Saturday, August 30, 2008

Safely Home- Day 5

Well, they all made it back safely!! Thank you so much for your prayers!!! The old vans made it all the way back with just a few hiccups and no stranding.;) Joel is catching up on a week's worth of missed sleep; we are trying to be patient waiting for him. ;-)
So I have to share a story about God's provision from last week.....
On Tuesday, I sat down and balanced the checkbook and paid rent. And put all the rest of the bills back in the drawer b/c we had to money to pay them yet- and I had no idea where we were going to get the money with Joel missing a full week of work. Joel and I talked about it- prayed- and went on with our week. Yesterday, Friday, I had to go grocery shopping. I sat down, tried to figure out what we absolutely needed and what we could go without for awhile. Daisy went out and brought in the mail as I was getting my purse. I glanced at it before we left, opened a letter, and promptly burst into tears. God is so amazing. His timing is perfect, and His care for us beyond imagination. In that letter (from some amazing people who walk with the Lord) was a check. For the amount we needed to make up from Joel missing work. We got all the groceries we needed.
Thank you. Without your prayers and support, we wouldn't be making it very far.
God is good. All the time.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Days 2-4

I wanted to post every day and let you know how things are going- but the kids and I have been so busy, I just haven't gotten around to it! I apologize.
Things are going well on the trip. On Tuesday, the rain held off until 4pm, so they got some good skating time in. Today it rained a lot, so they only got a little bit of time at one park- but they've all had great attitudes. Joel said it has been an amazing trip this year. A lot of time encouraging each other in the Word, witnessing, and just reading the Word. What a blessing! Pray that this will be lasting for them all- that they will come home and continue to feast in the Bible and grow!
The kids and I are doing well. We've taken the opportunity to do our fall cleaning while Joel is gone. The house has been dusted and scrubbed top to bottom. Admittedly, I skipped a few closets and the laundry/mud room- but the rest of the house is quite clean. :) Tomorrow, I need to focus on getting things ready for the school year, as we will be homeschooling. Daisy will be in 2nd grade (except in math) and Ian will be starting Kindergarten; so I will have a lot of organizing to do to prepare for that!
Thank you so very much for all your prayers! Tomorrow the skaters come home. (we are very excited!) Pray that they will have a safe and uneventful time on the roads. So far the old vans are doing well- pray for that to continue!! Thank you!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Day 1

Well, they got to Canada safely. No break-downs, no problems. Praise the Lord!!
Joel says things are going well. Everyone is having good attitudes (which is very important, as the weather report for Vancouver B.C. is rain all week). Scott (staff guy) is stirring the kids up to talk to people at the skateparks about the Gospel. It's been great- they've been witnessing at every park. The funny part is- they keep running into people that are also on Bible study trips!
Keep praying!
Thank you,
Laurel

Friday, August 22, 2008

Off we go!

Well, Canada time has come around again. This is the seminal Sk8church event of the summer where we take the top crop of Bible study kids across the boarder and encourage them to be Godly while we all suffer under the heavy burden of sleeping on the floor, skateboarding too much, and showering too little.

Please pray for us!!!!!!!!!
1. Safety- We are driving very far in old vans with a lot of skateboarders (a situation that strikes fear into the hearts of cops, parents, and pastors alike).
2. fellowship- What an opportunity!! Kids that I usually only see one day a week at the most will be stuck with me for hours at a time. Lets bear some fruit people!!
3. Word- Daily Bible teaching will be done by the leadership. Pray for wisdom, clarity, & conviction.

Please give!!!!!!!
My family relys soley on the giving of our supporters and the grace of GOD in order to do this trip.
If you can, kick down a few bucks to help us in this endevour to minister to Sk8church kids for a whole week.
If you can't pay, pray!!
Laurel will be posting updates all next week so you can keep up with the chaos that is the Canada trip.
God bless you real good,
-Joel

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Canada Trip is coming!

Well, next Monday Joel leaves for Canada for a week. The kids that have been consistent in coming to Bible study over the last year are being rewarded with 5 days of Canadian Skateparks. It is such a great time. So much discipleship gets to happen!
But we need your prayers! Please pray:
- For safety for everybody on the trip as they travel hundreds of miles in old vans.
-that the vehicles would hold together and work well the whole time
-that on this trip, everybody (even the staff) would be encouraged in the LORD and grow closer to Him
-for me and the kids, that we would be safe and I would be patient and strong as the single parent for the week. (this week has tended in the past to be one of big accidents for the kids- please pray that this year none of us has to go to the emergency room)
-for finances. Joel is missing a week of work and we cannot afford it. Please pray that we can pay our bills at the end of the month. And if you would like to help us financially as well as in prayer- you can make an online tax-deductible donation at Skatechurch.net.Just be sure to specify for Joel Coombs.

Thank you.

Monday, August 4, 2008

The continual need

Hello all,
Since my last post the fellow that I wrote about and gave scripture to has not yet returned to sk8church. I spoke to the staff about him at one of our regular meetings and we are continuing to pray for him.
These last few weeks have been quite a strain on my family as I have been working two jobs while trying to fulfill my duties at Sk8church. Needless to say, I let everyone down. My family suffered as I was gone all day working, my work suffered as I was over occupied and couldn't concentrate, and my ministry suffered as I was to brain dead to do much besides sit around and gawk.
Thank God, I have finished the second job, a side job (as of saturday night at about 11pm) , and will not be accepting any new side work as long as my current job holds out and my supporters don't quit.
For those of you who don't know my new job, I have been promoted to a building superintendent with the company I got hired on to about 7 months ago. I have been in the construction field for about 12 years, with 7 of those years involved in property management/maintainence. This job is the first job I have ever had that required me to sit at a desk in front of a computer and answer the phone for most of the day. The rest of my day is filled up with walking around and making sure that my buildings are up to snuff.
This job has been an answer to prayer as my body continued to degenerate under the load of heavy construction and skateboarding. Praise be to God!!
In other news, last week I was at a local Fred Meyer shopping for my family on my way home from work when a fellow shouted my name and stopped me. It was an old Skatechurch kid who I hadn't seen in a few years. We were able to catch up a bit, chat about his job at that same Fred Meyer store, and I was able to invite him to church!
I love running into these fellows around town. So many times on the various ministry nights I am unable to talk with them so it is great to see them out and about and talk with them one on one away from their skateboards.
Last night, me and my kids went outside to play on my mini ramp and soon noted that it had passed away without us noting it! Oh well, now I need to tear it down and throw it away so my kids don't get hurt on its various parts of decomposition.
Oh dear, it's 8am and I need to work now.

Pray for Canada trip,
pray for fruitful ministry night this tues.,
Thank you!
-Joel