Last night we sent out our first official eNews. You can view it here. http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2fbb854adaebd1019404bec0b&id=c882320d84&e=5cb4c5efa5
Normally we will not be put it on facebook or on our blog, but we wanted to give anyone the chance to sign up if they didnt get the chance.
If you would like to receive our eNews, you can subscribe at the bottom of the eNews, or just add your email address here.
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
It's never easy...is it?
As some of you have heard, we have has issues with out visa application.
In case you missed it, here is the story:
After having an online bill payment be denied yesterday, Nic called our bank to see what was going on. Apparently they placed a "random" security hold on our account last Wednesday. Unfortunately, the UK Border Agency tried to collect payment for our visa applications on Thursday and were denied. And our previous leave to remain has expired
Nic spoke to UKBA this morning. They said this most likely means our visa applicaiton is invalid. However, there is a small chance they might just send us a letter saying your payment did not go through, please pay the fee. IF this is the case, all we need to go is pay the fee and we wont have to reapply. However if our visa appliacation is rendered invalid, we have 28 days from the expiration of our visa (October 12) to re-apply before we have to leave the country.
Right now we are stuck waiting until officially (via post) from UKBA. There is nothing we can do in the meantime as they have all of our documentation- passports, marriage license, birth certificates, etc. We covet your prayers in this hectic time. Please pray that we would get the easy way out and be able to pay the fee and not have to re-apply.
Other prayer needs:
- Ashley has TMJ -in short it is a jaw disorder which causes clench and grinding of teeth that results in extreme pain in the face and headaches and fatigue. She needs to wear a mouth guard at night; however we left it at the hotel we were staying at this weekend. We were hoping they would have kept it and they could post it to us, but they threw it away. Ashley now does not have a mouth guard and is starting to feel the affects. It is a catch-22 because she needs to go to the dentist to get fitted for another guard, however until we get a visa we cannot see the doctor or dentist.
-Ashley has really started to make connections at work. Pray that she would continue to build these and be a good example of Christ in her work place.
- Nic woke up last night with some stomach issues (we will spare you the detials). We are not sure if it is a virus, flu or food posioning. Please pray for healing and that he would recover soon! Also pray that his is not something serious as we cannot see a doctor until we get our visa approved.
- Also please pray for Nic and his sleep. He has been having a rough time sleeping through the night. He had this similar thing happen last semester and it really began to affect him. Please pray for him to get good sleep and not to be woken up in the night.
In general just please pray for us as we feel like things are getting more diffucult and we are feeling a lot of push back. We feel like we may be under attack and experiencing a bit of spiritual warfare. Please pray for protection over us.
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Gartmore House!
Nic and I are so blessed. This weekend, actually starting tomorrow we are headed here....
It is a 18th century mansion at the foot of the Scottish Highlands.
Back Story: A friend of ours was raising funds to do missions work in Scotland, but then ended up studying at the University with Nic instead. Because he has already raised the funds for his work in Scotland, it was just sitting there. The donations we just going to be sent back to other people, but this friend asked if the fund could be used to send Nic and I and 2 other families to a conference all expenses paid. They agreed.
We are so excited! This is a much needed break from the normal everyday and to spend time together away from all of our responsibilities. We are also so excited at the possibility of connecting with other people who are doing the same kind of stuff we are all over Europe.
Below is a little information about the conference:
- Theme — "21st Century Disciples." Our discussion will center on 21st century discipleship: What is it? How do we envision and pursue it in our missional communities?
- Invitation — "Come join us for a fun, enriching weekend of worship, fellowship and encouragement in the Scottish Highlands just north of Glasgow. Gartmore centre features walking trails, access to beautiful Loch Lomond and stunning scenery.
Can I ask that you would pray for Nic and I this weekend?
- Pray that we would be reenergized, inspired and encouraged.
- Pray for good connections to be made with others who are doing the same kinds of work we are.
- Pray for our marriage to be refreshed this weekend as we get to spend more time together.
