God's Hand at Work

I have decided to try to document as many of "God's Orchestrations" on this post for the next six weeks so we have a record of what God is doing in the final stages of our move to FamilyLife. When we accepted the contract on the house we agreed that the next six weeks would have to be directed 100% by God.

• Sept. 18 - Offer accepted on the sale of Tulsa house on Hal's dad's 80th birthday
• Sept. 21 - FamilyLife receives news
• Sept. 22 - FamilyLife presents the idea of house hunting even though we were not at 90% support. Since we are so close to Little Rock physically, they felt it would be a good time to find a home, and close on both homes at the same time and make one move to Little Rock instead of multiple moves or storage.
  The inspection on our Tulsa home happened today with no problems.
• Sept. 23 - God chose our realtor in Little Rock! One of our FamilyLife friends recommended the realtor they just used two weeks ago and were thrilled with. Before contacting him, Charlotte wanted to get the name of a realtor Dave Ramsey recommends. You guessed it, it was same name. God is so good to us; we are in awe.
  
• Sept. 24 - FamilyLife gives us Oct 1 to be in the office for meetings with HR and other interviews. Because of this date not being earlier or later than Oct 1, two other events fell into place. Hal's parents left for Chicago on Sept. 30, which Hal had forgotten (bad son) and return the day after we returned to Tulsa on Oct 5. Therefore, if we had gone earlier in the week, Hal's parents would have had to find another ride to the airport from our house. Then, since we will be in Little Rock on Oct. 2, Kristi was able to attend a retreat with the HomeEd Seniors in Little Rock, their first event of the year. Hopefully, she will feel more a part of the group in Little Rock after meeting some new friends. If we went to Little Rock later or earlier than Oct. 1, this would never have happened.
  
• Sept 25 - Updating the blog while being totally blown away at what God is doing already and beginning to see why God's plan was to keep us in Tulsa past September.
• Sept 28 - Received the inspection report back on the house, only four minor things to address. The builder of our home of 16 years, Jim Kelley, recommended an electrician to use, and he was available first thing Tuesday morning. We, also, confirmed staying with our friends the Murrays, in Little Rock instead of a hotel. Late tonight we receive an email from the home school basketball coach inviting Kristi to be on the team in Little Rock. This is huge for Kristi, since this is what she loves to do, and it will be an opportunity to connect with other girls her age and make new friends. Pray that Kristi and Alison (from another new FamilyLife family whose daughter is also a senior) will hit it off. Alison is struggling with the move to Little Rock.
• Sept 29 - The tears of joy are flowing today and I struggle writing this update, as I am totally overwhelmed with God's goodness. This morning the four items on the inspectors punch list to fix on our house were done in 30 minutes, and one item didn't even need attention after all. About 11:15 am, Kristi returns a call from the home school basketball coach in Little Rock and this is her Facebook post: "Ahhhhh! I'm officially on a bball team in little rock!!!!" God is taking care of our children in making this adjustment to a new life away from Tulsa.An hour later I'm sitting at lunch with our new pastor from Tulsa Bible Church sharing all these exciting things God is doing in our lives, and the Lord touches the heart of one of our friends to partner with us monthly, which I received in an email after I returned from lunch. See why it's a good 'cry' day?!
  My coach at FamilyLife sent this to me today, which is so appropriate right now - "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" Ex 15:11 I think this will be our verse for this phase of watching God put our partner team together.
• Sept. 30 - Traveled to Little Rock to meet with FamilyLife and look for our new home. We had about 12 homes we had found on the internet to give to our realtor. We left Tulsa a little behind schedule, stopped in Fort Smith to see some former TBC friends, the Gustafsons, for dinner and arrived in Little Rock about 9:45p.
• Oct. 1 - We headed to FamilyLife about 8:45 to hand off the girls to Trish Tully who has a daughter Amy's age. Met with the VP of HR, my boss, the department I was to be working in and my boss's boss. We both came away from the day with way too many emotions for a blog, but were happy since they started seeing Hal as someone who could fill more than just a video role (graphic design and internet design, also) and a little sad since we had never considered the question, "So what if you don't find a home this weekend?". In our wildest dreams, we had never considered the fact we may not find a home, we just knew God would find us the house He wanted us to have.
  That evening, we had a great dinner and fellowship with one of my new co-workers, the Timmers, and they showed us around Maumelle, only to find another home to add to our list. After leaving the Timmers, we headed out into the 'sticks' to pick Kristi up from her first B-ball practice. Now for all the Tulsa people, let me put this into perspective on distance and time: TBC to Claremore, but half of this was a dark, tree lined, country road. We were able to watch Kristi practice for about a half hour, met her coaches, some dads and found out that two of them attend The Bible Church of Little Rock. Kristi practiced for 4 hours and was exhausted by 9:30, but happy that she not only could practice, but met a new group of great girls.
  
