Do you ever have one of those times where you wake up for no apparent reason and your brain will just not shut off? Good morning to all those early birds out there. Here I am...wide awake and feeling so blessed...and I would love to share with you. First of all, to those of you who came to say good-bye and eat some cake last night, a huge thank-you! How good it was to get in all those hugs and smiles...and tears. For those of you who we didn't get to spend much time with (I can't believe how fast an hour and a half goes) from the bottom of our hearts, we love you and pray that God continues to work in and through each of us in the next year as only He can. Thanks for your friendship and support. We are blessed by you...thanks! Our prayer time last night was nothing short of amazing. To be surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ, lifting it all up before God, laying it all out before Him...aloud and silently...it is something that will carry me through many a lonely night in Guatemala. Thanks to the literally hundreds of folks who lift us up weekly if not more often. God is using you in amazing ways and we have been blessed. Lastly to my family...I have the most wonderful husband in the world...as many of you know... and I am so blessed to spend this next year serving God in new ways in a new place with the one God gave me to have and to hold till death do us part. I love you Aaron and can't wait to begin our adventure next week. Caden, thanks for loving your momma so much and for shining Jesus' light to me in so many ways. I look forward to watching you grow in so many ways in the next year. My Maya Joy, you are such a blessing. I pray that God continues to use you to minister to so many around you with your giving spirit. Jesus loves you too. Lillers, Your smile and your kisses are priceless to me. I can't wait for the adventures we have together in our new home this coming year. I'm praying for you too. To my parents...Mom & Dad, what can I say. You gave me life and shared Jesus with me, what more could a girl ask for. Thanks for your prayers and endless support. We love you and hope to share what you've given us wherever God leads. To Aaron's folks...who each in their own way are amazing people who have not only given me my husband...and for that alone I can't thank you enough...but you have challenged me in my faith and helped me to grow more than you'll ever know. Thank you for that gift. Dad & Elizabeth, thanks for your support and for sharing second chances with us. We love you. Mom, what a blessing to have you here this weekend. Thanks for driving the many miles to share in our prayer time and visit. You are an incredible person. Know you are loved. And we will pray as you each begin new adventures in different places that God will supply all your needs and fill you with His Spirit to shine for Him. Bryan & Ang & Lauren, thanks for your smiles and for your e-mails and constant encouragement in this whole process. You are a such a blessing and know we are praying for you. Little Bro, what can I say...I will miss you dearly...and not just because my computer actually works when you are around...but you have placed my mind at ease so many times about what is to come in the next year, answering all questions I have, sharing contacts, websites, and your experience so freely. I can't wait to see you in September and love you limitlessly (should be a word if it isn't). Thank you and God bless as He continues to use you in such big (and little) ways wherever in the world you are. I love you! And lastly the Pates...here come the tears again. Steve, thank you for loving my sister more than life...for being a passionate God seeker and liver (not the organ, but the action) of life. Take care of my sistor' and may God bless you as you pursue Him where he leads. T-man & Ayla, A-me-me loves you very much and will get as many kisses and hugs in as I can in the next few days. I love watching you grow and pray that you have a great time growing up at camp under God's watchful care. How blessed you are, little ones. Know your cousies are praying for you and Uncle Aaron and I as well. And Mendy...my little Sistor' & my best friend. I will miss you soo much. You have changed my life in more ways than you will ever know and have helped to make me a better person all along the way. From the letters you left me on my pillow when you were little, to the Bible study/exercise club you had in 4th grade (thanks to your friends too...you know who you are) that challenged your 7th grade sister to look at her seeking God efforts, to living the camp ministry that God has placed in your heart and being an example of a God seeker, to always laying it out there when worshiping God and leading us to do the same, to introducing us to a little book that changed our lives (Reader FYI: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey), to taking care of & loving my little ones so much, to sharing your heart and listening to mine...I can't thank God enough for the blessing you are to me. So when you are in Washington and wherever God leads us in this world...I am your biggest fan and can't wait to see what God's going to do through you & your family as you pursue Him with all that you are.
Well I think that is it for now. Thanks for your prayers, your encouragement, & support. May this day God has given us be lived to its fullest. At His feet, Amy
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11 comments:
Beautiful.
now you're making me tear up, too! you guys really do have a great family.
oh my goodness, i had forgotten about the exercise club -- that was awesome! :)
We'll keep praying for you guys and we'll be anxious to hear all that God is doing as you bring Him glory by being obedient.