- Pray for listening ears and hearts for whatever God wants us to take away from this weekend.
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
UKBA
OUR VISA APPLICATION IS IN THE POST!
Please pray for us that it will be approved--that we will not encounter any difficulties. Pray for favour at the United Kingdom Border Agency.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
September Goals Recap
We cannot believe it is October already! Where did September go? While it seemed to go by so fast, it truly has been a fruitful month!
At the end of each month, we will look back at the goals we set out for that month. The reason for this is two-fold. 1. We want to be accountable to you and our supporters. 2. This is an easy way to keep track of our progress and what we are doing here.
So, here are the goals we set out for September
Our Neighbourhood
- Get acquainted with out new neighbourhood
- Being making connection in our new area
- Find a café/pub to call our own (visit at least once a week)
Young Adults/Uni Students
- Attend orientation events for Edinburgh Uni and make connections with incoming students
- Help students get settled (cell phones, flats, figuring out the city, etc.)
- Attend Christian Union at least twice
Community Building
- Host bonfire/barbeque in Mid-September
- Look for social groups to join
- Begin our own social groups
- Begin building a pool of people who might be interested in joining our missional community
Mosaic Leadership
- Nic continue to meet with Mosaic Leadership
- Begin researching/reading more missional community books
- Determine how we fit with the leadership team and how we can best help
So….How did we do?
Our Neighbourhood
- We think we have done a great job connecting with people in our neighbourhood.
- We have met a few people in our new complex and had a few conversations with them, but honestly we have had better connections with people outside of our complex. I think this is just due to the culture here. My colleague at work was telling me just today that Scots are very private people, who make sure their blinds are closed and doors are shut. It is hard to make connections with them unless there is a reason, such as being in a social group together.
- There is a church building right across from our flat that houses a charity for recycled furniture. We have spoken with them and they have agreed to let us clean up their grounds and plant a garden. Our goal for this project is simple: to bring beauty back into our neighbourhood. There is nothing in it for us, except maybe some exercise ;)
- We have found our pub—it is called the Harp and Castle. And it is only about 4-5 minutes’ walk from our flat. Nic is now attending poker night on Wednesday and has already made a few friends who have recognized him and talk to him outside of the pub while just walking around.
- Also, the people around our neighbour have started to recognize us, which is always good to identified as a local. We have really seemed to connect with the homeless guy who sits in front of the Scot-Mid (local grocery/convenience shop).He is really nice and now we just need to find out what we can do for him and how we can connect with him.
Young Adults/Uni Students
- We have not done as well with connecting with the University as a whole. Without Nic as a student, our connections with the University are more limited and can sometimes seem forced. We want our connections with people to be natural and organic, so we have to develop a new approach to connecting with students. However we have connected with one new student in particular who has become part of our Mosaic community and we have been spending a lot of time with her. She is now a part of Ashley’s Life Transformation Group, which meets weekly and will be a part of our missional community group as well. Nic has been able to help her a lot with school related questions, as he went through everything she is just one year ago.
Community Building
- We did not have a bonfire/barbeque, basically because we don’t have funds currently to get a grill or bonfire pit. However we improvised and had a pizza and movie night. It was a good low-key first chance to get together with a bunch of young adults.
- As for social groups, Ashley is currently in one craft group, and looking to start a new one in November. She is currently brainstorming the structure of it and looking for a free venue.
- Nic has joined a poker group, which he will blog more about shortly. But basically there is a poker league around the city held at different pubs. The Harp and Castle (mentioned above) holds a Poker Night—Nic went to check it out last week and was so impressed with it and community that is built there.
- It has been encouraging the more and more people we meet who are interested in this different form of church. We gathered a group of about 8-10 young adults to be part of our missional community and are still adding.
Mosaic Leadership
- We are both on the teaching team for our Mosaic Gathering. We had our first meeting last night and it went well. We are going to have to be creative in the ways that we approach teaching and thinking out of the box, but we have a great team to work with.
