Christmas at the Goossens house is an interesting affair this year. On the one hand we have the tree up and wrapped presents keep appearing under the tree. On the other hand our cupboards are being emptied out and the boxes are stacking up. On the one hand we are super excited about Grandma and Auntie Lori coming to visit this year. On the other hand we are keenly aware that this will be the last face to face visit for a while. The constant this year as in every past year...we are truely blessed!
Just one example: I was debating getting some beautiful plush blankets with Disney characters on them for the kids. I have long declined the pleas for such bedding because they change their mind so often, but this seemed like the perfect opportunity to give in and create something special for them in our new home. I talked it over with Randy and he was on board so I went to Costco and bought them...only to decide on the way home that we had too many other things to take care of and they already had bedding we could take so I was going to return them. Later that day I was over at my neighbor's house and noticed that she too had gotten some of the blankets, when I commented on it she said she said they were for my kids for Christmas. I love that God meets our needs and cares for the desires of my little ones' hearts too!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
We Are Official...
We have prayed, filled out applications, gotten references, prayed, attended a Cross-Cultural Orientation, gone through interviews, prayed, updated passports, filed for work permits and are now officially Global Serve Missioinaries with the Church of the Nazarene! Look, we even have our own web-site: http://web.nazarene.org/goto/Goossens. We still have to wait for the work permit to come through and then apply for our entry visas before we can book our tickets, but things are definitely coming together.
Yay God! We have started our list of prayer partners! (If you want to be added to the list shoot me an email and I will do so agaggleofgoossens@hotmail.com)
Yay God! We have started to receive donations from people wanting to partner with us and with the plans God has for the people of the South Pacific and Melanesia!
Lord, help us to align ourselves with your plans and your timing. To not only give of ourselves when asked but to also accept help and blessing when they are given to us!
Yay God! We have started our list of prayer partners! (If you want to be added to the list shoot me an email and I will do so agaggleofgoossens@hotmail.com)
Yay God! We have started to receive donations from people wanting to partner with us and with the plans God has for the people of the South Pacific and Melanesia!
Lord, help us to align ourselves with your plans and your timing. To not only give of ourselves when asked but to also accept help and blessing when they are given to us!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Worries and Prayers...
A verse that I have tried to live out more and more each day of my life is Philippians 4:6. The Message Bible puts it this way, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
Recently I was chatting on Facebook with one of the Missionaries already serving in PNG and she gave me the Pidgin version of this verse:
“Olgeta hevi yupela i karim, yu mas putim long han bilong Bikpela.” (Pidgin)
Recently I was chatting on Facebook with one of the Missionaries already serving in PNG and she gave me the Pidgin version of this verse:
“Olgeta hevi yupela i karim, yu mas putim long han bilong Bikpela.” (Pidgin)
All of your problems, you have to put them in God's hand. He will hold them for you. (Translation)
I love the word picture this creates. I see the hands of Papa God cupped together, big enough to hold the entire world, ready to hold my worries and problems for me. I can't imagine a better place for me to put every single worry, those that feel so heavy I can hardly stand to those that are a flittering thought that passes through my head. I put each one into those very same hands that created the heavens and earth and watch those hands shape my worries into some of the most beautiful and amazing chapters of my story.
When we do things like become self-funded Mission Corp Missionaries and prepare to move our family to the Regional Field Headquarters in Papua New Guinea it creates many opportunites fo me to practice shaping my worries into prayers and handing them over to God. As is always the case He has been so faithful in this process:
We were able to sell our travel trailer in the middle of a cool, wet Pacific Northwest fall for full asking price (Go God!). We received a reimbursement for a medical procedure that had been denied twice in the pre-authorization process. That reimbursement was enough to cover all of the travel expenses to attend our required Cross Cultural Orientation in San Diego (Go God!). Some friends made the first pledge toward our travel expenses to PNG, an overwhelming gift that greatly encouraged us when we needed it (Go God!).
There are still issues that we are trusting for and waiting to see how our amazing God will provide for:
The process of getting Randy's work permit approved through the PNG dept of labor. This process has been known to take many months, the field office is currently waiting on 5 other permits that are much farther along in the process. Also there is the process of getting entry visas for each of our family members after the work visa is approved.
We are seeking to find the right fit for the property management of our home and our duplex. This is complicated by the fact that our rental has Section 8 tenants and many property managenent companies will not accomodate this.
The task of packing up our household and making repairs to our home is at times overwhelming. We need wisdom, strategy & energy in this. Also the sale of both of our cars at the just the right time before we go.
