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Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
2012.....In Review or Better Yet....What Will 2013 Bring?
First and foremost we would like to thank everyone that has this year....Prayed for us. Supported us. Challenged us. Laughed with us. Cried with us. Loved us. Welcomed us. 2012 was an interesting year with many challenges and lots of victories to celebrate!
Challenge. Anne was unemployed for 5 months in 2012.
Victory. Thankful for NWHCM entering our lives as she became their VP of Development. She is challenged there but knows the foundational work is being done to help NWHCM meet their goal of spreading The Gospel in the NW zone of Haiti.
Challenge. Finances. Brian still isn't fully funded for his salary with CrossRoads Missions for 2013.
Victory. Because of all of the generous people who gave to Brian's ministry area at CrossRoads he has been able to complete his first year there and LOVING it as the Operations Director for Help Build Hope. They had 46 events this year all over the country, build 69 homes, 9 sheds and 6 Haiti houses. 20% of the structures built went to tornado victims in Southern Indiana, Joplin, MO and Central Kentucky.
Challenge. Children. We have faced the issue of not being able to have biological children. It's been tough on our marriage and each of us personally.
Victory. We knew we would adopt at some point. Our challenges with having kids has moved that up in our timeline. Despite the toughness on our marriage, it finally has brought us closer together and even more committed to each other. WE have selected an adoption agency and have started filling out the application. That is something 2013 will bring, children!
Challenge. Plugging in at our church. We have been going almost every Sunday but didn't know how we "fit" into the church. We wanted to do more but just weren't sure.
Victory. People asked us to help out and we have! Brian helps out with running the sound during the church service and Anne helps out in the Kid Zone classes. Anne is also involved in a 3dm huddle where she is developing relationships with people in her group and constantly being asked to answer two questions. The first is What is God telling you and the second follows up with What are you going to do about it? Talk about challenging but victorious!
We also have gotten involved with our Missional Community (small group) and have enjoyed getting to know the members in the group. God is Good!
So with the challenges and victories of 2012, what does this mean for 2013? Well it means a lot of things.
The biggest is kids. The adoption process can be long, tedious and definitely expensive. We will work closely with the adoption agency and begin fundraising for the adoption. Average adoptions range from $25,000-$35,000. Did we mention we both work for mission organizations?!? We don't have that kind of cash laying around so we will work at saving our money and asking for help from family, friends, and writing grants. Please pray for us as we go through this process, for wisdom, patience, safety for our kids as they wait for us, and for the finance side of things to come together.
Jobs. Brian will continue with CrossRoads as long as we are able to raise his support. We need to increase his salary to $30,000. This will help us take care of our future children and help us save money towards the adoption. Pray for Anne as so continues the work at NWHCM! We are both still working at The Home Depot, this too helps financially but takes its toll working 2 jobs.
Despite the challenges of 2012, we believe 2013 is going to be an amazing year for us! Can't wait to share the good and well the not so good as the year progresses.
Thank you for your love and support through 2012 and can't wait for what 2013 brings to us and each of you!
Challenge. Anne was unemployed for 5 months in 2012.
Victory. Thankful for NWHCM entering our lives as she became their VP of Development. She is challenged there but knows the foundational work is being done to help NWHCM meet their goal of spreading The Gospel in the NW zone of Haiti.
Challenge. Finances. Brian still isn't fully funded for his salary with CrossRoads Missions for 2013.
Victory. Because of all of the generous people who gave to Brian's ministry area at CrossRoads he has been able to complete his first year there and LOVING it as the Operations Director for Help Build Hope. They had 46 events this year all over the country, build 69 homes, 9 sheds and 6 Haiti houses. 20% of the structures built went to tornado victims in Southern Indiana, Joplin, MO and Central Kentucky.
Challenge. Children. We have faced the issue of not being able to have biological children. It's been tough on our marriage and each of us personally.
Victory. We knew we would adopt at some point. Our challenges with having kids has moved that up in our timeline. Despite the toughness on our marriage, it finally has brought us closer together and even more committed to each other. WE have selected an adoption agency and have started filling out the application. That is something 2013 will bring, children!
Challenge. Plugging in at our church. We have been going almost every Sunday but didn't know how we "fit" into the church. We wanted to do more but just weren't sure.
