We are at T-16 days for blast-off to Japan. (Our plane leaves on August 6th at 7am to be precise.) Most of the suitcases are packed but we still have a few more things to purchase and stuff in them. While I have had a million questions (Sorry, CAJ staff!), we have a peace that passes all understanding about our upcoming journey. We are ready!
This summer has flown past us! Emme and I went went to children's church camp. Jeremy, Drew, and Luke went to Glorietta in New Mexico for youth camp. We have visited my mom in Oklahoma, my siblings in Texas and Oklahoma, my in-laws in San-Antonio, and drove to Houston twice to get visas. We are almost ready (ready as we can be) for those last good-byes (at least until we come back to visit next summer).
Thank you to those of us who have prayed for us. While we may be out of touch on Facebook for about a week during the beginning of August, we hope to be able to update you again once we get an internet connection in Japan.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Transitions
We are often asked, "Are you excited about moving to Japan?" We, of course, answer a resounding YES! How could I not be excited about a peace that comes from following God's will? I am excited about meeting new people, teaching and having our children in a mission school, and finding new ways to minister to others! I am excited about having to put my faith into action.
But... as I finish up my last week of school here, I am also quite sad. We will be having a lot of lasts coming up in the next few weeks. The last day of working here, my kids last day of school here, the last Boy Scout and Girl Scout meeting, the last day at church.
I walked around my school today and thought about my last three years here. I will miss those students who have sat in my classroom and those co-workers that I eat lunch with everyday. I am sad about those people who I not be able to see on a regular basis. I will miss family and I will miss my dog!
So...I am also so thankful. I am thankful for the gifts God has given us as he has prepared us for the next step in our journey. I am thankful for those lives that have impacted me and have helped me grow to be a better mother, a better teacher, and a better Christ-follower.
We will be packing up our house and moving out in three weeks. We will then have about 7 weeks to spend at children's church camp, youth church camp, my in-laws in San Antonio, and my mother in Oklahoma. I am excited about our summer and the transition that will come at the end of it but my heart still aches just a little bit!
But... as I finish up my last week of school here, I am also quite sad. We will be having a lot of lasts coming up in the next few weeks. The last day of working here, my kids last day of school here, the last Boy Scout and Girl Scout meeting, the last day at church.
I walked around my school today and thought about my last three years here. I will miss those students who have sat in my classroom and those co-workers that I eat lunch with everyday. I am sad about those people who I not be able to see on a regular basis. I will miss family and I will miss my dog!
So...I am also so thankful. I am thankful for the gifts God has given us as he has prepared us for the next step in our journey. I am thankful for those lives that have impacted me and have helped me grow to be a better mother, a better teacher, and a better Christ-follower.
We will be packing up our house and moving out in three weeks. We will then have about 7 weeks to spend at children's church camp, youth church camp, my in-laws in San Antonio, and my mother in Oklahoma. I am excited about our summer and the transition that will come at the end of it but my heart still aches just a little bit!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Our Trader Project
Our Pastor has been talking about trading in something in our life that is good for something that is better and has eternal significance. For our trader project, we are moving our family to Tokyo, Japan. We are answering God's call on our life to minister to missionary kids by using our God given gift of teaching. In the process, we will be able to share the gospel of Christ with students and their parents from many countries. We will be involved in ministry in the community and partner with a local church to reach this very unreached country.
What we are trading in:
Time with family and friends
Money for retirement
American TV (OK, it is not all good but I will still miss my favorite shows and sports)
A big house
A car
Being able to see my kids often once they reach college age
A monthly income that requires no faith
What is better:
Following God's will for our life
Trusting God in the big things
Bringing God's plan of salvation to others
Helping missionaries stay on the field by caring for their children
Nurturing growing Christian students
Being able to teach science with a Christian worldview
We praise God for:
Our tickets have been bought and we leave on August 6th
We will be able to live on campus in a 3 bedroom 1000 sq ft apartment
We may have found enough luggage
We ask for prayer in:
We need to stay focused on finishing up our committments here in Prosper.
Our dog needs a great home.
We need wisdom in knowing what to pack in those 10-15 suitcases and what needs to be put in storage or thrown away.
Our children need reassurances as they transition to a new country and a new school.
We pray that our time with our extended family will be filled with joy instead of sadness.
If you would be willing to pray for us and our ministry at CAJ and Japan, please send us your email address to thefamilyerwin@gmail.com so we can add you to our monthly prayer letter.
While CAJ provides a salary, it will only provide 75% of our expenses. The salaries are kept low so that the tuition for missionary kids can be low. If you feel that God is leading you to partner with us in sending a monthly tax-deductible pledge starting August 2012, please let us know by email at thefamilyerwin@gmail.com and we will send you the contact information.
We thank God for your support as we make this transition. While we are excited about what the Lord has in store, we are also in the midst of major change in our lives and need your support. Thank you!
Jeremy and Sabrina Erwin (with
Drew, Luke, and Emme)
What we are trading in:
Time with family and friends
Money for retirement
American TV (OK, it is not all good but I will still miss my favorite shows and sports)
A big house
A car
Being able to see my kids often once they reach college age
A monthly income that requires no faith
What is better:
Following God's will for our life
Trusting God in the big things
Bringing God's plan of salvation to others
Helping missionaries stay on the field by caring for their children
Nurturing growing Christian students
Being able to teach science with a Christian worldview
We praise God for:
Our tickets have been bought and we leave on August 6th
We will be able to live on campus in a 3 bedroom 1000 sq ft apartment
We may have found enough luggage
We ask for prayer in:
We need to stay focused on finishing up our committments here in Prosper.
Our dog needs a great home.
We need wisdom in knowing what to pack in those 10-15 suitcases and what needs to be put in storage or thrown away.
Our children need reassurances as they transition to a new country and a new school.
We pray that our time with our extended family will be filled with joy instead of sadness.
If you would be willing to pray for us and our ministry at CAJ and Japan, please send us your email address to thefamilyerwin@gmail.com so we can add you to our monthly prayer letter.
While CAJ provides a salary, it will only provide 75% of our expenses. The salaries are kept low so that the tuition for missionary kids can be low. If you feel that God is leading you to partner with us in sending a monthly tax-deductible pledge starting August 2012, please let us know by email at thefamilyerwin@gmail.com and we will send you the contact information.
We thank God for your support as we make this transition. While we are excited about what the Lord has in store, we are also in the midst of major change in our lives and need your support. Thank you!
Jeremy and Sabrina Erwin (with
Drew, Luke, and Emme)
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