HOW SWEET IT IS!

Today, September 17th, Julie and I celebrate 29 years of marriage to each other!  When I reflect over the past 29 years, there have been highlights and lowlights.  Times that were easy to love each other and times that were difficult.

And yet, now I can honestly say, HOW SWEET IT IS!!  To know the one you are with, to share with the one you are with and to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I married the woman for me!  We have experienced so much and yet, have so much more to experience.

We have cried, yes, I cry, we have laughed, hugged, cuddled, walked, ran, climbed and even just sat and were still.  During those times, we knew we had each other.  We have prayed, shared, dreamed, lived and loved like there is no one around and we did it together!

I love you Julie!  I will always love you and wanted not only you to know that, but others!  Hard work, commitment and a focus off of me and on God makes a marriage work.  I am committed to you and will covenant with you again, as long as we both shall live!!!

I love you sweetheart!

The Times Together!!

My Sweet Bride!!

Your Knight for ever!!!

THE POWER OF MEN!

This last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend Men's Roundup in Lebanon, Oregon with 1800 men.  Although I didn't know all of them, I did know a good number of them.  I did have the privilege of attending it with 12 men specifically.  One of those 12 is a man that has impacted my life in some very powerful ways.

It was 9 years ago after a summer of camps, 9 different camps we ran, that my friend came to me and asked me this question.  "When do you Shack, ever do camp for you?"  I remember when he asked me that and my answer was not, "in a long time".  In fact, the last time I attended camp for me, was with my father in law, Bob McCaw in the early '90's.

Well, my friend said that it would happen yearly.  It has for nine years now!  In fact, three years ago, he made it possible for not only myself to go but he made it possible for Tyler to go.  That was 2008 and in 2009, Tyler headed to Iraq.  The weekend ended in 2008 like it did for me in 2011. Powerfully and tearfully.

How you might ask, the same men that laid hands on Tyler in '08 and circled around my son and covered him in prayer, did the same for me.

Tyler would head to the sandbox for twelve months on his mission with the US Army, me, well, I will head out Lording willing in the next few months for our ministry to the US Army and their families!  Different missions and yet, needing the circle of men to make it possible.

Never under estimate the power of men when they are united in the power of prayer.  It caused me to immediately tear up and then cry as these same men called on the Lord to direct, lead, guide, provide wisdom, bring a Barnabas in my life in Germany and provide for the remaining support we need to be fully funded.  What an awesome weekend!

The power of men is measured in my life by their influence in my life!  It is also measured by their commitment to hold a brother up in PRAYER!

Thanks to the men that circled me and prayed over me last weekend!  God bless each of you and keep you in HIS hands as well!  Love you men!  Wish I could join you next year but maybe, we can do one in Germany!!!!!!

Never under estimate the power of prayer!  I prayed over these two young men at camp this year and both are seeking the Lord!

Civilian child vs Military child

Thought that is was very true and appropriate to share with you regarding the students that we have the privilege of serving!  Hope that it gives you as new sense of appreciation for what we do with Cadence Student Ministries and an insight in our students and their resilience!

1. A civilian child usually dances around or talks during the National Anthem. A military child stands quietly with his hand over his heart.   

2. A civilian child sees race. A military child sees diversity.   

3. A civilian child has a best friend in his hometown. A military child has a best friend on almost every continent.   

4. A civilian child sees only the plane flying over. A military child not only can identify the type of plane flying but knows someone who works on them.   

5. A civilian child sees a person in uniform. A military child can tell you what branch he's in and what his rank is.   

6. A civilian child thinks home is where the heart is. A military child knows home is where the military sends you.  

7. A civilian child lives for tomorrow and what it might bring. A military child lives for today because tomorrow, Daddy might get called away again.   

8. A civilian child gets to kiss mommy and daddy goodnight each night. A military child sometimes has to kiss a picture of daddy or mommy goodnight.   

9. A civilian child talks on the phone for fun. A military child lives for the 15 minute phone calls once a week.   

10. A civilian child can read and write in English. A military child can read and write in acronym.   

11. A civilian child says "good-bye". A military child says "see you later" (don't we know it, there's never GOOD BYE).   

12. A civilian child gets to see things other kids would love to see. A military child gets to see things world leaders would love to see.   

13. A civilian child will probably go to the same school his entire life. A military child will probably change schools every 2 years.   

14. A civilian child might rarely leave his hometown for anything other than vacation. A military child will rarely see his "hometown" for anything other than vacation.   And finally...a civilian child supports our soldiers. A military child IS a soldier. The next time you say a prayer for our troops, please say a prayer for their families, especially their children back home that are trying to be strong. (They need your prayers, more than you'll ever know)

Reposted with permission and edited from Because sometimes military wives need to vent.

What is happening...

to us has been incredible!  It has been an incredible summer and the Lord is blessing and directing.  With candidacy and orientation over, we have begun to focus on the financial needs of our monthly support as well as closing things down here in Gresham.

We served for our last time in awhile at Camp Morrow where we have been serving for 30 years and we watched God do some incredible things.  Julie was the head cook for Jr High camp where we served record number of students and staff...200 mouths!!  I had the privilege of being one of two speakers and saw God doing incredible things in the hearts of staff and students that week.  Sharing my heart about the WORD and missions, God was definitely prompting students!  Heaven will tell the rest of the story!  Also, I got to help Julie with cooking that week and on the following weekend for Family Camp!

