Not planning on this...

Cook's Short Order Update

We apologize for the lateness of this update. We are having some problems with our emailer.

Just a Note:
Several weeks ago we received word that Michelle's sister's, Judy, husband had died. We weren't really planning on making a trip to Indiana this soon before camp. We prayed, planned, prayed, re-planned, prayed, tossed out our plans, then finally went with what we felt was God's plan.

God repeatedly showed us through the trip that He had all things worked out. Extra money for the trip. A short visit in a supporting church. More free literature for friends overseas. A place to stay and rest. Time to visit with family. A place for Nate to stay and be able to work. Provision for our pets. God worked it all for His glory.

As soon as we returned we caught up laundry and headed to Camp David for Counselor Training. Michelle cooked. Bruce led worship and team building activities. Finally, Sunday afternoon, we drove home and crashed. Well, sort of, because Monday we headed back to camp to celebrate the close of the camp's first after school Front Porch Program. Nate and Caleb had served as mentors. We are proud of the time they gave to invest in the lives of 2 young men for several weeks.

We feel like we are finally catching up. But we praise God for providing many blessings along the way, including Pine Ridge Bible Church, Goshen, IN, who just voted to take on some of our monthly support! Thank You, God, and thank you, PRBC family!

Not Fair:
This account is very close to home and just over a month ago. We are using this story by permission from the Rolla Police Department, MO.

What a depressing job. I was dispatched to a store where a male left the cutest little 3 year old girl in his vehicle while he shopped. Windows up and the car off. When I came up she was soaked in sweat. As I was about to slim jim the vehicle opened the father ran up. I got her out and brought her to my vehicle and blasted the AC. I also gave the little girl 5 stuffed animals. I called in the father's name and wouldn't you know, he had a probation violation warrant with no bond.

The little girl started to kind of lose it and was crying and saying please don't take my daddy. Well, with a warrant we don't have a choice. I managed to put him in cuffs and into my vehicle while distracting her so she didn't have to have a permanenet image of her dad in hand cuffs. Mom was called and it took about 30 minutes for her to get there. While we waited for mom, me and the little girl went and sniffed about every single flower that this business had for sale. We were there for a while and I had dispatch call the [store] manager. He told the little girl that she could pick out whatever flowers she wanted. Needless to say, she picked out the prettiest pink flowers they had. All in all, it could ahve been a lot worse.

The gentlemand went for the warrant, the little girl didn't have to see her dad in hand cuffs, and she ended up going with mom and some pink flowers and stuffed animals. Ever wonder why we do stuff like the harlem shake at the parade? It's because the other 99% of the time we have to do stuff like this.
That's Not Fair!

Please help us help these children by partnering with us. WE are currently at 33% personal missionary support.

Please Pray:
- that we will be faithful to our family and God's plan for us
- as we seek friends/churches to partner with us (currently 33%)
- no time to recruit - we just need volunteers
- for guy counselors - we need God's help greatly here

Praise the Lord!
- we have enough girl counselors
- for a fairly restful weekend
- for Pine Ridge Bible Church partnering with us
- for two new partners to take this journey with us

Looking Ahead:
- Leadership Training begins tomorrow
- Staff Training begins in 1 week
- 2 weeks till Senior Boys