You have been invited...

It is so much fun to get invitations in the mail. I remember as a little girl being so excited when someone invited ME to their party! I felt included and even special. Well... yesterday we get an invitation, but it didn't come in the mail! Yesterday morning the head of the search committee at the Southern WI church called our house and Brandon was INVITED TO CANDIDATE for the Senior Pastor position. For those of you who might not be familiar with the hiring processes of the Evangelical Free Church, an invitation to candidate is a HUGE deal. After questionnaires, phone interviews, face to face interviews, hearing Brandon preach, more interviews, checking references, the search committee elder and board approval Brandon was THE man invited to be THE candidate for Sr. Pastor. We are so thrilled. Thank you so much for EACH prayer. Truly God has been working in so many ways! Thank you for praying without specifics and trusting God with the results. He is up to something big! Oh Lord, may you be glorified in this process. May we boast only in You, our Provider and Friend Amen!!!
So Shelly what does it mean to candidate?? (in case you were wondering)
We will head to the church for a Thursday -Sunday weekend filled with opportunities to meet people and have them ask us questions on pretty much whatever they want. The weekend ends with Brandon preaching at the Sunday services and the the congregation will vote on whether to approve him or not that afternoon. When we get closer to the event I will put up major lists of specific prayer requests, but for now just pray for Brandon as he begins to prepare the message!
Summing things up with a wedding analogy...
The church proposed now we are going to get the parents approval and hopefully it will be a match. If we are approved Brandon will begin duties on August 17th. God is so faithful dear friends!!!

Some days you just can't stop a big smile!

"To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask and imagine -according to His power that is at work within us- to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever Amen" Eph 3:20-21


What a week!!!!! Over the last week we have seen God's faithful hand huge ways. Some day, maybe sooner than later, I will tell you in more detail the ways God has been opening and closing doors for jobs!
~We are very excited about the process we are in with one church. It really seems to be a good fit from both sides. Please keep praying, and if you know us outside of the blog world send an email and I will give you an update. So many Godstories abound in this process... His fingerprints are everywhere!!!!! * One God story example, the former pastor at this church has two children... both are adopted! Oh how I wish I could share more... some day soon!

~Things are moving in Ethiopia... PRAISE GOD!!!!! Several blog world friends have passed court in the last week. Also, college friends received referrals for 2 boys yesterday! The hoops we need to jump through before our process can begin are getting fewer and fewer. My heart grows each day. Thank you sooo much for your prayers.
God is doing more than we could ask or imagine... Praise Him!