airmail

Snow!

2012-01-19T16:22:00.001-08:00

The glistening white snow reminds me of Isaiah 1:18.

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."

I'm thankful for this beautiful snow and a warm house. But more importantly, I'm thankful that the Lord died and rose again for me, that His blood cleansed my life and made me clean, white like snow.

First 2012 Training Cycle

2012-01-16T08:34:00.000-08:00

2012 training is in full swing at Spokane Turbine Center!

Last week, the first training cycle of the year began. There are three pilots here in Spokane taking the pilot's course. Isaac Rogers (MAF Indonesia) will be here for a two-week course, and Bill Burr and Mark King (both with Flying Under the Son Aviation Ministries in Ojai, CA) will be here for three weeks of training.

Please be praying...

~Isaac, Bill and Mark: understanding and retention of course information and simulator practice, their families back at home, and the ministries in which they are involved.

~Jeremy and Ken: instruct clearly and be an encouragement to these pilots.

If you'd like to know more about the mission organizations with whom the pilots serve, here are the links to their ministry websites:

1. Mission Aviation Fellowship: http://www.maf.org/

2. Flying Under the Son Aviation Ministries: http://flyingundertheson.com/

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!

Don't Hold Too Tightly

2012-01-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

If you are anything like me, you feel that you aren't too materialistic. You don't need the biggest house, clothes that are in fashion, or every new gadget. Then the rubber meets the road. A few days ago when Jeremy, his brother Nathan, and I were traveling in the Sacramento area for a friend's wedding, my backpack and the GPS was stolen out of Nathan's locked car in the Target parking lot of an upscale neighborhood. Could this really be happening? I quickly checked the back seat and the trunk. It was, in fact, gone. Inside were precious possessions along with a few life necessities.

My Bible with all my notes, markings, and personal dents- gone. My prayer journal that has documented my prayer life for the past three years- gone. My journal with notes, scripture and life lessons- gone. My camera (which wasn't top quality by any means) with pictures not yet saved on my computer- gone. Books, clothes, Christmas presents, phone charger, mail, etc.....gone. In the fifteen minutes or less that I was in Target, someone grabbed a backpack that will have little worth to them but was valuable to me.

I'll admit that I was frustrated. After working with security that wasn't much help and trying to file a police report because of having personal information among my belongings, I was still frustrated. But as we climbed into the car to head to our friend's wedding reception, my heart changed from frustration and anger to conviction of my materialistic nature and to broken heartedness for the lost soul of the thief. All of the things that I lost on Saturday can be replaced, but there is someone with my Bible, journals, camera, etc. who is completely lost. My prayer is that he/she opens my Bible or even reads a little of my prayer journal, and that the Lord would use this to lead this person to a saving knowledge of Himself.

Together, Jeremy and I are reading through the one-year Bible. An excerpt from yesterday's reading was the encouragement and challenge I needed as I look back on this crazy weekend. I love how the Lord gives us perfect reminders in scripture at just the right time.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:19-21

What are you holding too tightly to? Where are your treasures?

Though Saturday's events are not enjoyable to experience, the Lord lovingly uses seemingly bad situations to reveal Himself and His desire for our lives. May we look to Him as all we need and all we want.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

December Training at STC

2011-12-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

This month I've had the privilege of working with Mark Swensen, a pilot/mechanic from MARC (Missionary Aviation Repair Center) in Soldotna, Alaska. He came to Spokane Turbine Center for Kodiak flight training, as MARC has access to a couple of Kodiak aircraft used in the ministry there in Alaska. You can read more about the Swensen family and the ministry of MARC at the websites hyperlinked from this post. As the Chief Pilot for MARC, Mark is developing Standard Operating Procedures and protocol for MARC's Kodiak operations. It was a privilege working with Mark, conducting about half of his training while he was here, learning about their operations and how the Lord is working through the ministries of MARC, Flying Under the Son, and Samaritan's Purse in Alaska.

I'm so thankful that the Lord has us here at Spokane Turbine Center for the time being, working with great people like Mark who are using the skills, talents and resources the Lord has entrusted to them to be the hands and feet of Christ to a lost and dark world. This Christmas season, may the Lord grant us opportunities to share His love and the Light of the world to those still lost in the darkness, as we all once were.

Mark Swensen of MARC in the STC Kodiak simulator

Conducting training from the instructor's station in the STC Kodiak simulator

Christmas

2011-12-15T12:38:00.001-08:00

10 more days until Christmas! We feel so blessed that we are going to be able to spend time around Christmas with both sides of our family this year! The 23rd-26th we will be with my whole family in Tualatin, OR. On the 27th, we will fly down to Arizona to spend a week with Jeremy's family. We are so grateful for families that love the Lord, love each other and who enjoy being with one another!

Merry Christmas! Enjoy celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior!

(Our first Christmas tree!)

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6

Provision of the Simple Things in Life

2011-11-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

I so often forget to be thankful for the little things that the Lord has given me and the small ways He has provided for me. I have been trying to learn how to thank Him for EVERYTHING. I just wanted to share with you one way the Lord provided for me today.

Right now, I'm working on getting our next newsletter sent. Our newest prayer card is being included with the newsletter. As I was stuffing envelopes, I started noticing that my pile of prayer cards was dwindling quicker than my stack of labeled envelopes. I prayed that they would be multiplied, but, alas, soon they ran out. After calling Jeremy, we decided to print 75 more prayer cards- enough for the rest of our mailing plus some extras.

That morning in my email inbox, I had received a coupon code for pictures from Walgreens. At the time, I didn't think I would need it, so I deleted it. Sure enough, I was able to retrieve it out of the trash and read the specifics about the offer. The special offer was only for printing 75 4 x 6 photos, the exact size and amount we needed- 33% off.

