ErikandAmanda

Hey Friends,

Moving time has arrived.  On Wednesday me and the dogs will be in our new home.  I’m thrilled at the opportunity to pastor Mt. Tabor UMC, and to live in the Canton area.  Please pray for this transition.

Blessings,

Erik

Amanda’s theme so far has been Trial by Fire as she navigates through Washington D.C. and her new position with Polaris.  Just this morning she was on the Metro awaiting her stop, when all of a sudden everyone got off the train and the lights went off.  She didn’t know what was going on until a lady came by and told her that the train’s last stop was there.  She felt embarrassed, but it really is hard to get it all straight when you can barely here the voice giving instructions from the car.  At her job she seems to be placed with a lot of trust and responsibility as she is doing quite a bit of work by herself.  Please keep her in prayer.

Amanda is settling in well in the big city.  She texted me yesterday morning to tell that a fight broke out on the metro rail.  I figure by the end of the summer she’ll have plenty of stories to tell.  She is so excited to be working directly with clients who have been rescued from human trafficking situations, and is confident that this experience will provide a wealth of preparation for her call to ministry in the future.  Overall, I sense a genuine happyness about her.  Although she misses us, I think she is doing something that she truly loves.

More updates to come…

Last Wednesday Amanda and I drove to Washington D.C. to begin her stint there as an intern with the Polaris Project.  After getting a little settled in the house where she will be staying, we spent all of Thursday scouting out Alexandria, VA for all the grocery stores and other needed places in the area.  On Friday we woke up early and did a mock run at her commute to Polaris Project, located in the Adams Morgan area.  After that, we spent the rest of the day touring D.C.  We went to the Holocaust Museum, the Natural History Museum, the American History Museum, and then viewed the outside of the White House.  We had a great time despite it being very rainy and wet.  On Saturday I flew back on a one-way ticket.

Today Amanda has started her work with Polaris.  The last I heard from her, she mastered her commute, despite it being a bit confusing, and was on her way to work.

More updates to follow about Amanda.  Please keep us in prayer as being apart will no doubt take its toll.

Aubrey Marshall was born on May 19th at around 3am.  She weighed 8lbs, and is perfectly healthy.  She is simply precious!  Amanda and I are so thrilled to have a new niece.

Joel and Aubrey

Last week, Erik got accepted to be the new lead pastor at Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church in East Canton, Ohio.  We’re so excited for this new opportunity to serve God.  The appointment starts the first of July.  Amanda won’t be there for the actual move, but we’ll be able to begin setting our home up when she gets back in August (she warned Erik not to decorate or arrange until she gets there).  Below are some pictures of the new church…

Today we will be attending the funeral of Dave Palamountain, who lost his battle with cancer but is now in a better place in the presence of God.  Dave used to help Erik make cars for the Pinewood Derby, and was a loving neighbor.  Please pray for the family.

Our little Boston Terrier, Stella, got fixed today.  She’s still sick from the anesthesia and throwing up.  Poor little girl!

We are thoroughly excited that you have visited our site.  Amanda and I both are very passionate about helping those in need, and want to have place where anyone can stay connected.  Feel free to comment and connect, we’d love to have your support!