Monday, August 15, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Semester number sixteen (seven for Joel)
We're a week away from the beginning of another semester. The beginning of two years that will foerever change the lives of 70 new students who are coming to study God's Word. The beginning of a new semester in the process of becoming ministers of the Word for the other 100 who have already begun their journey.
For Joel and I it's a new opportunity to grow as we pour our lives into those God will bring our way. I am keenly aware at this moment of the dangers for me specifically that come at this time if year. The danger of pride, feeling more important than I am and slipping into the mindset of thinking I have something of my own to offer the girls God brings my way. There is tha danger of becoming too busy, of not saying no to the things that I want to do but know I shouldn't. Balancing my duty as a wife and mother with the privilege I have to mentor girls in my home, which sometimes feels more glamourous. Then their is the most important aspect of all. And that is my choice to Abide as a daughter, as a needy child, remembering that I have to stay plugged in to the source of my life or it all becomes wood, hay and stubble.
At the beginning of this semester, I long to know what God has in store for me. First from his Word then for my family and last from my ministry. Keeping that in order and balance... God, beThou my Vision.
For Joel and I it's a new opportunity to grow as we pour our lives into those God will bring our way. I am keenly aware at this moment of the dangers for me specifically that come at this time if year. The danger of pride, feeling more important than I am and slipping into the mindset of thinking I have something of my own to offer the girls God brings my way. There is tha danger of becoming too busy, of not saying no to the things that I want to do but know I shouldn't. Balancing my duty as a wife and mother with the privilege I have to mentor girls in my home, which sometimes feels more glamourous. Then their is the most important aspect of all. And that is my choice to Abide as a daughter, as a needy child, remembering that I have to stay plugged in to the source of my life or it all becomes wood, hay and stubble.
At the beginning of this semester, I long to know what God has in store for me. First from his Word then for my family and last from my ministry. Keeping that in order and balance... God, beThou my Vision.
Friday, July 01, 2011
Changes...Migrations...More To Come!
Over the coming weeks and likely months (we are parents, spouses and full time missionaries afterall...) we'll be making some big changes to how we communicate with you. We'll be trying several new mediums of communication including:
- A new ministry-centric website which is live now. Please click your way to it and check it out! We'll be using this to post stories and pictures that will give you a better idea of what we do as missionaries with New Tribes Mission.
- Some of you may already be familiar with and receive our email updates. Those will continue to be a primary way that we communicate with you. If you're not already receiving these, you'll enjoy the perspective they offer. The link below will let you subscribe to these. Just enter your name and email address in the boxes on the page. We'd love to have you follow us!
- This Blog will likely be under a bit of construction and be used for features on our family as well as for albums of pictures. Watch for the new look to come!
- Some of you may remember my (Joel) old personal Blog, 'Auraltecture.' I hope to relaunch this Blog in the coming months either at it's present location on Blogspot or possibly via Wordpress. I'll make sure to let you know what I do. My intent with that Blog is to talk about music and culture, as well as some 'unique' discoveries that I find about the places we live... If you're interested in looking at some of my previous posts, click your way to Auraltecture below.
That's all for now. Watch for news of our upcoming trip to California. We're very involved in a wedding of a dear friend and disciple (Grace Baldwin) of ours as well as catching up with family and partners on the west coast. Thanks for following!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Welcome Back...
7881 Miles, 3 Kids, 2 Adults...
We're hitting the road...and the friendly skies this summer. It's been 6 years since we last traveled and caught up in person with our support team and it's time again. We're ecstatic to visit many long-time friends/supporters and family and bring them up to speed with this incredible ministry that we're a part of. And we're asking God to bring us into contact with new ministry partners. We're willing to go to the 'ends of the earth,' or at least the earth of North America, to do this!
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
We're flying to CA in early July and will be anywhere from Los Angeles to San Francisco to San Diego and back to Michigan. The train bit, hopefully will be fulfilled by a trolley ride in San Francisco. Then only a week after returning to Michigan, we hit the road on an epic road trip that ends in St. Petersburg FL and then will make our way up the eastern seaboard before heading back to Michigan...
CA, OH, KY, NC, GA, FL, SC, WV, VA
They're not just stops on a fun summer jaunt, but places where people and churches are, who value what God values and are behind us because of that! And if you are in one of these places and want to connect with us, please call us! 517.795.9053
Why Should You Care?AND WE HOPE YOU DO!
