Proverbs 25:25

I love to get mail. Sometimes I even look outside the window to see if the mailman is coming! For whatever reason, I look forward to it.

Maybe it is fun sorting through all the ads, junk mail and silliness looking for the treasure.

It usually goes something like this...

- Chase credit card application for Erika Barone
- PartyLite invitation for Erika (From someone she does not really know)
- RG&E bill
- Pampered Chef invitation for Erika
- Chase credit card application for Michael Barone
- Mary Kay party invitation for Erika (From someone she does not really know)
- Treasure!

Sometimes a book arrives that I ordered. Other times an encouraging note.

Today this came!

Churches are all different when it comes to informing missionaries whether or not they are going to take us on. We have been in churches were they take us on during the service. That is always a blessing. Other times the pastor calls and lets us know. Other times, they send a letter in the mail. Maybe that is why I like getting the mail!

Matthew 10:29-31

I stand amazed at the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.

This past week we were at Community Baptist Church in New Jersey. They have good bagels in New Jersey. They have good people too.

We presented our burden for Italy during the Sunday School hour and then preached for the morning service. Before the pastor had me come and preach he mentioned Pastor Doug Whiteside was in town and was attending a service. Needless to say, this made me a little nervous before getting up to preach.

(Side note: Whiteside is a hero of mine as I have always been spoken to through messages he has preached at FBBC – especially the one on missions from the book of Ruth.)

Well...the other day my phone rang and the caller ID showed a number I did not recognize with a 201 area code.

“Hello Michael, this is Pastor Whiteside.” I was a “little” taken back. As I tried to figure out why he was giving me the time of day he stated that when we are in town again he wants to have lunch with me and talk about supporting us!

Maybe it is a demonstration of God’s sovereignty. Maybe it is Him answering prayer. Maybe it is because He knows I dislike making phone calls soliciting meetings. Maybe it is all those things.

Regardless, I enjoy when God reminds us that He is God.

Proverbs 24:13

Often missionaries describe deputation as a grueling process. But it has not been for these novice missionaries.

After last nights meeting at Emmanuel Baptist Church, we had today free.
So to our surprise, Michael decided to take us to Hershey's Chocolate World. The girls absolutely loved it! Natalia kept asking for "More rides please." For the simple reason that its a joy to make her smile, I think we ended up taking her and Ellia on the "Chocolate Factory" ride at least four times.

It was such a fun place to go as a family. Even Ellia enjoyed looking at everything.




When we went to the sweet shoppe, Michael knew he was in trouble. He allowed Natalia and I to shop for chocolate. Natalia is her mama's girl as you will see in this video. We share a love for sweets.




Michael was "sweet" when it was time to check out and there were a few extra chocolate items to purchase. Who could leave without buying some candy?

All happily full of sugar, we headed back to the hotel where Michael had fun jumping on the bed with Natalia. The girls had trouble unwinding from such a fun day! Michael and I sang to the girls and they finally drifted off.

I am thankful that deputation does not have to be a grueling process, but rather a wonderful time with family serving the Lord.

Proverbs 11:14

Every opportunity I get, I solicit the advice of missionaries on how to best do deputation. Every and I mean EVERY missionary has told me to try to get all of our supporting churches within 300 miles or so of home. So far we are not exactly heeding to that advice.

Based in Rochester, New York, we have a supporting church as far south as Miami, Florida and now as far north as Ottawa, Canada too!

Yesterday Erika and I had the opportunity to present our ministry to Carleton Baptist Church. Although outside the 300 mile range, we were truly blessed by this church.

Carleton is such a sweet church with a church-planting pastor who loves people. Staying in his home gave us many chances to converse. I learned he survived cancer even though he refused chemotherapy. I learned he has planted five churches and about the struggles that go along with that. What an experience to sit down over coffee and hear the stories of his life experiences.

I am sure reporting to churches all over will eventually have its challenges. Ottawa and Miami are 1,650 miles apart. It will have its benefits though! Getting to reacquaint ourselves with the wonderful believers we have met here and there will be a joy!