Paperwork & Planning

      Wow, I just noticed that the last (and only) time we posted was WAAAAY back in March!!!!  All of a sudden we are down to just six months left before we leave and we haven't told anyone what we've be doing to prepare!!!
     These past few months have been filled with family commitments, work, school, de-cluttering, and lots and lots of paperwork.

The little kids are so excited to be getting passports!!!

     We have decided to school through the summer this year.  I'm not sure how excited the kids are about that now, but we are praying that the benefit of being able to be with us all day every day while we are in Alaska will outweigh any negatives.  Mark is also in school this summer studying aviation technology at Columbus State.  He has always wanted to fly and decided to get his pilot's license last year.  He then felt that God was telling him that he needed to not only know how to fly the planes but be able to work on them as well.  Our director at YWAM Arctic Mercy was really excited to discover this as having a trained pilot/mechanic on base could open up a lot more doors to ministry in the outlying villages in Alaska.  God has certainly directed Mark's steps down this path!!!  

     

     The de-cluttering process has gone a lot more smoothly than we originally anticipated.  We had two rental properties at the beginning of this month and now both of them are in contract to be sold!!!  It is such a weight off of our shoulders to not have to worry about renters and upkeep while we are gone.  The things we have been able to sell, donate, or pass on for others to use has helped us to discover how little we really need.  Transitioning from our peaceful little farm with gardens and plenty of open space to a two bedroom apartment in a little town may be pretty easy.  I'm sure we'll miss the sunsets from the side yard though.....

      In the next few months we are going to be focusing on fundraising and getting connected with those who are committed to praying for us throughout this adventure.  We are extremely thankful for the blessings and support we have received already and are looking forward to sharing with many more family members and friends about how God is guiding us through this process.  There is always an open invitation for dinner at our house!!!  

     We welcome your prayers for our family, our preparations, the staff at YWAM Arctic Mercy, and the people that we will be able to minister to during our time in Alaska.  

Love & Blessings,

  Mark, Megan

Ethan, Elijah, Josiah & Charity