leaving it all behind

XO XO!!

2007-02-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

Justin's Gypsy Babies in Romania whom he got the chance to share the love of God with this summer.

I got a fowarded email from a good friend of mine, Laura (I love you and miss you!) I thought I'd post it and share it with you all.

V-A-L-E-N-T-I-N-E

For God so loV ed the world

that he gA ve

his onL y

bE gotten

so N

T hat whosoever

believeth I n him

should N ot perish

but have E verlasting life. John 3:16

Isn't that love in the purest form? Happy Valentine's day! I am hoping to share that on valentine's day with someone who has not expierenced the goodness and depth of God's love yet. Pray that God will send someone my way, and that I won't be to busy with the day to day and miss it.
XOXO:)

S.O.S need warm sunshine!

2007-02-03T02:13:00.000-08:00

Okay so the snow was cute, the ice was a nice break... and now its time to warm back up. It was 18 degrees today at 3pm. That was the high. Seriously I do not go anywhere but to work and church. If I happen to get frisky and go out into the arctic air, I come back home and soak in a hot bath until my skin gets red hot and pruny! I'm sorry if I'm whinning, but I miss my warm sunshine really bad! Ya'll back home.... I don't want to hear one thing from you!

On a more spiritual note, I found out about this awesome bible study, it's called Bible Study International, or something like that. From start to finsh it is about 7 years long. It sounds like it is an inductive word by word bible study. I am very excited to attend an information meeting this week coming up. This year they are studying the book of Romans. It maybe something I can start also in our minstry. They have an international vision, with groups already started in parts of Europe, China, Africa, and Latin America.

Well, hope all is well with everyone:)

Winter Ice

2007-01-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

The winter storm that came across the mid west last week left us out of commission for a whole week!! We lost power for about a day and a half, the kids were off school for an entire week. No cable or internet! We felt a bit out of the loop. It was a good time for bonding and good lessons were learned... like there can be one too many rounds of yahtzee, and yes we love eachother but it is good to have alone time:)

Actually we where really lucky, because we were able to use our gas fireplace for heat and our water heater was also gas so we enjoyed nice hot showers. Many people in our church and community had to go to family, friends, hotels, and shelters. Many did not get their power back until the middle of this week. The ER was a crazy and amuzing place to be during all of this. We saw a lot of carbon-monoxide poisoning. We had one family that had been heating their house with a charcoal grill... inside the house. Very sad, if EMS would not of been called when they were we might of lost them. Thanks be to God our family was safe and warm with just minor discomforts. Times like these are hard, but it always brings out the best in people.

Anybody need firewood?

Happy New Year!

2007-01-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile and I apologize. I don't want to start rattling off a gizzillion excuses mainly because there aren't any... I've been lazy!! There you have it... good old couch potatoe got the best of me. I thought of you often and how I need to get back and plug in, but it was like a gym membership... a few days turned into a few weeks...into a few months and before you know it what membership? And then how embarassing after so long trying to show up with your typepad! Go home and sit on the couch! Oh not me I picked myself up from the couch and here I am! Wala. Lucky for you?

Anyways, Happy New year and hope you had a great Christmas. Any crazy stories out there? I bet I can beat a few. We were all sick except for Brady so he pretty much opened his gifts and everyone else's by himself. Thank goodness we had the rest of the week to recover. We celebrated New Years with some friends, very fun and then went to Memphis, Tn. New Years day. We have some friends we had not seen in a long while, so we visited and caught them up to speed on our new adventure. It's always nice to see old friends. This break we also met up with old college buds from Clearwater. They are married with kids same age as our kids, he is a chaplin for the Tampa Bay baseball team and had some ministry ideas for baseball in the Dominican Republic (D.R.) which is where I'm from, which is the place we are praying about for ministry. Funny how God works?

Speaking of which, all I can say is "God is Good!" Andy finished his first semester of grad school! 12 credits and all A's. I don't mean to brag, but can I get a Wup, Wup, Amen! This leads up to our testimony. At the end of the semester we still owed about $1000. We started to scrimp here and scramp there and still uh... no thousand dollars! But where God calls he provides and all I can say is we are starting another semester of school debt free! The money came in waves, a check here from a friend we hadn't heard from in awile, a huge check there from a family member we did not even know knew about what God had called us to do. This was a true witness and blessing for God's provision and love for our family.