The funding of our work in PNG. As self-funded Missionaries the Church of the Nazarene provides the support system and structure that allows us to go. They will also provide a home for us to live in. We need to raises support for our travel expenses to and from the field ($12,500) and our monthly ministry related expenses ($1,570). This includes utilities, on-site travel, food, living expenses and insurance. All donations to these needs are Charitable Donations for tax purposes and can be sent to the Port Orchard church of the Nazarene. We are working on establishing the web-site that will allow for the processing of automatic monthly support.
Our support network is crucial to the work we will be doing. We are praying for people who feel a call to be involved in what God is doing in the South Pacific/Melanesia region and in our participation with this ministry. Prayer support is primary, it encompasses all of the other needs and concerns that we are dealing with. It opens the channels for Papa God to move mightily on our behalf when we agree together. Please let us know if you are willing to be one of our prayer partners so we can be in communication with you on a regular basis and share the needs and breakthroughs of our ministry.
Thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you, it feels good!
I love the word picture this creates. I see the hands of Papa God cupped together, big enough to hold the entire world, ready to hold my worries and problems for me. I can't imagine a better place for me to put every single worry, those that feel so heavy I can hardly stand to those that are a flittering thought that passes through my head. I put each one into those very same hands that created the heavens and earth and watch those hands shape my worries into some of the most beautiful and amazing chapters of my story.
When we do things like become self-funded Mission Corp Missionaries and prepare to move our family to the Regional Field Headquarters in Papua New Guinea it creates many opportunites fo me to practice shaping my worries into prayers and handing them over to God. As is always the case He has been so faithful in this process:
We were able to sell our travel trailer in the middle of a cool, wet Pacific Northwest fall for full asking price (Go God!). We received a reimbursement for a medical procedure that had been denied twice in the pre-authorization process. That reimbursement was enough to cover all of the travel expenses to attend our required Cross Cultural Orientation in San Diego (Go God!). Some friends made the first pledge toward our travel expenses to PNG, an overwhelming gift that greatly encouraged us when we needed it (Go God!).
There are still issues that we are trusting for and waiting to see how our amazing God will provide for:
The process of getting Randy's work permit approved through the PNG dept of labor. This process has been known to take many months, the field office is currently waiting on 5 other permits that are much farther along in the process. Also there is the process of getting entry visas for each of our family members after the work visa is approved.
We are seeking to find the right fit for the property management of our home and our duplex. This is complicated by the fact that our rental has Section 8 tenants and many property managenent companies will not accomodate this.
The task of packing up our household and making repairs to our home is at times overwhelming. We need wisdom, strategy & energy in this. Also the sale of both of our cars at the just the right time before we go.
The funding of our work in PNG. As self-funded Missionaries the Church of the Nazarene provides the support system and structure that allows us to go. They will also provide a home for us to live in. We need to raises support for our travel expenses to and from the field ($12,500) and our monthly ministry related expenses ($1,570). This includes utilities, on-site travel, food, living expenses and insurance. All donations to these needs are Charitable Donations for tax purposes and can be sent to the Port Orchard church of the Nazarene. We are working on establishing the web-site that will allow for the processing of automatic monthly support.
Our support network is crucial to the work we will be doing. We are praying for people who feel a call to be involved in what God is doing in the South Pacific/Melanesia region and in our participation with this ministry. Prayer support is primary, it encompasses all of the other needs and concerns that we are dealing with. It opens the channels for Papa God to move mightily on our behalf when we agree together. Please let us know if you are willing to be one of our prayer partners so we can be in communication with you on a regular basis and share the needs and breakthroughs of our ministry.
Thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you, it feels good!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
A Big Adventure...
As parents of young children we often have to get creative about how we introduce new ideas or tell them about things. This is particularly true with my six year old EP as she does not openly welcome change. So, we are going on a "Big Adventure" to the jungle to help Pastor Harmon & Ms. Cindy for a while. (we don't use the world m-o-v-e, that would result in upset tears). Here are some of the conversations around our household as of late:
EP, "I love pineapple and bananas" - Mom, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool to live in a place where pineapple and bananas grow in the garden?" - EM, "Yeah, then you wouldn't have to go to the store every time EM eats all the bananas!"
EP, "But mom, how can we go during school?" - Mom, "don't worry honey, they have a teacher there who will make sure you don't get behind. I think there are about 6 or 7 kids, but guess what? There is another Emma, is that silly or what?" - EP, "Mom, there are a LOT of Emmas!"
