Winter 2015 Update Letter

     We hope that the New Year is starting off well for y'all! We are excited to announce that we reached our goal for Robert to become full-time staff! He's official start date was January 1 and he is diving into his duties and learning the ropes of a full-time staff member at Discovery Ministries. Thank you all so much for partnering with us! We are thankful for each one of you and are excited that God has brought you along side us in serving Him at Discovery Ministries. Raising support was stressful at times and definitely stretching for us both. We really thought God was leading Robert here and upon reaching our goal, well it was just confirmation for us! Now, we continue to maintain the 50% of Robert's salary and serving the Lord at the ministry. We are excited to be in ministry where God calls and leads and getting to do that together is a wonderful adventure and blessing.

    Other exciting news: Robert and I are certified Wilderness First Responders (WFRs)! The two of us and Logan—another intern—traveled to Carbondale, IL the first week of January for an intensive 10-day course taught by Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA). We had class from 8am-6pm; after class, practice drills, tests and a couple full blown simulations, we passed. DM requires senior instructors to receive this certification and it is highly recommended for more advanced interns. DM always has at least one WFR with every group. Our certification expires every three years, and it is fortunate we took it this year as DM just did a three day re-certification. So we'll get to re-certify with the ministry in 2018! With our certification, that makes six WFRs here at DM.

    The beginning of the year is a busy time in the office at DM! The calendar year ends, well... when it ends, and our fiscal year closes at the end of January. With both the calendar and fiscal years ending so close together means report after report after report! The reports also make it an educational time for me (Robert), as I get a greater understanding of some of the office systems I spent last year getting familiar with. I’ve also been blessed with the opportunity to troubleshoot and have input into a new software system that a friend of the ministry has offered to design for us. At home, I’ve been honing my marksmanship skills so I can keep the squirrels off our bird feeder. I’ve also had some time to do a little woodworking, which has been quite relaxing.

     I (Emma) am wrapping up my work with an elderly neighbor, Carl and am glad for the experience and work that God provided over the off-season. I have continued to work with DM throughout the off-season, doing some office work, the newsletter and of course, taking the WFR. I loved the WFR. I'm continuing to work on the newsletter and really am loving it as it is a creative outlet for me. I am looking forward to what God has for me this year and am already excited for this summer. The Lord has taught me much this past year about his provision and guidance. I naturally tend to worry about the unknowns in life and I think personally He used this path of support raising to teach me that He is faithful and will finish the work He has begun. As the Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope”.

       As something fun for 2015, we want to float the Current River. We don't have to be on our own, but we do have to both be present to count mileage (105 miles). We love love LOVE canoeing! We started Super Bowl weekend and floated Baptist Camp to Akers Ferry, about 13-15 miles. It was cold, but beautiful! We camped at Baptist Camp, ate some chicken stir fry for dinner and then tried to sleep. I was cold but more alert and anxious for some reason so I barely slept at all. Poor Robert was anxious too. We ate some oatmeal for breakfast and hit the river around 9am, later than we had planned, but totally okay with just enjoying the day. We got to see lots of wildlife; a groundhog, 6 bald eagles, 4 deer and of course, lots of birds.

     We have been going to Summersville Christian Church, which is about a 20 minute drive from our house. We really like the church, people and mission of the church. We are excited to get more involved with the church and the community there. They have opportunities in music, youth, small groups, and general service that we are hoping to get involved with as we get to be part of the church. We are truly excited about going to church and while it took awhile, we are very glad to have a place where we connect and already have begun to grow.

     Once again, we are thankful for your continued love, financial support and prayers. We hope to have the opportunity to see you this year, and would love to have you see Discovery Ministries, our home, and the beautiful country down here in the Ozark Mountains. Our hope and prayer for you this year is the God blesses you beyond measure and that He continues to “do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph.3:20). We look forward to sharing more adventures and stories from Discovery Ministries this year.

Grace and Peace,

Robert and Emma

“God be with you til we meet again. By His counsels guide, uphold you, with His sheep securely fold you. God be with you till we meet again.”

Praises:                                                 Prayers:

God's provision and faithfulness.              Prayers for us and marriage.

Robert's full-time job.                              Community at church.

Passing/certification as WFRs.                Groups to come to DM.

                                                             Interns for this coming summer.