What a week it's been, and it's only Tuesday!

Wow! What a week it's been, and it's only Tuesday!! To say the least, God is letting us get used to the words overcome and perservere. What should have been a "quick" trip to Indy on Monday for a few records to get authenticated, got turned into an "all" day trip to Indy, plus a trip to Springfield, Illinois on Tuesday to get something else authenticated; PLUS throw in a little "fun stuff" :( we had to deal with on Monday night (late) and now here we are. Exhausted and tired and it's only Tuesday. (Hey, I thought I had already quit my job and now aren't supposed to be getting tired so early in the week!) Anywhos, I cannot complain, God has gotten us through it, He enabled us to use the time we have had to get what we need for tomorrow. We all are going to Chicago,Ill. to get what we had authenticated.... authenticated again by someone else who oversees what we are after, which is a student visa, which will allow us to stay in CR for the time we are in school "language training" without leaving every three months like everyone else who is there on a tourist visa. You see, we would/will be one a tourist visa once our schooling is done, thus costing us extra $$ to leave for the time period required by the CR gov't. which is three days or 72 hours. Confused? I am, believe me.

We are looking forward for the rest of the time remaining here in the states before August 7th to see friends and family a few more times. We have a few "get" togethers with some folks and look forward to this Friday evening when the Disciples Quartet comes to town to entertain and Praise the Lord with their music and testimony. This concert is in benefit for us "The McClain family" to help raise some funds for our new journey to CR. My prayer is that God is glorified there and everything else will fall into place. It's at the First Weselyn Church at 7p.m. on the corner of third st. and west south street in Frankfort. I have heard them perform before and they are GOOD! So stop by and be blessed. We also will have some folks here from Iowa to see us this coming weekend. Their names are Bill and Joanie Price, and they have 5 daughters. They are coming down to CR later this year to help spread the Word of God. I am truely looking forward to meeting them and starting something special working together for God's glory!

To God be the glory forever and ever, Amen!!

Blessings to you!

Matt

Life in the Fast Lane

Recently, I took a trip to Bloomington with a friend and the kids. We were running late, as is usually the case for either my friend or I, so we drove alot of the way in the fast lane, staying as close to the speed limit as possible, but allowing the speedometer to inch up there a little bit here and there as well. We were, running late, ya know...We made it just in time. On our return trip, we were again, running late for a different meeting back in Frankfort that Matt and I had. We repeated the same process of pushing the speed limit a little while driving as much as possible in the fast lane, trying to make it back on time. We made it back with about 15 minutes to spare.



Often, I drive a little bit faster than the limit, because I am often running late. It drives me nuts to be late, because I often try to compensate by hurrying everyone around and then, naturally one or most of us end up grumpy once we arrive wherever it is we are going...



Well, what is the point here, Brooke?



Our youngest child is turning three on Saturday and I look at her and the young person she has become and I think "Where has the time gone?" We have hurried through life and now our youngest is not a baby anymore.



For most of the past year, God has been in a constant effort to get Matt and I to SLOW down our lives and focus on Him. In an effort to do that we have changed alot in our lives while trying to be obedient to what He has asked us to do. Sometimes, the changes have looked crazy to the world, yet they seem so natural to us because we have heard the voice of the Lord speaking to us.



Obviously the biggest change is what we are about to do. In 19 days, we fly to Costa Rica with about 500 lbs of possessions to begin the life God has called us to. How excited we are to be on this adventure! We are excited to begin life in the RELAXED Costa Rican culture! However, the fast lane still exists on the roadways on CR!



The months leading up to this point have been pretty hectic at times. And these last few days will be filled with happy times with family and friends. But, mostly we have learned that we are only on this life for a brief time and that amount of time is unknown to all but our Father in heaven. So, we've decided to take it SLOW! Even if that means driving in the SLOW lane. It is really easy for me to say this, because the world does not live like this. It is a struggle for us even now. But it is our goal. We desperately want to preserve the precious moments we have with our children. We strongly desire to stop and bask in the beautiful Creation the Lord has given us every chance we get. So, sometimes that means we all run outside and play in the rain or jump in the puddles. Sometimes, it means getty messy with ice cream or popscicles on the front porch. Spraying each other with the hose while watering the flowers, taking a walk or a bike ride- making sure to pick up special rocks on the way, or just having a good old pillow fight!



Take time to love each other today. Switch to the slow lane and take a good look at what you miss trying to gain those extra few minutes while driving in the fast lane.

Please pray for us as we prepare to move on August 7th. Please pray that we constantly keep our focus on the author and perfector of our faith, Jesus Christ.



Serving our King,

Brooke :)

The Countdown is on!

Well, Sunday, July 7th began the One-month countdown! We leave for Costa Rica Tuesday, August 7th! On one hand, I am so extremely excited to get there and start this new life God has given us the privelege of living. On the other hand, it is very, very hard to leave all I've ever known my whole life. It is very, very hard to take my children so far away from their family and their friends. There is nothing subtle about what God has asked us to do- He pretty much laid it out there: "Well guys, you either trust me or you don't..." It is funny how REAl and in your face faith gets when it literally effects your entire life! It is sad that more of our lives are not spent walking in this type of faith. So, off we go into the unknown. We are still praying for the unknown family that the Lord has picked to buy our home. Another area we are just trusting god to take care of the details. Yet another area of big-time trust is that we are not yet fully supprted. It is a scary thing to know that your entire monthly living budget depends on the faithfullness of others to send in their check each month. We are extremely thankful for the partnerships God has granted us in so many of His servants. We trust in Him and His faithfullness to provide for all our needs.

This is the first of many posts. Matt and I will hopefully interchangeably be posting updates. We hope for this to be a way for our friends and family, church, partners, and loved ones to keep up to date on all the Lord is doing in our lives! We also hope to allow God to be glorified through His ministry in Costa Rica by using this blog to update you all on the ministry. Watch for pictures soon!!!

To God be the glory forever and ever.

We love you all!
Love,
Brooke :)