 Julie's homemade cinnamon rolls!!!  Would love to have one now!

 Working with my favorite gal!!! 30 years of making these!!  What a joy!!!  And tasty too!

Julie, Rick, Cara, Teresa and Mishawna praying as they start their day in the kitchen!

We are now focused on our ministry team as well as serving in our local church.  Also, looking for opportunities in churches to share our ministry and with individuals! Let us know if you would like to consider being a part of our ministry team!

Thanks for praying, loving, encouraging and sharing in our life at this time! We are truly blessed to have you on our TEAM!

What is next?!

It has been a bit since I posted on our ministry blog...sorry!  It has been a bit of a whirlwind after being in Colorado and South Dakota for over three weeks.  What a good time and yet, tiring.  The time there was rewarding and yet, it is great to be home!

As you recall, I spoke at Galilee Bible Camp in Tennessee.  There were about 40 high school students and 15 staff serving the Lord!  It was my privilege to open the WORD and share my passion about Jesus to the students and the staff!  God did some great things in all of our lives.

Then, I flew to Denver, Colorado where I met Julie and we went through the official process of candidacy for ministry with Cadence International! We were officially accepted and then entered into a week of orientation and then followed by a week of visiting team members in SD and CO!!!  What a great time!!

Then we came home and began to process the events of the month of June and began to pray as we seek the Lord for His timing in our live.  We are now about to embark on a week of ministry at Camp Morrow where we have served the Lord together for almost 30 years!! Julie will be the head cook for Jr High camp and I have the privilege of being the missions speaker!  Then we will cook together for more than likely our last time there in a while.  Bitter sweet and yet it has been rewarding to serve there all of these years!!!  God is good and faithful!

After camp, July 17-24, we will begin focusing on selling our home and raising the remaining $2200.00 monthly support we need to get to Germany full time.  Our return date is not set as we wait direction from the Lord and the leadership of Cadence.  Pray as we seek Him for this!

We are blessed that each of you are a part of our team and ask that you would join us in praying as we seek Him.  Also, PLEASE pray for Julie as she injured her left arm while traveling after orientation.  She has little to no use of it and she is the head cook next week and the weekend after!  Thanks team!!

It is Official!!!

On Saturday afternoon the 18th, Julie and I were officially accepted for full time ministry with Cadence International serving in Cadence Student Ministries.  We are so EXCITED!!!  We are also very thankful that each one of you have been praying for us and also being a BIG part of this process!

We are thrilled to now be officially appointed to ministry.  We still don't have a set time line nor do we have a lot of clearly defined direction but that will be coming in the next few months.

We want you to know though that your partnership in our ministry is crucial to the success and longevity of our ministry!  We are unable to do what the Lord has called us to if we don't have team members like you that are involved.

As you know, we have three types of team mates.  The first are those that "PRAY" for our family, life and ministry,  The second are those that "PAY" by giving sacrificially so that others may know about our Savior and have relationship with HIM!  The third are those that "PLAY" in ministry by participating in a physical way on location, with our family or meeting needs we have physically to do ministry!  All three areas are VITAL and CRITICAL to the ministry we are called too!

THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THE TEAM!!!

Ten day's and counting...

It is hard to believe that in such a short time as three months, so much has happened!  Some incredible things have happened and some strange things.  Time and space here may limit my ability to communicate with you the depth of it all but we would love to personally connect with you on this when we return home.

Highlights of our time in Germany:
- God provided incredible housing for us from the first day to our soon to be last
- Our apartment is fantastic and our neighbors are a real blessing to us
- We have been provided some great new starts to friendships with fellow CSM staff, chaplains, family members of our students and new friends as well
- We have been involved since day one in the lives of people that need or love Jesus and we have been able to challenge them right where they are
- We have been able to be involved in two different chapels and this has been a real joy and blessing
- I have been able to preach three different times here in the three months
- I have had the opportunity to lead several Bible studies with our middle school boys...great time!!!
- I have taught the WORD at youth group on several occasions and small groups at a week long camp
- While at spring break camp, we were in the ALP's of Garmisch...what a great place for camp!!!
- Julie and I have enjoyed many walks in our town of Kusel we live in and have been blessed by those
- Julie has ministered to the wives' of many deployed soldiers here in Baumholder
- Julie was able to attend PWOC Bible study on Tuesdays and connect there with women around the WORD
- Julie has loved, cared and fed our students on several occasions and as you know, she is good at all three of those
- We have developed relationships that will grow when we return in the fall full time...Lord willing!
- I have been able to build strong and growing relationships with our chaplains in Baumholder
- I had the honor of attending a memorial service for one of the four soldiers we have lost during our time here...an humbling and sobering experience
- We have encouraged, taught and prayed with students on a weekly basis
- I had the opportunity to runs games for youth group several nights
- We have had the opportunity to me involved in a big way in the GREAT COMMISSION!!

There are more to share but as you see, we have had a full schedule and with only ten days left, they to are packed with opportunities to be involved in lives, ministry and the future of students here in Germany.

Julie and I would like you to know how much we appreciate your love, prayers and support for our ministry to the students of our US Military families!  They are the present and future of our society!  We know that you would be blessed to know that they are resilient and responsive to the things of the Lord when you simply reach out in love and show them you care!  We have done that...may the Lord bless our time here and bring us back quickly to continue this ministry for His glory.