Coming soon!
May 2014
Baby GIRL Ahrens
We couldn't be more excited!!!!
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Travels!
While we were in Germany we were blessed with some additional funds which were specifically designated for us to be able to travel a bit while we were there. This was such a huge blessing and allowed us to do something that there is no way we would have been able to do otherwise. We asked some people at the base (mostly Europeans ;) where we should go and the winner was Vienna, Austria!
Joel and I were able to slip away for about 3 days to explore Vienna, we did a ton of walking and lots of admiring the amazing architecture in that city. There were TONS of people there also, Vienna is definitely a tourist spot, but it was still incredibly beautiful.
We did the touristy thing and took a ton of pictures while we were there, mostly of giant cathedrals, but I thought I'd share a few with you since it's been SO long since I last blogged! (woops.)
Out of over 400 pictures I have narrowed it down to this... unfortunately it's still a ton of photos :S
St. Peters Church ^
^ St. Stephens Cathedral
.jpg)
.jpg)
Parliament building ^
.jpg)
Kunsthistorisches Museum ^
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Joel and I were able to slip away for about 3 days to explore Vienna, we did a ton of walking and lots of admiring the amazing architecture in that city. There were TONS of people there also, Vienna is definitely a tourist spot, but it was still incredibly beautiful.
We did the touristy thing and took a ton of pictures while we were there, mostly of giant cathedrals, but I thought I'd share a few with you since it's been SO long since I last blogged! (woops.)
Out of over 400 pictures I have narrowed it down to this... unfortunately it's still a ton of photos :S
DAY ONE: St. Peters Church and St. Stephen's Cathedral
^ St. Stephens Cathedral
DAY TWO: Parliament building, Rathaus, Museum platz, Votive Church
Parliament building ^
Rathaus ^
Kunsthistorisches Museum ^
Votive Church ^
(I'm in LOVE with the reflections from these stained glass windows)
DAY THREE: Schönbrunn Palace, St. Charles's Church & wandering around the city at night
Schönbrunn Palace ^
^ We got to watch an awesome apple strudel demonstration while at Schönbrunn Palace. YUM
St. Charle's Church ^
Hofburg Palace/ Sisi's museum ^
Annnnnd there you have it. A shortened version of our rendevous/mini vacation to Vienna. It was an awesome trip and Joel and I were so blessed to be able to get away just the two of us for a few days.
What have YOU been up to lately?
Much love,
Joel & Carrie
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Visit to NC- picture update!
On our journey to Florida we were able to stop and spend about three weeks with my (Carrie's) family in North Carolina. We had a great time catching up/spending time with family while we were there.
I also had the chance to take some photographs of our family- which were long over due! I thought that I would share a few of those with you today!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
I also had the chance to take some photographs of our family- which were long over due! I thought that I would share a few of those with you today!
And there you have it :) An overload of pictures.
Thanks again to everyone who prayed for our safety as we journed across the country! So thankful that we serve a God who hears our prayers.
Blessings!
Joel & Carrie
P.S. sign up for our Florida newsletters!! God is doing amazing things!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Greetings from Florida!
After 8 days of driving and about 3 weeks with Carrie's family we have finally arrived in Florida!
We got to Florida yesterday and met up with a few people from our team, the rest of them are arriving in the next few days. Initially there will be 7 of us, small group but a Biblical number!
Already we are seeing the hand of God in the contacts being made in Florida. During one of the 'scouting' trips made by Josh and Ruth they made several contacts who have opened their doors to us and allowed us to stay in their homes until we find a more permanent location for our team to live.
Over the next few days we will be meeting as a team to build a foundation in prayer and worship, seeking the will of God, because He is the one who has called us to be ministers of his gospel here in Florida.
We will also be looking into several possibilities for a more permanent location for our team. We are praying for a place where we can stay as a team and have space for visitors, speakers and ultimately a place where we can have and run a Discipleship Training School (DTS).
Please join us in prayer for:
- A location for our team
- A vehicle for Josh and Ruth
- That God would continue to open doors for ministry
- Financial support
Thank you for standing with us and for supporting us in prayer.
Be blessed,
Joel & Carrie
P.S. We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to write us anytime at joelandcarrie09@gmail.com.
We got to Florida yesterday and met up with a few people from our team, the rest of them are arriving in the next few days. Initially there will be 7 of us, small group but a Biblical number!
Already we are seeing the hand of God in the contacts being made in Florida. During one of the 'scouting' trips made by Josh and Ruth they made several contacts who have opened their doors to us and allowed us to stay in their homes until we find a more permanent location for our team to live.
