Since I have not updated in 6 months I thought it would be a good time to update the blog with the latest info -- trying to keep up on 2 blogs, an MBA program, work, 4 kids and their activities, and training for an IronMan race leaves little time for anything....let alone rest....so here it goes in a whirlwind fashion:
Kids/Family
Alexxis now out of Dance taking Cheer leading (Made Level 2 of the USA Gymnastics Cheer leading Squad) and she is way excited.....me too....more $$$$$$$$$ - I need to buy stock in the facility...you'll see why below. She is also heading to EVBC camp with her friend Sydney this year in Point Loma and looking forward to having a great time.
Natalie now in Level 3 Gymnastics (just graduated up from level 2 about 2 weeks ago). She is becoming stronger and is looking forward to her extra time (and my extra $$ there...She turns 10 next month and Cheryl will take her to a hotel for the night, do the girl makeover thing and then I will take her to Wet & Wild for the day.....she is overjoyed to say the least...
Payton just graduated yesterday into level 2 gymnastics and she is thrilled....she is also getting stronger and helped the gym install a PIC line into my bloodstream for the 3rd monthly payment to them for all the activities that she and her sisters are involved in -- this way they can just take the blood out automatically vs. me having to go in periodically....LOL
Preston is almost 2 and he has hit that wonderful "NO" stage and the stage of curiosity killed the cat....or in his case destroyed the store, room, or whatever he gets his little hands on....he is very active and loves playing ball, riding his brmm brmmm (Prestonease for Motorcycle), or using the bat to slam things in the house...his cohort in crime Kade (over on M, Wed, & Fri) also enjoy throwing rocks into the pool so dad can step on them or find them later and have to don the Scuba gear to retrieve them all....oh Joy....
Cheryl -- what can I say -- my best friend and wife of almost 16 years....her back is doing better ever since her chiropractic appointments and she is enjoying running on a more regular basis (mostly with her friends Kelly, Kristen, Kym, & Janelle -- so I think maybe Cheryl and Janelle should choose pseudo names that start with K to fit into the group better but that's just my suggestion.) She also spends her time cleaning, cooking, managing the two boys and running errands for the kids, for me, for herself...again no rest for the wicked....
Me -- well if you FB at all or subscribe to my other blog you know I am a stacker and have too many things going on these days --- I will be taking a short but needed hiatus from the MBA program for about 5 months to save the $6,500 that the company will cover if I wait to go back until Jan 1, 2011....but that will give us another night in our week and me an easier time training for IronMan in November this year. I did do a Triathlon recently in Mexico and I turned in a great time for an Olympic distance (2:37:13) --- for the 1000 meter swim, 25 mile bike and then 6.2 mile run.
Poland-
Ever changing -- Had a new Boss out of Belgium for the last 3 months, now he has quit and they are planning on filling his position for a Division lead in Europe for my group --- I am letting all my network contacts know of our continued desire to be there full time in Poland....not sure where it will go but we are sure God is in control and we are to continuing to be patient. Have calls into Dick Dietrich (Polish Royalty you have heard about from us) for updates from him and the partnership for Poland together as well as lines out to some folks in different states to get presentations set up for support but no traction yet.
Love you all as our friends and family ---- Call us, email us, let us know how we can serve you.....
So That We Might Save Some,
Gabe, Cheryl, Alexxis, Natalie, Payton, & Preston
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, November 13, 2009
******Fresh Perspectives******
Almost every day since March 8th, 2008 (when we really knew God wanted us in Poland) I have awakened saying in my head "What can I do today to get us closer to Poland?" - I believe Cheryl has done the same.
Over the past 12 months since our official appointment with WorldVenture as long term missionary appointees to Poland we have made cold calls to friends, family, acquaintances, and just about every church in the east and west valleys that we could think of to help us raise support for the ministry God wants us to participate in overseas. We have had some wonderful meetings, enjoyed fellowship with our home congregation, and have fostered new relationships. This has all been the good part of the process. The frustrating part of the process (since bad is not the proper term) has been realizing that the traditional method of support raising will not be how we get to Poland. I think and believe it is safe to say the old model of churches and individuals solely supporting those willing to change cultures and serve in the field has gone the way of the dodo.......it is becoming extinct.
