Matt and Amanda

    I know that this blog is primarily to update our loved ones about Sadie, but it is also an insight to our hearts and lives. Today, our hearts and minds our with two of our very dearest friends.  I want to ask you all to pray for  Matt and Amanda and their two young boys, Aiden and Elliot. They are leaving today, to move their family overseas in order to give their lives for the sake of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
    Amanda and I have been friends for about 6 years. In that six years we have moved several times, had babies, held each other accountable in our lives and marriages, and laughed at ourselves a lot. She has served me in countless ways, from bringing me house-warming baskets full of cleaning supplies to making me meals to going and buying items necessary for us to go to Lebanon or to the hospital. She has put my needs before her own comforts many times. She has loved me in all my sinful ickyness and has never judged harshly, but held me accountable. Though she is not the "touchy-feely" kinda girl, she has loved me so tangibly, and hands-on... the way that Christ loved.
       For Sean, Matt has, for the past 6 years, been someone that he could call when he was in need of fellowship or insight into the Word. There were many times when we lived in Florida, before Sean had actually ever even met Matt face to face, that Sean would long for fellowship and to talk about Christ, and Matt was always willing to take the time. Their family has been such a joy and blessing to us. They have given to our family sacrificially countless times in countless ways and we are so grateful for their friendship.
     There are many things to pray for and I want to list them and ask you to truly intercede for this family.

• They will be traveling for approximately 25 hours with 2 little ones, nuff said.
• Once they arrive, they are not going directly to their home, but will be staying at a couple different places for one night each, with tons of luggage and two little ones, nuff said.
• Pray that their crate with all their belongings will arrive.
• Pray that the Lord would work out more permanent housing.
• Their oldest son, Aiden, has numerous allergies to food (eggs, milk, nuts, etc). His reactions to these allergies are severe. Pray that the Lord would give Amanda wisdom and discernment as they travel and as she learns to care for her family in a foreign country.
• Pray for them as they begin language school.
• Pray for them as they make household decisions.
• Pray for Matt as he leads his family.
• Pray that through the times of transition, that their marriage would grow, as well as their relationship to Christ.
• Pray for God's peace that passes all understanding.
• Pray that God would use them and allow them to see fruit of their labor.
• Pray for their relationships with the indigenous people.
• Pray that the Lord would comfort them, as they are saying goodbye to family and friends.
• JUST PRAY!

  There are so many details of traveling and moving to a different country, especially when you add two little ones into the mix. There are insecurities and unknowns. They are human. Pray that God would give them strength and grace and peace. Pray that they would look back on their time of travel and see that God Almighty has been their Help. Pray that in the midst of difficult circumstances, they would have a joy that comes only from Christ. Pray that God would be glorified in and through their lives. Pray that His promises and His Word would be alive in their lives, hearts, and minds. Please lift these dear friends up in prayer... not just today, but in the days to come. I ask that you add them onto your prayer lists at church and ask others to pray as well.
                    Let the Lamb who was slain, receive the full reward of His suffering.