Moving

Hello All...

This week has been interesting, as we have been packing up our lives and preparing to move to THE OVERLOOK at Eagle Rest (in Dahlonega, GA). It seems I have developed a serious aversion to moving - possibly because this is the 5th time we have moved in the 3 years we have been married. That may have something to do with it! We are praying that God will use Jeremy and I at the retreat center for a few years. Its just time to put down some roots, ya know? I am actually a little sad to leave Statesville, even though we werent here very much.

Jeremy's parents are coming down to help us move - thank goodness! We are excited to spend time with them, and are grateful for their willingness to drive all the way down here from Illinois.

We already have several retreats planned for April and May, so we are interested to see what "getting our feet wet" will be like. As things develop, we will continue to update you.

Rob Marmion and his family (Operations Director of Impact Ministries) have already moved to Dahlonega, and Andrew (Technology & Maintenance) will be moving up in May. It will be so nice to have them there. We are also excited to look for a church family, so please pray that God will lead us in that way.

As for Deeper DTI, the staff are still praying about the location(s) and several other things for next year. The students are doing well - feel free to check their blogs, which are listed in the entry before this one, and will give you an idea of how they are doing with seeking God in a foreign environment. Next on the agenda for Deeper is our Overseas Debriefing which will occur in May. We are SOOO excited to see them again!!!

God has been teaching me some hard lessons recently - mostly involving putting my hope in things other than Him. I have been disguising these "things" as service to Him (as they are "Christian-y" activities), but He has removed them from my life - in subtle and deliberate ways - and drawn my focus back towards Jesus. I am grateful. Please pray that Jeremy and I will trust in Him alone.

Here are a few other things to pray about:
- Deeper Site decisions
- students overeas (Lisa, Sarah, Tina, Iris, Ben, Joel, Micah, and Erik)
- our move to GA this weekend!
- beginning our new ministry at the Overlook at Eagle Rest
- finding a church family in Dahlonega

We are so grateful for each of you that is reading this. Thank you for all that you do for us - be it prayer, financial support, friendship ...thank you.
We will update you again soon, thank you for taking the time to read this. Please take a moment to sign your name (hit the "comments" link below) so we can know you visited our site.

Grace and Peace of Christ to you.

Students Blogs

Here are the links to our Deeper DTI students overseas websites:

Ben: benjamindti.blogspot.com
Joel: joeletter.blogspot.com
Sarah: sarahsnewsletter.blogspot.com
Lisa: lisainpoland.blogspot.com
Tina: tinadti.blogspot.com
Iris: iriswelcomeupdate.blogspot.com
Erik & Micah: neverseenfromagain.blogspot.com

Feel free to leave encouraging comments on their blogs.

The Time Has Come

We have been procrastinating long enough, and it is time to start packing for our move to Dahlonega, GA. Its hard to believe that in two weeks we will be living at Eagle Rest! Jeremy and I are both excited to see what God will do in this retreat center. Currently, we are working on thinking of a new name for it. So we will update you when that is decided.

Time has been passing quickly. I have been spending a lot of time keeping in touch with our students, at their overseas missions sites. Jeremy has been focusing a lot of time on preparing for our transition to directors at Eagle Rest, amongst many other things. Fundraising has taken a back burner, though we have begun to seek new supporters. We are learning to trust God's timing in this area, and not our own.

We had our Deeper DTI staff meetings last week at Eagle Rest and Tim, Rebee, Jen, Sara, Brent, Jeremy and I were all able to be there. It was a time for refocusing and establishing unity. Though it seems that God is leading us to have Deeper at Eagle Rest in the fall, we are still listening for His leading in order to make a final decision.

All in all, Jeremy and I are doing well. We are very excited to move, and get started with the ministry at Eagle Rest. There are already 3 or 4 retreats on the calendar for April and May! As we anticipate "the move", we are trying to keep our focus on seeking God during all the chaos...

Here are several things to pray about:
- trust in God in the area of finances
- our marriage
- Toby's (my brother)recovery from 2 back surgeries.
- Jonah (Jeremy's brother) recovery from Lyme Disease
- God will bring students to Deeper DTI
- He will lead clearly about Deeper sites decision
- Deeper DTI staff will be united in our pursuit of God
- Students overseas

Thank you for praying, for your friendship and support. Please let us know if there is anything we can pray for you about. Feel free to leave a comment below.

"Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You."
Psalm 9:10

Let it Begin

Our trip to Florida was GREAT. The actual "road trip" aspect of the trip wasnt nearly as exciting as it used to be, but once we got down there it was amazing.

We spent the weekend with our dear friends Mary and Jerry - who live right on the beach! It was a beautiful time, though a little rainy. Most of the Friday and Saturday was spent in kayaks, back in the "flats" hunting the ever-elusive redfish. I only fell out once, but had the routine mastered by the time DOPLHINS surface nearby - the chase was on. It was more than thrilling to be less than 5 feet at times from such amazing creatures!!

On Sunday morning, we attended Water's Edge Church (the church Jeremy was a part of for 2 years) and got to see many old friends.

After leaving St. Pete Beach, we spent the rest of our nights with our dear friends, Jason and Amanda. We were able to go out to dinner one night with several other friends, which was a wonderful time of fellowship. On Tues night, Jeremy spoke to the USF Impact campus ministry, and did a great job. It was plain that he was being given the Words to say. One of their students, Brittany, was very interested in participating in Deeper DTI. Please join us in prayer as she seeks God's leading for the next year.

All in all, the trip was wonderful, though perhaps a little short. There were several people that we didnt get to spend any or as much time with as we desired. Now that we are home, we are gearing up for the Deeper staff retreats at Eagle Rest which start Monday and go til Wed. Jen, Brent, Jeremy and I are all riding together. It will be an exciting time of prayer, reflecting and planning.

Please keep the following things in your prayers:
- preparing to move in April
- fundraising continues
- God will lead more students to Deeper
- Toby (my brother): back surgery on Thursday

We are grateful for you taking the time to read this. If you dont mind, please take a moment to sign your name in the "comments" link below. I am evaluating whether or not this is an effective way to communicate. Thank you.