The Winter Time Blahs (posted by Charlotte)

It has been a rainy, cold and downright miserable week - at least as far as the weather goes. But isn't it funny how sometimes we let things as trivial as the weather affect our inward condition? This week has been somewhat slow. Cavin and I have done a lot of our secret shopping. We have eaten out, shopped at the mall, looked at motorcycles, and mailed packages - all to see how good the customer service was and to send a report in to the company. This is what we have been doing since we have been in Nashville to make extra money. We have had a lot of fun doing it, but (thankfully!) that is not our calling in life. We know that God has called us to missions, and we are very anxious to get on with it! It seems like we have been talking about it for so long, and yet here we still are! As Preston says, "We keep talking about it! Let's do it!" Yet, we know that God is preparing us. The lengthy process through the International Mission Board has helped us learn patience. We have not given up when things were hard. We are also having many experiences right now to speak to churches and individuals and help them understand about praying, going and giving - and maybe God is speaking to someone through us about what their calling is in regard to missions. We sometimes need to be reminded of what our calling is. Just today, God reminded me of my calling as I read Acts 10:34-36 "God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." That's the reason missions is so important - so that people from every nation can know Christ as their Lord and Savior.