Victory. People asked us to help out and we have! Brian helps out with running the sound during the church service and Anne helps out in the Kid Zone classes. Anne is also involved in a 3dm huddle where she is developing relationships with people in her group and constantly being asked to answer two questions. The first is What is God telling you and the second follows up with What are you going to do about it? Talk about challenging but victorious!
We also have gotten involved with our Missional Community (small group) and have enjoyed getting to know the members in the group. God is Good!
So with the challenges and victories of 2012, what does this mean for 2013? Well it means a lot of things.
The biggest is kids. The adoption process can be long, tedious and definitely expensive. We will work closely with the adoption agency and begin fundraising for the adoption. Average adoptions range from $25,000-$35,000. Did we mention we both work for mission organizations?!? We don't have that kind of cash laying around so we will work at saving our money and asking for help from family, friends, and writing grants. Please pray for us as we go through this process, for wisdom, patience, safety for our kids as they wait for us, and for the finance side of things to come together.
Jobs. Brian will continue with CrossRoads as long as we are able to raise his support. We need to increase his salary to $30,000. This will help us take care of our future children and help us save money towards the adoption. Pray for Anne as so continues the work at NWHCM! We are both still working at The Home Depot, this too helps financially but takes its toll working 2 jobs.
Despite the challenges of 2012, we believe 2013 is going to be an amazing year for us! Can't wait to share the good and well the not so good as the year progresses.
Thank you for your love and support through 2012 and can't wait for what 2013 brings to us and each of you!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Support
It's a new record! Another blog! Yeah! Well it's October 1st and we can't believe the holidays are quickly approaching. To say this year has flown by, is well an under statement! We are thankful for the first 10 months of the year and plan on finishing the last 2 months spending as much time with family and friends...well as much as our work schedules will allow. :)
Brian's ministry area of Help Build Hope needs your support! How can I support you may ask? Well here are the current needs:
1. Prayer.
- For the financial support for Brian's ministry to be fulfilled.
- For our marriage.
2. Financial support to Brian's ministry area. We are a little behind from what was given last year compared to this year....so we need to make that up. We acknowledge we didn't do a great job communicating our updates and need...so we are working on doing better! The goal for 2013 is $30,000 for the year. This will increase Brian's salary by $500 a month. That is a stretch to raise but we have faith God will provide and move people to help!
You can support by mailing a check to:
CrossRoads Missions (this is also who you make the check out too)
ATTN: Brian Snivley Mission Area
8810 Meadow Sweet Way
Louisville, KY 40228
If you would like to set up a monthly withdrawn out of your bank account, email Brian at snivleyb@crossroadsmissions.com and he can get you the form to make that happen. You can also follow up on facebook at snivleys on a mission group page.
We are so thankful to not only share this journey with you, but to also know we are supported by you! Thank you!!
Brian's ministry area of Help Build Hope needs your support! How can I support you may ask? Well here are the current needs:
1. Prayer.
- For the financial support for Brian's ministry to be fulfilled.
- For our marriage.
2. Financial support to Brian's ministry area. We are a little behind from what was given last year compared to this year....so we need to make that up. We acknowledge we didn't do a great job communicating our updates and need...so we are working on doing better! The goal for 2013 is $30,000 for the year. This will increase Brian's salary by $500 a month. That is a stretch to raise but we have faith God will provide and move people to help!
You can support by mailing a check to:
CrossRoads Missions (this is also who you make the check out too)
ATTN: Brian Snivley Mission Area
8810 Meadow Sweet Way
Louisville, KY 40228
If you would like to set up a monthly withdrawn out of your bank account, email Brian at snivleyb@crossroadsmissions.com and he can get you the form to make that happen. You can also follow up on facebook at snivleys on a mission group page.
We are so thankful to not only share this journey with you, but to also know we are supported by you! Thank you!!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Blogger Slackers - Yep!
Okay, yes! We are blogger slackers. Just when I think one of us will have the time to sit down and blog we are either eating dinner or sleeping. It's been a busy year for us and I am sure that is the same for all of you. Life is busy. How do you slow down and take the time for yourself? Your family? Your friends? God (yikes, did I just admit that!)? Things to ponder on later I guess. I wanted to take a moment and update you on where Brian and I are!
