Hallelujah!

We have visas!

We just wanted to give you all an update that we now have visas in hand. Well… we don’t actually have them “in hand,” but they are in capable hands – and on the way.

We just found out Tuesday morning, by a phone call from the Bulgarian Consulate, that the visas were ready. However they did not have a return envelope to use to send them to us. Unfortunately they never communicated that they needed return envelopes? So verses having us send envelopes and them getting back to us in an efficient manor, we called Greg, Lisa’s cousin, who lives in Chicago and he graciously agreed to go pick them up for us. Greg has since placed them in the mail to us.

Given we now have the visas – we were able to book our tickets.

It is now official – we are flying out of Chicago on Sunday January 8^th at 4:20 PM for Sofia Bulgaria.

We are very excited and are very thankful for all your prayers.

I have found in “working for God” He likes to make things very interesting – although this can be very frustrating for our small minds, it makes life exciting and rewarding.

Now for the scary part… we are going!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

We love you.

Marc, Lisa and Drew.

Christmas Eve Update

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We would just like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

We received a nice present ourselves this week - we got some good news from Bulgaria. I was sent an email last week stating that our visa process has been approved in Bulgaria. That information now needs to get back to the Bulgarian Consulate in Chicago. The Consulate will give the final approval and issue the visas. They will then need to send them to us.

Unfortunately we do not know how long this process will take. But we are pleased to know that we are one step closer to going. Thank you all so much for your prayers in this effort.

We will be spending Christmas Eve with the Sheppards and then heading to the Moeckls on Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Marc, Lisa and Drew

Merry Christmas from the Christmas Bug

Merry Christmas!

 

I am a Professional!

Please do not try this at home!

As Kevin displays - He is the only true professional among us. 

Enjoying Christmas

Hey ya'll...

Still hanging out.

We don't feel so anxious this week. We received a few encouraging emails last week and we know quite a few of you are praying for us and that certainly makes a difference.

We figure we could sit around being frustrated and trying to figure out what "God is doing." Or we can enjoy this Christmas season with our family and use this time to get closer to God. We have decided to choose the latter.

You would think that should have been an easy choice - yet somehow that human/sin nature keeps getting in the way.

We hope and pray all of your are enjoying this Christmas season with your friends and family.

Merry Christmas -

Marc

All I want for Christmas...

Are our VISAS!

We are still hanging out here in Decatur and no new news on the visas. I have talked to the field in Bulgaria and I am going to go ahead and start doing some research on some projects that I will be working on over there. One of my first assignments will be to help the institute establish an alumni network. This will be beneficial to the students / alumni once they have graduated and are out in the community planting church and/or serving God. I plan on doing some research, here at my alma molter(sp) and see what I cant take to Bulgaria with me.

Let us know how you guys are doing.

Not even sure too many people know of this Blog - my homepage does not make the link that obvious.

Take care,
Marc

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

We are excited that we have one more big holiday with all of our family. As I mentioned before the Moeckls are coming in along with some other extended family - now that my brothers are married - so we could have 17 - 20 people. That is very large for my family. In the past, if we happen to have grandparents come to Thanksgiving - that was a "big family gathering." I know its not a "Moeckl" holiday where the average is 50 to 60 - but it could get there some day and some day soon at this rate.

Some disappointing news on our visas. We received feedback from the Bulgaria Consulate today that they did speak with their representatives in Bulgarian, however they still need "some more time" to process our application. We have no idea what "some more time" is, but we do know that they are NOT "in the mail."

I know God is at work in this, because He is at work in all things, thus I find myself trying to read the mind of God. Is He trying to teach us something? Like patience? Are we not doing something "right"? Was I too confident that we would get over there sooner than later? Maybe there are some things I should be working on now or preparing for before we go?

The thing I do know that in the past God has always prepared and provided in his timing and everything occurs according to His perfect plan. Yet once again I find myself questioning God and His ways. At times when I step back and look at myself, I see how small my faith really is. I am thankful that God's faithfulness is not reliant upon my faith. God will prove Himself faithfully just as he always has and I pray that my faith will continue to grow.

This two year journey will continue to grow our faith and I just ask that your prayers will continue to be with us at this time.

We are so thankful for all of you, our families and to a faithful God who has a plan for us all.

Blessings,
Marc

Still waiting...

Hey ya...

Its Sunday night, November 19th and we still do not know when we will be leaving. As of Saturday's mail - still no visas.

We are anxious to go as we feel we are in this "no man's land" and not feeling that productive. I have actually wondered if I need to go pick up a seasonal job. As we have stated before - we know we will arrive in God's timing and God does have a plan - so we will continue to wait.

In the mean time, we are enjoying the time with our family and our new neice. The Meockl Family is planning on coming to Decatur for Thanksgiving. This will be nice to have one last big Family Holiday before we go. I guess I shouldnt assume anything - there is always the possiblity of spending Christmas together - God forbid! (that does not sound right - but you know what I mean)

We'll keep you posted.

Marc

New Daddy!

Congratulations
Nate and Kim.

Welcome baby Anna. 

Drew's first cousin, Anna.

 

Growing Family

(Lindsey(baby shep#3), Lisa, Micah, Nate, Anna)

 

Anna Lynn Sheppard

 

Our NIECE is on the way...

Aunt Kimmy is in the Hospital right now and to "pitasin" (sp) is dripping.

Our niece should be here within the day - we are so excited.

This is one of the great blessings about our visas not yet being here. (that's right... as of Tuesday at noon - no visas)

As soon as we get to see our new little niece - I'll post here picture to our Blog.

Take care - Marc

Hey all -

As of last Friday we still do not have Visas. We did some calling around and found that it takes 30-35 days to complete the process - which we knew - however we were under the assumption that it was calendar days, thus expecting the visas the first week of November. We recently found out that the process takes 30-35 BUSINESS days - thus a 6-7 week process. So we could still be a few weeks out.

Although we are anxious to get there - we know we will arrive in God's timing. The positive side is that we may be able to spend Thanksgiving with our family and possibly see my first niece - whom is due to arrive around the 25th of November.

Thanks again for your prayers and support -

In His timing -
Marc

Happy Holloween

Gerrr.....

Happy Holloween!

Now in Decatur, IL

Hey ya - we are now in Decature awaiting our visas.

Still testing out my Blog - more to come soon.