• Oct. 2 - We have finally reached the day we have been waiting months for and a long two weeks from the initial day our Tulsa house sold. We dropped Kristi off to spend the day with the home school seniors, some who she played B-ball with the night before, and then headed off to meet the realtor. Upon our initial meeting, 2 or 3 of the homes we had picked had been sold or had a contract in the past few days, including one we have had our eye on since April. Obviously, it was not the one God had picked for us. Also, the realtor had found a couple of homes we had either not seen or did not meet our parameters. Some of our parameters included making sure my dad could have access to the house without stairs (a little difficult in an area of mostly hills). We headed out about 10:30 on a trek we thought would last most of the day. Home after home, Charlotte and I either saw extremely bad conditions or knew it would be too much work to fix up. One home didn't even have a workable eating area. Pictures on the internet are so deceiving. The last home we came to was the last one in the area that would put us within that 15 min. commute to work we desired, We have a new home! God showed us, over the next 24-48 hours, so clearly that this was the home for us, just as we asked God to do. After spending close to 3 hours looking, analyzing, etc., we decided we needed to at least feed Amy, who had been along with us and see the house out of commute range. It was a lovely home from an interior designer's point of view, but not really workable for my dad and too far to the office. We then decided to go back and take a second look at the only home which met most of our parameters and was the nicest one we had seen all day. We spent the next hour going over everything we could think of to make sure this was God's house for us. We put an offer on the house within our parameters, offering them $9K less than their original listing. If they were not interested with that price, they would have two options: kill the offer or counter. They were interested! We now had to wait until noon on Saturday to get the answer.
  We then headed out to have dinner with the Tully family (our coaches throughout this whole process of moving into ministry, and had a great meal and fellowship.
• Oct. 3 - Before noon our realtor called with the news. The seller countered with a reasonable offer, but we felt it should be better (let God prove to us a little more that this is the right house knowing all the time, the offer could fall through). A little side note, we have such a little amount of faith it scares me sometimes. We countered back with an offer that took more off the price and other minor changes. They countered back later in the afternoon with a deal we could not have negotiated ourselves. They backed off the initial asking price over $5K, picked up some of the closing costs we asked for and didn't even blink on the closing date we had given them with the stipulation they would have to vacate on the day of closing also, which our realtor said "it's not done that way in Arkansas".
  Lining up the inspection was the last part of this weekend we had asked God to put into place so we would know beyond a shadow of a doubt this was the one He had picked. We called the first 2 inspectors the realtor recommended and they were not available. The last name we had was one that a few of our FamilyLife friends had just used to inspect their homes, and you guessed it, he could meet us Monday morning at 8:30 so we could walk the house with him. Is God good? He is awesome!
• Oct 4 - The inspection happened as planned and a list of about 20 items was assembled. It was recommended that we have a structural engineer look at some settling on the west side of the house which meant we had to wait another day. (God felt we needed more patience.) We headed back to Tulsa to wait.
  
• Oct 5 - We contacted a structural engineer and he verified what the inspector had assumed, the movement was over 15 years ago and had not moved since and it probably won't move any more. So, on Nov. 3 we close on the house in Little Rock and move our stuff. The plan is to return to Tulsa to finish the remaining percentage of our support. We will find a place in Tulsa to call a temporary home, so where or how this will happen is only God.
  
  Hal
  
  
  

Our Home Sold

We don't know where to begin with this post, so much has happened in the last week, so how about the beginning. Two weeks ago we had a 'looker' at an open house on Sunday. Monday they want a second look and utility bills. Wednesday is the third look and a contract. The offer was very bad, so we countered back with the original amount of sale and a couple other tweaks. The buyers counter came back this time with only a $1000 reduction in price. So on Friday, (my Dad's 80th birthday the Lord sold our house. Wow!

The buyer set a closing date of Nov. 2 which gives us 6 weeks to wrap everything up. Knowing that God will orchestrate everything, Hal called FamilyLife with the good news. Since then we have received the approval to come look at homes in Little Rock and try to move right after closing on Nov. 2. We will go to Little Rock on Oct 1 to look for a new home. God already has the right house for us, hopefully within 10-15 minutes of FamilyLife.

Pray that we find our home quick, the seller will accept our offer, and we can close the beginning of November. Pray also that the remaining 19% of our support comes in quickly because Hal will have to come back to Tulsa to finish if we do not have 100%. That means that even though we are in Little Rock, Hal cannot start serving until that goal is met. We need about 20 to 'partner with us in the gospel' at $100 or 40 at $50 or any other combination. We are also looking for more prayer warriors.

Exciting days are ahead as we see God's hand at work every day.

