God wants me (Kathy) in Jamaica!

Six months ago, I was approached about going with a medical mission team to Jamaica. I was immediately interested but there were so many obstacles in the way. The first thing that came to mind was the $1000 that would be needed to pay my way. Secondly, the four kids that depend on me, weighed heavily on my mind. Jeff's schedule is so tight with schooling, flying, and Army Reserve comittments, that I saw no way to work in a 9 day trip to Jamaica.

God can make a way. Jeff began encouraging me to take a look at the calendar. His school quarter ends the day before the team leaves for Jamaica. He would also be able to arrange his other priorities so that he could hold down the fort during my absence. At this point I was ready to tell the team I would go with them (trusting God for the financial means). The next day a member of the team approached me to ask if I would be able to go and said that they would give me a 50% scholarship if I could accompany them. Wow!

In the following weeks, as we have shared my desire to use my pharmacy skills on the mission field, my trip to Jamaica has been fully funded! God's people are so awesome. We are now working on accumulating prescription drugs, vitamins, glasses, toothpaste, etc. We have also held a fund raising dinner where we made over $3000 to buy additional supplies.

At this point we are just over 7 weeks away from our mission trip and God has already shown Himself at work. I feel so blessed to be a part of this group of dedicated professionals and I can't wait to see the work that God has planned for Jamaica and for me.

Is it April already?

It often seems like time goes by and there is nothing "news-worthy" to blog about. But here is a slice of our life right now:

• Graham turns 9 years old this month!
• Graham trimmed his thumb to a smaller size with a cheese grater.
• God has expanded our support base this month! He is so faithful to supply our needs.
  
• A "Secret Angel" has blessed us with passes for a kid's fun day and spending money for a parents "fun pass".
• We are making plans to attend the IAMA Conference in Lynchburg, Virginia in May.
• Kathy is preparing for a short term medical mission trip in June.
• Jeff continues classes in pursuit of his A&P license and is on track to finish in
  September.
• Jeff added night classes to his schedule in January and has only 2 more weeks to go at night (yipee!).
• The 3 oldest kids are enjoying their first season of Upward soccer. We spend our Saturday's camped out at the fields because they all play at different times.
  
• Jeff and Kathy have the privilege of teaching a great group of Kindergartners on Sunday mornings.
• Kathy is at the half-way point of her Moody Bible Institute Old Testament Survey Course.
• We finished our taxes without filing for an extension (that doesn't happen very often)!
• Kathy is enjoying practicing pharmacy one day a week. Working for Godly people is such a blessing.
• Kathy continues Physical Therapy to work through her neck pain issues.