MARYLAND AND BACK

It seems like yesterday that we were still in Maryland.  The time was such a blessing, and each day seemed to go quicker than the last.  I know many of you prayed for our time there, and the effects were obvious.

We arrived safely, and without any problems.  My dad picked us up, we stopped at the house to condense our bags, and then went to the mountains in West Virginia.  When I was a kid, I used to hate going to the mountains on weekends.  It was secluded, boring, and full of mosquitos.  As I have gotten older, the only thing I resent is the mosquitos.  (I am positive that I am a delicacy on their menu).

  While we were relaxing I began preparing for a big week ahead of me.  Before we left Texas it appeared that I was only going to speak at a basketball practice during the afternoon and Thursday night at “Yes, my Kid.”  However, I kept praying and God was faithful.  I ended up speaking in Chapel to 400+ kids, and then to five classes of Spanish students.  I was able to give a testimony of who I was, and what God has done in my life.  I was also able to talk about Peru, which is a major part of our lives right now. 

  It was exciting to share with young kids that God is much bigger than the box we put Him in.  I tried to passionately explain to the students that they are in the most important time of their lives.  I am only 26 years old, and I look at how far God has brought me in that short time.  My wife is only 24, and right before my eyes I can see God shape her.  How much more could we have been at this point?  I explained to the students that I did not resent that it took me this long, but rather I told them that they have this opportunity that we clearly did not take advantage of.  I pray that God answered my prayers, and that their hearts had been softened prior to my arrival so they would be spurred on towards His ideal, not theirs.

  The “Yes, My Kid” event went well.  For me it was a blessing to share for two hours about how God has truly revealed his Grace and Love to me.  This link is something Amanda wrote concerning the evening. I know that God used the talk to affirm many things in my heart, and again, I hope God answered my prayers for the ears and hearts that were and were not there.

  The rest of the time was spent with my family.  I got to see most of my cousins, and my grandmother.  I also was able to see a lot of my Aunt’s and Uncle’s.  It was good, and I am grateful. The time was exactly what we both needed to get in gear.  I am leaving in October, and that is a little over a month away.  We have a great deal of work to do, and it is going to be an intense transition.

  Thank you all for your prayers.  I cannot emphasize enough how important prayer has become in our lives.  It truly has become a point of emphasis in almost everything we do.  God keeps saying “Pray.” So we will continue to pray.

~Shaun

 
 ***Check out the majesty of God’s handiwork in Luray Caverns.  Beautiful!