- Ashley is on the Creative team, which is in charge of planning creative events for our third Sunday gathering. The third Sunday will still go along with the theme the teaching team comes up with, but with just a different expression of it.
Other accomplishments/happenings in September
1. Nic had a two week trip to the USA for vision casting and fundraising.
2. We have moved flats, to our new neighbourhood in Leith
3. Nic was ordained at one of our Mosaic gatherings about two weeks ago.
4. Ashley has been starting to make more connections at work with her colleagues and trying to find ways to engage them in conversation and get to know them better.
5. We have 50% of our yearly budget raised/committed.
6. Ashley has found a new other social events/groups to take part in.
We will put up out October goals this week :)
At the end of each month, we will look back at the goals we set out for that month. The reason for this is two-fold. 1. We want to be accountable to you and our supporters. 2. This is an easy way to keep track of our progress and what we are doing here.
So, here are the goals we set out for September
Our Neighbourhood
- Get acquainted with out new neighbourhood
- Being making connection in our new area
- Find a café/pub to call our own (visit at least once a week)
Young Adults/Uni Students
- Attend orientation events for Edinburgh Uni and make connections with incoming students
- Help students get settled (cell phones, flats, figuring out the city, etc.)
- Attend Christian Union at least twice
Community Building
- Host bonfire/barbeque in Mid-September
- Look for social groups to join
- Begin our own social groups
- Begin building a pool of people who might be interested in joining our missional community
Mosaic Leadership
- Nic continue to meet with Mosaic Leadership
- Begin researching/reading more missional community books
- Determine how we fit with the leadership team and how we can best help
So….How did we do?
Our Neighbourhood
- We think we have done a great job connecting with people in our neighbourhood.
- We have met a few people in our new complex and had a few conversations with them, but honestly we have had better connections with people outside of our complex. I think this is just due to the culture here. My colleague at work was telling me just today that Scots are very private people, who make sure their blinds are closed and doors are shut. It is hard to make connections with them unless there is a reason, such as being in a social group together.
- There is a church building right across from our flat that houses a charity for recycled furniture. We have spoken with them and they have agreed to let us clean up their grounds and plant a garden. Our goal for this project is simple: to bring beauty back into our neighbourhood. There is nothing in it for us, except maybe some exercise ;)
- We have found our pub—it is called the Harp and Castle. And it is only about 4-5 minutes’ walk from our flat. Nic is now attending poker night on Wednesday and has already made a few friends who have recognized him and talk to him outside of the pub while just walking around.
- Also, the people around our neighbour have started to recognize us, which is always good to identified as a local. We have really seemed to connect with the homeless guy who sits in front of the Scot-Mid (local grocery/convenience shop).He is really nice and now we just need to find out what we can do for him and how we can connect with him.
Young Adults/Uni Students
- We have not done as well with connecting with the University as a whole. Without Nic as a student, our connections with the University are more limited and can sometimes seem forced. We want our connections with people to be natural and organic, so we have to develop a new approach to connecting with students. However we have connected with one new student in particular who has become part of our Mosaic community and we have been spending a lot of time with her. She is now a part of Ashley’s Life Transformation Group, which meets weekly and will be a part of our missional community group as well. Nic has been able to help her a lot with school related questions, as he went through everything she is just one year ago.
Community Building
- We did not have a bonfire/barbeque, basically because we don’t have funds currently to get a grill or bonfire pit. However we improvised and had a pizza and movie night. It was a good low-key first chance to get together with a bunch of young adults.
- As for social groups, Ashley is currently in one craft group, and looking to start a new one in November. She is currently brainstorming the structure of it and looking for a free venue.
- Nic has joined a poker group, which he will blog more about shortly. But basically there is a poker league around the city held at different pubs. The Harp and Castle (mentioned above) holds a Poker Night—Nic went to check it out last week and was so impressed with it and community that is built there.
- It has been encouraging the more and more people we meet who are interested in this different form of church. We gathered a group of about 8-10 young adults to be part of our missional community and are still adding.
