I realize we're already a month into 2021,
but Happy New Year!!
We wanted to wait a bit to send out this newsletter just so we could give you the results of our Launch-Fund-Filling efforts.
Do you remember in the fall when we announced that our goal was to have our launch fund filled by the end of 2020? We had a Norwex Fundraiser, an online Italian Cooking Fundraiser, and we had contacted some businesses and individuals to ask if they'd be interested in giving an end of year donation to help fill up our launch fund.
Unfortunately, our efforts came up short and we did not reach our goal. Thanks to those who did support us through this time, though! We did raise an additional couple thousand dollars, which we are so thankful for!
Because our support hasn't changed much in the past year and a half, and because covid has slowed everything down incredibly, Franklin and I have decided to take February as a time to pray and fast and really seek God in regards to His plans for our family and moving to Italy.
Do we need to keep pressing on?
Do we need to take a break?
Is this or is this not His timing?
Will His plans for Italy look differently than we thought they would?
We had both said from the beginning that we would continue pursuing serving in Italy as long as the light stayed green, but lately we have felt it has changed to a yellow, possibly a red.
We want to hear His thoughts and be obedient no matter what!
If you'd like to join in on praying for/with us this next month, we would love that!
We've shared our hearts with a few people, and have been so encouraged by them (you know who you are... thanks!).
We've been reminded of the times in the Bible where God gives someone a promise, yet that promise isn't fulfilled right away, but often takes years to come into fruition!
Honestly, we've experienced our own taste of God's faithfulness in our lives with having a daughter. After losing Briela I had heard God say He would give us a daughter. We assumed he meant right away, so when we weren't seeing a daughter being born to us, we decided it probably wouldn't happen because we were now too busy getting ready to go to Italy (tsk tsk). Then, BOOM! Five years later, God fulfills His promise and gives us Amaris after we thought it would never happen.
This was a fine lesson on not giving up or letting go. God's word is TRUE and He will not let us down. Usually His way is different than ours, and that is why we need to stop expecting it to happen a certain way or at a certain time. He is faithful, we just need to stop worrying, striving or giving up hope.
With that said, we know He has put Italy on our hearts for a reason. We are not giving up on it! We just realize that His ways may be different than our own and that is why we want to devote February to seeking His plans and purposes for us. We want to surrender our thoughts and ideals for His.
Father knows best!
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