Christmas has always been just a little more--eventful than simply a seasonal holiday celebration for me (Eryn).
Christmas four years ago: I was gearing up to head into one of Thailand's mountain hill-tribe villages to help in a church plant.
Christmas three years ago: Preparations for a week-long missions conference--Urbana- in St Louis. Including flying/training in friends from around the country to attend.
Christmas two years ago: Ireland with my best friend. Visiting her missionary family. Including evangelism in their church and city.
Christmas last year: My first Christmas with my (soon-to-be, then) new family. And a new home/job search/life--out-of-college existence awaiting me back in Milwaukee.
Christmas this year--no less eventful!
Thursday Gray and I will drive 6 hours up North (And I mean Up North!) to the U.P. to spend Christmas with his family. (And my first Christmas with younger siblings!!) The day after Christmas, we make the 10-hour drive to Savanna, IL. To meet up with Gray's brother and sister -in-law, Mitchell and Anna. But first we stop by my parents house to drop off the puppy! Then the next day, all four of us leave from Savanna for a 5+ hour drive to St Louis for the once-every-three-years Urbana Missions conference. Hosting hundreds of misisons organizations, bringing in dozens of speakers and teachers from around the world, and accommodating 22,000 (last time I was there) students eager to wet their hands in global missions.
We've been awaiting and preparing for this conference for about a year now. We're praying that through it we will gain a grasp of what organization we will seek to team with in serving in SouthEast Asia. It's an overwhelming and daunting task, but with God's blessing, we're well on our way. We already have meetings set up with OMF (Formerly China Inland Missions), and Pioneer missions, to sit down and discuss possible opportunities and the dynamics of their organizations.
After Urbana, we all load into the station wagon once again, and drive through the night for another 9 hours for our friends' wedding in Iowa! Then, the next day, another 9-hour drive home.
People always say to do these things while you're young and with no children! So--we are!
This season has been surprisingly busy. Gray has thankfully been given a lot of hours up on those roofs. And has proven himself once again my hero by working long hours in Wisconsin's treacherous temperatures. I've been keeping myself busy with extra hours at work (I'm now working 30 hours a week at Church, plus childcare) And many Christmas projects, including gift tins for all of our neighbors. We've been using the extra time we do find to develop relationships with old friends and new.
Even after the Holidays, it doesn't seem as thought things will slow down too much! I've signed up as a coach for our basketball ministry at church for 7 and 8 year-old girls! With Grayson working, and my taking on this team without knowing a fool thing about basketball--it should prove interesting!! We're also seeking to become more involved in the student ministries at our church. I do a lot of the behind-the-scene administrative work at church, but we would like to become involved in face-to-face ministry with the students. This past weekend I was blessed to help lead the freshman and sophomore high schoolers in serving at one of Milwaukee's homeless shelters. And--probably most exciting of all--One of our pastors and good friends at church has asked Grayson to teach a 3-month-long class at church on the book of Colossians! Gray has been studying hard in preparation, and we're excited to see him moving into more of a teaching roll.
I know this is getting long, but I just want to share something I've been thinking a lot about this Christmas, which has been a huge blessing to me. Being an avid journaler throughout the years, I've come to cherris looking back through my life and comparing time from time, and seeing how the Lord has blessed me so greatly. This Christmas, as I look back at one year ago from now, I can't even begin to fathom how greatly the Lord has provided for us.
A year ago, I had just left Bible school for financial reasons and moved into a new apartment, basically scraping together pocket change to pay for my first month rent. My waitressing job paid (sometimes) $100/week. Our new car was literally a miracle, as I had no transportation. Grayson was laid off. Construction is mean in the Winter months. we wanted so badly to be married, and it seemed impossible in any near future plans. I remember sitting in my new empty apartment, and wanting so badly simply to have a Christmas tree with few decorations, yet hardly being able to buy food for the week. I was an ex-college student, alright! Yet throughout these tough months, Gray and I found it such a blessing to lean upon the Lord, and watch His faithful provisions. Friends and Family stood near us, allowing us, of course, to learn through experience and hardship, but also helping us however they may.
Now, I can sit in our new, beautiful home, next to my husband and holding our puppy, and watch our wonderful 1st Christmas tree! Urbana missions conference would have been impossible had things not changed. But the Lord has seen fit to bless us and provide, and take us in His way and on His path, towards His desire for our life and marriage.
