Grateful to Be Starting Our Work

Andrea and I have been working toward a single goal for several years now - to be full time servants in the Lord's kingdom. We are so thankful that the day has finally arrived!

We arrived safely in Milton, FL on August 8th. We have since been settling into our new "temporary quarters" (until we leave for Paraguay) and also finalizing the last few details regarding the shipment of our belongings to South America. This involved driving to Nashville, TN to offload everything with Healing Hand International who will be handling the shipping container and customs documents for both the Blackmers and our household items. This past week, I spent a day planning out mission strategy and budgeting with Ed Temple, missions deacon, and also updating various documents. While here I will be teaching an evangelism/missions class on Wednesday evenings and also working alongside the ministers of Margaret Street church of Christ. I must say, it really feels exciting and good to be starting, on what I pray will be a very long career, of serving our Lord. I feel like Isaiah when he said, "Here am I, Lord. Send me!" - Isaiah 6:8

This picture is from when Andrea and I had dinner with our good friends and fellow servants, Al and Rhonda Washington, before we departed from SWSBS. Al preaches for the University Hills church of Christ in Austin, TX and we have known them for many years. They were members at Palm Beach Lakes where Andrea and I were also members for a long time.

Sad Goodbyes and Happy Beginnings

One of the unique moments of life that occur often are those where one thing comes to an end while a new beginning takes shape. We had one of those instances tonight when we said "Farewell" to our friends and church family at Dripping Springs church of Christ.
It's hard to believe two years came and went so fast. Everyone at Dripping Springs is very special to us and we will miss each of them greatly. Here are a couple of pictures that our dear friend, Beth Moore, took of the money tree they presented to us along with a fingers foods layout. It was definitely a crying time.

Now we are packing to leave for Milton, FL where we will begin working with the Margaret Street church of Christ before departing for Paraguay in January. We are excited about this new part of our work and look forward to what the future holds!