Big News (Allison is still NOT pregnant)

We do have big news to share with you. Since you already know that we are not having a baby, the big news is that we will not be continuing as Cadence missionaries beyond this summer. In the last three years, God has blessed David with the opportunities and experiences of serving the military community through Cadence International.  David has also been enjoying his HQ position as the Administrative Assistant to the CFO, but this position will be changed in the new fiscal year. In addition to the obvious need for HQ to hire an IT person with different qualifications, David has felt a strong desire to pursue a different role in missions. He has been reviewing and researching the positions within missions for technical and mechanical service. David knows that God has gifted him with mechanical skills and other unique problem-solving abilities. We believe that God is leading us to pursue a different area of ministry with a need for the mechanical and technical skill set that God gave David. David has been in conversation with an organization that needs licensed airplane mechanics to service planes providing transportation to missionaries through remote areas. Although David is skilled mechanically, he does not have the specific training and licensing required by the FAA to work as an airplane mechanic. We are currently applying to a missions organization that offers an apprenticeship training which would prepare David to pass the required testing to receive the FAA license as an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. We hope David can begin this training within the calendar year. 

What does all this mean? I'll try to condense what we've been praying about and thinking through for the last few months. David's current position is ending this summer. We have decided not to pursue candidacy with Cadence as full-time missionaries. David is applying for an apprenticeship or degree in A&P mechanics to serve as an aviation mechanic with a mission organization. We have met with a recruiter from one particular organization to find out what specific qualifications David will need. We will be moving out of Colorado once we know at which school David will be receiving training. We don't know where, when, or how God will accomplish what this transition requires but we are confident he will be faithful to provide and reveal what he asks of us at just the right time. 

Pray with and for us:
That God's direction will continue to be clear, one step at a time
That we will be faithful in the small things and fully committed to our current work until God redirects us
That we will be patient with God's timing
That God will open our neighbors heart's to the gospel
That we will not forget the generosity of God's people and God's tremendous provision

Praise God with us:
For our developing relationships with our neighbors
For the way God is changing the lives of children through his Word at our church
For his clear direction to pursue aviation mechanics
For unity and faith in pursuing the known and the unknown about our future
For providing for our extended families
For God's provision to make multiple part-time jobs meet our needs and allow us to give back to Him

Our karaoke duet at the Youth Retreat in March

Surfacing

It's hard to believe that life is moving along quickly and six months have passed since David and I were married. Married life is treating us well, most people say. That is the most common question we field on a regular basis. "How's married life? Looks like it's ...." as I already stated.
The second most common question that seems to arise would be, "Is Allison pregnant?" I don't know how other people get away with looking tired and do not have the same conversation. Well, the current answer is "NO" I am not pregnant. We do hope God blesses us with a child, or several, but in His way and His timing. Until then, I don't plan on looking fat or tired unless that is exactly what I am. You can figure that out I think. :o)
You have probably wondered when we would come out of hiding and look around for other signs of life. Simply put, I'm waiting until Spring to come out of hibernation. It has been a very cold winter in Denver, Colorado and we've enjoyed the use of our fireplace quite a bit. I'm fond of the old-fashioned methods of heating your home. It's so aromatic and creates quite the atmosphere. A few days of uncommonly warm
weather in the last two months has awakened the sleeping DeJongs and given us the urge to be biking. Attached is the picture David took of me standing next to the very dirty bike we purchased from a local bike store. The reason my bike is covered in mud would have nothing to do with my riding the bike. It has EVERYTHING to do with my husband's love for off-road, mountain biking, near-death experiences. Even he admitted that it was a little hairy of a path for my bike tire tread. That's alright. I don't mind David having adventures; I just don't join him on all of them yet.

On the days when life outdoors does not beckon to us, David splits his (often) 16 hour days between two part-time jobs. You may be familiar with the position Cadence International gave David at Headquarters to allow him a position in Colorado during his first year of marriage. His other part time job has been working as a life guard for the City of Lakewood. Praise God they just promoted David to MOD (manager on duty) and we will see how his work schedule changes.
I spend a lot of time working from home, or working on things at home. Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between the two if I am preparing a Bible lesson and doing a load of laundry at the same time. I have to be careful to balance equal time for each "job". For those who don't know, I work for my church, Creekside Bible Church in Castle Rock, as the administrator for the Children's Ministries. I have been very grateful to be able to do a lot of work on my computer from home. It has proven especially beneficial to reduce some of our gas expenditures (David commutes quite a lot as well) and to prevent me from driving 45 mins each way during bad weather.  Somehow that didn't keep me home during today's snowstorm. Ah, spring snows.... I've driven an SUV full of teenagers home from the youth retreats in snowstorms so many times that I really couldn't convince myself that it would be safer to stay home today.   shrug


David and I keep really busy between jobs, caring for our two bedroom apartment, and visiting with family, friends, and neighbors. We both serve as mentors and adult chaperones for the high school youth ministry at our church. We also serve with the T & T age group in our church AWANA Clubs program. This month David is leading his group of high school guys in serving the church custodian. Every Sunday afternoon in March, this group of juniors and seniors has been accomplishing special cleaning projects around the church building during the time between the worship service and the AWANA ministry.

I have been developing relationships with two of the women who live in our apartment complex. We shared Christmas presents, had meals together, and may even plan a community event for the complex. We have enjoyed getting to know our neighbors better. God answered a prayer that David and I began praying during our pre-marital counseling that we would have the opportunity to meet an express need for each of our neighbors. Perhaps the most common need we each have is the need for relationships. Please pray that the gospel would be so evident in our lives that we can clearly share this good news with our neighbors.

Construction on I-25

There is construction on I-25 south of Denver near Lone Tree (new Cabella's).  The fast lane is closed.  The traffic normally flows pretty well, but it is slower than normal (and the posted speed limit of 55 mph).

Construction is both ways!  Enjoy and be patient.  If you get delayed, hopefully you planned extra time, if not don't worry.  We will still get married without you ;)