Wherever I Am To Be Content

We're in Kansas City this week. Natasha had an appointment to see a new orthopedic surgeon (it's hard to even remember any more the months she spent first in a body cast and then wearing her brace) and we scheduled it to coincide with a trade show that Tim is working through Northwest Kansas Travel Council.

The appointment went well. Natasha's x-rays looked good, and we do not have to return for three years. What a praise--her hip continues to function and develop well.

We are staying with the wonderful Malone family in Kansas City. Robert has come to Shepherd's Staff as a pheasant hunter twice now, and he and Tim have begun to build a relationship. I have to tell you, the Malone home is amazing. We feel like we are staying in a motel. The kids even got to watch a movie in 3-D last night. But I do struggle. When surrounded by a setting that is such a step up from where we are, it is hard to stay content with my own situation. So while I love being here, I have to constantly work on being aware that what God has given to someone else isn't necessarily what He will give to me, that I do not "deserve" to have a huge house (and don't want to clean one!)...that my journey to contentment has a long way to go!

We'll head home tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to being home and staying home for a while. Thanks for your prayers.

We celebrated Natasha's fifth birthday yesterday. It's hard to believe that our youngest is five years old--no longer even preschool age, really. She's learning to read and asking to play the piano and picking up new skills all the time.

Of course, if Natasha is five, then Jesalynn is eight and Tyson is nine, and that seems altogether too old, too. My own approaching 33rd birthday, on the other hand, seems a little surreal. I have a few months to get used to the idea, though--unlike Tim, who celebrates his next milestone at the end of January.

On a ministry note, we picked up the posters and programs for the Christian Workers Conference (to be held March 3 in Colby, KS). It feels good to have the design work for this behind us; but now we have to get the 1300 programs and 300 posters into the hands of churches and people who are interested in attending.

This weekend we'll be hosting a group of college ministry leaders from Celebration Church in Hays and a group of middle schoolers and junior highers who will be wrapping up their Catechism for the year. On Monday we'll serve dinner to members of the Thomas County Community Foundation.

Then next week we'll be off to Kansas City for a check up for Natasha (to make sure her hip is still developing correctly) and for Tim to work a trade show. It's turning out to be a busy month, and we sure appreciate your prayers for us and the ministry.