EP, "I think islands are cool!' - Mom, "Wouldn't it be neat to live on an island?" - EP, "Yeah, cause then I could go to the beach every day!" Oops! - Mom, "Did you know that some islands are so big that you can live on them and be really, really far away from the beach?"
EP, "Mom, is it warm there every day?" - Mom, "Yeah honey, it is pretty much warm every day." - EP, "Great! I can have a big swimming pool in my yard like on that buying a house show and go swimming every day!" - Hmmmm! Mom, "I don't think we will have a pool honey, but there is a river and waterfalls near by to go swimming and play in the water."
EP, "Mom, are there fish there? I don't like sharks and rays and stuff 'cause they bite" - Mom, "Remember honey, we won't be by the beach." - EP, "I KNOW that! I mean in the river... do they have fish in the river? I don't want to swim in the river if there are mean fish!" - Giggle, Mom, "You can ask Quintin honey, I'm sure he will be able to show you the safest places to go." - EP, "Mom, he is a lot bigger than in that other picture!" - Mom, "Yes, that was taken quite a while ago. You are a lot bigger than the last time we visited them too!"
And it goes on... and on... and on... She is definitely the one who needs time to process and think things through and ask a million questions. Of course there have been conversations with LM and EM too, they go something like this:
LM, "Hey mom, when are we going to the jungle?" - Mom, "It will be after Christmas, honey." - LM, "But MOM!, that will take for months!" - Mom, "You are right, about four months."
EM, "I gonna go to JUNGLE!!!!!"
The winner of the week, however, happened at breakfast this morning. Daddy was telling the kids that when we go on our Big Adventure we will all get to learn a new language. He told them that not very many people here know this language so it will be like a secret way to talk to each other that only we know. When EM asked what it was called he said, "Pidgin" She smiled and said, "Cooo, Cooo, COOoo, Coo....see, I already know how to speak pigeon!!" The laughter could hardly be contained!
This adventure is sure to provide many more interesting conversations and laughs for the Goossens clan!
EP, "I love pineapple and bananas" - Mom, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool to live in a place where pineapple and bananas grow in the garden?" - EM, "Yeah, then you wouldn't have to go to the store every time EM eats all the bananas!"
EP, "But mom, how can we go during school?" - Mom, "don't worry honey, they have a teacher there who will make sure you don't get behind. I think there are about 6 or 7 kids, but guess what? There is another Emma, is that silly or what?" - EP, "Mom, there are a LOT of Emmas!"
EP, "I think islands are cool!' - Mom, "Wouldn't it be neat to live on an island?" - EP, "Yeah, cause then I could go to the beach every day!" Oops! - Mom, "Did you know that some islands are so big that you can live on them and be really, really far away from the beach?"
EP, "Mom, is it warm there every day?" - Mom, "Yeah honey, it is pretty much warm every day." - EP, "Great! I can have a big swimming pool in my yard like on that buying a house show and go swimming every day!" - Hmmmm! Mom, "I don't think we will have a pool honey, but there is a river and waterfalls near by to go swimming and play in the water."
EP, "Mom, are there fish there? I don't like sharks and rays and stuff 'cause they bite" - Mom, "Remember honey, we won't be by the beach." - EP, "I KNOW that! I mean in the river... do they have fish in the river? I don't want to swim in the river if there are mean fish!" - Giggle, Mom, "You can ask Quintin honey, I'm sure he will be able to show you the safest places to go." - EP, "Mom, he is a lot bigger than in that other picture!" - Mom, "Yes, that was taken quite a while ago. You are a lot bigger than the last time we visited them too!"
And it goes on... and on... and on... She is definitely the one who needs time to process and think things through and ask a million questions. Of course there have been conversations with LM and EM too, they go something like this:
LM, "Hey mom, when are we going to the jungle?" - Mom, "It will be after Christmas, honey." - LM, "But MOM!, that will take for months!" - Mom, "You are right, about four months."
EM, "I gonna go to JUNGLE!!!!!"
The winner of the week, however, happened at breakfast this morning. Daddy was telling the kids that when we go on our Big Adventure we will all get to learn a new language. He told them that not very many people here know this language so it will be like a secret way to talk to each other that only we know. When EM asked what it was called he said, "Pidgin" She smiled and said, "Cooo, Cooo, COOoo, Coo....see, I already know how to speak pigeon!!" The laughter could hardly be contained!
This adventure is sure to provide many more interesting conversations and laughs for the Goossens clan!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
And so it begins...
We had an absolutely fabulous time visiting with our friends Harmon & Cindy Schmelzenbach this week. They are such an encouragement to Randy and I, not to mention just really fun to be around!
