Lately in the Todd household...

Sooo, three months have gone by since our last update. I guess that’s a sign that life is busy, eh?

In April we took a trip down to Florida to see Rachel’s parents. Jason spent most of the time working on a construction project over at Rachel’s grandmother’s place, which didn't give him much of a vacation, but brought us in some much appreciated funds. ;) The kids enjoyed spending time with their grandparents and cousins, and Rachel enjoyed a break from cooking every meal... ;)

We got back from Florida in time to celebrate Passover with our neighbors, the Brooks. It was a wonderful time of worship and focusing on what our Messiah has done for us! What a blessing!

Much to our northern blooded chagrin, April started warming up pretty quickly. It got so hot that some neighbor girls came over and asked to wash our van for us for free just so they could cool off in our hose. We thanked them with homemade cookies. ;)

The first weekend in May, GitLit hosted a neighborhood concert down at the entrance of our subdivision. It was very well attended and a great opportunity to meet some of our neighbors and hear some of the local Christian musicians. Calvary Chapel Charleston helped out by supplying teenagers to do face painting. We also gave out hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, and Gospel of John booklets while inviting people to the Saturday night study. 

May also brought an exciting discovery in our backyard: wild blackberries. Every morning Rachel and the girls would go out and forage for the fresh berries. Even though there was never enough at once to actually make something, it was fun to be able to pick and eat them right from our own backyard. Our tiny garden also started producing, and we were able to harvest a few bunches of green beans, snap peas, kale, turnip greens, and a couple radishes before the heat and bugs got to everything.

During May we also took our first homeschool family field trip. A local goat dairy/farm offered cheap tours and a couple other homeschool families from the Calvary Chapel got together and went. The kids had a blast learning about gardens, chickens, bee hives, and goats - they even got to milk one! Rachel and Suzanne enjoyed picking Farmer Casey’s brain about gardening in the south. :)

The last Sunday in May Life Fellowships moved into a martial arts studio. We had been blessed to meet in the house of one of the families in our fellowship since last October, but had been praying for a couple months about finding somewhere a little bigger than a living room to meet. ;) God supplied the studio (nicknamed ‘The Hub’) rent-free in exchange for a little maintenance and lawn care. Please keep us in prayer as well seek the Father’s will as to whether we should stay in the building or find something a little more permanent. 

We were also blessed to be able to join the other Calvary churches and plants around the area in a night of prayer for our communities and praise for what the Lord has been doing. It was very encouraging to hear the hearts of others stepping out in faith and following our Father into the Great Harvest.

The beginning of June brought the Feast of Shavuot (a.k.a. The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost). As a family we celebrated the giving of the Law written on stone tablets at Sinai, and the giving of the Spirit to believers at Pentecost. What an amazing gift He is to us! Without His perpetual presence in our lives, we would surely be lost, wandering in the wilderness of our own sin and doubt.

As soon as Shavuot was over, sickness came visiting. :/ First Havah, then Judah came down with a strange fever and vomiting which lasted a few days. After that, Rachel caught it as well. Unfortunately for her it lasted a couple weeks. Poor Jason had to be dad and mom for a while! God's faithful love and healing continue, though, and Rachel is finally on the mend. :)

As we look forward to our year-lease being up in July (am I the only one who thinks it’s crazy that we’ve already been here a year?!?), we’re excitedly thinking and praying about purchasing our first house. This is a HUGE step of faith for us (I’m sure it is for anyone), as getting pre-approved for a loan on a small self-employed income has been a challenge. But we are trying to be patient and trust the He has everything laid out for us. He will show us where to go when His time is right. :) Please keep us in prayer as we wait, trust, and move forward!

There you go, friends - that’s what’s been up down here at the Todd Plantation. ;) 

Until next time... keep trusting.