ETHAN TURNS 9

Every Thursday morning from 10:00 to noon, I am in a planning/evaluating meeting at MMS. Last week, some of the discussion focused on setting priorites and the idea that we may each have different priorities based on our backgrounds, goals, age, etc. What effect do these differences have on MMS as a whole? I think all of us at MMS would list God as his/her number one priority. For us, family is second. Sometimes that involves more traveling than we would do otherwise but we figure the grandkids are only going to be young once and while we have the opportunity to be a part of their lives we are going to rejoice in those times and make the effort to "be there" for them. Yesterday was one of those times. Adam's middle child, Ethan, turned 9. His goal is to be "just like his dad". Adam is a good role model, a son to be proud of, and we're glad Ethan wants to "follow in his footsteps". That brings me back to our number one priority, our relationship with God. Abba Father, mold me in such a way that I, too, become "just like Dad".

THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

It's easy to almost lose Christmas in the midst of the busyness of the holiday. This past weekend we were able to join Adam's family for their children's Christmas program in the morning and Rachel's family for their evening program. Both kids live 2 hours from us and about 1 hour from each other so lots of driving was involved. But, it was worth it. Both had wonderful Christmas programs, pointing to Jesus' birth making possible the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Levi, Ethan and Anna's program was very simple and made me think of the simplicity of that first night when Mary and Joseph found "no room in the Inn". With animals of my own, I can easily imagine Jesus born in a manger with the donkey and any other animals that may have been present. I really enjoy being in a stable, but as a mother of two, I don't think I would want to give birth there. God's values seem so different than mine. Scripture is so full of Christ's life of servanthood and simplicity. In the busyness of this season, I intend to take some time out to simply listen to His voice.

HOLIDAY BLESSINGS

The past few weeks have been hectic (you are probably feeling the same way now that the holiday season is upon us). We enjoyed having our family in Coshocton for Thanksgiving. A special "treat" was the addition of two of their long-term friends from the days Rachel and Adam lived in Coshocton. So much fun to have everyone here. The weekend found us in The Plains, OH giving MMS presentations at 3 church services. What a great group of people. The very next day, one of the members of that congregation surprised us with a visit to MMS (he drove 2 hours so he could see this ministry in action). Visitors are always welcome, and it is always a "joy" to see them realizing the full-scope of the MMS ministry. Yesterday, I sent out our December ministry Newsletter and finished Christmas shopping for the grandkids. Now, it's back to the "normal" workdays, with Dennis in the hangar and me working on MMS bills and budgets. I've been online filing a tax return, recorded receipts into the accounting program, paid bills, and now it is time to begin working on the budget. Perhaps now I can even get back into the routine of publishing this blog :-)

MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND KEEP THE OLD

In Girl Scouts we used to sing a song "Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." What a wonderful surprise to hear the phone ring this morning and know old friends were on their way to visit us here at MMS. Part of the MMS training experience often involves leaving Ohio and traveling to other ministries all over the world to assist them with repairs on their airplanes. Our apprentices get to investigate, while helping, other ministries and often end up serving with many of those ministries. Harry and Jan openned their home to Dennis on several occasions as he did phase inspections on Agape Flight's Caravan in Florida. They have had such a wonderful ministry to Dennis as they became "home away from home" on those trips. What fun we had "catching up." Just one more way God uses each of us to minister to others.

IT PAYS TO SHOP AROUND

Dennis spent time this morning demonstrating to the staff and apprentices at MMS Aviation the proper way to use a magnetizer. For those, like myself, who lack familiarity with some of the tooling used for aircraft repair, a magnetizer is used to re-magnetize a magneto. This gives the magneto more power to produce spark. Without spark, the engine will not run. The first quote Dennis received on purchasing this small, but necessary, tool was $17,600.00. After shopping around, he was able to get the cost down to under $600. Now a $17,000 savings is something this accounting mind can appreciate. Dennis tends to be very "thrifty" and capable of fabricating many types of tooling (perhaps from years of experience in the truck world where he fabricated trailers, and the many times he has had to build whatever we needed because we couldn't afford to buy it). Just one more example of God using a lifetime of experiences to equip each of us for the task He has called us to. Nothing is ever wasted in God's economy.

U206 RECEIVES AIRWORTHINESSS CERTIFICATE

What a great week of "everything coming together" - paperwork, weather, schedules, etc. This morning the FAA spent the morning at MMS inspecting the paperwork and the airplane itself. A little after noon, the airworthiness certification was given, the papers rubber-stamped and the plane officially had come to completion. Now, after all the hours of labor spent repairing and rebuilding this plane, it is time to disassemble the airplane and begin packing it into the shipping containers that will transport this airplane to Africa. There it will be used as a training plane for missionary pilots. Perhaps, because of MMS' labor, many pilots will become safer pilots through the experience gained while using this aircraft. To God be the glory!

CESSNA U206 FIRST FLIGHT

Early this afternoon a call came over the MMS speaker system to gather around the 206 for prayer. After several days of paperwork, it was time for the airworthiness flight test. We assembled in front of the plane for a time of thanksgiving and prayer for the ministry that will be using the 206 in South Africa. After months of finding parts, fabricating others, and lots of learning opportunities for apprentices and staff members alike, it was time to finally fly the airplane. What a wonderful sight to see the plane in the air for the first time since it came to MMS for repair and to envision it being using for future ministry. This plane will now be dissassembled, put in a shipping crate, and shipped to Africa.