Is it already April?

Hello all!
We are still alive and doing well.  It's been quite the semester, as it has been very consuming on so many levels.  I wanted to send out a quick update so that you would know that we are still alive and doing well.

This semester has been refining us as a couple and when long weekend arrived, which is over Resurrection weekend, it was a blessed time set aside for our marriage.  Friends from the church we attend in Tauranga invited us to enjoy the apartment on their property.  It was a perfect get away, a marriage retreat of sorts.  The space was peaceful and the time well enjoyed.

View outside the living room of our vacation location.

Andrew has been helping out with the Worship Fellowship night that Vickie, a fellow staffer, is managing at CCBI.  He has enjoyed sharing his knowledge of music theory, which to me is an enigma, but a wondrous joy for him.  Many of those that attend want to learn more, so it will be interesting to see if another fellowship will be set aside for more music theory.  It is a deep black hole that cannot be explained in a few short sessions.  Anyway, he has been enjoying his time with this fellowship.

Andrew teaching music theory.

I just have to say, I loved watching him worship last night as he played the bass for Koinonia.  As he worshiped, others were drawn in to worship.  Pastor Mark and Andrew were both jamming and I wished I had the guts to pull out my phone to capture it on video.  Those of you who attend Calvary Aurora may remember how Andrew unabashedly worships as he plays his bass and sings.  That is one of the many things I love about him!  He enters in and just goes for it.

I have been helping on the admin side of the school and we have been busy with getting documents ready for the local government to register the school's kitchen for food safety.  FUN!!  Ha ha.. he he!  Thank you, Tecla, for taking such amazing care of the kitchen and the team that serves in there.. whether cooking, cleaning the dishes, or setting up the dining room.  You lead that team with such strength and grace.  I know you are constantly pouring into their lives whether they recognize it or not.

Tecla, my crazy and wonderful friend in the kitchen.

Tecla, this amazing woman mentioned above, is married to Jake.. our new director.  Jake has been Mark's right hand for the past 6-7 years.. since the beginning of CCBI NZ and now is the director of the school. He is doing an amazing job learning the ropes and leading this team.  So many things have come across his desk this semester and he handles it all with God's strength and he leans on God for wisdom.  We love this family and ask that you pray for them as they continue to serve this school and their community.  They are a HUGE blessing!

Jake with his son... we love this family!
(Not pictured - their adorable and energetic daughter - Jade)

Andrew and I will be heading out to Sydney next week (early Friday morning - April 20th) to serve at Sydney Refresh.  Andrew will be joining Mark on one of the worship teams for the conference.  I am helping with the crafts for the kids ministry.  It will be a great time to come alongside the team in Sydney and love on and encourage those in attendance.  It reminds me of the Refresh conferences that Calvary Aurora has hosted.  It takes a small village to pull these events together.  A team of us from CCBI NZ will be focused on the kiddos that get to attend.  We have all kinds of fun plans in the works.  We would love your prayers as we go and serve this part of the body of Christ.  We will share an update on the flip side of outreach week and let you know how it all went.

Fun news... we will be coming to the States for a furlough in June and July.  Our first stop is in Virginia to join in the wedding festivities of my sister, Jackie, and her beau, Darrell.  From there we will head down to Florida with my dad and stepmom.  We look forward to a visit with them as well as some friends that live close to Englewood - Liza and Mike.  From there we will head to Colorado on June 19th and look forward to catching up with family and friends.  Our last stop will be Minneapolis on July 18th where we will celebrate a very special anniversary with Andrew's parents.

For those in Colorado, we look forward to catching up with you and sharing all that God is doing in our lives and learning what He is doing in yours. 

We would love to hear from you!  Drop us an email at mcbrideflock@yahoo.com and let us know how we can be praying for you.

For more information about our prayer requests and such, please check out the right hand column on our blog: mcbrideflock.blogspot.com

We love you and thank God for you!
Dawn and Andrew McBride

Dawn's reflections on January (Part 2)

Recap... Aunt Susie's funeral on the 8th.  My uncle went into ICU at the hospital on January 9th.  I get really sick on the 12th and still am really sick on the 15th.

