This evening, I finally took a moment to look at the statistics for this blog. The fact that several of you continue to look at our blog when we are so slow to update it is a testimony to the faithfulness with which you've supported us over these last 4+ years. So pull up a chair and get comfortable as I ramble through an update on us and on the ways that God is leading us.
My job as a fulltime Family Doctor in Jackson, Michigan is going well. There are so many things that I am having to remember/relearn after spending more than 5 years out of the U.S. medical system. Drug names have changed and some new procedures are available now. But thankfully, old fashioned conversations with patients and a willingness to listen are still great tools for today's doctor. The longer hours away from the family are difficult but we are capitalizing on the times we do have together and are thankful for this opportunity for me to get back up to speed with U.S. medicine.
Janette is spending A LOT of time with the four kids. She is slowly renewing old friendships in Spring Arbor, MI and making new friends as well. Last week, she served as the missionary pirate for the local VBS (click here for the picture and story). Once school starts for the kids, we hope that she'll be able to plug in even more in community and church opportunities.
Hannah starts first grade in September and Leah will be starting kindergarten. They are looking forward to it but also a little fearful about the new school and having to make new friends. The girls' comfort level in their Mexico City school is one of the things that made it most difficult to leave. Thank you for praying for them as they adjust to a new school culture and to the idea that we won't be going back to Mexico City this year.
Samuel will be attending three days of preschool at the church. He is especially glad to be able to put his Thomas the Train and Lightning McQueen backpacks to use and be like his older sisters. Sam is enjoying a sandbox that Grandpa Thompson set up this weekend. Josiah loves playing outside in the big backyard and continues to be a very happy baby.
We are struggling to find enough time in our schedules to do the physician work as well as the missionary partnership building time. Janette has started trying to schedule some churches for this fall. We are trying to combine visits to churches so that we can see as many of you as possible. We have several emails requesting us to come visit churches in the Wabash and Pittsburgh conferences. If you haven't heard from us, feel free to remind us or bug us about it. We are not going to be able to get to all of the churches but will do our best to at least be in the neighborhood.
Some of you have already heard us talk and picked up on the uncertainty in our future. We want to be available for God's purposes and work. Period. We always thought it would be in Latin America but there are other needs that God seems to be putting in front of us as well. Thank you for praying with us for clarity and vision. We don't want to do anything because it is the easiest or most convenient choice. And so we are exploring other FM medical options these days- Central Africa and Haiti among them. We'll let you know when we can be more specific.
I'll be praying for God's guidance to come your way. I've seen in my own life how He's always been faithful to His promise in James 1:5 (I could fill up a whole page with examples). I also remember how Mike & Carrie Hamley went through a similar period of frustrating uncertainty before their first assignment (which ended up far more happily than they'd hoped!) God may well have a similar happy surprise in store for you.
Take care and God bless,
-- Jim M (Greensburg FMC)
Posted by: JDM-GBG | August 18, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Great to hear from you guys! Thanks for keeping us up to date. :)
Posted by: Jim | August 18, 2008 at 12:35 PM