Many Thanks!

Dear Friends,
Thank you for your many words of support during the last few weeks. Your emails filled with kind words mean more than you know. As I was unable to reply to them all, I wanted to take this opportunity to express our gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Saturday was a day of celebrating my Dad's life. And I guess it was about as fun and joyful as a funeral can possibly be. We really did have an enjoyable time hearing some funny stories about my Dad as well as gratitude for his friendship and love. We appreciate your prayers as they provided the strength from God that I needed to sing a song at the end of the service. God is so good to supply all we need.

This picture is of 6 of the 9 grandkids with Dad's horse. Dad's friend rode from the funeral home to the lunch site leading Dad's horse behind. It was a fitting tribute to Dad.

A big, huge thanks to the Messers who spoke in our stead on Sunday morning in Lawrence, Kansas. We were upset to miss that service as we had anticipated meeting the folks from the Lawrence church, but we understand the service was wonderful. You see, the Messers are missionaries from Africa and are now living in Kansas City and serve as the Pastors to all missionaries. They certainly ministered to us this week. What a blessing to not have to drive back on Saturday. The time with family was well spent and much appreciated.

May God be your rock, comfort and shield this week. Until next time,

The Webb family

Homecoming

Dear Family and Friends,

It is a sad week for us grieving the loss of Shelley's Dad. He died early Monday morning at home and at peace. We are so thankful he was able to be comforted by his wife, Donna, in his last moments. And we are also thankful to God for opportunities to say goodbye and share our love in the weeks leading up to his death.

This scripture has been meaningful to us. It's I Thessalonians 4:13-18

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words."

We grieve, yes, but not as ones who have no hope. We have a great hope in the truth that Jesus is preparing a home for each of us that accept His gift of forgiveness and allow Him to be Savior and Lord of our lives.

We will travel to Iowa on Thursday in preparation for the funeral on Saturday. Thanks for your prayers, your emails and kind words. They mean more than you know.

God bless you this week,
The Webb Family

Fall Leaves / October 18, 2005

Fall Leaves – October 18, 2005

What a beautiful drive through northern Missouri, across Iowa and into Illinois! The leaves are turning beautiful colors of red, brown and gold. We had wonderful services in Elgin and Naperville, IL this weekend and in addition, we had time to visit with David’s brother, Steve, and his family in Batavia. They have four children, two of which are around the ages of Joshua and Kayley. There was some serious soccer action in the backyard!

We were blessed as well to spend a few hours with my Dad in Iowa before heading off to Chicagoland. The kids got to read him some poems and stories and make a sign for his room. Keep praying for my Dad as he is under hospice care. Especially pray for Donna, my step mom, as she cares for Dad.

The children were excited to miss school yesterday (Monday) since we had an 8+ hour drive back from Chicago. I’m afraid they won’t be near as excited when they get their extra homework for tonight. They are troopers on the road and at the deputation services. Joshua is in charge of setting up the table and Kayley makes sure everyone gets a prayer card. I missed them this weekend as we let them spend some quality time with their cousins at their local church. The picture with this blog shows the kids at Chariton, Iowa Church of the Nazarene. They are such good kids and so helpful to us at services.

We are so glad to have a week to get caught up on our school work. This is Reading and Research week at the seminary, so there are no classes. We have multiple major research projects due in about a month, so this week is important for us. Pray we’ll get everything done that needs doing.

We are glad to be a little closer to home for the next two weekends. This weekend we’ll be heading north to Excelsior Springs, MO and next weekend we’ll head a bit west to Lawrence, KS. We’re excited to meet the people there and share our story.

Have a great week,
Shelley and David
Joshua and Kayley

A Late Update 10/6/05

Dear Friends and Family,
Wow! What a week! I apoligize for not getting this blog up sooner, but with the demands of classes and weekend treks for deputation services, time has been limited.

Last weekend found us in Bettenforf, Iowa at the Church of the Nazarene for their Faith Promise services. They had some of the best enchiladas and "elephant ears" I have ever had. So tasty! Great people and great services.

I was thankful to have the opportunity to visit my dad in the hospital in Iowa City, which was only a hour or so away from Bettendorf. Keep praying for him as his cancer has returned and the prognosis is not good. I look forward to another visit with him, if I am able, in a week or so. What an act of God's grace to be so close to Iowa City on a depuation weekend planned months ago. God really does know what he is doing!

Tomorrow (Friday) classes at the seminary are cancelled so we get a free study day! It is much needed to stay caught up with all the reading, writing and research that must be done.

We learned today how to build and pack the crates we'll be needing for our shipment to Mexico City. We hope to actually build our own in a couple of weeks and then begin sorting, giving and selling items. There is so much to accomplish in a short time frame.

We leave for Guatemala on January 2nd, but will be moving out of our house sometime around the 20th of December. Thanks for your prayers as we make this HUGE transition.

Until next week,
Shelley, David, Joshua and Kayley