Countdown...

14

days until we leave for Wisconsin/Michigan!!

I've been trying to stay ahead of the game by working out some of the details of our trip now. Our itinerary is finally starting to fall into place. I think what our trip needs most is prayer though! With all of the driving and so little sleep, it's a great chance for Satan to trip us up in our attitudes and actions. If you think of us, please pray we have an uneventful, safe trip to visit family and friends and that we are patient and loving with each other and those we meet along the way. We're so blessed to have the time and money to travel, and we really want to use this time to be good witnesses to our unsaved family and friends, and to encourage others in their relationships with God.

Over the past year we've learned so much! We've both been challenged in our individual lives, as well as in our marriage. These are lessons I'm learning on a daily basis:

Why do we have bad days, weeks, or even years?

James 1:2-5 NASB
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance [NKJV: patience]. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

How should we act in times of difficulty and stress? How can we glorify God?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

This is how we can become even brighter lights in this world of darkness, sharing the hope of salvation and the riches of God's love and grace with the lost. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!