It is hard to believe that the month of April is almost over! It is also hard to believe it's been almost a year since I graduated from college! Last year, I wasn't even engaged yet and did not expect to be until at least the fall. What a pleasant surprise it was when on May 25, 2011, Bruce asked me to marry him. I was overjoyed and excited! As the summer months began, Bruce went away to work at the Bill Rice Ranch as a Deaf Counselor. I was working full-time at Walgreens as well as a part-time job and it was a good thing, because I missed him very much.
In August, he returned and we continued our wedding planning. Our original plan was to live in CT, but God had other plans. After 3 months of searching and not finding a job, Bruce returned to his home state of PA and almost immediately got a job with the gas company. It was amazing to watch as God then opened doors for us to live in PA. He gave us a nice apartment at a very affordable price and also supplied about 80% of our furniture! At the gas company, Bruce had to work 16 hour days for over 30 days straight, a very big challenge for both of us. Not only was he extremely tired, but we were unable to talk much, which can put a strain on any relationship. But God knew what was best, and in December, He took him off the gas drilling fields and gave him a job working in one of the gas companies supply shops. He gave him wonderful hours; Mon-Fri. 7am-5:30pm, and all weekends off! God helped us through the last few months of separation before our wedding on January 13, 2012. Now we have been married 3 1/2 months already, and it has been a wonderful blessing to together grow closer to God and each other.
Currently, we are staying busy in our local church, Tabernacle Baptist Church. The Pastor and people here are very friendly and we have been enjoying getting to know them better through the activities and ministries of the church. My husband is quite musical and plays the trombone in the church orchestra (I didn't even know he played one until we got married)! Lord willing, we hope to establish a deaf ministry here soon. There is already one deaf lady who comes on Sunday mornings, and many more live out in Williamsport that can be reached. It is our prayer to see many of these accept Christ and grow in Him.
Long-term goals: My husband and I are both burdened for Missions, particularly with the Deaf in Gabon, Africa. We are praying for the Lord's guidance and timing in going to this needy field. It is not always easy to wait on God's timing, but I know that He will open the doors when He sees fit. One door that He has opened is for us to be able to go on a survey trip next spring!! We will be gone almost the entire month of April 2013, surveying both Gabon and parts of South Africa! More information on that will be coming probably in June.
It is definitely exciting to be serving the King of Kings!! What a great privilege we have to serve Him!
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
