Elijah

There is a little boy in my classroom named Elijah. Some of you may have heard me talk about him before. He is such a special kid, 4 years old. He doesn't know who his dad is and for a long time now I've just been praying for him that he would know God as his Father. Well at some point we talked about who God is and how he made us and has a special plan for him, and ever since then he has been asking every question under the sun about God and stuff to do with God. Once he told me he thought Doc from the movie Cars was God.

Last Friday his mom told me that he's been asking lots of questions about God lately and asked me if we talk about that at the daycare center. I just told her that I have talked to him and other kids talk about it and he asks a lot of questions about God. He's so curious about this stuff and I've had some really cool opportunities to talk to him about things. I really want to bring him to children's church because I know he would soak it all in. He's got a big part of my heart. Today he just about crushed me. I was talking about my schedule this summer and how I'll be gone for some weddings and he had overheard me saying this so he says "Ms. Hannah, I don't like you going away. I want you to stay here." Yea he's going to be a hard one to leave.

Idol Gives Back

We've been watching American Idol some this year and as most of you know this week was the big Idol gives back. I'm just very moved by what they're doing and with as big of a show that it is they are actually wanting to give something back. I've never heard of a show doing that. I just believe that this should be exactly what the church should be doing. At some point in the show Ellen said it only takes 30 dollars to provide so many shots for kids to help against malaria. I can't remember exactly what example she was using at that time, just remember, but I felt convicted and so we joined the idol gives back and donated 30 dollars. Then I was on the verge of tears through the rest of the show because this need of our world has really struck a huge cord in our hearts. I would encourage all of you to find a way to participate. We can really do so much and each of us has a responsibility.

Idol gives back

We've been watching American Idol some this year and as most of you know this week was the big Idol gives back. I'm just very moved by what they're doing and with as big of a show that it is they are actually wanting to give something back. I've never heard of a show doing that. I just believe that this should be exactly what the church should be doing. At some point in the show Ellen said it only takes 30 dollars to provide so many shots for kids to help against malaria. I can't remember exactly what example she was using at that time, just remember, but I felt convicted and so we joined the idol gives back and donated 30 dollars. Then I was on the verge of tears through the rest of the show because this need of our world has really struck a huge cord in our hearts. I would encourage all of you to find a way to participate. We can really do so much and each of us has a responsibility.

Childlike Faith

You learn to listen to those who have gone before you. You try to the best of your ability to do what "seems" simple to do... and when God does what he intended to do, it's awesome! I heard this saying, "what God orders, he pays for." Isn't that awesome!!!

Hannah said in an earlier post that the church we spoke as was small... we knew that going into it, but we just felt that we had to go into that service the same way we would go into a service that had a few thousand in it.

Well, today we had a check in the mail from the church. Before that letter was even open Hannah and I were more than thankful for the opportunity we had, and we knew that God was going to take care of us in this whole journey. That checked from 23 people turned out to be $1,468.

In that moment, you just want to sit back and just be in awe of God's goodness. So good!

and for some.

spring fever

The weather here has been awesome!! Yesterday it got over 80 degrees. It's my favorite time of year. I love watching everything begin to bloom. When I was running this morning I could see all the buds coming on the trees and bushes. It's so exciting seeing everything come back to life. The kids at the center love it too because we're outside almost all day. Nolan even got sunburnt on Saturday. Can't wait for summer now!

churches.

Nolan and I spoke at our first church this last Sunday. I have to say I was very nervous before, but while I was speaking and Nolan was speaking I know God was really the one speaking. It was the church Nolan's grandparents went to while they were up here, so they already felt like they had a connection to us. It's a really small church, but I have no doubt that there was great purpose in us speaking there. It was also great to have some practice in sharing our vision and backing it up in scripture. All in all it was a win win.

Our next step is speaking at my parents church in Eau Claire Wisconsin this weekend. We will be apart of a missions event, so we won't be the only missionaries there, but we have an opportunity to share from the main stage and that's exciting! We're so encouraged by the response we've seen from you all and the doors that have been opened.

