My Family

Ok so I have the greatest family ever. They are supportive, encouraging, loving, AND on top of all that, they are listening to God's call on their lives and are pursuing a call He gave them.

Rick- Father, hilarious and deeper than I will probably ever realize
Susan- Mother, loving and wise
Rebecca- Older sister
Rachael- Younger sister

Here is what's going on:

First off, Rebecca is already in the mission field living on a ship called the "Doulos". She left January '07 and her term ends Februrary '09. She loves it so much and it has changed her life.

My parents, Rick and Susan, and my sisters, Rachael and Rebecca, went to Italy like 2 years ago, I think, for a mission trip with crossroads Church. During this trip, I think God called all of them to the mission field. Rebecca hadn't found her place and was still trying to figure out what to do with her life. Mom had felt a calling to missions since she was a teenager, especially after she lived in Chile for 2 years doing just that! Rachael was and still is a teenager trying to find where she fits in. Becca actually got to visit the Doulos when she was in Italy, which was what caught her eye and got the gears moving in her head.

They had such a blast that they decided to do another trip a year later. They had also felt a real connection with Eliseo and Paula, the Operation Mobilisation *also called OM* Italy missionaries. Somehow, somewhere, during these trips, between getting lost in Rome and meeting a ton of people, God broke their hearts for Italy. In "Hosanna" by Hillsong United, one of the lines of the bridge is "Break my heart for what breaks Yours". That is what they have prayed for their entire lives and they got what they asked, no begged, for!

SO! after a year of raising support, financially and also with prayer cover, they are leaving August 13th for Torre Pellice, Italy. We already sold our house, they shipped all of their belongings that they won't need for a couple of months, I moved all of the stuff I won't be needing.

So, you ask "Well, Joe! What are you going to be doing?!" Well, I am working at crossroads Church, currently, and will be living with the Murty Family. *I have been helping them finish their basement..* I'm going to a community college, which starts back in about a month, studying digital media, editing videos. Haven't quite found where my nitch is, as far as what God wants to do with me. I am actually praying right now about whether or not to follow the same kind of path as the rest of my family! I talked to Becca about maybe going to Belgium in a year or so. I don't know whats going to happen with that, but I will keep you updated.

Prayer reqs:
My parents still have yet to seel their car. Its a Pontiac Aztec. Not the biggest seller. Thats pretty much the biggie right now, along with getting more financial support. That and continued peace with me and my family. I know my family, especially my mom, will be feeling very emotional, what with leaving me in the U.S. and all. So pray for that, if you will please. Those and clarity for me. Those are pretty much the biggies. Thanks.