I wanted to take this opportunity to open my book and let
you thumb through the pages of my heart. -Jamie
For those of you we have meet along the way and chosen to
join us on this journey I wanted to tell you a little more about us and our
purpose. Cole and I were raised in the church, we grew up knowing all the
details of David and Goliath and Jonah and the whale. We could recite bible
verses and knew what were the black and white areas of life, however something
was missing. It wasn’t until we were young teens, that we grasped the concept
of God’s love, grace and justice. Ever
since then it has been a journey of those three things. We are learning to see
God in a whole new way. We now understand that often churches create those
black and white areas; that not always are they God honoring or sinful. We are
open and excited to see God from other people’s eyes and see Him worshipped and
praised in different cultures amongst the Nations. We are thrilled to know this
God who is worthy to be praised as our Creator, Justifier, Savior and
Provider. That He who created us is both
good and just and He who is The Great I AM, really is just that!
I am reminded often that He created, He loves and He gives
grace… and that I too the created should be willing to give the love and grace
to His church that He gives me.
This thing called life has been a journey and I am thrilled
to be on it with Cole. I won’t say it’s been easy and I won’t tell you I don’t
have regrets, but I know that a life without purpose is simply being dead and
living at the same time.
I was blessed to be raised in the home I was. Cultures came
and went, friends became family fast and love was openly and commonly expressed
in our household. Christmas traditions were hard to create since there were
always new faces around the table. I now have a Muslim uncle from Mali and
three Lost Boys of Sudan as brothers. I was fortunate to be involved in
missions and service trips both globally and stateside since I was real little.
This has put a passion in me both for the nations and service.
Cole has a huge heart, one that is open to new people and
challenges. In our 8 months living in Colorado he has become like family to so
many people here, as he gives, serves and offers himself to others. Cole was
also fortunate to be raised in a loving home. As the youngest I believe he
played the role of both entertainer and friend to his siblings. He had
opportunities to get involved in the community as a teen through youth programs
and kids camps and always jumped on it. He enjoys working with his hands and is
very handy with wood, building, and operating the backhoe, he hopes to find
opportunities in these 11 Countries to do just that.
We got married in the summer of 2009, Cole finished his
degree at ASU and since we have been lead and called in different directions
than we expected. We had no idea God had this in store for us. I am beginning
to see the big picture as we just ‘go’ and then are called. We didn’t plan to
be in Colorado a year ago, or at Night Vision, where we heard about World Race.
We were mapping out the next year for us and had plans; we had jobs lined up,
people to see, and weddings to attend. Then the plans came to a screeching
halt, as He said, “Go, or disobey!” It was not an easy decision as many of you
may think, to go on this trip. An entire year of ours would be committed to
‘going’ and there would be no ‘us’, no ‘our’ plans. We had to be broken of
these desires and fears as we surrendered to the Lord and His calling over our
lives. So here we are going, watching the Lord provide and transform
relationships.
Jeremiah
29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the
LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.
