Calm before the storm?

     Back in the early 70's, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) had a song out called Have You Ever Seen The Rain. The very first line of that song was "Someone told me long ago, that there's a calm before the storm, I know; It's been coming for some time" I had to think of those lyrics over the last couple of weeks as I have been feeling a calmness about leaving and it almost seems like I should be feeling more nervous than I am. Is this, like CCR sang, "the calm before the storm"? I don't know, and really it doesn't matter, because in Matt 6:24 it tells us not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. What I do know is that only a God as big as our God can give us the peace and calmness that we have been feeling at this time in our lives.

     Some things that are happening right now are, On June 25th, our son Fred married  Lauren Smith and they are residing in a house they have purchased and are currently renovating in LaGrange IN. It is great to have Lauren join our family. Karen and I and the 3 Littles made a very quick trip to OKC July 1-3rd  to visit Jeff and Abby at their home. We had a very warm reception (104°) from them and a  wonderful time. We have the registration mailed in to Spanish Language Institute in San Jose Costa Rica and the airline tickets are purchased for an August 22nd departure out of Detroit. Our house is beginning to empty out as our children, family, and friends have started to "watch" some of our furniture for us while we are gone. We sold our motorcycle and our only antique tractor a couple of weeks ago. Boxes are getting filled to either go with us or put into storage. I made a wooden crate this week that will have a trailer axle, a hitch for a van, 2 wheels, 4 bicycles, and other misc items in it to get shipped ahead of us to the Dominican Republic. Our support raising is off to a good start which is a great feeling of encouragement from all of you. So all in all I guess I really have no logical reason to feel anything other than calm. Some things that you can be praying for us at this time are,

• In the last 6-1/2 weeks here that we can spend that time wisely with visiting with family and friends that we are close to.
• We will continue to remain focused on God and what he as ahead of us.
• That we don't get consumed in the raising of support and we can accept that it will come in God's timing.
• We can make practical decisions about what to take, what to put into storage, and what to give away.

It is difficult to express our thanks to all of you for the ways we feel your support, Meals brought in, Notes of encouragement,  prayers that we fell coming our way and many other ways also. Thanks to all of you as you continue to partner with us.