Thank you, Lord, for providing that coupon this morning, knowing that we were going to run out of prayers cards and need to get more printed today. May I never take for granted the ways in which you provide for me, small or great.

How has the Lord been providing for you?

Fall Training at Spokane Turbine Center

2011-10-22T13:49:00.001-07:00

The Spokane Turbine Center staff had a busy summer and fall (so far). During the summer, they continued building and maintaining relationships with the greater missionary community at the EAA Air Venture fly-in in Oshkosh, WI and at the Smoketown, PA fly-in. After completing these tours in September, they have been diligently tackling projects that are hard to accomplish during training cycles. This includes aircraft and facility maintenance and improvements as well as enhancing and refining course curriculum to meet the needs of their students to the best of their ability.

This Wednesday the next wave of students arrive. This training cycle there will be eight maintenance specialists coming for two weeks of turbine engine training. In addition, there are three pilots and one maintenance specialist coming for recurrency/supplemental training.

As you can imagine, with only three instructors, they will be busy from the moment they arrive at work to the time they head out the door. They would greatly appreciate your prayers. Here are a few ways in which you can be praying for them during the next four weeks:

The instructors (Jeremy, Ken, Tyler)- communicate clearly and effectively
The students- think clearly and understand the concepts and information
Training equipment (plane, simulator, computers, etc.)- operate smoothly, without mechanical complications
For the gaps left in the students' families and programs while they are in Spokane for training

Thankful Thursday- Pumpkin Scones!

2011-09-29T15:02:00.001-07:00

I know this may sound silly, but I love fall because pumpkin is one of my favorite foods. It doesn't matter if it is pumpkin scones, cake, cookies, pies, custards, soups, seeds...Yum! My cousin Shelley sent me a pumpkin scone recipe that I tried last week. Wow! I have never had anything more pumpkinly amazing. It is one of my top favorites. So I thought that I would pass it along to you. Enjoy!

PUMPKIN SCONES

Makes 6 large or 12 small scones

Scone Ingredients:

2 cups flours

7 Tbl sugar

1 Tbl baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ginger

6 Tbl cold butter

1/2 cup canned raw pumpkin

3 Tbl half and half

1 large egg

Sugar Glaze:

1 cup and 1 Tbl powdered sugar

2 Tbl milk

Spice Glaze:

1 cup and 1 Tbl powdered sugar

2 Tbl whole milk

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1 pinch ginger

1 pinch cloves

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Lightly grease cooking sheet or line with parchment paper.

3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl.

4. With a fork, or pastry cutter, or food processor, cut butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is crumbly and no chunks of butter remain. Set aside.

5. In a separate mixing bowl, mix pumpkin, half and half, and egg.

6. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Form the dough into a ball.

7. Pat dough out on lightly floured surface and form into a 1" thick rectangle (about 9" long and 3" wide).

8. Use a large knife and divide the dough into three equal proportions. Cut diagonally to produce six triangular slices of dough.

9. Place on prepared cookie sheet and bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown.

10. Place on wire rack to cool.

Glaze Instructions:

1. Sugar glaze- Mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Brush glaze over the top of each cooled scone.

2. Spice glaze- As the sugar glaze firms, combine all spiced glaze ingredients. Use a whisk to drizzle over each scone and allow to dry before serving.

**I personally think that it is too much with the spice glaze. I like it best with just the sugar glaze. If you like a strong spice flavor as well as really sweet, then use both glazes.

A Summer-y

2011-09-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25

Thank you all for your faithful prayer as we traveled across the country! We thank the Lord for our safe, uneventful travels. The only bump in the road was a flat tire, which occurred one mile from Jeremy's uncle and aunt's house in Kansas. Uncle Ron had just changed a friend's tires and had two to spare. They just "happened" to be the exact size of our Honda. We praise the Lord for his provision! Every step of the way, we saw the Lord's hand upon us: safe travels, opportunities to share about the ministry at Spokane Turbine Center to which we've been called, hospitality and generosity of family and friends, quality time together while we were driving, wonderful conversations with everyone with whom we visited, new partners in ministry...The list could go on. As we were preparing for this road trip, our prayer was that it would be a time of encouragement and fellowship with friends and family. The Lord answered that prayer above and beyond what we could have imagined. How privileged we are to be a part of the body of Christ- to serve, encourage, worship, support and fellowship together in unity!

We weren't able to capture in pictures every highlight; such as, sharing Spokane Turbine Center's vision of missionary aviation training with supporting churches and supporters, enjoying time with friends and new friends, visiting the headquarters of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and JAARS, helping Greeley Mennonite Church prepare corn to send to Jeremy's parents in Arizona (which is an annual event), catching up with family at BBQ's in Kansas and Virginia, and touring a little along the way (Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Niagara Falls, and the Rocky Mountains)...Here are just a few pictures:

We had a wonderful time working at the EAA Air Venture in Oshkosh. We enjoyed meeting new people, sharing what the Lord is doing in missionary aviation training at Spokane Turbine Center, and just looking at lots of planes and attending incredible air shows.

After being on the road for over a week, it was great resting at Grandma Foote's house in Michigan for a few days.

Welcome to the world, David Gene Toews! We are so glad that we had the opportunity to meet our new nephew when he was just a few days old. Congratulations, Luke and Melissa!

Good friends were also traveling in New York, and our routes overlapped in a small town. It was an encouragement and blessing to have dinner with Nathan and Jessica Cooke!

Thank you, again, for all of your prayers!

Sustainer. Friend. Provider.

