Amazed by Grace
Amazing how God's plans are always the best for us. We just have to SLOW down to listen and learn from Him. Sometimes in this day in age it's hard to do that. I know for me (Kristine), I love to plan and it's hard sometimes to take a break from the planning to listen to the voice of God. Sometimes it's even harder to respond to the direction He leads because that means breaking plans my feeble mind made.
Our Meeting with Perry and LaNnae
Well now is one of those many times that I (and Eric) am doing that. I had this overwhelming need for Eric and I to talk with our local MAF recruiter/friend Perry Pust. I didn't understand it entirely other than I knew that it would be good to sit down and talk with him. Eric didn't understand the need, but I couldn't let it up and wanted to meet ASAP.
We met with him and his wife LaNnae and had a really good honest conversation with them about where we were at and where we wanted to be in ministry. They were very honest with us about areas they saw we are weak in and they told us of some opportunities to grow in our faith that would be available if we stayed in the area. We didn't know that these opportunities were available when we were planning on moving to Michigan. We were very grateful that God had us meet with them that day.
A Big Change of Direction..
On the way home from meeting with Perry and LaNnae we had a lot to think about. Should we still go to Michigan? Should we stay here and do the PCC program? What's best for us not only financially but for our walks with God and personal spiritual growth? It was a lot to think and pray about. After a long day or so of thinking about it and praying about it we decided that the best option for us would be to stay in Oregon/Washington. This way Eric can take his time to do the two year PCC A&P program and we both can get more involved in different programs in Vancouver that will help strengthen our faith, witness and walk with God.
This is a big change from what we've been telling you these past few months, but it's definitely a change for the better. We will be sad not to be able to explore the other part of the country, but we'll make efforts to still visit the few friends we had planned on visiting if we had lived in Michigan. Keeping friendships and relationships is important to us because we treasure the time we have with every one of you!
The Basics...
So what's the plan now? We are staying open to God's leading but here's the tentative plan for the basics:
House
We are still going to finish our house and sell it as soon as possible. With Eric going to school in Hillsboro, Kristine working in Beaverton and both of us possibly getting involved with programs in Vancouver, it just makes sense to move further north to Portland or Vancouver. We will rent for two years and after that see where God is leading!
School
Eric will go to Portland Community College's Rock Creek Campus in Hillsboro to do their two year AMT (Aviation Maintenence Technology) program.
Flight Training
Eric is working with Servant Wings to complete his instrument rating. After he completes this rating he will find a program to complete his CFI training. More on that later.
Kristine's Job
Right now Kristine is still working for the Early Intervention Autism program in Beaverton. She will continue to work at that job until at least this summer. Because we are staying in the area, she is now going to actively seek a teaching job in Oregon or Vancouver, WA. If she can get a teaching job starting next year then she will leave her current position then. If not, then she will continue to work for the NWRESD until she can get one. It's just such a blessing to be able to have a full-time job and health benefits. We are in a much better place than last year at this time. Praise God for that!
Prayer
We would love it if you would pray for us! Just for God's guidance and for us to be able to take time each day to sit and listen to His voice. Prayer for our motivation to complete tasks would be great as well. There will be more to come in the next few months.
Thank you so much for your support in this journey. We really appreciate each and every one of you. We'll have more updates to come!
Blessings,
Eric and Kristine Reed
