Our Family In God

John Thomas is currently fascinated with the difference between who is in our family, who we consider strangers, and who is our family "in God". It isn't an easy concept to explain to a four year old boy who happens to be a bit shy. Afterall, we want to encourage him to be friendly and respectful of all people, but in todays world you have to teach them to be cautious. Just one of the many perils of parenting.
But in the midst of this adventure the Culbertson's are on, we have met some amazing people who help to make the idea of "family in God" much easier to understand. God has cared for us in so many ways, and not the least of these are the amazing people whose paths he has allowed us to cross. Just this past week at Interview and Orientation with Mission To The World we were blessed to go through the process with an incredible class of people. These people inspire me. We met couples, who by all rights should be setting their sights on future retirement and stable, prosperous jobs, but instead are uprooting themselves to go forth and obey God's call to minister to all people. We met singles, who again should logically be concentrating on career or schooling or maybe even future family, but instead they are heading forth to the Far East, Africa and to Latin America. We had the distinct pleasure to fellowship with a couple whose own missionary adventure to Thailand has taken them 6 years. These people are truly amazing to me, not just because of who they are, but also because they have chosen to obey the call God has placed on their lives to go forth into all nations and make disciples of all people, from Uganda to Japan. I have been challenged by them, encouraged by them, and made part of their family by our common Father.
In addition Ryan and I met the wonderful staff of MTW. I have new respect for these people who serve tirelessly behind the scenes so that we and others can go to our destinations with proper education, resources and support. The Culbertson family adventure is backed up lovingly by a whole building of cheerleaders. In fact, in God's great provision, I can safely say that we personally have been paired up with the most perfect MTW representative possible! I honestly cannot wait to talk with Kelley again!
And ofcourse, our family in God is bigger because it now includes the amazing staff of Isaiah 55, our new, official team members. We are so excited to get down to the border and join with them in all that they are doing in service to the Lord and the people of Reynosa.
My sweet John Thomas, we are very blessed to have many members of our family in God.

Karen

Celebrate!

With great thanksgiving to our God we are so happy to announce that Mission To The World has approved our desire to go to Reynosa, Mexico and serve with Isaiah 55. We can not thank you all enough for the support you have given to us thus far. We prayerfully hope that you will continue along with us the rest of the way!!! "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

Karen

Grateful

Finally. The checklist, so long, has come to an end. Here we sit in a hotel room in Atlanta, GA. The first day of Interview and Orientation with Mission To The World is over. By Wednesday afternoon we will know if our missionary adventure has come to an end or if it is truly just beginning. Will we have more to check off as we pursue funding and prayer to go to Reynosa, Mexico or will we drive home to process what God had for us in the journey yet destined to go no further for now?
Don't know yet. What Ryan and I do know is that we are so grateful. God is so very good. Incredibly generous to his people. In so many ways He has already wrapped His arms of love around us, encouraged us, confirmed us, and lifted us up. He has done it through...YOU! The response we have had is overwhelming. Our Facebook Page has 272 friends! We have already had people speaking to their church missions boards about supporting us if the time comes. We have had a monetary offer of support, and we haven't been officially confirmed. Words of encouragement and prayer have been lifted up for us. This week while we are away our sweet children are being cared for not only by our family, but also by our christian family, taken in each day by people who love them and want to help us in a very real and physical way. God in His amazing grace has sent us a whole team of people to walk with us, counsel us, pray for us, serve us. All this for the mere possibility that we may be missionaries. Just for a maybe.
Friends, we love you so much. We are grateful for every thought and prayer you have lifted on our behalf, every wise word you have offered, every meal you have given our children, each scripture offered, and every listening ear. Ryan and I "thank our God with every remembrance of you." (Phil 1:3)

Karen

The Doors

Yes, it has been a long time since any updates. I have come to the conclusion that May is just as busy or more than even December with its Christmas rush. We have been up to our eyeballs in recitals, programs and even kindergarten graduations. That's right, we have an official 1st grader! Would seem that our family has many doors to walk through these days. We watch our children grow every day, changing sometimes before our eyes. With the end of this school year, we start a new chapter in our lives. I am now a retired preschool teacher. Yet my teaching career is only beginning as I will now prepare to start homeschooling both children. I am so excited about that adventure. It is just one of many facing the Culbertson's these days. Things have been crazy, to say the very least. But even in craziness, God is good. Because the other reason there have been so few updates lately is because there is nothing to tell. Since news of our invitation from Isaiah 55 we have been playing a waiting game. There have been some things to accomplish, more testing and forms to fill out. But mostly we are waiting and praying. The craziness of May and the milestones of our family life have certainly helped in that waiting and kept us from too many feelings of anxiety.
Now we find the next, and maybe biggest moment is at hand. In one week we leave for Atlanta to meet face to face with staff of Mission To The World and seek final approval to be missionaries and go serve in Mexico. One more door to walk through. One more chance for God to confirm or to say "Far enough, the door is closed." We still believe with all our hearts that we are on the path God has set before us. We still feel very called to this mission. And we still hold fast to our hearts desire, to follow God, door open or door shut, and to learn from Him what He has for our family.
The updates will come quicker now friends. Pray!

Karen