January 15th... Freezing rain has arrived and every surface outside is like an ice rink.  I hear a strange sound while sleeping and wonder what the little man who is being babysat by his precious grandma has dropped.  Oh.. he didn't drop anything.  There is a knock at my bedroom door.

My friend comes in and gently lets me know that my rental car has been hit.  WHAT?  Are you kidding?  I get out of bed.  I look out the window and the front bumper is on the ground.  I start crying in the squeaky voice that is cold has left me.  It's a rather pathetic cry.  I am sure you wouldn't even recognize it as a cry, but I can tell you, I wanted to crawl up in a ball in the corner and just disappear.  This is too much!  I can't do this.

I calm down and watch the ice rink outside the window.  Oh... oh... NO! Another car hit my rental car.  No way!?!?!  I let the people downstairs know.  I am in shock.  What is my rental company going to do to me?  I didn't buy their collision insurance package.

Not 10 minutes later another car has been hit.  Now there are four cars sitting out front battered.  We are all in shock.  My friend's husband calls 911 to get the police out to the house.  Is this really happening?

My friend's husband is a champ, taking care of all of the details that I would have needed.  THANK YOU!!!!  I thank God for all that you did to take care of the situation.  You were awesome to watch as you loved on the people involved.

All day long I was "talking" with someone from the rental car agency checking in to see how things were going.. and if the new car had been delivered.  As nice as that is, it was getting really annoying.  The first tow truck driver messed up and didn't bring the new car when he came to pick up the damaged car. 

Hours... HOURS later the new car was brought, but in the midst of the whole tow truck drama, I had the chance to talk to one tow truck drive, Marcel, and I even was prompted to pray with this man.  God.. You love him!  Thank you for his gentle heart as he was checking in on me.  Bless him and keep him.

A divine appointment that wouldn’t have happened if the rental car didn’t get hit.  A silver thread of God with Marcel.  So many divine appointments today!  My friends meeting those that were involved in the accidents and those people being blessed with kindness and love.  They won’t forget what they experienced from my friends.. the love of God.  We just don’t know who was in need today.. and how God met those needs.  More silver threads of God for sure.

“Everybody needs compassion, love that’s never failing; let mercy fall on me,” from Mighty to Save.

January 16th... My bottom lip blows up with a row of fever blisters.  Oh this is just getting crazy!!

Still WHOLE30 strong!!  Susie.. you are worth it!

January 17th... I am talked into going to the doctor to check for influenza.  My nurse, Kim, remembers me from when I lived in Denver.  She shares her life story of the past four months.  I stare at her and groan in shock.  Her horrific experiences.. I can't even begin to imagine how she is doing in her heart.  God.. this is why I am here at the doctor's office... to connect with her!  We exchanged info so we can stay in touch after I return to NZ. 

Here is an obvious silver thread from the Lord.  He will do whatever He wants to touch people's lives.  He knew that I was okay, but He wanted Kim to know that she wasn’t alone, that He is there in the midst of her chaos.  We may not understand why things are going the way they are, but can you see the silver thread of God in it somewhere?  Can you see Him making connections with people you wouldn’t have otherwise connected with?

January 19th... Feeling better and I visit with dear friends at Calvary Aurora.  Andrew and I are blessed by this church!  Thank you for everything!!

January 20th... I start the journey back to New Zealand and I am feeling pretty good.  On my first flight the gals in my row are so worried about getting sick so I wear a mask.  The gal beside me pulls out her own mask and then the gal against the window puts on a bandanna to protect herself from germs.  It's not just about my germs, but about the germs on the plane. 

My flight from Houston is uneventful but very long... 15 hours!  I met a great flight attendant and by the end of the flight, I give him a hug.  Another potential silver thread of God. 

I finally meet Andrew at Taupo airport while wearing a mask.  It had "I love you" written over the mouth area.  It is so good to be reunited with him!

January 24th... Relapse... sickness has returned.  Bed rest here I come!  I am still not willing to bend... WHOLE30 strong!

