Bansenblog

Greetings friends and family,
I'm writing this on a hotel lobby computer, so I'll have to make this one brief. Just want to let everyone know that we are almost to California. We stayed last night in a hotel in Reno, Nevada. Today we will make it to Chico, and tomorrow we will start our orientation at the YWAM base. This is just amazing...we've been looking forward to this for a long time, as many of you know. We are continuing to trust that God will provide a nanny for us, for Eli. He doesn't call us into something in which He won't provide for our every need. So we are remaining in His hands. Thank you all for your continual, faithful prayers...He is faithful, we will see Him do it.
On our trip this far we have been able to visit family and see some beautiful sights. Arches national park and Great Basin national park have been awesome to see. They are such a testimony to God's glory and splendor and a reminder to us that if He can create and maintain those wonders, He certainly can make a way for us in our need, Praise God!
A quick praise report...as we were camping. The kids are quickly learning about the wilderness and camping and about how to be safe outside in that setting. To not go running through the camp was a tough lesson for Eli as he had tripped on a rock and landed his left hand into the hot fire pit. I was quite panicked as I ran him fast to the stream thinking he had burned himself and put his hand into the cold water. In the end the only owee that he complained of was...the cold water. Thank God, no burns!!! But a good lesson. The kids have learned to walk now. I did check the spot where his hand landed in the fire pit and there were hot coals there. God simply protected his little hand, thank you Lord!
One more praise of note...the van. It is older, higher mileage and really loaded. Even so, it has driven and performed like a dream...again thank you Lord!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support! God is doing great things...expect them!
We love you all! More news later as we get to Chico.

Contending 4 the faith,

Shawngingerhannahelijah

Greetings friends, family and curious onlookers,
No, the arch has not been moved to Denver. This is us visiting the 'Gateway to the West' while we were visiting Ginger's cousin Kirstin, her husband Orie and little Ella in the heart of the country, St. Louis, Missouri. Big thanks to them for their warm hospitality and good food (Orie's an awesome cook!).
We headed west again from there travelling for about 8 hours and camped in the plains of Kansas. Another day of travel has brought us to the 'Mile High City' of Denver. One word...beautifullybreathtakingawesome! We love the mountains and just the sight of them gets us excited, especially remembering that those mighty hills were God's idea. He made all of them by hand. Heaven will have mountains!
We are going to be visiting Ginger's brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Kristyne and two babies...Andrea and London. It will also be a day to celebrate birthdays today as we are all together (Andrea and Hannah...close dates, not exactly today). We'll be travelling west again on Monday or Tuesday.
This has been such an adventure and a step of faith for all of us. God is getting ready to do a new thing here in the Bansen family. We know many of you have been holding us up in prayer and we can honestly sense it. Thank you!!!! The nanny need has not been answered yet, but this is God's plan and He will provide our nanny to us at the right time. Please keep the van in prayer too. It has been travelling very well. For its age and mileage and the insane load that we have burdened it with, its simply God's hand on us as we travel! No, I'm not nervous...just continually amazed. Thank you for your love, prayers, support in encouragement and finances, and in your feedback here on this webpage. We'll do our best relaying news, entries and pictures for everybody every chance we get.
Much love, many hugs,

Contending 4 the faith,

Shawngingerhannahelijah

So this is it! The time is now and we are nearly ready to get into the van and head west for 6 months. We have not found a nanny as of yet, but after talking with the YWAM school leadership, they advised us to come and remain open to anyone who may yet contact us. They are making our need known on base and are confident that someone will be available to nanny Elijah for us while we're in class. They also suggested that we could make the need known to the area churches if we need to. In some way God will provide and we are trusting Him to do this. Please hold this up with us in prayer. We know that God is opening this door and He will prove Himself faithful, amen!
So then, we will be in California by the 27th of this month and starting a whole new thing...an absolute God thing...trusting Him for open doors and provision and all that. Wow!!!!!!
We love you all!
We'll keep you posted...expect God's faithfulness.

Contending 4 the faith,
Shawn

P.S. feel free to give feedback in the 'comments' area, we love hearing from you all!

Well, we're gearing up to go on our great adventure out west to do a CDTS with YWAM in Chico, Ca. No telling where God will send us afterward, but we are confident that He is solidly in control of this endevour. Good thing too because we are still without a nanny (for Elijah) and we are trusting God to provide for all of our financial needs in order to do this. We are currently talking to someone who sounds interested in the nanny job. Please pray! We'll keep you posted.
We are excited to be able to share our experiences with you as we go on this missionary journey. I'm wanting to make this forum into an (approx)daily journal and also be able to get feedback from you who are following along with us via the feedback option available on this blogsite.
More to come as we pack and prepare to finally leave on Monday, August 15.
I'll do my best to stay connected...you pray. Sounds like a good arangement.

Contending 4 the faith,
Shawn

so did it work? Hope so.