It’s official!

We’re on our way to Dallas! This week we’ll be organizing, packing, and moving to our new home in Dallas, Texas to begin classes at the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Here are some ways you can pray for us:

EMOTIONS: We are excited, thrilled, nervous, and sad all at the same time! Both of us have spent most of our lives in Jenks, Oklahoma. Although we’ll be joining John’s mom and sisters in the state of Texas, we’ll be moving away from his dad, as well as all of Elizabeth’s immediate family and grandparents. We are looking forward to seeing friends in the Dallas area, but as you can imagine, we will be missing our good friends in Oklahoma at the same time. Pray that we will be joyful in the Lord. Pray that we will be able to maintain good communication with everyone we will be moving away from. Please pray that we’ll make good friends among our fellow students soon.

CLASSES: We will be taking a full load of graduate level courses in the area of applied linguistics. Classes begin January 9^th. Please pray for diligence in our studies, ability to retain all that we learn, and good grades. We are eager to learn and really desire to honor the Lord by doing WELL in school.

FINANCES: We are moving out in faith, trusting the Lord’s leading that it is His time for us to begin our training. In addition to living costs, we are also responsible to pay for our tuition, books, and fees at school. We are blessed to see His hand of provision for us DAILY. The stories we could tell you… just ask! He reminds us all the time of His knowledge of our needs by providing in ways we could never think of. Please pray that our financial partnerships would continue to grow. Please pray that the Lord would guide us in making wise financial decisions. Praise Him for His faithfulness and pray for His continued blessing on our lives.

SPIRITUAL LIFE: We are facing busy, challenging months. Please pray for our continued personal times studying the Bible and in prayer. Please ask the Lord to help us grow in Him as a couple. Pray for our marriage- that it continues to grow stronger. Pray that He will teach us NOW how to be a family that worships Him together. Please pray that we will find a solid, Bible-teaching church with a heart for missions at home and around the world to be a part of and serve in while we are in Dallas. Ask for our protection on all fronts.

We are so thankful to be surrounded by your love, prayers, and encouragement. May you all have a Happy New Year!!