”For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

The Lord has been so good to our family this past year. He has faithfully provided for us. He has given  us purpose and direction. He has guided us and given us strength in the midst of trials and in the midst of joys. He has been our protection as we have traveled thousands of miles. He has opened up doors of opportunities as we have met hundreds of new people.

This past weekend, we had met with almost 60 of our extended family on Dad’s side. It was a great time of connecting, fellowship, and fun. It was so good to meet and be able to fellowship with family around the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord truly has blessed our family with a godly heritage.

We are ALL back in Chicago again as a whole, but only for another week. Nate will be going back to IMI to serve in his off-semester (will share more later =). In less than two weeks, we will be attending the annual IBLP Christmas Conference, which we are really excited about! In the coming weeks, many things will be changing for the Paine family, but we will share more later. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to seek the Lord’s direction and guidance for our lives! Be blessed!…We truly are! =)

It was only an evening together, but we immensely enjoyed our time fellow-shipping, celebrating Kara’s birthday, and playing games. =) We have all been encouraged by their families ministering through song and testimony all across America. Their joyful spirit of energy has truly been an inspiration.

The Fortunes taught us a new game called Occupation Telephone. It involves creativity, accurately following “silent” instruction, and coming up with interesting occupations. =) We were also introduced to PIT….it was great! Although I time together was short…we had a blast!

It is our prayer that God will continue to bless them as the minister in churches, sharing the good news and message of salvation.

 ”I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.”

Seeing as it has been a month since we last posted, you can assume that many things have taken place in our family! Truly, this past month has been full of action, adventure, and challenges. We have been amazed and so thankful for God’s protection upon our family as we have traveled hundreds of miles, seen countless people, and ministered in many ways. I believe the best way to bring you up-to-date with the entire family is to share how God is leading each one of us. This being said, I will start with Mom and Dad. =)

Dad has continued to oversee the Publications Department for the ministry here in Oakbrook. In addition to this full-time position, God has been using Dad to continue to minister medically. Mom continues to be the stabilizing factor in our crazy lives. =) She has begun a new school year with the younger siblings and continues to make long treks across the country for music lessons.

Tabitha recently returned from leading the very first Journey to the Heart in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Lord worked in many hearts, transformed many lives, and invoked many to a deeper relationship with Himself. Tabby was so blessed to be apart of this great work. She is currently serving diligently in the Publications Department with Dad.

Chad has continued to work part time construction in the Chicago area while serving part time in the Publications Department as well. He will be leading a Journey to the Heart with Thomas this weekend. Please pray that God will begin preparing hearts and lives for this incredible opportunity!

Thomas, in addition to going on a Journey, has faithfully finished out 9 conferences this year (I believe he has us all beat in miles traveled thus far this year =). He continues to work with the Publications team in addition to planning and dreaming about the future visions that God has given him.

Nate is in Texas. He has begun his second semester at IMI and is growing in his relationship with the Lord. Before returning to IMI, Nate was serving in the ATI department for the summer months.

Hannah has continued with harp lessons and is excelling rapidly. She feels called to serving the Lord through her music abilities on the harp and piano. We are all really excited about how God has and will continue to use her talents for His glory.

Abby is serving another term at “In the GAP” ministries in Oklahoma City. She is enjoying every minute of her training and the opportunities that she has to minister to youth in the public schools of Oklahoma.

Brielle has started up another school year. She continues to play violin in addition to becoming quite the pianist. Her love for photography and her ability to capture amazing pictures has been thrilling! We look forward to having another photography in our family.  =)

Josiah, Daniel, and Johnny have all begun a new school year and are continuing to come up with ingenious ways of having fun around the house. =) Josiah assists in the Publications department whenever he gets a chance, Danny is growing in a knowledge of video production, and Johnny has begun to take piano lessons and remains our little cowboy.

That’s the family in a nutshell! =) God has been so good to us all and we our overwhelmed with His love and acts of kindness towards us.

Please pray that God will continue to work in all of our hearts. And that we will be mold-able and pliable enough that God can continue to shape us into the image of His precious Son, Jesus Christ, our Righteousness.

We will do our best to continue to update you with what God continues to work in and through us as family for His ultimate glory!

For the Fourth of July The family had a great time playing volleyball, eating pickles playing Rook, Watching fireworks and much more!

The family celebrated Abigail and Josiah’s birthdays together! Joey (as we call him =) has been growing up so fast! We know that God has an incredible plan for his life and we are excited to see him growing up into a young man with passion! Abby’s heart is to return to Oklahoma city to continue to serve there with the “IN the GAP” ministries. Her heart has always been towards children and serving in that capacity. She has been very fulfilled in serving there.

In addition to having fun, the guys having been busy with the upkeep of the property such as;

Mowing the lawns, clearing trails in the woods,  fixing leaks, Etc.  It has been such a blessing to be a part of this ministry in so many ways!

One of the bigger, muddier projects that the boys encountered was clearing cattaills from one of the retention ponds! AS you can see, it was a muddy ordeal!…but a memory at the same time!

The remainder of the family is still here in Chicago serving, working, and missing the rest of the family. Pray that God will continue to give us grace, strength, and wisdom as we continue to serve with the Kingdom mindset!
May you be blessed!

photo courtesy of Brielle Paine