There are christians who sit and sit and sit waiting for God to move a mountain while they sit and sit. And then there are people who don't sit or wait for a miniute, they do and do and don't let God do anything! I think I fall into the latter category, but both are extreme and are wrong. I learned I need to wait and see because God will help me do what he has called me to do! What a revelation. For those of you that lean on the Lord through out the years and are reading this thinkin' yep... that's exactly how it is... thanks for your support and encouragement, I can't say that enough. It means so much.

God, my father

2006-10-29T23:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks for your prayers. The phone business is over and everything seemed to have ironed itself out. WOO!
I came across an inspiring story which you may have heard about, team Hoyt. It's a story about a father and son duo, Rick and Dick. Rick was born with the umbilical chord around his neck and suffered traumatic brain injury. The doctor's told his parents he would be a vegetable, that they should institutionalize him. His parents kept him and valued him as part of the family and it turned out Rick was not much of a vegetable. He is a paraplegic but his brain is far from cucumber land.
He and his dad have finished I don't even know how many marathons and triathlons. Watch this video and be inspired. http://cjcphoto.com/can/
The thing that touched me the most, was watching his father push him across the finish line. To me it was a picture of Christ as our father and us the wheelchair bound child.
I completed my first marathon this January and it was grueling. The pain and agony those last few miles is "good". Your entire body is telling you to stop, it's okay you ran 23 miles, that's enough walk the rest, it' all good. So I know the pain.
Growing up my Dad left us to fend for ourselves, so sometimes it is easier for me to understand God as a judge, waiting for me to make it on my own, to endure the test. My head knows it's not like this, but that's how I see Him sometimes. But the truth is God is the father pushing the wheelchair, doing all the work, enduring all the pain, and we are nothing but a cripple boy unable to even push the wheels. All the while He is doing all this just like Dick Hoyt, to see his child smile. God is so good to us, and this video to me was a picture of our relationship to Christ. How far He will to take us if we just keep Him pushing.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God not of works lest any man should boast.

Lost phone lesson

2006-10-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Jr High Drama!! Justin lost his cell phone two weeks ago, as this has happened before with him and we have found it in some obscure place (under the bed, in some old jeans etc.) Andy and I were not too excited, we figured it would turn up at some point. Well... we totally got schooled this week. Justin did loose his phone, he lost it at school. Some kid found it and decided to own it for a few weeks. We initially were monitoring the minutes, and as there were no big changes we figured... we'll find it.
To our surprise the minutes never changed because... they weren't using it for phone calls, they were using it to text. They texted over 3000 messages @ ten cents a pop. You can imagine the shock when our bill was more than quadrupuled (Over $500). We reported the phone stolen and called a few of the numbers to try to catch the little perp. As you can imagine his friends gave him up rather quickly once I mentioned that the police were involved. (We live in a small town and you can still scare kids with a police threat). So this boy is now in major trouble, and hopefully will learn his lesson.
What was really disturbing, was that the kids were texting starting @ 3 AM and every 15 minutes after that, non stop until 9PM. All thru school, breakfast, lunch, dinner and potty breaks. All the while parents and teachers were clueless.
Thankfully we are getting reimbursed by him and his parents for charges and a phone replacement.
Justin seems to be handling it o.k. We are a bit concerned over retaliation, which the principle of the school assured us will not be tolerated, but you never know. Keep him in your prayers as these next few days maybe rocky.

How do you see your glass?

2006-10-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

I'd like to start by thanking anyone out there who has been praying for us, specifically our family in Fairfield Glade. I know you all have been praying as the spirit has led you.
I guess it really does takes a few months for reality to set. Things were going pretty good, we were riding high on cloud nine. And then out of the blue one morning I started to feel a little lost and out of place. Oh, Satan knew what he was doing, but it took me awhile to catch on.

