Ellen

Our sweet friend Ellen is about to embark on quite a journey! For years, Ellen has wrestled with the idea of being called to go on the mission field. She has gone through several "selection" processes, but until now did not feel that it was within God's perfect timing. Recently Ellen applied and was accepted to become a missionary through the IMB's (International Mission Board) journeyman program. This program is designed for you to be gone for TWO years. Ellen leaves in October to go to orientation in Richmond, Virginia. On January 2, she leaves for Guatemala where she will go to language school. On April 2, Ellen will reach her final destination in Peru!!

Ellen is a special person for our family...sometimes we even call her one of us!! She was in the youth group where Mark served as youth minister for close to 10 years. While in college, Ellen became one of Mark's interns. When we moved here, she came behind us a few months later to be an assistant in the youth ministry department at the downtown campus of our church. Ellen has been there for all of our biggest moments...the birth of our 3 children, all of my kids' birthday parties, and even a few holidays like Thanksgiving and Easter.

My kids love her tremendously! When I told them about her moving to Peru, Molly fell to the floor in dramatic disbelief. Cole, bless his heart, cries at the mere mention of it. We will all really miss her. Even though it will be hard to see her go, my kids are so proud of her. At Awana, the speaker was talking about missions and asked if anyone knew a missionary. Cole and Molly proudly raised their hands. When praying for missions and missionaries, they both mention Ellen by name. Isn't it great to know that they are excited about Ellen going to be a "REAL" missionary and treat it as though she is one of special fame?

Not only will she be missed by our children, but by me and Mark too! We love her dearly and are SO, SO proud of her. I have already begun pricing plane tickets to Peru!! (By the way, they are pretty expensive!) I am so thankful for modern technology. I will be helping her set up a blog of her own this afternoon. I can't wait to read about all of her great stories from Peru. I will add it to my blog in the near future so that you can read it too!

Please join us in keeping Ellen in your prayers!! We love you Ellen!!