I don't know who is reading the blog these days, and most of you know much of what is going on with us already, but I wanted to give you the next page of the story and ask you to pray. Before the elders met last night we learned that the missions team had presented to them on Sunday a recommendation NOT to support us. They had decided then to meet again last night to discuss it further. It was evident to us based on their behavior at church that they were going to have to tell us no, and that was going to be awkward for them. At the suggestion of a very wise man we know, we called this morning and asked if it would help them if we withdrew our request. The elder who Ben talked to thought that was a good idea, but said they still want to meet with us and that they still don't want us asking individuals for support. We have a meeting scheduled for Tuesday night. When Ben pressed him to ask what they wanted to discuss, he said they want to affirm us, discuss their concerns about Stadia, and discuss their concerns about us going to individuals for support.

We are very hurt, frustrated and disappointed. We are trying to work through our emotions so that we can respond graciously but truthfully on Tuesday night. That can only be accomplished by the Spirit in us. I need Him to calm my heart. Thanks to Him, I don't really feel anxious about raising the funds. But I'm really struggling to not be resentful and angry. I have cried and cried, screamed, yelled, stomped around (while the kids were at school!), and still haven't worked it all out. It appears (although I pray I'm misunderstanding their words) that they are not just unable to give their financial support, but that they may even believe we are making a move that will somehow dishonor God and feel they need to stop us. Because everyone else in our lives has confirmed that this is just right and that God is leading us, we don't think we're missing it.

I could go on and on, but you don't want to hear my whining! We ask you to pray, for our hearts to be tender toward these men who we love, for a spirit of humility and love toward them. We ask you to pray for us to find the right words to say to them that will be honest but kind. Pray that we will have the grace to not speak against them as we explain to our friends that we are not yet able to ask them for support. (Some are just waiting for us to be free to ask, knowing the elders had asked us to wait until the process was complete.)'

Does anyone have a verse for us to claim?

We love you and thank God for our faithful family.
Trisha