2011-09-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

Before Jeremy and I got married, people would tell me that adjusting to married life can be a challenge. Well, adjusting to married life has been a wonderful, natural process and not the big challenge like the picture people were painting. I thank the Lord for this blessing! But what I am still learning to thank the Lord for is moving to Spokane.

Moving to a completely new place is hard. Harder than I ever thought it would be. Learning how to find my way to the grocery store, constantly meeting new people, adjusting to a new church (which is a wonderful church, by the way), adapting to a new "culture," being a stay-at-home wife, just discovering where I fit in here -- I had no idea how challenging all of this would be. I would love to say that after five months I feel right at home now, but I am still struggling. During this challenging transition, the Lord has reminded me to completely rely on Him because He is the only one who can truly meet all of my needs.

The Lord has been my Sustainer. "Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul" (Psalm 54:4). Sustain means to lean, lay, rest, support, uphold. On those days that are hard for me to keep going, His strength gets me through.

The Lord is my Friend. One of the hardest parts of the move is not knowing anyone. It has been an odd experience to never be happier in my life (because being married to Jeremy is amazing!), but at the same time, I have never been lonelier. Through this, I have learned in a new way what God meant when He said in Hebrews 13:5, "...I will never leave you nor forsake you." When friends back at home seem distant and new friends here only know my name, I have come to realize how much I depended on others when I should have been solely looking to the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me that You are the only friend I truly need!

The Lord is my Provider. "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). When I'm feeling down and just want to complain, I have learned the best medicine is to stop and think about what I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection, for my husband, for my family, for healthy food to eat, for a place to live....the list is endless. It is in this that I realize how blessed I am and how the Lord has provided for me. It leaves no room for complaining or dissatisfaction with where I am in life. I'm thankful for...

Our long road trip this summer was great! Traveling went smoothly. We were blessed and encouraged by all the family and friends with which we visited. It was wonderful to not only share about where the Lord is calling us to serve but to also see how the Lord is working and using our friends and family for His glory. I'm thankful to be a part of the body of Christ!
The Lord is continuing to provide funds for us to serve at Spokane Turbine Center as well as strength for us as we continue support raising.
Mike, Jamie and the boys came and visited us in Spokane over Labor Day Weekend. I'm thankful for the encouraging, fun time we had together as family!!

Though these past five months have been challenging, I wouldn't trade them for anything. I love being married, and I'm thankful for the Lord using this transition time to teach me, refine me, and draw me closer to Himself.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." (Psalm 9:1-2)

Prayer for Our Cross-Country Roadtrip

2011-07-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we have been planning a cross-country trip over the last couple of months. Wow, I had no idea how much work it would be! Though it has taken a lot of planning, I know that it is worth it. During this planning process, we kept getting confirmation that the Lord was leading us to take this trip. We have seen how He has opened up opportunities for us to share about Spokane Turbine Center’s important role in missionary aviation. He has provided places for us to stay, and we look forward to time with friends and family, and some good, quality time together on the road. Being confident that the Lord’s hand is upon this trip, we look forward to seeing what He will do. May He receive all the glory!

Would you join us in prayer? Here are a few specific areas you can be praying for us...

1. Safety as we are traveling.

July 22: Billings, MT

July 23: Casper, WY

July 24-25: Avon, SD

July 26-31: Oshkosh, WI

August 1-3: Alma/Detroit, MI

August 4: Taking the long way to PA

August 5-7: Lancaster, PA

August 7-8: Harrisonburg, VA

August 9: Waxhaw/Asheville, NC

August 10-11: Making our way to KS

August 12: Copeland, KS

August 13-16: Greeley, CO area

August 17: Beginning the trek back to the Northwest

August 18: Nampa, ID

August 19-21: Heatwole family reunion in Yakima, WA

August 21: HOME!

2. Mutually encouraging time with friends, family and ministry partners.

3. That the Lord would prepare the right people to join us in ministry- through prayer and monthly support.

If you are in any of these areas, we'd love to see you. Contact us, so we can see if we can work something out. If you aren't in one of those areas, give us a call anyway so we an at least talk. :) Here is our contact information while we are on the road...

Jeremy's cell: 509-944-6644

Jodie's cell: 503-998-9435

airmail2date@gmail.com

We plan to continually update our blog, so you can follow us on our trip. Thank you all so much for your prayers! We greatly appreciate them!

Blessings,

Jeremy and Jodie

Summer Newsletter

2011-07-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

Blessed!

2011-07-13T08:03:00.001-07:00

Others

2011-07-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

Over the past three months of marriage, the Lord has taught me so many things and has stretched me, challenged me, encouraged me and grown me. One area that the Lord convicted me in was how selfish I am. A good friend once told me that marriage is like “selfishness and pride rehab.” I couldn’t agree more. I hate to admit that I tend to think to highly of myself and my needs and wants. As the Lord lovingly corrects me and refines me, He has been faithful to continue holding my hand as I learn to become more like Him. I am far from perfect but a work in progress. He has encouraged me and spurred me on with a few passages of scripture from my time with Him in the Word.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:3-8)

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

Lord, thank you for caring and loving for me so much that you became nothing, taking the form of a servant, and for dying on the cross for my sins. May your love penetrate every part of me that I may think of others as more important than myself and love the way that you love. Give me your eyes to see, your ears to hear, and your heart to love.

Family Time in Cannon Beach

2011-06-27T15:27:00.002-07:00

Jeremy and I were blessed with the opportunity to go on vacation with my whole family to the Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center. The conference center has been a Cherry family tradition for over 20 years. We had good Bible teaching in the mornings and evenings, yummy food, quality family time and lots of sunshine. Here are a few pictures from our time on the beautiful Oregon coast.

