Greetings Friends and Family!
It has been way too long since you've last heard from us. Life has been a whirlwind of family, friends, a new condo, massage school, Kirk's work and lots of God.
So wow, since last October we've been downstate and up to Milwaukee to visit family for the holidays. We've been to Trinidad to visit Kirk's mom, family and friends. We had a great trip, unexpected because we were able to use our miles and God directed us to go and be with Kirk's mom. Our time was worthwhile and we showed Kirk's mom how much we really do love her and received love in return. Amen. You can see photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/klashley/Trinidad2008
P.S. Our friends' baby – Celeste - pictured in the album, won cutest baby of the year award in Trinidad!
At the beginning of February, when we returned from the trip we began our condo search unsure we were even going to end up living in the country. We fasted and prayed for a week after our realtor had found the nearly perfect condo for us. During this time, God put a call upon our hearts to be neighborhood missionaries here in Rogers Park. I felt a call to use my massage to help heal victims of trauma. We have a center for victims of torture here in our neighborhood that I have already volunteered at. God truly revealed we are where He has called us – we're even assured that our church is where we're suppose to be as well.
At the beginning of March we signed the papers to begin the processes of purchasing this nearly perfect condo in our neighborhood. We were suppose to close on the condo today and move tomorrow, but I wouldn't be writing this update if we had. Laughing with God we are seeing why his timing is better than ours. Our close, God willing, will happen next week and our move the following. Here are photos of our beautiful home to be: http://picasaweb.google.com/klashley/JarvisHomeFinished?authkey=67X_A5vS13g
Meanwhile, God has been equipping us for the task He's calling us to. We went to a Family Life marriage conference at then end of March – A weekend to remember – sounds cheesy, but it I will truly remember the weekend as a positive mark in our marriage. We had the space and tools given to us to talk through issues we knew where there, but were unable to communicate about before. We picked up the starter pack for the HomeBuilders group we plan to begin soon after we settle in our new place.
http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.3210771/
Both coming from broken families, we feel leading a group that helps others work on their marriages, while helping ourselves is a beautiful picture of “Loving our neighborhoods as ourselves.”
Also, Kirk has been challenged greatly by his work – not always in a good way, but I am so thankful for his perseverance as we need his job to obtain our new condo. Finally, I have continued to enjoy my massage education and have made the transition to feeling like a real massage therapist, with just two months left until graduation.
God has blessed us abundantly and we've truly felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit during our whirlwind of life over the last few months. We love to here from you and what God is doing in your life. May you continue to laugh with God as He directs your steps.
