We're Moving...

The one sure thing in The Salvation Army is that officers will move. We all know this, but I don't think it necessarily makes any of it easier. Because of that though, we have always attempted to make our ministry about empowering the people to see their potential as part of the Kingdom of God, therefore, essentially, making the officer interchangeable to their puzzle.

Our family has received moving orders. We arrive in Madrid next Monday to take up a new post, a new style of life, and all the new possibilities God has in store for us.

It is the quickest move I've ever made in my 6 years of officership, and the first time that I've moved without any expectations of a move. My first move was because I got married, my next move because they closed the appointment I was in, the third because we had applied for overseas service. Those moves all had sadness, but also a sense of preparation on our part. This time it was completely unexpected. My head is still reeling at the magnitude of the change that is about to happen...

After we received the news that we were being re-assigned I had the verse from Jeremiah "I know the plans I have for you" stuck in my head. One early morning, as I'm not sleeping very well lately, I got up and decided to spend the time before sunrise reading that chapter. In it there is a moment when God reminds the Isrealites/Jeremiah that it is HE that decides how long prophets stay and when they go. It was a great reminder that HE is in control of moves in our lives, even when it doesn't seem that way from the outside.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

What difference is it?

Picture: Bram & Jeff at La Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

It has been a full year in Spain.

Many people want to know "How has your life changed?"

Jeff has taken on the challenge to answer that very question...

I drink sterilized milk & juice from a cardboard box.

I eat out exponentially less, and only at restaurants with a ‘play place’

17 months between boys seemed ok, until 3 vs 2: the apartment is very loud

I wash my Salvation Army uniform tunic & pants in the washer and hang dry

I have personally paid over 2,000 USD for official items, not counting things that could be taken officially back home

At times I have to park 200 – 300 yards from the apartment

I walk 4 flights of stairs multiple times a day; groceries, toddlers, luggage, trash

I’ve lost 25 lbs

Most days I have to park ¼ to ½ mile from the Corps and lug in instruments and program material.

Although a vehicle seems a necessity; w/maintenance & operating costs it constitutes 20% of the budget

I’ve lived with 75% humidity all summer

God is bigger than my stress

God has been faithful in every situation

I love the smell of the salt air as the breeze comes in off the coast line

I love to watch the clouds billow over the mountain

The view from our balcony makes it all worth it

I get to spend twice the amount of time with my family

Although my Spanish is far better today than when I arrived; it is by no means where it should be

I rely on our prior experience & training to move forward, all the while finding the ‘new’ ways God is calling us to minister.

Pastorally, Corps Officership is the same no matter where you serve & administratively

All things relative, we would accept a second term.

10 Things I Learned...

"So, you've given up on the blog?" he says.

"No, what are you talking about?" she casually responds while clicking through facebook photo albums.

"Well, are you just not feeling inspired to post anymore?"

"No. What do you want me to write about??"

...ok, so I clicked through a few more photos before coming back to post....


So, here's a list of 10 things I've learned this summer: (in random order)

1. Vinegar really does keep away mosquitoes.

2. Air conditioning is a blessing not to be taken lightly.

3. Dresses keep you much cooler.

4. God is bigger than any financial crisis.

5. God is in the details.
(including perfect timing for you to make it downstairs so they don't tow away your only vehicle)

6. I would much rather have a donut for dinner. Don't tell my boys, it'll ruin my reputation.

7. Friends are a necessity and a blessing for sanity purposes.

8. Sand really does get into EVERYTHING.

9. When the temp is above 95 and the building's turned the water off, it's great having friends who let you use their pool.

10. Vacations seem to happen just when you need them. (our's: next week!)


Side note: Burgos & Palmanova are both quite a distance from our town. But I'm sure your prayers for both of those cities as they recover from the bombings is greatly appreciated.

My Brain is Melting...

It's too hot to sleep. Fans are of little help, and even watching some strange sci fi movie involving silver space suits, an snow monster, and ice shackles is not helping.

Run, Forest, Run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Festa Major in Denia! Our area of Spain is known as one of the locations to have the most fiestas.

I have learned in our near year here that they love any reason to have a good party. And the more dancing and singing in the street the better the fiesta!

Festa Major includes bulls and lots of them! Three nights this week they will run bulls down the main street of our town into a temporary bull ring set up by the sea.

In the bull ring, twice a day, they will play a game with several bulls. We witnessed "Bous a la Mar" (Valenciano for "Bulls to the Sea") this afternoon. Apparently the rules are: try to get the bull into the water without it killing you. The end result was simply a lot of wet people. It was very exciting and a lot of fun to watch.


I think sometimes we have a tendency to take life a little too seriously. Everything is dramatic, everything is important, and there's not time to be silly. I have been reminded this week, and am learning in Spain, how important it is to just have some fun sometimes. Sometimes, in order to maintain sanity, you have to let the bull chase you into the water, even though you know you're going to end up all wet in the end.

We're still here...

It's hot. It's very hot. And there is no breeze.

Side effects:

1. easy, quick dehydration (plants & humans)

2. easy, quick irritability (mostly mommies & toddlers)

3. complete and utter laziness

I've not been 'inspired' to write on the blog, so I'll just give a quick update:

Top 5 events of the past few days:

1. We are holding a Vacation Bible School next week for English speaking families. I'm really excited about all the possibilities, even though it is apparently a 'new concept' to some of our church members.

2. We have visited the cities of Valencia and Alicante like good tourists.

3. We celebrated the Fiesta de San Juan. It's a local holiday where they light bon fires on the beach and jump into the sea at midnight. No one had the same story as to why they do these things, but I will say it was a lot of fun!

4. God provided a new washing machine and refridgerator! Our washing machine had stopped emptying out water and our fridge stopped being cold, so through much prayer and the provision of International Project funds we have working machines!

5. Bram had prize day, aka: graduation day. We watched him walk across the front and recieve his graduation story book. I did cry. Afterwards Bram said "Mommy, the man with a tie shook my hand!!"

Lazy Summer Days

As the days get longer, and the temperature keeps rising, some congregation members have invited us over to swim and have dinner at their house. So far it's been a weekly thing for a month, and we've watched Bram get better and better at swimming!

Grandmas, enjoy!