We knew it would be different for us when we started this journey -- just how different was and still is boggling our minds...It has taken me personally the last 12 months to realize that I have been asking and acting in the wrong manner towards this future destination of Poland and the ministry that awaits there. I have been trying to control the outcome and time frame in which it happens....not realizing I have been viewing and making decisions in an OWNER role and not a Steward role. HUGE difference......lets take the definitions of both for just a second....
According to Merriam Webster:
Owner = to have or hold as property; to have power or mastery over.
Steward = one who actively directs affairs
If God is in control of my life (evidenced by my sole reliance on him for my salvation and the evidence of fruit of it in my life) then God is responsible for the owner issues of this call to ministry (namely time frame, support, and structure)...It is my responsibility as the manager of my life to be listening to the Owners direction and acting on it in the way he intersects it with others to make it happen. There is a freeing feeling when you remove that tendency to play Owner of it all and even more security in the feeling that those decision are cared for....just have to wait for the next set of directions. I appreciate my new friendship with Mark Miller (www.godintersections.com) who has helped me realize this point and is already mentoring me for the next step in this journey to Poland.
God has always shown up in surprising us so that we can never claim the glory for what is going on or what is happening but rather to remind us that HE gets the glory as it is about HIM and not us. I fully expect as we move along this journey that Gods direction will be evident....I like to over think things (another tell tale sign of attempting to control it) so for now I will just sit back, be patient, and enjoy the journey and intersections that he provides. Poland is not my immediate concern as the Owner will let us know when it is time and until then we follow the directions we have right now.
Take some time this week and ask yourself what perspective your viewing God plan for your life from.....who knows maybe you'll also be able to shed some of the excess baggage your carrying around. More posts to come on a much more regular basis....
Send us your comments, open some dialogue with us, lets have coffee (OK, not for me but I''ll have a Green tea) or break some bread together....I treasure all my current relationships and intersections and look forward to the new ones coming....
In Service with you for the Kingdom,
Gabe
Over the past 12 months since our official appointment with WorldVenture as long term missionary appointees to Poland we have made cold calls to friends, family, acquaintances, and just about every church in the east and west valleys that we could think of to help us raise support for the ministry God wants us to participate in overseas. We have had some wonderful meetings, enjoyed fellowship with our home congregation, and have fostered new relationships. This has all been the good part of the process. The frustrating part of the process (since bad is not the proper term) has been realizing that the traditional method of support raising will not be how we get to Poland. I think and believe it is safe to say the old model of churches and individuals solely supporting those willing to change cultures and serve in the field has gone the way of the dodo.......it is becoming extinct.
We knew it would be different for us when we started this journey -- just how different was and still is boggling our minds...It has taken me personally the last 12 months to realize that I have been asking and acting in the wrong manner towards this future destination of Poland and the ministry that awaits there. I have been trying to control the outcome and time frame in which it happens....not realizing I have been viewing and making decisions in an OWNER role and not a Steward role. HUGE difference......lets take the definitions of both for just a second....
According to Merriam Webster:
Owner = to have or hold as property; to have power or mastery over.
Steward = one who actively directs affairs
If God is in control of my life (evidenced by my sole reliance on him for my salvation and the evidence of fruit of it in my life) then God is responsible for the owner issues of this call to ministry (namely time frame, support, and structure)...It is my responsibility as the manager of my life to be listening to the Owners direction and acting on it in the way he intersects it with others to make it happen. There is a freeing feeling when you remove that tendency to play Owner of it all and even more security in the feeling that those decision are cared for....just have to wait for the next set of directions. I appreciate my new friendship with Mark Miller (www.godintersections.com) who has helped me realize this point and is already mentoring me for the next step in this journey to Poland.
God has always shown up in surprising us so that we can never claim the glory for what is going on or what is happening but rather to remind us that HE gets the glory as it is about HIM and not us. I fully expect as we move along this journey that Gods direction will be evident....I like to over think things (another tell tale sign of attempting to control it) so for now I will just sit back, be patient, and enjoy the journey and intersections that he provides. Poland is not my immediate concern as the Owner will let us know when it is time and until then we follow the directions we have right now.
Take some time this week and ask yourself what perspective your viewing God plan for your life from.....who knows maybe you'll also be able to shed some of the excess baggage your carrying around. More posts to come on a much more regular basis....
Send us your comments, open some dialogue with us, lets have coffee (OK, not for me but I''ll have a Green tea) or break some bread together....I treasure all my current relationships and intersections and look forward to the new ones coming....
In Service with you for the Kingdom,
Gabe
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