We also got some clarification and answers to some of the questions we have been pondering for the last several months. It is good... overwhelming... exciting... WOW! It seems that God is confirming the calling on our family to help with His work in Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is very bittersweet to think of leaving such amazing friends and family to carry on the work here in Port Orchard, but our greatest desire is to follow the plans that God has had in mind for us since before the foundation of the world! We must trust in His goodness and lavish love.
After a day and a half of excitement the reality of all the details that must be taken care of to finish well here and then mobilize a family of 5 nearly 35 travel hours away and begin an entirely new life began to set in. I am so thankful I have such a BIG GOD to pave the way! I am also thankful for those of you who are willing to support us in this endevour. Here is the beginning of a list of the things that we are praying about right now...
Joani's work - we are in the middle of a compliance review and updating our accounting policies, also that the right person/people would be found to take over my responsibilities.
Properties - that we would be able to finish needed repairs and maintenance and find the right people to handle the rental of our home and duplex in our absence
Finances - we are excited to see God's provision for our travel expenses ($13,000) and our monthly field expenses ($1,600)
Details - that we would be able to address the seemingly endless list of details involved and decisions on what to take, what to store and what to sell or give away.
Family - that our family would be first in everything and that we would make it through this process with joy and thanksgiving, celebrating the goodness of God
Thank you, thank you, thank you...
for your support, your prayer, your encouragement, your friendship
and your love,
and your love,
The Goossens Family
Monday, July 19, 2010
Some News...
Ok, when I mentioned something brewing... it was, and is. Randy and I have officially applied to work with the Nazarene Mission Corps in Papua New Guinea. Our friends Harmon & Cindy Schmelzenbach (who we worked with on our Work & Witness trip to Fiji in 2006) are now headquarterd in PNG and they just happen to have a need for the skills that God has given to us. So like the normal, rational and sane people that we are... we decided to be willing to leave our jobs, our families and our home and move our family to PNG for a season that I am sure will be the adventure of a lifetime!
We are in the part of the process called "WAITING" and that is ok because we have a lot of stuff to take care of if we are going to do this. Because God is amazing, the Schmelzenbachs were already scheduled to come to our church in September! Then we have a Cross Cultural Training in San Diego at the end of October and then we might know something more...or not. I have an amazing sense of peace and absolute trust in God's provision and His timing in this.
We are in the part of the process called "WAITING" and that is ok because we have a lot of stuff to take care of if we are going to do this. Because God is amazing, the Schmelzenbachs were already scheduled to come to our church in September! Then we have a Cross Cultural Training in San Diego at the end of October and then we might know something more...or not. I have an amazing sense of peace and absolute trust in God's provision and His timing in this.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Ramping Up...
Ok, I can no longer avoid the fact that summer is coming! This is a good thing, mostly. It means that we have 3 birthdays and 2 camping trips coming up in a six week time frame. Emma will be done with school and home everyday! To add to the chaos this year I have decided to take Lexi and Ethan out of their daycare classes 3 mornings a week so that we can join the YMCA and the kids can all take swimming lessons and tumbling classes. Again, this is a good thing, mostly. The down side to all of this is that I loose my "kid-free" time to run errands, get groceries and, oh yeah, WORK! Since I am not quitting my job, I have to figure out how to squeeze it in there with everything else. Lord, give me wisdom and amazing levels of energy!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Something Brewing...
It feels like somthing is brewing in our lives. I realized the other day that we are somewhat stuck in the sameness of life without anything on the horizon to look forward to. So I asked God what is next and it feels like He is putting all the pieces in place for something new. Not sure exactly what it will look like, but I am sure that there will be more to tell about soon.
In the meantime, Emma informed me today that she has less than 3 weeks of school left and after the summer she will be a first grader. Lexi is looking forward to her upcoming birthday party because after this one there is only one more and she gets to ride a school bus like Emma. Finally there is Ethan who is finally finding his words! "Mommy, open the door! It's wet...change diaper, please!" It is definitely never dull around our house!
In the meantime, Emma informed me today that she has less than 3 weeks of school left and after the summer she will be a first grader. Lexi is looking forward to her upcoming birthday party because after this one there is only one more and she gets to ride a school bus like Emma. Finally there is Ethan who is finally finding his words! "Mommy, open the door! It's wet...change diaper, please!" It is definitely never dull around our house!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Beginnings
I have tried different avenues in the past to keep family and friends apprised of our goings on, but been reluctant to blog. I can't explain why and it seems to work well for others that do it so I guess it is time to give it the old college try. I will keep this one short and simple, but I promise there will be more to come...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)