lined in Salt Lake City for the past 3 days with our car in the shop having the driveshaft rebuilt because it was "all sorts of messed up" to quote the mechanic. We are currently waiting for another part to come in that is only obtained from a dealer. The repair shop, knowing that we were on a cross-country trip, ordered it to be shipped overnight, however it didn't come today, and they aren't sure where it is. :(

I could go on, but I'll stop here with the lists of trials to say there have been some blessings along the way, namely that we are stuck in SLC at a friends house, and did not break down on the side of the road in a random town causing us to pay for a hotel room nightly. Sometimes I just find myself laughing at all the things that have happened, and a verse from the old newsboys song comes to mind:

Mom & Dad,

I'm fine. How are you? I have joined a
Small circus (that much is true). I'm a
Little malnourished, but try to relax.
Could you find a better photo for the milk
Carton backs?
Send money.

Not exactly the same circumstances, but feels that crazy at times.. I'll send another update when (if? ;) haha) we finally do make it to our destination, but for now, prayers for patience for us, and Jaelyn as she is becoming road weary, and for wisdom as we continue on this trip are appreciated.

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

"Are we there yet?"

Hello friends!

So in an Abram-esque "go to the land that I will show you" way, what we thought was our final destination (California) has now become just a layover on our newest adventure. Through a series of God-ordained events, we are not settling down here, but instead will begin the second leg of our journey next week in order to make our way to Iowa at the beginning of August. Azael has been offered a job with Deaf Missions working on the ASLV (American Sign Language Version) translation of the Bible, and will begin attending their Training Center as well. This will not impact my job within Cru, but it does change some of our thoughts and strategies about how things will play out this coming semester. I'll update on those as we figure them out. ;)

This was not something we foresaw when we moved out here to California late-June, and really, I don't think our seemingly stutter-step was a move in the wrong direction. God has blessed our time with Azael's family, allowed Jaelyn to get to know her set of West-Coast Aunts and Uncles and given us some time to dream about and make an action plan for the trajectory of our family. While it will not end up being a "cost-effective move" on our part to come all the way west to Cali only to go back north to Iowa, it has been a worth-while trip in terms of personal investment. We trust that God has gotten us this far, and He will continue to provide as we "step out knowing He won't let us sink".

As we continue on this journey, there are a few unknowns - mostly related to adjusting to another new place and finding a mid-wife for our baby. We are 18 weeks along, and I'm feeling some "time-crunch" on getting settled and ready for baby Bu #2.. Prayers for timely answers about home-birth in Iowa and our transition there are appreciated. 

Thanks so much for your support - prayerfully and monetarily - during this time. We are ever grateful to your investment in our lives and appreciate your continued willingness to walk this journey with us :)

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

at Capacity..

Hey friends!

It's been a while since I've been able to sit down and catch up. Our Adonai has been teaching me about "capacity" and what "AT capacity" means/feels like. 

For those of you that don't know I'm a little over 3 months pregnant with our second child. We are also in the middle of a cross-country move to L.A. so my husband can start graduate school in the fall. Packing up a house to ship all your belongs cross country a month before you actually move because you are going over seas then living with your parents for 3 weeks before you actually load up the car and head out is not for the faint of heart. ;) Finding out the reason for your exhaustion during said packing is not only the work load, but also the fact that you are now growing a tiny human, helps explain the reason, but doesn't necessarily help you feel better or be able to find the energy to finish everything you had planned in the last month before you move.. SO.. Capacity.. I found it.. met it.. exceeded it - and not in a good way. :(

I wish I had an assistant as there is still work within Cru and for this summer that needs to be done, but I'm still just a one-man-show when it comes to my position. I'd love to be able to "hire people" under me, but it doesn't seem to be in the plans of the "higher ups" for right now. I'm trying filter what needs immediate attention and what can be added to the laundry list of things that need to be done within the realm of my job description. I WILL give an update to my Central Asia trip, and explain how the move to Cali will impact my work at some point in the near future, though I can't promise when. Thanks for bearing with me!

We know the phrase "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few".. I'm feeling the weight of that truth in this season. I appreciate your prayers as I try to find the balance in work and family during this transition.

Lastly, as always, fundraising is a part of my job that -unfortunately- seems to never be "at capacity"! My budget is ever increasing as projects and conferences get added, but my funds are not. I still have the matching blessing associated with my account, so if you give to the ASL interpreting fund, every dollar you give gets doubled! 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

It's a bird, it's a plane.. It's Super Terp!

Through planes, trains and automobiles the interpreter team trickled in over the last few days. There was some concern when two of our interns on the team missed their flight and came in the next day, but all is well now. 

Please take some time this week to see what the students at Big Break are learning through the Morning Sessions and Evening Sessions. These sessions are live streamed at 10am and 7pm EST, but are also archived on the same page, and viewable whenever you are able to watch them.
We pray that it blesses you!
Soli Deo Gloria
:D

[what]S'up, Wednesday?

