Unexpected, Unbelievable, Overwhelming Blessings!

Sometimes it seems that the faster I go, the behinder I get!! (Is “behinder” even a word?) Oh well, you get the idea! I’m behind in posting my weblog updates, answering email, thank you notes, and sleep! But, you know what, no matter how busy we get in the Lord’s work, God always makes it worth your while by throwing in unexpected, unbelievable, overwhelming blessings!

For a general summary of what has happened since my last post, we (Mike and I, and Kara) finally made it back to the States, Mike has had his cancer checkup, we had a quick visit with parents, found and packed our “cold weather” clothes, flew to Washington and had a “too short” visit with our son, his wife and three of our grandchildren, put together a new and updated video presentation, and we are now in Alaska visiting some of our supporting churches.

The general summary above is for those who want to know what is going on with us, but just want a “quick read” and really don’t want to have to sift through my “long winded ramblings”!

But, for those of you who like to “ramble” with me, here a few more details:

1. Kara loved the Honduran people (and they loved her!) and she is already saving money for a return trip. When she returns, she is hoping to stay with us a year! (WOO-HOO!)

She was a tremendous blessing to all of us!! You may read the testimony of her time there under the tab marked “Mission Internships”.

2. We praise the Lord that Mike got a “good” report on his prostate cancer. Scans showed that, of the two small tumors left, one showed no change, although the other was a bit smaller in size. BUT, even though very small, there was a new spot that showed up on the scan. He is to continue his current mode of treatment and return for another scan in a year.

~BRAYDEN~
GrandSON #3
GrandCHILD #7!

~MAKAYLA~
Brayden’s big sister
& Dakota’s little sister.

3. On our recent trip to Tacoma, Mike finally got to meet our newest grandson, Brayden. At five months old, he is really beginning to show his personality. He adores his big brother (who turned 10 yrs. old while we were there!) and sister ...and, the feeling is mutual.

~DAKOTA~
Our first and oldest grandSON
celebrated his 10th birthday while we were there.

We did get to spend a little “down time” with our son and daughter-in-law, but the fact that we had to have the new video ready in less than two weeks really hung like a heavy, black cloud over my head.

Before leaving Washington, Kara met with me at our son’s home to show me what she had figured out about the video program that I was going to use. (I had asked her to to really pray for me since I understood nothing about the program!)

4. I was able to get an updated video done and finished the day before we needed it. It’s a little longer than we really wanted (14 minutes) but, so far, everyone seems to be receiving it very well, THANK THE LORD!! If you would like to check it out, just click on the Ministry Video, close to the top of the page on the right.

5. We receive several calls a week from different ones in Honduras. The majority are from those heading up our ministry team there, calling to give Mike reports and updates on the works or ask questions and advice. We thank God for each one of those Godly young men and women (and teens!) who continue the work at home while we are here and for the good reports we are receiving! Occasionally, we also receive calls from some of our ladies or some of our teens and children, who just want to talk and tell us they miss us. They will NEVER know just how much we love and miss them!!

So far, our time in Alaska has been amazing! God has SO BLESSED! It has been so good to see the pastors and precious people that have been such dear friends and prayer warriors through the years, as well as the many new friends we have made. Some of our most faithful supporting churches are here in Alaska and we feel so very blessed to represent such wonderful servants of God in Honduras! It has been a thrill to show them what their prayers and mission dollars have enabled God to do on the mission field. There is no way we could do what we do without them!

This is the bear that I shot!(with a camera, that is!)

Alaska is such a vast and beautiful state and, as we travel from church to church, we have seen such unbelievably gorgeous scenery, as well as several glaciers and a myriad of wildlife, including sea otters, beluga whales, bald eagles and a bear! We are hoping the Lord allows us to see caribou and moose while we are here. That would just top things off and …OH, WOW! YOU’RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS!! I had to leave off typing to run upstairs to get my camera! I am working on this while sitting in the dining room at a friends home in Anchorage ...AND while writing about hoping to see caribou and moose, a moose just walked past the picture window! That is something that you don’t see everyday!!! That is, I guess, unless you live in Alaska! I’m glad that we have two more weeks here before heading back to the “lower 48”.

As you can see, God has been incredibly good to us in so many ways!! Now you see why I entitled this entry "Unexpected, Unbelievable, Overwhelming Blessings!”.

What else would YOU have called it?

Please, keep us in your prayers as we travel from church to church and report on the work in Honduras. Pray for our safety, but most of all, pray that God will use us to be a witness, testimony and blessing everywhere we go.

Also, please pray that there will be those that will love Him and trust Him enough to answer His call and give their lives to serve Him in whatever capacity He wants! It is only when we are willing to “pour out” our life for cause of Christ, that He can begin to "pour out” His unexpected, unbelievable, overwhelming blessings on our life!

May God bless each of you that are faithful prayer warriors and witnesses for the advancement of the cause of Christ!

Maranatha!

Debbie

Below Are More Photos Of Alaska