February 21, 2015 at 03:05PM

Photo taken on February 21, 2015 at 03:05PM

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A month-end update

The past month has been spent unpacking, rediscovering old things (thank you everyone for the wedding gifts), becoming official Colorado residents, and visiting and filling out paperwork at Mission Training International, our new ministry.

Since we've mentioned God's abundant generosity to us in this time, we thought we'd share some of the multiple praises that we have for His provision in this time.

- Several financial gifts to help with this time of transition

- A bed and dresser for Gideon

- a shelving unit and desk

- a running stroller

-An apartment to rent for a time that is VERY affordable!

Then on October 28 we began our first session of COMPASS, the missionary pre-field training at MTI. This month MTI has asked us to audit the course as participants to get a feel for the program as it has changed a great deal since we were participants in 2006 (when we first met!). This means we are living on campus with the other participants (30 adults, 21 children). We are immensely enjoying this time and are also seeing God work in our own hearts and in others as well. This has already been a time of great refreshment for us and we are thankful for this new calling that is so in line with our giftings and passion for missions!

The impact of COMPASS - November 2014

These are the countries that will be directly impacted from our most recent session of COMPASS.  It is so amazing to be in among the excitement and energy of so many people preparing to leave to serve!

From Russia with Love

In August we finished packing up our belongings in Russia and saying some tearful goodbyes to people that have truly become our second family. On August 16 we flew from Tyumen to Moscow and stayed with some dear friends there for a few days. When we went to board our flight from Moscow to New York we were stopped in passport control and, to our surprise, were told that our paperwork was not in order for us to leave the country. To make a very long story short, local officials in Tyumen made a mistake in issuing our exit visas. This resulted in Jeff having to fly back to Tyumen, Amy and Gideon staying in Moscow and having to change flights a few times. Thankfully, we did make it back to the US, just a few days later than we expected. Special thanks to our dear friends Dan and Sasha who hosted us and were glad to drive us around and help us in the whole crazy process.

Upon arriving in the US, we spent a few weeks in Indiana packing up our things there and reconnecting with family and friends. This was a refreshing time and Gideon especially loved seeing his cousins. We then headed to Michigan and spent some time in northern Michigan with Jeff's family and taking a small family vacation. We ended our time in the Midwest by spending time in Ann Arbor where we were so blessed to live again with our dear friends Tom and Ruth Ann Robinson. During this time we reconnected with churches and supporters, Amy and Gideon made a quick trip to North Carolina to spend time with Amy's mom who was ill, and Jeff packed up all of our belongings into containers to ship to Colorado. On October 11 we headed west and had a very smooth trip to Colorado, arriving on October 13.

On the way to Colorado!

A few photos of the many adventures of Gideon on the way to our new digs in Colorado

 reading his favorite book "Poke-a-Dot 10 Little Monkeys"

Walking in daddy's hat (in Iowa) 

My first corn maze! (um, just corn stalks) 

a picnic lunch! 

 playing on the Merry-Go-Round

Gid loves swinging 

just a few moments with some Russian videos 

Gideon loves moving luggage

(lifestyle hazzard) 

Gideon liked spinning on this chair in the room!

Back in racing form!

Amy has been working on getting back in running shape and decided to run a race this morning on our way to Iowa (a stop on our move to Colorado).  She did great, finishing fourth overall (and number one for the women)!  I'm so proud!!!

here are some photos...

Gideon playing at the park - while we wait for the race to start! 

Amy preparing to run, run, and WIN 

Just before the finish line! 

Amy with her winner's trophy!

Support updates

We are transitioning our support from our previous mission agencies to our new agency, and the Lord is blowing our minds as we get updates.

In the month of September 17% of our support was coming in to MTI.  I'll be honest, this is one of the areas of my life where my faith is weaker than I have any reason to expect.  God has always provided for our ministry.

As I started to calculate our support so far for the month of October, it went from 17% up to 20% and then to 24% and as of this moment it's at 37.5%  I'm just blown away that God has shown us His goodness through our generous supporters.

Thank you to everyone who has already made the switch!