It started as a headache on a sunday morning. I had just finished my shift, for those who do not know, I am an ER nurse in a busy trauma center. I work the night shift. I got home that morning with a splitting headache. Andy and the kids got up, got dressed and were off to church all happy and unassuming. And there it was, the new job, the sleepless nights, add the hormones, throw all that in a pot and start stirring and you've got a recipe for a sour and slimmy spirit. There I was in a terrilble "funk". I didn't want to be. The harder I tried to climb out the deeper I fell in. I'm sure you have been there. Anything anyone says or suggest... "well that won't work....that's not right". Every glass is "half empty". You know you are being the way you don't like other people to be. Half empty, half full, who cares I wanted to smash the glass. ( I can get so violent). So.... what now? Well that week my mother in law called and was telling us about how Ms. Cloe had me on her mind and had been praying for me over the weekend. Ms. Cloe is this sweet, little, saint who just lost her husband, who bearly knows me!! Wow! She was praying for me? What in the world? While I was trying to climb out of my hole, by myself... (I wasn't about to let anyone know about my hole)....the Spirit had stirred up Ms. Cloe's heart to pray for me. What a testimony to the love and care Jesus has for each one of us. He knew what I was going through and wanted to help.

We get so caught up... is the glass half empty or is it half full. As christians our glass is completely FULL. The part of the glass that seems empty, that we do not see, is the part were the spirit lives and operates. That's the part we have to tap into. I am happy to report I am officially out of my "funk", but it behooves me to prepare for the next "funk" that I will eventually fall into again. I hope you find this encouraging. The Lord is the lifter of my head!

But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,

My glory, and the One who lifts my head,

I was crying to the Lord with my voice,

And He answered me from His Holy mountain.

I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

Psalm 3:3-5

Happy Birthday Andy!

2006-09-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday sweetheart!!! I love you so much and this post is all about you. I love this picture because it sums up what you are all about. You love people, it does not matter what race, creed, color, economical status, or age. Your heart breaks to see people turn to Jesus and possess the hope He can give. Many times I haven't gotten "it".
I am remembering how you loved those children in Nairobi, how you just wanted to walk around all day and play w/ them, and feed them candy! All day, ya'll I couldn't get him away. How you led that young man in the barber shop to Jesus. A barber shop in the middle of the slums, were many people would not dare go into, especially a "mizungo" Kswahili for whitey. HA!
I remember how you drove 80 miles out in the middle of the night to go get a friend who called from a crack-house because she was ready to give it up. Today she is a sister in christ, baptized and married to her then live in boyfriend. She is now reaching out and has her eyes on the prize.
The young teenager who was on his way to kill his ex-best friend because of some ridiculus mis-understanding. That day he came up to you for no particular reason, except that our house was on his way to this other teen's house. You were outside getting ready for a soccer game. We were busy like we always are but you stopped and listened to him. You decided that day he needed to hear about the love of Christ, there was something about him that day. Then he told you about his plans to kill but how he did indeed need Jesus! We were dumbstruck, bewildered! God is awesome.
The woman who had a runaway daughter and was on the brink of suicide. You came along her and her husbands side and were a testimony of the love of Christ. You were there to comfort and encourage. I can go on and on... Andy you love people because you love God! The loveliest part is that our kids have seen this in you and they have also bought into it.
Thank you for allowing God to use you. I know our future is uncertain, but were ever God leads you, I will follow. Happy birthday.

Summin' it up

2006-09-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

This was our first day of kindergarden for Brady!! Isn't he cute? The only thing is that, well, you see this shirt? Yeah.... well he thought it would look so much nicer if it just had a nice big whole in it... you know like a big hello, a shout out if you would, to all the homeboys in K-5! Ha, the teacher called me and was s0 upset and worried that I would be angry! I was just happy it was his shirt and not anybody else's he was inspired to design.

Here is our little princess entering into second grade. "Dad uh not here, you promised no kisses or hugs by anyone who will remotely remember this oh so special moment" The entire time she was like okay ..uh you can go now! Funny! She is really doing well and adjusting to her new school. Thanks for all the prayers.

"Peace out my brothers" Justin rollin' and kickin' it with the fuzzy, blue hat. Yep that's all I can say about that! But tell me the truth, the dimple on the chin.. isn't it adorable? Justin also is doing very well in school. We just got our first progress report... and all A's.

