Information for Missionary Candidates/Application Process

Just to give you guys some idea of what it takes to "be a missionary" through the International Mission Board, I thought I would list some of the steps we have to take in order to be appointed.

1. seminary training

2. letters/calls/conferences/interviews with IMB along with evangelism and witnessing training

3. receive candidate consultant - health/wellness/dental checks; children's educational/developmental evaluation

4. life sketch, statement of beliefs, autobiography, background check and reference lists submitted

5. in-depth interviews

6. selection of overseas missions assignment

7. attend candidate conference in Richmond, which includes medical examinations, small groups, personal interviews, research job match, meetings with IMB staff, wellness workshops and homeschooling seminars (Briggs is not allowed to go to this with us)

8. finalize all written materials (life sketches, autobiographies, etc).; reference questionnaires; final medical clearance for family

9. meet with trustees and staff of IMB

10. briefing on missionary service and orientation

11. appointment service

12. stateside orientation

13. language school abroad

14. departure

We are told that this process should go along with Aaron's schooling.  It will take at least one year to 18 months.

Why I Am Here

So tomorrow marks the 3 week mark since moving here to Louisville.  And yesterday I think I may have discovered the reason why we are here.

After going to a salon to get my eyebrows waxed, I came home and asked Aaron, "Why do we need to send people/go to foreign countries?  There are plenty of people right here who need Jesus." Having said that, let me tell you why. I looked up a salon on Frankfort Ave. which is close to where we live.  I just picked the closest one to go to.  When I called the lady said, "____ will be waiting on you at 2." When I hung up I told Aaron I wasn't sure if the lady said "Steph" or "Seth."  When I came back he asked which is was.  I told him neither.  It was Jack.  Jack, who I immediately thought was a gay man, turns out to be married.  He is a cross-dresser who is married with children.  I'm sure my face told him what I was thinking when he came walking out and asked if he could help me.  He had on a black pencil skirt with plaid mary jane type shoes.  His hair was black and pink.  I really wasn't sure what to think.  He was very nice and did a good job on my eyebrows.  My first reaction was to not even let him wax my eyebrows because of his appearance.  I was thinking, "I can't let a gay man wax my eyebrows."  Then I thought it would look really bad if I told him no thanks.  By the end of the waxing, I had asked for his card.  I decided that he may very well be the reason that we have ended up here in Louisville.  Maybe not, but maybe.  His blog states that he "don't do religion." It is my hope to show him that it's not about "religion," but rather a "relationship."  I am going to begin to pray that if it's the Lord's will doors will be opened for me to witness to Jack.  If not me, then someone else.  But the main thing is that he needs Jesus in his life.

I am not saying that I suddenly don't feel called to international missions.  What I'm saying is that while I wait for that opportunity, there are plenty for me here in my everyday life in Louisville.  And there's plenty for you too - wherever you are.  Don't take for granted that everyone you meet is a Jesus-follower.  I think at home that is very easy to do.  Not so much here. I have seen lots more here than I ever did in SC, which has only shown me that I must not waste the time I've been given here on this earth to witness for MY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who lived a perfect, sinless life; died on the cross for the sins of all; and rose again on the 3rd day to bring redemptive salvation to anyone who should ask.  AMAZING LOVE!!

So on this Valentine's Day, I wish you the love of the Savior.  It is the best you could ever ask for.

2 weeks in L'ville

I can't believe we have been living in Louisville for TWO weeks already.  Yesterday made the official two week mark.  Boy, time does fly when you're having fun - OR NOT HAVING FUN as has been the case with the storm and all, but hey, life goes on and I must say I think I have adjusted pretty well.  

I'm sure I will grow to like Kentucky just fine, but man, there are some strange things here.  There is this house a couple of streets over that looks like something Aaron and I saw in Jamaica on our honeymoon.  We are going to try to take pics.  I'm not even sure how to explain it.  I think a lot of people consider Kentucky to be a "Southern" state or nothing but "barns and horses" (Dave Huska), but not here in L'ville.  It's the big city to me.  People don't wave at each other when passing down the street like they do in Easley.  Banks are open on Sundays (at least some of them are).  Most people just park wherever they feel like it - i.e. they are driving down the road and decide they want to go in to the store on Main Street.  They just pull over and park in the right hand lane.  I've seen several homeless people - even had one sit down beside me in a church we visited.  That's not likely to happen in SC!  There are no Publix Grocery Stores :(, no Bi-lo grocery stores.  There is however a Wal-Mart.  I guess those are anywhere in the world.  The roads here are crazy too - one road can go on and on for miles - cross the railroad tracks, turn diagonally, circle and then go back straight without ever changing names. Seriously, they are crazy.  Those are just a few of the things I can think of right now.  

