Last Day at UM

Two years ago I had this same experience, walking away from UM – my home away from home if you will. I worked at UM from 1994-2006 as a TV cable runner, video camera/equipment operator, web designer, information desk manager, web office director and then heard the Father’s call to serve.

As I left in 2006, it was a really emotional time for me, and I unashamedly admit that I cried on the way home. I was giving up my career and all that I had worked so hard for… and so many friends and people I’d worked with for so many years.

Returning in 2007 and leaving now in 2008, is similar, yet different. I knew coming back that it would be for a time. Only one year. My boss and I set goals together for the year, and because I am loved from above and worked with a very capable staff, all of those goals were met.

So leaving now, I am content. It feels great to have kept my word to help out for one year and to help set Technology Services up for a bright future under the leadership of a new director.

Go Blue!

Remarks were shared that really touched my heart. A good friend and work colleague shared of her family's tradition with presents and gifts. Presents are those things that you've been hinting that you want, everyone knows that it's the present that you'd like. Gifts are those items that you didn't know you wanted, but were perfect. Royster shared that I had been a gift for her and for the University. It was really quite moving. Thanks Royster!

Lumberjacks

We’re in Bellaire now visiting with the Brakes! It’s been such a relaxing and wonderful time. It’s so peaceful here with the river in the front yard and surrounded by woods and marsh everywhere you turn.

Dad, Amy & I had some fun playing lumberjack. It was really fun for Amy and I to realize that we shared so much in common from our childhoods. We both grew up in the woods with chainsaws and stacking wood. So it felt great to help dad fell a couple of trees and to cut them up for firewood for the winter.

We realized that we needed to pull one of the trees so that it wouldn’t fall on the wires leading to the house… but we had no ropes long enough, so we had to improvise… we used an extension cord! Might not bee so good for the cord, but it did the trick.

I had no idea that the tree would be so heavy. As we were pulling, a light breeze came up and nearly pulled us off our feet!

This isn’t quite good-bye to my parents here in Bellaire, but it’s good-bye to my childhood home and a place of peace for both Amy & I… not to mention mom’s home cooking!

Visiting Grandpa in New Port Richey

What a blast! Amy & I received round trip airfare vouchers for being bumped off of a flight in early May, so we put them to good use and spent a few days in Florida. Through the modern conveniences of priceline.com we were able to score a really inexpensive hotel on the beach in St. Petersburg, FL along with a killer steal on a rental car. We lived at the beach, ate most of our meals from groceries, and got to visit my (Jeff’s) grandpa as he was recovering from cancer surgery (please be thinking about Grandpa Jack as he’s recovering).

Truly we needed the time of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. As we’re heading into the final push before moving to Russia, we’re pushing the limits of what this sleep-a-holic can handle. I’m not falling asleep while talking to people yet, but rest is something that I’m not good at awarding its proper due.

Bon Voyage

Saying good-bye has been very different for this term of service. We started almost 3 weeks ago and we have about 4 weeks until we leave for Russia. It’s a bit hard to have all of these emotional times stretched out for so long. It’s left us a bit exhausted. With our family spread out 4 hours north, 4 hours south and a four hour plane flight, we’re about to embark on a multi-week tour of the United States to say good-byes.

Today we’re in Indiana saying good-bye to friends and family here. It’s been a sad time, but we’re really so blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones that it’s hard to not count our blessings.

Ultrasound & PRC Meeting

Here’s some incredibly encouraging news. Amy has been working with several non-profit agencies this year to try and find an ultrasound machine for the PRC (pregnancy resource center). Turns out they usually cost around $20,000 and weigh around 300lbs. MedSend has one for us for free if we can figure out how to get it to Russia and through customs.

We need good wisdom as we work with the agency board on how to do this.

We also had the opportunity to speak at the PRC in Owosso, MI and share greetings from our friend Viktoria in Russia. It was a lovely time and we were very encouraged.

Invitation / Visa Update

Well, looks like the invitation situation is looking a little bit bleak. The educational visa that we had requested through the University hasn’t even been submitted to the proper governmental offices at this time. The Cultural Center is going to apply for invitations for us so that we’ll be able to come over for camp. Please be sharing with dad about this need on our behalf.

Here we go . . .

And it begins . . . we're about 6 weeks out and Jeff and I have begun compiling the "08 Master Russia To Do List". We had about 5 1/2 hours in the car yesterday and we just started our list and as a result, I've already got "to do" items running through my head at all times.

It's crazy because with all of these tangible tasks to take care of, it makes our move more of a reality, and I'm getting both more excited and sad to go. Thanks so much for your prayers . . . and please keep them up as we get ready to go. Leaving the country is a little like diving into the deep end-you know that you'll hit the water-that you'll be caught (and really, we're in the palm of His hand the whole time). But in that moment before you hit, before you land and you're in mid-air, you lose your breath for a second. There is definitely a leap of faith required. I'm thankful for all of the times before when He has been faithful to gently catch me.

(Post by Amy).

Renters!

Yesterday was a day full of GREAT news! We have renters for our house! They are for sure going to rent for one year, maybe two! We're really thrilled, because not only are they young, professional women, but I (Jeff) actually KNOW them both already! I used to work with one of them at UM (she's a lawyer in town now) and the other I still work with! It is such a huge blessing and load off of our shoulders.

Thank you for you continued prayers and for your encouragement. G0d is ever faithful in how we are blessed! YES!

Support praises

I'm so excited I'm about to bounce off the walls!!! We sent email last night to all of our prayer and financial supporters, friends, family and those folks that have asked to be added to our email list. Through this process, we've received many encouraging remarks and several folks have indicated that they are planning to support us financially.

There are several folks we are still hoping to hear from, so please keep praying.

The encouraging news is that our support is on the rise and it looks like if the tide keeps in this direction, we'll complete our support before we leave for Russia!

Thank you Jes^s!

Invitations

Hello dear friends - begin the prayers now.

- the invitation process for Amy & I to go to Russia has not been started. Apparently there are some administrative obstructions. We need your prayers to hope that these come through in the timing that we're hoping to depart the country. Thanks

Panera bomb

I'm sitting in Panera using their free wireless to work remotely from Indianapolis today. I'm sitting here reading through a budget and I hear someone yell out bomb. People duck, staff dive for cover and I didn't even have time to freak out before someone says...

"booster seat"

what kind of world do we live in now?

Mini Marathon

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Amy & I are proud to share that Amy has completed her 6th (or 7th) 1/2 marathon and I've completed my first!

I just hoped to finish really, but set a hopeful time at 2:30. We finished in 2:24 - so that's an average of 11 minute miles! We're really happy! Here's a few photos... I know that we don't look all that pretty, but come on - 13.1 miles. Amy looks like a real athlete... I look like a man in pain