[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give updates about how day to day life is going as I work recruiting Deaf students to be involved with CRU, ASL Interpreters to meet the subsequent communication needs incurred, and prayer partners/a financial support base to join me on the journey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of my schedule, and an update on my financial situation.. :)
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Happenings: 
(Personal) When you are in the middle of a trying situation it's weird how time seems to stand still, and yet drain down the hourglass at the same time. Over a month ago now I typed "I'll try to follow up with any concluding information we receive next week, but for now it's just a waiting game.." in regard to my mother-in-law's disappearance. Here are the links to my subsequent facebook posts if you missed them (January 13th, January 15th, January 18th and February 13th).
This weekend we are headed back to California to be with Azael's family for a Celebration of Life event. Her body has not yet been found, but the family feels this is the next right step. If you think of us over the weekend, prayers for closure and to be able to walk alongside family members well during this time of grief are appreciated. 
(Ministry) Radiate was a land mark event for us as they Live Streamed the interpreter for the first time at a Cru event AND archived them!! Next on the agenda is getting them to caption the promo's and funny video's but it's a HUGE step in the right direction! :)
Now we are gearing up for Big Break - so far 4 Deaf students/Staff are committed to going. I'm in the the process of getting the interpreting team together and planning for the week long conference at the end of March.

Schedule:
*I'll be going to Big Break in Florida March 20th-26th. 
* I'll be doing some recruiting/fund raising trips in April - my current plans are to visit St. Louis, Northern Indiana and RIT.
*Exciting things are in the works for an overseas trip! This will be another FIRST in the Cru world for Deaf individuals. I can't say much now, but as soon as we nail down the details I'll share about the plans we are making - SO EXCITING!! :)

Finances: As always, your monetary investment allowing us to bring access to the gospel to Deaf college students is invaluable. I am continually asking Abba to bring more laborers to the Harvest - which includes those of you who give so generously to allow us to go and do the physical labor part. A new year means a new schedule of events and a new budget to fulfill. Please feel free to forward this email or simply click on this link and send the web page on to friends and family that you think would be interested in partnering with us as we reach one of the largest unreached people groups in America!

We appreciate your prayers regarding Azael's mom.
I remain grateful for your choice to steward your resources well! 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

[what]S'up, Wednesday?

[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give updates about how day to day life is going as I work recruiting Deaf students to be involved with CRU, ASL Interpreters to meet the subsequent communication needs incurred, and prayer partners/a financial support base to join me on the journey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of my schedule, and an update on my financial situation.. :)
          ******************************************************************

Happenings: I'm afraid this message will be overshadowed by the personal crisis that my family is walking through right now. We arrived home from Honduras Thursday night to the news that Azael's mom was missing. I have not had time to collect my thoughts past the recent facebook status posts of this last week. If you are not on FB, I've included the links for Friday January 8th, Saturday the 9th, Sunday the 10th, Monday the 11th, and Tuesday January 12th. I'll try to follow up with any concluding information we receive next week, but for now it's just a waiting game. 

Schedule:
*Radiate was a success! 6 Interpreters, 3 Deaf individuals. If you missed the sessions and are curious about the conference, visit this link, and then click the "watch live" videos to find the archives.
* Big Break will be in Florida again, during spring break in March. More information to come, but I am starting to plan for the terp team now! :)

Finances: Thank you to all who gave generously at the end of the year. Your gifts were doubled and the total amount brought in was $5,466.14!! So very thankful for your monetary investment into allowing us to bring access to the gospel to Deaf college students. 

We appreciate your prayers regarding Azael's mom, and are grateful for your choice to steward your resources well! 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

*Special MONDAY Edition* of [what]S'up, Wednesday?

[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give updates about how day to day life is going as I work recruiting Deaf students to be involved with CRU, ASL Interpreters to meet the subsequent communication needs incurred, and prayer partners/a financial support base to join me on the journey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of my schedule, and an update on my financial situation.. :)
          ******************************************************************

Happenings: The RADIATE conference starts TODAY!! The staff are there, the chairs are set, the rooms are being cleaned and the students (and some interpreters) are coming by plane, train, cars and superman ;).. Click the link, and look for the black box that says [WATCH LIVE] to see the interpreters/hear the speakers for the main sessions at 9AM and 7PM Eastern today (12/28) through Thursday (12/31).  

Schedule:
*I am still in Honduras (until January), thus life for me has been a little discombomulated as of late with spotty Wi-Fi.. Hence "What'Sup Wednesday" on Monday! But life keeps going -for you all too, I'm sure- so I hope you had a time of rest and wonderment with your family and friends during this Christmas season. Our celebration consisted of a piñata, fireworks and waaaaay too many corn tortilla's! 

Finances: The interpreter account is needing to finish the year well. The RADIATE conference has no budget to cover the interpreting needs, so the money raised now will be used for the 8 interpreters expenses. The Matching Grant expires December 31st. I would be ever grateful for your monetary investment into allowing us to bring access to the gospel to Deaf college students. 

If you are preparing to give an "end of the year" gift this year, please consider donating to the interpreting fund so that we can continue to provide these services to the Deaf community. Remember your monetary gift will be DOUBLED :) You can give online by clicking HERE. 
If you have already given, thank you so much! Please consider forwarding this information to a friend you think would be interested in the cause.

Thanks for stewarding your resources well! 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D