Over the years...

Having just purchased our tickets yesterday I have been in a reflective mood. I warn you that this season in our lives will probably produce many a reflective moment so if I find time to write it will probably carry this theme.
This spring marks our seventh year in Croatia, and my tenth in Europe. Looking back I can still see myself embarking on that new, exciting adventure of Bible College in Europe. Just barely eighteen, I wonder if my parents had known that Europe would steal my heart away for the next decade would still have allowed me to go? I remember my first trip to Cakovec, Croatia; driving down from Austria through Slovenia, seeing the beautiful mountains, rivers and lakes, picturesque little villages with geraniums adorning every house, and thinking that it was easy to see how these were the places that fairy tales were written. However lovely it was, it was the poverty of souls that made the lasting impact. From the gypsy villages in Serbia, to the splendor of palaces in Spain, my heart was forever altered by the knowledge that while I had a treasure of wealth in the salvation and knowledge of my Savior, there was a world dying apart from Him.
I did not set out with the noble ambitions of being a missionary. I still had my own vision of what I thought my life would be, but as my eyes were opened to a lost world so was my heart. There were many things that brought me to the place of surrendering to the Father's will, looking back I think it's funny that I thought I could plan better than Him.
I wouldn't trade these last ten years for anything. Not only did the Lord graciously bring me the perfect man to share my life with, and then bless me with four amazing little children, He also gave me the opportunity to learn His character. It is one thing to know of God, it is quite another to know Him. Through seasons of joy, through seasons of sorrow we have been shown more intimately His character.
As we step forward in faith to this new season the Lord is calling us to there are many things that are uncertain. however the grace and faithfulness of our heavenly Father remains the same. Where we will live, what we will do are questions that we would love to have answers to, but from past experience we can rest in the knowledge that sometimes we don't have to see the full picture. While there are pieces missing that might seem irresponsible to some, it is in the times where details are obscure that we tend to press into the comforting presence of Jesus, what a blessing to remember that our provision is dependent on Him.

A very new season...

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9


It's been seven years this week that we arrived in Split as a young couple, our marriage barely two months old. Confident of the calling that the Lord had placed in our hearts for the country of Croatia, specifically the city of Split, we were excited and full of that wonderful youthful zeal. Looking back, it such a blessing to have experienced the Lord's presence with us wherever we have gone. Over the years we have been so thankful that the Lord has been so faithful to reaffirm that calling that He made so evident in the beginning.

Now, this last season the Lord was really stirring our hearts to seek Him for His direction; His direction for the fellowship here, but also for us as a family. Our time in the States was able to be used to really search out His will for us and brought us to the place of being able to see that the Lord is bringing our time here in Split to a close.

We thank you all so much for your support over the years. It's bittersweet to think about leaving the church here and trusting the Lord for the next season He has for them. As for us, we are confident that the Lord has called us to close this season up and move to Las Vegas where the next step for us is. There are still a lot of questions and wonder, but we just desire to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and trust the Lord for his perfect will for this next season of our lives.

The church here will continue in Gods grace. Please pray for them and for us as we take this next step of faith.

We're not sure exactly when we will be moving to Las Vegas but we have already started the transition process to go back. It's also a blessing that the Lords timing allows us to be close to my family as my mom deals with the cancer she's been fighting for the last 4 years or so. Please keep her also in your prayers.

God bless you all and thank you again for your support and love in the Lords work here in Croatia!

~Tim, Grace, Thomas, Mila, Oliver, and Evan