Mosaic Leadership
- We are both on the teaching team for our Mosaic Gathering. We had our first meeting last night and it went well. We are going to have to be creative in the ways that we approach teaching and thinking out of the box, but we have a great team to work with.
- Ashley is on the Creative team, which is in charge of planning creative events for our third Sunday gathering. The third Sunday will still go along with the theme the teaching team comes up with, but with just a different expression of it.
Other accomplishments/happenings in September
1. Nic had a two week trip to the USA for vision casting and fundraising.
2. We have moved flats, to our new neighbourhood in Leith
3. Nic was ordained at one of our Mosaic gatherings about two weeks ago.
4. Ashley has been starting to make more connections at work with her colleagues and trying to find ways to engage them in conversation and get to know them better.
5. We have 50% of our yearly budget raised/committed.
6. Ashley has found a new other social events/groups to take part in.
We will put up out October goals this week :)
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
BIG NEWS!
Post by: Ashley
Not that we had any doubt, but we were so excited for the offical notification for the University!
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Not that we had any doubt, but we were so excited for the offical notification for the University!
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I am so proud of all the hard work, time and energy Nic has put into this program.
Congrats my love!
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Waiting....
Post by: Nic
Just a quick update to keep everyone posted on some things that are developing. It's shaping up to be a really big couple of weeks for us!
I've never been very good at waiting for results. Good or bad, I'd rather just know! So you'd think waiting for my dissertation to be graded ( been month and a half or so now) would be driving me crazy, but it's not been so bad. Actually, with all that's been happening here since my return from the States, I often forget about my unsecured masters Degree. I've not officially passed until I hear back from the school, and we cannot apply for our new visas until I've been notified either way. But this is it, this is the week I should hear back!
So thats one "waiting" period thats almost over. Another is about to begin. Ashley and I are currently here in a student visa. Which is sort of funny, since I haven't been one Ina few months now :). Anyway, our old visa expires October 12 and we need apply for our new WORKER visa by that date. There are a few things that need to happen before we can apply, ALL of which need to go smoothly if we hope to get our application accepted. So Please pray that everything flows smoothly ! Assuming all goes well, we'll be sending our visa applications in at the end of the week! Could be up to a couple of months before we officially have permission to stay in the country, but hopefully it comes much sooner!
Just a quick financial update. We have just crossed over the 50% mark for our annual support raising goal! High thanks to all if our supporters! What a blessing you guys have been for us on ministry and life. :) if you would, please continue to pray that God would help us connect with and find more partners (financial and otherwise) do that we can continue to be part of what Gods doing here in Scotland.
Just a quick update to keep everyone posted on some things that are developing. It's shaping up to be a really big couple of weeks for us!
I've never been very good at waiting for results. Good or bad, I'd rather just know! So you'd think waiting for my dissertation to be graded ( been month and a half or so now) would be driving me crazy, but it's not been so bad. Actually, with all that's been happening here since my return from the States, I often forget about my unsecured masters Degree. I've not officially passed until I hear back from the school, and we cannot apply for our new visas until I've been notified either way. But this is it, this is the week I should hear back!
So thats one "waiting" period thats almost over. Another is about to begin. Ashley and I are currently here in a student visa. Which is sort of funny, since I haven't been one Ina few months now :). Anyway, our old visa expires October 12 and we need apply for our new WORKER visa by that date. There are a few things that need to happen before we can apply, ALL of which need to go smoothly if we hope to get our application accepted. So Please pray that everything flows smoothly ! Assuming all goes well, we'll be sending our visa applications in at the end of the week! Could be up to a couple of months before we officially have permission to stay in the country, but hopefully it comes much sooner!
Just a quick financial update. We have just crossed over the 50% mark for our annual support raising goal! High thanks to all if our supporters! What a blessing you guys have been for us on ministry and life. :) if you would, please continue to pray that God would help us connect with and find more partners (financial and otherwise) do that we can continue to be part of what Gods doing here in Scotland.
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