December 10th

Its official! We purchased our plane tickets last week and they arrived today in the mail. We leave from Seattle on December 10th to start our new life and ministry in Fort Portal Uganda. We have known for so long that we would be moving to Uganda... but seeing the "One-Way" tickets in your hand makes it that much more real.

Yesterday we went up to Portland to get some "stuff" together (changing banks, health insurance, passport stuff, immunizations, etc.) but it turned out to be one of "those" days. It seemed that no matter where we went, we were turned away and told to come back later or go to the central office or somehow the moon was not quite in line with Saturn so of course it was impossible for them to help us at this time... It was slightly frustrating.

However, we did get to spend some time with some good friends because of it. We stopped by the Graul's home and they invited us in like they always do and we just sat there "shootin' the breeze". Also, Amanda Peterson was in town and we got to visit with her as well. It is always great to be able to kick off your shoes and relax with good friends.

So, even in the busiest of times, God often shows us that it is better to just stop, relax and trust Him. I find that I have been worrying a lot more lately, and I know better. I have seen so many times in recent months that God is with us and taking care of our needs. I am learning to trust Him more each day... Even if it takes a little extra frustration for me to realize it.

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

-Matthew 6:25-34

7 years!?!?

It really doesn't feel that long. I remember our wedding like it was last week. Our friends and family made the long trip to Caldwell, ID to see us tie the knot. Even some of my friends from High School that I had not seen I quite a while showed up to celebrate with us. We felt very blessed and loved.

It was a hot August in 2000... not like the one we are having now. I remember that the air conditioner in my cousin's hotel room built up so much condensation that it froze over. And the rooms at the Sundowner Hotel were sweet!

The only thing I don't really remember about the day was the reception time. It felt like a whirlwind. Aimee and I didn't even have time to eat. In fact, the only wedding cake either of us got was the little bit that we managed to shove in each other's mouths when the cake was cut and toasts were given.

It has been a wonderful seven years and time has really flown by. I am so blessed to have found Aimee Jo and even more blessed that she said "yes" on that cold New Years Eve out on the farm. With our precious little one on the way, I can hardly wait for our next seven years.

Thank you God for blessing me with a wonderful wife!

Andrew Simpson Style

I finally had some time to get this Simpsonizeme thing to work.

Stress...

I have been walking around in a daze lately. I feel like one of those old silent movie characters tied to the railroad tracks. They try to get free but with no success. And just as the train is about to slam into the helpless victim, the brave hero comes and saves the day.

Well, the train is coming (baby due August 31st, moving to Uganda mid-December, need to raise more support) and I am struggling as hard as I can, but I feel powerless to do anything to help the situations.


The train is almost here and now I'm just waiting for my hero to come scoop me up off the tracks.

I know God hears our prayers. Please remember Aimee & me in yours.

God is good!

Refuge

Sometimes, when life is crazy, I just want to crawl under a rock somewhere so I can just get away from it all. The weight of life has been particularly heavy lately with all the changes and uncertainty surrounding me. It is times like these when God reveals himself to me in small ways.

Yesterday, I came home from church and pulled into the driveway. My Grandma was out front, weeding the yard. I was pretty worn out from the day and my stress and I asked my Grandma how she is doing and she said with a smile "You aren't supposed to ask me that. You are supposed to say 'Good to see you'."

You see, my Grandpa has advanced Alzheimer’s disease and struggles to remember his name sometimes. It is hard for me to see him in that state knowing how he use to be. My Grandparents live next door and it is difficult to drop in and say "hi" when you know you have to introduce yourself to him every time. I've stopped introducing myself, and now I just say "hello".

Its hard for me when I visit, but my Grandma lives there. She takes care of him everyday. He is not able to do the things he used to and he doesn't always remember to say "thank you". But my Grandma serves him nonetheless. She is steadfast in her commitment to love him. She is patient with him when his body won't allow him to move any faster. She thinks of him before she thinks of herself. My grandma is a strong woman of God and serves as an example for me.

After she told me how she was doing, my grandma asked me how I was doing. I told her that I have been stressed and anxious about the baby, our move to Africa, finances, etc. She then gave me a big hug and said "God knows. Don't be anxious about anything, but pray about it. He listens." (Philippians 4:6-7)

When I think of the stress in my grandma's life and the choice she has to make everyday to continue to love and serve, it humbles me and causes me to reflect on my own life. God provides the strength and patient my grandma needs to get her through each day. She takes comfort in the fact that He hears her and knows her pain. And its in these little reminders that I can find peace in my stressful life. God is big enough to handle my stuff.



Psalm 62:5-8
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.