Progress

First support letters actually went in the mail today. If you don't have one by the end of the week and you are reading this blog, it is because I don't have your address. Email it to me.

I also approached someone about being my accountability partner here in Lancaster. I am hoping and praying that he agrees.

On a personal note... we took Liam to the Dr. today as he has been wheezing, congested, and running a temp. He has a double ear infection. We got meds plus a new nebulizer to do breathing treatments. Insurance is awesome! It was a great feeling, even with the slightly higher copays.

Two rants...

First-
I feel like the last month has been so focused on packing/moving/driving/getting settled. I haven't really had any time or energy to devote to raising support. I have made some good connections with people I haven't seen in a while. I also finally addressed our support letters (only ten days later than I would have liked) which will go in the mail tomorrow. This weekend I will be sitting down and making a more concrete plan about how to make contacts and set up appointments. If you are in the Southern California area, plan on getting a phone call from me sometime in the next few weeks.


Second-
We need a set of wheels for me to drive. I need something to get me to work and around town, preferably with decent gas mileage. If we were able to find a loaner car to use for the next few months, that would be ideal. Here's the problem: I've got the motorcycle bug again. I'm trying to figure out if I should feel guilty for praying for $700 for this. If you know me, you know how I like to rationalize and manipulate data in my head. Gas mileage and cheap insurance are the main pros I come up with. (Not to mention riding around So Cal in the spring on a cool old bike.) It's all hypothetical at this point anyway.

On a different note- I played in the dirt at work all week. We removed sod, moved sprinklers, fixed a water main. I got to use the trencher all day today. Good times.

Jehovah Jireh!

Jehovah Jireh means "God Provides."

In the past 24 hours, God has:
-blessed me with a new job with benefits. (I'm gonna be a blue shirt!)
-given me access to an office, computer, printer, place to think/pray/work. (Thanks GC Lancaster!)
-provided two tickets to the DCS Auction. (Thanks Chris!)
-provided free printing for my support letters. (Thanks Sis!)

God is GOOD!

Current Support Letter

Here's the text from our current support letter, going in the mail this week!

Change isn’t just what you find in the cushions of your couch…

A Change of Direction

The McIver’s are about to embark on a new adventure! As you may know, my brother-in-law Rog works with an organization called Youth For Christ Military Youth Ministry. The organization works with military chaplains to provide a youth program for Junior High and High School students on military installations. Rog encouraged me to pursue a position as a Community Director with YFC/MYM. In January I spent 10 days in Colorado with YFC/MYM. I am very excited to share with you that Youth For Christ has extended an invitation to us to serve as Missionaries to Military Kids! (We said yes!) I feel uniquely equipped for this ministry, with five years of professional youth ministry experience and five years of military service.

A Change of Address

Since our roots are on the West Coast, we have decided to make a temporary move to California! We have packed up our house here in Clarksville and put everything in storage. We will leave on the 13^th of February, and make our way back to sunny (and windy!) Lancaster. We will be staying with Janelle’s sister Jessica and her family. I will be substitute teaching at my alma mater, Desert Christian School. We will enjoy being a part of our “home” church, Grace Chapel, for a couple of months. It will be great to be around the West-coast crew for a while!

A Change of Scenery

Our ministry over the next few months will be to share our heart and vision for these “third-culture” kids. We want to invite you to become a part of this ministry as well. In addition to our time in Lancaster, we will be making a number of trips throughout California, Oregon, and Washington. I will be contacting you personally sometime in the next three months. I would love to sit down with you and share my vision. I would also like to share some of our financial goals for this ministry.

How you can pray for us:

· For the kids and all the adjustments they will have to make.

· For Janelle as she teaches the kids at home.

· For safety as we travel about the country.

· For the Laird’s & McIver’s as we pack 12 bodies into one house.

Grace and Blessings,

Jon (For the McIver clan)

The McIver Family Adventure!!!

If you've been following the saga of the McIver family, you know the basic details of our life. If not, here's a quick recap:
-In January Jon went to Colorado to interview with Youth For Christ/Military Youth Ministry.
-YFC/MYM offered Jon a position as a Community Director with Military Community Youth Ministry.
-Jon and Janelle decided that he best place to raise support was on the West Coast.
-During the first two weeks of February we packed everything (almost) we own into a 12X12 storage unit.
-On February 13th, we left Clarksville, TN for Southern California.
-While in California, Jon will be subbing at Desert Christian.
-The kids are "doing school at home" with Janelle and Aunt Jessica.

So that's the basic rundown... trip details and support progress to follow in other posts!