And this... is Riley and his dad Tim. Doesn't he need to be in commercials? (Riley that is, Tim we love you but, well you know). These are our friends that took us to Silver Dollar City in Branson on Labor Day! The kids had such a blast it was nice to get to know them and their family. Lori, Riley's mom went to school with Andy and I at Clearwater Christian College. Super nice people with super nice kids!

The kids all had a wicked cool time riding almost all the rides! They have three kids all about the same age as our kids. Now we know of a hot spot to take you when you come up and visit.

You can bearly make out Justin and Taylor riding one of the roller coaster. It was their third time!! That's what was really cool about this park vs Disney... hardly any waiting and the rides are really great!

And here is the crew. Caleb, Justin, Brady, Madi,Taylor and Riley in the front doing some sort of wild chicken dance! It was a fun day! Thanks to Tim and Lori.

I'd like to make special mention...This thursday is my mom's birthday. She has been a great example to me, of what a strong woman is. She is a woman with character and integrity. Her life has not been an easy one. I have seen her struggle and wrestle with some of life's hardest blows and all the while resolving to never give up, to never stop fighting. Thank you mom for being a faithful friend, for always believing and standing by my side. Thanks for teaching me that when life gives you lemons... well, Amy make some lemonade. As I am writing this, a verse comes to my mind. That even though life is hard at times, God does have a purpose and a plan. This is our hope. Thank you Jesus for my faith. Mom I'm thinking of you this week. I love you. Happy birthweek!

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those

that love Him and are called according to His Purpose

Waz-Up?

2006-09-10T18:31:00.000-07:00

This was the big week, Andy started his classes! One of the classes has an 1100 page read, 5 reasearch papers and 3 projects... that's just one class y'all! I hope his brain doesn't explode! Anyway so far, still smooth. Nothing crazy happening over here in "Mizoura" as some locals affectionately call home.

We have started to get involved in our church. Andy has joined the choir and we were asked to help in our sunday school class. We are the official new-people greeters. You know, helping newer people than us feel welcomed... asking them to sit with us and getting together for lunch kind of thing. It's a great way for us to start our ministry. Andy will also start teaching in the class one sunday a month. We feel so blessed and privilged to join the team.

Who's the guy in the picture? This wednesday Justin and Andy went to a youth rally were Chad Varga was the speaker. Andy heard about the rally over the radio and was shocked when he heard the name. For those who don't know, Chad and Andy went to high school and played ball together. Chad played for University of Pittsburgh and later was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks. He hurt his hand and ended up playing in Spain for a Euro league. Very cool, right? Well the best part is that he kicked it all to the curb!! Yes, and it was all for Jesus. He had just signed a $60,000 per month contract when he heard and responded to the call. He is an inspirational speaker to public schools and business' and a youth evangelist to churches. His testimony is incredible. He has written a book If You Only Knew..., it's his story. He grew up in a broken home with a drug addict mom. The craziest thing is that Andy never knew anything about it. Andy would pick him up and they would play ball all the time. He's got an amazing story that unfortunately rings true for many of our teens today. The great thing is that through all of this he found God and is now giving Him all the Glory! You can check out his ministry at www.inspirenow.com. It's time to run have to put my monkeys to bed!

Authentic Christianity....

2006-09-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of our house. I painted the shutters, they use to be "pukey green"... isn't it lovely? Kind of simple but very homey!!! What can I tell you but that God is good.
And with that said I wanted to share something with you about what I'm learning. Today is Sunday and we joined a church, Seminole Baptist Temple. It's a great church that preaches the word "no hold bars" kind of style. It is growing by leaps and bounds.. and I think it is because God is sought at this church. The message this morning was one on a series on Daniel, chapter 6, the Lions Den. Two things struck me. One: Daniel had an extroadinary spirit, he was so great that the king appointed him over the entire Kingdom. Well, that only brought him problems. His peers hated him and wanted him out! Daniel remained faithful to God and as he always did... he prayed to God. He was faithful to God daily, routinely. Not just in the nick of time but the bible makes special mention in vs10, that he did this as he had always done. This challenged me because in order to be the real deal, the Authentic Christian the world wants to see... I need to be in daily prayer and scripture reading. Nothing else will help me to possess an extroadinary spirit.
Two: Daniel was still thrown to the lions!! Humph? What? As christians we sometimes expect our lives to be hunky dory, but the bible is filled with examples of lives that were never hunky dory. And the lives that were full of suffering and persecution are the ones that God spiritually blessed the most, those are the ones who knew Him best.
This is what I'm learning how about you? If you read this mention my name in prayer... that our family will continue to seek the Lord, that we don't take our eyes away not even for a moment. By the way wasn't Daniel just awesome!! Imagine that!

