The Lord’s Hand of Protection

We just stopped at Lowe’s to pick up a few things, and Joseph and John went in to get the items. When they came out, they discovered we had a major problem, and Joseph called to Dad to turn off the engine! The back of the bus was covered with oil–and after some poking around, it was discovered an oil line had broken. We are quite sure, upon thinking about it, that the oil line had been damaged when it was in the shop two weeks ago (a part near the oil line was replaced), and it was weakened and gave way. We are extremely grateful that we made it here to Oklahoma City without being “stranded” on the interstate. The Lord must have multiplied our oil like the widow’s mite.

Out of all things to happen, an oil line is a relatively “easy” fix, so we’ll see how everything goes tomorrow. Carlsbad is obviously in question, but we are content with whatever the Lord’s will is!

Thank you for your prayers. It was amazing to see how the Lord brought us here–and you can tell by the trail of oil where we’re parked …

Sarah

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalms 36:7).

Texas Bound!

Around 2:30 p.m., we embarked on our six-week trip. It’s such a relief to pile into the bus and be off! John has been such an incredible blessing over the past few days with the bus. The weather has been bitterly cold, and he’s been out hour after hour, working on the issues we were having. This morning, Joseph contrived a shelter to block out the air and allow the heater to keep John warm.

Uriah! (We got another 4 inches of snow Sunday!)
Uriah! (We got another 4 inches of snow Sunday!)
Mom is incredible with her packing lists and abilities to prepare for trips.
Mom is incredible with her packing lists and abilities to prepare for trips.
Anna took Honey over to Grandad and Grandma, who will be taking care of her for the next 6 weeks.
Anna took Honey over to Grandad and Grandma, who will be taking care of her for the next 6 weeks.
Normally John loads the bus, but since he was busy with the maintenance work, Jesse did it. With the frigid temperatures, it wasnt a pleasant process, but he did a great job--no complaining!
Normally John loads the bus, but since he was busy with the maintenance work, Jesse did it. With the frigid temperatures, it wasn't a pleasant process, but he did a great job--no complaining!

We weren’t able to have an outside prayer time today, because of the weather. Also, because of the snow, Grandad and Grandma had to stay at home, so we missed being all together.

Last night, Nathan and Melanie blessed us with their usual “night-before-a-trip” special meal. Everyone back at home will be missed! Some friends dropped by with cookies and bread, and we invited them to stay for a bit, and we had a wonderful time around God’s Word.

Before we left...
Before we left...

Thank you again for praying. We are headed to El Paso for our first weekend conference, but we’re making a slight detour on our way. If you have been reading the blog awhile, it was two years ago when we were planning on visiting Carlsbad. We actually were in the city of Carlsbad and packing out of our hotel, when a huge bus issue was discovered. No Carlsbad Caverns! We were disappointed, yet totally at peace with the Lord’s plans.

So, we hope to drive to Oklahoma City tonight, park for the night at “Home Sweet Wal-Mart” and drive the rest of the way to Carlsbad tomorrow.

Praying before we left (I set up my Gorillapod to take it)...
Praying before we left (I set up my Gorillapod to take it)...

Sarah for all the rest

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler” (Psalms 91:4).

Close to Leaving!

Just an update for those who are watching the blog! We are hoping to leave in the next hour or two. We were waiting on a bus part, and John was able to install it. Then, one of our outdoor faucets had frozen so that had to be dealt with. The weather is extremely cold here in Kansas.

Hoping we haven’t forgotten anything… Six weeks is a long time! 🙂

Again, THANK YOU for your prayers and encouragement. This has been quite the adventure 🙂 .

Pictures and more of an update to follow…

Sarah

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalms 17:8-9).

Thank You

We know many of you are faithfully praying for us as we prepare. The challenges and difficulties we’ve faced this past week have seemed more so than other trips. Usually the greater the problems, the more fruit the Lord gives on the trip. We would be grateful if you would to continue to pray as we begin this final day. My heart has been so blessed to see Dad’s trust as we face challenges. He has a steadfast spirit and heart, fully accepting of each challenge as an opportunity to rest in the Lord and delight in Him. It’s easy to live happily when everything is going well, but what about when things don’t?

I’m reminded again of how none of us are guaranteed another day. A sweet lady at the nursing home is at this moment dying. After church, our family gathered around her bedside and sang two hymns. It was heart-wrenching as we saw her struggling to give up her earthly body. May we all live each day like it could be our last!

The Lord specifically used several blessings over the past few days to encourage us, and one in particular was so amazing that it left us all in awe of how incredible our Savior is.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer!

Closing with this wonderful passage of Scripture…

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 38-39).

Sarah for the rest

Abby, cute as ever, and we are going to miss her!
Abby, cute as ever, and we are going to miss her!

The Time Is Drawing Nearer!

The bus is making good progress! The to-do lists are getting shorter! Yes, we will be very happy to be on the road, and then not have to keep thinking about what we still need to bring or do before leaving.

Here one of the boys is insulating the front of the bus!
One of the boys is insulating the front of the bus!
With the single digit tempertures, it made working outsid a bit chilly! John has been patiently working on the bus's windshield wiper fluid. It has taken much work to get it working.
With the single digit temperatures, it made working outside a bit chilly! John has been patiently fixing something having to do with the windshield wiper fluid.
Christopher has been a great help in every area! Helping pack MOTH things, Audios, bus work...anything he's there to lend a hand!
Christopher has been a great help in every area such as helping pack ministry things, bus work, ironing (Yes, he helped with the ironing - he's very good/fast at that) Anything that needs to be done, he's there to lend a hand!
Since Grandma is no longer is able to do our pre-trip ironing, Mom and Mary filled in!
Since Grandma is no longer is able to do our pre-trip ironing, Mom and Mary worked hard to get much of it done!
Mary made many of the bunks! She has a very special touch for making them look very inviting!
Mary made many of the bunks. She has a very special touch for making them look very inviting!

“The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.” (Psalm 93:1)

In Christ,
Anna