Hal

New Family Picture

It was really funny on Tuesday, we needed to take a new picture for our church's mission conference of just the part of our family going to Little Rock. Our son Jon just started taking pictures without poses, positioning, etc. and we just had a great time laughing at some of the shots. This picture ended up being the best one of 120 pictures. Did Jon go crazy? Yes! This was also probably one of the least stressful times we have ever had taking pictures except for the mosquitoes. It was fun!

Hal

September Begins

We started the month of September with a bang. Seven appointments in the first week, but week two has zero so far. We are starting to reach outside of Tulsa Bible Church for the remaining support. Pray with us that we will be able to reach the 5% needed this month.

Hal

Great News!

The end August has arrived. We have been blessed beyond measure throughout this month; we celebrated 34 years of marriage, mom celebrated her 80th, a new church is supporting us as missionaries, and what many of you have prayed for, a 5% increase in support came in at 4.75%. Please continue to pray that the momentum that has started will continue throughout the fall. We officially end the month with 77.5% of our financial support reached. We are anticipating the day we report to FamilyLife and begin the work God has called us to.

Hal

Church Support

A small church had decided to support us monthly, this is so cool since this is only the second church along with TBC. God has been so faithful in providing 72% of our support from individuals like you. We are forever thankful. "God is good all... the time, all the time God is good". (noted quote from Marshall Gordon)

Hal

God will bless us if we let Him

God has a sense of humor! When we finally get off ourselves and our abilities, He surprises us with something wonderful.

I am on a youth retreat with TBC at a camp called New Life Ranch. God's creation is everywhere and it is impossible to say 'there is no god', He is everywhere. After opening games and orientation for the kids, they had free time to get snacks from the store. As I picked up a candy bar for myself and Amy, I sat down with some adult friends to catch up. As we are sitting there the wife pops up with "we sent our first support check before we left". That may not sound all that special, but we met with them over a year ago to share the ministry and at that time they were gracious to share a one time gift with us, but were unable to help monthly. Now a year later, during a really low week connecting with people, hitting an all time high amount of folks saying 'no', calling on the Lord for His help, and He brings a monthly supporter out of the blue. God loves to bless us when we get off ourselves.

I was reading through "Leadership as an Identity" by Crawford Loritts this week. Throughout this book he keeps going over the fact that God can only use leaders who let God lead and stop using their own abilities to lead. That has really played out this weekend after a week of trying to do ministry myself.

Hal

Eureka Springs

It's that time of the year Charlotte & I get away to be alone to celebrate our wedding day 34 years ago. Time has flown so fast, but it doesn't feel like yesterday every time I look at our kids and how old they have a way of reminding us that it has been a few years. What a blessing to be married to the same woman and have all six children together. This again is another reminder why God has called us to FamilyLife.

Charlotte saw in the Tulsa World Tuesday the list of marriages and divorces. The list went something like this:
9 marriages, 9 divorces requested, and 8 divorces granted. No longer are 50% ending in divorce based on this list, twice as many are getting divorced than getting married. Where is the family going and where is God going along with it? All the more reason for Christians to help those who have struggling marriages by inviting them to a Weekend to Remember.

Hal

What has happened since we returned from Colorado?

Upon arrival home on the afternoon of July 30, we noticed we had new neighbors across the street. In a tradition Charlotte began 15 years ago in our neighborhood, Charlotte made some muffins and we went over to introduce ourselves. Our new neighbors, Chris & Jen Giles just happen to be Christians and work in family counseling (God thing). Upon further conversation, they go to a church in Tulsa that we know quite a few people at. One of those mutual friends is the head volunteer for the FamilyLife conferences in Tulsa each year. What a small world especially in God's eyes.

Kristi returned from Guatemala about one hour before we did and ended up crashing on Monday. Her first activity when she got home was to take a shower. You never know how important showers are until you can't take one each day.

We moved right back into meeting with people and finding new partners. The thrill of getting to know people and having them join our team has not changed. What a privilege.

Hal

Our FamilyLife Team

We wanted everyone to see our future co-workers at FamilyLife. These are our friends that went through training at the same time and have also been raising support. The couple on the right reported to FamilyLife in Little Rock just before the conference. The couple standing next to us are reporting to Hope for Orphans in Dallas in September.

Back to Tulsa - Day Two

The morning began a little hectic since we forgot to plug the computer in, which is our alarm, and we woke up 20 min late. We had the privilege of seeing Mike and Callie (Blythe) Gann for breakfast. What a cool house, fellowship, and wonderful breakfast.

The rest of the day was drive, drive, drive to pick up Socks (Amy's cat) from the Jones' house (thanks so much!). We arrived home at 5:00p to a 'Sold' house (just kidding, keep praying).

