Hello friends-

Gwenn here today. It's been a busy two weeks for our family since we've last updated you, so I am just going to jump in!

Two weeks ago we were able to spend almost a whole week up at Lake Gaston with my family. My parents rented a big lake house and the family converged for a week. It was fun having all the cousins together and being with 2 out of 3 of my sisters. We had a blast taking boat rides, doing sparklers, swimming in the freezing cold pool, eating too much and just being together. We closed the week with a family talent show where everyone got up there and did some sort of talent. Needless to say, it was a hoot.

Nick and I returned for a night halfway through the vacation week to meet with the elders at Crosspointe church, our church home, to present the mission God is calling us on, and ask for support. I felt like it was a good meeting-- we were surrounded by some very dear friends so it was comfortable, and we left feeling very loved. We are not sure when they will make a decision. I do want to clarify something since I know that many of you know that Nick is an elder. For the past several months, Nick has excused himself from discussion relating to the Haitian Children's Home in elders meetings, since there is an obvious conflict of interest. Hope that makes sense.

Just a little over a week ago we had the chance to practice our "presentation" in front of our life group members. We asked them to be honest with us about it, and they had some GREAT suggestions for us. We made some of the tweaks they recommended and feel like we're in a good place now to explain what we are doing to others. We had our first official meeting last night. It was really energizing for Nick and I. We love this mission we're going on, and it's really a joy to share our hearts.

We have several more of these meetings planned throughout the month of October here in the Triangle. If you have not yet signed up for one, please know that we'd love to talk to you. Here are the remaining meetings in our area:

10/2/2008 Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 PM Apex
10/6/2008 Monday 6:30 - 8:00 PM Raleigh, Brier Creek Area
10/8/2008 Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00 PM Apex
10/16/2008 Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 PM Cary
10/18/2008 Saturday 9:30 - 11:00 AM Apex
10/22/2008 Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00 PM Cary
10/26/2008 Sunday 4:30 - 6:00 PM Apex

These meetings have free childcare. RSVP to nick@haitianchildrenshome.org so we can let our hosts know how many to expect.

We are also having two meetings on the Outer Banks of NC-- Saturday, October 11 in Manteo, and Sunday, October 12 at Liberty Christian Fellowship in Collington.

We continue to be grateful for all of the ways God is blessing us and providing for us. Last week Nick was out of town for work for 4 days and our son Josiah got very sick. He had a high fever for 3 days, and it really wore me out. When Nick returned, I was reminded of Genesis 2:18 when God, looking upon Adam before he created Eve said, "It is not good for man to be alone." I really do think that Nick and I are a good team. We love working together, and we're both INCREDIBLY excited about where we are going. I love being the "suitable helper" that God made for Nick, and I am very thankful that he is mine.

Next update we are going to roll out a new aspect of our preparation that will be provide another practical way for you to get involved in what God is doing through our involvement with the life-giving mission of the Haitian Children's Home. You don't want to miss it.

Our deepest thanks to you, our friends, family and supporters.