As we begin

Well this is my first blog and I will do my best to keep it updated as we prepare for our move to Jamaica. The title of our blog is a Time of Preperation. "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven" Solomon writes in Eclesiastes 3:1. Right now in our family it is a time of preperation. Once we arrive on the Mountain in Jamaica sometime this fall/winter our season will change.
We are very excited about this time as we get ready for this huge change. We will be leaving behind pretty much all that we have ever known. Our friends, family, way of life, home, cars, everything. We will only be gone for 2 years and we will be making a difference in the lives of hurting children. I think that this will be an awesome learning experience for all of our children as well. Stephen will just be starting to talk by then and I'm sure he will have a Jamaican accent by the time we come home. Savannah and Sharlotte pray every night for their friends in Jamaica (or Maica as Sharlotte says it) Savannah is excited to start school there with her new friends. Sharlotte is expecting to see Jesus there. In some ways I think she's more right than we even know.
Not only is this a huge change for those in our family going to Jamaica but it is a huge change for those staying behind. This will be the longest time we will have spent away from Samantha and Sandra. I know that it will take a great deal of time to get used to. We do have access to DSL and Vonage phone so we will be able to talk via internet and phone all the time.
Samantha will be starting her freshman year at a local college in the fall. She has a heart for hurting children/teens and plans to study social work. She is a wonderful young woman with strong beliefs and a pure heart. I know that no matter what area she chooses to use her gifts she will do an awesome job and will make a very positive impact on all the people she interacts with.
Sandra will be starting High school this year and with that comes many new things. Sandra plans to try a new school and I'm sure will be making many new friends. Sandra is an awesome helper. You can always find her jumping right in to assist with out even being asked. She loves to help people especially those in need. Our prayer is that sometime during our two year stay in Jamaica she will be able to come and share her love with the children at the city of refuge.