Oh yeah - we visited another church on Sunday.  It was a lot like Brushy Creek and someplace we think we will try again.  We felt pretty "at home" there.

Yay!  Power is restored, internet is working, and boxes are unpacked!!!  We are FINALLY starting to get settled in here in Louisville.  I think, anyway. We are learning some of the roads (they are really crazy here) and navigating our way around.  Though it will never be HOME, we are beginning to adjust here.  Of course we have kind of been thrown into it with the storm and all.

Aaron and Briggs are watching the race that's on tv, which is nice because it means there is some sense of normalcy again.

We are visiting another church tomorrow morning.  I am hoping for the best.

We truly appreciate all of your prayers and thoughts during this time of transition and difficulty that we have experienced here since our move.  Tomorrow makes 2 weeks already.  Time really does fly.  I can't believe it is February already.  It will be Christmas again before we know it!

Oh well, just beginning to ramble.  Will probably post pics of our house next week.

3030 Cleveland Blvd ...

Here we come!  Power is restored so we are heading back to finish unpacking and get the house in order.  I'm glad to have the power back, and praising the Lord for His provision during this time.  Though I've had frustrating moments, days, hours, etc., I know He is in control and has taken care of me all this time.

This may be my last post for several days as we will not have internet connected at our house yet.  The scheduled date was Friday, but with all the power outages and downed lines, I'm sure it could take longer.

We visited a church yesterday just to let Briggs see it before we go on Sunday.  It is called 9th & O and we are excited about visiting.  It SEEMS to be like BCBC, but we'll see.  I know there is no church on earth to replace it, but maybe we'll luck up and find one that's close!!

Thanks for your continued prayers during this difficult time.  May God bless you!

What is going on?????

UGH!  UGH!  UGH!  I can't even begin to say that enough!  Today has been exactly one week since our arrival in Kentucky, and it has just sucked (please excuse me, but that's the truth of the matter and I can't think of a better word right now).  Let's see - our arrival last week was to snow and us unloading the Uhaul in the snow.  Monday it snowed and then most of you know the story from there.  I have tried to go with the flow and just not worry about the situation that I've been place in.  "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" kind of thing.  I must admit that I have been doing pretty well.  And then I find out just a few minutes ago that EVERYONE ELSE ON OUR STREET HAS POWER EXCEPT US.  Aaron contacted the power company on Wednesday (or maybe Tuesday) and asked if we needed an electrician to come out to repair the meter box.  The guy at LG&E said he didn't know and that they would call us back to let us know what we should do.  We haven't heard back from them and so when Aaron called to tell me that everybody else on the street had power restored, I immediately called LG&E.  The lady informed me that we had to contact an electrician, who after he fixed the meter box and attached it to the house, would have to contact an inspector, who would then contact the power company and our name would go on a list.  We basically have no idea when our power will be restored, and just to be point blank - I am so incredibly, unbelievable angry that I don't know what to do with myself.  I really can NOT understand what in the world is going on.  Oh well, I guess we will hang out at Brian & Jenny's awhile longer.  

Tried a new church today.  They surely are different here.  We will try more over the next several weeks until we find something that is similar to Brushy Creek.  I never knew how much I loved my church until I left.  Those of you who are still there - don't take it for granted!  You don't get people like that and preaching like that just anywhere!!

I will keep you posted.  Please keep us in your prayers.  Aaron's classes are cancelled again tomorrow, but will probably resume on Tuesday as I've just heard that power crews are at the Seminary restoring power now.  I'm beginning to think we are the only ones in Louisville without power!  Did I mention I am angry?

Well to sum it all up in the words of Dorothy - "There's no place like home."  And there's certainly no place like Easley, South Carolina.