January 30th... final day of first round of Whole30 and I am nervous and excited.  I haven't been on the scale since December 31st.  I wonder what it will look like since over half of my Whole30 was spent in bed.  Oy!!  I've been asked how I feel from doing the Whole30... I can't tell.  I've been so sick.  I will definitely do another round of Whole30 to see what it is really like.

I am nervous about what life will look like after this round.  I've been eating without any tummy aches unless there was something in the food that I didn't know was there.. and that happened a few times. 

Whole30 talks about non-scale victories (NSV).  This is where you see changes in your body after doing the program for 30 days.  They even want you to do a quick checklist before you weigh in so you can see other changes than the number on the scale.  Here are my NSVs for this round:
- No more mid-day slump
- I need less sugar or rather... I crave sugar less.
- Healthy eating habits have brought my family together... Andrew and I have fought through this and made it to the end.  Love you, babe!
- I have a flatter stomach
- My clothes fit better
- I have less painful joints
- I have fewer PMS symptoms (much to my surprise)
- I experience less back and knee pain
- I have improved circulation (my hands and feet weren't cold in Denver - until I got sick)
- Improved self-confidence (After having the month I did and remained Whole30 compliant... I have no more excuses!!)
- I have a healthier relationship with food
- I learned how to read a label even more (We have A LOT of sugar in food)
- I listen to my body
- I am no longer afraid of dietary fat (Nuts, oils, avocados)
- I no longer use food for comfort

So I got on the scale... what was I hoping for?  Did I achieve it?  I hoped for a 10 pound loss but got a 9 pound loss.  I have to remember that it was without one single workout that I had that loss.  Next time will be very very different.

Now what?  I am not interested in going back to the way I ate before.  What do I eat now?  I love the idea of going paleo... which is a little more relaxed than Whole30, but still no grains or legumes.  I am gluten and dairy free already so that is not a biggie for me.  Okay.. next journey begins.. Paleo!

January was filled with struggles, but I can clearly see the silver threads of God through each crazy experience.  I am reminded that God is a good God and I was always safe.  He used my life in ways I would have never imagined to make His presence known to others.  I am not my own and may God continue to receive the glory for everything!

I look forward to heaven and seeing what this trip was really all about.  Whose life or lives changed for the better as they chose to let God love them.  The ripple effect will be quite interesting to see.  God will use every situation in our lives to reach out to others.  God will use my brokenness to touch lives and reveal His presence.  He loves you!  He really does!

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.  He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.”

Psalm 121:2-3

I love you and thank you for praying for me when all of this was happening.  It was hard on Andrew not being able to be there to comfort me.  Please pray that I continue to heal as my body is still fighting this nasty virus or whatever it is.  Pray that we both have the needed energy for this semester as it is going to be a good one, but very busy.

Blessings to you and yours....

Dawn

Dawn's reflections on January (Part 1)

Looking back at January, it was an extraordinary month for me.  So many things happened and I am so glad the month is over.  I look forward to February being a month where my life stabilizes and to beautiful beginnings.

January 1st... within the first hour of the day starting I received a call from my mother that her sister, my 52 year old aunt, had suddenly passed away.  We were in shock!  What??  How?  When?  She wasn't sick.  What in the world!?!?!??!  We cried together and I told her I would pray about coming home.

While I was serving in Japan in 1998 my cousin passed away and I couldn't return for the funeral, a regret I have to this day.  Lord, what do You want me to do?  Go.  After talking with Andrew and my mom, a decision was made to return home to support my family through this sudden loss.

Andrew and I had to decided to embark on a Whole30 starting January 1st.  I began to question if we should continue in the light of the stress that was ahead.  Again, I took time to really consider it and pray.

Much like when I went back to college in August 2005 after my granny passed away that July, I was struggling to focus in my class.  Maybe I should drop the class and just wait until next semester.  I'm not ready.  I had a chat with the Lord and He was like, "Dawn... how would granny feel about you dropping this class?"  "She would be really upset with me, that I was allowing my grief to slow my progress towards graduation." "Okay.  Let's have a mindset shift.  What about you dedicating your class to granny?"  "Oh wow!!  That is an interesting and intriguing idea.  Let's go for it."  With a mindset shift, I completed that class with an A.

