From Nicole

The 2010 Missions Trip seemed like a million years away when we began planning last year. Now that we are well into 2010, we are nearing the time or our departure at what seems like a snowballing pace. We continue to pray that God will be with us and that 'with God's help' we will be well prepared for the challenge and adventure that this trip offers each member of our team. You have gotten to know a number of us already. I am Nicole, wife to Wayne, mom to Charissa, and although I refer to myself as the team 'elder' I am not as mature as you might believe. I can get pretty silly after six hours of pinching pyrogies! I like to think I have a good sense of humor, and working with the team (many of whom I have watched grow up during my 13 years at St. Aidan's) keeps me active and certainly feeling youthful. They are a great group, and seeing everyone work together as often as we have the past months, it has been an eye opening experience to see the maturity and the relationships that each person has with each other and with God already. I can imagine that this trip will have a lifelong effect on each of us. God has changed our plans from what we thought they would originally be. It has been difficult giving up a good deal of the planning to Him. In that respect this journey has already deepened my relationship with God. Having to trust Him more that my 'planning' nature and financial administrator background would normally be comfortable with. Where can our team be the most effective as missionaries? It has been the question we have all been asking and praying about. Our prayers were answered as we received packages in the mail last week explaining in great detail where we would be, what we would be doing, and most importantly what will be expected of us. It was difficult all of those months not knowing, so now that those details are in hand, we can focus on being the light that Christ wants us to be, to do the best that we can, and be respectful of the people of France. Allison Moore who is also with GEM on an year long mission was kind enough to meet with us and share some of her experience regarding the culture and people of France where she grew up. "It's not wrong, it's just different" is the phrase we have been asked to remind ourselves of in the mission preparation guide we have been studying at our Team meetings. The same guide also says, "positive life-change occurs in direct proportion to how prepared you are. No doubt you have a lot to do before you go, but a prepared heart should be the number one priority on your list.". Please continue to pray for us to be as prepared as possible and our sincere thanks for your tremendous support for the Missions Team thus far. ~ Nicole