It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since we devoted our lives to missionary training. The past 12+ months has provided an amazing opportunity for us to grow in so many ways. Some days were beautiful and we wished they would never end. Other days could have easily been compared to a dumpster fire. It is in the bittersweet balance of the highs and lows where we have seen our true spiritual growth during the last year. We are continually learning of our strengths and weaknesses as we run the race that Christ has set before us. And we are more vulnerable and dependent on the guidance and affection of Jesus than we have ever been. Continue reading →

Hello to each of you! We have missed you over the past few months and look forward to reconnecting through our blog. A little over three months have passed since our time in Kona ended. We have spent that time in rest, enjoying our immediate and extended family, visiting with Beautiful Feet (our missions organization), some birth and solar energy training, and seeking God for what He has for us in the future.

Last picture taken with my midwifery class in Kona. Continue reading →

We have less than 2 weeks left on the island. Just because our time here is ending, it does not mean God is finished working in our lives, teaching us, revealing more of Himself to us. I am really trying to be aware of this and keep myself open and present as we finish this season in our lives! Continue reading →

Friends and family,

First of all, we want to thank each of you for keeping our family in your prayers these past few weeks! Our daughter is home and doing well and we couldn’t be more grateful to have such an incredible support system during this time! We have so much to share with you that its a bit overwhelming! We will be home in about 5 weeks and we cant wait to catch you all up then. Since the last time I have shared, we have been through an entire module, which is six weeks long. A few of the topics we have studied have been Immediate newborn-6 weeks, birth emergencies, grief and loss, community development and worldview, postpartum, breastfeeding, normal birth, and labs for midwives. Nate has been involved in his training since January. Continue reading →

If I could use one word to define 2016 it would be EXTRAORDINARY!

July of 2015, Amie and I took an online course called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. The 13 week course created a spark which rocked our worldview and ruined us for the ordinary. By January of 2016, it became apparent that God was getting us ready for something BIG! Continue reading →

Wow! We are officially through with half of our training here on the Big Island. What an incredible journey these past few months have been and I can say without a doubt that we have grown ever closer to our Father with each passing day. I have truly realized that this life with Jesus is not just a momentary prayer we pray once and then live happily ever after, as we tend to hype up in our culture. It is a daily laying down of our lives and taking up of our cross that changes us and the people around us. It is a slow, humbling, sacrificing process that may not always make sense as we are journeying through but it is always, always worth it. It is committing to loving those that the Father sets before us in this moment. That might be overseas or it might be across the street or it might be in your own home. Sacrifice isn’t so much about losing what you love, but giving your love on to who you love more. When you sacrifice for what you love, you gain more of what you love. Love is a risk-that is never a risk. Continue reading →

There are 6,700 unreached people groups in the world today. That’s over 3 billion individuals. That means 40% of the world has never heard the gospel and has no one to tell them. And more than 50,000 of them die every day without ever hearing about Jesus or what he’s done for them.

So now what? Continue reading →

(Photo Credit: Ashley Reeves)
I believe that I am finally beginning to slow down and turn my ear. To listen to things that God has wanted to bring to my attention yet I have been going at top speeds and who has time to slow down, right? Continue reading →

Amie and I made a final decision in February of 2016 to pursue our calling in the mission field (9 months ago). The first real step was to SAVE and SELL EVERYTHING! It all had to go if we were truly serious about being the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and broken world outside of our American borders. Beginning in April (7 months ago), we began purging our possessions primarily on local “buy & sell” Facebook groups and yard sales. Amie and I sold our furniture, appliances, camping gear, clothing, tools, vehicles, a trampoline, etc! It was pretty much everything we owned of value including all firearms. Mahalo to all of you who supported us by purchasing our possessions. Sentimental knick knacks and other things we couldn’t sell were either donated or stored in a 10’x16′ storage building back home in Mena, AR.
Continue reading →

During boot camp, we needed a device used for reading books~such as a kindle. Through your generous giving, we were able to purchase one! A kindle is extremely useful to have while overseas since they have a long battery life~great when you have no electricity~and also allows ease of access to multitudes of books. It would not be cost-effective to lug a bunch of books across the ocean! Ive been compiling a list of books that include required reading for mission and midwifery training, also some books that are highly suggested and applicable but not required. Continue reading →