Another Update!

More things have been happening since we last wrote about the latest round of letters. First, I want to say THANK YOU! once more to everyone who has helped us out through their prayers, generous giving, advice, encouragement, love, and direction so far. We have so humbled and blessed by the response we have received from so many people who have gone out of their way to encourage and help us and who have given so sacrificially.

This is a terrible economic climate to try to raise funds, especially as a young couple who has never done this before and therefore have limited fund-raising contacts, but we have been so blessed by God through it all. This time last year we were going through the application process to work at IA, and Amanda and I both felt strongly that God was leading us in this direction, but also felt a great deal of fear and uncertainty as to how it could be possible. A year later, we have seen so many amazing things happen and so many pieces fall into place, and we want to give praise to the Lord for all that has happened and thank all of you once again for what you have done!

We continue to keep busy with life and school, as well as with making plans for next year. We had a huge answer to prayer take place in the last couple of weeks when we found out that we would have a place to say for the months after we get married and before we go to Russia. This had been something that was a concern and something that we were praying about, since the fact that we would only need housing for a few months meant that our options would be very limited. However, thanks to the wonderful generosity of a professor at Bethel and her husband, we have been given their condo to live in for the time after the wedding until our departure! They have also generously offered it to us rent free, meaning we only need to pay for utilities and take care of things. This is a huge blessing, and we are so grateful!

Amanda's student teaching is still going on, and she is doing very well. She is working with 10th and 11th grade students, teaching them Fahrenheit 451 and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn at the moment. She is getting exposed to lots of new situations and responsibilities as a teacher, but things are going well and Amanda is really enjoying teaching and working with students. Last week, we got to talk with Tammy at IA about clarifying a few more details as we look ahead to teaching next year. It was a good conversation and we have a better sense of direction now about a number of things. As we continue to get a clearer picture about our next steps in preparation to go to Russia, we'll post them here to help keep everyone informed:-)

-Matt