God at work!!!

To all of you! My Family and friends, my fellow laborers in Christ!

Don't you ever stand in wonder at what God chooses to do in, through, around or to you? It says in Proverbs 16 "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." We want to commit everything we have to the Lord because we know He knows what's best. Often we have a hard time letting go, because in the back of our mind we have a hard time letting go of our controls. Since my first mission trip in 2005 I have been getting this nagging tugging at my heart, asking me to go somewhere and do something all for the cause of Christ. To what extent, I could not have told you. Neither can I tell you right now. But what I do know is my Lord is setting me up for something I can't even imagine.

As I have been in the process of preparing to go to Peru, God has been on me about where my heart truly stood before Him. Am I Truthfully seeking His guidance, Diligently waiting on His timing and Willingly ready to give my all for Him? In early November I had many questions for my savior and it finally came down to this verse further along in that same chapter. "A man's heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps." I knew God wanted me in Peru. And I knew He wanted me to give my all! So why wasn't He getting me out there as soon as "I" had expected or hoped? He likes to take us in steps I guess... First He had to test my heart! It's amazing how God always answers a question with a question. The one God had for me was simple yet HUGE! And I couldn't answer lightly! He wanted to know my true devotion and I needed to answer Him plainly and with everything I had. There are no "halvseys" with God. Either you're in or you're not. I have been telling God this for years, but He finally "called my bluff" if you could say that. He wanted to know of me if I would be willing to leave EVERYTHING I ever knew, had or even desired. This is a HUGE question to ask of someone! And it is no easier for me than for any of you. I value my family and friends with a passion. The connections and love I have with you all is tremendous. And I wouldn't trade a single moment for anything else in this world. However God Himself asked me if I was more devoted to Him or to myself, family and friends. What should my answer be? Not only that, but to top it off, I had to give up my deepest desires as well? That's alot to ask of a simple man. But when it truly came down to it, I know and understand that this physical world has nothing for me in eternity. Yet my everlasting God has everything to offer me in this life AND for eternity. I'm sorry guys... Hate to break it to you, but I had to choose my God over everything and everyone else. But this also meant that (at the time) I was to give my desire to ever marry as well. (That was the cherry on top) Boy did my life look destined for singleness, full of bachelor food and that type of living. Yet to my surprise, I was cool with it! I really had no remorse for my decision. I could hardly wait to see what this crazy God of mine would do next. I mean... I'm all His now!

But wait... There's more! Are you tired of reading yet? You know how I used the verse, "A man's heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps." earlier? Well let's keep going! 

So, I'm now thinking... "I'm released from anything that would tie me down or keep me from giving everything I have to my God. Let's get rolling God!" Well, He started things rolling alright! But once again, not where I would have naturally thought! I believe He just wanted me to be sure that no longer would anything take His place as first in my heart or hold anything too tightly that He couldn't use it to it's fullest potential. Once that was officially cleared up, He directed my steps and heart once again. This time towards a beautiful woman named Baily. For a little bit I was confused, thinking, "Um, God, I thought we were done with that! You and I both know I don't "need" this in order to live for you." But His plans are not my plans, His thoughts not our thoughts. I've observed her since 2006, known her since 2008, never really thinking too much about it. Just thinking to myself, "She seems like a great gal! Any guy would be lucky to have her as a wife." But never putting myself in those shoes. Honestly, that hadn't really crossed my mind. Yet I could tell she had a heart that desired a true relationship with the God of the universe and to be an example of a real disciple of His. Boy was I oblivious to God setting us up. Last summer I had the privilege of serving along side her at a summer bible camp for a whole week, spending most of our waking hours side by side because we were team captains together. To cut a long story short, we are now engaged to be married this coming fall. I am a gratefully dumbfounded man! The biggest desire of mine in my whole life was to have a companion by my side, whom I could partner with to serve God in an amazing capacity. I hadn't thought about this much, but Psalm 37:4 really jumped out when this all went down... "Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Wow, I am blessed!!!

Now you ask... "What about Peru? What's gonna happen with that? I've sent money in for you to go. I've prayed for you and all. Is it all for nothing now?" Here's my answer to that!

Peru is still happening! There's just an added body in the mix. Once Baily and I are married, we still believe that God is directing our steps there. Kids Alive International's policy is however, that you be married for at least 9 months before putting you out on the field. So, this means we have at least another 9 months after we are married to be with you. We still are looking to raise our funding for the trip even now. Baily is going through the application process, and as things continue to progress, we will do our best to keep you up to date. As for all of your majorly generous gifts... They are still being held in my "Bank" through Kid's Alive. It has not gone to waste, nor to another program or missionary. Everything you have contributed towards this trip will still be there as Baily and I move forward together! And once we are on the field, that is what we will be living on!

Thank you all for your very generous prayers and support. God still keeps pulling out new surprises. And I can hardly wait to see what He has in store for us! Thank you for being our partners as we seek to continue to Declare who God is.