This Whole30 plan was getting the same mindset shift.  Aunt Susie, I dedicate this Whole30 to you!  I love you!  I wish you could have found the freedom from food that this plan offers.  Let's do this!!  I know it won't be easy, but I want to honor her with this.

January 3rd... I start the 25 hour journey to Denver, leaving the lodge at 8:00 AM, and Andrew drove me to Auckland airport which is a 3.5 hour drive.  Thank you, beloved husband, for being part of my journey to my family! 

I had divine appointments on my flights from Auckland and San Francisco.  I prayed with my neighbor on the SFO to Denver flight as he was a heart transplant survivor and takes meds every 12 hours to help make sure his body doesn't reject his new heart.  I was impressed with how he lives his life - a drummer for a band and he was flying home from a recording session.  I see a silver thread of God in this divine appointment.

Now that I am in Denver, let's do this!  I met with my cousins to help take care of some of the funeral plans.  We laugh, we cry, we are family!  I collect my aunt's memorabilia and photos.  There is a lot to do, but this will be a very special celebration of her life.  I am exhausted.

Working on her slide show was such a precious project as we mused over the photos and memories.  Her smile.  Her eyes.  It reminded me of her laughter.  Oh Susie, you will be so very missed!!  Thinking about what theme song for her video, I was reminded of one that I had listened to many times... I think it is the right one... See You Again performed by Carrie Underwood.

January 6th... All items are to be at the church to prepare for her service on Monday.  I ran into dear friends at the church which was such a blessing.  We upload the video and watch the whole thing to make sure it will work.  I cry.  I can't help it.  I can't believe she is gone.

January 7th... I had the joy of attending church at Calvary Aurora with my sister.  The worship is always spot on.  God spoke to my heart during one song about how He is in every moment.  He was there!!  My throat got a huge knot it.  I quietly sob.. tears rolling down my face.  Oh Father, thank You for telling me that!

January 8th... It's the day.... the day to say good-bye.. the day to remember Susie in a special way.  God, I need Your help!  Calvary Aurora did an amazing job serving my family in this special need.  Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ!  I shared at the funeral a bit about what God spoke to my heart.  I pray others were comforted by it too. 

We go to the Red Robin that Susie would frequent.  We remember her some more.  I was challenged by the onion rings.. but I didn't touch them.  I didn't even reach out for them.  I didn't let me eyes linger on that tower of yummyness.  Susie.. this Whole30 is for you!

WHOLE30 strong!!!

January 9th... What???!?!?!  My uncle, Susie's brother, is found unresponsive and taken to the ER.  He has carbon dioxide poisoning again.  Lord!  Why?  My uncle is in ICU.  I have to go see him.  Wait, my cousin is home alone.. her mother is not there anymore... who do I go see, Lord?  Your uncle has his beloved with him.  Your cousin is alone.  Go see her!  Yes, I will go see her... love on her.. be with her.  You are dearly loved, dear cousin!

January 10th... My social calendar just made a dramatic shift.  I cancelled my two social appointments so that I could be with my uncle in ICU.  He is sedated as he is fighting the ventilator which is breathing for him.  I love you, uncle!  Please pull through!  Please keep fighting for life.  I can't imagine my world without you!  I played Reckless Love for him to remind him that God loves him and just in case the music was too confusing I read the words of the song to him.

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, relentless love of GodOh, how it pursues me, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nineI couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself awayOh, the overwhelming, never-ending, relentless love of God (words changed by me)

The nurses in the ICU were great and I had the opportunity to share with them about what Andrew and I have been up to.  Who knows the ripple effect this will have on their thoughts, ideas, and lives.  I see potential silver threads of God.

January 11th... Another visit to ICU.  He is doing better.  Come on, uncle, with God you can do this.  I love you!  XOXO

January 12th... I wake up with a strange little cough.  Hmm.. where did this come from?  I decide to do things differently and spend time with a few friends.  I have lunch with a dear friend and then run to get some immune system activator.  I can't let this cold or whatever it is get in the way of the rest of my trip.

