February 2016 Update: Things We Love

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Since it is the “month of love” we thought we’d share some of the things our family has been loving lately…



 David loves...to build!  At four and a half he’ll use anything and everything to create what his mind has imagined.  He’s really into making things with construction paper right now (maybe he thinks he can construct anything with it because it’s “construction” paper).  He also loves doing puzzles and is quite good at them.  David loves his preschool and has been using more and more Spanish words and phrases he’s been learning.
Emily loves...to be productive.   Our almost three year old takes initiative to help out with unloading groceries (even when they are too heavy for her), feeding the dog, washing the dishes, and doing whatever needs to get done.  Emily absolutely loves to dance.  And when she does so, she is beaming with joy!  She just started going to David’s preschool last month and is really thriving there.  She loves tagging along with her big brother.


Lucy loves...to boss our dog Bella around.  All. The. Time.  It’s actually quite humorous.  Luke said recently that this is a new thing for us to observe in one of our kids and it’s because the other two each had younger siblings coming along pretty quickly after them and Lucy, who is 16 months, doesn’t have that yet.  Lucy loves to smile, giggle, run, dance, sing, and “talk” a lot.  She is the picture of pure joy and delight.  Except when she’s mad, which isn’t often, but when she is, you will know it right away!  
Ellen loves...being a mom to these three great kids!  It’s definitely tiring and challenging at times but wrapped in laughter and sweet moments.  I am especially enjoying a bit of breathing room in my schedule now that the two older ones are in preschool.  I love filling this extra time with writing, planning worship sets, and improving my less-than-wonderful skills in the kitchen.  I love seeing God at work in others and being a small part of bringing hope and truth to those who are struggling or going through something that I have.


Luke loves...being a dad and a husband.  He is intentional about investing time into his family and loves creating memories with these kids that grow up way too fast (so we are told).  Luke loves to see his students and youth group kids growing in their relationships with Christ such that it spills out in their worship and service.  He gets excited about studying God’s Word and loves being able to teach it to our kids and to others.


 As a family, we love...Jesus.  He is the reason we live and breathe and have our being.  Without Him we are nothing.  Without Him our marriage is nothing and our efforts to train up our kids in His ways are nothing.  Without Him life and ministry amount to nothing.  We desire to follow Jesus, digging deeper into His Word and reaching out to others with His truth.  One way our family loves to worship Him is by singing songs that are pure scripture.  Check out Seeds Family Worship at Seedsfamilyworship.com. They are a wonderful ministry and have helped our family in the area of family worship in an amazing way!     


As a family, we love...Nicaragua.  This is the place where Luke and I met.  The place where David and Emily were born.  Practically our whole adult lives have been lived here.  We love the people.  We love the beautiful home we are blessed to live in with an amazing view and breeze.  We love the family we have become part of here.  We love the slower pace of life here and all things that have become familiar and have made this place home to us.
This next part is not something we particularly love and so we want to preface it with the truth that our love for Nicaragua is deep.  We are so thankful for the years we have had the privilege of living and serving here and for the many ways this country, its people, and our missionary community have stretched us and shaped us.



 As much as it is true that we love Nicaragua, we are filled with peace (and a mix of sadness) that our time in Nicaragua is coming to a close.  After much prayer and counsel, Luke is taking a step toward a seminary degree, something that has been tugging at his heart for a while now.  Remember that part about how he gets excited about studying God’s Word and loves being able to teach it to our kids and to others?  Yeah, he really does.  And he’s even excited about studying Greek and Hebrew!  Our family is super proud that Luke has been accepted into the Youth and Family Ministries Masters of Divinity program at Denver Seminary!  Classes start on August 21st and so our family will be moving to Colorado this summer.  Luke hopes to use his seminary degree to be more fully prepared for a youth pastor position or possibly a different church leadership position sometime in the future.  We’re excited to see where God will lead us with the training Luke will receive through Denver Seminary.



 We have loved being able to share in this journey with each of you through the years.  Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, your financial support, and your friendship.  We are humbled by the fact that our family would not be here if it weren’t for your faithful generosity.  
If you haven’t supported us financially in past, we would invite you to consider doing so during this transitional time for our family.  One-time gifts will be especially needed with the move and start-up costs in the states.  If the Lord puts our family’s need on your heart, please do not hesitate to pursue one of the gift giving options today.  For more information, click here. Missionary Ventures International will allow our family to receive funds through December 2016.  Thank you for considering being part of God’s provision for our family during this time of change.



 We would LOVE for you to pray for us during this transition:
  • For us to “leave well” and fully enjoy our last 4 months in Nicaragua.
  • For the sale of our vehicle and household things and then packing what fits! :)
  • For emotional/spiritual health as we begin life in a different country, though it is our own.
  • For the adjustment of our kids (though still young, saying goodbye to good friends is hard).
  • For provision of a place to live and part-time jobs in Colorado for both of us that will help cover living expenses and school bills but also allow for quality time with family.

Important Dates:
June 10 - NCA Graduation
End of June - Fly to Indiana to visit family
Early July - Drive to Colorado
August 21 - Luke begins classes at Denver Seminary

Thank you for taking the time to read what is happening in our lives.  We’d love to know what is happening in yours so that we can pray for you as well.  Please send us an email or FB message - we’d love to hear from you!

Blessings,
Luke, Ellen, David, Emily and Lucy Rosenberger

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