Knaebel Keynotes - Aug. '07

Marriage is fun

Rebecca and Chris have been going on monthly planned dates with spontaneous outings in between. We are growing in our weekly marriage counseling and learning how to communicate. Together, we painted and organized the apartment in the month of June. The above picture is from one of our many fun times with Chris’ sister Bethany and her husband Alex.

Internship

Since Chris finished Greek and Hebrew last year, the summers are now free for doing what seminary calls “mentored ministry” projects. This entails being supervised doing hands-on pastoral ministry at your local church. He has been helping out at church while our associate pastor has been on sabbatical. He has thoroughly enjoyed his responsibilities of visiting elderly church members who are often prevented by their health from getting out to church. This ministry of encouraging the physically weak of church has been a great encouragement to Chris’ soul. Feeling out their faith and seeking to encourage them in an appropriate manner has challenged and brought joy to him. By the end, he will have led two services, attended committee meetings, a session meeting, and a deacon’s meeting, served as a leader at Vacation Bible School, presented Sunday morning announcements, as well as attended weekly staff meetings and participated in their service planning and prayer.

We are thankful for God’s providing this perfect avenue for Chris to be involved in ministry, get a little extra money to use on paint and apartment decor, and to grow in his faith by encouraging the elderly with the truth of Jesus’ walking with them through their trials. What other comfort gives a tired soul real peace as they wait for the death of their bodies than that they will soon see Jesus in heaven because of His perfect life (not theirs) and death and resurrection on their behalf? We know of no other better hope in this life! The old song we sang as kids is true AND comforting: “Jesus loves me . . .for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me—the Bible tells me so!”

New Job

In our weakness, the Lord provides. Last night we confirmed the next step for Rebecca’s work: we ate dinner with the perfect new family for her to nanny! We are excited about this and know the Lord led us to the right family, as we were in contact with over 30 of them between Craig’s List and an agency. There will only be two weeks of no income between jobs, which will be a stretch but we are so thankful for the way God has graciously provided once again for our needs. The family has two daughters, a two and a half year old and a 5 month old. We are excited as it is closer to home, and will start out being only part time (though we’ll be paid for full-time) which will give Rebecca a more relaxed transition to her new family.

Health

Currently Chris still receives IVIG treatment for two days of 7 hours each in his home every month. In addition, he takes 30mg prednisone and a month ago recently added 150mg of Azathiaprine (aka Imuran) to his daily regime. Imuran is a cancer-treatment drug safer than the previously being considered alternative Methotrexate. It will take 2-5 more months before we know if it will help his strength return at an increased rate. Currently, he is going to the gym about 3 days/week and able to do about 6 laps in the pool (with breaks) and some weights or 25 minutes on the bike. He’s scheduled to try to take four classes in September, though his actual strength will be impossible to know until classes begin.

Vacation

Rebecca’s parents are sending us off for two days to the Pocono’s for some R & R before they join us for the rest of the first week of September. We are excited to spend some time doing nothing. Thanks Halls for such a sweet birthday gift to Rebecca!

Prayer

Chris’ dad had surgery on a broken collar bone and four toes last week to insert pins after a judgment-induced motorcycle mishap. Pray for patience for him in the midst of this next three months of trial and for Chris’ mom as she cares for him while working.