I'm chilled so I put on my puffer jacket.  I spend my entire visit with another friend in my puffer jacket.  Hmm.. this isn't looking good.  I go to the restroom and after washing my hands my teeth start chattering and I am now shivering.  I have to go "home".  I text ahead that I am super chilled and my home-stay friends prepare for my arrival.  I get home and it's full on.  I feel terrible!

January 13th and 14th... those days are a blur.  I was sick in bed.  I think I watched cartoon movies.  Whole30 strong!  I will not let this sickness kick me off plan.

....... There is so much to share about this month.  The completion of this reflection will be posted in a few days .......

On my way to Denver

This year started off quite challenging.  Yes, it is only January 2nd, but our family has endured something pretty intense.  It is with great sadness and a broken heart that I share this information.

Taken a few years ago

 My aunt Susie suddenly passed away New Years Eve's Eve in Denver.  The news came as a shock as Susie wasn't ill, not with a life threatening illness, just a cold or something like that.  Jen, her daughter, was there when she collapses and she tried to do CPR but Susie was gone.  I am on my way home as you read this and I ask for your help.  Would you please pray for my family?

When her kids were youngin's

• Pray for her children, Jen and Dan, as they are hit hard with this loss.  
• Pray for provision for her mortuary expenses as she had no savings and no will.
• Pray for Jen to have wisdom as she has a lot of decisions that she will have to make.
• Pray for my family as we are all stunned and in shock.
• Pray for my expenses to be covered as this is unexpected and unforeseen.
• Pray for other family members that will be traveling to Denver for the funeral.
• Pray for all of the things to come together with ease and a blessing to those involved.
• Pray for opportunities for me to serve my family.

I hope we can give an update on what is going on in our world soon.  I will be in Denver until the 20th, so I can't promise it will happen soon.

I was reminded of this scripture yesterday and it's true.  God is my strength and He will help us through this challenging time.

Much love to you all!
Dawn

Also.... if you would like to help with the mortuary expenses, please follow this link to the GoFundMe page:
..... UPDATE.. all of the funds were raised to pay for Aunt Susie's mortuary expenses.

If you would like to help with my expenses, please send funds through PayPal: Friend to Friend with my email address: jcluvsme7@msn.com
For those in NZ, please contact me directly for our banking information.
..... UPDATE.. Friends and family came together to help get me home. 

January 2018 Prayer Calendar

Hello all!
Please see the prayer calendar for this month.  Please let us know if you would like a PDF version and we will email it to you.  Our email addy is: mcbrideflock@yahoo.com.

Thank you and God bless!

Dawn and Andrew McBride

A quick update from Andrew

We are closing out the current semester next week and it is always great to see God work in the lives of the students.  Almost all of them are coming back next semester along with a bunch of new students.  

A past student from CCBI, Charles, is pastoring in Fiji and we have been able to continue to assist him with ministering to the community.  Charles has been such a faithful servant that we are looking forward to two students that will be coming from Fiji that he has poured into.  Please pray for financial assistance for the students as well as favour on getting their passports, visas and paperwork.

Lusi and Akuila from Fiji

Next semester we (CCBI) are looking at expanding our outreaches to the island nation of Tuvalu.  Another past CCBI student ministers in a church in Auckland that consists of Tuvaluians.  We will be partnering with his church on an exploratory outing in late February 2018.  I (Andrew) will be one of the members going on this trip to see what the Lord has for us (CCBI) in Tuvalu for future ministry.

There are so many ways that the Lord is working here and we feel blessed and humbled to be a part of it.  The next semester is probably going to be filled with the most students we have ever had, with the most staff we have ever had, and with a greater emphasis on missions and church planting than in the past.  Please lift up all of these things in your prayers and that we would be able to rest in Him over the upcoming break. 

Thank you for joining us on this journey of serving God in the land of the Long White Cloud.  More updates to come after the semester ends.

Andrew 

For more information about prayer requests and such, please check out the right column our blog: mcbrideflock.blogspot.com

December 2017 Prayer Calendar

Hello family and friends!

Please see our December 2017 prayer calendar.  We love you and appreciate your support!  If you would like a PDF of this calendar, please email us at mcbrideflock@yahoo.com. 

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Andrew and Dawn McBride