In everything, by prayer and petition...

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

The tears are still wet on our cheeks as we write tonight.
After moving most of our household furniture from our house to the storage building at Mom-Mom and Pop's yesterday, we transferred Smoky-the-cat as well. He did not like the fact that he was being forced against his will into the car and taken to unfamiliar territory. For most of the day he stayed under beds and then seemed to be adjusting somewhat by evening. He even let his motor run a little. At bed-time, Mommy let him out for the night with food, water and his familiar cat-house close by. He seemed curious about the new outdoors, but not too spooked. We felt good about the fact that he had checked out his food dish and knew that we loved him.

Well, he was not to be found this morning! Bethany was a bit distressed, but was easily convinced that Smoky had a lot to explore and would be home soon. Afternoon came and went, night fell, and still no Smoky! So as we were tucking kids into bed, Jenny and Bethany prayed together for the third time today. There were tears as we prayed for the Lord to protect Smoky and to make our hearts ready for anything that was to come - whether or not we would see Smoky again. Then as Daddy was praying with Bethany, who was peeking in the back door? SMOKY! We had to go straight back to the Lord with more thanksgiving for our beloved kitty.

Praise Him that he cares about the little things and hears our petitions when we come to him in prayer!

Guess what I found!

As we were packing up the contents of the cedar chest in preparation for moving day, I came across my journal that I kept as a teenager. Very interesting reading!

Entry dated March 10, 1988-Thursday-
I also need His(the Lord's) guidance to know what to do after graduation(from high school). I have no idea! I want to go to a two-year college and earn an AD in nursing, then go onto the Mercy Ships, which is a ministry that takes crews of all kinds of people to places like Haiti to minister the gospel and care for the sick. That would include all three of my desires for a life career; nursing, sailing, and going to Haiti to nurse. The only thing is, I thought I would only be able to go with somebody, either a friend or a husband. And, guess what I found out last night! ____ (a crush who shall remain nameless!) is a medical person. He's a surgeon's assistant! When I learned that, I was so excited! I thought, "Lord, is this a husband to go with me on the Mercy Ship?

Well, things didn't work out with ____. Thank goodness! The Lord had John Rolland picked out for me! And I did receive an associates degree in nursing from a two-year college, Forsyth Technical Community College, in Winston-Salem, NC where I was when I met John. And now, after all these years, we and our three children are ready to begin service with Mercy Ships!

Jeremiah 29:11-"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Amen!

Jenny

Launch out.

The Mercy of God is an Ocean Divine
Albert B. Simpson 1891

The mercy of God is an ocean divine, A boundless and fathomless flood;
Launch out in the deep, cut away the shore line,And be lost in the fullness of God.


Refrain:Launch out, into the deep, Oh, let the shore line go;
Launch out, launch out in the ocean divine,Out where the full tides flow.

But many, alas! only stand on the shore,And gaze on the ocean so wide;
They never have ventured its depths to explore,Or to launch on the fathomless tide.


And others just venture away from the land,And linger so near to the shore
That the surf and the slime that beat over the strand Dash over them in floods evermore.


Oh, let us launch out on this ocean so broad,Where floods of salvation o’erflow;
Oh, let us be lost in the mercy of God,Till the depths of His fullness we know.


This beautiful and timely hymn was sent to us by our friends Steve and Ruth Johnsamson in late January this year. John and I had just spent a week at Mercy Ships’ International Operations Center (hereafter referred to as the IOC) for the Introduction to Mercy Ships. We came away from that week pretty sure that our family would be a good fit with the ministry, but unsure of the Lord’s timing. Then He encouraged us with this old hymn that I had never heard before. He is SO GOOD!
Jenny

Anchors Away!

Well, finally we've launched our blog! There are those who thought it would never happen! As we embark on our next great adventure, we look forward to sharing our experiences and thoughts with you here.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

We are in the process of moving toward service with Mercy Ships, which is a global charity that seeks to follow the example of Jesus by bringing hope and healing to the world's forgotten poor. Aboard the m/v Africa Mercy, John will be serving as a photographer and primary childcare giver for Joey(12), Bethany(9), and David(5). Jenny will be serving as Assistant OR Supervisor for the ship's six operating rooms. The children will attend school onboard in the Mercy Ships Academy. So, we will be living and working onboard a 499ft rail ferry-turned-hospital ship with a volunteer crew of almost 500!

We are all looking forward to being able to share our skills and talents with the people of West Africa for the next two years and possibly beyond. We will be meeting the m/v Africa Mercy in Liberia sometime in August, we believe. Before that, John and Jenny will be attending the Gateway program at Mercy Ships' International Operations Center in Garden Valley, TX. This month-long program will prepare us to serve alongside an international crew in West Africa. Gateway begins June 28. Until then, we are busy packing up and moving out!

To come....Confirmations along the way! Please check out www.mercyships.org to learn more about the organization we will be serving with.

Jenny