ALMOST Walking!

She's taking those first few steps on her own...

New parents are always supposed to be excited and scared at the same time - and while she's our third child, it's like she's our first - we ARE excited...and scared.

A lot is happening in our lives right now as we gear up for next week's BIG event. Pam is busy in the training/education program for the children of new missionaries. I have been traveling solid the past two and half weeks - visiting universities to share the vision for Youth In Mission and spending time with college-age missionary kids.

Before Annikah's surgery next Monday, Oct. 2nd, we will be traveling south to shop for a house to move into for our new missionary assignment - this is a big matter of prayer for us, so we'd appreciate you joining us in prayer! Joel's mom has taken a few weeks off from their involvement with coordinating the Nazarene Disaster Response efforts in the state of Mississippi to help out and will be staying with Allie and Nic while we go look for a house (Annikah will go with us).

On Oct. 1st, we will bring Annikah before the Lord during the 8:30AM worship service at Central Church , once more for annointing - so if you're in the Kansas City area, we'd love to have your support!

Well, as she begins taking steps; saying new "words;" trying new things - we realize again that we must daily place her life in the hands of God. His Word reminds us of his love for her and the fact that He has a plan for her life.

Thank you for your prayers!

Less Than Three Weeks Away

October 2nd is approaching quickly, but before the big day arrives, there are a few days of testing and getting ready.

Some areas where we can use your prayers:
* Pray for good health as Annikah approaches her surgery date
* Pray for Nicolas and Allison as they carry some of the stress through all of this
* Pray for the good health and rest of the surgery staff
* Pray that we will not miss any opportunity God gives us to be a witness to others

Keep checking back for more updates - most of all, don't hesitate to leave a quick comment on Annikah's blog!

Helpless in Kansas City?

From Joel:

Okay...it seemed like a good idea at the time, but after it was over, my heart felt like it was in my throat. Through a connection at our church (Kansas City Central Church of the Nazarene) we were able to develop a new friendship with a young family whose baby, Lilly had the same surgical procedure that Annikah will have.

Pam and Lilly's mom, Rebble, have had several conversations over the phone, but we finally connected in person this week.

Don't get me wrong...spending all that time with Rebble and looking at the AMAZING scrapbook of every detail in Lilly's journey, was very worthwhile. It's just that the reality of Annikah's journey finally hit me.

Our baby is going to experience suffering. Our baby is going to experience pain. Our baby is going to go through a life experience that Pam and I have never had to go through ourselves...her story will be written much differently than ours.

MILLIONS of thoughts, images, and scenarios have raced through my mind over the past couple of days...and the sad thing is that often they turned inward...you know..."Poor me!" and "I don't know if I can handle this, Lord" and that sort of downward thinking. It's in those moments that I'm reminded how IMPERATIVE it is for me to turn my thoughts, worries, and prayers Godward instead of inward. His word is FULL of promises - can you think of them? Are they written on your mind and heart?

Without God, we are utterly helpless. Without God, we rely ONLY on our own understanding of how things are going to turn out. Without God...helpless.

So...it is our time to rely on the promises of His perfect Word. It is our time to stand helpless before our God...