Unexpected Blessings- World Missions Seminar

What an awesome couple of weeks! Our family just spent two weeks with the World Missions Seminar with Lynn and Brenda Raburn at Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock. I will get back to you on our experience, but I wanted to first pay homage to an unexpected blessing we received.

Ben and I were able to attend the second week of this conference last year. However, since our children had already missed a bunch of school for our trip to Kenya, we could not bring them along. We weren't sure what our kids would experience at the seminar. We knew childcare was provided, but I really just thought they would keep an eye on the kids so we could focus and learn. I packed up some homeschool lessons for each of them, said a prayer that they wouldn't get too bored, and hoped for the best...

Oh man! My kids experienced an amazing two weeks like they have never experienced before. I knew the World Missions Seminar put out outstanding quality for us missionary adults, but I had no idea what lengths they would go to for our kids as well!

Meet Holly Hartung. She gave up an opportunity to help serve in Africa so she could be here to serve our missionary kids! God created her with the love, energy, creativity and ability to discipline that was needed to care for our kids. I could not get over all they did each day!!! I'm pretty sure they went and did everything that was on my go-do list for while we are in Arkansas! Here are some of the highlights......

The Old Mill

North Little Rock Fire Department

Painting

The Trolley

We don't have pictures, but they also went to The Maritime Museum (submarine), The Big Dam Bridge, The Witt Stephens Nature Center, The Discovery Museum, went bowling, and visited Heifer International!!! They were also suppose to climb Pinnacle Mountain but the weather wouldn't cooperate. On top of ALL of this, they played games, put on skits, did multiple crafts and completed school work!!!! I am not sure how it all was accomplished, but it made for some memories that will last a lifetime!

Another unexpected blessing that resulted from these weeks, is the friendships my kids made. It was priceless for them to be around peers. Not just kids their own ages (which was very much needed), but kids who understand them. Kids who are going through the same transitions and exceptional childhoods. It did my mama heart good to see our children flourishing in this way.

Unfortunately, with this fun and excitement comes another transition...our children must separate once more...their new friends go back to other states and they are left with each other once again. We look forward to all gathering back together in October for our next Missionary Training Ministry Retreat, but October is a long time away to a child. Please say some prayers for their lonely hearts. Pray that God will bring some other local friends to them, and give us opportunities to cross paths with our new ones. I know this is all part of "The Cost", and part of the preparation for the field, but it doesn't make it easy. We thank God for all of His provision. We are particularly thankful for His servants: Lynn, Brenda and Holly for helping us so tremendously as we follow His Will.

Cared and Beloved, Anne

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." -James 1:17a

Please Pray With Us

Hello everyone! So sorry we have been silent for so long. It is amazing how time just flits by without you even blinking!!! We wanted to briefly check in with you all to ask for some specific prayers. We are so excited to be attending the World Missions Seminar starting tomorrow and going through Aprill 22. We were able to attend the second week last year and absolutely loved it! This year we are blessed enough to be able to attend both weeks! We are so excited!

God has been moving greatly in our lives. He has been opening doors, forging new relationships and giving confirmation which has been certainly welcomed! We just know that He will have so much to say to us through the course of this training. Please be praying for us that we will hear clearly what He is saying, and will respond accordingly. Please pray for all of the speakers and especially Lynn and Brenda Raburn that put so much time, energy and love into this seminar. Please pray for me as my growing belly makes sitting more challenging and the long days (while very fulfilling) will be tiring. Please pray for our children that they will thoroughly enjoy these weeks with other missionary kids and hopefully make new friendships.

I hope that if any of you are nearby, you will come join us for some of the sessions. The information that is given is so beneficial not only to missionaries, but to pastors and church members alike. There is no better gift to a missionary than a church that truly understands the missionary's needs. You will find us at Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock. Sessions are Tuesday-Thursday of this week from 8:30-4, and Friday from 8:30-12. Next week we will be there Monday-Thursday 8:30-4 and Friday 8:30-12. We are so excited to see what God has in store!!!!

In case you don't see us on a regular basis or don't follow us on Facebook, we are now almost  29 weeks into our pregnancy! Our little girl is a kicking machine and growing rapidly! We go for another ultrasound on the 25th so they can check some of her anatomy that wasn't clear in the last ultrasound, so say some prayers that all is well. Oak Grove MBC gave us a wonderful shower, so we have lots of cute little outfits and diapers just waiting for her! 

I am sure you will hear from us soon about what God is revealing, so be sure to check back or follow our blog by email (sign up on the right side of this page), so that you don't miss out on any updates! Thank you so much!

Anticipating, Anne