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!
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