Our nephews, Daniel and John, spent hours playing in the sand.

The whole Cherry family

Cannon Beach is one of our favorite places.

The big boys playing a little bocce ball

Daniel and John enjoyed seeing sea stars and other creatures in the tide pools by Haystack Rock.

A family walk after breakfast

All the big kids

We are so grateful to be a part of a family that loves the Lord and loves each other! We are already looking forward to our week in Cannon Beach next year!

2 Months Already

2011-06-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can’t believe that we have been married for two months already! Where does time go? I guess the old adage, “time flies when you’re having fun,” really is true. We are so blessed! Much has happened recently, so I thought I’d give you a brief update of what’s been going on in our lives…

On April 9, 2011, we were married in Tualatin, Oregon! Then we enjoyed a honeymoon in Cannon Beach, Oregon and Orcas Island, Washington.

In May, my parents, John and Yvonne Cherry, came for a visit. Along with eating at our favorite breakfast place (Frank's Diner), watching part of the Lilac Festival parade, walking around Spokane Falls and doing a lot of catching up, we also went flying around the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area.

Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the back seat looking at the beautiful scenery and watching our boys in the front having fun flying.

Memorial Day Weekend- One year ago Jeremy and I met face-to-face for the first time when I drove up to Spokane for the Moody Aviation graduation and dinner cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene. This year it was fun going to the graduation and dinner cruise as Mrs. Jeremy Toews! Here we are with the couple that set us up. Thanks, Ian and Lela Kerrigan!

In the beginning of June, the staff at STC (Christopher, Tyler, Alycia, Ken and Jeremy) finished another training cycle. They also had to say goodbye to Christopher Clark and his family as their furlough ended, and they headed back to serve in Papua New Guinea with JAARS.

For two weeks in June, Jeremy's brother, Nathan, came and stayed with us while he took Peak 7's Wilderness First Responder course. It was great to have him here!

As Spring ends and summer begins, so also begins another exciting season. Jeremy and I will be taking a cross-country trip in order to attend a cousin's wedding, work at the Oshkosh fly-in with STC, connect with supporters and supporting churches, meet our new little niece/nephew that is due in the middle of July, and also visit family and friends. Here is our tentative schedule...

July 22: Billings, MT

July 23: Casper, WY

July 24: Avon, SD

July 25: Worthington, MN and Oshkosh, WI

July 26-31: Oshkosh, WI

Aug 1-4: Alma, MI and Detroit, MI

Aug 5-8: Lancaster, PA

Aug 9: Harrisonburg, VA

Aug 10-12: Copeland, KS

Aug. 13-17: Greeley, CO

Aug 17: Estes Park, CO

Aug 18: Nampa, ID

Aug 19-21: Yakima, WA (Heatwole Family Camp)

Aug 21: Home in Spokane!!

If we're in your area, we'd love to see you. It would be great to catch up with you and share with you what the Lord is doing in our lives and how He is leading us. Send us an email at airmail2date@gmail.com so we can put something on the calendar.

We are excited to jump right in and take this next adventure together. Thank you all for your constant encouragement, prayers and support!

Prayer for a New Training Cycle

2011-05-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

As I contemplate prayer, I am reminded of a quote from Elizabeth Elliott’s book about the life of Amy Carmichael.

One way of laying down our lives is by praying for somebody. In prayer I am saying, in effect, “my life for yours. My time, my energy, my thought, my concern, my concentration, my faith- here they are, for you.” So it is that I participate in the work of Christ.

Thank you all for participating in the work of Christ by lifting us up in prayer. This week Jeremy began a new training cycle at Spokane Turbine Center. For this first week, they have one student from Adventist Aviation. Next week, they will add one more student who is from JAARS. Please pray for Jeremy as he teaches the G1000 course this coming week- Tuesday-Friday mornings (May 31-June 3). Here are a few things you could pray about:

- Wisdom for Jeremy as he teaches, that he will present all the information in a way that his students will understand.

- Understanding of the content for the students, that they will be able to use the information from this training back in their respective ministry locations around the world.

May the Lord be glorified in and through this training cycle. May it be used for His purposes and for the furthering of His kingdom.

Rejoice. Pray. Give Thanks.

2011-05-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. Am I always rejoicing, no matter what circumstance in which I find myself? Do I pray throughout my day without stopping? Do I give thanks to the Lord in everything and not just in select areas of my life? These three questions have frequented my thoughts and meditations. I have come up short again and again. I don’t think I was rejoicing when I was missing my family and friends back at home. I know that I have not been faithful to pray continuously throughout my day. Without a doubt, I can tell you that I didn’t give thanks when I filled up my gas tank yesterday. Thankfully the Lord’s grace is abounding and in His strength He is teaching me to rejoice, pray and give thanks.

REJOICE: Rejoice means to be glad, to thrive, to be well. What makes me glad? Without a shadow of a doubt, I can say it is what Jesus Christ has done for me. He loved this sinful, imperfect human so much that He died on the cross and rose again to bring me life, not just an abundant life here on earth but, more importantly, eternity in heaven with Him. The Lord’s grace and mercy are limitless; He has forgiven my sins and has washed me white as snow. When I stop and ponder those truths, I can’t help but rejoice, no matter what is going on in my life. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

PRAY: We are given an amazing gift of communicating directly with our sovereign, all-knowing God. I will admit that prayer doesn’t come naturally for me. I have to work at it, especially to ward off distractions. When I stop and think of with who I am talking, my heart, mind and thoughts regain focus on Him. The more I pray, the more focused I become. That is only possible through His power. Prayer is our opportunity to commune with the Lord, to lift up others, to present our requests, and to listen to the Lord’s voice. We should be living in a way that enables us to be in constant communication with our heavenly Father.

