2008 Can you believe what God has done!!!!

Wow so here we are again on the brink, on the edge of a New Year. You can't help but look back on this year as well as wanting/longing to get a peek of what is to come.

Last year at this time I was with my Family while Joel stayed at the warehouse to work.
This time last year God gave Joel the release for him and I to leave Friend Ships in May and start a new adventure in life and it was ABOUT this time last year that Joel and I got an email from Joi wondering if we were keeping Dynamite:

"Hey Guys! Any chance that beautiful dog needs a permanent home? My brother is looking for a good dog. (A dog that is NOTHING like Buddy!!!) let me know if he is a good dog...you can email me cause I don't check blogs very often! Would love to hear from you! -joi"

Before that email we were making all the plans and arrangements to keep our pets. But after reading that email from Joi the Lord spoke to me saying He wanted us to give up our pets.
I bawled like a baby.

So from January to May Joel and I spent our last few months with Friend Ships in Los Angeles at the warehouse. Making arrangements for our pets, getting the warehouse ready for us to leave, and other odds and ends that goes with closing a huge, life changing chapter in our lives.

It was at Friend Ships I became born again and found what having a true relationship with Jesus Christ was all about. It was a Friend SHips Joel and I grew and matured in our walk with God and it was at Friend SHips that Joel and I met, fell in love, and married. Joel had been with Friend SHips for just one month shy of 8 years and I had been a few months over 5 years.

We left Friend Ships May 1st and gave up our three cats in that same day. Wow what a big first step. Joel and I stayed with my family for 2 and 1/2 months. We volunteered for a Women and Childrens Free Restaurant that provided groceries once a week and a lunch 3 days a week. We only volunteered Friday.

After that Joel, Dynamite, and I went to Virginia to visit our dear and wonderful (ex-Friend Ships crew) friends who love God just as much as we do. During that week visit is when we gave Dynamite over to Dan and Mary. They are the best couple for Dynamite and God was so gracious during this transition.

We then headed up to Canada to spend 2 and 1/2 months with Joel's family and seek God where He wanted us next. It wasn't until September with much prayer and tears and joy that we took Mom and Dad Wendles request to take their 3 churches for 3 months so they could have a time of rest and seeking God.

So that is where we are now. Over three churches (one in Idaho and two in Montana) Our time ends after the 1st weekend in Febuary and as of now we are praying and seeking God what is next for us.

I do wish God would give us a little peek for the year to come but we have options and are praying for God's perfect will for our lives. That we would present our bodies as a living sacrfice and that our words and actions would be pleasing to Him.

SO as you rethink this past 2008 we hope that it was joyful for you with some struggles but above all else you will see clearly where the hand of God has been.

May He, our Lord, richly bless you this year with His peace, joy, and love no matter what you go through. For we are all more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

Blessing to all,
Joel and Dess

Just before the 3 Christmas eve service.
(I know we look super pale but it was the flash of the camera.
No really. No really really.)