We're not in Kansas anymore!!!

This weekend is the only weekend in the next four weeks that I (Morgann) will be somewhere somewhat familiar!  Having just got back from Little Rock, AR and then preparing to spend the next few weekends in CA, I am looking forward to a visit to our families this weekend.  For the first time in 3 weeks, Nathan and I get to spend the weekend together!  Wahooo!

This weekend is YMI's 1st Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and I am so excited for it!  I have been working on this event for a few months now, so it's pretty cool to see it come to completion.

Nathan is busy, busy, busy with school and now jumping into recruiting season for BASE Sports Ministry.  As the Athletic Director for Washington State, he is in charge of recruiting all of the churches for summer sports camps.  Often times, that can be a long process of phone calls, paperwork and agreements, so he has to start nearly a year in advance.  We are excited to see how this year's new format is going to allow YMI to partner with more churches in ministry.  To see more about BASE Sports Ministry, a new division of YMI, click here.

Here is how you can pray with us:
1. Pray that the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon goes well and that we have a good turn out.
2. Pray for Trisha, John, Garrett and Drew who are all YMI Staff traveling to speak at conferences this weekend.  Pray for safe travels and fruitful recruiting!
3. Pray for our missionaries all over the world - that they would be encouraged in the ministry they are doing and listening to God's leading for direction.

Here is how you can praise God with us:
1. Praise God that Nathan and I are able to spend the weekend together and see our families (!!!)
2. Praise God for our newest opportunity to serve in our home church here in Salem as the long-term Sunday School teachers for 5-7 grade!!
3. Praise God that conference season is almost half over and everyone has had safe travels and solid recruitment.  We are so thankful!

And just because I can...THIS BEAUTY was centered directly in front of our apartment on Wednesday!!!  One of our friends, Cassie Forster took the picture :)

2 BIG things!

1. YMI just announced the launch of BASE Sports Ministry!!!  This is the division of YMI that will be fully dedicated to training students to share the Gospel through sports!  Visit BASE's webpage at basesports.org

2. PLEASE PRAY for YMI's staff this weekend.  We are spread out all over the nation at different Awana conferences speaking about YMI and challenging Awana leaders to encourage their students to share their faith through training and missions.  Currently, I am in Little Rock, Arkasas getting ready to head out to the conference for the day.  Pray that we get students and churches to sign up for trainings and trips this ministry year.

Thank you for your prayers!  They are much appreciated.  And God always hears us when we pray.  What an encouragement!!!

TOMORROW...

Right now, YMI is entering into "conference season", which essentially means that everyone on staff is traveling on weekends for the next couple months.  Morgann will be traveling for work every single weekend between now and October 20.  Nathan gets a little more of a break in travel due to his school schedule, praise God!   

Fall and Winter seasons are times for recruiting and training.  Morgann is focusing on recruiting kids for trips in 2014 and making sure that volunteers are all lined up for training camps taking place in 2013.  Nathan is focused on recruiting churches for sports camps next summer.  This is a really fun season of seeing our hard work pay off as the numbers of kids and churches committed to ministry next year is rising.

But the BIG thing right now is that YMI is getting ready to reveal our biggest announcement EVER.  TOMORROW, stay tuned for a REALLY exciting announcement from YMI.  Mark your calendars:

We. Are. Stoked.

Welcome!

Hi friends and family (mostly family, I'm guessing).  We [read: Morgann] have started a blog for YOU!  With us being down in Salem and you being up in ___________, Facebook is great and everything, but we figured that you might want more than an occasional post about YMI Teams.  :)

So, we have created this space so that you can stay updated on what is going on in our life together.  We will strive to post pictures, new adventures, funny stories and do our best to include you in our life while we are making a life of our own.  

It's a weird season to be in.  It's weird because we are so sure that this is the Lord's will for us - and naturally for you too.  But it's weird to go from living at home, attending church together and planning a wedding to just moving and learning to establish our roots on our own.  

It is good.

It is very good.

So here, we find ourselves in Salem, loving being married.  It is the best thing.  I (Morgann) have dreamed about being a wife since the time I was little.  It has always been my dream.  And now I know why.  This is the best season of life so far.  I absolutely love being a wife to my incredible husband.  

So, here's to new adventures as a married couple!  Here's to funny stories, challenges from God's Word, and pictures that speak 1,000 words that I don't have time to write down.  Here's to a new season of life where grace reigns, people matter and God leads.  Here's to being together, to being family.  

Welcome aboard.  We are so glad to have you on this journey with us.

Love, 

N + M