One more day ... then Scotland here we come!

We finished our schedule of presentations this morning.  Wrapping up the 5 domestic engagements before heading on to Scotland Monday!  It is a bit surreal.  There are three suitcases open and disheveled on the dining room table.  The last load of laundry is in the dryer... and jeans on the line.  Tomorrow, after several errands in the morning and a quick house cleaning... we begin the journey to Scotland!

Nine months ago, in mid-August 2011 we were approached to go to Scotland.  Who knew the preparations and planning, mentoring and training would be like having a baby... 9 months process!  Tomorrow is the day and with anxious anticipation we get ready for bed this evening.  

We start traveling about 2pm Monday and by 8:40am our time Tuesday (1:40pm theirs) we will arrive in Scotland.  I can't remember ever traveling so long in a straight shot for anything.  At least it is broken by vehicles, airports, and waiting periods between things... but it is still going to be a long day.  Praise God we will be busy pretty much from arrival.

We have been blessed by so many prayers already and the Lord has graciously seen us through so many "new" experiences.  Please continue to pray for us as the Lord leads you and for those we will encounter and minister to along our way next week.  This is certainly an adventure of a lifetime for us.  We cannot wait to return and give testimony of the Lord's work.   Follow our ministry opportunities at snyderchalktalk.com and click on the ministry calendar.

Maiden voyage... with only one hiccup, no hitches!

So last week James was feverishly working to accomplish so many things and the Lord was faithful to see him through with stamina, wisdom and guiding his hands.  Our old equipment was repaired, packed up and shipped to Scotland (as you have read or can read in our last post), then his attention turned back to the final construction of the new drawing board.

2012 Snyder original drawing board - in the workshop.

James had been seeing the end from the beginning of this new model since he built the last model 2.5 years ago.  There were things he wanted to be able to manipulate for places with short ceilings, like St. Joseph's Adult Day Care which we have been going to every other month for years.  James would have to place the overhead light hood on the floor in venues like that.  He had a vision of how to make the board height adjustable as well as the light hood adjustable.  

We now have a "convertible" drawing board, and what a sweet ride she is!  James completed her on Saturday but ran out of time for a paint job for the trim that frames the picture.  ... and the hiccup?  As he was setting up for the presentation on Saturday evening, he realized he forgot his chalk tray!  As there is never a problem and only a solution in James' world, we grabbed the empty third cart that we use to transport our stuff into a facility and rolled it between the legs of the board.  It was shorter than James would have liked but it worked well in a pinch and the chalk tray is being resolved as we speak!

Another exciting moment in the preparations for the adventure of our lifetime... to date.  

Your continued prayers for this journey to Scotland are much appreciated.  We are finishing up message details, making sure we have all the music and messages backed up in three ways each, packing, and tying up loose ends here.  We also have a presentation at Conestoga Christian School for elementary chapel on Wednesday and a presentation at a Lutheran church in Coatesville on Sunday morning.  Next Monday afternoon we head for the airport!  Oh, and as if that is not enough... our favorite leopard gecko Valkyrie, (Adam's little girl) is very heavy with eggs and yesterday we thought we may need to take her to the vet.  After talking with her breeder, Adam believes that she is just very close to laying her eggs and we should have them soon!  Thank heavens our son Adam will be holding down the fort here at home while we are gone.   God takes care of even the smallest details!

Bonnie Scotland, here we come!

How cool is GOD?

Our son's pastor has this thing that he likes to open their Bible study with.  He says... "so tell me, cause I just gotta know.  How cool is God?"  Well... here's our "How cool is God" moment for the week...

We are in awe of the Mighty Lord and His tender mercy toward us.  As we prepare for the adventure of our life time... so far... this short term mission trip to Scotland, we had to ship over James' drawing board, light hood, cords and switch box as well as paper and chalk ahead.  We felt like we were running behind on this aspect and that it could possibly not make it through customs in time.  

Praise the LORD for He is marvelous!  We went to FedEx 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoon, they told us 2 days in transit and 2-5days through customs, I started fretting.  But we serve an AWESOME GOD and He got it there by 3:30pm Scotland time (which is 5 hours ahead of us) TODAY!!!  

Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above... with wisdom, power and love... our God is an AWESOME GOD!