God Knows the Details

Yesterday we went to Open Arms Church in Newbridge to see our friends, Ron and Sharon, before they leave for the U.S. on Thursday. It was our last time to see them for the foreseeable future. They had visa issues too, and after several appeals were told they could not stay in Ireland. So they will be heading back to New Mexico, and we will be praying for them to quickly return. 

We were so happy to see them and have a chance to catch up. As we talked with them and shared stories, here's a few things that really stuck in my head.

• As one of the pastors at Open Arms said, Irish Immigration holds no power that God didn't give them. If He wanted the Hassetts to stay in Ireland, they would be staying in Ireland.
• They feel called, committed, and commissioned to this new and unexpected direction. Their attitude is great, and their hearts are set on fulfilling whatever call God has for them. 
• I want to be like Ron and Sharon when I grow up. They worked "secular" jobs until retirement. THEN they became missionaries to Ireland. Their willingness to serve God no matter their age, the cost, the position, or the detour is an example of which we should all take note. 

Let's join together this week in praying for Ron and Sharon. Pray for a smooth transition, fruit in their new direction, and quick admittance back into Ireland.

Katy and I are still awaiting our visa clearance. There are good days and bad days. Talk with this couple increases our faith that no matter the result, God will be directing our path. Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Sitting in God's Provision

This may seem like a non-spiritual thing, but I'm currently typing this blog at home sitting in our new conservatory (sun room). I mentioned to Katy before we began searching for a new place to live that it would be amazing to have a conservatory. She laughed as we both knew it was pretty far-fetched to expect such a luxury in the tough housing climate in Ireland. 

We were blown away to find out that our new landlord decided to add a room on to our house at no cost to us. With a new baby on the way and Eden getting bigger, we knew we'd need the space. As I sit here now, I find myself getting a bit emotional. In the midst of awaiting our visa situation to be resolved, God is providing for us as a family. Things that seem silly or shallow (like a sun room), God does not ignore them. He sees our hearts and provides for us right where we are.

I am literally sitting in God's provision right now. I know that whatever comes with visa stuff or any other situation down the pike, God will provide. He will put us where He wants us. He will give us all we need, not just to survive, but to thrive as we answer His calling on our life.

Thank you for all your prayers, comments, and messages regarding our visa situation. We are still waiting to receive information. We will let you know as soon as we find out. We love and appreciate you all.

Worthy of Confidence

We just spent a few days with friends at Assembly of God Ireland’s annual Dream conference. It was so great hearing teaching and getting to see people from all over the nation who we only get to see a few times a year.

In one of the talks, Brian Somerville (pastor at Cornerstone City Church, Derry) spoke about keeping our confidence in Jesus. He quoted Hebrews 11:8-12, which speaks of Abraham’s faith. God promised that Abraham’s numerous descendants would inherit the vast land where he had made his home. There were so many things that could have served to shake his trust in God’s promise: he was a stranger in the land and his wife was much too old to get pregnant. 

The beauty of God’s power is that He makes beautiful things out of the little we have to offer. Our trust should not be in ourselves, just as Abraham would have been crazy to trust in social connection or biology to make God’s promise a reality. Abraham waited years to see the fruit of his faith. In between receiving the initial promise and the day he saw it with his eyes, he must have been through some discouraging days…but God was still there. 

God is the God of every day, even the dreary ones. He has not left us, even if we feel stuck or if it seems like the ceiling is caving in on us. To keep our confidence in Jesus, we should seek Him every day. In Psalm 84:5, it says “Blessed are those whose strength in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” We are on a journey with Jesus. Some days will be awesome and some will be a bummer. Either way, God is always worthy of our confidence.