The Lord is good to allow hardships, in order to draw us near to Him, and He is good to watch over us in such a way to protect from evil and ruin. He is good and faithful to grant us our desires.
It will be a wonderful first Christmas together!
We love you all, and thank you for the time you invest in our lives. Merry Christmas! Remember to keep it simple :)
-Grayson and Eryn
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
How He Provides
Meet Wally.
13 days before our wedding, we totaled Oswald, our beloved Buick, a boat of a car. Eryn's parents were gracious enough to lend their mini van until the wedding, and then we got Grayson's Jeep back onto the road. As much as Eryn has enjoyed pulling into work in 5-inch-lifted monster of a Jeep, it was time to get something a little more...practical.
We've been praying for a good vehicle since we crashed the Buick, and this past week our opportunit came to pick up this beauty. It came from a man who had just had his liscence taken away by doctor's orders, so he simply wanted to get rid of it. He sold it to us for well less than half it's worth! a 95, but drives brand new, with only 85,000 miles! It's new tires should get us well through winter. And, the best part--Eryn gets her woodie wagon, only one step below the Volvo wagon she was dreaming of! The owner was sad to see it go, especially under such circumstances, but he became excited when Gray told him that we're headed to the mission field, and this is a perfect car to last us while we're here, and will be a great blessing to us.
Meet Maja!
Grayson knew going into this marriage that the promise of a dog would be a prequisit. On our 6-week marriage anniversary, we hopped into the car and went shelter-hopping. It was a bit spontaneous, but we came home with her; Maja. She's definitely been a surprise of a puppy! Within 2 weeks she was completely potty trained. Never barks in the kennel, or in home, really. Doesn't need a leash. Wonderful around kids. Doesn't chew unless we leave something around for her. She can sit on command ;) And if she wants to be made happy, all you need to do is scratch the belly.
She's just shy of six months now. A labrador/pointer mix.
Preparations are in way for the Urbana Missions Conference; not long now! About a month and a half away, we're beginning to get more of a picture of what our goals need to be in going. We've been corresponding with some old friends and new with one organization, and they have offered to meet up with us at Urbana and talk about possibilities for future missions, next Fall and more long-term! We're praising God for what He is opening up to us, and praying that we be faithful as He places more onto our plate.
He is good.
-Lynums.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
And so it Begins.
So now we are married and are excited to begin the unsure, yet determined hike towards our Goal of full time ministry overseas.
With it comes, mission organizations, applications, questions, phone calls, inquiries and dead ends.
And this is just the first week or so of this marathon!
But on a bright note, the ambition is good and the support from our friends and family is so encouraging!
One of the things Eryn and I are working on is a timeline.
But as we begin a timeline we keep adding things that need to be done or completed and as the timeline grows into the distance we find our enthusiasm waning, but that is the emotion.
And anyone who has pursued a goal knows that there is a time that quickly comes that your goal doesn't sounds so great. and like A lot of work.
This is the time we rely on Gods strength to pursue what he has laid out for us!
This is the the pruners shears, the fire that purges. This is what we live for isnt it? the times when we have no choice but to turn to God for His strength!
I was getting excited in church today thinking of a story of an Indian pastor bleeding for Christ, and then realized id much rather bleed for Christ than wait for Him!
And i am realizing now that i will need as much of Christs strength now as i will need any day on the mission field!
But anyway the timeline, the tool that encourages us to continue by simultaniously showing our progress and the work still ahead of us!
October 4th 2009: we are here
Fall of '09 Search begins for sending agencies
December 27th-jan 1st. : Urbana, Missions conference in St louis Mo.
Fall '10 short term trip to S.E. Asia!
Yep, thats about it for now...
But there are much more on the agenda before we leave such as:
Eryn Finish New tribes, one more semester!
Me finish my bachelors in biblical studies, Any way possible! (roughly 60 more credits, 2 years full time)
Develop a support base!
Kids? (will we have time?)
So anyway, we have ALOT on our plate, and are realizing early that starting now it is of the utmost importance to build a strong foundation of trust in God. By allowing Him to work in our own hearts, as well as in our outward lives. Noticing His consistency, our own inadequacy, His trustworthiness, our sin natures, and His all sufficient Grace.
With it comes, mission organizations, applications, questions, phone calls, inquiries and dead ends.
And this is just the first week or so of this marathon!
But on a bright note, the ambition is good and the support from our friends and family is so encouraging!
One of the things Eryn and I are working on is a timeline.