and...I'm back

2006-08-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

I've heard that God has a favorite number, "7"....this is just so cool!! The day we left Orlando... Andy gases up our truck and heads for the open highway...but right before he turns onto the expressway he looks into his odometer to start the mileage count and what do you know. Our truck has exactly 77,777 and 7/10 miles on it. Oh yeah what is God's favorite number?.... we had to pull over and get a picture!!! This is exactly how God has been working in our lives!!! He has been confirming His will for us over and over and this is just another one of those times. Don't you just love Him!!

THANKS OBC FOR SHOWING US YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!!

SOPHIA HAD A BOUNCE HOUSE FOR ALL THE KIDS AT LEAST 75 KIDS CRASHED HER HOUSE!!!!

ONE OF OUR GOOD FRIENDS, THE LUDWIGS ARE ALSO LEAVING FOR SPRINGFIELD...THEY ARE MOVING BACK HOME COINCIDENTLY!!

It's been awhile and so much has happened. We are finally in Missouri, moved into our house, the kids have started school and I have found a job!! All in one week. It has been amazing to see God's plan unravel, mainly because I was so anxious and deer-like with a light beam shining at me! Ha!!
Anyway it has been awesome..starting with a great going away party hosted by a close friend and sister in Christ, Sophia. We really felt loved and appreciated by our church family. We were expecting our closest friends and their families to come by, but honestly I think the entire church showed up. It was great. We got to say goodbye to a lot of people... think there were a few hundred people. Thanks to OBC for supporting us by ways of encouragement and prayers.

Justin Update

2006-08-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all!! Our baby is comming home finally!!! For those of you who do not know, Justin, our 13 year old, has been in Romania for the last six weeks!! Our good friends the Collico's are missionaries to the Romanian Gypsies and wanted to take Justin with them for part of the summer! Justin is flying back on Sunday.

He raised all of his support, over two thousand dollars. Thanks to all who have helped him to get there. Everytime we have talked he has told us about all the friendships he has made!! He has had a good time and has worked really hard.

He has been able to share the gospel in many villages and has even been able to PREACH! Ha!! Can you believe it?

He was telling us that the other day he was passing out food, and he was telling the kids that "this food is perishable but the love of God is imperishable". All this boldness from a 13 year old!! God is growing and using him.

He loves singing and playing his guitar! Pray that this experience will mold him, and that he will continue to pursue God and love all people.

Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

A Big Hello!!

2006-07-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! We are so excited to hear back from you guys. As you can see I am a fairly new blogger and I can't believe how many old friends we have contacted in just a few days. You have been so encouraging. I thank God everyday for His many blessings, even small ones like these.

We have decided to go thru Baptist Bible Fellowship Int (BBFI). Our pastor from Orlando has really stepped up to the plate and taken us under his wing. The idea is for Andy to go to BBC
in Springfield and receive a Masters of Arts in church ministries with a missions emphasis. This will take about a year and half, about half as short as a Masters of Div. would take. When we went to MO to check out the school we realized it will most likely take us longer because there are a whole lot of other requirements. Ha!! (Tricksters.. we didn't read the fine print). Honestly I left the meeting thinking "this is goinig to be so stinkin hard, this seems impossible... now I also have to take 5-6 courses, Andy will have to do some sort of year long internship, I will be working UGH, UGH!!! God are you sure?...there I go again!!!"