We're so excited to be a part of a team that invests in the lives of people who want to make God's Word clear to those who don't have ANY understanding of IT. We're confident that YOU value this as well. So we're counting on YOU! We have some specific financial needs on these trips and are asking God to provide through perhaps YOU! Also with this many miles, little kids, long hours, potential vehicle problems...there's no way we can stay sane and clearly communicate without YOU behind us in prayer! Would you consider investing in this special summer endeavor?
We're hitting the road...and the friendly skies this summer. It's been 6 years since we last traveled and caught up in person with our support team and it's time again. We're ecstatic to visit many long-time friends/supporters and family and bring them up to speed with this incredible ministry that we're a part of. And we're asking God to bring us into contact with new ministry partners. We're willing to go to the 'ends of the earth,' or at least the earth of North America, to do this!
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
We're flying to CA in early July and will be anywhere from Los Angeles to San Francisco to San Diego and back to Michigan. The train bit, hopefully will be fulfilled by a trolley ride in San Francisco. Then only a week after returning to Michigan, we hit the road on an epic road trip that ends in St. Petersburg FL and then will make our way up the eastern seaboard before heading back to Michigan...
CA, OH, KY, NC, GA, FL, SC, WV, VA
They're not just stops on a fun summer jaunt, but places where people and churches are, who value what God values and are behind us because of that! And if you are in one of these places and want to connect with us, please call us! 517.795.9053
Why Should You Care?AND WE HOPE YOU DO!
We're so excited to be a part of a team that invests in the lives of people who want to make God's Word clear to those who don't have ANY understanding of IT. We're confident that YOU value this as well. So we're counting on YOU! We have some specific financial needs on these trips and are asking God to provide through perhaps YOU! Also with this many miles, little kids, long hours, potential vehicle problems...there's no way we can stay sane and clearly communicate without YOU behind us in prayer! Would you consider investing in this special summer endeavor?
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kate Turns 1!
Yesterday we celebrated Kate's first birthday! It was a fun afternoon with good friends and family. We sure miss our family that isn't with us but we got to skype with several of thme in the morning. Kate is such a joy to our family and we thank God for giving her to us!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Christmas 2010 Picture
What a Christmas! We have had the stomach flu hit 3 of the 5 of us in the past 2 weeks. It's not been the most relaxing Christmas break but it will be a memorable one. ;)
It reminded me though that the first Christmas was less than what we would consider ideal. I'm sure Mary's ideal of childbirth, her first born, the Son of God coming to earth was not that it would take place away from her home, in a borrowed stable with smelly animals, no family nearby and the only visitors to come and see her new baby being low class shepherds, whom she didn't know. Yet that is the exact situation God chose to come into. He had a bigger perspective than the here and now, he had eternity in view. He was humble and came as a human, setting aside His glory to become one of us, in less than "ideal" circumstances" so that he could live among us, without sin and become our Salvation and Life. He had eternity in view and so a stinky old stable was a perfect location.
So as much as I'd love to rewind 3 weeks and avoid the hassle of all that 3 people with the stomach flu means, I'll choose to keep eternity in view and be thankful I have LIFE and my family.
Merry Christmas!
From the Potters
Friday, November 12, 2010
November 12, 2009
Today marks a year since my dad went to be with his savior and left this earth of struggle and sin. It’s been a journey for my family. With my dad’s death, came many changes for all of us; the biggest of which came for my mom. Among those changes, she moved here to be nearer to us and to start afresh. She is a strong woman because of her faith in The Loving God who gives her purpose and life and I am so proud of her. Dad, we miss you but we are so thankful to know you are whole in mind and body and that you are enjoying being in the presence of your Savior. Mom, we love you and are so thankful to have you close by. God, thank you for the hope we have because of You!
Joel and Bethany Potter
Missionaries with New Tribes Mission
1211 Homewild Ave.
Jackson, MI 49201
517-795-9053
Monday, September 27, 2010
All By Myself
Jack calls to me from the entry way a little while ago..., "Mom, Kate's standing up!". I'm thinking, not possible, she's barely crawling. So, I go running to the entry way and sure enough, she's gotten herself to standing at her swing, and is playing with the buckle.