But as we begin a timeline we keep adding things that need to be done or completed and as the timeline grows into the distance we find our enthusiasm waning, but that is the emotion.
And anyone who has pursued a goal knows that there is a time that quickly comes that your goal doesn't sounds so great. and like A lot of work.
This is the time we rely on Gods strength to pursue what he has laid out for us!
This is the the pruners shears, the fire that purges. This is what we live for isnt it? the times when we have no choice but to turn to God for His strength!
I was getting excited in church today thinking of a story of an Indian pastor bleeding for Christ, and then realized id much rather bleed for Christ than wait for Him!
And i am realizing now that i will need as much of Christs strength now as i will need any day on the mission field!
But anyway the timeline, the tool that encourages us to continue by simultaniously showing our progress and the work still ahead of us!
October 4th 2009: we are here
Fall of '09 Search begins for sending agencies
December 27th-jan 1st. : Urbana, Missions conference in St louis Mo.
Fall '10 short term trip to S.E. Asia!
Yep, thats about it for now...
But there are much more on the agenda before we leave such as:
Eryn Finish New tribes, one more semester!
Me finish my bachelors in biblical studies, Any way possible! (roughly 60 more credits, 2 years full time)
Develop a support base!
Kids? (will we have time?)
So anyway, we have ALOT on our plate, and are realizing early that starting now it is of the utmost importance to build a strong foundation of trust in God. By allowing Him to work in our own hearts, as well as in our outward lives. Noticing His consistency, our own inadequacy, His trustworthiness, our sin natures, and His all sufficient Grace.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
In a land far away...and full of seafood!!!
Our Honeymoon:
Seattle, nine days. Grayson lived here for 4 years, and knows all the good spots to stop, and I have always, always wanted to visit!
San Fransisco, 6 days. I visited SanFran when I was 5 years old, and absolutely fell in love with it. I have always wanted to go back, so Gray decided to take me! And it was just as magical as I remembered ;)
And the photos.....
Seattle Aquarium (Followed by some fish for dinner ;)
Seattle, nine days. Grayson lived here for 4 years, and knows all the good spots to stop, and I have always, always wanted to visit!
San Fransisco, 6 days. I visited SanFran when I was 5 years old, and absolutely fell in love with it. I have always wanted to go back, so Gray decided to take me! And it was just as magical as I remembered ;)
And the photos.....
Seattle Aquarium (Followed by some fish for dinner ;)
At the ocean!
At the Gasworks Park
Grayson caught a crab for me :) We didn't eat this one ;)
Seattle!!
The sea lions at Pier 39 in SanFran. Yup, they've missed me....
It was a fantastic trip! And definitely the vacation that we needed after a long Summer of long hours and wedding planning!
Grayson caught a crab for me :) We didn't eat this one ;)
Seattle!!
The sea lions at Pier 39 in SanFran. Yup, they've missed me....
The West Coast's other great offering: Java.
It was a fantastic trip! And definitely the vacation that we needed after a long Summer of long hours and wedding planning!
And Then They Returned to Life....
When we arrived back from the honeymoon, everyone I saw asked quickly how it went; sometimes for details of where we went and what we ate, but as an end to the question, I noticed most seemed to leave with, "So, now back to life, huh?" I would chuckle and agree, then be on my way.
It's hard, however, to "return" to a life you've never actually had. Everything was going to be different!
We had a lot of plans for when we returned home. The wedding week and 2 weeks of honeymoon to follow were as a dream--an abstract time in our lives; yet of vital importance and the building of memorandum that we'll cherish forever. When we touched ground back in Milwaukee, we both knew the inevitable was at hand of things to be done, my name and our addresses to be changed, things to be moved, and all too much more.
I had one day before work would resume, and Grayson had a week to move things into our new home before he would begin school to finish his bachelors in Biblical Studies through Lancaster Bible, online.
God had some other things in mind, however, and some lessons to be learned right off-the-bat for our new marriage. Lessons in dependance--upon each other, but mostly in God as our Head.
About a week into our new life at home, Gray sat down to process and write about what's been happening, and our plans being changed. It's a little long, but please take the time to read and see what God has been doing these past few weeks in our live:
"Well we have been married now for 3 whole weeks!!!!
the honeymoon in Seattle and San Fran were GREAT, we ate lots of seafood and rested our minds and readied ourselves for our return to Waukesha, which would be a VERY different place.