As always things seem to iron themselves out right before I have my conniption fit, thankfully, or I would have been institutionalized by now. Ha! After talking to some advisors it turns out some classes I took at Clearwater Christian will be substituted, so I will not have to take as many as originally thought. Anyway we have all our stuff packed and will be moving on AUG 7th. Our pip-squeeks Justin 13, Madi 7 and Brady 5 will all start school AUG 16. They are thrilled because Andy and I have been talking it up as if we were moving right into Cinderella and Prince charming's castle, in fact, they think it's probably much better.

Again thanks for your encouraging comments, I will try to remain faithful in keeping everyone updated.

Half-Way Around the World

2006-07-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

Half-Way Around the World

We left for Nairobi on June 20 o6oo, yes military time. Twenty-three hours later we arrived, looking and feeling as if we had been drugged and beat. Stinky also, but alive. The aromas of different countries just wake you up and make you feel alive (Ha! You world travelers know what I mean!!). In my mind I was going to an exotic, adventurous place where we would be helping the helpless. Oh, but God, well you know what God does when we feel like we have it all figured out? We have all all these plans and expectations, well if you don't know or have never expierenced this first hand-- he totally trashes it!!!

Well I was in for a big surprise. My first night I cried and cried and cried. I mean snotty nose, swollen eyes, and unable to finsh sentences without hiccuping crying. The craziest thing was that Andy (for those of you who don't know he is my prince in shining armor) was sleeping like a baby. Funny thing how God works, Andy is usually a very light sleeper- but this night God knew he needed to rest, he did not need to be part of my emotional devastation.

So- I pleaded with God "Okay Lord this is all going to work out great, when we get back to the states we will buy a little house, Andy nor I will quit our jobs, the kids will remain in school and things will return to normal, I mean I can serve you anywhere, right? I'm sure I can volunteer at a clinic in the U.S., or yes help feed the homeless, countless ways to serve you right there from my own backyard!!" And so there I was rationalizing my miniscule faith with God. It was at that moment that I felt God say to me, okay my child here is your life you can have it back and do as you want with it!! The horror, the shock, and loneliness I felt at that point sent me back running into my father's arms. It felt like... well you know when a parent tells a toddler in the playground "it's time to go" and the child kicks and screams. Then the parent says okay I'm leaving and pretends to leave the child. And what does the child do? After maybe thinking about it for half a second runs toward the parent and jumps on the parents leg and holds on as if his life depended on it. Once I was back in my saviors arms the peace I felt was amazing. I finally surrendered....

The days went by and I fell in love with the kenyans, never did I feel so loved and encouraged. These people are amazing. It is amazing to meet brothers and sisters in christ that live on the other side of the planet and feel as though we've known each other all our lives. At this point we are still uncertain where God wants us, but I know wherever he sends us I'll go.

We Begin Our Journey

2006-06-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

So we sold our house and dare not to look back. We are so excited to start our adventure with Christ as our guide. Today marks our fourteen year wedding anniversary. It is by no accident that God has brought us together and through the years nurtured and fed. Yes I cannot lie I do feel as though I were jumping off a cliff, but I know my God is there to catch me, and on His wings I will fly.

My name is Amy as you've heard I am married and a mother of three. Boy 13, girl 7, and boy 5. We have been christians for almost all of our lives, our children have attended church since each was about 2 weeks old. Do not be fooled, eventhough we have been faithful to our church for many years our faithfulness to God has waxed and waned throughout the years. Thank goodness He is a God of mercy and longsuffering. For without this all hope would have been lost. God uses the weak and frail, and by all accounts we qualify. My husband is in sales and actually making a descent salary, I am a nurse working super part time while raising the kids. He has called us into fulltime ministry this year, and Lord willing my husband will start seminary in the fall. We are leaving our jobs and heading up to Missouri. This of course is were the rubber meets the road. Were we have decided to give up our "stuff" and follow our call. We hope to finish school in about 1.5-2.0 years. From there where to?? well we are not sure... definetly world missions. Not sure what country. The problem is it all sounds good. There are so many places that are in need of what Jesus gives. We are taking a trip to Kenya at the end of this month and ask that God would burden our hearts for a people.

This is where we meet. At this crossroad in our life where we decided to put our faith in Christ, that he will provide for us and that he will use our lives to make an impact for the kingdom, all ultimately for his glory. We begin our journey.