Nemeth Notes

Especially when you have a baby! Ok, so I still have 2 kids in diapers. But there's other change going on too. So much change that it's been almost a year since I last posted! Oops!

This past year (since the last post) has been amazing, hard, good. Like most years, I suppose, but a notch up on each level of intensity.

We finished our work at Gladstone last October. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to a place we loved so much, but the Lord was moving us on. Ever since we were married Jeff has wanted to obtain more formal training in the Bible, and finally he felt led to get his masters in marriage and family counselling. He is taking one year to study full-time, and towards the end of this year we feel that God will make it plain where we are to go. We expect it to be to a reserve, with the Blackfoot people would be our expectation, since we already have relationships here (and we just plain like 'em, too).

November brought our highlight of the year, a beautiful, sweet baby girl we named Esther Justice. She was born at home, like all our babies, and God was my help and strength.

December brought our greatest sorrow. To back up, on Nov. 2 Jeff's mom was diagnosed with cancer. On Dec. 1 we were told she would only have 4-6 months; at that time we started planning to come in January. A few days later, on Dec. 6, we got the call to "come now"; Jeff was able to tell her he loved her over the phone. We packed that night and left the next morning. That night we made it to eastern Montana, and called. She had passed away that afternoon. We were gone a total of 7 weeks, for the funeral, clearing out her house, sharing the holidays with family unexpectedly, Jeff "flipping" her house completely in 12 days, and stopping at my folks' place on the way home. We were home by the end of January, and finally had our Christmas on Valentine's Day!

Now we are in a strange dual routine. Jeff goes away to class once or twice a month, for a week at time, and the rest of the time he is home 24/7. God is growing and shaping our vision, and for that we are thankful. I feel once again the "am I crazy?" peace that is willing to pick up and leave my nest, if that is what my Master wants. I've not always been good with change.

Now I'm really good at it...changing diapers, that is. And here's hoping we're still young enough to accept whatever is next on God's agenda, too.

We need prayer, as always. Thanks.