A Conference, Kidz Songs, A Summit, and Backyard Birds

Interchange 2016, Southampton, PA

Can you find us in this picture?

Karen and I traveled to the Philadelphia area the second week of May to participate in a two day conference focused on "Missions and Money." Hosted by Catalyst Services, this conference brought ninety representatives from churches and mission agencies together to explore, dialog, and work through real faith and stewardship issues. Keynote speakers, seminar presenters, panels, case studies, discussion groups, and break-out sessions all pointed to the increasing need for cooperation, communication, and transparency between everyone involved in preparing, sending, keeping, and caring for those we send into mission service.

Kidz Under Construction
I was blessed to be recruited for a speaking (not singing) role in this year's Children's Musical at our church. Our performance was May 22 and it went off without a hitch to rave reviews! I played the role of "Joe Carpenter" in a construction-based musical sharing the truth of God's love, his grace and his "Master Plan" for each of our lives.

I'm the big kid on the left.

In The Office At GOMEX
As we launch into June, I'm coaching nineteen missionary families raising support for service in fourteen different countries. Karen and I are also preparing to host Greg, Global's VP of Personnel; and Tom, Global's Member Care Coordinator; for a two day "Planning Summit" here in our office June 15-16. We'll be discussing HR policies, consider updates, and discuss new guidance to keep Global Outreach engaged in the rapidly changing administrative context of international operations.

Global Outreach Mission EXtension Office (GOMEX)

Backyard Birds
We've been blessed with a wonderful spring here in North Carolina, and thrilled by so many colorful birds nesting in, and traveling through, our backyard.

Indigo Bunting

Goldfinch

Summer Tanager 

Karen's View This Morning

It's Karen writing today! I thought I'd show you my view as I work this morning.

The view from the sewing machine

This isn't what I had planned to do today. But, sometimes we make our plans and then something changes them. I'm guessing you've had some days like that! Jesus said there'd be days like that. Today I was planning on attending the Piecemakers Quilters Guild meeting. However, the weather is messing with my head and I am not up to interacting and driving so I am blessed to have a day at home.

Despite my aching head I can often get into a project that doesn't take too much gray matter usage and gives my brain a welcome distraction until my head demands a long nap. The Piecemakers Quilting Guild allows me opportunity to use my sewing to share God's love with kids who are fighting cancer at one of our local hospitals. Last year the guild donated about 85 quilts to this cause!

Families are delighted and surprised that anyone would care enough to make quilts for their kids.The nurses can enjoy giving something of comfort and care to families who are going through such a hard time. We have a local company who packages quilting fabrics and is generous enough to allow us to buy what they will not be able to use for pennies on the dollar! How awesome is that?! I'm so glad for their generosity and that God has shown me this resource through a friend at church.

I am still learning about quilting and feeling my ignorance as I work on this first kids quilt but it is sewn with love and with my prayers for the child who will find themselves wrapped up in it. I don't have the hand stitching quite done yet but here is a preview of the colorful covering:

My first attempt at machine quilting. All done but the hand sewing

 As I work at home I can always count on having a furry companion nearby "helping" keep the fabric warmed up...

Tanner warms up the fabric

...and another to help me remember when it's time to stop and take a nap so my head can heal from this migraine.

Tucker encourages me to take a nap and rest

Times of work and times of rest. All according to God's plan. Yielding to God's leading can even make a headache day a day of blessing!

Thanks for checking in on my view of the day! Time to go.....I think I hear Tucker snoring...

A Quick Update Before We Hit The Road Again

Now that our newsletter's out and we have yet to start packing again, I have time to share some of the fun things going on in and around our lives:

MOM CAME FOR A VISIT

Hi Mom!

BIRDS ARE ENJOYING OUR BACKYARD

 Eastern Bluebirds

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Goldfinch

I WAS RECRUITED BY THE CAST TO PLAY "JOE CARPENTER" IN OUR CHURCH'S UPCOMING CHILDREN'S MUSICAL

Recruitment Video

AND OUR SALSA GARDEN IS IN THE GROUND (Thanks, Mom!)

 Bell Peppers, Banana Peppers, and Jalapeno Peppers

Roma Tomatos

And now it's time to hit the road again! We're off to Southampton, PA to represent Global Outreach at the Interchange 2016 Conference.

Stay tuned!

Newsletter, Newsletter, Newsletter

Here's our latest Global Flyer!

Just "right-click" each image and then click "open in new window" to see the newsletter page full-size.

Looking Ahead
As we look ahead, there'll be more posts to follow as we have lots of updates and photos to share. And yes...we're on the road again. Karen and I will head to the Philadelphia area next week to represent Global Outreach at "Interchange 2016." Interchange is a missions mobilization conference that brings churches and mission agencies together to discuss trends, identify challenges, and explore ways to partner together better in preparing, sending and keeping missionaries in service.