Wow...is it time to go already?

So, here we are.  The end of our time at YWAM Virginia and we go with mixed emotions after being here nearly a month.  This has been such an amazing experience.  Just this morning, we were given a few minutes to chat to the base during worship and explained that we were about 2 miles from here at a Civil War site about 9 weeks ago.  We were in this area for days and had then put in an application with YWAM as we headed to NW Pennsylvania.  During that time, we received a response and after being accepted here, we came back.  God has done so many wonderful things since we have been here.  We talked as a family last night and decided to give out index cards with a request for information.  The request included 1) a favorite memory with our family and/or 2) a note to our family and/or 3) what they might have learned from our family.  The responses will be read to gain the impact of God using our family in this place.  I want our children to know how absolutely amazing God is and how he allows them to use their gifts to love on others. 

Our morning worship this morning that again, proved to be such a blessing. 

We have had the chance to complete work that had either remained on a list or was otherwise unable to be completed.  We have moved, replanted and are now harvesting a small garden.  We cleared ground, built a fence, and landscaped.  We pulled up, dug, and replanted volleyball poles and a net.  We "held down the fort" for 6 homes and about 6 other buildings during the base's retreat.  We dug a large hole for the beginning of a new walkway.  We trimmed trees, moved mulch, and trimmed bushes.  We helped sand and refinish an old floor.  We cleared an overgrown area to now be a usable space...the list is long, BUT, outside of all of that, we have made some great friends.  We have heard such strong testimonies from people.  What makes this place so amazing is that there are so many young people here that are on fire for the Lord.  They don't have much money or space to themselves but they are mission minded and servant hearted.  It is quite refreshing to see and very encouraging.

The start of a deep hole and allot of work. 

We have identified our enemy...concrete.

My tree trimming crew.

The garden and the cleared area behind it that he worked so hard on. 

Kamryn wanted to sit and be an encourager for a while.  We were told later that she was indeed, very useful.  She yelled uplifting things to the climbers and helped them along. 

Zachary and his "spot" each day as he worked so hard to prepare meals for about 50 people. 

We take away many things from this place.  We are taking away not only lots of smiles but also lessons learned.  We learned so much about each other here.  After 15 years of marriage, Kelly learned things about me that she didn't know (like I could drive/operate a tractor).  I learned so much about her heart and abilities.  She has such a servant's heart and an ability to pray that is amazing.  My children have shown me that they have passions for situations and things that I didn't know they had.  Kamryn is a true leader; she prayed in a group and also led worship one morning and melted the hearts of some adults.  Her worship time was complete with Bible story which include a unicorn, a lion, a boy, girl, a gun, and a piece of fruit.  She told us how the boy and girl made a poor decision and ate the fruit after being told not to.  Then they shot the lion and he died...BUT...he came back to life.  (In my mind the story was of miraculous things, choices, sin, THE Lion, and a resurrection!)  We also sang songs, played a few games and prayed often.  I learned that Caleb has a passion for the earth, creation, and gardening.  I also learned that Zachary had an ability to pray that blows them away.  This season and the work done here has given Zachary and I some good time to "talk".  We have many great chats and the Lord has allowed me many opportunities to share wisdom and Biblical principles.   I am thankful for the time we have had together.



Some of the bounty!

Kamryn gave us our seating assignments and put the boys on instruments. 

Reading the story from "Genesis 7:3-4" as stated by Kamryn. 

The worship songs included Jesus Loves Me and some new, never-before heard music!

We were asked to show our worship through dance. 

Outside of the things of my family, we have learned so much from others here.  I could go on and on but there are about 50 people here from everywhere; all over the US, Canada, South Africa, Brasil, Korea, and Chile!  They are tender hearted, they care, they love, they serve, they persevere, and they blessed us greatly. 



We stopped for a Sunday treat as families after going together to church on Sunday.  We had such a great time with these guys. 

During a Sunday soccer game, someone got hurt.  Kamryn ran out to hug them. 

Kamryn and Kathryn...workout/play buddies for life!

Us with Alex, one of many friends from Brasil.  (He rocks on a guitar!)

One of the dining rooms where we ate lunch and had great fellowship each weekday. 

Some of our friends in another one of the dining rooms.  (Being surprised with a picture!)

Just some really great folks that we loved spending time with!

Zachary and Sam...such an awesome fella'.  We liked him even though he likes the Astros. 

The kitchen team! 

Our newest friend here but the kids (and us) love him!

Some of the running buddies. 

Another one of our beautiful Brasilian families. 

The kids with "Jake 1" on "his" cart. 

Another one of our amazing Brasilian friends, Fernando. 

"Bamboo" invited us for dinner on our last night.  What a great way to end this part of our journey. 

We are taking more pictures tomorrow and we may try to get them all loaded but we don't know when we will have internet access again.  So if you haven't had enough of random pictures of our awesome friends here...just wait!

We have been greatly blessed by being here.  The Lord has shown us many things and is allowing us to take Great things away.  We have met people with wonderful passions and abilities who had great tolerance for our children (at times) and my "yakking" and poor sense of humor.  Even through the hearing of gunshots, dark nights and noises, and breaking down of our "house", we have loved every minute here and will miss this place and it's people. 

We are hugging a bunch of necks tomorrow morning (Tuesday) and will be on our way to spend some time with David Lee at UT and then we have to head home to deal with a few "situations" that have come up and we need to be there for.  During all of this, we are praying about our continued journey.  We are praying about the direction that we should head and what our next YWAM assignment will be. We will wait on the Lord and show us His plans.