Brian: Still doing amazing things for CrossRoads Missions and the advancement of God's kingdom. This year he has traveled a lot more than anticipated but it's been GOOD! When it's all said and done, Brian will have been on 14 of the 40 builds in 2012. He is connecting with more people and helping teach people how to serve their community. Who knew by going and being a part of building walls for a home would jump start service to a community. God is good!
Brian is also working part-time at the Home Depot. When I lost my job in September 2011 we have struggled financially. So I went to work at Home Depot part-time and Brian joined the team a few months later. It's a lot....but because of his commitment, and, well mine too, we are getting better in the financial area. Living in faith and trusting in God has been challenging and amazing. He continues to humble us by constantly providing for us each month and even down to the day.
Speaking of financial stuff. We are in another fundraising year for Brian. This upcoming year's goal is $30,000. We are around 60% of that goal right now. Each month we are getting closer! So, this is my shameless ask for your to support the ministry Brian and I have been called to serve!
Starting in May 2012, I started with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. Check out our website www.nwhcm.org and see what we are all about. We provide short-term mission trips for people to come serve in Haiti. We have orphanages, medical care, feeding programs, elderly care, and the list goes on and on. There is so much work and need in Haiti we are always trying to keep up! I am the VP of Development so I get to care for all things fundraising, communications, and of course anything else that might need to be taken care of. I am still working part-time at the Home Depot in the Garden Center. It's been a fun job and I work with really great people in both jobs.
We have been settling well into Louisville, KY. We attend The Avenue church and are making great friends there! Plus we still love our neighborhood and enjoy our get togethers that involve lots of food and fun. We are making our house a home. Maybe one of these days we will start our painting project of the ENTIRE house.
So with that quick update now I want to share something personal. Brian and I are excited to share we are in the process of adopting our first child. We are in the beginning stages (which seems like forever) and are scheduling appointments with adoption agencies. We have been in the research phase by reading books, blogs, talking with our family and friends, talking with people that have gone through adoption, and praying....a lot. There is a lot to consider and work through to say the least. For example, do we want to adopt international or domestic? How old of a child do we want to adopt? What ethnicity/race/gender/special needs not special needs/would we adopt a sibling group? See, just a few questions to work through! We are excited, scared, and hopeful while we go through this!
We ask for your prayers during this process of bringing home our first child. Pray for our marriage. Pray for our child that they are being cared for and loved as they wait for us. Pray for the financial stuff to be taken care of and provided. Pray how you believe you can support us either emotionally, being a sounding board, financially, or giving us a hand when we finally bring our child home.
If you have questions about anything in this blog, please ask! Adoption and parenting are not for the faint of heart and we know this. With all the research we have done, I have learned there are many misconceptions about adoption. By putting this out there so to speak, we hope to raise awareness about adoption and listening to God's calling in each of our lives. I know, such fluffy stuff to talk about and consider!
Be on the lookout for more timely blogs and updates via Facebook. No really! They will be there!
Brian: Still doing amazing things for CrossRoads Missions and the advancement of God's kingdom. This year he has traveled a lot more than anticipated but it's been GOOD! When it's all said and done, Brian will have been on 14 of the 40 builds in 2012. He is connecting with more people and helping teach people how to serve their community. Who knew by going and being a part of building walls for a home would jump start service to a community. God is good!
Brian is also working part-time at the Home Depot. When I lost my job in September 2011 we have struggled financially. So I went to work at Home Depot part-time and Brian joined the team a few months later. It's a lot....but because of his commitment, and, well mine too, we are getting better in the financial area. Living in faith and trusting in God has been challenging and amazing. He continues to humble us by constantly providing for us each month and even down to the day.
Speaking of financial stuff. We are in another fundraising year for Brian. This upcoming year's goal is $30,000. We are around 60% of that goal right now. Each month we are getting closer! So, this is my shameless ask for your to support the ministry Brian and I have been called to serve!
Starting in May 2012, I started with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. Check out our website www.nwhcm.org and see what we are all about. We provide short-term mission trips for people to come serve in Haiti. We have orphanages, medical care, feeding programs, elderly care, and the list goes on and on. There is so much work and need in Haiti we are always trying to keep up! I am the VP of Development so I get to care for all things fundraising, communications, and of course anything else that might need to be taken care of. I am still working part-time at the Home Depot in the Garden Center. It's been a fun job and I work with really great people in both jobs.