Spring Sunset

MCE Promotional Video

Coming up in May, Michael McNamee, the missionary we are working directly with in Europe will be given the opportunity to speak to a few hundred missionaries at a banquet. He asked if we could create a simple little video sharing what's been going on inside of Europe and where we are heading. I just finished the video this morning and I thought I would put it up here to share as well.

Missionary Update: <b>32%</b>

Well once a month we receive a statement updating our status as Missionaries. Hannah and I for the past few days have been constantly checking our email to see when we would receive "the email"... Well this afternoon we did! BUT.... we had no clue how to read it ;) After some time we were able to reach the offices to try to figure out if someone could explain how to read the statement.

So what did we find out??? Actually not too much. We found out that a new system was being implemented so our statement wasn't even totally complete. We were given a few numbers and so with what we have we have updated our MA page.

Our biggest need will continue to be monthly support. Please continue to pray for us as we have two churches to speak at so far this month. We really need your support not only financially but support through prayer! Keep checking the site for more information and please leave comments for us. We love to hear from you!

April Showers bring...

Snow and cold???

Last week was so nice in Europe. Spring was in the air. When we left MI there was also a feel spring. When we flew back home we were told how amazing the week prior was... but that night there were clouds rolling in... those clouds not only brought some rain but it has left this morning with this outside my front door:



And not only that my Cleveland Indians had their home opener yesterday only to have the game cancelled after a few innings. I could never image playing baseball in that type of weather. Rain, Pure Heat... sure... but almost white out snow trying to hit a white ball??? No thanks! Watch out for those Indians this year... we could be cheering for them in October this year!!!



One other little treat... there is different types of Candy in Europe. This one I met a few years ago and when we were back last week I had to buy it for a friend. They also have the not for boys bar as well... I think my cat is interested ;)

Eulogia

Ephesians 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

The word blessed in this verse comes from the original greek word Eulogia, which means, to praise, celebrate with praises; to invoke blessings; to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers; to ask God's blessing on a thing; pray God to bless it to one's use; pronounce a consecratory blessing on; of God; to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on; favoured of God, blessed.

God has used His powerful mouth to call us by name and speak blessing over us. His speaking is action, for God's speech is energy released. I got this all from a study I did this morning and it's really moved me because Nolan and I have found these words to be true on a very consistant basis these days. He has spoken a word of blessing on our fund raising that is being put into action. Just recently a man from around this area just happened to be down in Florida and looked up Nolan's grandpa because he knew he had connections to this area. Grandpa was talking about us and the now he has invited us to speak at his church this month on a sunday morning. It's amazing to see the things God has planned for us and I know he will continue to open doors for us during this process. The thing that's even more exciting to me is that this is only the begining. I can't imagine to see what he will do once we get there. God is always speaking blessings over all our lives, to cause to prosper, blessed to ones's use, favoured of God. Praise be to God.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Being back in Copenhagen was almost to good to be true. It had been over 8 months since we last stepped foot in this great country and it was such a great time being with old friends again. We spent as much time as we could with our adopted Danish family, the Kornbeks. Anytime we can make it to Denmark we make sure they are in the country so we can be with them. We call them our European mom and dad and brothers and sisters.

I tried to take some time to myself and I took also with me Martins camera which I don't know how to use very well but I decided that I would take a trip to Roberts and shoot as many shots as I could along the way. Roberts was and still is my favorite coffee place in all the world! Starbucks can't beat this place. The pictures you will see are shot during the day so you really can't get the feel for what this place is really like, especially when night arrives and the only light you find there is by candles.

I actually hear while I was over there that a Starbucks is on the way. I never thought Denmark would let a chain come in like that, but I am pretty sure Denmark won't be Starbucks strongest income. I am not sure a chain can grab the feeling that so many cafes hold inside of Copenhagen. One of things we miss the most is the ability to go to a cafe at any point in the day. There is never a point in the day that you find a coffee shop empty, people are always there ;) It's great. Yet, you do wonder if people ever work!

Hopefully you enjoy the pictures. And hopefully I will soon be able to get the camera I used taking these pictures. the Canon 30D ;)

MCE Conference 2007

Starting to get some pictures up here... right now the first section will be dedicated to a few pictures from the MCE Conference held in Southport England last week. Click to view.