Dear praying friends,
Thank you for your prayers over the past few months. God has been more than faithful in bringing us through the end of a difficult school year and preparing us for some exciting opportunities this summer as we look ahead to our final year at Seminary.
Finishing the School Year Well
After some serious struggles in February, Matthew faced an uphill battle completing his 4th semester at Seminary. Thanks to the grace of God (and of a few professors) he was able to complete his classes with high grades. His Spring semester ended May 8th, giving him time to rest and prepare before summer school. (He finished the second of two summer classes last week). Completing those will lighten his load for next year to just 26 units, compared with 31 units each of the first two years.
Emily’s semester at Beaverton High School didn’t conclude until June 18th. With about two weeks to go, she felt overwhelmed, so we sent out an emergency prayer request. Thanks to your prayers and a day with a substitute so she could grade at home, things turned around quickly and the final week of the semester turned out to be Emily’s best ever.
Exciting Summer Plans
Our summer got off to a running start with a wonderful visit from Emily’s immediate family this past Thursday through Sunday. Since their departure, we’ve been soaking up as much alone time as we can in the midst of preparing for Emily’s trip to Spain. She leaves tomorrow for 3 ½ weeks studying the Spanish language and how to teach it. She’ll have two weeks in Barcelona and one in Granada. Between classes she hopes to see the sights in these cities as well as Madrid, Seville, and perhaps elsewhere.
While Emily is soaking up Spanish language and culture, Matthew will keep busy finishing course work from summer classes and helping out at Central Bible Church (CBC). He’s been given the opportunity to preach at CBC on July 8th, and at Hillcrest Alliance Church in Roseville on August 19th. In addition to sermon preparation, he’ll be leading a class at CBC’s Kid’s Camp (VBS equivalent) the 3rd week of July and continuing his internship work there. Meanwhile, he’ll try to get caught up on household responsibilities, prepare to apply for ministry jobs in the fall, and hopefully work in some “guy time” with friends while he’s a bachelor.
We are already looking forward to reuniting when Emily returns on July 24th. We’ll then enjoy 10 days together at home for rest, our 3rd anniversary, and road trip preparations. On August 4th we hit the road with stops in Spokane, WA, Priest River, ID, Missoula, MT, Yellowstone National Park, and Soda Springs, ID before arriving in Roseville, CA on August 14th. We’ll then spend a little over a week visiting family and friends in California before making our way back north in time for us both to start school on August 27th.
Looking to Fall and Beyond
Even with so much happening this summer, we’re beginning to peek ahead to our final year here. It’s hard not to wonder what comes next. We’d appreciate your prayers for God’s peace and clear guidance as we begin to look at what life for us might look like after seminary. Since ministry positions often take months to apply for and fill, we plan to begin the process this fall in the hopes that something might be settled by the time we have to move next June. We’re excited about where God might be taking us next but we want to be open and patient as we wait on His leading and timing.
Praise Updates:
☼ Thank you for praying! Matthew’s semester ended well personally and academically.
☼ Emily’s second school year was much easier and more enjoyable than the first.
☼ After a discouraging hunt Tuesday, God provided a great place for Emily to sleep her first night in Spain.
☼ We thank God for the privilege of two months off together to see family, friends, and new places.
Prayer Requests:
☼ Pray for Emily’s time in Spain, that she would keep consistent quiet times, stay safe, and make the most of the opportunity.
☼ Pray for Matthew’s time alone, for discipline in sticking to a schedule and staying active.
☼ Pray for Matthew as he prepares his sermon, and for God to use it effectively.
☼ Pray for our fellowship with God and others (as well as safety) during our road trip.
☼ Pray for God’s guidance and peace as we begin looking at life after seminary.
Love in Christ,
Matthew and Emily
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