Here we go!

If you found our blog, you probably already know our family has officially been invited by MBMSI to participate in their missionary training program this September up in Abbotsford, B.C.  (That's in Canada, in case you didn't know!)  Training lasts for about 4 months and the expectation is that next year, after returning to the Fresno area to complete an internship and gather prayer and financial support, we will be sent out as long-term missionaries.  Our hope and dream at this point is to go to Latin America because that's where we feel like God is directing us.

It has been quite a process for God to get our family to this point.  Over the next weeks and months, we hope to share with you more of what the journey so far has been about... even though it's really just beginning.  But for now, we're excited to have you along for the story as it unfolds.  We know God has good and exciting plans in store for us.  We know that parts of the plan will stretch us beyond what we thought was possible.  It's not going to be easy.  Missions work is far from a romantic vacation at an exotic resort.  It's LIFE: joys, sorrows, frustrations, successes, celebrations and all.  But it will be GOOD!

My kids just walked in the room singing "You make all things work together for my good..."  : )  God certainly has been making all things work together for us.   We've been walking along this journey one step at a time and don't know all that is ahead, but we know the One who is leading us will supply everything we need.  That's what the title of this blog is all about.  Grace that is abundant and overflowing and peace that is beyond comprehension.  I love this passage from the beginning of 2 Peter:

"...To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: GRACE and PEACE be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.  His divine power has given us EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."

 Wow.  Through the righteousness of God we have received a precious faith and through that faith and knowledge of God and Jesus, we have ABUNDANT GRACE and PEACE because His divine power has given us everything we need!  As I was trying to think of a clever title for this blog (while the Mythbusters were interfering with my creativity, I might add!) I tried to think of an acronym for our last name:  ENS.  The only thing I thought of was Every Need Supplied.  : )  Over the next days and weeks as we depend on Christ's grace and peace to get us packed up and moved out, we are fully expecting Him to supply our every need.  He has invited us to join Him in full-time ministry (I can hardly express to you how much that thrills me!!!) and He will provide everything we need.  One box, one renter, one Dr. appointment, one visa, one day, one step at a time...  (By the way, He wants to do the same for you!)

Grace and Peace to you...
~Melissa