Before our Honeymoon, we both had full time jobs and Eryn even had a part time job working at our church. And as soon as we got back to Waukesha our world was going to change Drastically, Eryn was going to continue working her full time and part time jobs, I was going to go part time and then return to Bible school full time! And on top of that and the obvious change of being married, we were going to be moving into a new place as soon as we got back from our honeymoon!
Oh, and i totaled our car 2 weeks before our wedding, so we needed a car too. So, we'd need one of those, or we could just buy Eryn's parents car since it seems we have it more then they do sometimes! (THANKS A TON!!)
The day after we got back from our honeymoon, Eryn started work again at both places, and I was preparing for us to move.
And that's when the rug was swept out from under our dependent feet.
Eryn was hired by her company in anticipation of them gaining a big contract in Chicago, and having her take them over, along with all of the contracts in Wisconsin. We didn't know about this until this past week. And to you who don't know, her job consists of her making sure cleaners who have been contracted to clean child care facilities, in Wisconsin, do their jobs. So, ALOT of driving and visiting centers and TONS of phone calls and emails every day.
Things were going well until her company was not awarded the contract for the Chicago area.
Her company then saw no need to be paying her her salary.
She was offered a part time position instead, about 30 hours a month, and it did not include insurance.
After prayer we realized this would end up being more of a pain than a help, so she declined their offer, and as of this Friday, no longer has a full time job. As well as we no longer have the insurance that we had waited for 6 months to receive. We would have to return her cell phone and computer, as well as they would not be paying for our internet.
We quickly realized this meant I would not be able to be going to school full time, as iIwould have to return to work full time!
So the college was called and classes canceled until further notice. I called my boss (Ryan Ketcham) and he said he could take me back full time. (thanks!!)
And we are yet again looking for a health insurance that we will not have to trade our firstborn for!
But we are excited.
We have gotten to see how God is orchestrating this, and that our original plans, while good and ambitious, would have caused ALOT of stress individually and in our budding marriage relationship.
We are able to praise God that instead of Eryn and I being thrust into a very busy and demanding life, that we will be able instead to concentrate on our relationship, and the relationships with people around us; like at the church we love so much!
This opens doors for us to get involved at church more!
To be able to save up, and of course to buy a car! (still borrowing Eryn's parents!)
We are also excited to be freed up to pursue a sending missionary organization, as it has always been our goal to get overseas in the next 4 years or so.
We wanted to plan a trip to Southeast Asia for next summer, and now we may be able to!
So we praise God for His lovingkindness in interceding and disrupting our plans, and we feel, saving us from a very stressful and straining first year of marriage! We understand it will be stressful and straining anyway, but not as much as it could have been!
This last week has been very hard on us, with so much going on, but so many of you have been helpful and supportive with your prayers, time and resources.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and Praise God for His provision of you all!!
We are hoping to come out with a newsletter soon and/or maybe a blog to keep people up to date on on in what Direction God id moving us!
Thanks Again!!"
We are more than excited for the things God is doing, and the new opportunities being opened up to us. We've begun coaching a 2nd and 3rd grade girls soccer team in our childrens' soccer ministry at our church. Eryn is able to help with childcare at church for the womens' ministries. We are finally able to begin attending a bible study on positional truth, taught by Rick Barth with his Wife, Jonell; the couple who did our pre-marital counseling; and Rick was our officiant at the wedding. We're excited about new ministry and learning opportunities that we'll now have, and the chance to begin our marriage in a less-stressful atmosphere; to enjoy each other and learn how to love each other through God's strength, love, and grace.
Now that we've finally tied the know and made this official, we're beginning to focus more on overseas missions, and our goal of serving the Lord cross-cultural in another country. We're excited to attend Urbana missions conference this December, and begin looking at different missions organizations, in hoped of deciding one to team with. Also, this is allowing us more time to focus on putting together a newsletter, this blog, and ultimately building a Spiritual support group to come along side of us as we go through this process!
It's hard, however, to "return" to a life you've never actually had. Everything was going to be different!
We had a lot of plans for when we returned home. The wedding week and 2 weeks of honeymoon to follow were as a dream--an abstract time in our lives; yet of vital importance and the building of memorandum that we'll cherish forever. When we touched ground back in Milwaukee, we both knew the inevitable was at hand of things to be done, my name and our addresses to be changed, things to be moved, and all too much more.
I had one day before work would resume, and Grayson had a week to move things into our new home before he would begin school to finish his bachelors in Biblical Studies through Lancaster Bible, online.
