On the most thankful day of the year i am reflecting, as most people are, on the many things I have to be thankful for. Besides the obvious health, job, home, family and friends, there is something that I am eternally grateful for. I know my Savior. My Creator. My God. This being, the Great I AM, I know Him. Tonight rather than be filled with thanks I am struck by a grief that I do not treat Him like the King He is. I choose when I will talk to, and spend time with Him. What amazing closeness am I missing out on because I am not available? In my thankfulness I am committing myself to be open, humbled and just ready for a deeper relationship with the God who created, loved and saved me.

This is part of the "cast" of 13 Very Cool Stories. A fourteen week Wednesday night class Rob and I lead. We averaged about 16-23 kids a week. Tonight's cold dreary weather kept most of them away from the party. It was none the less a great night. The best part? We created this chart remembering mostly from just our own memory all 13 stories. Even though it has at times been loud wild and totally out of control they managed to store up some biblical truths in their own way. This got me thinking. I have been asked, even pressured lately why go to Belgium? You are needed here. Tonight it came to me. Working in pre-k environment is an amazing way to influence a child's early start to learning. Their love for knowledge is a life long building block. Lifelong. But I want to do something that affects eternity. Jesus is the only thing that will change a person's destiny, forever. And the only way I can accomplish that it to do exactly what God leads me to do. For our family He has lead us to Brussels. So we will forge on, answering the daily question of "When are you leaving?" with a smile and a "God's leading the way, He knows the date". And that is the truth. He knows the date and He's leading the way. I can rest in the assurance that He will finish the work He has begun.

This is Katie. She is my friend, my co-worker and truly one of my greatest encouragers. You know that friend that can just see you need a hug, a silly word, a cry. Yep that's Katie. She has taught me a lot about giving generously of yourself to make other peoples lives a little nicer. She has been a great friend to me. She will be a hard person to say goodbye to when the time for the BIG move comes. But I will take a little of Katie with me. The spirit of kindness, putting others first and giving of myself without expecting something in return. What a great thing to carry with me as we head to a place with not a lot of Jesus. He indeed showed us how to give without expecting in return, to love when not being loved back. I do love the example of giving our all for a God who gave His all for us.

Thank you God for Katie, for the example she has been to me.

Thank you Katie for being you, you are the very image of God!

Remembering Steve Jobs

There is no doubt that Steve Jobs changed the world. The many technological things that were birthed out of his creative mind are astounding. ASTOUNDING! I can't help but be very sad today when I think about his death. Steve was a Buddhist.

There is also no doubt that I do not have the technological mind of a genius. I will probably never create anything that will later be used by millions of people around the world. I do however have the best news ever. I can and will share this news with anyone who will ask and listen. What's the news? Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on a cross (for mine and your sins) and rose again. With belief in Him, I AND you can live forever with God. WOW!

So I am making it my goal to make this known. I don't care if I am remembered for the things I have created but I want to be remembered in eternity for the people I brought the good news to. Now that is a legacy!

A Big Week

Rob is now in Brussels. He will be there for six days. In that time he will have two interviews, almost a dozen meetings and countless moments to be open to God's leading. We are praying, seeking and generally relying on God to do the big things only He can. I am so proud of the man my husband is becoming. For the leader he is to our family.

Saying "yes" to this calling was probably the only easy thing. The everyday details of fundraising, purging stuff, moving and living a busy life while also trying to serve a deserving God has been draining. At times it has taken it's toll. But this week is special. I know God is orchestrating something beautifully complicated and yet simple. Only in His divine wisdom does this plan come together. Please join us this week in praying that His will would be clear and that we would be brave to stay on mission.

We are encouraged by the things God has already done and are waiting on Him to do another big thing. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13 That is my prayer for Rob this week that he would be strong and purposeful in the tasks that God sets before him. Thank you for your prayers. We appreciate you!

Cynthi (Bear)

Sending Church Round Table

What an amazing thing to see pastors, mission pastors and church leaders come together to discuss sending people out from their churches. There were many states and denominations represented. There was a lot of earnest discussion between leaders seeking God's direction and encouraging each other with stories of successes and short comings. What an inspiring thing to see leaders come together and be humble and honest with each other. As a part of a team preparing to be sent it was beyond encouraging to be a "fly on the wall". As we served drinks, cleaned away trash and mingled, it was clear that everyone there was part of a bigger plan. A God sized plan for the vision of a Church body, one with many parts, that was together seeking His direction. I am blown away. I am beyond excited to see what will come of this meeting. I am sure that the Kingdom will feel the affects. I am grateful to the UpStream Collective for their fostering an environment of learning and encouragement. I am eternally grateful for a home church, a Sending Church, that is led by a pastor who believes that missions isn't just a part of our church, it is in fact part of the DNA of our church.

Are you sent? Or are you sending? If you aren't either I would encourage you to find your place, your role in this life. After all it's our purpose to bring glory to God. What better way than to lead people to know and worship Him!

For his Glory,

Cynthi

The Little BIG Move

l

There's a reason it's called downsizing. We went from a 65 inch tv to a 27 inch one. A king size bed to a full. Yes it's crazy, yes it goes against the "American Dream". But as it turns out, selling out for God has been well worth any sacrifice we thought we were getting into.

The beautiful pool that we had all to ourselves but had to clean, to the beautiful pool we get to share with neighbors and don't have to clean.

Every sacrifice is met with a bigger and better blessing. They just don't come in monetary and "stuff" form. They come in relationships, freedom from all the possessions we worked for before and a lot less time spent cleaning. That might be my favorite part!

We are blessed, this calling has truly freed us from the rat race we were running. You might recognize it, working to buy things, to work more to buy things. Ultimately it is a game that never ends and no one wins. Now instead of working to buy the next big thing we are working towards something.

Please trust me when I say we are not better than anyone else. We still make mistakes, act selfishly and basically blow it. But the difference is now we repent, we seek God to be our strength to help us do better. We are making ourselves available to be used for His will and not our own. So thank you for your prayers and support. Keep them coming. We need them as we prepare for the BIG move to come!