Over the next few days we will be meeting as a team to build a foundation in prayer and worship, seeking the will of God, because He is the one who has called us to be ministers of his gospel here in Florida.
We will also be looking into several possibilities for a more permanent location for our team. We are praying for a place where we can stay as a team and have space for visitors, speakers and ultimately a place where we can have and run a Discipleship Training School (DTS).
Please join us in prayer for:
- A location for our team
- A vehicle for Josh and Ruth
- That God would continue to open doors for ministry
- Financial support
Thank you for standing with us and for supporting us in prayer.
Be blessed,
Joel & Carrie
P.S. We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to write us anytime at joelandcarrie09@gmail.com.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The Journey Begins!
It has been a blur of two weeks and I can't believe how quickly it's flown by!
This morning Joel and I will begin the first leg of this journey. We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and support by the people around us and are blessed to call you friends/ family in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Just a brief overview of what the month of March looks like for us:
While we begin our journey today, we won't actually be getting to Florida until the first week in April. We will drive across country and stop in North Carolina for a couple of weeks to spend some, much over-due, time with my family. This will be the first time my entire family has been together in over three years and we are so excited to be able to spend a few weeks together with them!
Once we hit Florida we will meet up with our team in Venice and the adventure will really begin.
Prayer Points:
*Safety- during our drive across country
*Health- I am currently battling a cold/sinus infection that has gone on for a good 2 months- I am very ready to be healthy again! Also pray that Joel doesn't catch whatever this is :)
On an interesting side note, during our drive to Florida, Joel and I will go through 14 states :)
(Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and finally Florida.)
Be blessed!,
Joel & Carrie
This morning Joel and I will begin the first leg of this journey. We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and support by the people around us and are blessed to call you friends/ family in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Just a brief overview of what the month of March looks like for us:
While we begin our journey today, we won't actually be getting to Florida until the first week in April. We will drive across country and stop in North Carolina for a couple of weeks to spend some, much over-due, time with my family. This will be the first time my entire family has been together in over three years and we are so excited to be able to spend a few weeks together with them!
Once we hit Florida we will meet up with our team in Venice and the adventure will really begin.
Prayer Points:
*Safety- during our drive across country
*Health- I am currently battling a cold/sinus infection that has gone on for a good 2 months- I am very ready to be healthy again! Also pray that Joel doesn't catch whatever this is :)
On an interesting side note, during our drive to Florida, Joel and I will go through 14 states :)
(Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and finally Florida.)
Be blessed!,
Joel & Carrie
Monday, February 11, 2013
We're Moving to Florida!!
Even as I write those words I find my self having a hard time letting them sink in, yet God has called us, and we are going!
A little bit of back story. Back in 2007/08 Joel and I went into Youth With a Mission (YWAM) to do our Discipleship Training School (DTS). As most of you know, that is where he and I met. During our time with YWAM we had the opportunity to go on outreach to Afghanistan. Out of the 80+ students and 30+ staff at our base, our team had a total of 5 students and 2 staff. Two of those teammates were Josh and Ruth.
Unbeknownst to all of us at that time, Joel and I would end up getting married a year later in 2009 and Josh and Ruth would also end up getting married. Josh and Ruth have continued to work with YWAM these past 5 years, staffing and leading DTS' themselves. They have also continued to travel all around the world bringing the truth of God to the nations.
Fast forward to January 2013. Josh and Ruth were in town visiting Josh's family (small world huh?), so we were able to meet up with them for coffee. Just a few short hours later, after hearing about the vision God has placed in the lives of Josh and Ruth, Joel and I began to seriously ponder if this could be God's next calling in our lives. Josh and Ruth have been called to start a YWAM base in Venice FL and with a flutter of excitement in our hearts that night, God began to show us that this is what we have been waiting for. Hours of prayer later, and after meeting with our Pastor and getting the prayer support from family and several good friends we feel confident that this is what God has in store for us next.
So, with that said, coming just a few short weeks away, Joel and I will be packing up our lives in the pacific Northwest and traveling to Florida to begin this new adventure. We are both excited and humbled that God would call us to join in this great task- and to be able to once again fulfill the calling that He has placed in both our hearts to be in missions. What an awesome God we serve!
While neither of us feel worthy, we feel that is the best place to start and we are continually praying "Lord, let not my will, but Thine be done."
The details:
Where: Venice, Florida… exact location TBD.
What: To know God and to make Him known.
