Last week at a conference, a pastor shared a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that was an encouragement to me, and I hope it is to you as well.  As a family, we strive to do what the Lord has called us to do. There are ups & downs, victories & defeats, confirmations & doubts.  We are no different than any of you.  This summer we will begin a journey that takes us to Thailand, Hungary, Romania, and Guatemala.  We covet your prayers, and serve on your behalf.

At the end of the day, I want to be strong and courageous as David instructed Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:20, and I pray that for you as well. We count it an honor to run this race with each of you, and are humbled by your support of our mission work.

Theodore Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Be encouraged, God has even greater works for each of you.