a week to go!

goodness time sure is weird... speeding along at break neck paces some days and slower than molasses in January on others! My days are snails pace it seems and yet I can't believe we are here at this time already!

We've read so many books and learned so many things n our walk with God in preparation for this journey, we have a basic knowledge of Spanish (which we will get to try out in Mexico City for 13 hours on a layover before we have our final flight to Mazatlan! I think we are as ready as we will ever be!
SO...
We are one week away from leaving for Mazatlan (we should be in Toronto waiting for our connecting flight this time next Monday!) and we are ready and yet there is still so much for us to do! (packing being the biggest I think!)There are still some appointments we need to go to, a bit of shopping still to do, a fridge to clean out (meaning meals), laundry, house cleaning and I know there is still farm stuff to get done by Friday!  I know it will all get done and that there is no sense worrying about it (not that I am worrying per se...) just typical travel concerns of forgetting something or not packing or overpacking. Until this afternoon we had a few concerns over the finalities of things with YWAM but they were all sorted today ... see not worrying!
All in Gods time, right!?

Here are a few prayer requests for this coming week:

~ Protection  (not just for our travels and time in Mazatlan but for family at home) of our minds and hearts

~ To see what God is putting on our hearts when meeting with the people of Mazatlan and those at YWAM

~ Open hearts (ourselves and others) to the leading of the Holy Spirit as he sees fit

~ Prayers for the unknown as we embark on this God adventure

These are pretty general prayers it seems, but the power of prayer is amazing and we know how important fervent prayers are! 

I have a feeling this next week (and beyond) Philippians 4:6-7 will be not only on my arm (it is a tattoo) but on my heart:  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

With this said, please know that we truly thank you for your prayers and concerns and it does give such peace to be going to Mexico with your prayers before us! 

Please drop a line (comment box or email) if you have any questions! 

Until next week our friends!!

Blessings to you!

30 days and counting!

We are only 30 days away from leaving for Mazatlan (THIRTY DAYS!), there is a pile of things still to do before we leave and Dennis has a very bad chest and head cold! I am asking for prayer for his health to be restored! 

Coming up we have our second round of TwinRex to do in the next week or two (he needs to be healthy for this!), we are having issues with some water lines, the sewage pump is acting up in the house, there is other farm work that needs to be set up for while we are away,  health insurance to purchase, organizing for time with family before we go and then there is just day to day stuff! 

Please hold Dennis up in prayer for healing (and also that I don’t get what he has!)

Hola a nuestros queridos amigos!!

Welcome and Hello! 

Bienvenido y Hola

We are so excited to be only 116 days (ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN!!!!) away from our mission trip to Mazatlan, Mexico to volunteer at YWAM, serving and loving on the staff, students and people of the city -- wherever God takes us we are ready!

So YES, this is us right now:

quietly,
patiently,
expectantly,
WAITING!

We have our tickets booked, arrangements made with YWAM, in the process of making farm plans for while we are away(where will cattle be, who will look after cats and dogs, chickens, etc) ...


... and waiting... and waiting.

We both feel like we want to leave RIGHT NOW! But we also know that in this time of waiting, we are preparing and learning so much through our personal studies, church services, reading books, talking to friends who have been on missions. This time is so precious as well, we are learning and growing in relationship with our Father; to me it is time that is very much like when your babes are small and your midnight feedings ... there is no one else - just you and the baby BONDING, growing in love and understanding - Precious and so needed! as we wait we are resting in this knowledge that He is with us and helping us to grow in so many ways!

We have also both been doing some bible studies (Dennis has just completed James and I am into Galatians!). We are waiting on actual Spanish lessons to begin on Oct 22 - so we continue to use the Duo Lingo app for Spanish;

Estamos aprendiendo más y más palabras y podemos formar oraciones pequeñas! (este no era uno de ellos) (still using a translator for some... ok many!)

{TRANSLATION: We are learning more and more words and can form small sentences! (this was not one of them) haha}

...And we try to use what words and phrases we know as often as possible!


We have also been reading a few books and a have few books that are on our TO READ lists:

Dennis:

Strategic Compassion By Barry Slauenwhite

Kingdom Man By Tony Evans

The Invisible War By Chip Ingram

Now is the Time By Angus Buchan



Jodi:

Fervent - A Woman's Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer By Priscilla Shirer

Discerning the voice of God By Priscilla Shirer

Is that really You, God? By Loren Cunningham

Love Does By Bob Goff

ROOTED- The Hidden Places Where God Develops You By Banning Liebscher



TO READ LIST:

Everybody always By Bob Goff

We died before we came here By Emily Foreman

The Book that Transforms Nations By Loren Cunningham

Tortured for Christ By Richard Wurmbrand

Kingdom Woman By Tony Evans & Chrystal Evans Hurst


Some of these books were suggested by staff at YWAM Mazatlán and others are reading for personal growth and interest! Is there any books you think would be a good read for either interest sake or a good read for those thinking about (or already on) Mission?

There is not too much else to share right now, except to finish up with prayers:

We know that your prayers are so important for us as we prepare our selves, body, mind and spirit for this trip and we THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts and praise God for y'all!
We asking for prayers (have a look at the prayer request list on the top right of the page) for us but we also would like to know how  we can pray for you as well! If there are any requests of prayer that we can intercede on your behalf, please DO NOT hesitate to ask!

So until next time, our friends!

Que el señor te bendiga y te guarde!

Dennis & Jodi