Fall Quarter News 2011

Memories of Summer …

Gamradt Family gathering at Sauk Centre

Our van’s transmission breaking & then getting fixed at no cost (what a blessing!!!)

Going to the Minnesota State Fair (the giant slide and Mr. Bubble’s bubble pit were a hit)

Naomi getting stitches on her forehead 

after falling on her sunglasses

Visits from Auntie Karla, Grandma B, & Grandpa and Grandma DQ

Hannah turning 5 & losing her training wheels

Seeing some of Maureen’s extended family at a reunion in the Cities

Sarai turning 7 & losing 2 more teeth

Getting a free piano(!)

Kevin & Maureen celebrating 9 years of marriage

The Girls running every “Wednesday Night At the Races”—kid fun runs in Duluth

…into Fall

Sarai started 2^nd grade.  She loves drawing, reading, & science, but says she’s not too keen on gym.

Hannah started Kindergarten.  Her highlights include riding the school bus and playing with the sand table in her classroom.

Naomi just turned 3.  Her latest passion is puzzles and doing “learning time” (preschool at home with either mom or dad).

Kevin continues to chip away at his degree in Religious Studies, this term studying Theology, Life Science, New & Old Testament Theory. The Leadership Training through Hillside Church is couple of hours on Thursdays, with additional reading and personal growth meetings in the week. It’s probably a good thing he works at Starbucks to caffeinate and keep him on the go!

Maureen also puts in some time at Starbucks to supplement income…and get her coffee fix. Now that the house is in order & she’s adjusted to working outside the home, she’ll be ministering with the Hillside worship team as well.

Ahhh…Dulut’

Leaving literal family, friends, fruitful ministry in Wells to come up Nort’ was a tough call.  Would we be welcomed back to our church community in Duluth?  Would we have to start totally fresh?  Would we have any friends?  What if we end up disillusioned and broken hearted?

But what if:

…God provides a neighborhood where we actually know our neighbors names?

…Our girls get into a good school?

…Small half hearted prayers get answered to bolster our faith?

…Old friendships rekindle and new ones are sparked?

…We have a church network that gives us vision check-ups and mentorship

opportunities?

…We can still be involved, partnering with God and church, using our strengths for ministry?

…We feel at home with “family” even while our hearts ache for Ireland?

We have experienced all this and more over the past 3 months. There are still times of pain and disillusionment. We get overwhelmed by the “whys” and “whens” in our hearts and when talking to others about Ireland. It’s hard to see some of the FaceBook pages of the teenagers we mentored in Galway…making decisions that don’t honor God, parents, or even themselves. Why can’t we be there speaking the life and courage of Jesus into them and so many others? The answer to that question has yet to be answered for us.  Right now though, we keep them and Ireland in our prayers. There is a season for everything—and this season has brought us to Duluth, MN.

We are treasuring what He has for us here, but with hearts still passionate for Ireland.

Until God directs our hearts otherwise, we are still committed to returning & ministering in Ireland. What we are a part of in Duluth is training for that future. We cannot continue on this current journey without you. For all of you who faithfully support us in prayer and finances, we are ever grateful.

Blessings in Him,

The Gamradts