GIVE THANKS. I looked up the Greek word for “everything” just to make sure there weren’t any exceptions. “Everything” literally means all, the whole, each. There are no exceptions. Rejoicing and praying are not dependent upon our circumstances. Giving thanks is dependent on our circumstances, but the Lord says that we are to do give thanks in everything. Am I living a lifestyle of thankfulness to the Lord for who He is, all He has given me, and how He is leading and directing my life? The Lord has a perfect plan for our lives. As we believe that truth, we will give thanks for everything in our lives.

Lord, make us people who rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything, for this is your will for our lives.

Thoughts on Thankful Thursday

2011-05-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

We so thankful for our wonderful, faithful support team who have continued to support us over the last 6 crazy busy months. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we haven’t updated the blog recently or sent out a spring newsletter yet. The blog will now be updated more frequently and the spring newsletter is in the making.
Jeremy and I are so thankful to be married! Married life is far better than we had imagined. It is so nice not to have to say goodbye, to talk on the phone for hours, to drive long distances for short weekend visits, or to send long emails. We enjoy sharing meals together, going to bed and waking up together, and just sharing in the everyday life activities together. We are blessed!
Now that we have been married for about five weeks, we are grateful to be settled into our home in Spokane.
As Jeremy and I have been able to look back and reflect on our wedding day, what keeps coming up again and again in our conversations is how truly blessed we are by our family and friends. We are so thankful for your love, prayers, support, and encouragement. We thank the Lord for you all! You're a big, important part of our lives.
During our first month of marriage, we have been reminded of the Lord’s great love for us and how His love for the church is represented in the marriage relationship. He desires what is best for us and loves us so much that He gave up His life so that we may truly have life.

17 Days!

2011-03-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1st Cor. 13:4-8a)

In 17 days I'm getting married! Crazy. Amazing. Wonderful. ...and ever so slightly terrifying. :) I'm of the opinion that a little apprehension in situations like this is probably healthy. I guess it's a little like flying in that respect. If a pilot has absolutely no apprehension before hurtling two tons of metal down the runway and into the sky, he probably doesn't have a healthy appreciation of what he's about to undertake. Not that I claim to fully understand what I’m getting into; don’t get me wrong. I suppose that's where the above verse comes into play. It's taken on some new meaning in my life as the wedding date draws closer. If we can love as Christ taught us to love, and deny ourselves as Christ denied Himself and gave Himself up for us, just imagine how many relational problems that would solve. Of course, the problem is that we're still human, we're still sinners, and we'll have to continually walk with each other, forgive each other, and hold each other up in prayer. I so greatly appreciate your prayers for Jodie and I as we embark on this new chapter in life. It's going to be such a huge transition for both of us. I'm sure I have no idea....

It's been an incredible year already at Spokane Turbine Center. We've had several classes of missionary pilots and mechanics come through, and I've seen my role as Associate Instructor continue to grow as I take on more and more of the instructional responsibilities. I'm now teaching a couple of the AATD (Advanced Aircraft Training Device, or motion simulator) lessons as well as the Garmin G1000 course and some of the PT6 lessons as well. It's such a privilege to work here and to serve the greater missionary aviation community in this capacity. I'm learning so much from our students than as they come through and talk about the work the Lord is doing in their respective areas of operation overseas. It's so exciting to be a part of the Lord's work! What an incredible privilege that He carries out His message to all of humanity through us! It's sobering to realize that we have the opportunity, privilege, and responsibility to demonstrate the love of Christ to the world around us. May we all strive in His strength and by His Spirit to live out the definition of love we find in 1st Cor 13 in every area of our lives and in all situations, for His glory.

2011

2011-01-19T15:53:00.001-08:00

Coal Canyon, AZ

...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14

January, 2011. A new beginning, at least on the Roman calendar. For whatever reason, our society has decided that each time the Earth reaches a certain, arbitrarily-selected approximate location relative to the sun in the void of space, we stay up until midnight, make a bunch of noise, throw out the old calendars and declare that the "new year" has arrived! Sentimental and fond reflections of the year gone by and hopeful goals and plans for the year to come weave their way through thoughts and conversations. What will the "new year" hold? This has inspired some personal reflection on my part. Who or what defines the beginning of a "new year", particularly on an individual level. According to an old adage, a personal favorite of mine, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." This is true regardless of the Roman calendar date, regardless of confetti, staying up until midnight, or dropping a ball in Times Square. What am I saying? I guess I'm saying that every day is a good day to resolvedly "forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead". In fact, not only is every day a good day for this, but it's the attitude that should characterize every day in the life of the believer. I believe Paul in this passage is telling us that we ought to treat every day like a "new year". We ought to forget what is behind, more in the sense of learning from it and moving on rather than simply pushing it from memory. Only then are we free to strain uncompromisingly toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the eternal goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Speaking of the new year, I suppose a quick update from my last blog post is in order. As those of you who are on my newsletter mailing list are already aware, I'm engaged (see above pic)! Jodie and I are now in the process of planning and preparing as the wedding day (April 9th) draws closer. We're both excited at the prospect of a lifetime of serving as a team together, wherever the Lord leads. This past Christmas was spent with Jodie's family between Portland and Yakima, and then we both spent the following week in Arizona, where she finally met the rest of my family and got to see where I grew up. January has found us both back in the daily routine, Jodie working as a sign language interpreter in the Salem public school district, and myself as instructor at Spokane Turbine Center. Last week presented the opportunity for me to take a break from routine and enroll in a WFR (Wilderness First Responder) course. It was a great experience. I've wanted to take some basic, formal medical training at some point before heading overseas, as the airplane often doubles as the ambulance in many third world countries with poor or non-existent road systems. Our first class of the new year at Spokane Turbine Center begins a week from tomorrow (Jan. 27th).

