Mark & April

Karen and I were blessed to welcome Mark & April Waddell to Coshocton and MMS yesterday afternoon. Mark & April are from South Carolina and are seeking the Lord's will for their life of service.

They'd emailed with me for several months about apprenticeship with MMS and it seemed an appropriate time for them to come up, visit the hangar, meet the guys, and spend some time with us. So they did.

After spending a couple hours at MMS Friday afternoon, we stopped a walk along the main street of Roscoe Village to do some browsing and window shopping. There was a cool breeze as a summer shower drifted through the area. The rain stopped shortly after we started walking (only chasing us inside one store) and it didn't start again until we climbed back in our cars to drive to the house. The showers were very brief.

Karen was home ahead of us and had one of her famous dinners waiting when we walked in. After the main course, we ate our Snickers Pie (home made by Karen) for dessert on the front porch enjoying the cool breeze, the increasing darkness, and the fire flies.

This morning we had a slow start, fueled-up on Karen's cherry coffee cake, and washed it down with Caroline's "Special Blend" Coffee from Grass Valley, CA.

The remnants of Karen's coffee cake.

After that it was off to Charm where the ladies hit Miller's Quilt and Fabric shop and Mark and I hit the Charm Boot & Harness Shop and Keim Lumber. After finding several good deals (and making a stop at Miller's Bakery) we were off to Berlin (pronounced BER-lin, NOT like the city in Germany) for a stop at Zinc's fabric (can you see a theme here?) and then on to Walnut Creek for lunch and a stroll through the bulk foods section. From Walnut Creek it was off to Pearl, OH and a stop at Pearl Valley Cheese to buy some sweet balogna and some cheese.

Shortly after arriving back at the house, Mark & April left for Kentucky where their church is currently involved in a missions project. They are continuing to pray as to whether or not pursuing apprenticeship with MMS is the next step on the path of obedience to God's calling on their lives.

Mark & April on our front porch.

We had a great time of fellowship, of talking about all the deep things one talks about when considering full-time mission service, and of being tourists.

Ministry takes on all forms and part of Karen's and my ministry is helping people discern God's will for their lives whether through electronic or personal communication, formal or informal means. It's such a privilege to enjoy and quite a responsibility to carry. Thanks for helping us serve in this way through your prayers, your friendship, your love, and your gifts.