January 24, 2019 - When we started 2018 we had no idea the changes that would be coming to us during the year. There were many things planned but these were the unexpected events with major impacts to our lives.
January brought about Diane turning 60 – reminding us that we are closer to retirement than starting out. (we knew it was coming it just change our perspective)
In February, we made a quick trip bake to the USA for Diane’s father’s funeral. Unexpected but a man of God who lived a good life and taught his children and grandchildren to love God!
In April (while partnership Building) we found out we would become grandparent in the fall – which meant figuring out a way to be back for the birth. That led to the idea of developing some economic reason to be stateside for the 3rd time this year.
The summer brought about a major remodel of the rental property we have. The renters that moved out destroyed property that we had to fix in order to make it livable again.
November brought our first Grandchild into our lives and the opening of our “Around the World Shop” - a small pop-up shop that grew into a full-blown retail space serving over 30 countries and helping the poor, disenfranchised, persecuted, unemployed and underemployed. That is now open year-round.
These were all life-changing events – most were not planned when we began the year but all were part of God’s plan and not a surprise to Him. It is good to remember that we serve a God who knows what will happen and is there to take us through.
So I wonder what is still to come for us in 2019 and beyond?!
This week pray...
...for the team as we are now getting communication resulting from the new law that passed (which we share a great deal about) mostly involving more paperwork but being so new how it is actually applied is being sorted with the lawyers and government (with us caught in the middle).
...for the plans for both the Girls Home – Finishing up the remodel and grand opening plans and our church planting for later this year. Pray for the extra funds both will need to happen.
Praises:
The Sweets received final approval to becoming adoptive parents – so now pray that God would send them the right kids for their family.