I'm so excited about both the Roman new year and the new year starting tomorrow (and the next day, and the next...)! What a privilege to have the opportunity to live each day to the fullest, straining ahead for the glory of God.

One Step at a Time

2010-10-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Then He said to them all, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." - Luke 9:23

Am I a follower of Christ? How does it practically look each day to deny myself, take up my cross and follow? One thing is certain: it doesn't mean taking the easy way out. A cross could easily weigh as much as 300 pounds according to some historians. That's going to necessitate a focused determination; a singular purpose and drive. It's going to mean looking straight ahead, not allowing the slightest distraction to the left or right from the task at hand. It's going to mean relying on strength beyond my own, human capability. It's going to mean, as the Apostle Paul said, throwing off the sin that so easily entangles, and continuing with perseverance on the course marked out for us. It's going to mean a continual, conscious, daily decision. But only in making that decision is there fulfillment, peace, and purpose in this life. And only then do I discover that, in His strength, His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Life here in Spokane continues to rush by at an increasingly alarming rate. It seems the more there is to do, the less time there is to accomplish it. That said, it's exciting to be a part of the work here, and I know it's exactly where I'm supposed to be.

This past week has revealed the fall colors of Spokane in full regalia. They don't call it fall for nothing. It seems that between the leaves and the recent incessant rain, something is always falling from the sky of late. It's a beautiful season, though; the autumn colors glowing through the fog in the crisp, morning air, sparking an even deeper appreciation for that steaming cup of coffee on my way to work.

My position as Associate Instructor (new title as of last week) at Spokane Turbine Center has continued to be increasingly exciting and challenging. This past training cycle has marked the first cycle where I found myself completely responsible for the instruction of the Garmin G1000 pilot/mechanic course. It was exciting and intimidating at the same time. I don't know that I'll ever get over the fact that our students are already professional, experienced missionary aviators and I am for all practical purposes fresh out of school. It provides some good incentive to spend a lot of time in the technical publications, but I still find myself feeling very small standing behind the lecturn in class. I suppose a certain amount of that is healthy. I have to admit, the more formal instructing I do, the more I enjoy it. It's a thrill to see a student really latch on to a concept that had been completely foreign before that class. I can see how people make a career out of this.

It's hard to believe I've been working full-time at Spokane Turbine Center for closing on a year now. It's been an incredible experience and invaluable as preparation for serving overseas in missionary aviation. I've learned so much and it seems the more I learn the more there is to know. One step at a time, I guess. That's all we can do. And, I have to remind myself, that's all that Christ expects: that we follow as He leads and as He gives us strength, one day at a time. We must only be faithful to take up our cross daily and follow...

A Crazy Summer

2010-10-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11

What a thought-provoking synopsis of the Spirit-empowered life of the believer. May Paul's prayer for the Philippian church also be our prayer for each other and for ourselves - to the glory and praise of God.

It's been a crazy, amazing summer. I am so blessed to have had the opportunities afforded these past couple of months since my last blog update, and to continually have the opportunity to serve our great God each and every day. As is often said, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life;" a new beginning; a new opportunity to glorify our Creator and Redeemer at every opportunity!

And now a brief recap:

I managed to get about a week and a half of vacation this summer, traveling around the northwest spending some very valuable time with my girlfriend, my family, and some good friends. Then I spent time traveling across the country, visiting family, close friends and church family, and found my way to Lancaster, PA. I stayed with my brother and his wife and caught up with my co-workers from Spokane Turbine Center, who had flown the Kodiak from Spokane for a missionary aviation event just outside of Lancaster. The event went very well. We gave rides in the Kodiak and shared with over 3,000 people about the Kodiak and Spokane Turbine Center's role in serving the church and reaching the lost through missionary aviation.

The last part of August and on into September found my boss and I flying the Kodiak across the country and into Canada. We visited Christian flight schools in VA, MI, TX, CA, WA and Alberta, raising awareness of the acute needs, including people and equipment, in missionary aviation. We also shared our passion for equipping missionary aviators and discussed partnership opportunities to provide turbine training for the schools' graduates. Altogether, we flew 94.3 hours, 9,329.4 miles and gave a taste of modern missionary aviation technology to 936 passengers/supporters/future missionary aviators. We give thanks that the most significant mechanical problem we had was a burned out light bulb.

Now we're back in Spokane, into full swing on the training schedule. A class of 7 pilots and maintenance specialists from Haiti, Brazil, Central Asia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea just completed the course last week. Another class begins the week after next. I greatly appreciate your prayers, encouragement and support. This is a team effort, and it's a privilege to be serving our great God along with you - to His glory and praise!

One More Step... CFII

2010-07-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

What a privilege we have, as redeemed followers of our Lord, to serve Him and bring glory to His name! We never could have done that before our redemption; nothing we could have done could have honored Him. We now have the opportunity to glorify Him in everything we do. May we make the most of it!

In serving as an instructor at Spokane Turbine Center, I had the opportunity to gain CFII (Certified Flight Instructor with Instrument rating) certification. I passed my oral exam and checkride last week and now have the opportunity to serve in a couple new ways. Primarily, for the time being, I may begin the training process to serve as an instructor in our full-cockpit, full-motion Kodiak flight simulator for the missionary pilots coming through our facility for turbine training. This will relieve part of the training load from our two primary instructors. It will also allow me to eventually serve in the role of Instructor Pilot with the mission I join overseas, which is often times a huge need.