God had some other things in mind, however, and some lessons to be learned right off-the-bat for our new marriage. Lessons in dependance--upon each other, but mostly in God as our Head.
About a week into our new life at home, Gray sat down to process and write about what's been happening, and our plans being changed. It's a little long, but please take the time to read and see what God has been doing these past few weeks in our live:
"Well we have been married now for 3 whole weeks!!!!
the honeymoon in Seattle and San Fran were GREAT, we ate lots of seafood and rested our minds and readied ourselves for our return to Waukesha, which would be a VERY different place.
Before our Honeymoon, we both had full time jobs and Eryn even had a part time job working at our church. And as soon as we got back to Waukesha our world was going to change Drastically, Eryn was going to continue working her full time and part time jobs, I was going to go part time and then return to Bible school full time! And on top of that and the obvious change of being married, we were going to be moving into a new place as soon as we got back from our honeymoon!
Oh, and i totaled our car 2 weeks before our wedding, so we needed a car too. So, we'd need one of those, or we could just buy Eryn's parents car since it seems we have it more then they do sometimes! (THANKS A TON!!)
The day after we got back from our honeymoon, Eryn started work again at both places, and I was preparing for us to move.
And that's when the rug was swept out from under our dependent feet.
Eryn was hired by her company in anticipation of them gaining a big contract in Chicago, and having her take them over, along with all of the contracts in Wisconsin. We didn't know about this until this past week. And to you who don't know, her job consists of her making sure cleaners who have been contracted to clean child care facilities, in Wisconsin, do their jobs. So, ALOT of driving and visiting centers and TONS of phone calls and emails every day.
Things were going well until her company was not awarded the contract for the Chicago area.
Her company then saw no need to be paying her her salary.
She was offered a part time position instead, about 30 hours a month, and it did not include insurance.
After prayer we realized this would end up being more of a pain than a help, so she declined their offer, and as of this Friday, no longer has a full time job. As well as we no longer have the insurance that we had waited for 6 months to receive. We would have to return her cell phone and computer, as well as they would not be paying for our internet.
We quickly realized this meant I would not be able to be going to school full time, as iIwould have to return to work full time!
So the college was called and classes canceled until further notice. I called my boss (Ryan Ketcham) and he said he could take me back full time. (thanks!!)
And we are yet again looking for a health insurance that we will not have to trade our firstborn for!
But we are excited.
We have gotten to see how God is orchestrating this, and that our original plans, while good and ambitious, would have caused ALOT of stress individually and in our budding marriage relationship.
We are able to praise God that instead of Eryn and I being thrust into a very busy and demanding life, that we will be able instead to concentrate on our relationship, and the relationships with people around us; like at the church we love so much!
This opens doors for us to get involved at church more!
To be able to save up, and of course to buy a car! (still borrowing Eryn's parents!)
We are also excited to be freed up to pursue a sending missionary organization, as it has always been our goal to get overseas in the next 4 years or so.
We wanted to plan a trip to Southeast Asia for next summer, and now we may be able to!
So we praise God for His lovingkindness in interceding and disrupting our plans, and we feel, saving us from a very stressful and straining first year of marriage! We understand it will be stressful and straining anyway, but not as much as it could have been!
This last week has been very hard on us, with so much going on, but so many of you have been helpful and supportive with your prayers, time and resources.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and Praise God for His provision of you all!!
We are hoping to come out with a newsletter soon and/or maybe a blog to keep people up to date on on in what Direction God id moving us!
Thanks Again!!"
We are more than excited for the things God is doing, and the new opportunities being opened up to us. We've begun coaching a 2nd and 3rd grade girls soccer team in our childrens' soccer ministry at our church. Eryn is able to help with childcare at church for the womens' ministries. We are finally able to begin attending a bible study on positional truth, taught by Rick Barth with his Wife, Jonell; the couple who did our pre-marital counseling; and Rick was our officiant at the wedding. We're excited about new ministry and learning opportunities that we'll now have, and the chance to begin our marriage in a less-stressful atmosphere; to enjoy each other and learn how to love each other through God's strength, love, and grace.
Now that we've finally tied the know and made this official, we're beginning to focus more on overseas missions, and our goal of serving the Lord cross-cultural in another country. We're excited to attend Urbana missions conference this December, and begin looking at different missions organizations, in hoped of deciding one to team with. Also, this is allowing us more time to focus on putting together a newsletter, this blog, and ultimately building a Spiritual support group to come along side of us as we go through this process!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)