Look What I Found!!!

Yes look what I found, my blog site. Totally do not understand why I quit writing! What great memories and testimonies I found here. The last one dating all the way back to our visit to Faith, Hope and Love kids ranch. Its actually kind of funny because I was wondering how to share our recent adventure to Europe and bam here it is right on my toolbar! Needless to say I am going to start writing again so that I can reap the benefit of reading my thoughts. As always God is good! Praise the Lord!!!

Been away...

Yes it has been some time since I posted last. So much has happened since my last visit. Let's see where to start... Well in March Priscilla and I went out to Lucena City, Philippines to an orphanage called FHL that is Faith, Hope and Love Kids Ranch. WOW O WOW!!!! God really blew our socks off! We had such an amazing time being loved on by the kids, the Lamar's and all the staff. You know it's funny the mind set when embarking on a trip like this is "I am going out here to be a blessing to the missionaries and those whom they are serving" and in reality it was us who were totally blessed by them!!! Makes me realize how sometimes (more often then not truth be told) I can be pretty arrogant or self focused. Not necessarily in a bad way. I think I simply at times forget that God's plan does not revolve around me or that the Maker of heaven and earth is limited to where I live and serve. It is a great joy to me that our God is so much bigger then what my pea brain conjures up. Funny how it takes a trip halfway across the globe for me to be reminded of that. Funny how the cares of this world can so easily distract me from "smelling the Roses." From sitting still long enough to take in God's beauty that surrounds me everyday. Funny how we can be surrounded by people and forget to stop and love on them or be loved on by them. Thank God that He never wastes an opportunity to work in our hearts the transforming power that conforms His children into the image of Christ. Thank God that when we travel near or far He is always there, willing and able to meet us, in fact He is longing for us to have a seat and stay awhile to drink in His grace and mercy. To partake in the great love that He has shed abroad in the hearts of His children...Thank God

What next Lord???

Well it has been some time since we last wrote and quite a bit has transpired since then!! It was a hard decision but we knew it must be made especially in light of the fact that we realized God was not calling us to be missionaries in Uganda, Africa. So we meet with Neil and Skyped with Jess to let them know what we believed the Lord was saying to us concerning the fair city of Jinja, Uganda. You know through it all we have learned so much, how to move, how to wait, how to be still, and so many other "how to's" but when push comes to shove its all about abiding in Him. I was reminded that it is not the great and grand work in the Lord that makes us great in the Kingdom but rather the small things we do in the Lord like obeying and teaching men to do so also. Matt 5.19 Don't get me wrong I'm not saying the Billy's and the Skip's are not great in the Kingdom, I am sure they are! But not all of us are called to those types of grand work. When I wrap my mind around that it helps me to remember to share the love of Christ on a daily basis, the grand work we are all called to do for Him and in Him. So Priscilla and I are continuing in the things we were doing and still seeking Him for guidance and direction in our lives day to day.

The next thing that the Lord has brought our way currently is a trip to the Philippines! We are excited to be going for two whole weeks. I will be posting pictures and updates for those of you who still check. :O) Never forget this one thing, The Lord of all the earth loves YOU!!!

Wait for it, there now I said it...

We, Priscilla and I have applied for and have been accepted as GA missionaries. Yes Lord willing we are going back to lovely Uganda, Africa. I say Lord willing simply because we are leaving room for the Lord of all the earth to interrupt our plan if at any point it moves out of His will for our lives. But as of now we are moving ahead, as we believe the Lord is leading, to go back to Uganda for at least a two year stay. We still have lots to do and wrap up before this can happen. Our departure goal as of now is late-ish 2011. I would like to thank you all for your prayers in this matter before we visited Uganda and please continue to pray with us as we move forward in this new and exciting adventure lead by our great and wonderful God. Blessings

Doing What We Know He Last Said...

Yes we are still here working at flourishing in the court of our God, that is, where He has planted us for this time and this season. Remembering and keeping in mind that life is full of seasons some of which are enjoyed more than others. :) We got to share our trip to Uganda with the Jail Ministry Breakfast folks on Saturday it was a real blessing for us and we hope for them also. It was cool to go through all the photos seeing all the places we were and all the people we meet. It stirred up in me at least, the remembrance of why it is we would like to go back. It was like we were looking at pictures from home! All the smiling faces and the stories that go with those faces. Only the Lord knows when we will go back. My prayer is that it is sooner and not too much later. It was really cool to work jointly on this presentation with my lovely wife. Tomorrow we have a meeting with Pastor Neil, let's see what happens???? Please continue to pray for us as we seek the Lords will for Uganda. More to come later. Thank you and god Bless

My Heart Still Yearns...

...yes it is true my heart still yearns to see all the wonderful, beautiful people that we spent three amazing weeks with in Uganda. While it has been only a couple of months since we got back it feels like only yesterday I was getting ready to hop a plane, embarking on one great journey, not knowing at the time that it was going to change my life forever. Talking with Jess tonight via Skype was way cool, it made me home sick for a place I have only visited once but am looking forward, if the Lord wills, to spending much more time there. Only God knows what the future holds and since He holds the future we will continue to commit our ways to Him so that He can plant us where He desires.

Gone Way Too Long...

Okay, okay your right it has been way too long since I sat down and shared. I guess as we have been waiting on the Lord to speak with us concerning wonderful Uganda I have not felt like I have much to say. As a matter of fact I have been purposely keeping my big mouth shut so that my wife can hear from God and not from James! Oh by the way if you think this is the post that is going to announce some big decision about becoming full time missionaries you are wrong! This is just to share that we are still seeking God Almighty for His wonderful, perfectly timed, direction and guidance in our lives. One thing we will share: God is great and greatly to be praised! Thank you Jesus for saving to the uttermost those who call on You!!!