Missions Articles {with links}

So, I guess you all figured out by now that I am no longer posting my hubby's Focus on Missions audio clips. It didn't take me long to see that I was going to have huge issues with the amount of space it was taking to upload them on my blog.  We considered deleting them as we went (once we thought you all had had a chance to click on them and listen to them) in order to keep uploading more; however, it was too much work for me to go through in uploading them only to just turn around and delete the previous work.

However, just because I am no longer uploading the audio clips does not mean that you cannot continue to listen to them!  Don't forget to tune in to knvbc.com to hear the Focus on Missions series air weekdays at 12:15pm and 10:00pm, Pacific time {The times are not to-the-minute specific, but pretty close}.  Of course, KNVBC is great to listen to any time of day, and I hope that you were able to tune in during the holidays for some amazing Christmas music.

I have mentioned this before, but wanted to mention it again.  My hubby also writes articles about missions and Israel for the North Valley News website.  Here is a list of articles he has already written, in case you missed them and wanted to catch up:

They Are Waiting to Hear

Jerusalem: the Cradle of Missions

The Next Generation of Missionaries

The Purpose of Missions

Why Support the Nation of Israel

The Gentiles' Place in Missions

Biblical, First-Century Missions in the Twenty-First Century

Ministering to Your Missionaries

Ministry Opportunities on the Mission Field

Called to Missions: What Next?

How Shall They Hear?

God's Purpose for Israel

Your Place in Missions

Preparing Financially for the Mission Field

The Work Schedule of a Missionary

And, since I'm on the topic of my hubby and missions... David will be speaking in Ecuador soon at a week-long Missions Conference. Since he grew up as a missionary kid in Mexico, Spanish and English are his first languages, so it is not uncommon for him to be invited to speak to Spanish-speaking groups as often as he is invited to speak to English-speaking groups.  I am so proud of him and all of the opportunities that he is given to serve the Lord, especially in the area of missions... the heartbeat of our family and ministry.

I hope you are enjoying your New Year as much as we are thus far.  2014 is looking like it is going to be a great one!

Amazing Grace

I came across a video that was uploaded to Facebook two years ago (this week!) and just had to share.  In this video hubby and I are singing at Simferopol Baptist Church in Ukraine with some of the dearest friends we have on this earth. Oh, how we miss these people, this church, and the Russian language!  We are thrilled with what God is allowing us to do in our lives today; however, we have nothing but sweet memories of what God allowed us to do in our yesterday.  Really, though, our yesterday and today are quite inseparable.  We couldn't have one without the other.

The song we are singing is "Amazing Grace," just to a tune that is different from the familiar one.  Yes, God's grace truly is amazing.  His grace has been evident in our lives as well as in the lives of the others who are singing with us.  We all have been touched with His grace.  {You can hear the song by clicking here: Amazing Grace}.

First family snapshot

{Below} Thanksgiving Day... our first family snapshot of the "new us."  There are 7 of us now.... the "perfect" number, wouldn't you say?!

 {Below}  Here is the little princess on Thanksgiving Day... one week after her birth.

We have SO MUCH to be thankful for this year!  The holidays are just that much sweeter with a newborn to cuddle.  Little Miss Mackenzie Grace has melted our hearts and there just isn't enough of her to go around!  My bigger kids said it is too bad I didn't have triplets so that they didn't have to share just one baby.  Ha!  As sweet and perfect as she is, I am glad there is just one of her.  She too has much to be thankful for with this adoring audience that can hardly wait to get in line to hold her. What a blessed little girl! And what a blessed little family we are!

Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful gift of life!