| Winter/Spring 2012 |
| Sometimes life feels like we're barely keeping ahead |
| Even when it's fun, it's still a struggle . . . |
| S. . . .one moment away from being devoured |
| ...or at least losing the roof over our heads |
| It has now been over 7 years since we concluded our service with the International (overseas) Ministries of the Christian & Missionary Alliance. We thought then that at least one, if not both, of us would find full time calling and employment somewhere. But it has not happened . . . in SEVEN years! Instead, we have patched together part-time teaching contracts, short term interim pastoring stints, some writing, & a couple of quick temporary jobs, to try to make the rent on time each month. Many times we fail. |
| Seven years seems like a LONG time to "wander around" without specific direction, calling, or visible purpose. But then we remember that the people of Israel did so for forty years and He provided for them, though they had lacked faith, until He was ready to take them in to the Land |
| After several years in which as many as four different cars occupied our driveway, it's been really strange for over a year to just have ONE vehicle. |
| Actually, we thought we'd begun the "empty nesters" stage of our life four years ago, but then Malcolm came back from Israel, and Matt moved into the garage, so we were four out of the five of our nuclear family in one home again. |
| Meanwhile, Gene gets to preach once in a while at nearby Chicago-land churches, mostly of the Alliance |
| ...and has begun teaching a few new courses, like Church History |
| Recently, Malcolm moved about 20 miles, to West Chicago. Matt also rented an apartment starting March 1 2 miles from here, so it looks like it may finally be "Gene and Susie" again. |
| And though we've been living in DuPage County Illinois since 2004, Susan still spends almost all her time with international people (here with ESL students and volunteer teachers at Lombard Bible Church) |
| Because the ESL program she started meets the same night as the church's children's program, while the adults are learning English, their kids can be exposed to the gospel in a natural, fun environment . . . everybody wins. |
| Rhetorical question of the day: If you work your fingers to the bone, whaddya get? . . . Click to hear Hoyt Axton's classic answer |
| Meanwhile down in South Carolina the next generation of Smillies look a bid shady -- only because, ahem, they are surrounded by such brilliance |
| The career begins . . . you saw it first here |
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| Cassie, Gabriella, and Dave June 4, 2012 |
| Gabriella Noel's first birthday |
| On the other hand, Dave, who moved to South Carolina in 2007, comes back twice a year or so to visit, and keeps bringing more of his growing nuclear family ! We love that. |