Just Smile
and
Have a Good Day

This week we became official Texans!  We spent the day (and I mean the whole day) sitting at the DMV here in Dallas getting our drivers license and vehicle registration changed over to the state of Texas.  Kelly and I have never lived outside the state of Wisconsin before so this was another new step for us in this great Journey that God is leading us on. His faithfulness each step of the way helps us feel His peace throughout each day of our lives.

On Sunday we were able to attend church and two different Sunday school classes. The teaching of God’s Word was so very good and we just wanted to hear it in all three (Sunday School, Worship Service, and Sunday School).  We seem to be hitting things just at the right time as the Sunday school classes had great food provided.  We also got to meet some great people and connect with many others.  We know and believe that as believers in Jesus Christ we become part of the body of Christ and this connection with other believers is such a great blessing to us as we learn a whole new area of living.  

The week saw the conditional offer on our house fall through.  No major reason, but our realtor felt the people were looking for a way out.  (We trusted God to bring a new buyer with no contingencies to our home as a sale of the home would lift a considerable financial burden of paying for housing in two locations.)  That fell through on Wednesday and as of this morning (Saturday) we have accepted another offer.  This offer has only one contingency which is the financing aspect.  Our realtor believes these people have the means to make it all work out.  The people also lived in the house years ago when it was a rental property so they are familiar with the house and area.  We are so thankful that through all the ups and downs of each year, month, week and day our God is faithful.  We are called to love Him with all our hearts and to faithfully walk the path He gives us both in the good times and in the tough times.  We just need to keep our focus on Him. 

Kelly had 4 days of all staff orientation this week and on Thursday I went at the end of the day and helped her move a few things that she brought with to her new assigned room.  The room is in a great spot in the school for her and has a beautiful view out the window.  She has been learning all the steps she will get in during the day and is excited for the opportunities to work with the kids and families she is assigned.  She had the opportunity to meet some of them and one of the parents studied at DTS a few years back, so of course that was a great connection point.  The school and all of the parent led groups are such a blessing to all the staff.  They have a group called “Praying Parents” and each staff member is assigned to a specific person and that person is committed to praying for their staff member for the entire year.  They reach out and ask for prayer requests and if the staff want to stay in contact they will otherwise it’s just a note to let the staff know they are being prayed for.  Such a cool thing for the school and staff.  I spent the week attending a few ‘workshops’ at the writing center to help me lay a good foundation for my studies this semester.  Everyone is very helpful to this old guy trying to learn new things. 😀  

As this week comes to a close and we look forward to another new week with new challenges and new opportunities, we are constantly reminded that we “get to” face each day with the confidence that our God is greater than this world and our God is so very good.  We pray that you will lean into His Word this week and allow Him to carry your burdens, whatever they are.  God has proven Himself faithful over and over again in our lives and we are forever grateful for His provisions.  We are so thankful that each of you are supporting us each day with your continued prayers and phone calls, text messages, cards.  We truly feel so blessed.  Below are a couple specific prayer requests for us for this upcoming week:

• Students first day of school for Kelly’s grades is Wednesday.  Please pray for the students, families and teachers as the year officially starts. 
• New Student Orientation is Friday for Gabe.  Pray that all the new students arriving here at DTS will draw closer to God and learn to Teach Truth and Love Well.
• The sale of our home in Gilman to come in the Lord’s Time with an offer that will cover tuition costs.

Psalms 121 1-2 “1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.(ESV)”

Look to Jesus, Keep your eyes Fixed on Him and Just Smile and Have a Good Day!

-Gabe and Kelly