iwannagoapeea: Dear friends,

He is good - His mercies are to eternity...

This year in Bible Study Fellowship we've studied the Acts of the apostles - we've become 'friends with Paul', as a woman today so beautifully put it, we've been encouraged by Peter and warned by Jude; we've been convicted of grumbling in our trials and being entitled in our happiness; we've been affirmed in our alienship and have wrestled in our plenitude.

It has been, of course, the perfect lessons at the perfect times.

The Schei family is once again on the move... where to, we do not know! We've spent the recent 10 months in the most beautiful of homes, on the most lovely of properties with the most wonderful of neighbors - God did it. He did it all. Who would have thought...

Remember when you had your child and you can't remember what your life was ever like before you had them? Even at a mere 2 weeks old you're thinking 'I can't remember what it was like without you.' THAT is what has happened here in this place... what did we do without Bob and Cheney and the girls? How could we not have known Apollo and his sisters? When was it ever not an option to go jump on the trampoline or go make forts at the park while Mom cooked dinner? When did I not expect Lily's knock on our door to go the park? Our life is forever enriched by this experience and this group of friends... lifelong friends.

And once again, we see as God has planted us, ignited us and let us explode -- all for the purpose of refining us and moving us along with the encouragement of knowing that He has, once again, accomplished exactly what He wanted to accomplish. As He has promised, he is finishing the good work in us and bringing glory to Himself. Just like He did with Paul! What an incredible study for this year!

After days of warmth, the clouds slowed over us and became increasingly heavy. The air smelled of the impending rain and we all, for a moment, slowed as well -- until we decided instead to dance. Cheney and I and the kids walked outside and flinched as each drop hit our dry bodies... then began to relax under the inevitable drenching. I grabbed my camera and captured some of the greatest moments to date... we laughed and danced and screamed as we walked under waterspouts and through puddles; we giggled and looked sadly at our now soaked new suede boots; we hugged each other and pointed out Ben's crazy antics -- we loved the moment... nothing else mattered.

I continue to revel in what God has done, is doing and will do with this experience - in our life and the lives of those around us. When it seems the clouds have opened and let loose its rain, when it feels as though I'm surrounded by the unknown and want to crumple in not being able to plan, when I'm tempted to succumb to society's demand for explaining why we do what we do and when I'm peaceful with where we are but feel the need to justify it with anything other than Jesus' call...

I must hold tight to my plumb line - I must smile and dance without regard for the world around me. And I must be obedient... its how I got here in the first place.

Praise be to God.