2000 miles on the car later, and we are glad to be home, but also sad that this wonderful time in Colorado came to an end. We will be sharing some things we learned in the up coming newsletters.

Mike and Callie Gann ->

Back to Tulsa - Day One

We headed out about 8:15a to see Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs. The tour was interesting, seeing the radio and video studio and the area where all their counselors are answering phones. We ended in the Visitors Center to see Whits End, the area patterned after the radio show "Adventures in Odyssey" for kids. Amy got to slide down the three story slide and we ate lunch in Whit's End Soda Shop.


We headed to Trinidad so Charlotte could visit with her Dad's cousin. All the stories and history he shared was amazing. We finally ended up in Amarillo at 11:30p. The GPS took us to a field which was supposed to be a hotel. The hotel and street ended up being too new for the maps.









<- Fred Power, Charlotte's dad's cousin

Day Nine at CSU

This was the last day of our conference. The morning gave us some unexpected free time, so we took a drive directly west towards the mountains to see what we could find. We found Horsetooth Reservoir, which is about seven miles long. We also got some pics of Ft. Collins from above.

In the afternoon, we went to sessions on "Raising Healthy Kids on Staff", more on techniques of support raising, and a session on the Emergent Church and the evils of this movement. In case you are asking if CCC is buying into this movement, CCC does not want to have anything to do with it.

The evening session was mostly Praise and Worship. Keith Battle gave a final challenge to everyone challenging that, since many Christians are not evangelistic and want to stay inside their churches, we need to get out there and share Christ with others. Just like in a football game, the game is not played in the huddle, the play is executed by running the play, not just talking about it. We need to get out of our 'holy huddles' and "Just Run the Play".

The evening ended with lots of hugs, temporary good-byes (especially for all of us on our way to FamilyLife), fellowship time and, of course, yummy food.

Day Eight at CSU

Our day was filled much activity, as usual. The morning and evening session featured amazing stories of how the different ministries are reaching others for Christ, and we shed a few tears of joy again. We finally met the daughter of a couple we know in Tulsa and had dinner with the Whitehouses from our church in California, Redwood Chapel. The afternoon saw us meeting with our training group from May 2008 for a couple of hours in the afternoon for a reunion. This will probably be the last time together for this group, since one couple will be moving to Dallas instead of Little Rock.

Amy had her usual worship and Bible study in the morning and did a community service project by cleaning a local park. She was supposed to go to the mall for outreach, but the buses were already full. Her day ended dramatically, as we walked back to our dorm. The lack of sleep hit her to the point of tears and she just wanted to go home. This is Amy's first time away home for this long and she misses her kitten.

Today we've reached our last day of seminars and then head out in the morning to tour Focus on the Family on the way home. Amy should especially enjoy "Whit's End". We should arrive back in Tulsa about 4p on Friday. What a blessed time we have had! Thank you again for making this possible and for praying.

Hal

Day Seven at CSU

...Interesting way to begin a new week. We were led in Praise and Worship by Keynote, but this group was mostly black. They have a very different culture and way of singing. We didn't connect with all the new songs and not many other whites did either, but it was still praise to God. But, the exciting thing happened next when we were led in teaching by Keith Battle who is the founding Pastor of Zion Church in Landover, MD. What a dynamic speaker. He taught from Romans 8:28-30, which is all about our calling and the fact God has chosen us to be ministers of the gospel. Theologically, he was right on target. He also showed us that with all trials, there is good. God doesn't give all trials or all good things, we need the mix to grow us.

We were also treated to a complete performance of "The Witnesses". It was the follow up to The Rock & The Rabbi musical drama we had seen in Tulsa. "Peter" was telling his story from Pentecost and many years following, including Paul's conversion and missionary journeys. After Peter told some of his story, it was followed by song. It was even better than the Rock & Rabbi.

Lunch was with some of the FamilyLife Staff followed by our afternoon sessions. The first one Hal attended was about reaching the black culture with blacks, not whites, and how different the cultures are. Philip Abode from Crossover Bible Church (church plant of Tulsa Bible Church) would love this guy. The second session discussed Ministry Partner Development.

Amy met all morning for Worship and Bible Study. This has been a great education for her to have worship for her age, not with adults. She even 'raised her hands' in worship (based on scripture the band shared) just like Pastor John Barnett taught us, with open hands, palms up in offering ourselves to God. She then helped with packing food for Africa. Her team of four packed 648 bags while all the kids combined packed over 66,000. She then had to hang with us the rest of the evening.

We met up with Charlotte's childhood pastor, Pastor Eugene Petersen last night. It was fun to hear them recall her parents involvement in the church, her dad playing the organ, and their memories of her as a child. We finally got back to our room about 10p.

Two more long days then we head home. God has been so good to us through this conference and reconfirming our call to FamilyLife.

Pastor Eugene and Marge Petersen