We have been settling well into Louisville, KY. We attend The Avenue church and are making great friends there! Plus we still love our neighborhood and enjoy our get togethers that involve lots of food and fun. We are making our house a home. Maybe one of these days we will start our painting project of the ENTIRE house.
So with that quick update now I want to share something personal. Brian and I are excited to share we are in the process of adopting our first child. We are in the beginning stages (which seems like forever) and are scheduling appointments with adoption agencies. We have been in the research phase by reading books, blogs, talking with our family and friends, talking with people that have gone through adoption, and praying....a lot. There is a lot to consider and work through to say the least. For example, do we want to adopt international or domestic? How old of a child do we want to adopt? What ethnicity/race/gender/special needs not special needs/would we adopt a sibling group? See, just a few questions to work through! We are excited, scared, and hopeful while we go through this!
We ask for your prayers during this process of bringing home our first child. Pray for our marriage. Pray for our child that they are being cared for and loved as they wait for us. Pray for the financial stuff to be taken care of and provided. Pray how you believe you can support us either emotionally, being a sounding board, financially, or giving us a hand when we finally bring our child home.
If you have questions about anything in this blog, please ask! Adoption and parenting are not for the faint of heart and we know this. With all the research we have done, I have learned there are many misconceptions about adoption. By putting this out there so to speak, we hope to raise awareness about adoption and listening to God's calling in each of our lives. I know, such fluffy stuff to talk about and consider!
Be on the lookout for more timely blogs and updates via Facebook. No really! They will be there!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
BOLD BELIEF
It's a new year and I am sure you are like me and have read all about what everyone is going to plan on doing in 2012. I have read a few different blogs, and have been overcome with how pathetic and stereotypical my resolutions have been. I mean, I have had run through my mind, "I want to be a better husband, I want to be better at spending time in my devotions, I want to dream big, I want to lose weight and so on." While I will never set back and claim to be the most spiritual person you have ever met, there are times that I am just thrown back by something I read. This week as I read my devotions was one of those moments. As I read through Luke chapter 3, 4 and 5 I found my 2012 resolutions.
RESOLUTION #1: I want to Catch Gods Eye
There were 3 things that God noticed in Noah. It says that "Noah was different and God liked what He saw in Noah." So I thought, 'Does God like what he sees in me?' In 2012 I want to be different. The 3 things, (and I am sure there are more), that God saw in Noah were:
RESOLUTION #1: I want to Catch Gods Eye
There were 3 things that God noticed in Noah. It says that "Noah was different and God liked what He saw in Noah." So I thought, 'Does God like what he sees in me?' In 2012 I want to be different. The 3 things, (and I am sure there are more), that God saw in Noah were:
- He was a Good Man
- He was a man of Integrity in the community
- He walked with God
As 2012 kicks off, I want to catch Gods eye by doing these three things. Not just at home for my wife to see and give me a pat on the back. I want to Catch Gods Eye in ministry, when building houses, when sending an email....This is getting BIG and I only hope that I can live up to the challenge!
RESOLUTION #2: I want to Serve Him With Single-heartedness
As satan tempted Jesus prior to his official start in ministry, there were 3 area's that he tempted him in. satan tempted Jesus with food when he was hungry, with power over the angels and with wealth over all the land. What man wouldn't be appealed by all 3. But there is a haunting phrase that got me, 'Serve Him (God) with ABSOLUTE SINGLE-HEARTEDNESS.' (emphasis mine). The word absolute is a strong word that scares me half to death. It means, 'for real, definite, 100%, not kidding.' While I know that I will screw this up (already have), I hope to have laser focused service toward God and towards those I come in contact with.
RESOLUTION #3: I want to have Bold Belief
This one knocked my socks off today as I read. There are a handful or people that Jesus comes into contact with and the statements made FREAK ME OUT! Here are the phrases I noticed, maybe you'll get the picture.
- Peter- "But if you say so, I'll let out my nets."
- Leper- "If you want to, you can cleanse me."
- Paraplegic's friends- Jesus was 'Impressed by their bold belief.'
- Healed Paraplegic- "Without a moments notice he did it--got up, took his blanket and left for home"
- Levi- Walked away from everything and went with him.
