Merry Christmas 2016
As the year began, our church,
Compass Church of Batesville, was in the middle of building a new
facility. We had been praying about this
venture for some time and had broken ground in 2015 and started the building
process. We, admittedly, were not very
patient and set several move in “goals” but missed them all. Finally, in July we just packed up and made
the move, even though some things were not quite finished! It was exciting and
hard, but in the end was worth it all! We love being in our new building and
have already had to adjust our children’s area and add two new classes for our
children! God is good.
Somewhere along the way, plans began
to come to fruition about a long anticipated mission trip to Nepal! Mickey and I were blessed to lead the team
and quickly confirmed the “dream team” to trek into the mountain village with
overseas workers who had feet on the ground, our daughter and son-in-law – Lacey
and Chase.
It wasn’t long before our family was
blessed with an announcement from the Parks’ family. Their family of five would be adding
one! We were pleased and surprised! Although everyone would like to see a “pink
flavored” addition to the household, Kelly keeps reminding us that
“statistically” the odds are against it.
Whatever sweetness arrives will be much loved, you can be sure of!
Not long after that announcement,
the Moore family had an announcement of their own – baby number three was on
the way in their household. We were
equally pleased and surprised by this good news.
Then bittersweet news came – the
Moores would be leaving their overseas duties in November of 2016. Their commitment time had come to an end and
they felt that it was time to return to the United States. Of course we were elated at the thought of
having our children and grandchildren all living in the US again, but also, we
believe in the work that is being done to serve the people of Nepal in the name
of Jesus, so there was a sadness as well.
Quickly we made plans, along with Compass leadership and our team of
volunteers, to continue with the trip to Nepal.
Not long after the announcements and
the trip plans were almost complete, Lacey had a harrowing experience in the
mountains of Nepal. She awoke to signs
of a possible miscarriage. The whole
family had traveled to the mountain village as one of their last visits before
leaving Nepal. The trip back into
Kathmandu involved a three hour hike down a steep incline and then an 8 hour
taxi ride over the compromised roads – Chase carrying both children to expedite
the hike and Lacey bearing her own weight, strain, and exhaustion. When they arrived at the best hospital in Kathmandu,
and Chase had passed the children on to dear friends, Chase and Lacey spent a
night in prayer and emotional agony, waiting for a technician to arrive the
next day for an ultrasound. We were
praying on this side of the world. God
gave us peace. God gave Chase
peace. Even in uncertainty, we had His
peace. The story, as we were told, is
that Chase stepped around to peek at the ultrasound while it was in progress
and saw little arms and legs moving!! The baby survived the trauma! God is
good, indeed!
Lacey had good medical care by a western
trained OB/GYN through the hospital in the coming weeks. Kelly and their cousin, Jackie made a quick
trip to Kathmandu – knowing it would be their last opportunity to walk the
streets where Lacey and her family had lived for five years and it was good. They all enjoyed one another so much. And Lacey’s health only showed improvement.
That is why we were surprised with
further news…Chase and Lacey and the kids would be accompanying us home at the
end of our trip and vacation days in Kathmandu! Not only did we get to serve
the amazing people of Nepal, see where the Moores had spent their overseas
time, meet their friends and colleagues, but also would get to fly back to the
US with them in tow!
Finally time for our trip had come
and we were beyond excited, nervous, anxious, and overwhelmed! We went to Kathmandu with an amazing group of
people who were dedicated to the trip and were ready to serve the Moores and
others who work and serve the people of Nepal.
The trip included a trek to a mountain village, which was difficult and
challenging. Everyone who went endured
fatigue and experienced some element of discomfort. I, Betty Gail, stayed in the city and visited
with a local business, helped Lacey with things pertaining to the move, and
prayed a lot for our team! The trip was wonderful in every way!
Time came to make the last leg of
the journey over the big pond. The
Moores and Joneses, eighteen bags and 6 carry-ons began the long trip
home. Unbelievably, all the bags made it
with no incident and nothing missing or broken!
So, that brings us to now. The Parks’, Moores’ and Joneses just spent an
amazing 24 hours together in Branson, Mo. Celebrating the sixth birthday of
Ajay and the 37th birthday of Aaron!
God is good all the time!
We know the first excitement we will
face in 2017 will probably be the birth of baby Parks somewhere around January
23rd and then in a few weeks following, around the first of March,
the birth of baby GIRL Moore! Although
we don’t know exactly what God has for us, we are blessed by Him already!
The greatest gift He has given is
His son, Jesus – the Savior of the world!
If you know Him – give Him praise! If you don’t know Him, our hope is
that you will hear His voice and answer His call. Though we have seen dreams fulfilled and
experienced many happy moments this year, we have also felt Him near in our
most desperate hours. He is the same –
He never changes. God is, indeed, so
good!
One-Liners concerning the family:
Aaron is the Children’s Director for the new campus of Fellowship
Bible Church, Fayetteville
Kelly is a worship leader, singer/songwriter, mentor of young
women, teacher, and mother of soon to be four
Asher is attending Fayetteville’s new Virtual Academy as a fourth
grader (which means he does on-line schooling from home!) and loves video games
Benjamin goes to Holcomb Elementary School as a
third grader and loves basketball
Caleb is a thriving three (almost four) year old who is a
comedian, peacemaker, and has stolen his grandparents’ hearts
Chase has been working every job he has been given to provide for
his family and looks forward to the next step with Antioch Community Church in
Waco, TX as God leads – also is a coffee snob
Lacey loves cleaning my kitchen, apparently, and will be happy to
get her own soon and make a home for her soon to be three children (but for now
is enjoying singing with her dad and the Compass band)
Ajay loves airplanes, dinosaurs, trains, and little cars and has
completed much of his Kindergarten year already in Kathmandu, but hopes to find
a classroom in Waco to finish the year
Ari is a little three (almost four) year old girly-girl who can
be as tough as any boy and knows no fear but mostly just looks up to her big
brother and mimics his every move – and is happiest when she gets to wear
dresses
Betty Gail is in business! She is selling Blessed
Hope Nepal jewelry and having so much fun doing so.
Mickey is still doing what he loves – serving Jesus, singing and
leading the Compass worship band and making admin decisions at Compass Church
along with an amazing group of Elders and Staff people.
**Jane – Mom is 91 (92 in April of 2017) has good days and not so
good days. She is working hard in
physical therapy, hoping to gain a little more strength but she is still able
to put a smile on our faces and loves nothing better than visiting with her 7
children (kids and spouses), 15 grandchildren (grands and spouses), and 14
(soon to be 16) great-grandchildren), nieces and nephews, Anna Pearl Roberts
(her cousin and Knot Hole Gang sister), and many friends, whether it be on the
phone, in person, or even just on Facebook.
It was a real thrill for her to get a Christmas card from an old friend,
Glenda Barry, from years gone by.
