One More Day Before the New Year!

As we sit here by the fire and look back 3 1/2 months ago when we first got here we find ourselves overwhelmed at God's faithfulness. He has guided us, clothed us, housed us, given us new friends, and is continually stretching us. But all of it we embrace with open arms because we know the more we grow the closer we are getting to him.

In being here and looking at the many opportunities the base offers, Luke and I have discovered that staffing DTS (Discipleship Training School) is where we will grow the most in our giftings and desires. God opened up a way for us to be on Short Term DTS staff and we are so grateful. We love the nations; we love seeing young people get fired up for Jesus and seeing them get a taste of the incredible world out there that God so desperately loves! We keep feeling more and more that God is saying that this time here in Montana is a time of TRAINING. He often speaks to us with one word themes so this is the word for this season. And we are so grateful for it. We know we need training together as a married couple and this seems to be the place God has chosen for us.

With that said, the base here has asked us to come on Long Term Staff which means we would commit for 1 1/2 years here staffing DTSs. This means we would get lots of hands on experience/TRAINING leading groups of young people to the nations. That excites us! So we prayed about it and felt like we should apply. We haven't filled out the application yet seeing that we got this in prayer yesterday but we would LOVE your prayers that the leadership would hear from God if this is the right choice for us and them. We will need housing which is a bit tight here on the base but something could open up so please pray for all the details to fall in line.

Here's a beautiful shot at sunset by our lake!
I actually got this shot as we drove by.. not bad huh?

Our first snow you can tell we got a little excited!!! We took out our sleds and went down the road. Maybe a little too prematurely cuz we kept hitting the asphalt. oops!

Needless to say we had fun! =)

We even did snow angels in our front lawn.

CHRISTMAS VACATION

Our Christmas was WONDERFUL. We ended up driving to Seattle to see my younger brother Micah. It was so refreshing to see him and to just encourage one another in the Lord. He went to school for Video Game Design and has a heart to reach the lost through the gaming world. My Mom flew up to Canada to see her mom so we all drove up there and hung out for Christmas. It was great.

On our way we had a WONDERFUL surprise.. Our good friends from Santa Barbara Shelly and Taylor and their little one Regan were in Spokane visiting their family. So we stopped by and stayed the night. It was SO fun! We talked endlessly - the boys about politics and the girls about health. The usual! =)
We wish it could have been longer. Next time right guys?

This is Taylor's Mom and Step Dad. They treated us to a wonderful dinner

We also got to see our good friend Alex from Luke's DTS. Ya this little Christmas trip has certainly turned out to be the "visit everyone we know" trip. We had a blast hanging out talking all about what God has been doing.

We finally got to Seattle and of course you can't go to Seattle and not see Pikes Place Market.
The funny thing about this picture is the hooker in the back ground. That's always fun...

The city at night. So beautiful! All lit up with lights!

My brother Micah lives in the University District and is working at Nordstrom until he gets his foot in the door with the gaming industry. In Montana I made him his favorite dessert - Carrot Cake and brought it to him as a surprise. He was so stoked.

We drove to Canada to see my Mom and Grandma and the rest of the gang! It was so good to see Grandma. It has been a few years. She is 84 and still sharp as a tack!

Fun times on the fishing dock!

Me and Micah

Me and mom!

Me and Grandma!

After Christmas we headed back to Seattle to then head
back home to Montana! So fast but so fun!

One thing I did have to do before I left Washington was go to my favorite grocery store in the world - TRADER JOES!!! I missed it sooooooooo much!
We went CRAZY and bought as much food as we could fit in the car... It's so much cheaper than the health food out in Montana!

Ya I wasn't kidding!!

THE NEW YEAR!
Well as the new year is right around the corner we can't help but feel an eager expectation of what God has in store for us all. His plans are so much greater than anything we could ever imagine and following Him with everything we have is the only way to truly live.

We love you and thank you for remembering us and praying for us.
Like we've said before we can truly feel it!

God bless you!! See you in the New Year!
Bethany and Luke