Update

It's been a few weeks since I sent out my final newsletter and announced my resignation from full-time missions. A lot has changed since then, so even though I expected my last post to be my final one, it's time for an update (and possibly more posts in the future).

As of April 1, I had resigned and was planning on getting married in mid-June. However, I'm now no longer engaged. I'm not sure what I'm going to do next, and so I'd like to ask for your prayers for direction for my future. Before making any decisions, I want to have confidence and clear direction from God.

I've got a good job working in New Milford and I enjoy my life here with my family, friends, and home church close by. But I don't want to stay just because life is good and easy here; I want to seek what God has for me to do next.

I'm considering getting back into full-time missions, but I'm going to take some time to think and pray about it before making a decision. In a month or two, I will make a decision about being a full-time missionary or not, and also decide what kind of work I want to do, with what mission and in what part of the world.

Philippians 1:19-20 has encouraged me greatly in the last few years of my ministry and I wanted to close this post by sharing it with you. I am reminded that any situation can be used by God to bring glory to Himself, through the prayers of God's people and the Spirit of Christ...

For I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

A new chapter

I just sent out a final newsletter to my supporters. Yes, I said final newsletter.

After a lot of thought and prayer, I've made a tough decision - to resign from my full-time missions work. I'm not going to go into all of my reasons for this decision here, but you can read all about it in my newsletter. (If you would like a copy, just email me and I'll get one to you).

While I'm having mixed emotions as I end of this chapter of my life - the full-time missions work I've done over the last four years, I'm also excited as I look forward to the next chapter - getting married and learning to be a wife.

I'd like to take one last opportunity to say thank you to all of you for your support of my ministry - through reading my blog, praying for me and supporting me financially. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you!

God bless,

Sara

Hi from South Carolina

Greetings from sunny South Carolina! I flew down to Charlotte, NC last Tuesday and have spent the last week with Scott at the hunting lodge in SC where he works. I'm enjoying helping out around here, and still being able to work remotely for my job in PA.

Mom and Dad stopped by the other day on their way to Florida, so it was nice to show them around and get to spend some time with them here. They will be taking me home with them around the 17th when they are driving through.

That's all for now. Hopefully I can post a few pictures when I'm home and have a better internet connection!

Working away

Only a day after my last post, Scott flew back to North Carolina, while I stayed here in PA. We're back to talking on Skype and the phone, but the distance has been easier this time, since I knew when I'd be able to see him again. I'm flying down to NC this coming Tuesday and spending a few weeks with Scott.

These last few weeks, I've been busy working my GIS mapping job. I really enjoy making maps and learning how to do my job better all the time. I've been wedding planning and speaking in churches too.

With all of the changes happening in my life over the last six months, I'm now in the middle of making a big career decision. I'd appreciate your prayers, and I'll post more info in the next week or two.

Delayed because of incliment weather

The snowstorms and icy roads that are part of life in northeastern PA this time of year tend to change schedules for school, church and even missionary presentations.

I was scheduled to speak at my home church, South New Milford Baptist Church, this past Sunday, and while I made it to church alright, some members of the congregation don't live as close by and wisely didn't venture out.

I set up my display table at church, but my speaking was postponed until next Sunday. I'm so glad I will have the opportunity to share about my ministry - past, present, and future - with my very supportive church family at SNMBC!

With Pastor Thomas this past Sunday

Hitting the Ground Sprinting

I'm back in Pennsylvania now. I got here almost two weeks ago and have been keeping busier than busy since then!

I'm working almost every day doing computer mapping work (GIS) for Joe Hunt and Associates, a company run by a man from our church. I'm also doing my best to keep up on my furlough work - contacting churches and taking care of other ministry things.

When I'm at home, I have been working on getting unpacked and settled into a new house that my sisters and I are renting from our dad. I've got to spend some time with my family - we had Mom and Dad over for dinner at the new house. Laura and I took a break from cooking to pose in new aprons that Mom made us.
I've started speaking at churches and to small groups. Last Sunday I spoke in the evening service of Braintrim Baptist in Laceyville, PA. This Tuesday night I enjoyed getting to share with the Ladies' Missionary Group from my home church. It was really fun to talk to them about my last few years in ministry and the exciting opportunities that lay ahead for me! I had a chance to show my PNG photo album too.

Flying Home

The sheets are washed, the floors swept and mopped, and the fridge cleaned out. The last bag of trash is sitting by the door waiting to be thrown in the dumpster. I'm all ready to move out of my apartment in North Carolina and come home to Pennsylvania for a few months.

My sisters Laura and Naomi flew down on Wednesday to spend a few days here with me (which was a lot of fun!) and now they are driving my car back to PA. The doctor told me that on long car trips for the next few months, I have to get out every hour and walk to prevent deep vein thrombosis as a potential complication of my surgery. That would turn a 12 hour car trip into at least a 16 hour one! So Laura and Naomi agreed to drive my car home and save us all the 16+ hour trip!

I'm excited about being home to share about my ministry with churches, small groups and individuals. My time at home will be a time of sharing about my ministry, but also recruiting more people to partner with me financially. I will not be able to start my new assignment in vernacular media until I am supported at 100% of my budget.

If you or your church are interested in having me speak or in supporting my ministry, please
contact me. The next time I post here, I'll be all settled in in Pennsylvania!

Last Week in Waxhaw (for awhile)

This Monday morning in Waxhaw, NC will be my last for awhile. I'm flying home to New Milford, PA on Saturday to spend a few months reconnecting with churches and supporters.

I will miss my new friends, my boyfriend, and being settled into life here, but I should be back within a few months to start my assignment at JAARS. Before I come back, I plan to share with my supporting churches about my past two and a half years of ministry as well as about my new assignment in vernacular media. (If you would like me to share with your church or group, please don't hesitate to contact me at sara.vancott@gmail.com.)

It's snowing here today, which is somewhat rare for this part of the country. I woke up to about two inches of snow and we're supposed to get up to five total through the rest of the day and tonight. Here's the view from my front porch. I love the way the snow looks, but I just wish it were warmer!

Yesterday afternoon, before the snow started, I got to do something fun and unusual - Scott and I recaptured a neighbor's escaped peacock! We heard it was nearby so went looking and found it easily. It was quite calm and with the help of his dog, Scott was able to catch it! I held the peacock as Scott drove drove to the neighbor's house to return it.

Assignment Progress

Over the Christmas holidays, I sent some emails regarding my next assignment. Yesterday, since everyone was back in the office after the break, I got some answers.

My next assignment is close to being official! I'll be serving in the vernacular media department here, working half-time as the public relations coordinator and half-time as an assistant trainer. I'll post more information once the assignment is official.

A quick update on my health: My back is slowly getting better. It's not completely healed yet, but is well on the way. I am not having any continuing complications from my kidney surgery. I still have a stent in, but that will come out next week.

First Update of the New Year

Happy New Year! I hope you're having a good start to the new year. Mine has been a little rough so far...

On New Year Eve's morning, I went to stand up from a chair and couldn't - something had happened to my back. I spent all of New Year's Eve laying in a chair unable to get up and most of New Year's Day doing the same. This morning I'm able to stand up from a chair by myself (with only some pain) but I'm definitely not all better.

I'd appreciate your prayers for my back (and my continued healing from surgery) as well as prayers for encouragement. I'm getting discouraged because it seems like just one more thing on top of everything else that is going on. I really want to get back to my normal life, but am still being held back by these physical problems...