It's so exciting to see details like this come together as I take one more step closer to serving as a missionary pilot. Thank-you all for your prayers, encouragement and support, without which this would be impossible. This is a team effort, as together we serve with all our hearts, for the glory of our Lord who enables us to do so.

Pics from Papua New Guinea

2010-05-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

I've uploaded some pictures taken by SIL (Summer Institute of Linguistics) pilots illustrating how they are putting the Kodiak to work serving Bible translation in Papua New Guinea. The Kodiak pilots in this SIL program have all gone through our training program at Spokane Turbine Center within the last six months. It's wonderful to see this cutting-edge technology combined with the skillset to properly utilize it serving the Body of Christ.

A Day in my Life @ STC

2010-04-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

5:15. The alarm goes off and I roll over to extinguish the aural assault. The dull glow of dawn is just beginning to creep over the horizon. In an hour I’ll leave to pick up the Moody Aviation student I carpool with and we’ll head for Felts Field airport for daily chapel at the Moody Aviation hangar at 6:45.

7:20. Chapel is over so I make the drive to the other end of the airport to Spokane Turbine Center (STC). I have a little less than an hour to make sure everything is ready for classes to begin at 8:15. The students, missionary pilots and mechanics from varying organizations around the world, will begin showing up around eight, about the time we have our morning staff briefing. I fill up a coffee cup and make my way to the Garmin G1000 classroom. (pictured below)

8:15. It's class time. I've been teaching a couple of sections of the G1000 (see January 30th, 2010 post) avionics class which has been a great experience, forcing me to really dig in and know the material. When I've finished the first couple of sections, another instructor takes over and I retreat to the back of the classroom with my computer, taking notes to further my own understanding of the system, as well as noting anything needing to be modified or improved in the course presentation.

12:00. Lunch break is from 12 to 1. It gives me a chance to catch up on e-mails, chat with the students who always have interesting insights and experiences from all over the world, and, oh yeah, eat some lunch.

1:00. I usually head to my office at this point and work on any number of tasks from G1000 courseware development to various customer service needs to studying technical publications relating to course material for my own furthering education. Sometimes my afternoon is consumed with maintenance on our Kodiak 100 training aircraft (pictured below) of which I was recently appointed crew chief. Other days my afternoons are consumed with working on various projects around the facility that will improve our operational efficiency and/or effectivity. If we happen to be teaching a Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop class that week, my entire afternoon may be spent teaching starts, runs and shut-downs on our live engine to students who have never operated a turboprop engine before.

5:00. Technically, this is go-home time, though this rarely happens until 5:30 or later. There's always a thousand details to attend to before tomorrow. In some cases, they may not even be small details. For example, one afternoon the plane came back from a training flight with an inoperative alternator. Not an emergency (particularly on the Kodiak), but something that definitely should be fixed. I spent some time diagnosing the problem, determined what parts were needed, and then flew a Moody Aviation Cessna up to the Quest factory in Sandpoint, ID to pick up the parts. Thankfully, it was a clear, beautiful night for the 40 minute flight to this small town nestled next to Lake Pend Orielle in north Idaho's Selkirk Mountains. So peaceful.

Sometime in the evening I head back over to the Moody hangar to pick up my car-pooling buddy (who works at the hangar after school) and eventually get home, relax a little, eat some dinner and head for bed. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?

2010-03-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

Last Friday marked the final day of another three-week training cycle; the day we present the students with their certificates of completion and send them back to their respective locations of operation around the globe. As they are now equipped with the knowledge and hands-on experience gained from the course here at Spokane Turbine Center (STC), we are excited at the prospect of safer and more efficient operations in missionary aviation worldwide. This past course, a maintenance specialist course, consisted of six students from Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Indonesia, Missionary Aviation Repair Center (MARC) in Alaska, as well as maintenance instructors from Moody Bible Institute's missionary aviation program right here in Spokane. It was a blessing to spend the last three weeks with these guys, and we had a great time together. This cycle proved to be a memorable one for me, as it marked my first opportunity to do some of the instructing. The fact that a couple of the students had been my maintenance instructors at Moody not a year earlier made my instructing debut a little ironic, if not intimidating :) It's been such a blessing to work here and continue my preparation for service overseas (as God leads...). I am learning so much and simultaneously I am privileged to meet and get to know colleagues from around the world, some of whom I may end up working with in the future.

Kodiak in Haiti

2010-02-18T14:56:00.000-08:00

Pictured above are two Quest Kodiaks at work in Haiti relief efforts, the one on the left belonging to Samaritan's Purse and the other to MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship). What excites me about this photograph is that it represents a tangible expression of Jesus' prayer in John 17:23, "May [those who believe] be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me." (NIV) Seeing the teamwork and unity within the body of Christ that makes pictures like this reality is so encouraging. It's a team effort. We all have our part to play in the work of Christ. From the assembly line workers at Quest, to the crew training staff, to the crew themselves, to name a few, a lot of people were heavily involved in the makings of this scene. It's also exciting to see these two particular aircraft being utilized in this manner as I have a brief history with both of them. I was privileged to help with the production of these aircraft as they rolled down the assembly line at the Quest facilities when I worked there part-time while still at Moody Aviation. Since beginning my instructor intern position at STC (Spokane Turbine Center), almost all of the MAF Kodiak pilots have received their training through STC. Although we didn't train the Samaritan's Purse crew, one of our instructors delivered their Kodiak from Idaho to their headquarters in North Carolina, allowing it to be ready for a quick dispatch to Haiti shortly after the quake. It's pictures (and their stories) like these that we as Christ's disciples have the privilege of participating in. May we continue to show the world the love of Christ as manifest in our brotherly love for each other.

