Going Home!

Hey Everybody!

We are coming home today! Jon did not get put on clean up duty so we're done here in Houston. We will be staying at my grandfather's house in south Dallas for a while, as he has land we can park our "big fish" on, but we hope to move back up north in a week or two. I'm still working on Jon to get a message out to you all so that you can hear the awesome stuff God has given him over the past months. We've missed our family and friends and it's good to be coming home. We really needed the extra money clean up was going to bring us, but we just have to trust that God will take care of us. How could we not? Here is a letter our pastor asked us to write that might explain that! He has done it for us in the past...he can do it again!!!

Blessings,

Emily

How low can you go? I thought we were there. Not only were we NOT making ends meet, and behind on every bill we owed, but the job Jon had was making it worse. It was one thing to feel stress over a little money, but to see my husband come home every day, beaten, abused, and crushed was the worst of it. His boss made his life a living hell. Nothing he did was right, and when he did something right, it was never acknowledged. Jon was lower than low, and his boss never let him forget it. They even threatened him with his job if he didn't improve. So just to spite them he did it; he improved. So instead of firing him for being such a crummy guy, they had to fire him for something different. They said it was because he wasn't a good fit. So now we are behind on bills and even less money coming in. That's pretty low, huh? No, our house was foreclosed on. Seeking God in this situation we came up with a plan. We would sell everything we owned, and buy an RV so that when Jon got a new job (which would require travel) we could go with him. So we sat in our tiny new home and waited. And prayed. And asked our friends to pray. I was earning some money with photography, but my camera broke! So we waited, and prayed, and asked our friends to pray Then we were down to our last unemployment check, and still no leads on a job for jon, and not enough money to fix my camera. So we waited, and prayed, and asked our friends to pray. Did we miss you God? Did we do the wrong thing? Are we doomed? So, in God's own fashion, in the last hour, Jon was called for a job. Then everything went wrong. 3 computers, a car, two phones, and wireless Internet broke, all of which he needed for his job. Is this resistance from the evil one? Is it a test from God? Well, Jon is not only making a good living for us, but he is getting to do what he has yearned to do for the last two years. He is spreading the Gospel, the Good news of our Lord Jesus. He meets with 4 to 5 people a day who have lost almost everything. He is there to examine storm damage, but he also is receiving words of knowledge for people with soul damage. He has prayed for people with cancer, with sick and wounded family members, and people who are seeking a church home. He has been able to pray for peace and give hope to those who have lost everything. He has even been able to help those who have lost trust, to regain some by just being himself and showing the love of God. Now that's pretty high. But you know God, he can take you higher. Though this is Jon's first storm with this company, and with all the early setbacks, he has become the number one adjuster in his Administrations Manager's group, Top three in his Field Managers group, and is "my man" for his General Manager. Not to mention making a name for himself by having to correct the policy specialist errors on his largest file! He's number one, even over seasoned adjusters. It is hard to see when you are in the pit, but it makes perfect sense from the mountain top. God's plans are ALWAYS for good.

The Good News and the Bad News

Hey Everyone,

Here is the good news. Jon has made quite an impression on the higher ups at his company and he will most likely be asked to stay on for a couple of more month. That equals more money!!!

Bad news. We will be gone a couple of more months.

Good News. We are having a good time in Houston because the zoo, and most other attractions have home school programs. Fun!!

Bad News. The kids are missing their friends.

Good news. My Uncle John (my mom's brother), is in better spirits after the initial diagnosis of small cell cancer.

Bad news. The cancer has spread to his bones, liver, and back. The outlook is not good even though they did start him on chemo this week.

Good news. We serve a God that nothing is impossible for!!! We are praying for complete healing, and that can happen!!!

I'll see some of you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Emily

Home again, home again, jiggidy, jig.....

I'm back in Dallas. This is not a happy visit. I received word yesterday that my Uncle Billy went to sleep Monday night, and did not wake up in the morning. For those of you who don't know. Uncle Billy and Aunt Tootsie are very special people in my life. Being the middle child, it was hard for me to feel special (not the fault of my parents I might add), but they ALWAYS made me feel special. I would spend at least a week with them every summer and (shh..) I got an extra Christmas present every year! Uncle Billy was an amazing person. He could play the piano like I'd never seen anyone play before. I wanted to learn too at the ripe old age of 4. He would spend hours sitting at that piano bench with me, tediously showing me how to plunk out notes so I could play a duet with him. I loved him, and he taught me to love the piano. I know he is showing the angels how to worship with ragtime right now, so there is peace knowing he didn't have to suffer and he is perfectly healed in the presence of our Lord Jesus.

Blessings

Emily

I did NOT fall off the face of the earth!

Hey Guys!

I snagged the computer from Jon for a couple of seconds and wanted to let you know that we are all fine and settled in to our spot in Bay Town Texas. I'm still trying to get Jon to write an entry so that you all can hear the great things God is doing. One thing I can tell you is just the awesome providence of God. There is a thing called a "shock loss". This means that the loss is over $10,000 and a supervisor has to go and reinspect the loss. This kind of loss pays a lot more than a normal one. Most guys in Jon's office MIGHT have gotten one, most haven't. Jon's gotten three. The only person who could know this and be able to give them to Jon is God. He is taking care of us minute by minute.

Blessings,

Emily

When it rains, it pours

Hey Guys,

If you have been trying to call me, I haven't noticed, because my phone got fried and I've lost all my numbers. So, unless you call me, I won't call you, because I don't know your number. But when you call me I'll save the number then I'll have it and I can call you.

I'd like to thank all of your for your prayers this weekend. It was a lovely service and now the hard part begins of sifting through a lifetime of finances, relationships, and belongings that were my grandfathers. I'm glad I can be here to help my mom during this time.

I've spoken to Jon little over the last week, but he's been very excited about being able to minister to people. He finally got work and is very busy, and apparently has been able to pray for many of the people he is working for. Of course our enemy doesn't like this so everything else is going wrong. (my phone broke, the car isn't drivable right now, his borrowed computer keeps fizzing out on him, he still doesn't have electricity, and so forth)Please keep him in your prayers as he is under attack spiritually also. I've asked him to give you all an update so hopefully he can share the awesome stuff going on down there soon.

I'll be at the Vineyard this Sunday, so I'll see most of you then!!!

Blessings,

Emily

Of Birth and Death

My grandfather breathed his last breath around 4:30 this morning. I can only say that is was remarkably akin to birth. Having witnessed so many as a doula, I couldn't help but draw the comparisons. As with birth, when Papa was home, he was finally able to relax. It was quite and still, peaceful. Grandchildren played and laughed in the yard. The house was full of loved ones and friends. Some cried, some laughed. There was sorrow and joy. It was just as it should be. Peaceful and loving. Painful, yet hopeful. Birth and death, death and birth. A soul ushered from the hands of God into the earth. A soul ushered from this earth into the hands of God. But in both, God is central, and at the end of both journeys, it simply is what it is no matter what your plans. For there is a time for every purpose under the heavens. You can either stand in that truth, or sink in unbelief. The experience of birth, the experience of death. Both beautiful in their own right, and solely to the Glory of God. Thank you for your prayers. God answered.

blessings,

Emily

I'm Home...Well...Sort of...

Because my home is actually in Winnie, TX with Jon, but I'm in Dallas, which Dallas is the city we call home, so if that doesn't mess with your head.........


Anyway...Just a quick note to let you know I'm in town, I've got to run and see my grandpa, they will be taking him off the ventilator tomorrow and they say it could be minutes, hours, or days before he passes, but it will be soon. Please continue to keep my family in your prayers.

Blessings!!!

Emily