Atlantic in April! Brrrrrr

My 3 sons!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3t6lNkLOCk

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rltM6hVAihQ

JUST KEEP PEDALING!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of our faith…"  Heb 12:2

"KEEP PEDALING!  I can see it!

KEEP GOING!     It’s just ahead!”

 That’s what Nate and I kept saying last week on the bike ride to see the Barnegat Lighthouse. “It’s gotta be close!”   Last week our family was blessed to get away for a few days to the Jersey Shore at a friend’s home.  We had three gorgeous days, just the six of us. It was a very special time before the wave of change that is about to crash our shores!

We are planning to arrive at HOPE MOUNTAIN by mid JULY, 2012.

WHERE are we today?

Ø  72% support commitments

Ø  66% one-time set-up needs

Ø  Children are enrolled in Faith Academy. Classes start AUG 1.

Ø  Still working fulltime while discovering our team partners

Ø  Living life with 4 active children
- Nate graduates June 13 and ships out to Marine Boot Camp June 18.

WHAT IS STILL NEEDED to send us on our way?

• Committed PRAYER partners
• $1320/month basic living expenses (any amount is helpful!)
• $10,000 start up costs  (furniture, transportation, household, etc)
•  $675/month education costs for Heather, Caleb and Matthew
•   HOUSING for the family near Faith Academy

 MAY 1^st is the deadline date WORLDVENTURE needs to have all commitments recorded in order for us to proceed with departure plans.  Thanks to each of you who have prayed, encouraged, and given so faithfully this last year.  We are trusting God to move these barriers so we can finish the final leg of this journey.

We are SOOOO close!  Yet still waiting on God to bring in the last few monthly commitments so that we can move forward with the paperwork, purchasing of tickets, securing housing, and saying goodbyes.  

Would you consider joining us on this 3 year marathon!
Gifts can be given on line at   www.WORLDVENTURE.com acct #731

or call/write:

 WorldVenture     1501 Mineral Ave,      Littleton, CO     80120-5612   

1-800-487-4224

We thank God for each of you and for each step of this journey!  
Brian & Patty   Nate, Heather, Caleb & Matthew

MARCH MADNESS!

Wow.. It's really March!
We're marching forward, step by step.
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the benefit night a success.
It was fun and informative.  We hope those that came were encouraged by being there.
We'll update in a couple of days with some facts and numbers!

February Update!

"We love because He first loved us."  I John 4:19
Happy Valentines Day to Everyone!  
We've had a busy month since we last wrote. 
- Heather turned 16
- We had two wrestlers in house!
- Nate is getting closer each day to finishing his Eagle Scout Requirements!
- Family weekend away
- Hosted one "dessert night" where we shared the ministry vision in a home.
- Shared the ministry w/ at 2 local churches 
- Prepared for the "FAMILY BENEFIT NIGHT" on Feb 25. DON'T MISS IT!


We're encouraged that the monthly support commitments are at about 40%.
Thanks to everyone's encouragement along the way!  
We wouldn't be where we are without it!


Patty for all of us!
for our World Venture profile and donor information visit:


WorldVenture link

Brian and Patty's Profile

get some history on the Shiels

SAVE THE DATE - FEB 25 7-10 pm

Mark your calendar for this special Family fun night!
http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a6b324d7a557a4d544d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link

January update

Happy New Year to all our family and friends!  The week of Christmas found me up in Carmen, Manitoba visiting my parents and sister and her family.  It was great to spend some time with them all and get caught up on all the activities north of the boarder.

Patty and I are continuing to get the word out about the ministry opportunity at Hope Mountain!  We are speaking in churches and connecting with friends and family who are interested in partnering with us.  Currently we are at 40% of our monthly goal and have received 50% of our one-time set-up costs.  So we still have a ways to go!  But we are encouraged by so many that want to get involved and join us in this new venture!

We have a Family Night Benefit event planned  on Feb 25^th at First Baptist Church in Doylestown, PA.  We’ll have a Coffee House in the Fellowship Hall with live music and great eats!  At the same time we’ll have activities for kids of all ages in their gym.

We are also planning a used book sale/exchange at the event so come prepared to pick up some new reading material.

Please contact us if you are interested in learning more.

Brian and Patty Shiel