Saturday, December 02, 2006

Dear family and friends,

By the grace of our Lord I can once again say, “Greetings from New Jersey!”

The Lord gave another opportunity to visit my wonderful fiancée and her family. I arrived in late November in time to go to their extended family’s Thanksgiving Day celebration. There, 68 of Martha’s aunts, uncles, and cousins all came together to share food, fellowship, and fun. It was likely the only time I would have an opportunity to meet most of Martha’s family before our wedding (July 21, 2007 10am, DV) and I enjoyed it greatly.

Things continue to progress little step by little step towards my departure for Launceston, Tasmania. I recently requested and received my membership papers from the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, the denomination that has been my home for almost 10 years.

To receive my papers was an odd feeling. It was a mix of the sorrow of an ending and the joy of a new beginning at the same time; the Lord’s ways are truly beyond our understanding. The joy continued to grow as I sent my papers to the Clerk of the Presbytery of the Southern Presbyterian Churches of Tasmania. I am not officially a member until my papers are formally accepted, but it is only a formality; I already feel the warmth, care, and love of my new church family on the other side of the globe.

The Lord willing, the needed paperwork for immigration will come in two and half weeks at the most. When it arrives, my movers will need a week’s notice and then I’m off to my new home in Tasmania. Hopefully Martha will be flying there with me for a short visit over her winter break from college.

Well, that is a bit of the latest news.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Love,
Terry

P.S. Martha here – just want to let you all know the wedding dress was ordered recently, an important and exhilarating step in the planning process.

6 comments:

PEM Cell Hydrogen said...

So glad you could spend some time together and "meet the family". Really nice that Martha can see her new home before actually moving over there. Have a safe trip and God Bless. The HRC just doesn't know what they are losing.

NPE said...

But the Presbyterians know what they are gaining!

Glad to see that the Lord is working all out to his glory.

PEM Cell Hydrogen said...

Lucky Presbyterians. I may have to look into that.

Brian Bosveld said...

Looking forward to your arrival Terry, and meeting you Martha.
The weather's not so bad here - in fact it's unusually mild, with some predicting the permafrost might melt for a brief period this February. Can't we speed up this global warming thing a bit?

NPE said...

Luck has nothing to do with it dear Evonne and Gerrit!

:)

Mrs. P said...

Hey there... Martha, you've got to link a picture of the dress... or email me one... dying to see it!