a handy prayer tool

One of the reasons A/G missionaries itinerate, travel from church to church, is not only to raise their approved budget but also to raise their prayer support. Without money we cannot go, without prayer we might as well not go.

So at each service the missionary passes out their prayer cards and it is a quick handy tool to bring the missionaries face and family before the people who will pray. Recently when visiting a church a lady pulled out our very first prayer card from her Bible. I was stunned to see that she still had it. She said I still pray for you. Now that's what it's all about!

We finally received our new prayer cards today. They have been in process for weeks. This particular card was a hard one for me to make, the kids aren't on this one. That was hard for me. Ryan and Renee said, Mom they are going to be circulating for the next four years, we are not going with you to Costa Rica, so don't let it make you feel bad! You and Dad will look great! OK I guess they do look OK like the first one we made, long before we had our treasures...Ryan and Renee.

The first one in 1985.



The second one in 2001 or thereabouts!



The third one in 2004 or thereabouts!



The fourth one in 2008.



2013

..my heart is blessed....I love the people God has brought our way!

Tonight was spectacular. Not because of anything but because of God's finest creation...people.
Since we have been at VFCC I prepare a meal for the students that remain at the college during breaks. They are missionary kids, kids that don't have family or funds to get home, kids that stay to really hammer out some class work that they are behind in. They are hungry! There were 23 eager to eat tonight.

I call it the "ryan dinner" because I wish someone had done a meal for my boy when we were in Jamaica for 4 yers and he was stuck on campus during many school breaks. It is my way of giving back in just a small way. The students can't say thank you enough. I asked them what they have been eating and they say Ramen noodles! Now that is not sufficient!

Tonight was taco night. They ate every last drop! Tacos, Chips and Salsa and brownies, lots of brownies and Easter candy kisses.

We received an extra blessing when Patrick Collins facebooked a message saying he was in Philadelphia! Patrick is from Haiti and came to Jamaica for his Bible College training. When the earthquake hit his country his mother and little brother was killed. We ran to the college to sit by his side and weep. We went daily during that holiday break when he was all alone at the college suffering in silence. He was not able to get home to Haiti for almost 2 years after that. He is a pastor today in Haiti and an anointed man of God.

So tonight was extra special to have him at the meal too! He had never had a taco. This was his first!

His eyes were wide when John, the security officer and Denny took him on a tour of the college. He kept repeating, "this is so big"! Compared to our Jamaican Bible College it is enormous!





















As I lay my head on my pillow tonight I hope I can sleep. My heart is so full. God is so very good.

...He's working the plan even when we don't see it....

Something wonderful happened today. When we signed on for the new Costa Rica assignment there were lots of details that only God would be able to work! We had our plan designed for the next few years of our ministry. God has changed our plan to be His plan! But with His plan came many challenges. Financial ones and most of all leaving Renee at 16 years of age. But again God comes through in amazing colors! He is so good.

A few months ago we mentioned our dilemma to one of the pastors here in the area that had us come for a service. He and his wife took it to heart and to prayer and through a lady in their church, God has provided a place for Renee and me to stay for the month of August since the apartment lease ends July 31 and also a home for Renee while we are gone and she is here in VFCC. We are overwhelmed!

Eveline invited her pastor and wife and us to tea today. Her purpose was for us to see the house and to make the arrangements. We are more than pleased for our new accomodations! She has a three story home and we will reside on the third floor. Oh God is so very good! Renee can feel at home during her school years, her college breaks, even for a weekend away when she needs it!

Eveline is a pastors daughter, she understands. She has also been to many countries and understands missions as well. She told Denny that opening her home is her way of supporting our ministry and supporting Renee. How does God do that? He amazes me daily through His children.

Eveline made scones, english butters (chocolate, strawberry, orange, brown sugar and devonshire cream), she even decorates her sugar cubes for the tea. We felt as if we were traveling through England like we did many years ago!



















Another detail of this move finished and off our minds. He continues to make His path known and all we have to do is trust His plan.

Ryan.....engaged! I feel like I am dreaming!