Who: Currently there are around 10 staff.
When: Joel and I will be moving beginning the first week in March, we plan to visit my family in NC along the way and be in Florida around the first week in April.
How you can participate:
Pray(!) for us and for our team:
Prayer Points:
• Housing- currently we are looking for a residence that will house about 10 staff members so that we can begin to develop relationships among the team and become unified and focused on what God is calling us to do.
• Relationships- Opportunities to grow relationships with surrounding churches/community during the first few months of living in Florida.
• Josh and Ruth- they are moving from Germany and are expecting their first child in June- prayer for strength and wisdom as they move in the direction God has called them.
• Joel and I- as we begin to pack up our lives here and make this transition, also for safety during our drive across country.
Financial Support:
• If you feel led, please become a part of our support team. YWAM is a volunteer-based mission organization, so we will not be receiving a salary but rather depending on financial support from our friends, family, communities and churches. The great thing about this is that it is a opportunity for others to join us in the work God has called us to do as well as strengthening our dependence in Him! At this time, we are completely at a loss as to how to begin fund raising but are trusting that God will provide we we need it as He always does!
If you would be interested in partnering with us please email us at joelandcarrie09@gmail.com to get information on how you can be a part of our team.
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,Who bring glad tidings of good things!” "
-Romans 10:14-15
Join with us in prayer as we start this exciting new adventure!
Love,
Joel and Carrie
A little bit of back story. Back in 2007/08 Joel and I went into Youth With a Mission (YWAM) to do our Discipleship Training School (DTS). As most of you know, that is where he and I met. During our time with YWAM we had the opportunity to go on outreach to Afghanistan. Out of the 80+ students and 30+ staff at our base, our team had a total of 5 students and 2 staff. Two of those teammates were Josh and Ruth.
Unbeknownst to all of us at that time, Joel and I would end up getting married a year later in 2009 and Josh and Ruth would also end up getting married. Josh and Ruth have continued to work with YWAM these past 5 years, staffing and leading DTS' themselves. They have also continued to travel all around the world bringing the truth of God to the nations.
Fast forward to January 2013. Josh and Ruth were in town visiting Josh's family (small world huh?), so we were able to meet up with them for coffee. Just a few short hours later, after hearing about the vision God has placed in the lives of Josh and Ruth, Joel and I began to seriously ponder if this could be God's next calling in our lives. Josh and Ruth have been called to start a YWAM base in Venice FL and with a flutter of excitement in our hearts that night, God began to show us that this is what we have been waiting for. Hours of prayer later, and after meeting with our Pastor and getting the prayer support from family and several good friends we feel confident that this is what God has in store for us next.
So, with that said, coming just a few short weeks away, Joel and I will be packing up our lives in the pacific Northwest and traveling to Florida to begin this new adventure. We are both excited and humbled that God would call us to join in this great task- and to be able to once again fulfill the calling that He has placed in both our hearts to be in missions. What an awesome God we serve!
While neither of us feel worthy, we feel that is the best place to start and we are continually praying "Lord, let not my will, but Thine be done."
The details:
Where: Venice, Florida… exact location TBD.
What: To know God and to make Him known.
Who: Currently there are around 10 staff.
When: Joel and I will be moving beginning the first week in March, we plan to visit my family in NC along the way and be in Florida around the first week in April.
How you can participate:
Pray(!) for us and for our team:
Prayer Points:
• Housing- currently we are looking for a residence that will house about 10 staff members so that we can begin to develop relationships among the team and become unified and focused on what God is calling us to do.
• Relationships- Opportunities to grow relationships with surrounding churches/community during the first few months of living in Florida.
• Josh and Ruth- they are moving from Germany and are expecting their first child in June- prayer for strength and wisdom as they move in the direction God has called them.
• Joel and I- as we begin to pack up our lives here and make this transition, also for safety during our drive across country.
Financial Support:
• If you feel led, please become a part of our support team. YWAM is a volunteer-based mission organization, so we will not be receiving a salary but rather depending on financial support from our friends, family, communities and churches. The great thing about this is that it is a opportunity for others to join us in the work God has called us to do as well as strengthening our dependence in Him! At this time, we are completely at a loss as to how to begin fund raising but are trusting that God will provide we we need it as He always does!
If you would be interested in partnering with us please email us at joelandcarrie09@gmail.com to get information on how you can be a part of our team.
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,Who bring glad tidings of good things!” "
-Romans 10:14-15
Join with us in prayer as we start this exciting new adventure!
Love,
Joel and Carrie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)