Approvals....?

Well we heard back that after reviewing our psychological profiles and our interviews that we were approved to serve teaching in Asia.... it has been a few really stressful, busy weeks lately in which Melanie and I have been quite overwhelmed at times and at several points close to burning out. In retrospect as I am typing this, a great deal of this may have been an attack of the enemy which has left us in a strange place of uncertainty in that we are not quite sure anymore where God would have us. We both realize that anyone can be used by God where ever they may be which leads us to the uncertainty of do we stay or do we go. Things are starting to get back to normal with us which is nice, but also leads to holding on for dear life to comfort which is dangerous. If we continue on this journey we will have a great deal of a task to complete so we definitely covet your prayers whether we stay or go.



I don't really have too much to say today besides rambling and Melanie will be home soon so I suppose I will update again soon.



Much love,

Ira

GREAT DAY!!!

Well yesterday Melanie and I checked out.... Meaning that we shut off our phones and just ventured out to spend the day w/ only eachother and no distractions. It has been a long while since we have done this. We did not do anything particularly special except focus on eachother but it was great. We went and dropped off the Jeep to get an oil change and then went and saw "Blind Side" at the movies, then we went and shopped for a while in the University town center. After all that walking in the cold we decided to go out to eat and used a gift card we got for X-Mas to go to the Texas Roadhouse for the first time ever- we had a really good waitress who gave great service which was nice- and we gorged ourselves. Then last night we went to the mall and attempted to walk off some of dinner while we shopped. We ended up getting a couple of movies that were on sale at FYE (Baby Mama, and Death Becomes Her). We finished up the day by going home to cuddle on the couch and watch "Baby Mama" which was fun.

This post more than anything is just to share- in retrospect I think this was a great exercise to cut off all distractions and concentrate on each other as a couple- probably one that we will try to plan for more regularly- I would think it would be a great idea for every couple to encourage and strengthen eachother and their relationship.

Hope all is going well in your world,
Much Love,
Ira

Just for an update in the process.

On goes the process of selection for service in Asia. Well last week brought a multitude of personality tests for Melanie and I that left us thinking the person grading them would believe us to be schizophrenic. Each inventory found ways to ask the same question 20 different ways plus 5-10 similar questions... All of the inventories took us almost 8 hrs total. So now we are waiting on hearing about how crazy they think we are.

We have been in contact with our College after we were told in our initial interviews that our degrees' religious nature may cause an issue with serving in closed countries in Asia. They have been helpful in addressing that concern with us contrary to my initial expectations.

We have also been attempting to make time with cooperative weather/ work/ other responsibilities of our schedules to take pictures for newsletters the agency would possibly send out. The scheduling has been probably the hardest issue.

Other than that we are mainly just praying and attempting to continue in obedience with each step. I really appreciate those of you who are remembering to lift us up to the Father.

Thanks again,
Much love,
Ira