As well as Anchor Boston being launched, something else happened last week! Ryan asked Lauren Quackenbush to be his wife. Denny and I are thrilled! Ryan is loved. Ryan won't be alone. Ryan will be a wonderful husband. Lauren is equally wonderful! Beautiful, inside and out. We are gaining a daughter! We are more than happy! More details to come!

Here are some pics!

Anchor Church Boston Launch

One of the wonderful things about having a son in the ministry is watching him do things we have never done! When Ryan graduated from VFCC and headed to Boston, it was a real step of faith. He went with no job, however a pastors family took him in, so he had a place to live and a church to volunteer his gifts. The journey has been amazing.


In the beginning, he landed a job at Marshalls, then through a music school began teaching private lessons to guitar, voice and piano students. He substituted in the public school sytem and did odd music jobs. He worked on his A/G credentials and passed his test to become Rev. Ryan Seler.


A year later he met a new pastor coming to start a chuch in Boston and with the blessings of the first pastor became a member of the "Dream Team" for Anchor Church. Planning, dreaming, preparing for the launch consumed the team for a year or more. Anchor Boston has now become a reality. God is so good.


When we first started in the ministry we volunteered at a new church plant in Illinois. We remained there for 18 months and watched the church take off, however we didn't have the pleasure and pain of birthing it! There is so much that goes into starting a new church. So much strategy that we missed out on.


Ryan has more experience at 23 than we do for starting a new church! This past Sunday was the launch and it was an experience we will never forget. What an incredible night.


Dr. Randy Quackenbush has a burden for the city, especially for the Berklee College of Music students. The first service was held at the Sheraton right next door to the college. There were 136 people and 3 salvations. The place was filled with students, what a sight to see.


Ryans official title is Arts Director and we are so proud of his journey of faith.

When you first walk in the Sheraton this is the sign we saw.






You had to use the escalator or elevator to go to the meeting room. There goes daddy and Renee!



When you get to the meeting room, well really the entire walk had signs! There had been so much buzz on facebook and twitter about the new church. It was a joy to be there!



Ryan leading the team.






Randy preaching, "What's in a Name?" a terrific message!

Newtown, CT.

None of us will forget for a long time, December 14, 2012 when children and teachers were killed by Adam Lanza. Since we lived and travelled in Southern New England for many years I kept wondering where Newtown was located and if we had passed through the area. Sure enough we had. Denny preached in Naugatuck, Ct. on Sunday. Looking at the map I could see that Newtown was close by. When we got near the exit, sure enough I recognized seeing that towns name on the exit sign all those many years. We pulled off the exit and with the help of the GPS we drove right to Sandy Hook Elementary School. What astounded me was how close houses were to the school. It was a very tight road and on December 14th, the chaos that had to have ensued certainly must have stunned everyone, whether they had children in the school or not. Just picturing the emergency vehicles crowding onto that road must have been very intense. On the back road where I would presume the busses would go, there are blockades and a no trespassing sign. There are bears and gifts made into a memorial.

To actually see the school you leave the back entrance and go down a bit and up another road where a fence now closes off the school but you are able to see the building, the basketball hoop and court, classrooms, etc. It was actually still very solemn, very quiet, very sad. Thinking of all the news clips and remembering the details that came across the airwaves at that time makes one to feel very confused when actually sitting on the premises. The children, so scared, the teachers, so brave, the administration, no fear, makes one to evaluate what you would do in a situation like that.

Happy Birthday to Ryan!

It has been 5 years since we celebrated Ryan's birthday in person. A long 5 years for him and for us. In 2008 when we left Ryan at VFCC we didn't realize how difficult it was going to be to be apart, but we did it! We all did it! It was hard for mom, for dad, for Renee and for Ryan. He was the one that was alone. The 3 of us had each other. That's why this 23rd birthday was so very special! We had to make up for the 5 we missed! Den had a service booked in Connecticut for February 3rd so we took advantage of the weekend and left Phoenixville on Friday, February 1st to be in New England for his actual day, Groundhog's Day! Ryan had a full day with a rehersal for the worship band but we were able to drive from each direction and meet at 4 in the afternoon at a favorite chinese restaurant in Sturbridge where we used to live. A great celebration and we give God all the thanks for our son. He loves Jesus, He loves us, and God has a special plan and a future for Ryan, of this we are sure.