Our apologies for leaving our blog unattended for so long! In January , we decided to move into our rental 'garage apartment.' Our apartment was not renting out as usual - very few responses. We wanted to save money on our expenses and with the house not selling, thought perhaps a rent-to-buy option might work out well for us. After showing it to a half-dozen people and families, we started moving slowly. Then a family came and gave a deposit. Our moving pace quickened as we had a 1 week time to be mostly out of the house.
Approaching the move weekend, Samantha had a thought of concern about moving large items that she shouldn't do that if she was pregnant. She then confirmed that she was and is still pregnant!
With help of friends, the old house got totally cleaned (Thanks Candace!), and everything out of the upstairs two floors. About 3 days after getting into our new apartment home, Samantha's nausea morning sickness began (as has been our pattern) and she was confined to bed and couch for over 2 months!
Our church family ladies gave of their time and food and came to our house to take care of the children, cleaning, and providing many meals.
Our fourth child, now 17 weeks along, is a blessing we're thankful for. We had thoughts of having our 4th child before leaving the country. Our baby is due September 22nd. We plan to not get an ultrasound exam to know more about our baby before the birth.
Regarding our desire to leave the country, we are submitting our desire and timing to God, and considering our steps from where we are to going into training.
the timing may change, but this seems to be some necessary steps.
Continued Bible training for Jeff; possibly more for Samantha as well
Skill training - Jeff will be in training for ESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages May-June (4 evenings) - this can be helpful in ministry or job overseas.
*Join an agency and attend their candidate school.
We are considering Pioneers International. We've talked with the recruiter, and a wonderfully helpful missionary at home after many years in Indonesia, who is returning. We are going to contact a few other families to hear how the agency works with families.
They have candidate schools in Orlando in July or December that we could attend. Do we try to go quickly so we go before the baby is born? Wait til December and go with a 2-month-old? wait til much later? the only real hindrances to going in July are the need for someone to care for our children, and the financial cost of the school/room/board (and child helper).
Please pray for discernment of God's will and timing. While we'd be happy to wait, we also believe we should start sharing our vision with others and making a widening circle of partners. The agency we join is somewhat foundational to our mission, and the partners that will join us should know the agency we partner with.
Thanks for your reading interest and prayers!
Jeff & Samantha Young
