Latest Happenings

Hello, Casey here.

I thought I would update anyone who might read this with some important news regarding our family. As of Monday evening, I am no longer employed at Heritage Church. Though this may be surprising to some of you, it is not to us. Things have not been healthy here for some time, and with the right opportunity I would have left on my own some time ago. The church board just sped up my own decision, I guess.

There is much that could be said regarding the details of how and why this happened, but I'd rather not post that here. If you're very curious, you can contact Kelly or myself. We are not actually all that disappointed that this happened, but we have been extremely disappointed in the manner in which it was carried out.

So, what now, you ask?

Well, if we could pack up right now and just move back to Oregon, we probably would. However, it is not that simple. We have a house to sell, and there is also the small matter of finding a job. Currently, I am trying to find a job here (where the job market is much stronger), while keeping an eye out for things back home. If anyone knows of anything, please get in touch. I have a few jobs I have applied for here, but have not found much back home. I am not just looking for ministry work, either, but anything that will support my family.

Please pray for us. I know that God is good and faithful, and will not tempt us beyond what we can bear. I have been greatly encouraged recently by an old hymn entitled "The Lord Will Provide," by John Newton (the same guy who wrote "Amazing Grace"). These are the lyrics:


The Lord Will Provide
From the album All I Owe, available at www.matthewsmith.us
Words by John Newton, Music by Matthew S. Smith
© 2006 Detuned Radio Music (ASCAP)

Though troubles assail and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail and foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The scripture assures us, the Lord will provide.

The birds without barn or storehouse are fed,
From them let us learn to trust for our bread:
His saints, what is fitting, shall ne’er be denied,
So long as it’s written, the Lord will provide.

We may, like the ships, by tempest be tossed
On perilous deeps, but cannot be lost.
Though Satan enrages the wind and the tide,
The promise engages, the Lord will provide.

His call we obey like Abram of old,
Not knowing our way, but faith makes us bold;
For though we are strangers we have a good Guide,
And trust in all dangers, the Lord will provide.

When Satan appears to stop up our path,
And fill us with fears, we triumph by faith;
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
This heart–cheering promise, the Lord will provide.

He tells us we’re weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we ne’er shall obtain,
But when such suggestions our spirits have plied,
This answers all questions, the Lord will provide.

No strength of our own, or goodness we claim,
Yet since we have known the Savior’s great name;
In this our strong tower for safety we hide,
The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide.

When life sinks apace and death is in view,
This word of his grace shall comfort us through:
No fearing or doubting with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting, the Lord will provide.

SECOND UPDATE:
Without a church to provide an offering to this month, we decided to take a up a child sponsorship through Compassion International (an excellent, church-based charity). I tried to find a girl around Norah's age, hopefully to help teach Norah some things, and this cute little Haitian girl is who we ended up with.