Riding roller-coasters simultaneously

We are quickly coming to the end of our time in Little Rock. Next Sunday marks the culmination of the residency with Fellowship Associates as Fellowship Bible Church commissions us as couples to our new ministry assignment. That weekend is a reunion  for all the previous and present residents and wives ... as FA celebrates 10 years of intentionality in training church planters. It's a beautiful legacy and network.

Doug has been travelling frequently throughout the year, but will even more in the next six weeks before we land permanently again in New Orleans. It's been a joy to reconnect with folks all over the States who have been impacted by their service in New Orleans post-Katrina. God is providing for our future needs in amazing ways and we continue to trust Him as the rest of our financial needs are met.

Our plan is to head for NOLA with our packed moving truck on June 1st after we celebrate kindergarten graduation with Sam. Where we will go with our stuff is still to be determined. Our house in Algiers is priced to sell yet we've had no offers. If it is still ours, we will move in while keeping it on the market. As most of you know, our heart's desire is to live in Gentilly, where the new church will be. (Gentilly is across the river and about a 20-minute drive from Algiers.) We covet your prayers as we continue to trust God's loving plan for our family about where we need to be for the first several months ... even if our house is sold by the time we return.

Regarding schools for Sam and Zach (see previous post), we are still on separate paths with 7 different schools in locations all over the city. This article about Lusher opening 2 more kindergarten classes gave us a measure of hope for Zach. Last weekend, the boys and I were in NOLA so that Zach could complete his entrance observation for ISL. We wait for a letter about admission for him before we pursue securing a spot for Sam. Our best waiting list numbers for both boys are at Audubon. We are optimistic about Alice Harte after we took a tour over spring break. We've submitted applications to several others on recommendations from friends, but haven't even visited the campuses. Upon the recommendation from a Lusher representative, we'll send in apps to one more school this week, Morris Jeff. Where they will go is still a mystery. We feel called to public schools, and this ride has already been a challenge. I smile at the thought that this is only a pre-cursor to how God will use our boys in public education as a way to deepen our dependence on Him and Him alone. This is really just the beginning.

While seemingly big pieces are still missing to the puzzle ... where we will live, how we will live ($), where the boys will go to school ... one thing is certain. He loves us. We love Him. He's given us a passion for New Orleans and a calling to help plant a church in Gentilly. We love the city and its people. I trust Him as we seek to walk faithfully. But it is only by His grace and work in my heart that I'm not going nuts. We would really appreciate your prayers as we again adjust to the "new" in the midst of some "old"  ... and with most of it being still unknown to us.