Ps. 29:11 The Lord gives strength to his people. The Lord blesses his people with peace.
Steve, Jan & Ryan
Amy,
Please know that you guys will continue to be in our prayers many times this week as you prepare to leave, and then while you are traveling. We will also be praying for you in the year to come. Thanks so much for the updates that you guys do to keep us informed!! I won't eat any Doritoes this year, without offering up a prayer for you!! :)
Love and prayers,
Stacy
Klanderman's - Pate's - VandenBosch's
You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you leave today on this awesome journey and tomorrow as you fly out in separate directions. God is good and will use each of you in His way and time. We pray for your safety and the vision of new doors opened to you.
(Sorry we missed the farewell, but we had family commitments. You were still in our hearts and prayers. It probably just saved some more wet eyes anyway! :) We are so glad for you and this new experience.)
Caden, Maya & Lilly, be strong and adventurous. God will be with you every step of the way.
Blessing to all,
Eldon & Roxanne
What a wonderful post Amy. I can't wait to hear all about your time there. You all will be missed and thank goodness for computers so we can all keep in touch with you and the Pate's as you travel onward.
Oh Klanderman's! It was great to run into you at the gas station this morning! I hope you have a nice restful night (the last one in the U.S. for a short year). Don't forget, as you pass along your prayer requests...pass along some care package needs too! I sense Doritoes might be on there?? I'd send some mexican dip for Aaron but I don't think it'd hold!
Praying for a great day together for you and your family tonight at the hotel and a smooth flight to Guatemala for you and Washington for Mendy, the kids and Grandma.
Lisa and family
What a awasome, Perfect family you have!
Love ya
Allison
Pates, VandenBoschs, Klandermans,
Been sending up popcorn prayers all day long and will continue to keep you all in our prayers. Enjoy your time together in the hotel tonight and make some wonderful memories.
Know that God has wonderful plans for each one of you through all of this!
We love you all, and may you all have safe journeys this week.
Caden and Maya, let me know all about your school and your teachers and friends! You both make friends so quickly and you'll have such an adventure. Lily, you help your mommy and have lots of fun making buddies in your neighborhood!
Aaron, let me know how it is to teach over there! Amy, have a great time using your leadership gifts to help the young people.
Bob-praying for your back, and your heart for your children. You're a wonderful example of a Godly father. Shirley--no words can even express how much you are an inspiration to any mom, to bring up such wonderful children and then send them all out all over the world with such grace. Your faith is amazing!
Steve and Chad, you better have the whole place set up wonderfully, when your family arrives:) We love ya anyway even if you're eating and setting up computers and drum sets instead!
Mendy--you're an awesome example of a follower of God. He calls, you go. God bless little Thatcher and Ayla as they grow, under your loving motherly hand.
Praying for all of you. Can't wait to hear all about the adventures!
Myrna and Cliff
Pates, VandenBoschs, Klandermans,
Been sending up popcorn prayers all day long and will continue to keep you all in our prayers. Enjoy your time together in the hotel tonight and make some wonderful memories.
Know that God has wonderful plans for each one of you through all of this!
We love you all, and may you all have safe journeys this week.
Caden and Maya, let me know all about your school and your teachers and friends! You both make friends so quickly and you'll have such an adventure. Lily, you help your mommy and have lots of fun making buddies in your neighborhood!
Aaron, let me know how it is to teach over there! Amy, have a great time using your leadership gifts to help the young people.
Bob-praying for your back, and your heart for your children. You're a wonderful example of a Godly father. Shirley--no words can even express how much you are an inspiration to any mom, to bring up such wonderful children and then send them all out all over the world with such grace. Your faith is amazing!
Steve and Chad, you better have the whole place set up wonderfully, when your family arrives:) We love ya anyway even if you're eating and setting up computers and drum sets instead!
Mendy--you're an awesome example of a follower of God. He calls, you go. God bless little Thatcher and Ayla as they grow, under your loving motherly hand.
Praying for all of you. Can't wait to hear all about the adventures!
Myrna and Cliff
Great! it was already way too long, and then I accidentally got it twice! Take one out if you can Amy. Duh.
ok, i'm crying... :) wow....
Ang told me you guys were going, but i didn't realize it was that time already :)
glad to have found your blog - i'll be praying tonight (this morning :)) for you all ... what an inspiration you are :) wendy
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