The G1000 Intern

2010-01-30T18:25:00.000-08:00

So I've been full-time at STC for over two months now and it's already proven to be an absolutely invaluable experience. I have officially been designated the Garmin G1000 intern, which means that I am focusing my time and energy primarily on maintaining and improving the G1000 avionics course, classroom, computers, etc. For those who may be wondering what on earth a G1000 is and how bad it will hurt, I've posted a picture of an aircraft cockpit equipped with a 3-display Garmin G1000. When Quest aircraft company (see link at page bottom) designed the Kodiak for missionary and humanitarian work, they chose the G1000 avionics suite because of the incredible safety margin it provides. It contains an extraordinary amount of vital information to the pilot at the push of a button (or in some cases the twist of a big knob, then a small knob, then a button, then another knob...), including all essential flight information, navigation information, airport information, traffic and terrain awareness and alerts, detailed, up-to-the-minute weather via satellite, and so much more. The catch is knowing when to push which button, twist which knob and select which setting and in what order. That is, of course, where the STC G1000 course comes in. I've been doing a lot of studying and practicing and basically just getting to know the ins, the outs, the good and the not-so-good of this system and all its components. It's been great fun. Technology. Wow. And it changes so fast. In the single month that I've been focusing on this, Garmin has wasted no time in coming out with version 10.0 (updated from 9.03) with a few more fun features and additional eye candy to learn all the quirks thereof. I guess I won't be bored any time soon...

On to the next adventure!

2009-12-13T20:05:00.000-08:00

My flight instructor, Gene Arnold, and myself posing with N756MN

As of the first of this month I finally finished my checkride with the FAA and completed flight instructor certification. Praise God! I am in awe at how He gave me the funding to pursue this venture in the first place and then the strength to complete it. It excites me greatly to think of the ways in which I may now use this new certificate in the furtherance of missionary aviation and thus the furtherance of Christ's Kingdom! I can now train other aspiring missionary aviators as well as pursue training current missionary aviators in some of the advanced features of the cutting-edge new aircraft out there used in missionary aviation.

The day after I passed my checkride, I showed up to work on my first official day as instructor intern at Spokane Turbine Center (STC). I've been working on setting up my office, knocking out a bunch of "busy work" that's inherent in keeping a short-staffed organization like this operating, fixing the motion simulator, and boning up on an enormous amount of technical data I will very soon be responsible to teach. Praise God, He's faithfully brought me through the last challenge and on to the next great adventure! Who knows what may lie around the corner...

Almost there...

2009-11-27T17:12:00.000-08:00

I've been busily finishing the final stages of obtaining flight instructor certification. If there's anyone out there who thought this was easy, I would be more than open to suggestions. It's been a difficult time for several reasons, largely just the huge transition I've been in the 'middle' of between school and the 'real' world for the last three months. It seems like I've experienced one delay after another, drawing this process out from what was supposed to be a month and a half, to what has now been over three months. It's not been easy, but whoever said life was supposed to be easy. It's also been said that if it's easy, it's not worth doing :) . Not sure if I totally endorse that statement, but I suppose there's some truth there. Ultimately what it all boils down to is that God is sovereign and we are to follow the direction He leads and trust Him for the strength for each day. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10) By God's faithfulness, I am nearly finished with this certification process. All I have left is to pass the actual checkride with an FAA examiner. Then it will be on to STC as a full-time instructor intern. In the meantime, I've had the privilege of helping out at STC here and there, as my own training schedule allows. Times of transition, in my experience, are exciting but generally of a more challenging excitement than fun excitement and this has been no exception. In any time of difficulty, no matter what form or to what extent, we have but to follow the Apostle Paul's example, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:14)

The Big Transition...

2009-10-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

This being the first post, I'll bring you up to speed. I graduated from the Missionary Aviation program at Moody Bible Institute in Spokane, WA this Spring. Since then I've been working to build the additional flight experience necessary to go overseas and serve with a mission organization in the capacity of pilot/mechanic. God has been so faithful in continuing to lead me as I seek to follow His guidance in this process of transition from full-time student to missionary pilot. He has provided the means necessary to take some post-graduate training at Moody Aviation to get my CFII (Certified Flight Instructor Instrument) rating. This will enable to me to fly and build that needed experience without having to pay for it. I should be taking my checkride with the FAA to gain instructor certification within the next couple of weeks. After I receive instructor certification, I will be a full-time intern with an organization called Spokane Turbine Center (STC). STC trains missionary pilots to fly and maintain turboprop-powered aircraft, as well as aircraft equipped with advanced avionics such as the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit. At STC we use the Quest Kodiak, a 10-passenger turboprop aircraft designed specifically for the missionary/humanitarian market. We have been blessed with a mostly-renovated (work still in progress) facility on Felts Field in Spokane, WA. In flight training we use Serial # 1 Kodiak and the only full-motion, full-cockpit Advanced Aircraft Training Device (flight simulator) for a Kodiak. It's exciting to see how all this will be used to advance the training of people advancing the spread of the Gospel through aviation. As STC is a non-profit organization, I will not be employed by them, but rather through Proclaim Aviation, on loan to STC. Proclaim Aviation is a ministry set up to help aviation graduates like myself bridge the gap between graduation and service overseas. If you are interested in supporting me in the ministry God has called me to, support may be sent through Proclaim. See the links below for more information on Spokane Turbine Center, Proclaim Aviation, Moody Aviation, Quest Aircraft Company (makers of the Kodiak), and other related missionary aviation links, including the link to the blog I kept on my internship with MAF in Ecuador this spring.