this time two weeks from now...

we will be in Rwanda, our home for four months! I partly wish we were there already so I could not have to anticipate it all...

Here is Azizi Life's prayer needs and updated for July...we made it on the list, once again, but this time with a picture!

http://www.azizilife.com/images/artisanImages/Azizi_Life_Prayer_Team_Update_July_11.pdf

I am so thankful that the organization we are going to serve with is centered around God and seeing His Kingdom grow. Such a stark difference from our last year's work. Should be a breath of fresh air.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

another look back

I wish I had this song when we lived with the boys...not that I would have played it for them, but it would remind me to speak these truths into their lives. Will I ever look back and not regret anything?

Much love,

Emily Elizabeth

oh those flaming arrows...

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

{Ephesians 6:10-17}

How many times have I read devotions, heard sermons, and participated in Bible studies devoted to this passage? An even better question is, how did I not get the enormity of what it really means to put on the  armor of God?

This week in Little Rock with Jon's family, we have had the privilege of attending revival at Friendly Chapel Church of the Nazarene. Rick Rigsby preached. He is an evangelist that Jon and I both remember from various youth events. The last time I heard Rick speak was the summer before my senior year of high school...I had wrecked my sister's car the day before we left for camp...I was in a very low place. Rick preached about the storms of life, and how God uses those storms to shape our character and will never desert us. That week of camp, God used His words as a healing balm to my soul through Rick.

This past week, Jon and I felt that God used Rick (and his beautiful wife, Janet) in that exact same way - to begin the healing process from such a difficult year. He spoke on what it really meant to "stand strong" and to "put on the full armor of God". I really wish Jon and I had read Eph. 6:10-17 everyday before we dealt with the boys. I wonder how different our attitudes would have been.

The part of Rick's teaching that really got to me was when he focused on verse 16. When talking about the shield of faith that would "extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one", I looked at Jon and said, "Isn't that just what it was like? Flaming arrows darting at us at all hours of the day?" He agreed. We also made the observation that whenever one of us was down, or losing our grip on our own shield of faith, the other would use their shield to cover us both. We were in big trouble when we both were down, because the evil one was winning.


"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Never in my life has this resonated with my soul as much as it does now...I will always regret not being in God's Word more and putting Biblical truth with the spiritual truth I was experiencing.

The good news is that everyday is a new day.

Much love,

Emily Elizabeth

flight booked!

On August 10th, we will begin our adventure to Rwanda and arrive in Kigali on the 11th. Although many people have said they are excited and sad at the same time, the good news is that we will be coming back on December 14th...just in time to get ready for Christmas! It's crazy to think that we will actually be home with family for Christmas this year, even though we will have lived in Africa.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all, and Jon is feeling antsy during our month of vacation...so if you all would pray for us to be able to steep in God during this time of rest and trust God in the way we know He has prepared for us, we know it would help lots.

Love you all and hope to see you sometime in July!

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Done...finished...never again

will we walk into Crazy House, PA.

It was not a picture perfect ending. In fact, it was awful. I have never left ANYWHERE on a bad note.

God, bring on the healing.

I am sure we will have more to post on closure...but let's for now look to the future...Rwanda in 1 month...and that 1 month will be filled with enough adventure of its own :)

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We could not have done it without you! GLORY BE TO GOD FOR THE GREAT THING HE HAS DONE.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

2.5 more days

a blessing?

well, it is for now:

We are down to 4 kids in our home, with one possibly leaving after he graduates next week...so we may only have 3 boys in our final weeks.

Thanks God for the break...You provide just what we need to not just survive, but also to THRIVE.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth