Life Changes

The theme of recent posts seem to all include life...this one is no exception!  So many changes are already taking place--some already determined others not so much.  May has been a huge month for Mike and I--especially for Mike.  The beginning of May was spent finishing up the last papers and assignments for Seminary and now Mike has graduated!!!  WOW!!!  I must say I am extremely proud of him!  So, change #1 Mike is done with school--no more books, no more classes, no more papers....What a relief!  Graduation day was May 14 which started with a Graduation Breakfast at Phoenix Seminary, followed by meeting up with Diane & Rod, dropping Mike off at church so he could work on the next weekend's retreat while I went to my parent's for a couple hours.  I met Mike at church for the graduation ceremony rehearsal and then people started showing up!  As Mike's wife I was privileged to escort him across stage while he was "hooded" with his Master's hood and our picture was taken with the Seminary's President, who also happens to be our church's pastor emirates, Dr. Darryl DelHousaye.  Saturday was party day!  Mike slept in while I went to a workshop for most of the day before setting up for Mike's graduation party that we had a church.  We had a great turnout and tons of dessert!  It was really fun for me to plan all the details of the party and let them be a surprise to Mike that evening.  I had put together a video montage over the past 5 years of  different friends, service opportunities, and trips that Mike has done and he told me later what a great variety I had chosen!  I also had Joe Gordon & Steve Eriksson (men Mike has interned under) on video since they could not make it to the party to share some thoughts and encouragement.  I also had four men that have influenced Mike over the last 4-5 years speak as well.  Mike then got to share some of his thoughts and have a Q & A.  The evening was perfect and such a celebration of Mike and his graduation!

Along with graduation will come the conclusion of Mike's internship at Scottsdale Bible Church--thankfully we still have a month before that wraps up.  Please be praying for a job for Mike--we have no idea where the Lord will take us!  Lord willing we will be able to stay in Phoenix.  Mike would love to be an Associate Pastor or work with small groups, short term missions, marriage ministry (in the future perhaps), things of that nature, but we will go where the Lord leads!  Along with that prayer request is one for me as one of my nanny jobs has drawn to a conclusion earlier than expected.  Their oldest boy (of two) is needing some prayer--I'll leave it at that for their privacy--and with that they needed someone with much more flexibility that I can offer.  I believe that will be hard to find, but hopefully it will work out for them.  My income has just been cut by a third or so and Mike will be out a job in a month.  I'm hoping this is an opportunity to take my business to the next level--from hobby to business so I've prepared some tools for myself and am ready to work hard!  Pray that I use my time well and that God multiplies my efforts and my business.  I want to build it to a point where when we have a family I can work solely from home and plan my business around our family.

So these are two huge life changes for us and we are certainly excited for the future, but if we dwell on it in our own strength it almost seems impossible for everything to work out.  However, we know that nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26b).  We are blessed by each of you and pray for the Lord's blessings on your lives!!!