While there is a bunch of dialogue running through my head still, this one scares me the most. I doubt. I ask questions. I worry. I ask 'What if?' I interject the word 'but...' When the budget doesn't come to a zero balance, I freak out. When there is a "surprise bill" we forgot about. When I am asked to come talk about what it is I do, I feel inadequate. In 2012, I hope to have BOLD BELIEF....yeah! It totally freaks me out!
I think that my personal (and professional) theme for the year will be BOLD BELIEF!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Summer & Fall Newsletter
Here is our first Newsletter about the happenings with Snivleys on a Mission. Please take some time to read our Newsletter Newsletter Link
Monday, October 17, 2011
Walk by Faith
Walk by faith. That is something we have been working hard to do this past year. We would like to share our journey of coming on staff at CrossRoads Missions. It has definitely been God led and we are working hard to continue listening and being obedient to Him.
We first experienced CrossRoads Missions at our church in Richmond, VA hosting a Help Build Hope project. After talking with the coordinator for our build day, I was quickly interested in learning more about CrossRoads and how this might fit in our life. After making a visit to Louisville, KY and meeting with the staff we felt called to CrossRoads. We didn’t know how we would raise the support for my salary but soon realized, if God wanted us here who we were to deny him to work in our lives to make this happen? How could we not listen to this calling to CrossRoads Missions?
Quickly doors, started opening up once we decided to trust God and this journey He was calling us too. Our church in Richmond gave us a seed offering to support the mission work with CrossRoads and that is exactly what it was. After that, Anne received a job offer with a non-profit in Louisville and then I learned of two family members that would support us. As you can see, the seed offering from one church helped get the ball rolling and we could see God’s hand in paving the way to Louisville and CrossRoads Missions.
After moving to Louisville in April 2011, Anne was working as a special events director and unfortunately now is no longer with the non-for-profit that helped pave the way for us to move to Louisville. While Anne is sad to no longer be with the non-profit that brought us here, she appreciates the opportunity to now travel with me on Help Build Hope events and to also provide some of her grant writing and development skills to CrossRoads.
After Anne and I got married we moved to Richmond, VA where I worked with teens at a YMCA for three years. With the help of my wife and our church in Richmond, I began to feel the tug in my heart to return to ministry. I am thankful Help Build Hope came to our church and with God’s help have found a place where I can serve Him and help His people.
We are still working on raising support and we hope after learning a little more about our story you will consider supporting my wife Anne and I. Now with Anne not working, we are in even more need to finish raising the last portion of the support we need and truly believe God will provide.
We first experienced CrossRoads Missions at our church in Richmond, VA hosting a Help Build Hope project. After talking with the coordinator for our build day, I was quickly interested in learning more about CrossRoads and how this might fit in our life. After making a visit to Louisville, KY and meeting with the staff we felt called to CrossRoads. We didn’t know how we would raise the support for my salary but soon realized, if God wanted us here who we were to deny him to work in our lives to make this happen? How could we not listen to this calling to CrossRoads Missions?
Quickly doors, started opening up once we decided to trust God and this journey He was calling us too. Our church in Richmond gave us a seed offering to support the mission work with CrossRoads and that is exactly what it was. After that, Anne received a job offer with a non-profit in Louisville and then I learned of two family members that would support us. As you can see, the seed offering from one church helped get the ball rolling and we could see God’s hand in paving the way to Louisville and CrossRoads Missions.
After moving to Louisville in April 2011, Anne was working as a special events director and unfortunately now is no longer with the non-for-profit that helped pave the way for us to move to Louisville. While Anne is sad to no longer be with the non-profit that brought us here, she appreciates the opportunity to now travel with me on Help Build Hope events and to also provide some of her grant writing and development skills to CrossRoads.
After Anne and I got married we moved to Richmond, VA where I worked with teens at a YMCA for three years. With the help of my wife and our church in Richmond, I began to feel the tug in my heart to return to ministry. I am thankful Help Build Hope came to our church and with God’s help have found a place where I can serve Him and help His people.
We are still working on raising support and we hope after learning a little more about our story you will consider supporting my wife Anne and I. Now with Anne not working, we are in even more need to finish raising the last portion of the support we need and truly believe God will provide.
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