Road Trip

we have road trip pictures on our new Idaho blog. go see!

lifeinthebigpotato

community- sharing, participation, and fellowship. affinity, identity, kinship, likeness, sameness, semblance, similarity

sweet home alabama

Did you know we move in 5 days. 5 DAYS!

I wanted to finish updating on our family tour from which we just returned. Our last stop on the family tour was Alabama to see my mom and my new step-dad Floyd.












Floyd took us on a hike to a beautiful waterfall on Friday. Yeah we almost died, but it was fun. My mom was making really funny faces and noises on the last end of the trip.







The beautiful waterfall.

This is my little sis and her fiance. They also came to see us while we were in Alabama. They are going to be married August 12th in Hattiesburg.

So is it just me or do Luke and Bennett look alike in this picture? Weird.

HOUSTON

Here are some pictures from our time with Bennett's family. There's nothing like a bubble gum snow cone from Houston, MS.

We were able to celebrate Bennett's mom's retirement from 25 years of teaching. In her speech she said to the students "You made me cry. You made me laugh. But I think we all learned a little something."

Emma likes to watch Sandy play a little ball, and she loves trying on my shades.

Here is my niece Sandy at her softball game. She was about to bat.

sunday mornings and pyrex dishes

Bennett spoke today at his home church, FBC Houston. The message was from John 17 and Jesus's prayer for his disciples. It was a powerful word about living life in the world- where Jesus has sent us. He also shared about our move to Idaho, and they have been so supportive of Bennett's call and our decision.

We forgot what it was like to dress up for church so here is a picture of our Sunday clothes. We bought that suit with the our Belk gift cards from the wedding. Thanks for all that gave us pyrex. You really can have too many.

destin

Bennett and I just got back from Destin, Florida. In my opinion this is the most beautiful beach in the country. When I was small, I spent many summer vacations with my mom, dad, and sister in Destin. There are many memories of sunburns, sandcastles, and salt water fights.

We were able to spend some meaningful time there with my dad this week. I think he loves the place just as much as I do. That's him under the umbrella chillin.


































Ok. One of my favorite things to do in life is to sit by the ocean under an umbrella and read. The greatness of the ocean always makes me think about how HUGE God is.

Tomorrow we head to North Mississippi to visit my new family, maybe catch my niece's softball game, and celebrate my mom-in-law's entrance into retirement. Bennett is also speaking at his home church on Sunday morning. It is so good to be able to spend this time with family before our big move.

update

“What’s in Idaho besides potatoes?” This is a frequent question that I have been asked over the past few days. Well, there are about one million, five hundred thousand people in Idaho. What else is in Idaho? A church that was started a little over one year ago named Northstar in one of the fastest growing counties in America. And what else? A Field. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

Bennett and I knew when we were married that we both wanted to serve in an area where there was a need. There is an enormous and overwhelming need in Northern Idaho for people to hear the Gospel, and after much prayer and seeking godly counsel from our friends and church, we feel this is where God wants us to move and plant our lives.

Our plans are to come home to Mississippi for the last few weeks of May, and then come back to Fort Worth, pack up our apartment, rent a moving truck, and continue on the incredible journey we began together on December 30^th of 2005. We will drive across country in order to get there for Bennett’s first day on staff on July 1^st.

I am excited about moving across country, and then there are days when I think to myself, “Oh my goodness, I am moving across the country.” This is however an act of faith I am willing to make not just for the need or the one million and five hundred thousand people but for the sake of my Savior’s great name. It will be an act of faith because we will be required to raise part of our support. The church and partners of the church will pay us a housing allowance; however, we will raise the remaining part of our salary.

Please pray for us during the remaining weeks. Pray that God would continue to unify our hearts for His one purpose. Pray that He will supply the means for us to move there and live. Pray that He will be glorified in Northern Idaho, that His name will be exalted there, and that people will be drawn unto Himself.

I can not forget what one of our seminary professors told us a few weeks ago when we met with him for dinner, and we were considering the move. “You’re young. It’s an adventure. Go and have fun.” Oh yeah. That’s what we plan to do.

We love you and are thankful for you,

Jana and Bennett