Fall
My two favorite times of the year are spring, when the tulips bloom and fall when the harvest vegetables are ripe. The fall to me is a time for soups, snuggling under blankets and walks in the rustling leaves. Thankfully, in the midst of a crazy time of life, we have been able to enjoy all three.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Oh and...
Oh and the pictures of the cake and the adorable little girl… We had a little party for Jack and his friend Josie since they were both going to kindergarten together this year! Josie is our neighbor, friend and sits across from Jack in class! Way to go Josie!!!
Jack goes to Kindergarten
So today was Jack's first day of Kindergarten. Just a half day today but tomorrow is the real deal! 7:30 am - leave the house, 3:40 pm arrive back home! He has a great teacher and so far today was a success. For all those out there wondering, there were no tears for any of us and just to prove how Joel and I felt after dropping him off, see the bottom left picture. That pretty much sums it up; grin on my face, Joel just a tad melancholy! So it begins...
Thursday, August 05, 2010
A new semester, about to begin!
As summer comes to a close, much is before us.
We will enjoy our last few weeks with Jack at home all day before Kindergarten begins in September. He has no idea what "all day" means and so we play hard, Mom and Dad the only ones knowing that he won't have time like this for a while!
Students start returning this weekend and will slowly trickle in over the next few weeks. We are so excited to see them all again and to meet the new freshmen who will join them.
Questions like, who will God bring our way this year, loom in our minds. We are excited yet understand that as God entrusts them to us to disciple and mentor, we have a great need to abide in Christ ourselves so that what we pass on to them is Christ and not a shabby imitation.
I, Bethany, have one more meeting this summer with the Academic Team I work for before we jump back in to the semester. It's my day to be an adult most of the day and honestly, I am longing for that just about now.
We have enjoyed the summer but are honestly eager to get back to our routine. It will be slightly changed because Jack has to be at school pretty early but I think it's a manageable routine. For those of you who know me well, know that of course, I have a schedule ready. Our family loves order and well, I love schedules!
Having Mom up here with us has been amazing and we can't wait to see how God provides for her by way of a job. If you think of it, would you pray that one comes along soon? She's putting out her resume and applying online but it's just taking a bit longer than expected. God is faithful and will continue to be as we wait.
So come, Fall come! We're ready for you!
We will enjoy our last few weeks with Jack at home all day before Kindergarten begins in September. He has no idea what "all day" means and so we play hard, Mom and Dad the only ones knowing that he won't have time like this for a while!
Students start returning this weekend and will slowly trickle in over the next few weeks. We are so excited to see them all again and to meet the new freshmen who will join them.
Questions like, who will God bring our way this year, loom in our minds. We are excited yet understand that as God entrusts them to us to disciple and mentor, we have a great need to abide in Christ ourselves so that what we pass on to them is Christ and not a shabby imitation.
I, Bethany, have one more meeting this summer with the Academic Team I work for before we jump back in to the semester. It's my day to be an adult most of the day and honestly, I am longing for that just about now.
We have enjoyed the summer but are honestly eager to get back to our routine. It will be slightly changed because Jack has to be at school pretty early but I think it's a manageable routine. For those of you who know me well, know that of course, I have a schedule ready. Our family loves order and well, I love schedules!
Having Mom up here with us has been amazing and we can't wait to see how God provides for her by way of a job. If you think of it, would you pray that one comes along soon? She's putting out her resume and applying online but it's just taking a bit longer than expected. God is faithful and will continue to be as we wait.
So come, Fall come! We're ready for you!
A Day at the Lake,,, again!
The boys just love going to this lake nearby! We had such a fun day!
Jack found the biggest stick of all time, Owen and I played under the big willow tree and on the slide and Jack and Joel skipped rocks it the water. Does it get any better?
Al Capone, look out!
While McGwire and Kael were visiting, Mom got them each a special gift. McGwire chose this cool hat! It looks great on him and so we decided to try it on Kate. I think she looks smashing and ready for a bit of Jazz with Frank Sinatra.
Such a big girl!
Kate is growing way too fast for our liking. She is now sitting in her big girl swing and yesterday tried out the highchair while eating cheerios for the first time! Knowing this is Lord Willing our last child makes me want the whole process of growing up to slow down.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)